Garden Gate, a collage

"Garden Gate” is the final piece in the Portals series. Based on “Garden Shrine” with hints of “Frosty Window”, it offers an arch in a cheerful, warm garden setting. As with some of the other pieces, I wanted an image that invite viewers to experience a portal, make the transition through it.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/portals-garden-gate/

Garden Path, A Collage

“Garden Path” takes another view of an archway and the view from and through it. I wanted to indicate a sense of space and set up an inviting scene where you’d want to go from here to there.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/garden-path/

Garden Shrine

“Garden Shrine” looks at portals as a gateway. An imaginary scene, some views are off in the distance, others are close up. Made of bits of paper, it forms a peaceful, contemplative scene.

Photos of the piece in progress are at http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/portals-garden-shrine/

Beyond

“Beyond” explores the idea of Portals as a window or opening, but shows only the view. I was thinking more about transition – going from there to there, looking at one place from another – rather than the structure that you go through. It’s more about wanting to go than how you get there.

The scene is ... http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/portals-beyond/

Foggy Bridge 2

I thoroughly enjoyed painting the first Foggy Bridge painting, and wanted to explore the subject further.

This version is lighter and brighter. The collaged paper along the bottom edge has cheerful tulips. The bridge is less distinct than in the first painting, making this more about the colors than the structure.

Read more... http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/foggy-bridge-2/

Foggy Bridge 1

Continuing the Portals series is a small painting done about a bridge.

I had vacationed in California several years ago with friends. We flew to San Francisco, spent a weekend, then drove to Napa. On the way home, we drove across the Golden Gate bridge. Beautiful, sunny day, typical of that area. As we approached the bridge, the fog rolled in. By “rolled”, I mean rolled like a freight train! One minute it was sunny; the next it was so foggy we could hardly see the car in front of us.

Read more: http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/portals-foggy-bridge-1/

Frosty Window

Frosty Window, part of my Portals series, was inspired by that crazy polar vortex weather we’ve had the past couple of winters. Awful cold, miserable stuff – but also beautiful.

The frost patterns on my windows were really pretty. Tiny delicate crystals dancing across the panes.

Read more: http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/frosty-window/

Distant Memories 2

“Distant Memories 2” continues exploring that moment of transition between being present and being lost in memories.
It is part of my Portal series.

The design is simpler than Distant Memories 1, yet it has more complexity as well.

Read more... http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/distant-memories-2/

Distant Memories 1

Distant Memories 1 is a small piece from my Portals series. I was testing the idea of memories as a portal to the past, to our history. That moment of reminiscing, as one transitions from being in the present to lost in thought. It has a contemplative feel.

Read more... http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/distant-memories-1/

Tropical Arch

“Tropical Arch” is another piece from my Portals series. It takes a more literal view of the portals concept by depicting an archway.

The scene is made of pieces of magazine images, tissue paper, maps, and some acrylic paint. I attached all the pieces to watercolor paper, then ran the whole thing through the sewing machine. The stitches, in both black and white, add texture and line detail.

See in-progress pics: http://www.lifeneedsart.com/gallery/tropical-arch/

Illumination Night, December 12, 2014

This December Art Hop is special. We’re calling it Illumination Night, and are celebrating the holidays with lights, stars, luminaries, and all things bright and sparkly.

Please join us on December 12th from 5-8pm. Come, regardless of the weather and the cold. We will have lights aplenty to help you find your way around, and the good cheer will keep you warm when you get here.

To find out more, visit:
http://www.lifeneedsart.com/events/illumination-night-december-12/

Black and White Exhibit

I’m pleased to announce that my collage, “Tredecim”, has been accepted into the “Black and White” exhibit!

The exhibit runs November 29 – December 31 at the BOX Gallery at Summit ArtSpace in Akron.

Opening reception is Saturday, November 29, 5-9pm.

"Tredecim" is...

Studio Newsletter

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1st Anniversary Party, Nov. 14-15, 2014

A full year as a full-time artist! Goodness, time has flown! It’s been truly the experience of a lifetime, and I have been grateful for every minute of it. I’m excited to see what the next year holds, too.

