Artist Community blog

Call me greedy but even a space ship needs fuzzy dice. About two-to-three months ago, I entered my "studio" into a lottery. I think it was being offered by Art Calendar in association with Dick Blick and a bunch of other brand name art suppliers. And the prize of such anticipation is to have one's studio made over with hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of equipment and supplies. Granted, some of that stuff up for grabs I wouldn't even bother touching because it doesn't concern me but it would be nice to spruce up the old homestead with a never ending supply of canvas and oil paints, brushes, and another easel perhaps. The contest ended July 31st and the name of the lucky winners will be announced in the November issue… Continue reading… 0 comments

we are at the oak brook invitational art fair this weekend...held at the beautiful oak brook center mall. we have booth number 99...near the sears entrance. the heat and humidity are gone and its going to be a sunny and cool and "dry" weekend...we hope to see you there. show hours are saturday 10-7pm and sunday 11-6pm. peggy has a new watercolor on canvas workshop planned for this fall. it will be a one day event held at the new "lake mills arts center". the date is october 16th and the hours will be 10-4. please contact us for more info or to reserve your spot. thanks for reading...have a great weekend..… Continue reading… 0 comments

Artist Traveling Italy -- day 4 of the Cosmos coach tour Wed. Apr. 28 2010 Florence -- this is my second time in this beautiful city. First stop is the Perizzo leather factory and showroom n the city centre. I decide to buy an exquisite jacket, it is so soft. Every time I wear it I'm transported back to Florence. We then have a walking tour with local guide, Francesca. By the end of this day I'll have walked 5 hours. We set off from the Piazza San Croce. Francesca points out interesting architecture including the large metal rings in the walls for tying up horses and the small windows in the walls next to the front doors. Apparently for putting carafes of wine in to customers. These guides know their stuff and study for years to become a city guide… Continue reading… 0 comments

It really bothers me when I look at an abstract and I don't see what the person who created it sees. I don't share their vision. My abstract THE WRATH OF GOD is so damn obvious-all hell is breaking loose. I don't think an abstract should give a person a headache. I don't want to waste my time looking at a painting and wondering to no avail as to what it is or what it represents. If it ever came to it, I would build a perch for my bird right over the top of it as it hangs on the wall and whenever somebody ask me what it is, I would just say, oh, that is just bird crap. I guess that is where the title comes in… Continue reading… 0 comments

Over the last year,Caroyln Weltman and I, after meeting on the artid site,have been collaborating on two projects. "Gods and Men" and "Sophi Squats". Several trips to the Pacific to find the appropriate stones,fretting over the lay out,the first hammer hit,solving the puzzles along the way,and the final polishing. All leading to,what I feel,is a unique and magical project. The synchronicity was everywhere on these works. So the Universe always pays "Fair Measure" for energy exerted, Carolyn has sent me a first edition print of "Gods and Men",1 of 15,that I will cherish forever,and a artist proof of "Sophi Squats"( complete with her own toe nail polish)She is the most special to me and I'll never stop having a crush on her… Continue reading… 3 comments

Do paintings actually sell themselves? Maybe they do or maybe there is some gangster around the corner with a gun insisting that the painting be purchased or "terrible things will happen to you and your family." I guess you should try to imagine that is either a very rough Slavic accent (like the kind I have) or an Italian accent, either way, it is very effective... not saying that I am a gangster or anything but I think it would help some if such a gangster was missing an arm or some appendage. But anyway, I have been staring at this painting that hangs in the lodging facility where I work and it has been there for as long as I can remember. I don't even recall a time when it wasn't hanging there. The selling price is $2500. The person who painted it is Cathryn Sugg… Continue reading… 0 comments

I've always liked the contrasts within panthers. Their beautiful relaxed grace which can turn into snarling energy in an instant. This painting conveys the feeling of them in a jungle, lord of their domain… Continue reading… 0 comments

By, Paul Shampine: paulshampine.com I recently had the pleasure of meeting gardening goddess, author and speaker extraordinaire Sydney Eddison - a golden-souled raconteur that has the presence of the Dalai Lama and the drive of her Jack Russell terrier Chloe. As visitors and garden helpers milled about, I enjoyed a quiet moment at her kitchen table as she proudly displayed 30+year-old images against the current backdrop. The conversation quickly turned topics from the garden's evolution, to her late husband Martin and careers. Discussing my current three-legged career state, Sydney confided in me that she confessed some concerns of her own regarding the late timing of her book writing career to her partner… Continue reading… 0 comments

i am brand new to this "game"...and am finding that i am a very small seed is a huge ocean of artists! this is very overwhelming...and in some ways, depressing. how can i have a chance to sell my things in so vast a selection? i do not have the inclination to do a lot of "selling"...and mostly, because i do not know how. i have no clue where to start, what to do to sell myself, or where to go from here. If anyone out there would like to have someone to mentor in this arena, here i am… Continue reading… 1 comment

