27 years ago, just after I moved to Georgia, I noticed that many of the rural farmhouses and barns were in great disrepair. It wasn't long before many of these structures collapsed and were lost from the landscape forever. I felt a calling to document these old rural structures before the landscape changed forever. This little video is an initial attempt to show, in art, these structures as well as the animals that inhabit the land. Eventually I plan to do a more comprehensive video with photos, paintings and dialog. I hope that you enjoy this presentation.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Rite of Passsage Reception
Another well attended art reception brings art lovers from all over the region
The Point of Art Gallery hosted the show "Rite of Passage" at their Union Point location.
It was an exciting evening! An invited selection of Georgia artists with their interpretations of “Rite of
Passage” were present at the show opening on Thursday, March 19. The “Meet the artists” reception went from 6:00-8:00 p.m but actually lasted longer. Wine was served and Chef Doug Janousek catered the nibbles.What also made it extra special was that the opening reception was filmed by UGA’s School of Journalism students studying film. The end results will be premiered in a 22-minute presentation for Athens and the surrounding area at the State of Georgia’s Technology & Tourism conference in April.
One of the evening's interesting events was a demonstration by talented artist, Wendy Wiggins of Lexington, who demonstrated how she creates glass beads and wraps them in silver for dramatic, fun and beautiful
jewelry. Wendy uses a blow torch which was interesting to watch. Wendy's lively personality made the demonstration more enjoyable watching her work and finding out all about the ancient method of working with glass that she employs.
The artists' work comprising the show were from David Siffert of Greensboro, me, Peter Muzyka of Madison, David Boyd, Jnr, of Gay, Margaret Warfield of Oxford, Laura Connely of Washington, Jan Whyllson of Greensboro and Bob Hart of Athens. Each artist uses a different medium and our unique styles added an interesting mix, excitement and interest to the show. Laura Connely is not only a visual artist but also a musician and song writer and provided the entertainment with a selection of guitar music and songs of her own compositions.
More information can be had by visiting or calling the gallery: http://thePointofArt.net (706) 486-6808
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Rite of Passage
Preparing for a special new show
A few weeks ago I was asked to participate in a new show in Union Point Georgia with the theme "Rite of Passage". The concept of this show was to show how the participating artists have developed as an artist over the years. What we did or are doing that is indicative of growth to another level. I am showing the stages of one of the pieces that I had entered into this new show.
Rite of Passage opens tonight, March 19th and I've included a press release at the end of this blog post.
Here is my artists statement concerning the show:
From Things to Ideas, My "Rite of Passage as an Artist Throughout my life I have been compelled to put down the things that moved me on paper, canvas, or panel. Sometimes video. When I was very young I experimented with images, colors, mediums with little regard to technique or competence. As an adult I studied the great art masters, read books on technique, style, composition, etc. but was hampered from producing my best work because of a lack of focus. In 2007 I left formal work as an art director and graphic designer to pursue my desire to become a fine artist. I am still learning but now my direction is to depict the things that move me with better compositions and style. I do most of my creations in egg tempera but instead of focusing on the detail in things, I am working towards more powerful designs in my paintings. There is a new side of my work evolving with broader patterns and more compelling compositions. I dedicate this new body of work to my wonderful wife Jewel who has been my muse for the past 40 years.
Anne Jenkins, the owner and curator of the Point of Art Gallery in Union Point Georgia had been recently awarded the governor's award for her work promoting Georgia art and artists. Here is a photo of her with the award in her gallery.
Here are the painting stages for the painting "Dancers on Clouds" that is part of the show.
I always begin with a detailed drawing of the image that I intend to paint. At that time I revise the layout and design to a point where I feel that the image reflects the feeling I want to impart with the painting.
The next stage is an under painting that sets the tone for the overall work. In this painting of Georgia trees in a Spring snow, I wanted a warm glow coming through the cold snow so I used a warm tone for the underpainting.
The next steps are painting in the broad patterns of color that pull the image together.
And finally I work in all the details that bring the image to life.
And the final painting:
Dancers on Clouds
egg tempera on panel, 24" x 18"
And the Press Release for the show:
The “Rite of Passage” exhibit and sale of art at The Point of Art Gallery opens Thursday, March 19 with a reception open to the public from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and runs through 28 May. The opening reception will be filmed by UGA’s School of Journalism students studying film. The end results will be premiered in a 22-minute advertisement for Athens and the surrounding area at the State of Georgia’s Technology and Tourism conference in April.
“It‘s a great chance to showcase Union Point and, for the gallery, our talented artists to the world.”
Anne Jenkins, owner of the gallery said. “We’ve all painted new works and it is a fabulous show.”
An additional interesting demonstration at the opening will be glass artist, Wendy Wiggins of Lexington, producing glass beads in an ancient method of glass work for jewelry. She makes each bead using a blow-torch and it is fascinating to watch her work, Jenkins added.
