FREE ONLINE ART MARKETING WORKSHOP

Aug 01, 2009 FREE ONLINE ART MARKETING WORKSHOP Attend a free online
art-marketing workshop hosted by Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale,
Arizona. Every few weeks Xanadu presents a new free mini-workshop on
becoming a more gallery-ready artist. Gain the perspective of an art
gallery owner on how to best partner with art galleries to sell more
of your artwork. Attend the mini-workshop from the comfort of your
studio computer, but ask questions like you were attending the class
in-person. Each workshop lasts 25 to 30 minutes and is totally
free. Contact: Xanadu Gallery OR 480-368-9929 OR
http://www.xanadugallery.com/artmarketing

Help Support the Huntsville Museum of Art by Donating Items

The White Elephant Sale

August 22, 2009    

The Museum is now accepting donations for our White Elephant Sale! Bring your donations of antiques, home decor items, china, crystal, upscale "yard sale" items to the Museum. All donations are tax deductible!

 

Looking for new items to replace those donations you just made? Stop by our White Elephant Sale on August 22 to find new treasures of your own! All proceeds from the sale will go towards the Museum's operating budget.

 

Thank you in advance for your donations...the Museum could not do this without our wonderful supporters!

Huntsville Museum of Art

300 Church St. | Huntsville, AL 35801

Phone: (256) 535-4350

info@hsvmuseum.org

www.hsvmuseum.org

Guild and Studio Membership: Tennessee Valley Ceramic Arts Guild

Support the TVCAG

Guild and Studio Membership

For more information about TVCAG guild and studio memberships, please
contact tvcag.info@gmail.com,
visit our website at http://www.tvcag.org, or stop by and see us in
person at...

Tennessee Valley Ceramic Arts Guild
8006 Old Madison Pike, Ste 15
Madison, AL 35758
(256) 289-9528

Expansion rework of Huntsville Museum of Art

Redesigned museum addition boasts 'more inviting' building

Thursday, July 16, 2009

By Steve Doyle

Times Staff Writer steve.doyle@htimes.com

City panel approves less expensive plan, parking compromise

A reworked Huntsville Museum of Art expansion got a thumbs-up Wednesday from members of a city subdivision board.

Committee members applauded the new design by Fuqua & Partners Architects, which shifts the two-story addition from the Williams Avenue side to the rear of the museum. It includes lots of glass, a concert stage and new entrances allowing people to enter from Big Spring International Park.

TO READ MORE OF THIS COPYRIGHT STORY PLEASE VISIT: 

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/local.ssf?/base/news/1247735707115080.xml&coll=1

Trinity School info at the end! WOW Incredible Art event !

From Diane Lehr:

This is fascinating!

FIRST: Please see the info regarding a great art event that was in Athens on Saturday.

Professor James C. Watkins of Texas Tech, grew up in Athens Alabama and graduated from The Trinity School here.
He is a world renowned ceramic artist with such accomplishments as Resident Scholar Status at the Japan Center in Hicone Japan. His work is shown internationally and is included in the first permanent collection of The White House Superior Fine Craft Collection. His works are also in the permanent collection at Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in Shigaraki, Japan. In 1995 his work was shown in two museums of The Smithsonian Institute including The National Museum of American Art.
The White House Collection has traveled throughout the United States. He has received two distinguished Fullbright Scholarshps to teach his ceramic arts in Vietnam in 2004 and again in 2005. Professor Watkins was in Athens on Saturday to host a showing of his esteemed work and to speak at a breakfast and dinner reception. He was honored by his classmates,in order to assist the Trinity School Project, which is working to have a permanent museum and memorial in Athens to the historic school.

Artist, Carole Foret and Art On The Square Board members, Diane Lehr and Alissa Rose Clark, set up and hung his major exhibit at The Club House in Athens, that showcased his work. They also assisted as docents during the show.
Lisa Milby, VP of Art On The Square, spoke briefly on behalf of this great man and on behalf of Art On The Square in the community of Athens, at the breakfast event.

During his visit here, he received the Keys to the City of Athens,by Mayor Dan Williams, and a Proclamation to his honor by County Commissioner David Seibert.

Diane Lehr is pictured with ceramic arts master James C Watkins, after he signed a copy of one of his books.
In the foreground is his work The Cauldron, from the Guardian Series

His work is superb!

The Trinity School!
Trinity High School, a school for black students was founded in 1865 by a Civil War nurse who wanted to teach Black students to read, and it closed in 1970. It sits on a site that was once Fort Henderson, a Civil War-era earthwork structure.