12_24 palette knife, oil on canvas www.alsionvernon… Continue reading… 0 comments

"Anna and Max are a young creative couple living together. Anna is a journalist and Max is an intriguing and slightly eccentric artist. Their idyllic relationship starts coming apart when Max develops some strange symptoms. He hears voices and sees visions which force him to withdraw from society and to mistrust Anna. When Anna discovers the cause of the problem it may be too late." You can find it on Amazon. It is actually a documentary-based movie about schizophrenia. Imported from South Africa. Anna does a lot of talking but that is okay because she has a very angelic voice. Max is built like a God and whenever he speaks it is like mountains move just for him. Eventually, the illness brings them both to their knees. Seriously, this movie is a must see… Continue reading… 0 comments

Can you see the imagination working in these two minds? "Back up the truck, boys: we've got a lot of sand to move!" Who hasn't had fun as a child, taking ordinary things and making stories with them? A day at the beach, enjoying the sun and sand, and letting imagination run free! A perfect print for your child's room; a reminder of the carefree days of summer ...… Continue reading… 1 comment

It was my birthday recently... as if I care. There is nothing fun about growing old. And somebody gave me some money as opposed to stuff that I don't need like they all used to when I was a kid. And this person said to spend it on something you want or need. Okay! I'll do just that. The other half of my two week vacation is coming up next week. I requested such a date (10th thru 15th) because the 10th is when my open house is at the gallery. I have a one track mind most of the time. I cannot think about work and think about the open house at the same time so this works out great. But for the rest of my vacation, I was going to do some traveling. I won't be going far because my car is a run down piece of crap even though it got me all the way to Wisconsin and back… Continue reading… 1 comment

There are distinct stages in tango. This is inspired by one of the later ones where the mists of confusion have cleared away and the woman is now confident and certain of herself and her dance. It's a beautiful thing… Continue reading… 0 comments

I have been in love with rocks for a long time; boulders and rockfaces have figures prominently in my work. Now i have started a series of rockface closeup, where I can really focus on the patterns of color and form. The patterns of color are amprophous and soft-edged, while the forms are hard-edged and crisp. The combination makes for a wonderful richness, and often a spur to the imagination. I have chosen "Carved in Stone" as a potential title for a exhibition of thsi group of works, if it ever happens. The work I am showing here I call "Cracking Up"… Continue reading… 0 comments

Acrylic paintings and techniques have the advantage over other media in that they are long-lasting, yet less costly than oil paintings. Oil and pastels for paintings have drawbacks, pastels being more ephemeral and possibly giving rise to breathing issues due to their chalk residue, and oils for the length of time needed to dry being quite lengthy, perhaps up to months' worth of drying time, as well as the turpentine fumes being bothersome to many. Acrylic paintings are synthetic paint made from pigments blended with synthetic materials. They are water-soluble and can be used on a large range of surfaces; they can be mixed as can oil paints and they clean up easily. In an indoor studio, their smell is less overwhelming than is an oil-based paint… Continue reading… 2 comments

This may prove to be in the bizarre but when I want to go to sleep and I cannot, I require a little incentive to get me on my way into lala land. They say if you eat chocolate before you go to bed you end up experiencing gruesome nightmares. Well, what happens when a person lays down with a notebook and watches women lick each other in every which way possible... not necessarily focusing on the imagery but the sound. It is odd that I cannot stand the sound of my bird chirping or my dog licking his self but the sound of women licking is my favorite drug-puts me to sleep just like that. The thought has crossed my mind that I grow bored of such venues… Continue reading… 0 comments

Fireworks, staring up at night skies and too many sci-fi films have given me a deep love of stars and the interplay of light against a dark background … Continue reading… 0 comments

Visit this link for details: http://bit.ly/dcrYaB This offer is open to residents living in all countries we ship to. Deadline to enter is midnight October 14, 2010 0 comments

12_36 palette knife, oil on canvas www.alisonvernon… Continue reading… 1 comment