The participating artists are David Siffert of Greensboro, Peter Muzyka of Madison, David Boyd, Jnr, of Gay, Margaret Warfield of Oxford, Laura Connely of Washington, Jan Whyllson of Greensboro, Bob Hart of Athens and Jenkins. Each artist uses a different medium and their styles are all unique which will add an excitement and interest to the show, Jenkins said.
Connely is not only a visual artist but also a musician and song writer. She will be providing the entertainment with a selection of guitar music of her own compositions.
The Point of Art Gallery is located at 604 Sibley Ave, Union Point. The “Meet the Artists” reception is on Thursday, March 19 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Meet the artists, hear their stories and buy affordable, fine art from local artists.
For more information, call (706) 486-6808
A few weeks ago I was asked to participate in a new show in Union Point Georgia with the theme "Rite of Passage". The concept of this show was to show how the participating artists have developed as an artist over the years. What we did or are doing that is indicative of growth to another level. I am showing the stages of one of the pieces that I had entered into this new show.
Rite of Passage opens tonight, March 19th and I've included a press release at the end of this blog post.
Here is my artists statement concerning the show:
From Things to Ideas, My "Rite of Passage as an Artist Throughout my life I have been compelled to put down the things that moved me on paper, canvas, or panel. Sometimes video. When I was very young I experimented with images, colors, mediums with little regard to technique or competence. As an adult I studied the great art masters, read books on technique, style, composition, etc. but was hampered from producing my best work because of a lack of focus. In 2007 I left formal work as an art director and graphic designer to pursue my desire to become a fine artist. I am still learning but now my direction is to depict the things that move me with better compositions and style. I do most of my creations in egg tempera but instead of focusing on the detail in things, I am working towards more powerful designs in my paintings. There is a new side of my work evolving with broader patterns and more compelling compositions. I dedicate this new body of work to my wonderful wife Jewel who has been my muse for the past 40 years.
Anne Jenkins, the owner and curator of the Point of Art Gallery in Union Point Georgia had been recently awarded the governor's award for her work promoting Georgia art and artists. Here is a photo of her with the award in her gallery.
Here are the painting stages for the painting "Dancers on Clouds" that is part of the show.
I always begin with a detailed drawing of the image that I intend to paint. At that time I revise the layout and design to a point where I feel that the image reflects the feeling I want to impart with the painting.
The next stage is an under painting that sets the tone for the overall work. In this painting of Georgia trees in a Spring snow, I wanted a warm glow coming through the cold snow so I used a warm tone for the underpainting.
The next steps are painting in the broad patterns of color that pull the image together.
And finally I work in all the details that bring the image to life.
And the final painting:
Dancers on Clouds
egg tempera on panel, 24" x 18"
And the Press Release for the show:
“RITE OF PASSAGE” ART RECEPTION
The “Rite of Passage” exhibit and sale of art at The Point of Art Gallery opens Thursday, March 19 with a reception open to the public from 6:00-8:00 p.m. and runs through 28 May. The opening reception will be filmed by UGA’s School of Journalism students studying film. The end results will be premiered in a 22-minute advertisement for Athens and the surrounding area at the State of Georgia’s Technology and Tourism conference in April.
“It‘s a great chance to showcase Union Point and, for the gallery, our talented artists to the world.”
Anne Jenkins, owner of the gallery said. “We’ve all painted new works and it is a fabulous show.”
An additional interesting demonstration at the opening will be glass artist, Wendy Wiggins of Lexington, producing glass beads in an ancient method of glass work for jewelry. She makes each bead using a blow-torch and it is fascinating to watch her work, Jenkins added.
The participating artists are David Siffert of Greensboro, Peter Muzyka of Madison, David Boyd, Jnr, of Gay, Margaret Warfield of Oxford, Laura Connely of Washington, Jan Whyllson of Greensboro, Bob Hart of Athens and Jenkins. Each artist uses a different medium and their styles are all unique which will add an excitement and interest to the show, Jenkins said.
Connely is not only a visual artist but also a musician and song writer. She will be providing the entertainment with a selection of guitar music of her own compositions.
The Point of Art Gallery is located at 604 Sibley Ave, Union Point. The “Meet the Artists” reception is on Thursday, March 19 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Meet the artists, hear their stories and buy affordable, fine art from local artists.
For more information, call (706) 486-6808
Monday, February 9, 2009
Commissions and Collages
Working on an Egg Tempera Collage
Like most artists, I prefer to develop my own creative vision. There are times however when an art project comes along and it is either the right fit or an artist is compelled to take the project as a challenge. So it was with a recent piece of art I was asked to create for a departing pastor of an area church. The congregation wanted to give him something to remember the church by. The pastor had been with the church for 23 years ministering to its people and was the catalyst for many things that improved the lives of its members. The church had developed many family oriented additions at the pastor's direction. So, the first thought was to create a painting of the church. Then it was brought up that it would be a special memory for the pastor to be able to see the inside church elements that he helped build. And, tying all this together would be a portrait of the minister to show his relationship to the church.
