artsy forager

Author: Lesley

  • Friday Forager Faves: Birthday Wish List

    Friday Forager Faves: Birthday Wish List

    Today is my birthday, ya’ll.   I will be happily spending the day with the one who birthed me, touring the Downtown Jacksonville studio of Christina Foard and researching downtown galleries for an article I’m writing for EU Magazine ( my first published print article! ).   In the spirit of Steve Martin’s SNL “Christmas Wish” sketch, I’m indulging in my own Birthday Wish list.

    These are works of art that, “If I could have but one birthday wish this birthday”… to own any one of these would be my birthday wish.  These are the pieces I covet, the pieces that I know I would love forever and ever and give them a kind and loving home.

    Sleep Deprived and the Dog Can Wait by Casey Matthews

    The title alone makes me smile.  I love how the palette is both warm and cool AND neutral all at the same time.  And I have a thing for circles.  I’ve seen this in person and it is stunning.

    Lucy in the Sky by Maribel Angel

    I love the Beatles.  I love the idea of a flying bunny chasing carrots.  I love Maribel’s work.  I would never tire of seeing this.

    Speak No Evil by Pam Moxley

    This reminds me of what it was like to be a kid, without a care in the world.  Summer days, carefree ways.  Before life was complicated.

    Hotel, Calgary by Theresa Maxwell

    This sweet little painting makes me think of honeymooning.. living out of a suitcase.. letting someone else make the bed.. bliss!

    Lifetime Partners by Christina Foard 

    I fell in love with this the first time I saw it on Christina’s Facebook page.  It reminds me of the devotion and complete commitment it takes to make a life with someone, to be a united front through thick and thin, to be sure of each other no matter what may lie ahead.  Maybe I’m just a starry-eyed newlywed.

    I could go on and on adding more and more to this list– believe me, there are MANY more!  But I was raised to not be greedy, so I’m limiting myself to these five.  Even if I don’t have the real thing, they will always be here for me to gaze upon lovingly.  Happy birthday to me!

  • HERB & DOROTHY

    What an amazing story!  If you love something, you will find a way to do it and the Vogels found a way to become art collectors on a very modest income.   I can’t wait to see this.

    HERB & DOROTHY | The Vogel Art Collection | Independent Lens | PBS.

    Who knows, maybe one day they will make a film about Lesley & George:  The Frenz Art Collection.   One can dare to dream.

  • 15 Things an Artist Should Never Say

    Good morning, artsies!  A little wisdom for all you artists out there and things we art supporters need to remember, as well.

    15 Things an Artist Should Never Say – ArtBistro.com.

    Most artists I know aren’t guilty of these transgressions, but I’ve seen some who are.  Artists, what’s the been hardest one for you to overcome?

  • Introducing Julia Hensley

    Introducing Julia Hensley

    As many of you know, my hubby George and I have been planning to move to the Pacific Northwest, pretty much since we started dating a little over a year ago.  But first we had to #1, get engaged, #2, sell his house in Tulsa, #3 plan a wedding, #4 get married and #5 sell my house in Jacksonville.  We have finally accomplished that last objective ( well, almost, our closing is May 18th ) and are planning the next stage of our life together.

    I have an ongoing list of artists I’d like to feature on Artsy Forager, but sometimes fate steps in and pushes a certain artist ahead of the rest.  I happened to be checking out a design blog I follow and spotted a painting the blogger had purchased from Seattle artist, Julia Hensley.  I surfed on over to her website and was impressed by what I found.   I discovered via Facebook, that today is Julia’s birthday! 

    So, in honor of Julia’s birthday, our upcoming move to the Northwest and just because her stuff is just genuinely awesome, I’m sharing her work with you.

    Chinatown, oil on masonite, 13 1/2″ x 11″

    65th and Roosevelt, gouache collage on bristol board, 9″ x 12″

    Hot Day Bremerton, gouache on bristol board, 7 1/2″ x 4 3/4″ 

    ( this might be my favorite )

     

     Flat Iron, acrylic on bristol board, 8″ x 12″

    Sunday Downtown, acrylic on paper, 19″ x 24″ 

    Hope you enjoyed meeting Julia, be sure to wish her a happy birthday!

    You can see more of Julia Hensley’s work here.

    Or check out the blog that led me to her, From The Right Bank.

  • Behind the Museum Walls: Thoughts From a Curator

    Good morning, all!

    Do you ever wonder how pieces are chosen for museum exhibits?  Why one work makes the cut but another doesn’t?  I just read this interesting little article written by Katharine Stout, curator of the new exhibit, “Watercolour” at the Tate in London.  A fascinating look behind the choices of work and use of watercolors today.   Although traditional watercolor landscapes have a long history in Britain, Stout chose to focus on contemporary work, making the exhibit more relevant for today.

