Winter Approaches

By Hank

As winter approaches, our busy show schedule is at an end.  The last show, at the Cooperage in Honesdale, was last Saturday.  Three of us were going, but with the heavy snow, I was the only one who managed to get there.  I was surprised to see a lot of customers. 

The next gallery shows will be some time in the spring.  It’s a good time over the winter to rebuild inventory and to experiment with new ideas or old ones never completed.

As for myself, I plan to rebuild inventory and to work on some new kinetic sculptures – a promise I made to myself a long time ago.  The idea of gathering new materials and new tools can seem overwhelming at times, but I keep remembering, a house is built a brick at a time.

Burst of Summer by Nada

This is the latest in my small works series.  I've mainly been working on winter scenes, but this little burst of summer emerged yesterday.  My work scenario:  I create backgrounds - gold leaf, night skies, day skies, or perhaps a painted variegated surface - within the 4 inch inner space of the frame.  Then I survey the studio with its myriad containers of glass bits, jewels, transparencies, glass and acrylic paints, micro beads, brass findings, etc.  I choose a theme for each background.  As I add the items or paint on the surface, they are covered with layers of resin  Soon, a scene emerges.

One more art and craft to go this year, then I will have completed 15 shows in three months, some with Catskill Artists Gallery folks and some on my own.  So that I won't get so exhausted next year, I plan to have a greater inventory of both artwork and pendants created in advance.  The old adage applies here.....

PLAN AHEAD
D

:-)

Festivals



Festival of Yi Peng, Chiang Mai, Thailand



Festivals

by Buff This is a season of festivals – Hanukah and Thanksgiving, for two. Giving thanks for miracles, for friends, family, health. Rejoicing in lights as we head into the dark winter. My brother and sister-in-law are currently in Chiang Mai, Thailand. They recently participated in an annual festival of lights, called Yi Peng, which involves releasing floating lanterns into the air. The lanterns are paper with candles inside, and the hot air allows the lanterns to ascend. Your lantern also carries your hopes and wishes for the coming year. As you can see from the photo, it is a spectacular sight! The Thais also enjoy fireworks, (as do I) but this gentle sky full of tiny lights puts fireworks to shame. Another festival that was celebrated at the same time was Loi Krathong. Participants release krathongs, which are little boats of palm leaves, flowers, incense sticks and candles, into the river. They not only show respect to the river, but let feelings of bad deeds and unworthy thoughts leave them along with the boats. We should all take a lesson from these festivals. We need to show more respect for rivers and all of nature’s other glories, and more humility to own up to our bad thoughts and let them go. We need more gentle, meaningful celebrations of light in our lives, and less noise and gunpowder.

Bittersweet

A THING of beauty is a joy for ever:

Its loveliness increases; it will never

Pass into nothingness; but still will keep

A bower quiet for us, and a sleep

Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

From Endymion, by John Keats

Fall’s display has turned to shades of brown. The once bright leaves crackle underfoot and blow in the wind. But two delights linger on: bittersweet and winterberries. Their brilliant reds and oranges quickly draw the eye, and they have been a source of pleasure for me every year. But this has now become a “bittersweet” experience. I never knew until now that there are two varieties of bittersweet. The indigenous American variety only has berries at the tips of the vines. An invasive and far more common variety, native to eastern Asia, was introduced in the 1860s. On the invasive variety, the berries grow along the length of the vines, and the vines have a tendency to engulf and slowly kill surrounding vegetation. It’s sad to discover that such a beautiful vine is engaged in a silent war with our native flora. Purple loosestrife and teasel are two other such plants that come to mind. I think that nature has always been a force of change and evolution. Nothing is stagnant, nothing is forever, and the transport of invasive species by mankind only accelerates an eternal process already carried out by birds, animals and the elements. But however you rationalize or try to justify such a process, the visual experience is forever changed. Keats’ observation must be followed by Prospero’s rejoinder, “Tis new to thee”. By Tom

I'm my Grandson's VIP!!! by Cate

When my Grandson, Carter, asked me to come to his class to be his VIP, I was flattered. Then I began to wonder what the heck to talk about to 20 first grader's....for 45 minutes. Yikes! Carter likes to make and wear jewelry, and he even made a few glass beads with me. So I figured we would all make a simple necklace with beads I made especially for them. I made about 30 sets of 6 beads in all different colors and had lengths of colored hemp cord ready to string. The kids loved looking at all the beads and picking their favorite color. First I showed them how to string the beads on the cord.