I tackled the job with the expectation to produce an egg tempera piece that would be able to be handed down for generations to the pastor's family. And, with egg tempera, the piece would not need to be matted or glass added. This would make it easier for packing and moving with no breakage.
I started with a sketch to present to members of the church that would reflect the composition I intended to paint. In the composition I placed the church structure at the bottom as an anchor for the entire piece. The trees and grass would provide what we normally consider to be a solid ground in the painting. Then I placed the pastor in the center with the Sanctuary on the right of the painting and the Fellowship Hall which was an important addition during the pastor's tenure on the painting's right side. The vaulted ceiling on each would be pointing heaven-ward. And the stained glass windows on both sides would help frame the pastor.
After approval with some minor modifications, I began to produce the actual painting. After applying the sketch to the panel, I painted in the lines and shadows with dark egg tempera paint and then began applying an under painting of burnt sienna and yellow ocher for a warm tone base.
Then I began work on the portrait as that part of the painting was the most critical and the most challenging as I did not know the pastor personally.
This took many hours of work until I felt fairly comfortable with the likeness. After that I started to add the grass and work on the complete church part of the painting.
After I completed the church to my satisfaction I began work on the inside area at the top of the painting.
When I completed the top sections I went back over the entire painting cleaning up details and finalizing the painting. The enti
re process- a little over 40 hours of work.
The most extensive painting collage I did was of selected structures in the city of Monroe Georgia in 2005. There were over 30 buildings, I added birds and wildlife, flowers and hqand painted type elements. That was challenging and took a couple months to produce including taking refernce photographs, etc.
Like most artists, I prefer to develop my own creative vision. There are times however when an art project comes along and it is either the right fit or an artist is compelled to take the project as a challenge. So it was with a recent piece of art I was asked to create for a departing pastor of an area church. The congregation wanted to give him something to remember the church by. The pastor had been with the church for 23 years ministering to its people and was the catalyst for many things that improved the lives of its members. The church had developed many family oriented additions at the pastor's direction. So, the first thought was to create a painting of the church. Then it was brought up that it would be a special memory for the pastor to be able to see the inside church elements that he helped build. And, tying all this together would be a portrait of the minister to show his relationship to the church.
I tackled the job with the expectation to produce an egg tempera piece that would be able to be handed down for generations to the pastor's family. And, with egg tempera, the piece would not need to be matted or glass added. This would make it easier for packing and moving with no breakage.
I started with a sketch to present to members of the church that would reflect the composition I intended to paint. In the composition I placed the church structure at the bottom as an anchor for the entire piece. The trees and grass would provide what we normally consider to be a solid ground in the painting. Then I placed the pastor in the center with the Sanctuary on the right of the painting and the Fellowship Hall which was an important addition during the pastor's tenure on the painting's right side. The vaulted ceiling on each would be pointing heaven-ward. And the stained glass windows on both sides would help frame the pastor.
After approval with some minor modifications, I began to produce the actual painting. After applying the sketch to the panel, I painted in the lines and shadows with dark egg tempera paint and then began applying an under painting of burnt sienna and yellow ocher for a warm tone base.
Then I began work on the portrait as that part of the painting was the most critical and the most challenging as I did not know the pastor personally.
This took many hours of work until I felt fairly comfortable with the likeness. After that I started to add the grass and work on the complete church part of the painting.
After I completed the church to my satisfaction I began work on the inside area at the top of the painting.
When I completed the top sections I went back over the entire painting cleaning up details and finalizing the painting. The enti
re process- a little over 40 hours of work.The most extensive painting collage I did was of selected structures in the city of Monroe Georgia in 2005. There were over 30 buildings, I added birds and wildlife, flowers and hqand painted type elements. That was challenging and took a couple months to produce including taking refernce photographs, etc.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Georgia's Winter Colors
The Georgia Winter Landscape is Suffused With Color
One of the things that I noticed when I moved to Georgia in 1982 was that in winter the landscape is more
colorful than any place I had been. As the photos that I've included here, from tall yellow/red grasses, multi-colored trees, the reddish earth all contribute to a beautiful winter landscape. And, when the sky is clear, the striking blue contrasted with these yellows, reds, greens make for a most uplifting view.
I decided to paint a couple of scenes with the winter colors here in Georgia as the theme and, o
f course, an old abandoned farmhouse as the centerpiece. I looked to my favorite painting place, the Nolan Corners section near Bostwick, Georgia, as my focal point. After taking many reference photos, I began a sketch directly on my painting panel in water soluble pencil. Then, as my usual practice dictates, I worked on a painted sketch using egg tempera black made 
with ultramarine blue and burnt umber pigments.
