2006 - Red Plant

Finished this one in January 2006. I wanted something with a loose, organic feel and glowing colors. The inspiration was a small (2.5 x 3.5 ACEO) watercolor sketch.

20 x 16 inches. Acrylic on canvas.

2009 Note: This design is one that I come back to over and over again. You'll see it crop up in different shapes and sizes. Why? I don't quite know.

2005 - Spring

This one isn't finished yet, but almost. I honestly don't know what it is, but it's been bouncing around in my head for a while and I had to get it out! The colors in the photo aren't quite intense enough. The bright green, the bubble gum pink, the brilliant yellow -- I don't usually use colors like this, but they were demanding to be put on canvas. The blue is thrown in to try to tie things down a little bit. It looks like it's going to bounce right off the canvas. Which is the point.

20 x 16 inches, acrylic on canvas. January 2005.

1/15/06 Update: Change of plans -- it's finished. After looking at it for almost 2 weeks now, I've decided that it doesn't need anything else. I've signed it and given it a couple coats of varnish.

2005 - Exclamation in Tomato

OK, this needs a better title! I did a small watercolor (3.5 x 2.5 ACEO) similar to this and liked it, so here it is a little larger (10x8).

The stripes are oil pastel; the rest is acrylic -- about a half dozen layers of glazes in different shades of red. It's simple. Nothing fancy. Makes me smile.

2005 - Orange and Lime

My first still life in a long time. Years, maybe? (Painted before the Onions and Potato.)

It has its flaws, true, but it served its purpose. The underpainting is bubble gum pink, which brings out the highlights on the orange. Bits of the pink peek through in the lime, making the green more lively.

2005 - Onions and Potato

This little still life was a painting exercise. I was trying to use soft brushstrokes, lost edges, reflected light. I used a limited palette of primary colors only -- red, yellow, blue plus white. No brown or green.

9 x 12 inches, acrylic on canvas.

2005 - Hearts Afloat

When I started painting again in 2005, I wanted some way to show my friends and family what I was doing: good, bad, or otherwise.

Rather than emailing images around, I started a blog (on another system). That blog is now closing, so I'm copying over the old posts. It's worth saving the history, I think.

This little thing was just an exercise, just for fun, trying to loosen up. Painted in late 2005. 5x7 inches, acrylic on canvas.

Purple Music, 6x4 inches, Original Painting on Paper

This little gem is so free and full of movement, it feels like a dance or a song, don't you think? It reminds me of music somehow.

The painting is 6 x 4 inches done on patterned scrapbooking paper. Some of the pattern shows through in places. The subject itself is done with acrylic paints, colored pencils, and acrylic markers.

Call for Artists: Bike Station Public Art Competition

Cleveland Public Art in partnership with the City of Cleveland invites interested artists, designers, architects, and other creative professionals to submit design ideas for a permanent public art project that will call attention to and raise the visibility of a new commuter bike facility being constructed in downtown Cleveland.

This project is open to local artists, architects, designers, creative professionals, and students of all ages. (Applicants must be a current resident or student of the State of Ohio) Collaborations are welcome.

The deadline is June 26, 2009.

Details about the project, eligibility, location, requirements, awards, budget are on their web site:

http://www.clevelandpublicart.org/artist-resources/competitions/bike-station-public-art

H20's Ongoing BNR Treasury

Kat from H20Works has included my Blue Fish Collage ACEO in her treasury on Etsy.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=60708

This treasury is a "BNR": Buy 'n Replace. Buy something from this treasury and she will replace it with an item from your Etsy shop. If you don't have an Etsy shop, that's ok. You can still buy an item anyway.

The rules are in the first comment under the pictures.

Kat has a wonderful Etsy shop full of fine art prints, ACEOs, greeting cards, graphic design services, and some knit and crocheted pieces. Take a minute and shop by her shop: http://H20Works.etsy.com/ .

Whatever you do, catch the treasury quickly. It expires on Saturday, May 30.

Call for Artists: Out of the Box

Just received this call for entries from Joan Colbert. Sounds like a great idea! The entry form is at the end of this post. -- Karen
----------------------------------

Out of the Box Exhibition and Auction
The concept is simple -- you donate your time and talents to create a box that is sold during the event's silent auction and AAAA and Summit Artspace Gallery benefit from your generosity. In turn, as artists, we all benefit from the existence of the AAAA and the presence of Summit Artspace, which is dedicated to showcasing work by local artists. Best of all, creating a box is fun! A box is whatever you interpret it to be. Think Out-of-the-Box and see where your imagination takes you! Your box can be traditional or outlandish, literal or conceptual, sculptural or two-dimensional. You can showcase your signature style or try your hand at something new. Whatever your take on it, there will surely be an art enthusiast who will wish to take it home.

New for 2009 - Bidding Begins In The Gallery!
From October 29 to November 7, our Out-of-the-Box works will be displayed at Summit Artspace. Bidding on the boxes will begin in the gallery this year giving more people a chance to participate. On Wednesday, October 28 contributing artists and the public will be invited to a special reception at the gallery where the boxes will debut and bidding will begin!

The Arts Alive! Awards
The Arts Alive! Awards will be held Sunday, November 15 at Portage Country Club. The boxes will be transported from the gallery to the event for the last round of bidding. This biennial celebration honors individuals and groups that enrich our lives through their participation in arts and cultural activities and awards those whose achievements are outstanding. You can see past winners and photos of past Arts Alive! events at the AAAA web site. Over the years, the Out-of-the-Box creations have become collector's items for Arts Alive! guests, including artists, educators, business people and community and government leaders who attend the event.