Members of the Community Association are seeking support to help preserve this site as a museum.
The all black Trinity High School closed in 1970 with the end of segregation. The school turned out many outstanding graduates. One of those graduates, the late Judge R. Eugene Pincham, reorganized the defunct Athens-Limestone Community Association before his death in 2008.Another was James C. Watkins, a world renowned artist and art professor in Texas.

The ALCA Board of Directors, which includes Edward Gilbert, president; David C. Malone, vice-president; Osteen Washington, treasurer; Carolyn Williams, secretary; Masheldia M. Green and Richard Martin, historians and marketing, and Maggie Malone, adviser, are leading an effort to reclaim the Trinity site, which has fallen into ruin.

For more information or to help support this cause,call Richard Martin, or Carolyn Williams at 256-232-8347.

Patti Malone was born in 1858, at Cedars Plantation in Athens, Al. She was best known as a mezzo-soprano vocalist.

Malone was born into slavery in antebellum Alabama. Her hometown was the scene of numerous clashes between Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War, as well as alleged atrocities committed against the civilian population by the Union soldiers. After the war, Malone enrolled in the Trinity School, a school for the children of former slaves founded by the American Missionary Association in Athens. The school was founded by a nurse who had participated in The Civil War. Malone's enrollment at Trinity was not without cost or risk, because local residents refused to hire African-Americans who sent their children to the school. As a child, Malone was forced to work for her former owner's family as a condition of her mother's employment. Despite this, and considerable harassment and intimidation from white children in the community, she was able to pursue her education at Trinity. She is reported to have been so determined to secure an education, that she would attend school while so ill that she had to lie down for lessons while there.

Fisk Jubilee Singers, c. 1880 (Patti Malone at far right)

After finishing her studies at Trinity, Malone was sponsored by her principal to go to Nashville, Tennessee, where she enrolled at Fisk University, which had also been established by the American Missionary Association. There, she experienced a change that would shape the remainder of her life. At the time, Fisk was a new, struggling institution, without even its own permanent campus and buildings. As a response to this, the university had chosen nine of its students to form a musical touring group to raise funds for the fledgling school. The initial effort was an unexpected success, raising over $100,000.00. Malone had originally been recruited for Fisk by the original chaperone of the Jubilee Singers, Miss Wells, the principal at Trinity.^[1] Malone joined the group on tour in Germany .^[4] During Malone's tenure in the group, she performed throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand, including a command performance before the Queen of England and German Emperor Wilhelm I.^[3]

Contact info:
Diane Lehr
(256) 656-6588

Huntsville Art Blog on Facebook!

Many artists on the Huntsville Art Blog use Facebook, so the HSV Art Blog has created a group just for you! The Huntsville Art Blog has the latest and greatest HSV art community info, and now we all can be "friends".

Click HERE to join the HSV Art Blog group!

History of Floor Cloths by Susan Turner

July Huntsville Art Blog Featured Artist, Susan Turner shares the history of Floor Cloths.

Floor cloths have been around for hundreds of years in many forms. Some of the very early ones were made from the sails of ships and coated with linseed oil. They were used on hardwood floors when an expensive wool rug was not affordable or too hot to use in the summer months.

They are now used as decorative floor coverings or wall hangings.
These floor cloths and wall hangings are painted on canvas primed with layers of marble gesso for strength and stability. The design is hand painted with layers of acrylic paint to achieve a “one of a kind piece”. The finished cloth is coated with multiple coats of acrylic sealer and at least two coats of paste wax are applied to protect the finish. Tabs are added to the back for the ease of hanging.

Floor cloths can be used, indoors, in place of a rug in high traffic areas on hardwood or stone floors. Under normal wear they need only to be cleaned with warm water and mild detergent. They work well under kitchen tables because of the flat surface and chairs slide easily over them. The colors will not fade or rub off.

Over the years through much research, trial and error and perseverance I have made many floor cloths in many geometric shapes and sizes that stay beautiful for years.
Each floor cloth is a custom made “one of a kind piece” of functional and practical art work. The steps in their design and construction are time consuming but the finished product is worth it.

Everyone enjoys displaying personal memorabilia, decorating accents and using color combinations in many ways to make their homes reflect their own taste ranging from “country”, contemporary to eclectic. By working closely with customers on the color and style of each floor cloth I have designed pieces that reflect their unique interests and decorating styles.

Floor cloths often “pull together” the look of a room as well as add protection to the floor surface.
Each floor cloth is durable enough for floor use even though some are used as wall hangings in place of a more expensive painting or permanent mural.
They can be moved easily by first rolling them loosely on a cardboard cylinder (they should not be folded) and stored if not being used.