After completing the composition in black on the pre-painted panel I begin adding broad areas of color. This is a broad color lay-in that lays a foundation for the final colors and detail that will come later.
The next couple of stages help refine the color scheme where I paint in the various sections of the piece with reds, yellows, blues, greens and maake some decisions about shadows and highlights in the work.
And then I begin to add the many details that will draw the viewer into the image and hold their interest. From the boards that are exposed on the building to the bricktex covering that is rapidly deteriorating to the rocks in the chimney and rusted tin on the roof.
Lastly I glaze color over the image to finalize the warm winter color scheme that I had chosen for this piece.
The original painting can be seen at the Arts on the Avenue Gallery in Macon Georgia where some of my
newest paintings are being shown.ART ON THE AVENUE Fine Art Gallery and Studio
2368 Ingleside Avenue
Macon, Georgia 31204
478.743.3720
http://maconartontheavenue.com/
My other egg tempera paintings of Georgia landscapes and farm buildings can be seen at the Point of Art Gallery in Union Point and the Art Gallery LaPlace in Washington, Georgia and at the James Madison Inn in Madison.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Painting Cows
Herefords in Georgia
Those of you who know my work usually see my paintings of old farm buildings in egg tempera.
Well, along with rural farms there are the crops and animals that you may find on those farms. I have painted cows off-and-on since I was a kid and once in a while I get the urge to do a painting of these stalwart animals. I've just completed an oil painting commission of Herefords for some folks and I'm also working on a couple egg tempera cow paintings for a future show.
Here is a sequence of steps that I take to paint in oils:
First I prepare a pencil sketch on paper to determine composition :
Then, when I'm pleased with the design, I begin working up the basics of the layout in paint on the canvas (or panel):
Then I work up the painting in many stages and glazed layers:
And then the final details and color adjustments:
My work on egg tempera paintings is similar. Working on panels with egg tempera pigments gives me the opportunity to be as detailed as I want or fairly loose with my painting technique. One of the main differences is the need to keep the egg tempera layers thin and that keeps the paint fairly transparent. It can make the piece glow with color.
Here are a couple of initial cow layouts for an egg tempera painting that will be completed in a couple of weeks.
And a black egg tempera wash created using burnt umber and ultramarine blue pigments:
Check back in early January to see some completed egg tempera cow paintings. Thank you for reviewing my blog entry and Happy Holidays!
Those of you who know my work usually see my paintings of old farm buildings in egg tempera.
Well, along with rural farms there are the crops and animals that you may find on those farms. I have painted cows off-and-on since I was a kid and once in a while I get the urge to do a painting of these stalwart animals. I've just completed an oil painting commission of Herefords for some folks and I'm also working on a couple egg tempera cow paintings for a future show.
Here is a sequence of steps that I take to paint in oils:
First I prepare a pencil sketch on paper to determine composition :
Then, when I'm pleased with the design, I begin working up the basics of the layout in paint on the canvas (or panel):
Then I work up the painting in many stages and glazed layers:
And then the final details and color adjustments:
My work on egg tempera paintings is similar. Working on panels with egg tempera pigments gives me the opportunity to be as detailed as I want or fairly loose with my painting technique. One of the main differences is the need to keep the egg tempera layers thin and that keeps the paint fairly transparent. It can make the piece glow with color.
Here are a couple of initial cow layouts for an egg tempera painting that will be completed in a couple of weeks.
And a black egg tempera wash created using burnt umber and ultramarine blue pigments:
Check back in early January to see some completed egg tempera cow paintings. Thank you for reviewing my blog entry and Happy Holidays!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Everchanging Rural Georgia Scene
My Favorite Painting Spot
It wasn't long after moving to Georgia in 1982 before I found the one spot that inspired me to paint the Vanishing Rural Georgia scene. Just north of Madison, near the town of Bostwick Georgia stood an old abandoned plantation complete with a plantation mansion, overseer's house, barns and sharecroppers shacks. The main house was slowly being repainted after decades of neglect and most of the out buildings were disintegrating.
I drew a pencil of the overseers house which was never photographed and long since sold.
Then I painted the "Window on Georgia" piece showing the beginning of the repainting process while showing the sharecropper sheds in the front and reflecting an old house in the back. I followed this painting by "Out Behind the House" of an old tool shed that was in back of the main mansion.
The tool shed collapsed a couple of years after my painting was completed in 1984 leaving only the roof on the ground for a couple of years before that too disappeared. One by one the out buildings disintegrated while the main mansion, now repainted, started falling apart too. A large branch fell through the roof around 1990 and rain poured in for many months before the roof was repaired. Windows have been broken and although the building has been used in the movie "The Oldest
Living Confederate Widow Tells All" and in several commercials as well as in the short lived television series "Vanished", no one has restored the building to livable status and soon I believe, it will also collapse.I've painted and drew the sharecroppers' shacks on a few occasions and one painting, "Gone But Not Forgotten" won a best in show award in 2007.