Then the teacher, 2 helpers and my step-daughter, Chrisana, went around the classroom helping the kids with me.

Here I am helping my Grandson, Carter.

After we were done with the necklaces, I gave each child a colorful glass magnet with their name on it. Carter says that the kids are still talking about what fun it was. Here we all are at the end of the session. It was a great experience for me.

Objects Lost and Found by Robert

Just about one hundred years ago, Picasso began to incorporate unexpected new materials into his drawings, pasting them directly onto the paper.  Columns of type and newspaper headlines became abstract elements in his compositions. Capital letters in headlines were used for their shapes rather than for their original meaning.  The technique became known as Collage, from the French word “coller,” to paste.

Picasso also added areas of wallpaper, veneers, and other materials for texture and color.  Later, in his very original sculptures, pieces of wood, metals, even a toy car which could stand in for an animal’s head. Such preexisting elements came to be known as Found Objects.

Since then, it has become accepted practice to incorporate found materials into art works. Pieces of driftwood have been used in sculpture for their curved forms; fabric pieces for their colors and textures, various papers, plastics and many more. 

I find it exciting to use a wide range of found objects in my own works (sculptures and collages).  Recently discovering some old corrugated cardboard, I used it for its interesting grooves and textures.  Tiny wooden balls, ropes, seashells and parts of old clamps have found their way into some of my three-dimensional works.

This freedom to include found objects is so general that it has been used in school art classes from early grades to adult levels.  Hobbyists also choose materials from a wide variety of sources. 

Hooray for found objects!

You Never Know. . .

by Hank

Several years ago I was asked to show my woodcrafts along with five other craft artists at the Catskill Art Society when they were in Hurleyville,  NY. The show was low-key and if I remember correctly, I sold two or three pieces.

Several months later I received a phone call from a women asking me to create and  install a decorative wood plaque in a new retail store in NYC. Of course I did the installation and was paid very well for it.

When I asked her how she heard of me she told me she saw my work at the CAS craft show, and contacted the  curator to find me

.

A few weeks ago I showed my work along with the other members of The Catskill Artists Gallery at Port Jervis, NY at a street fair. The show was well attended, but had very few sales. In the afternoon a woman approached me and asked me if I was interested in doing an industrial sculpture for a local business. 

I met with them a week ago to talk the project over and to give them an idea of the cost.  Time will tell if get the commission.

I am one of those people who learns by doing -- the more I show my work, the more I learn.  You can never tell where commissioned work will come from.

 

"Threads" at the Cutting Garden, Youngsville, NY

by Buff

I will be part of a fiber art show at the Cutting Garden/Domesticities on Route 52 in Youngsville, NY.  The opening reception is on Saturday, October 26 from 4-6 p.m. and the show will run through November 24.  There will be six artists represented, four of whom have connections with CAG. 

When we had the gallery open on Main Street in Liberty, Helena Claire Pittman was a charter member and Jane Blake and Leslie Shaw Zadoian were consignors.  I don’t know Wilfredo Aponte or Lisa Maria Hermanson, but I look forward to meeting them and seeing their beautiful works in person. 

The artists are:

Wilfredo Aponte, who has been sewing since he was a young boy; with his gift for color and shape, he creates jewel-like wall hangings and kites that dance.

Jane Blake paints on silk, creating works exploding with saturated color, often inspired by her love of gardening.  Her work is as luminous as stained glass. 