I hope you think about your floor cloth design and give me a call, 256-379-3457. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Susan Turner

Today is a Brand New Day!
Brand New Day Creations "Unique Custom Floor Cloths & Murals"
www.BrandnewDayCreations.com

Featured Artist: Susan Turner

"Irises" by Susan Turner, copyright

"Spice Colors" by Susan Turner, copyright

"Pond Irises" by Susan Turner, copyright

Susan Turner

Functional Art
Art can be useful as well as beautiful. It can surround us in many ways, on the floor, on our dining tables as well as the walls. Color can enhance a mood and make our homes inviting. Hand painted pieces move the eye around a room and give a little lift to our spirits.

Susan Turner is a full time artist with a Bachelor of Science and Masters Degree in Elementary Edu. and a minor in Art. Her teaching background includes 26 years in elementary school, where art was incorporated, almost daily, into the curriculum. She has taught Floor Cloth and Decorative Arts workshops at the Tullahoma Fine Arts Center, in Tullahoma, TN, The Art Training Center in Sewanee, TN and at the Grafton Arts Festival in Grafton, Australia and from her studio, Brand New Day, in New Market, Alabama.

She has given private painting and drawing lessons for many years. She has painted over 75 commissioned floor cloths and wall hangings and over 400 original pieces.

She has exhibited her work in art shows and galleries in the Southeast, including the Full Cast Studio Tour in Sewanee, TN, Panoply and the Monte Sano Art Show in Huntsville, AL , Bluff Park in Hoover , AL. and Newbill Collection by the Sea in Seaside, FL.

For more info about Susan please visit her website Brand New Day Creations at: www.BrandnewDayCreations.com

Featured Artist: Diane Lehr

"Blue Moon" by Diane Lehr", copyright

A Collage of "Friend's Journey", "Forgiving Flight" and "Running through Flowers and Dreaming of You" by Diane Lehr, copyright

"Friends Journey" by Diane Lehr, copyright


Diane Lehr

The Art Of " Diane too"

Some call my work "sweet" and "child-like" and I consider that the ultimate compliment. As a young girl, the stained glass windows I saw in a small Catholic church in Memphis Tennessee, intrigued and mystified me. Those moments I spent in that quiet little church gave me courage and hope as I prayed for things beyond my reach. I felt at home in the churches I attended and found refuge from the storms that were part of life. I came to love a most poignant verse painted on a wall in that small church that stands today as a testament to my art, and to my life. It was from the book of Matthew and part of it said,
"..Unless you become as little children, you will never know the Kingdom of Heaven."

The symbols of my childhood dreams live on in my art, representing the hope of a little girl in a seemingly overwhelming world. In my work there will always be evidence of charity, compassion, strength, freedom and love. The stars, of course, represent all wishes, hopes and dreams. The horses are strength and freedom. The birds represent our guides in moments of doubt. And of course, you will always recognize the symbols of God’s love. These are also representative symbols of my becoming me.

As an adult, I worked over twenty-five years as an RN, primarily with pediatric patients.
I have traveled extensively seeking opportunities for artistic study and expression. I lived in Europe and studied the "classics" throughout Germany, France and Italy. After living in Europe, I moved to New Mexico and fell in love with the land and its diversity of people and cultures. It was there that I studied the devotional art created by the santeros of New Mexico. Their style became an inspiration for much of my work as it represented their homage to the spiritual traditions of "old Europe" and "new Mexico." In this place of light and sky, also known as the land of enchantment, my work evolved into a reverential yet joyous medium which I hope will inspire spaces of heartfelt devotion in each of you.

Diane’s work is currently shown at “diane’s” and Overton Park Gallery in Memphis or can be obtained by contacting Diane at RNbullit@aol.com.
She will also have her work available at Art On The Square, on September 12, in Athens, AL.

NewSouth Architects and Studio 100 Fine Art Gallery Have Moved

PRESS RELEASE: NewSouth Architects and Studio 100 Fine Art Gallery Have Moved

(HUNTSVILLE-AL – July 15, 2009) The offices of NewSouth Architects and Studio 100 Fine Art Gallery have moved to a new space on the Square in Downtown Huntsville.

The combined art gallery and architecture firm are now located at 117 Northside Square next door to Sam & Greg's across from the courthouse.  James Lee Caudle, Principal Architect, has provided residential and commercial architectural services in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Mississippi for over 21 years. Studio 100 Fine Art Gallery, which opened in May 2008, features oils and pastels by local artist Ann Caudle, James's wife. A Grand Opening will coincide with the Gallery Tour July 23, 2009. The Public is invited. For more information call: 256-539-5845

Scott Smith's NEW STUDIO Invite Open House!