All-in-all, the Nolan Corners area has been good for my artistic temperament and helped me create some of my most memorable works. I hope that the vanishing rural scene in Georgia doesn't vanish too quickly. I believe that I still have a few paintings left to do of this fascinating theme. And I'm still looking for that one scene that will make the ultimate statement on the rural farmhouse of the past.
My Favorite Painting Spot
The Ever Changing Georgia Landscape
When I moved my family to Georgia in 1982 it didn't take long to find the one spot that would inspire me to paint the Vanishing Rural Georgia scene. It was Nolan Corners near Bostwick Georgia where an old plantation house and sharecropper shacks were still in existence. Since I began drawing and painting the various buildings surrounding the area, one-by-one they have been disappearing. The first to fall down and get hauled off was the tool shed that I named "Out Behind
the House". That vanished around 1986 when the shed collapsed leaving only the roof for a year or so, then that too was gone.The main plantation house was being renovated and I captured the partial repainting in "Window on Georgia" in 1984. Since then the entire house has been painted bit not renovated. A tree limb went through the roof in the early 90's and rain entered the building for many months. Some of the glass windows have been broken and, although the building still stands, it won't be too long before it's eventual collapse.
The sharecropper's shack that I painted in "Gone But Not Forgotten" collapsed months after I painted the window and I was compelled to do the
complete building from an old photos I had taken.
I have also completed a couple pen and ink drawings of the Nolan buildings and a pencil that I did of the overseers' home for the Nolan family never was photographed. There are still a couple buildings left and the lay of the land still makes an interesting landscape scene. I know that, when the old plantation mansion goes, it will surely be the end of an era.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Fine Art vs Graphic Design
Fine Art vs Graphic Design
"Or...why I decided to leave the graphic design industry"
When I was very, very young I loved to draw. I would draw pictures of battles between soldiers and spacemen, pictures of airplanes and ships at sea, drawings of people that I knew, coal miners that played cards with my dad, copies of pictures from National Geographic, animals on the farm and in the field, and sometimes landscapes. This all began when I was around 6 or 7. My grandparents had a hotel with some regular boarders. Some would make fun of my constantly drawing, others encouraged me. My own family didn't hold too much with art. They felt it was a waste of time.
But, all-in-all, I just loved to draw. And eventually I took to painting too. The one thing that I loved best with this creative process is that I got to express myself. My feelings about the character in faces, the beauty and grace of animals, the wonder of the texture and colors in landscape. When I was a teenager I knew some fellow students that were better than me, Richard Krukowski, Patrick Murphy, and probably others. But I still got to create what moved me, no matter how good or bad the work may have been.
When I was in the military I often used my skills to create art for my friends, for my duty station, for the people that I met in foreign lands. I even used my artistic skills to woo my to-be wife Jewel when I was in Vietnam in the late 60's. As I did more, I improved my skills to the point that I felt I could make a career from my art and live happily ever after. At the encouragement of my wife I left the military after over 11 years to go to art school and change the course of my life. Well, while I was still in art school I was offered a job as art director for a Northeast Pennsylvania ad agency. With a family of 4 to look after I took the job right after graduation. It didn't take long to realize that graphic art was considerably different than fine art. First off you had to please a client, not yourself. To do that you often had to compromise your personal aesthetic tastes and quite often you were required by the customer to cram a bunch of stuff into a small space. It became more a matter of fitting things in than quality design. But, by that time I became dependant on the income from graphic design and had to often give up my personal design sense.
Move forward over 30 years. I've worked as an art director 3 times, an ad manager 1 time, and a small business owner 3 times, all in the graphics industry. Once in a while I was able to actually affect the outcome of the design beyond a customers input. Some customers even actually encouraged me to go-ahead and design something my way. That got me several design awards over the years. But it still didn't satisfy the desire to express my own creativity as much as drawing and painting from my heart.
Last year I made the leap, from graphic designer to fine art artist. I've had several shows since last October, some successful financially, some not so. BUT, all of the shows got accolades from the guests, even my fellow artists. Much more rewarding than the Graphics Industry.
I still get requests from people who know that I am adept at graphic design, especially on the computer. I find that the time I spend on the computer designing graphic pieces is far too time consuming for the meager rewards that are gleaned. When I draw and paint from my heart, no matter what I might make financially, the real reward is the pleasure I get from doing the art piece. Working on graphic designs take time away from my paintings and working in my favorite medium, egg tempera takes a great deal of time to produce the delicate details and glowing colors that only come through multiple layers of glazing. Therefore I only take on graphic design jobs that help friends in the industry or that are needed for charity.
