I was just looking at the calender and was super impressed with how much great art festivities are coming up this Summer! This is nothing new either, our area in general really is a great place to be an artist or art lover. I figured I would list a few art evens and festivals coming up in the next few weeks. These are just a few, so I am sure there are plenty more that I am not aware of or are just out of my range that one could find with a little bit of local research. I focused on the Everett area with a couple bigger festivals just out of Everett.
Here is a starter calendar of great events in the Arts! (links provided to get more info):
Sorticulture: June 10th,11th,12th
http://www.ci.everett.wa.us/default.aspx?ID=1228
Everett Art Walk: June 18th, July 16th, August 20th
www.everettartwalk.org
Edmonds Art Festival: June 17th, 18th 19th
http://www.edmondsartsfestival.com/
Artists Garage Sale: June 18th
http://www.schack.org/events/artists-garage-sale/
Bothell Live Arts festival: June 25th and 26th
http://liveartsbothell.org/
Schack Art center Jurried Show: June 30th-August 25th
http://www.schack.org/exhibits/18th-juried-art-show-1/
Fresh Paint Festival: August 20th-21st
http://www.schack.org/events/
I hope this info helps you find something you may not have already known about. I will continue to post more as I learn about them!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Interview with Artist Greg Stair
Greg Stair is an artist I have know for a number of years now. He does absolutely amazing work in soft pastel. Greg does portrait work in amazing detail but never seems to loose the painterly look I like so well. I have admired his work since the first time I framed a piece close to 10 years ago! greg was my first showing artist at the Gallery Wall at Art Supply Northwest and has shown with us at WiseDesignz. We always have prints and cards available at the gallery. I hope you enjoy our interview with Artist Greg Stair.
JW: Tell us a bit about your arts education
JW: How would you describe your Art?:
GS: The one thing I've learned is to never give up. If you believe in what you do keep doing it and work through the frustrations. Life is what you make of it.
For more information on Greg Stair and his art you can visit the website links listed below: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/greg-stair.html
http://www.indieartgroup.com/products.php?cat=31
JW: Tell us a bit about your arts education
GS: I have an Illustration and Graphic Arts degree from Western Washington University. I have attended a variety of other colleges while advancing my Art education.
JW: How would you describe your Art?:
GS: My art started out as what I call Extreme Portraiture and has evolved into realistic pastel work depicting a variety of topics (including portraits).
JW: When were you inspired in the arts?
JW: When were you inspired in the arts?
GS: I was always active in the arts and am constantly inspired by new events in my life. Being a teacher allows me to experience life from a variety of perspectives and creative angles.
JW: Can you remember the time and place?:
JW: Can you remember the time and place?:
GS: No, does that mean I'm getting old?
JW: Can you tell us a bit about your history with Everett?
JW: Can you tell us a bit about your history with Everett?
GS: I was born in Everett and grew up in Marysville. I have been teaching in Everett for about 17 years now. I have always been active in the community.
JW: What inspires you now as an artist?:
JW: What inspires you now as an artist?:
GS: The need to improve and evolve inspires me. I like to think I'm constantly improving and changing.
JW: What advice can you give to emerging artists:
JW: What advice can you give to emerging artists:
GS: The one thing I've learned is to never give up. If you believe in what you do keep doing it and work through the frustrations. Life is what you make of it.
http://www.indieartgroup.com/products.php?cat=31
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Art in Hard Times
I know in hard economic times Art is a luxury and not a necessity and many of us ask ourselves "is it even worth it?". I think it is. I imagine that it seems obvious that I would think that way about Art, but I have a number of reasons why. And not just the "I have an art related business" either!
I have seen Art raise the spirits and hopes of people in depression. I have seen Art capture the imaginations of children. I have seen Art bring together communities. I think to most of us, this all still seems obvious. So how can we keep all this going even in hard financial times?
Well...we cant always expect people to be able to buy art, but we have to keep making it. We cant expect people to come to shows or festivals, but we have to keep putting them on. We cant even expect high returns from our investments as artists, but we still have to keep doing what we do with a smile! Eventually things will turn around and we will still be here, painting and sculpting and singing and creating wonderful Art for the world to enjoy!
kids creating an Artist Quilt
free spirits dancing to live music
children watching as art is created
Live music on the street.
So in the grand scope of things I do feel it is worth it. Every little bit!
I have seen Art raise the spirits and hopes of people in depression. I have seen Art capture the imaginations of children. I have seen Art bring together communities. I think to most of us, this all still seems obvious. So how can we keep all this going even in hard financial times?
