Art in the house today: Spring Open Studio tour

A beautiful start to the weekend with sunshine & chickens in the yard, even if it was brutally CHILLY for those of us wearing summer things. Jess Polanshek (Polanshek of the Hills) and I had a nice number of visitors today and are looking forward to even more Sunday. And Rick will be here Sunday to hawk his own art! If you ask nice, he'll brew you some of his super-strong coffee.
Before I go further, a HUGE thank you to Rick for all the help cleaning and especially all the mental support. This guy has to constantly remind me that things will always work out, etc. It's a full time job whenever deadlines loom.

Also, big thanks to the folks over at PopColor in Williston who printed my greeting cards on a tight deadline; my good friend and fellow artist Gwendolyn Evans who gave me a wonderful Reiki session in the midst of my hectic preparations; and of course to Jess for taking part in all of this despite being allergic to my cat. Whoops...

Jess took this great shot of my newest eggs

A piece I haven't worked on in years is back on the easel
and brand new cards are in the rack

From my imaginary waterscape series

My photo doesn't do justice to how good Jess' set up is

Here's her painting nook by the window

And two little paintings she did as part of
our mutual art challenge back in March

Rick's coloring books!

I managed to get a few of Rick's pieces on the display panel too.
Sunday he actually gets to take part in all of this.

Headed to the Party

Phoenix Books in Essex is hosting their annual Newt Night this month, and this year they're hosting a "Peepers and Creepers" exhibit as well. 

My friends there have fond memories of my Frog in the Forest piece, so I thought I'd revisit a little piece I made around the same time.  

This idea started as a tiny little colored pencil piece on 4x6" watercolor paper.  This time around it's acrylic on a 16x20" canvas panel.  I rushed a bit at the beginning, but I'm giving myself a little more time to fine-tune it before bringing it to the shop.  Feel like I'm setting new records for myself in terms of finishing pieces!

Stage 1 painted while Monty Python's Holy Grail (and ALL the extra features) played in the background.

Stage 1, thought I was finished but my in-house critic said..."hmmm."  Back to the easel!

Stage 2 painted while Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Amelie played.  At this point, I decided it's not a good idea to try and have a subtitled movie playing while trying to paint.  Too distracting.

Stage 2:  Brightening things up a little bit.  Brought some blue-tones into his belly, not sure if that's working yet.
VERY happy with the umbrella.  Trying to get that same feeling elsewhere in the painting.

A better mushroom.  Stalk still needs work though.

Stage 3 begins this morning (though we're fast approaching noon.)  After being heavily fueled with a pile of doughnuts from our local baker ladies, a giant omlet and a big mug of Earl Grey tea, I'd better have enough energy to see this thing through.  Would like to deliver it tomorrow!

By the way:  here's the original little sketch.  I ran out of paper so his boots are cut off.  Little did I know the legs would be one of the hardest parts in re-creating him!  Trying to be at peace with the fact that the new version is exactly like the original in other ways.

Storytime @ Studio Place Arts

Not long after Christmas, I received an invitation from Janet Van Fleet to submit work for an exhibit titled "Storytime" at Studio Place Arts in Barre.
The opening is next Friday, March 9th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  (Show info is at the end of my post here.)


Now I've had the chance to meet Janet in person, and I think the word is:  Cool.
I especially love her sculptures (check them out!)  You may recall that she was kind enough to mention me in her latest Art Hop review.   Well, she accepted "Creature and Healer" into the exhibit, so I will be in my second show at S.P.A.  And in good company, too:  Beth Robinson of Strangedolls will be there!

Creature and Healer (detail) ©Sweet Enemy Art 2012

The first art-outing that my friend G and I took was actually to see Janet's show @Flynndog Gallery in Burlington a few years back.  What we encountered was a long hallway completely filled with art on wheels.  Trains of wooden sculpture that had me itching to get in and play.
And so we did, and this was my first experience guiding someone without sight around art.  Thankfully I didn't do anything too stupid that time, just, y'know, had her exploring some of the male figures before I realized that they were rather anatomically correct!  These are rather rough figures, but still, G got a good laugh out of that one.  Thank goodness...
In recounting this to Janet yesterday, she did say that there do tend to be quite a few male appendages in her work.  (Please note I'm being genteel for your tender sensibilities.)  I think I'm going to like getting to know her!

March 6 - April, 2012

In the Main & Second Floor Galleries:

Storytime: The human impulse to construct narratives is explored through painting, video, sculpture, photography, and published materials.

In the Third Floor Gallery:

Never Forget: A group, multi-media show on the creative journey of women.

This exhibit is supported by the Vermont Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts

Opening Reception: Friday March 9th, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

Studio Place Arts, Barre Vt.