Just one more note on this subject. For most of my adult life, wherever I worked, on Christmas I would give a piece of my personal art to a fellow employee, even in the military I did this. I loved to see the smiles on the faces of my fellow workers, and friends. About 18 years ago, a fellow worker had a baby a few months before the holiday season. I secretly did a pastel drawing of her little baby boy and when we were exchanging gifts at Christmas, I gave it to her. She cried, and cried. For hours she would take the piece around the workplace and show everyone, and cry from joy. Well, sometimes I get thousands of dollars for a painting. Not matter what I may get financially, nothing could be more rewarding than the reaction of a fellow human being when they are happy with the gift of my personal creativity.
More than a match for working on graphic design projects.
"Or...why I decided to leave the graphic design industry"
When I was very, very young I loved to draw. I would draw pictures of battles between soldiers and spacemen, pictures of airplanes and ships at sea, drawings of people that I knew, coal miners that played cards with my dad, copies of pictures from National Geographic, animals on the farm and in the field, and sometimes landscapes. This all began when I was around 6 or 7. My grandparents had a hotel with some regular boarders. Some would make fun of my constantly drawing, others encouraged me. My own family didn't hold too much with art. They felt it was a waste of time.
But, all-in-all, I just loved to draw. And eventually I took to painting too. The one thing that I loved best with this creative process is that I got to express myself. My feelings about the character in faces, the beauty and grace of animals, the wonder of the texture and colors in landscape. When I was a teenager I knew some fellow students that were better than me, Richard Krukowski, Patrick Murphy, and probably others. But I still got to create what moved me, no matter how good or bad the work may have been.When I was in the military I often used my skills to create art for my friends, for my duty station, for the people that I met in foreign lands. I even used my artistic skills to woo my to-be wife Jewel when I was in Vietnam in the late 60's. As I did more, I improved my skills to the point that I felt I could make a career from my art and live happily ever after. At the encouragement of my wife I left the military after over 11 years to go to art school and change the course of my life. Well, while I was still in art school I was offered a job as art director for a Northeast Pennsylvania ad agency. With a family of 4 to look after I took the job right after graduation. It didn't take long to realize that graphic art was considerably different than fine art. First off you had to please a client, not yourself. To do that you often had to compromise your personal aesthetic tastes and quite often you were required by the customer to cram a bunch of stuff into a small space. It became more a matter of fitting things in than quality design. But, by that time I became dependant on the income from graphic design and had to often give up my personal design sense.
Move forward over 30 years. I've worked as an art director 3 times, an ad manager 1 time, and a small business owner 3 times, all in the graphics industry. Once in a while I was able to actually affect the outcome of the design beyond a customers input. Some customers even actually encouraged me to go-ahead and design something my way. That got me several design awards over the years. But it still didn't satisfy the desire to express my own creativity as much as drawing and painting from my heart.
Last year I made the leap, from graphic designer to fine art artist. I've had several shows since last October, some successful financially, some not so. BUT, all of the shows got accolades from the guests, even my fellow artists. Much more rewarding than the Graphics Industry.
I still get requests from people who know that I am adept at graphic design, especially on the computer. I find that the time I spend on the computer designing graphic pieces is far too time consuming for the meager rewards that are gleaned. When I draw and paint from my heart, no matter what I might make financially, the real reward is the pleasure I get from doing the art piece. Working on graphic designs take time away from my paintings and working in my favorite medium, egg tempera takes a great deal of time to produce the delicate details and glowing colors that only come through multiple layers of glazing. Therefore I only take on graphic design jobs that help friends in the industry or that are needed for charity.
Just one more note on this subject. For most of my adult life, wherever I worked, on Christmas I would give a piece of my personal art to a fellow employee, even in the military I did this. I loved to see the smiles on the faces of my fellow workers, and friends. About 18 years ago, a fellow worker had a baby a few months before the holiday season. I secretly did a pastel drawing of her little baby boy and when we were exchanging gifts at Christmas, I gave it to her. She cried, and cried. For hours she would take the piece around the workplace and show everyone, and cry from joy. Well, sometimes I get thousands of dollars for a painting. Not matter what I may get financially, nothing could be more rewarding than the reaction of a fellow human being when they are happy with the gift of my personal creativity.
More than a match for working on graphic design projects.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Union Point Show Opening
Art Show Opening
or
Does the Current Economy Affects the Arts
or
Does the Current Economy Affects the Arts
Well, last night was the opening for the Point of Art “Rural Georgia & the Vanishing South” show. It started at 6 pm and lasted until after 8. Many of the artists' friends and art lovers from the region showed up to give their support to this interesting show. Besides myself, many other arti
sts came to the show including Nan McGarity, Judy Phlagar, Sally Ross, Chris Mitts, Robert Battle, Ronald Moore, David Siffert's wife Maria, Jan Whyllson, Will Eskridge, Leonard Jones and of course Anne Jenkins, gallery owner. And...the chef that created the book "Home Cookin' Illustrated", Doug Janousek. Doug has created a great regional book centered around great home cooking recipes and the art works and bios of regional artists, many of which were showing art pieces at the exhibit. You can see Doug's website and get a copy of his book at: www.home-cookin.net.The show will be up until November 8. Be sure to visit the gallery - they're open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 am til 5 pm, or by appointment any other day. Just call (706) 486-6808.