Invite from Scott Smith www.ScottSmithFineArt.Com

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW

CLICK ON IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW

The Huntsville Art Blog is happy to add Scott Smith's website to the artist list. Please visit: www.ScottSmithFineArt.com

Itinerary for Plein Air Painters of the Southeast WORKSHOP

Itinerary for the Plein Air Painters of the Southeast

Workshop and Outdoor Painter's Forum

August 25 – 30, 2009

 We're sending you an updated itinerary for the upcoming plein air painting event and workshop that PAP-SE is organizing for late August. We'd love for other outdoor painters to join us for the week, or the weekend, at Leatherwood Mountains near Boone, NC. There will be many painting, socializing and networking opportunities. Plus, a few spaces are still available for the workshop (Aug. 27 - 30) taught by six PAP-SE instructors: Perry Austin, Loryn Brazier, Dee Beard Dean, Paula Frizbe, L. Diane Johnson and Richard Oversmith.

Below is an outline of what's being planned for both the general painters and the PAP-SE workshop students. In the evenings, we hope to get everyone together for dinner, sunset paint-outs, bluegrass concerts on the lawn, and more. Let us know if you have any ideas for fun and entertainment. See the contact information below for questions, costs, workshop registration, lodging, etc.

 

Tuesday, August 25 & Wednesday, August 26

Several PAP-SE artists will arrive at Leatherwood to network and paint together for a few days before the workshop. Other plein air painters from around the Southeast have reserved cabins at Leatherwood to vacation, paint and network. Until Thursday night, any get-togethers for painting or meals will be impromptu. The Leatherwood Mountain Welcome Center will be the best place to coordinate with other painters.

Thursday, August 27 Evening

In the evening, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm, PAP-SE instructors and workshop participants gather at the on-site restaurant for a reception and PowerPoint presentation. For non-workshop visiting artists, we've scheduled a bluegrass band to begin playing on the lawn next to the welcome center at 7:00 pm. At 8:00 pm, everyone can join together to enjoy the concert. We'll send out details later regarding the cost and availability of food and beverages.

Friday, August 28 Morning & Afternoon

All painters meet at the restaurant from 8:00 to 9:00 am for breakfast and networking. The PAP-SE workshop students will meet outside the restaurant at 9:00 am with their instructors. Maps and painting suggestions will be available for non-workshop painters who may choose their painting partners and destinations for the day.

Friday, August 28 Evening

Several artists are organizing a group sunset paint-out up on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, NC. After sundown, the caravan of artists and guests can head to town for dinner at a local restaurant.

Saturday, August 29 Morning & Afternoon

All painters meet at the restaurant from 8:00 to 9:00 am for breakfast and networking. The PAP-SE workshop students will meet outside the restaurant at 9:00 am with their instructors. Maps and painting suggestions will be available for non-workshop painters who may choose their painting partners and destinations for the day.

Saturday, August 29 Evening

Before sunset, weather permitting, an "all-painter's paint-out" at the Keyes cabin (a hundred-year-old cabin on the Leatherwood property surrounded by a big field) is being planned. Afterward, (if we have enough participants), a BBQ dinner and bluegrass band will be held for all painters near the Welcome Center. Cost of tickets will be forthcoming after the details are pinned down.

Sunday, August 30 Morning & Afternoon

All painters meet at the restaurant from 8:00 to 9:00 am for breakfast and networking. The PAP-SE workshop students will meet outside the restaurant at 9:00 am with their instructors. Maps and painting suggestions will be available for non-workshop painters who may choose their painting partners and destinations for the day.

Sunday, August 30 Late Afternoon

We'd love to hear your suggestions for a final get-together event before packing up to head for home.

 

                                                                                PAP-SE Workshop Schedule & Topics

Friday August 28

Paula Frizbe † † † † † †
Seeing the Simple Shapes
One of the keys to†successful†plein air painting is the ability to simplify the elements. Paula will help you to edit what you see, put in only what is important and learn to stop noodling your paintings to death.

L. Diane Johnson †
How to Paint Greens in Nature
Accomplished painters know the battle of the greens: It's not easy seeing green.†Diane will share simple, yet in-depth exercises that will propel your ability to create variety in your greens, and then demonstrate those exercises in a field painting.

Saturday August 29

Dee Beard Dean † †
Learning to See Color and Light

The emphasis of master painter Dee Beard Dean's class will be on†building arrangements of abstract shapes that will form a strong foundation for the painting.†She†will†focus on†color temperature and value that will help make the students' paintings "sing" and vibrate with evocative color. There will be a short lecture, demo and one-on-one instruction.

