Art Receptions

Party Pug

4x6 inches

watercolor

Have you ever gone to an art reception? What is that you expect from them?

There's been a couple of articles on FASO lately about being yourself and such. One example is the art reception. They go on to talk about being true to yourself. Such as, if you're one who shows her work, very sociable and open to talk to people and yet when everyone is gone, you say to yourself, "God I hate these things." then you're not being your true person, just someone others may want to see. On the other hand, if you're one of those people who cringe at the thought of talking to someone who asks you questions about your art, yet you still answer them as openly honest as you can be, you are still being true to yourself.

When I had an art reception, the guy who put it together said that it was going to be an artist talk as well. The artist being me. Well, I wasn't NOT prepared for that. I don't mind talking about my art work, it was standing up in front of those people.. that's what freaked me out. Hence the reason for a vodka tonic before I went into the reception. But as it turns out, it really wasn't so much of a talk as I made it more intimate by going up to people, introducing myself (to those who didn't know me already) and asking them, "what is it that made you come out tonight?" Is this a true reflection of me? I believe so. Especially the vodka part.

I was at a reception over at Mt. Ida college in Newton a couple of weeks ago. It was a group show, so there were a number of artists there and each had about 5-10 minutes to talk about their art work. I loved one artist in particular who did prints that were very nautical in a way... the colors that he used and did it with a variety of things that he found walking the beach. All these questions came up in my mind: When were you in Ireland? Do you still have these pieces of material that you used? what it the process of this piece.......

But when the talks were over, they artists, especially the one I wanted to talk further to, were too engaged in the circle of friends that came to support them. I guess this is a good thing, it's nice to have support from friends and family (my mom, dad and aunt come frequently to my receptions) so I'm not going to frown upon that. But is it the responsibility of the artist to make him/herself accessible to further questions? I think so, but maybe he thought he had already talked enough. Well, I guess it really doesn't matter now because I really don't remember his name.

So when you go to an artist's reception, what are you looking for? Do you want to meet the artist? Would you rather have them talk to the group or one on one? Do you go just for the refreshments? Would you rather not talk to the artist at all because you want your own interpretation? Is there really a right/wrong way?

So that being said, Unbound Visual Art group is having a show at the Harvard Learning Annex at the corner of Western Ave and N Harvard Street in Allston, Thursday May9th. I'll be there to answer all the questions you may have about the pieces that I have up.

Hope to see you there!

Unbound Visual Artists group presents Joan Mullen

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, come and check out Joan Mullen's exhibit at the Faneuil Library in Oak Square, Brighton.

Faneuil Library Art Gallery (Brighton)


Unbound Visual Arts, Inc. and the Faneuil Library are pleased to present the art exhibition Joan Mullen “Abstraction: Sculptural Installation” that explores the experimental qualities of abstract organic form. The public opening reception is Saturday March 30 from 11:00 am -1:00 pm
The exhibition concludes on May 11, 2013
Faneuil Library Art Gallery, 419 Faneuil Street (Oak Square), Brighton, MA
Open Mon, Wed, and Thurs: 10 am - 6:00 pm, Tues: Noon – 8pm, Fri: 9 am – 5 pm and Sat: 9 am – 2 pm
617-782-6705

Unbound Visual Arts, Inc. (www.UnboundVisualArts.org) is a non-profit organization recently incorporated with a mission to enliven and inspire the creative economy of Allston, Brighton and the surrounding area with affordable unbound contemporary visual art for all through exhibitions, sales and educational programs. A Board of Directors and Council of Advisors manage it. Its members include artists, art supporters, businesses, organizations, curators, art collectors and anyone that recognizes the importance of the visual arts in their personal or professional lives. Unbound also develops and nurtures partnerships and collaborations with other organizations and businesses to promote and achieve its educational purpose. Its contemporary artist members create fine art paintings, photographs, sculptures and assemblages.  Unbound’s Facebook site is www.Facebook.com/UnboundVisualArts and its Twitter site is www.Twitter.com/UnboundArts

Independence

So there have been a couple of things that I have witnessed that makes me so thankful that I am an artist but a solo one. I'm not going to go into what I had witnessed, other than a big blame game. But as an independent artist, you have only yourself to blame if your art isn't doing what you want it to do. 

Party Pug

watercolor

4x6 inches

For example, if I'm not making the deadlines on gallery or show exhibitions, I can't sit there and say that it was so and so's fault because they "promised" me that they would get the application in on time. I can't blame it on anyone else if I haven't painted in a week or so because it really is up to me to make the time to sit and paint. And I certainly can't blame the economy or lack of for a lack of sales.

Luna in Oil

16x20"

oil on canvas

Again, bringing this up, because I have seen a lot of groups fall apart because they can't put there egos aside, or will sit and blame another person in the group. To me, that's a poor way to be creative. Sure, we all have distractions and responsibilities to one another as well as to ourselves. But once you start piling blame up on one individual it's just a set up for disaster.

It's best to stop blaming and start solving.

Snow dog

Some one asked me once to not only post my paintings, but post the photos that I work the commissions from. So here's Dublin, the Snow dog!