Lisa Marie Hermanson is a collagist who explores textures of all kinds.  Her blue cross-stitch embroidered works, suggesting movement and light, will be featured in this show.

Helena Claire Pittman is a painter who noticed the possibilities in her paint rags.  She fell in love with them, and started quilting them into works in their own right.

Leslie Shaw Zadoian assembles her monumental works using cloth, hardware, found objects, and paint.  In this show, she is exhibiting her assemblages of fabric and thread, which are no less amazing. 

And me?   I usually create large, bold, colorful collaged fabric wall hangings, but for this show, I’m going to have some smaller works --  just as bold and bright, but fitting my ideas into a smaller scale.  I’ll also be showing my collaged placemats in an array of bright prints.   

Fiber art is often regarded as “craft.”  Sewing, quilting – women’s work.  It is slowly gaining recognition as real art, and it is wonderful that Anne Hart at the Cutting Garden is sponsoring a fiber art show. 

For those of you who don’t know, the Cutting Garden is literally a garden, where, in season, you can buy flowers or vegetables, directly off the plant.  You can’t get any fresher than that!  The store, Domesticities, is filled with antiques, vintage collectibles, fair trade items, and work by local artisans.  There’s also a barn crammed with goodies. Check them out at www.thecuttinggarden.org  or call 845-482-3333 for further information.  And come to the show!



"Amazon" by Leslie Shaw Zadoian



"Celestial Carpet" by Lisa Marie Hermanson



"Vessel I" by Buff McAllister





"The Cave" by Jane Blake

 



"House" by Wilfredo Aponte

 

Autumn

By Tom

I am thoroughly enjoying autumn’s change of seasons.  I doubt that the wildflowers are any better or worse than other years, but I’m noticing and enjoying them more than usual. The abundant asters splash our roadsides with whites and purples.  The trees are turning nicely and adding yellows, reds and browns to the mix of colors.  This preponderance of color drastically changes its weight as a compositional element in my photographs. It changes my thought process and also gives me a sense of urgency, because the colors will peak, then gradually fade into the browns and whites of winter.  

Next weekend, the Catskill Artists Gallery will participate in 41^st Annual Fall Festival in Sugar Loaf, NY.  It is a three day event, October 12, 13 and 14, from 10am to 6pm.  The festival is a perfect destination for a fall foliage expedition, and a wonderful opportunity to find unique holiday gifts.  Come see us!     

What is Art (Part II)

by Buff

I just got a terrific quote from my brother on the "what is art" issue.  Here it is:

I believe that what makes the difference between art and ART is this: ART conveys a message that, while not necessarily the same as the artist intended, creates a dialogue within the viewer’s mind.  Sometimes this is a subtle thing and sometimes not.  Distinct styles of colors, textures and techniques are easy to distinguish but often it's the subtle change in shading, or tone, or color or texture that draws the viewer deeper into the piece lifting the art, whether painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics or textiles, into a more unexpected involvement than merely a "pretty picture."  I feel that the point of crossover to this more involved realm is highly subjective and subject to much interpretation and discussion.  Of course, that's the same reason Baskin-Robbins makes 30-some flavors of ice cream.  We all see art differently.  For me personally, ART has to grab my attention and hold on long enough for me to thoroughly explore the image before I move on.  I want the art to make me form an opinion and an emotional reaction. And, for me, having a "oh, that's a pretty picture" just doesn't do it. Something has to make the piece unique.

What is Art?

by Buff

Hank and I recently visited my brother Mike and my sister-in-law Gail, and got to talking about the subject of art, since we are all artists.  Mike and Hank have been professional artists, earning their livings at it – Hank in still-life commercial photography and now his wooden vases, and Mike in advertising/marketing and now, with fine pastel work.  I work mostly in fiber, and Gail works in glass and jewelry, after a full career with a doctorate of nursing and head of a nursing graduate program. I, of course, am still “lawyering,” having become used to three meals a day.