Well...we cant always expect people to be able to buy art, but we have to keep making it. We cant expect people to come to shows or festivals, but we have to keep putting them on. We cant even expect high returns from our investments as artists, but we still have to keep doing what we do with a smile! Eventually things will turn around and we will still be here, painting and sculpting and singing and creating wonderful Art for the world to enjoy!
So in the grand scope of things I do feel it is worth it. Every little bit!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Interview with Artist Lyussy Hyder
I have known Lyussy Hyder for close to 10 years now. She has been a constant support to many emerging local artists in our area. She showed other artists work in her galleries "Art Boutique" and Solovei Gallery" here in Everett for a number of years. Lyussy has been featured at WiseDesignz in the past and is our artist for the month of April. I hope you enjoy our interview with Lyussy Hyder:
JW: Tell us a bit about your arts education
LH: I consider my art education an on-going thing. Formal training since high school at the evening classes at the architectural institute of my home of Ekaterinburg, Russia, and later in United States - art classes at EvCC, surely kept building the base of my skills. Attending numerous workshops though helped me to orient myself in the world of art, and choose the direction I wished to go. But any encounter with art in any form is influential for the appreciative soul. Theater, music, dance, literature, sculptures, paintings, as well as lectures and books on art history, - it all teaches me ideas, taste, courage to express myself, to reach out.
JW: How would you describe your Art?:
LH: I work in realistic style. I try to paint the essence, the character of my subjects. It's fun to find idiosyncrasies in objects or models which everybody can relate to.
JW: When were you inspired in the arts?
LH: World of art always was a comfortable place for me. I was dreaming to be a part of it from the early age, and my ideas were wast - I wanted to be a cartoon animator, an architect, a fashion designer... But it was much later in life when I could fully dedicate my time to painting.
JW: Can you remember the time and place?:
LH: The desire to run and buy paint and brushes first time stroke me after seeing great Russian masters like Repin and Surikov at the Russian Museum in Moscow, when I was 14 yo. That permanent impact I had from viewing their originals made me think of the possibility to get serious with my own art.
JW: Can you tell us a bit about your history with Everett?
LH: I arrived to Everett in 1995 from Russia, and lived here ever since. I went to Everett Community College, worked locally, joined Everett artists coop "Studio Art," and later became a business owner - opened my own art gallery "Solovei." I love our town, and happy to see its art scene evolving and growing so rapidly.
JW: What inspires you now as an artist?:
LH: I am alert and sensitive to moods, thoughts, impressions from meeting people, or just surroundings, which my imagination links and translates into visual images. I am very drawn to human form and face, I feel greatly inspired to do figurative work and portraits.
JW: What advice can you give to emerging artists:
LH: Have best of times making art. Do your best too! Bring your own experience into your art expressions, and work, work, work. While we can't count on constant acclamation for our art labor, believe in yourself, be original and persevering.
JW: Tell us a bit about your arts education
LH: I consider my art education an on-going thing. Formal training since high school at the evening classes at the architectural institute of my home of Ekaterinburg, Russia, and later in United States - art classes at EvCC, surely kept building the base of my skills. Attending numerous workshops though helped me to orient myself in the world of art, and choose the direction I wished to go. But any encounter with art in any form is influential for the appreciative soul. Theater, music, dance, literature, sculptures, paintings, as well as lectures and books on art history, - it all teaches me ideas, taste, courage to express myself, to reach out.
JW: How would you describe your Art?:
LH: I work in realistic style. I try to paint the essence, the character of my subjects. It's fun to find idiosyncrasies in objects or models which everybody can relate to.
JW: When were you inspired in the arts?
LH: World of art always was a comfortable place for me. I was dreaming to be a part of it from the early age, and my ideas were wast - I wanted to be a cartoon animator, an architect, a fashion designer... But it was much later in life when I could fully dedicate my time to painting.
JW: Can you remember the time and place?:
LH: The desire to run and buy paint and brushes first time stroke me after seeing great Russian masters like Repin and Surikov at the Russian Museum in Moscow, when I was 14 yo. That permanent impact I had from viewing their originals made me think of the possibility to get serious with my own art.
JW: Can you tell us a bit about your history with Everett?
LH: I arrived to Everett in 1995 from Russia, and lived here ever since. I went to Everett Community College, worked locally, joined Everett artists coop "Studio Art," and later became a business owner - opened my own art gallery "Solovei." I love our town, and happy to see its art scene evolving and growing so rapidly.