Dublin

5x7 inches watercolor

Dublin's photo

the client had given me about 10 photos to choose from. After talking with the friend of Dublin's owner, he told me that a) this doggie is no longer with us and b) that he just loved being outside and was a big goofball. Typical golden, right? So I had to do the one with him in the snow. I didn't want to go overboard with the lattice on the porch, so I made it more of a pattern in the painting. And I didn't retort back to my pencils (trying to keep it strictly watercolor) so I had to break out the white watercolor to get the snow on the fur. There were many photos, like I said, and this photo with him in the snow didn't really capture his true golden color. This can show you how important to get more than one or two photos for reference!!!

I hope she loves it!

Before and After

 Not going to apologize for not posting for a while. Things have been crazy lately. Going forward, I'm going to try posting once a week again.

I always have posted my paintings to my Facebook page The Pedigree Artist, Christine Winship, but some one recently asked for me to put up the photos that I've used in order to see what the difference was. So: this is the photo of my last commission:

Bed Buddies Photo

and here's the painting:

This painting was for the winner of my gift certificate for the PBRC (Pit Bull Rescue Center). They have an auction on Ebay every year and I've been donating to this cause for the last 4 years or so.

There are some things that as an artist we feel is necessary to change and some that is necessary to keep. Hence the reason why to get a painting done, right? I felt in this one, that the black on the blanket would loose the effect of fabric, so I omitted it. Then there's the dog's themselves. Some one who came over my house saw the painting first and when I showed her the photo, she said, "I didn't even SEE the little dog in the back. You make him stand out that much more." And the black n' white dog seems to be "floating" a little out of the painting. I think this adds to the dream likeness of this painting.... them being in bed and all :)

Look, I'm Famous... (kinda)

My art and I made the local paper!!! Very nice article, thanks Jing for giving me the opportunity to bring my art and opinions to the village of Allston/Brighton. You can read it here: http://www.wickedlocal.com/allston I started laughing when I read that I was "tearing up" when talking about Luna. She was such a mess when I got her LOL.

First Layer

I haven't even titled this piece and was having a issue deciding whether to do it in watercolor or oil. I settled with watercolor, but did a 2nd "trace" of the image in case I go back to oils. So maybe this is just a study? We shall see how this turns out.
T & I went on an equestrian vacation at the Icelandic Horse Farm up in Mad River Valley Vermont. The horses were wonderful, the inn was beautiful and the people were awesome. Of course I took tons of pictures and plan to turn them into paintings. Maybe make a themed show out of it someday....

If you ride, you should really check them out http://www.icelandichorses.com/

Legacy

Art can do a lot of things.

Olivia Pedrick

Ms. Olivia Pedrick is a 9 year old girl who paints pet portraits and gives all the money to rescue organizations. I found out about Olivia from a friend of mine who posted this article on my Facebook page. http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-rescue/rescue-stories/Helping-Animals-with-Art

This young lady has created quite a stir with her folky art portraits and the compassion that she has for helping the animals. Reminds me of me when I was a young girl.There was a few people talking about how giving gift certificates towards paintings isn't a good idea because the lack of customer base and actual sales will come from it are pretty low. That may be the case, but can we be more like Olivia and just do it for the doggies? I can only imagine what great things are in store for this young lady and her art career. Beautiful and admirable, Olivia.

Pussy Riot

Yesterday, 3 members of Pussy Riot, a Russian all girl punk band, were sentenced to 2 years in prison for performing their song on the steps of a Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Whether you agree with their methods or what they had to say, there is no justification in putting these girls to prison. If you want to listen to the song go here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/video/2012/aug/17/pussy-riot-release-new-single-video.

If you don't speak Russian and want to know what they're saying, here are the lyrics:

Punk-Prayer "Virgin Mary, Put Putin Away"

(choir)

Virgin Mary, Mother of God, put Putin away

Рut Putin away, put Putin away

(end chorus) ...

Black robe, golden epaulettes

All parishioners crawl to bow

The phantom of liberty is in heaven

Gay-pride sent to Siberia in chains



The head of the KGB, their chief saint,

Leads protesters to prison under escort

In order not to offend His Holiness

Women must give birth and love



Shit, shit, the Lord's shit!

Shit, shit, the Lord's shit!

(Chorus)



Virgin Mary, Mother of God, become a feminist

Become a feminist, become a feminist

(end chorus)



The Church’s praise of rotten dictators

The cross-bearer procession of black limousines

A teacher-preacher will meet you at school

Go to class - bring him money!



Patriarch Gundyaev believes in Putin

Bitch, better believe in God instead

The belt of the Virgin can’t replace mass-meetings

Mary, Mother of God, is with us in protest!


(Chorus)



Virgin Mary, Mother of God, put Putin away

Рut Putin away, put Putin away


These women, and Olivia too, are creating a legacy with their art. A read a post from LuAnn Udell (FineArtViews newsletter) who wrote about "What we leave behind" just the other day:

"What matters, in the end, is the kind of life you strive to lead. The ripple effect of your actions in the world—the kindnesses, love, energy, opportunities you were given, and in turn gave to others, create wavelets that move far past our own seeing. We have to simply trust they carry our best intentions, wherever they go.


What comes after, whatever is made of our efforts, when we are gone, whatever it is those others who come after will understand, will be what serves their need, not ours."

What's my legacy? I may never know..... but it makes me want to create more art.