The materials used to create your box contribution are tax-deductible. To thank you for donating, you will receive a one-year membership to AAAA and will enjoy great publicity and promotion along with increased exposure and name recognition. AAAA will also offer a 50% discount to box donors who sign up for the Summit Artspace Artists Directory. That's only $30 to be represented on the directory for one year. And remember, the money raised from our boxes helps support AAAA and Summit Artspace Gallery.

So join me at Out-of-the Box!
Attached is an Out-of-the-Box participation commitment form with all the details. You can go to the web sites if you want more information about AAAA, Arts Alive!, Summit Artspace or the Artists Directory -- www.akronareaarts.orgwww.summitartspace.org .

Thank you in advance. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Joan Colbert

Out-of-the-Box Chairperson
330-836-6482
email: joan (at) joancolbert (dot) com

_________________________________________________________

TO JOIN

Participation Commitment

I am delighted to showcase my creativity and help raise funds for AAAA and Summit Artspace by creating a box to be exhibited at Summit Artspace and auctioned as part of the Arts Alive! Awards on Sunday, November 15, 2009.

Please print:

Name _____________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________________________

City, State, Zip ___________________________________________

Telephone (AM) _____________________________________________

(PM) _________________________________________________

Email _____________________________________________________

In the past, boxes have ranged from functional to decorative. Boxes have been everything from jewelry boxes, mailboxes, spice boxes, hat boxes and desk boxes to sculptural boxes, paintings in shadow boxes, ceramic tiles and photographs of boxy things. Box sizes have ranged from 3 inches to 3 feet.

Box design specifications:

• Be creative!
• Your box may be a 3-dimensional container (lid optional), sculpture or 2-dimensional piece.
• Your box can be functional or purely decorative.
• Box shape is decided by the artist/designer. Size should be easily portable.
• Materials used are decided by the artist/designer.
• Boxes must be completed and delivered to Summit Artspace by Saturday, October 17. Drop off times at the AAAA office are Monday-Thursday 10 am to 3 pm or at the gallery Friday-Saturday noon to 5 pm.

Joan needs to receive your participation commitment ASAP (or no later than September 3, 2009.) Please complete this form and mail it right away to:

Akron Area Arts Alliance
140 E. Market Street
Akron, OH 44308
"Attention Joan"

Or FAX to 330-376-8470

Call for Artists: Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Peninsula Art Academy will host the exhibit Planes, Trains and Automobiles from May 30 thru June 28, 2009. Bring best works in all mediums for this 2D and 3D show hosted with Don Getz:

Please deliver your entries starting on Thursday, May 27, thru Friday, May 29, 2009, between 11 am – 5 pm, with the completed registration form.

Meet the Artists Reception, Saturday, May 30, 5-7pm.

For more info please call 330-657-2248 or www.peninsulaartacademy.com

This is a great sales opportunity to show and sell your work to the hundreds of visitors who visit the Cuyahoga Valley National Park each weekend.

Peninsula Art Academy
330-657-2248
1600 West Mill Street
PO Box 171
Peninsula Ohio 44264

Thursday thru Sunday, 11:00 - 5:00

Vote for May Flowers Challenge Winner

Congratulations to SilverMade Studio, winner of the May Flowers team challenge!

Her entry, "The earth laughs in flowers, a sterling silver ring" was the winner.

See the winner and the other entries at:
http://www.clevelandhandmade.com/?p=522

With Love From...

SToNZ™, a local Clevelander, has collected a love-ly bunch of Etsy items for a treasury. She was kind enough to include my little Hearts of Silver ACEO. Wasn't that sweet of her?

Hurry up and take a look at the treasury; it expires on Sunday:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=53976

Please stop by SToNZ shop to see really wonderful organic jewelry made of sterling silver, beach stones, and beach glass.

And, of course, you're welcome to take a closer look at my Hearts of Silver ACEO.

Call For Entries: Fresh & Witty Art

Fresh & Witty Art: 5th Annual Juried Show

Entry Deadline August 6th

Show runs August 14 - September 19, 2009

Cash Prizes $500, $300, $200

See Guidelines and show info on application

Get your application at: http://www.summitartspace.org/exhibitions.html


Summit Artspace
Akron Area Arts Alliance
140 E. Market St.
Akron, Ohio 44308
330-376-8480

The Visual Poetry of Nature, Photographs by Diane Seskes, Holden Arboretum

Just received this from Diane Seskes:

The Visual Poetry of Nature
Photographs by Diane Seskes

Opening Reception--Friday, May 22, 6-9 pm
Presentation at 6:30 pm

Exhibit runs May 22 - July 8, 2009

Warren H. Corning Visitor Center at Holden Arboretum
Holden Arboretum
9500 Sperry Road
Kirtland, OH 44094
www.holdenarb.org

Free to Holden members
Free to nonmembers with paid gate admission

Call for Artists: Masterpieces on Main Street

Thought I'd pass this along to anyone who is interested:

3rd Annual Masterpieces on Main Street Art & Wine Festival

Date: June 6

Booth Fees: 10 x 10 space is $30 ($45 after May 31st) . There are no commissions for this event.

Hours: Saturday, 1:00 to 9:00pm. Set up starts at 9:00.

Application: Visit www.MainStreetKent.org or call Mary Gilbert 330-677-8000 or Bob Mayfield 330-221-5288 with additional questions.

Location: Kent, Ohio

Local wineries will offer wine tasting and local artists will be selling their art on the Home Savings Plaza and on the adjoining street.

Main Street Kent is a non-profit organization affiliated with the National Historic Trust for Preservation focusing on revitalizing downtown Kent.

Vote for May Flowers!

Cleveland Handmade is celebrating May Flowers. Come see how local artists are interpreting spring flowers and vote for your favorite:

http://www.clevelandhandmade.com/?page_id=70

My Miyabi Chiyogami Spring Flower ACEO is one of the entries. I'd be delighted if you would vote for it.

And tell your friends. Thanks! :)