October is National Arts & Humanities Month

I know it's still July and I'm letting you know that October is National Arts & Humanities Month but I have a purpose. It's only 10 Fridays until October. Ten Fridays! (I know, see how close it is.) That doesn't give us much time.

I know every year when October rolls around you have been in a quandary as to how you are going to celebrate National Arts & Humanities Month. (I know, me too.) Well, actually I didn't even know it existed. But this year is going to be different for all of us.

We are going to get ourselves ready for National Arts & Humanities Month with a 10 step process. (Get it 10 Fridays?) And you could actually use some of these Friday steps for great go-out-together evenings. And when October rolls around you won't be riddle with all that guilt that you've felt every year:)

Check back Friday (on the new blog) for your first step into the Arts.

Carl Bloch's Mary and Elizabeth - Merry Christmas

Carl Bloch's

Mary and Elizabeth

41" x 23"

oil on copper plate 1890

One of the most beautiful images of Elizabeth's joyful greeting of Mary. This painting is technically (composition, color, content and craftsmanship) wonderful and I am inspired by the moment he chose to paint. I wish I could see all his paintings in person but I have only seen one. (Healing at the Pool of Bethesda 111" x 126") Its size is majestic and the paint quality amazing. I wish to paint like that. Go to Hope Gallery for more information on this and other Carl Bloch paintings. Merry Christmas.

Painting - Nauvoo Sunstone

Here is a painting that I did this week. It's just about finished. Should have done a video but I didn't know how fast it would go. But I did take a few photos during the process. I like painting stone and I love this perspective.

Nauvoo Sunstone oil 16" x 19"

Art Exhibition - Types and Shadows

Since my genre for painting is allegory, metaphor, and symbolism I was interested in this Exhibition - Types and Shadows: Intimations of Divinity. I can't go see it since it's in Utah but I looked it up online. Brigham Young University Museum of Art has an added bonus of artist's podcasts. I enjoyed listening to what the artists had to say (very short sound bits) about their own paintings. For you art enthusiasts I have included the links to the site and podcasts. Ideally, listening to the audio while looking at the artwork aids in understanding what the artist is talking about. Consider it your art edification for the day.

Click here for Artist's audio podcasts of their artwork in this exhibition

I particularly like David Linn, Christopher Young, Wilson Ong, and Brian Kershisnik's audio. I've included links to their professional websites.

David Linn, ...And Then I Looked..., 2005 17.5" x 24.94"

Wilson Ong The Daughter of Jairus, 1996 41" x 34"

Painting - Shatto Milk Bottle

Shatto Milk Bottle - Untitled 35" x 15"

Detail Shatto Milk Bottle

I really liked the size of this painting (35" x 15") and how it's cropped. I loved painting the glass, well, love is such a strong word. It was a challenge to paint glass but I enjoyed it (along with the Farm Fresh glass.) And painting white... ohhh... I do love painting white. I am going to do at least one other one in this Larger Than Life Locals series.

Painting - Farm Fresh

Play the video below to see it come together

Two hours well spent yesterday. Finally.

Small Paintings @ The Great Frame Up in Parkville MO

Here are some of the small 8" x 8" paintings that are for sale at THE GREAT FRAME UP in Parkville, Missouri. Thanks to Eric, Jason, and Randi. They're great people.

The Great Frame Up #591

6325 Lewis St. Suite 115
Parkville, Mo. 64152
816-741-6464

Reminder - My Studio & Me on Rate My Space

As I've posted before Dan came and did the filming for the Rate My Space showing starting Angelo in January. We've known for months that it was going to view in May. Well, it's airing TONIGHT. Guess who just almost went to the movies? Yes, moi. How lame is that? Hadn't thought about it all day. Still don't know how I remembered, it just popped into my head. Lucky. I figured if I forgot that you might have forgotten - so this is a reminder if you were going to watch it. It's 7:00 Missouri time.

Why I Like It - iPhone

This has been a very busy week. But, I had to post my new 'why I like it'. My new iPhone. I know people already know this but it is very cool. The guy, Josh (above left), at the Liberty, Mo AT&T store was GREAT in helping us (my daughter got one too). I would highly recommend asking for Josh S. when you go in. All I have to say is... iPhone - that's why I like it.

Print of Fortune Cookie Painting in Hillary's Kitchen

It was totally fun to get this photo in my email tonight. Hillary sent it to me of the print from one of the fortune cookies that I painted. A little while ago she responded to one of my posts and I mailed it to her. Just wanted to share and say thanks to Hill for taking the time to do that.

News- HGTV's Rate My Space Episode to Air Soon

One of my posts a couple of months ago was about being filmed for HGTV's Rate My Space. The show is coming up soon. It is May 8, 2009, at least that's what is posted today. A couple of weeks ago it was going to air on May 6 so I am not sure if there will be a change or not closer to the time it airs. In any case you can check for yourself looking for HRMR - 306 in their Episode Guide. 

Since I am not a main player in this show and I have no idea what they will include from all the filming Dan did I might only be on for 3 seconds so you'll have to watch closely or you'll probably miss me. The show will feature part of my studio as an inspiration space for some other folks. Here's hoping that they found some good clips to use. 

Painting - Naataanii's Hoop Dance, Honorable Mention

Naataanii's Hoop Dance 20" x 30"

Greenhouse Gallery's Salon International 2009

Honorable Mention for Artistic Excellence

Awarding Judge: Daniel E. Greene, N.A.

Video - First Attempt, Oil Painting Jared

This is my first (successful) attempt ever of making a video and uploading it. I am doing a small one here and one on YouTube 

The quality gets better as it goes along. Well, maybe.

Oil Painting Jared 8" x 10" hope you like it.

Free-for-All Friday - Forever, Marriage Metaphor

This is a painting I did a while ago. It is a metaphor on marriage. Obviously the wedding rings represent marriage. Putting 'marriage' on a pedestal shows high regard for it. A pedestal is a support or foundation of which marriage is that for a vigorous, productive society. Classical column design suggests the highest quality and antiquity. A polished river stone to show that over time imperfections are smoothed out by the course of 2 people learning to live together. It also stands for marriage as the basis for the construction of bigger things, one being a family. As well as a marriage can become 'rock solid'. Forever is etched deeply to show the commitment that is takes for a successful marriage and that it can last eternally. Some of the meanings of my marriage metaphor. 

If you see more or something completely different do share.

Think about it Thursday - Reasons for Marriage

Think about it Thursday is about marriage. A painting series I am doing is an Allegory on Alliance - Marriage & Meaning. So I am curious, what are the reasons for marriage in your mind? Why marry? What is essential in a marriage? Think about it.