Tag: #artinPrescott

“Watchman”… a painting for an Advent Cantata

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“Watchman” 40″ X 30″ Original Acrylic painting on 1 3/4″ gallery wrap canvas

It’s that time of year when my thoughts turn to the Trinity Presbyterian’s Advent Cantata. I am busy rehearsing it and this year the music is especially beautiful with Joseph Martin’s and Heather Sorenson’s new Cantata “Christmas Dreams”. Some years the music just calls for an art piece and this year was one of those.  The Advent Cantata is being performed the first weekend in December which corresponds to the first weekend of Advent so I needed to paint the art piece early.

This last weekend was the Prescott Area Artists Studio Tour and since I am asked to do a demo during those three days; I felt it was a great time to work on the Advent painting. Some of you who came to the Open Studio saw it in the process.

My original idea was a Child’s Dream where a small  Christmas Manger would be under a tree and the ornaments would consist of Magi, Shepards and the Christ Child. One of the guests during the tour said, “keep it simple”.  I took it to heart since I myself was not sure the first version would really tell the story I wanted it to.  So since I work very fluidly and intuituve, the “Watchman” came to be.

Now the symbolism gives a profound statement to the beautiful words in the song  The Promise and the Prayer, “Here the music of the stars, words of hope from ancient bards. People hear the glad Noel: God will come, Emanuel.”

If you want to know more about the Trinity Music Program visit their site here.

Come and enjoy this beautiful and free Cantata with full orchestra.

 Dec. 2, 2018 at 9:00am or 11:00am.

 Trinity Presbyterian Church

630 Park Ave. Prescott AZ.

PARK AVENUE ART

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CRANE CROSSING

“Crane Crossing” 24″ X 24″

I have recently been given the opportunity to teach what I love, ART.  This year I wrote an aggressive business plan for my company.  I must admit that when I was through with it I wondered how this would all come about.  My bottom line is that I wanted to make a living doing what I love best, ART.

I decided that I would trust in my partner God, and that I would take all opportunities that he set in front of me.  Not only do I sell my art but I teach it.  I have a small base of students that take lessons from me; I also run workshops 4 times a year.  I have wanted to do more of this work, but have never had enough space in my studio to accommodate a large group.

God has set before me the opportunity to run a thriving school to teach visual arts.  It is at a space very familiar to me.  Park Avenue Arts, it is where Park Avenue Theater has git’s roots, and where I have designed sets for many years. It also houses Debbie Place who teaches vocal lessons  and will be adding Le Anne Lawhead, who teaches flute. Both these ladies are prominent in their fields. I now have the opportunity to teach visual arts in a great space and will start by filling a visual art curriculum for home-schooled students. I will also be doing one day painting retreats for adults and youth.

In July I will be teaching a two-day workshop, “Creating Positive-Energy Art”.  This is the perfect time to experience the cool summer breezes of the Arizona mountains.  We can spill out unto the creek side park for some Plein Air painting.  I am just loving the energy this space creates.  Trinity Presbyterian Church has created this Art Center to fill a gap, a nurturing place for both children and adults to find their passions, their way in life and the opportunity to grow closer to God.

To sign up for my workshop or to find out about other artistic opportunities contact me HERE.

CREATING POSITIVE -ENERGY ART

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FOREST BASIN

Forest Basin

I have discovered over the years that I love to teach and confab with other artists.  It brings me as much energy as it does the student.  Many times I learn from them how to be a better teacher, nurturer and friend.  This year I embarked on a new journey of discovery with my first workshop on Creating-Positive Energy Art.  I realized I needed to kick  it up a notch, and stretch my possibilities along with my students.

 

What I paint is not all that unique, but how I go about creating a painting may be.  First off I have evolved into a mark maker.  Tiny strokes off nothingness, becoming something.  It feels very magical when an image in my mind’s eye evolves into an image on canvas solely by creating small stokes of energy.

I start off remembering an event, a life circumstance or a picture; than I create a story from memories or feelings.  This becomes my story, unique to me seen through my own mind’s eye.  I hold it in my heart and then I put down my first mark.  I choose my colors by the mood that the memory brings. Slowly I add other colors usually starting from the top of my canvas and moving downward. Magically I start working, sometimes that memory will evoke another feeling, and than I am off in another direction.. It is a journey of self-discovery.  Each painting unique, created in the moment. It maybe realistic or abstracted solely based on the emotions brought to the surface.

In my workshops I try to teach this technique to help open the artist to greater possibilities.  It is not always easy and I see them struggle, it is hard for an artist to lose control and not dictate the direction of the painting. But than the magic happens, I will get an e-mail a few weeks later from a student telling me I showed them a new way of seeing. That it was freeing to let their intuitive side dominate the canvas.  They like the outcome,  they don’t mirror my technique but they create their own story, a story unique to them and a painting that is all their own.

I call it Creating Positive-Energy Art.

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