JW: What inspires you now as an artist?:
LH: I am alert and sensitive to moods, thoughts, impressions from meeting people, or just surroundings, which my imagination links and translates into visual images. I am very drawn to human form and face, I feel greatly inspired to do figurative work and portraits.
JW: What advice can you give to emerging artists:
LH: Have best of times making art. Do your best too! Bring your own experience into your art expressions, and work, work, work. While we can't count on constant acclamation for our art labor, believe in yourself, be original and persevering.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Custom Ideas with Simple Mats
Sometimes in custom matting its easy for people to forget about the custom part! "Custom" can be more then just selecting mat colors that compliment the art. For some art work a specialized finish or cut can be appropriate to take it from simply custom to a real "WOW" piece.
This piece, for example, needed something more then just a rectangle mat opening. We did a custom drop down cut to fit the exact shape of the drawing. By keeping the rest of the mats and frame simple we were able to achieve an elegant and one-of-a-kind look.
This piece needed a little something extra to create the feel of an aged pirate map! We chose to tear the inside edge of the map. We then applied a custom mixed acrylic patina to the torn area. This gives the look of burned or aged paper but still keeps the overall look of the mats consistent. The idea is to compliment the artwork not overtake it.
With this piece it was clear to us what needed to be done to make this just a little more special! Simply hand painting spiderwebs in two of the corners fit perfectly with this print. It was an easy thing for us to do and it completes the look our customer was going for.
Like other decorative designs, these ideas wouldn't work for every project. But the idea is to open your mind to the possibilities to custom matting. The options are endless!
Like other decorative designs, these ideas wouldn't work for every project. But the idea is to open your mind to the possibilities to custom matting. The options are endless!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Living the Dream
I am sure many new or up and coming Artists have anxieties about the art world. Even in the local scene it can seem like a formidable challenge to get your art out for others to enjoy! For most of us it is not realistic to think we are going to be "discovered" by some famous talent agent and become the Next Big Thing. Especially if we never get out into the public. So it takes a bit of hard work and, like most worthwhile dreams , time and patience. We as artists also need to take the responsibility on our selves to get OUT THERE! There are opportunities all around from cafes to juried exhibitions, art galleries to street fairs. All open to new artists. My advice would be to check out all the galleries, festivals, art walks and arts councils in your community and sign up for mailing lists. Many are now e-mail lists and you can get instant information on what is coming up. If you are able to participate in any way, this will help you feel like a part of the arts community and opportunities will start to arise! And be brave! It can be quite intimidating to submit to your art work with the chance of being denied, but this is part of the deal. When you get your first acceptance, solo show or sale it will all seem worth it in the end!
These photos are an example of an up and coming artist Angela Puerschner at her very first solo show. This exhibit at WiseDesignz in 2010 was Angela's first experience at getting her art work out into the public.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
A new Perspective..
Every Now and then we get a customer who has a basic idea but wants us to take it to the next level. This is an example of how that can work! Our customer had an original needlepoint of two swimming koi that she wanted to be extra special when framed. She knew she didn't want the mat to be cut square on the inside and the rest she left to us. We figured it would be fun and creative to play with the idea that the koi were swimming in a koi pond and to give it some dimension.
We cut the mat free hand to look like the organic edges of the water rim, then raised the mat a level above the needlepoint so the koi appeared to be swimming under the water. The next step was the rock level of the koi pond. For this we looked to R Jay of Artisan Inkwell, www.artisaninkwell.com,our sister company. We had him print a photo of pond edging stones onto high quality paper that we then adhered to a mat and then cut for the finished look. The last step was a patina finished bamboo frame to add texture and color. The final product is decorative and interesting with out overwhelming the delicate needle point.
Decorative matting isn't for everyone or every project, but for the right piece it can add a new dimension and perspective to your framing!
www.wisedesignz.com
We cut the mat free hand to look like the organic edges of the water rim, then raised the mat a level above the needlepoint so the koi appeared to be swimming under the water. The next step was the rock level of the koi pond. For this we looked to R Jay of Artisan Inkwell, www.artisaninkwell.com,our sister company. We had him print a photo of pond edging stones onto high quality paper that we then adhered to a mat and then cut for the finished look. The last step was a patina finished bamboo frame to add texture and color. The final product is decorative and interesting with out overwhelming the delicate needle point.
Decorative matting isn't for everyone or every project, but for the right piece it can add a new dimension and perspective to your framing!
www.wisedesignz.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)