    Hope you enjoy this little peek behind the museum walls!

    Tate curator Katharine Stout on the contemporary works in ‘Watercolour’ | Tate Blog.

  • Masterworks Monday: Hedda Sterne, The Last Abstract Expressionist Dies at 100

    I have a weakness for Abstract Expressionism.  I’m not sure what it is about the paintings of that time and the artists who created them, but there is just something about these works that move me.  Maybe it is the experimentation, or the emotionality behind them or the rebellion against a post-WWII saccharine society.

    The last of the original group of the Abstract Expressionists, Hedda Sterne has passed on.  Perhaps a lesser known member, her work was still widely collected and is held in the collections of several prominent museums.

    Read more about Hedda and her work here:

    Hedda Sterne The Last Abstract Expressionist Dies at 100 – ArtLyst.

    And here:

    http://www.brooklynrail.org/2007/03/artseen/waltema-march-07

  • WHIDBEY ISLAND FAS

    Great little demo of a painting progressing from blocking in to highlighting, from the Whidbey Island Fine Art Studio.

    WHIDBEY ISLAND FAS.

  • Artist Diggs: Daily Inspirations

    Artist Diggs: Daily Inspirations

    I am so excited to bring you our very first Artsy Forager studio tour, featuring ( drumroll, please! ), Amelia Island artist Theresa Daily!  *applause*

    Theresa and I struck up a friendship through the glory of Facebook long before we’d ever met in person.   This self-taught artist struck me as incredibly funny, generous and kind-hearted, not to mention talented.  Once I met Theresa in person last year, there was no doubt that my initial impression was true.

    The artist in her studio

    Though a Kentucky native, Theresa is definitely an “island girl” at heart.  Her work lovingly depicts the landscapes and life surrounding her on Amelia Island.

    You can usually find Theresa painting at Blue Door Artists on Centre Street in Downtown Fernandina Beach, FL– look for the blue door and crazy stairs!  She shares her sun-filled second floor studio with fellow artist, Carol Sprovtsoff.  You may even catch a glimpse of Theresa’s grandchildren, two adorable artists-in-training!

    Potato-chip bag evidence, kids are about!

    A peek inside her watercolor stash

    Working in a collective studio like Blue Door allows the artists to share ideas and inspiration, as well as help each other out when they get “stuck”.  The idea of an artist working away in a lonely studio may be romantic, but not be nearly as much fun.  These artists feed of each other’s creative energy, which results in growth and more dynamic work.  For instance, when Theresa was struggling with her latest piece ( pictured below, behind the easel ), fellow Blue Door artist, Casey Matthews was there to encourage, offer suggestions and be a source of support.

    Theresa’s work has gone from mostly representational to more intuitive , abstracted landscapes.  But a consistent style and palette keeps the work coherent and instantly recognizable as hers.

    The studio’s gallery space

    Art for sale!!

    Thank you for joining me on a little visit to the creative space of this local artist.  Stop by Blue Door anytime Monday- Saturday, 11ish to 5ish ( island hours! ) and you may be lucky enough to see Theresa Daily in action and enjoy a chat.

    She may even share her potato chips.

    Check out  Theresa’s website to see more of her work and be sure to fan Theresa and Blue Door Artists on Facebook.

  • The Thingness of Color at DODGE gallery

    OK, so color is the theme of the day!
    The Thingness of Color at DODGE gallery.

  • Friday Forager Faves

    Friday Forager Faves

    Can you believe it’s already Friday again?  Where did the week go?!

    There is no real theme for this week’s Friday Faves..  other than these are a few of my favorite things right now.  All art related, all colorful, all inspiring to me for different reasons.

     

    This may possibly be my favorite quote ever.  And something I struggle with daily.  ( Yes, “loose” should be “lose” and the artist acknowledged it, but somehow that imperfection makes it even better ).

    I want to spend the day outside, playing with watercolors, not caring whether or not the sketches are any good.  ( I stink at watercolors! )

     

    I love everything about this image.  The jewelled rainbow color palette, the abstract expressionist paint splashes, the idea of the paint falling like rain, the black & white vintage girl… love, love, love.

    Sir Boston - Fridge Art - original oil painting by Clair Hartmann

    I fell hard for this little guy the first time I saw him.  So dapper, so sophisticated!

    Wishing you a weekend full of warmth, spring color and artsyness!  Be inspired.

    1.  Image via Amanda Cherie.

    2.  Image via Pinterest.

    3.  Image via Pinterest via Terrain.

    4.   Image of “Sir Boston” by Clair Hartmann, via Clair’s Etsy shop.