As you can see by the attached photos, there was a very eclectic viewpoint of what
rural Georgia means to each artist. It makes for a fascinating show with works that range from pottery to paintings, realistic and detailed views of rural living to very impressionistic works that lend excitement a vibrant colors to the rural scene. Nan McGarity's plein air works showed a freshness and immediacy to the landscape, Daavid Siffert's dynamic pieces have a feeling of a rural fantacy world, while Wayne Collins' pottery pieces reflected what rural living is like with his wonderful 
gourds. Anne Jenkins' pieces are a reflection of the natural feelings you get while 
traveling through the rural area. Robery Battle's paintings lend a special feeling of brilliant colors to the Georgia farm country. All-in-all you will find a wonderful blend of character and beauty in all of the works on display. It is well worth the trip out to Union Point.And, as a last note, why put hard earned dollars into the saagging stock market when you can own a fine pieces of art from creative people whose personal creations will only appreciate in value as time goes on.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
October Art Musings
Creating Art For Autumn Shows
It's been an interesting summer with my preparation of pen and ink drawings for the Lyndon House "Common Structures" show in July-August. Doing black and white drawings was so apropos for the summer months here in Georgia. Such heavy green colors in the hot weather needed some stark pen and ink work to add a coolness to the art atmosphere. Now however we are entering the fall months and I have a showing of my new pieces at the Point of Art Gallery in Union Point starting the 9th of October and running through the 8th of November.
What to do to set up for up the autumn season? This show is entitled "Rural Georgia and the Vanishing South". The choice of Anne Jenkins, the gallery owner, not mine. It is so fitting for me since the name of my company is Vanishing Rural Georgia Art. There are several artists represented and they have all produced pieces that reflect the
southern rural heritage. Every artist is different and their
work reflects their diverse disciplines. An eclectic array of Southern art. The artists that will be showing with me at the Point of Art Gallery include Anne Jenkins, Nan McGarity, Ronald Moore, Will Estridge, and David Siffert. I feel great to be part of this group of fine artists.
Well, my work on these new paintings began in early September when I traveled to see my folks in Pennsylvania and brought along one of the pieces that I began to work on. That one ended up being my painting "On The Blocks" It was fun doing a painting where the sky is ominous and threatening while the sun is still shinning on the foreground. That was only one of several new paintings that I did in egg tempera especially for this show.
Working in egg tempera has always been a fairly slow process for me and I usually don't complete more than 6 pieces in a year, Not like the pen and inks where I did over 20 in a month and a half. This time however, I disciplined myself to work hard and long. I completed 7 new paintings in under 6 weeks. A major feat as I was sick with flu like symptoms for over 10 of those days. Well, that being said, I can only hope that fans of my work will like what they see. Even if their budget doesn't permit them to purchase an original egg tempera, I will have limited edition Giclée prints available after the show closes in early November.
Let me know what you think of my newest pieces. I am also working on 5 more egg tempera pieces and have 3 large oils in the wings.
Thanks for reading my blog.
Pete
It's been an interesting summer with my preparation of pen and ink drawings for the Lyndon House "Common Structures" show in July-August. Doing black and white drawings was so apropos for the summer months here in Georgia. Such heavy green colors in the hot weather needed some stark pen and ink work to add a coolness to the art atmosphere. Now however we are entering the fall months and I have a showing of my new pieces at the Point of Art Gallery in Union Point starting the 9th of October and running through the 8th of November.
What to do to set up for up the autumn season? This show is entitled "Rural Georgia and the Vanishing South". The choice of Anne Jenkins, the gallery owner, not mine. It is so fitting for me since the name of my company is Vanishing Rural Georgia Art. There are several artists represented and they have all produced pieces that reflect the southern rural heritage. Every artist is different and their
work reflects their diverse disciplines. An eclectic array of Southern art. The artists that will be showing with me at the Point of Art Gallery include Anne Jenkins, Nan McGarity, Ronald Moore, Will Estridge, and David Siffert. I feel great to be part of this group of fine artists.
Well, my work on these new paintings began in early September when I traveled to see my folks in Pennsylvania and brought along one of the pieces that I began to work on. That one ended up being my painting "On The Blocks" It was fun doing a painting where the sky is ominous and threatening while the sun is still shinning on the foreground. That was only one of several new paintings that I did in egg tempera especially for this show.Working in egg tempera has always been a fairly slow process for me and I usually don't complete more than 6 pieces in a year, Not like the pen and inks where I did over 20 in a month and a half. This time however, I disciplined myself to work hard and long. I completed 7 new paintings in under 6 weeks. A major feat as I was sick with flu like symptoms for over 10 of those days. Well, that being said, I can only hope that fans of my work will like what they see. Even if their budget doesn't permit them to purchase an original egg tempera, I will have limited edition Giclée prints available after the show closes in early November.
