Sunflowers

For art lovers and those who enjoy beautiful images, please wander on over to It's About Time.  This site will provide pictures and bio information about a variety of topics, including:

• flowers and gardens
• reading
• motherhood
• outside art
• boating
• the countryside
• folk art
• working with textiles
• Madonna and child
• and NINE other topics for you to investigate for lovely illustrations
• PLUS Four, yes four, other blogs Barbara authors, each in its own separate blog space, and each fascinating in its own right

Michael Peter Ancher (Danish artist, 1849–1927) Artist's wife Anna Ancher

This is just one of the pictures found on one of Barbara's blogs.  She entitled it Outside in the Hot, Hot Garden.  Can you tell I am very much impressed by this prolific blogger and researcher? In part, she says:

I am a historian, the images usually cluster around some social, cultural, or academic theme or a timeline. I try to choose works that justify their inclusion on aesthetic grounds. There is a little museum in each blog -- no travel necessary.

A blogging buddy who lives in the UK doing her PhD (The Domestic Soundscape) introduced me to Audioboo and provided the bird call. (It is one of Felix's top hits!)  Just click on the arrow and turn up your speakers and you will feel like you have a morning flower bouquet in your hand!

The picture of  the yellow flowers In Anna Ancher's arms reminded me to put this small work of sunflowers in oils that I have been painting for a few weeks:

The stems have not been started, and the centers have no definition yet.  We shall see.

Pheromone, The Insect Art of Christopher Marley

Daughter Julie gave us the book Pheromone. (2008, Pomegranate Communications, Inc, CA)

The Insect Artwork of Christopher Marley in photographs is an amazing array of botanical images. 

From the bookplate:

Christopher Marley's graceful arrangements of jewel-like anthropods and delicate betterflies transform the hitherto creepy world of insects into stunning works of art.  His keen eye for design combines with his entomological passion to produce mesmerizing kaleidoscopic bug mandalas and striking up-close-and personal single insect portraits....

Here are a couple of photos I took from the pages of this book:

These images will be fun, but challenging, to paint in oils.

Angels in Art and Fabric

This site, Checkered Houses, displays artwork from over thirty artists.  Many are folk artists. 

Paul Flack drew the angel shown above. 

Paul began to look for that sense of fulfillment in painting, inspired by the likes of visionary artists. He had painted earlier in his life for a short time. As his spiritual quest grew, he became intrigued with the concept of angels. Angels are spiritual in nature, not religious and span time and appeal to all ages.

His angels are colorful, eye-catching, and unique in their forms. They appeal to everyone whether you believe in them or not and encourage the imagination to wonder in terms of what the painting means to each individual. It is in this, that Paul finds his fulfillment.

This will make an interesting outline for embroidery work on the back of a work shirt.  The lines are simple, and can easily be drawn from the photo onto paper or cloth for further embellishment.

Here is one similar angel embroidered from a kit, and sewn onto cloth then appliqued on a vest:

Open Studio Tours sponsored by ArtSpaceColorado

Western Colorado is privileged to have exceptionally talented artists.  One of the many organizations that sponsors art in this area is ArtSpaceColorado.

On the weekend of May 1 and 2, 2010 Open Studio Tour is happening in the Grand Valley of Colorado.

Twenty-four different studios will be open during this weekend, displaying works.  From their recent flyer:

Spring is a great time to visit the Grand Valley.  Twice a year artists open their creative spaces and invite the public to view and purchase their artwork.  There are sculptors, painters, jewelers, potters, and many, many more artists in different media to enhance your visit.  On the self-suiden tour, you choose which artists to visit. 

OPEN STUDIOS SPRING TOUR

Saturday, May 1, 10 AM to 5 PM

 & Sunday, May 2, Noon - 5 PM

Celebrate the arts and view new artwork from artists across the Grand Valley, free of charge.

 Click here to download a map or you may pick one up at any of these locations:

•The Artist's Haven

•The Art Center

•GJ Parks & Recreation

•Visitors Center (Horizon & Fruita)

•Camilla's Kaffe

•Traders Coffee on Patterson
•Fruita Chamber of Commerce

•Coffee Muggers

•Colorado Java

•Main St. Bagels

•Hang Ups Gallery

•Planet Wines

•Planet Earth

•Twisted Brick Studios

•Palisade Chamber of Commerce

•Main Library Downtown

•Alpine Bank Downtown

•Meadowlark Garden

•Tiara Rado Pinion Grill

•Chez Lena

•Palisade Chamber of Commerce

•Palisade City Hall

•7th Street Deli

•KAFM

•Haute Tomato Cafe

•Aspen Coffee

•Fruita City Hall

$13.99 + $3.95 (shipping & handling)

This handy calendar has 26 full color art images and space for notes or comments. Its a convenient size for home or office which fits easily into a portfolio, backpack, or purse. Makes a one of a kind gift too!

VISA or MASTERCARD ACCEPTED
NOTICE:

If for any reason you don't like the purchase, send it back within two weeks for a refund (purchase price).Questions? call 970-640-8177 or email artspaceopenstudios@gmail.com

Thanks, Twyla :o)