A first anniversary calls for a celebration. Dana and I would love to have you come celebrate with us; after all, we couldn’t have done it without the support and encouragement from family, friends, collectors, and the community. YOU have played a huge part in this little adventure.

Please join us on:

Friday, November 14, 5-8pm (during the Art Hop)
Saturday, November 15, noon – 5pm

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/events/1st-anniversary-party-nov-14-15-2014/

Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, Regional Juried Art Show

The Cuyahoga Valley Art Center’s 30th Annual Regional Juried Art Show ran October 7 – November 7, 2014. It featured a wide variety of artwork by artists from around Northeast Ohio.

My collages, “New Orleans” and “Early Spring”, were included in the exhibit.

Women’s Art League of Akron Fall Show, October 2014

Women’s Art League of Akron held their annual Fall members show during October. The theme was “The Beauty Of Fall”.

I was pleased to learn that my collage, "Garden Path", won 3rd place!

The show ran October 1-October 31,2014.

http://www.lifeneedsart.com/events/womens-art-league-of-akron-fall-show-october-2014/

Farmers Market Exhibit, August 28-October 27

Only one more week to catch the "Farmers Market" exhibit at the Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation Gallery. The exhibit features 36 original artwork inspired by farmers markets - still lifes of fruits and vegetables, landscapes of pumpkin patches, portraits of vendors - all very bright and cheery art.

For details, visit 
http://www.lifeneedsart.com/events/farmers-markets-august-28-october-27/

Akron Art Prize, Sept 6-Oct 4

I’m delighted that my collage, “Ghost Ranch”, will be part of the Akron Art Prize competition!

“Ghost Ranch” is a collage I made earlier this year. To see photos of how it came together, go to Ghost Ranch.

Akron Arts Prize is an exciting exhibit for this area, and a bit different than exhibits you’ll typically see here.

The show is a people’s choice type award, meaning that visitors to the show vote on the artworks they like. The artwork with the most votes, wins.

And it’s a serious competition: more than 160 entries in painting, sculpture, glass, ceramic, and lots of other media.

The winner takes home $5,000; runners up get $1,000.
Entries are displayed at locations around Akron:

• Zeber-Martell Studio (43 Furnace St.)
• Akron Glass Works (106 N. Main St.)
• The Nightlight (30 N. High St.)
• Palladian Palette (30 N. High St.)
• Summit Artspace Gallery (140 E. Market St.)

To vote, visit one of the locations or download the Akron Art Prize smartphone app.

Voting begins September 6 and continues until the awards ceremony on October 4. If you’re in the area, please take a few minutes to explore the entries and vote for your favorite.

Find out more here: http://www.facebook.com/akronartprize

Art Break Day, September 5

Now here’s something that sounds like a lot of fun: Art Break Day!

What’s an Art Break Day? Exactly what it sounds like: it’s a day where people everywhere are encouraged to take a few minutes and do something creative.

I’m all for that.

To help with that, I am offering my studio as a location for anyone to do just that. If the weather cooperates, I’ll have a table set up outside the studio with supplies and other fun stuff for you to play with.

Oh – and it’s free!

Why? Because everyone should have a chance to make art. It’s part of who we are.

Me and my supplies will be ready and waiting from 9am-6pm (220 N. Main Street, Hudson, OH 44236).

Stop by and say hi, and dabble in something colorful.

To learn more about Art Break Day and the people who organize it, visit http://www.artbreakday.com/ .
And, connect with the event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ARTbreakday

See you then!

Art on the Green, August 23-24

Art on the Green in Hudson will be held August 23-24, 2014. With more than 150 artists, this show has lots to offer!

You will be able to find me in Space 14, right near the intersection of Rt. 303 and Rt. 91 Space 92 near the food court.

For maps and details, visit:
http://www.lifeneedsart.com/events/art-on-the-green-august-23-24/

or
http://hudsonsocietyofartists.com/artonthegreen.html