Let me know what you think of my newest pieces. I am also working on 5 more egg tempera pieces and have 3 large oils in the wings.
Thanks for reading my blog.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
August Travels
Hello Reader
It's been awhile since I last posted to my blog. Please forgive my absence as I was involved in many things this last month.
I've returned from a trip up north to visit and help my elderly parents around the house.
They live in the mountains of Pennsylvania in a little place called Bear Creek where I spent much of my youth before heading off on my own. It is the place that I first really got the bug to create artworks. We lived on a farm that we rented back then and I learned many skills growing up in that environment that have helped me over the years in taking care of a house, developing good work habits and surviving just about anything. I remember once when I was about 12 when my father took me in the woods hunting. After walking several miles and going down many trails he disappeared from view. After awhile I became nervous and started heading back along the last trail that we hiked. I came across a split in the trail and was unsure which path to take. In a few moments I felt lost and disoriented and was alarmed thinking I wouldn't make it back again. That is when my dad stepped from behind a tree and I knew that he would never let me get lost but taught me to always check where I was going so that I could find my way back again. What a lesson.
Sometimes life felt a bit harsh living with my dad. He was strict and expected a lot from us kids. I left home when I was only 17, partly because of his critical nature, but I did end up going back to college eventually and the skills he taught me helped me to survive in Vietnam as well as cope with the difficulties you encounter in life. The older I get, the more I appreciate these things. My dad is difficult to talk to and I only wish I could tell him that I do appreciate the lessons I learned under his guidance.
While I was there I began work on a new egg tempera painting but had to postpone working on it as there was much that needed doing around my parents' house.
When I think back, I suppose that my creativity comes mostly from my mother's side of the family, but my surviving skills, ability to cope in almost any life situation, and to stand up for my values and argue for what I believe in comes from my dad (and mom too). Another thing, there are many wind turbines on the mountain ridge very near to my parents' house. No noticeable noise and there doesn't seem to be a problem with the natural habitat for birds etc. either.
I also visited my bother Paul who lives on a parcel of land behind my parents property. Paul is also creative and built his own house as well as Koi ponds, deck, some furniture, etc. while both Paul and his wife Sally enjoy working with plants and exotic fish.
Now that I'm back in Georgia I am putting my painting skills to good use and have been working on 10 new egg tempera paintings of rural Georgia. I've been re-inspired to create new pieces that reflect what I love about the Georgia farm scene. It reminds me of growing up on a farm and the wonders that you will find there.
It's been awhile since I last posted to my blog. Please forgive my absence as I was involved in many things this last month.
I've returned from a trip up north to visit and help my elderly parents around the house.
They live in the mountains of Pennsylvania in a little place called Bear Creek where I spent much of my youth before heading off on my own. It is the place that I first really got the bug to create artworks. We lived on a farm that we rented back then and I learned many skills growing up in that environment that have helped me over the years in taking care of a house, developing good work habits and surviving just about anything. I remember once when I was about 12 when my father took me in the woods hunting. After walking several miles and going down many trails he disappeared from view. After awhile I became nervous and started heading back along the last trail that we hiked. I came across a split in the trail and was unsure which path to take. In a few moments I felt lost and disoriented and was alarmed thinking I wouldn't make it back again. That is when my dad stepped from behind a tree and I knew that he would never let me get lost but taught me to always check where I was going so that I could find my way back again. What a lesson.Sometimes life felt a bit harsh living with my dad. He was strict and expected a lot from us kids. I left home when I was only 17, partly because of his critical nature, but I did end up going back to college eventually and the skills he taught me helped me to survive in Vietnam as well as cope with the difficulties you encounter in life. The older I get, the more I appreciate these things. My dad is difficult to talk to and I only wish I could tell him that I do appreciate the lessons I learned under his guidance.
While I was there I began work on a new egg tempera painting but had to postpone working on it as there was much that needed doing around my parents' house.
When I think back, I suppose that my creativity comes mostly from my mother's side of the family, but my surviving skills, ability to cope in almost any life situation, and to stand up for my values and argue for what I believe in comes from my dad (and mom too). Another thing, there are many wind turbines on the mountain ridge very near to my parents' house. No noticeable noise and there doesn't seem to be a problem with the natural habitat for birds etc. either.
I also visited my bother Paul who lives on a parcel of land behind my parents property. Paul is also creative and built his own house as well as Koi ponds, deck, some furniture, etc. while both Paul and his wife Sally enjoy working with plants and exotic fish.
Now that I'm back in Georgia I am putting my painting skills to good use and have been working on 10 new egg tempera paintings of rural Georgia. I've been re-inspired to create new pieces that reflect what I love about the Georgia farm scene. It reminds me of growing up on a farm and the wonders that you will find there.
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