Perry Austin † † † † † ††
Composition in Outdoor Painting
To paraphrase Edgar Payne: To create unity, one feature should be the main interest and dominate all other interest or masses. Our southern gentleman painter, Perry Austin will give you the keys to attracting and holding interest and keep you from the depths of mediocrity. †

Sunday August 30

Richard Oversmith †
The Keys to Successful Alla Prima Painting
Composition, focal point, values, color, color temperature, drawing and edges will be stressed. Working on smaller canvases, with larger brushes, will help students focus on the bigger shapes of a composition. The goal of the student will be to explore these keys and create paintings with unity.

Loryn Brazier † † † † ††
The Value of Value††
All the color in the world won't help you unless you first understand value. Accomplished portraitist and plein air painter, Loryn Brazier, will help you differentiate between light and dark values and hue and chroma. Get the values right first and the painting will read! Demos, discussion and hands on help.

Contact info for workshop and lodging:

For workshop questions, schedule of instructors or to register, contact Diane C. May

Tel: (615) 414-5453

E-mail: dianecmay@aol.com

Workshop Tuition is $400 for early registration (until July 15th) and $450 after July 15th. Cost to include:

Reception meet-and-greet with heavy hors d'oeuvres and PowerPoint Presentation, three days of plein air painting instruction including half days with each of the six instructors, a booklet with instructor notes, daily demos by instructors. Boxed lunches available every day (cost not included) or students may bring their own lunches.

To check out lodging choices, visit the website:

http://www.leatherwoodmountains.com/viewall.htm

To inquire about cabin rentals and make reservations, call Leatherwood Rentals 1-800-462-6867 and talk to Sue or Bethany. Be sure to mention PAP-SE for a 10% discount. If you need a single room, ask Sue or Bethany if other artists have a room to offer in their cabin. Or, the nearby town of Wilkesboro, NC has many hotel options.

Mark your calendars, make your reservations and see you there!

perryaustin@mindspring.com

Athens Native Professor, Potter, Artist and Trinity High School Graduate coming to Athens

Athens is very excited to have Mr. James C. Watkins, Athens Native Professor, Potter, Artist and Trinity High School Graduate coming to Athens, AL Saturday, July 18, 2009.  There will be a breakfast at 8-11 AM, Book Signing/Autographs 12 - 3 PM and Banquet Dinner 7-11 PM (all at the Boys and Girls Club "Club House" restaurant located on Marion Street, downtown Athens.

 

A professor at the Texas Tech University College of Architecture, Professor Watkins has traveled the world blending his teaching - drawing into his ceramic work.  His artistic work exhibits include the White House Collection of American Crafts and the Smithsonian Institution.

 

For more information about this event, please see the attached flyer and program. 

 

For more information call Carolyn Williams at 256-232-8347 or Carlyne Willis at 256-746-0762

 

 

Jeanette Dunnavant, TMP
Tourism Director
"Promoting Tourism In Athens and Limestone County"
Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce
101 S Beaty Street, Athens, AL  35611
www.tourathens.com       jeanette@tourathens.com
256-232-5411  toll free 866-953-6565  cell 256-508-7314

Invitation to TEA to support and honor local artisans

TEA @ St Mary’s Church of the Visitation Parish Center
220 Lincoln St NE, Huntsville AL 35801
1:30 -3pm, on August 5, 2009

To Honor
Johnnette Benkovic Hostess of The Abundant Life television program and Women of
Grace LIVE radio program, both broadcasted internationally through
EWTN and its affiliates.
Miriam Fowler is Emerita, Curator of Ed. at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
Carey Link is a Poet.
Helen J Vaughn is an Artist.
Amy Welborn is Author of 17 books.

PLEASE RSVP by July 21,
2009 caroleeskridge3@gmail.com Business Attire

SEMINAR to ENABLE disABLED ARTISTS & WRITERS & those who care @ St.
Bernard’s Abby in Cullman, AL

Aug5 AMY WELBORN 7-9 pm "How to write for Newspapers & Magazines" $25

Aug6 JOHNNETTE BENKOVIC 9–11am" How to write for Book Publication" $25
& 1-3 pm "How to of
TV & Radio Production" $25

Aug 7 MIRIAM FOWLER 9 -11am "How to present to an Art Gallery" $25

Do you know anyone who would Give A Donation for Scholarships for a
disabled Artists for $300 with full lecture series, bed+food+gas+art
supplies..

RSVP caroleeskridge3@gmail.com or (256) 429-8697 before July 21,’09.

God Bless, Carole Esk'ridge