Some time previously, Mike had looked at my fabric collage hangings and gave his opinion that this one was art, that one wasn’t, etc.  I pressed him to give me a “why” for his opinions, and he said something about how presenting a message to the viewer lifted a work from a pretty piece to art.

I reminded him of this session when we were sitting around the dining table, and asked him to tell me why one of his landscapes was “art,” but one of my collages was not. We dismissed the ridiculous distinction between “art” and “craft,” but ventured forth to the question of “what is art?” 

There are many definitions of art.  My Webster’s says “. . . the making or doing of things that have form and beauty. . . products of creative work. . . “ 

Wikipedia says “. . .  a skill is being used to express the artist’s creativity, or to engage the audience’s aesthetic sensibilities, or to draw the audience towards consideration of the finer things.” [emphasis in original] “. . . artworks are . . . compelled by a personal drive . . .  and convey a message, mood, or symbolism for the viewer to interpret. . . “

Further from Wikipedia, “Art is something that stimulates an individual’s thoughts, emotions, beliefs, or ideas through the senses. . . . The purpose of works of art may be to communicate ideas, such as in politically, spiritually, or philosophically motivated art; to create a sense of beauty. . . ; to explore the nature of perception; for pleasure; or to generate strong emotions.  The purpose may also be seemingly nonexistent.” 

In his essay entitled, “What is Art?,” Leo Tolstoy said art is not a manifestation of God, not a game, not the expression of man’s emotions, not the creation of pleasing objects, not pleasure.  It is “. . . a means of union among men, joining them together in the same feelings, and indispensable for the life and progress toward well-being of individuals and of humanity.”

Frank Lloyd Wright said that “Art is a discovery and development of elementary principles of nature into beautiful forms suitable for human use.”

Mike said that his goal in painting is to interpret his personal reaction to a scene or event so that the viewer also forms a reaction which – while not necessarily the same as his – is no less personal.

I said that I like to create beauty in a world that is not always beautiful; I often try to convey the message that our world – especially our natural world – is fragile and wondrous and should be looked on with awe and gratitude.  Sometimes I just like to create a “pretty picture.”

Hank pointed out that timing can be critical for recognizing a work as art.  He described seeing  many years ago a simple right-angle construction of clear plastic panes; Although the material was clear, the light on it created a shadow.  That may sound ho-hum to us, but it was created at the beginning of the age of plastics. Part of art is the creation of something that was not there before. 

Hank described walking through an art exhibit years ago with his niece, who kept saying, “Oh, I could do this” and “I could do that.”  Patience exhausted, Hank said to her, “But you didn’t!”  Someone else had the idea and created something that was not there before.  That is even more obvious when a whole new style is created – Impressionism, for example. It shakes up the received wisdom of what art is “supposed” to be.

I have to say I have trouble with some of what has recently been billed as “art.”  I went to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) a few years ago, and just could not see the art in a pink board leaning against a wall.  I was similarly underwhelmed by a room full of what looked like striped awning material.  Sometimes I think artists have their tongues firmly in cheek and see what they can pass off to a gullible public. 

Maybe art is like pornography, as immortalized by US Supreme Court Potter Stewart in 1964.  Maybe he couldn’t it define it.  “[B]ut I know it when I see it.”

What do you think?  Put in your two cents' worth!

Gold Leaf Creations

I've been having a marvelous time working with various kinds of gold leaf embedded in resin!  The metallic colors reflect the light in interesting ways, and I've enlarged the tree silhouettes I use in the pendants to create idealized scenes in nature. This piece is 6 inches round and has four layers of resin, with flecks of gold leaf and birds placed on different levels.

For years I've been attempting to capture the unearthly colors saturated in light that I experienced in a single meditation. That one glimpse of the subtle realms made an indelible impression and has been a source of artistic and spiritual inspiration for years!