Thursday, March 31, 2011

Quote of the Week

"Color cannot exist independent of form." Wassily Kandinsky

Monday, March 28, 2011

Ceramics


I was in the ceramics lab yesterday trying to accomplish some serious glazing. I have about 12 masks yet to glaze.


Here is Luz Angela Crawford, a ceramic artist who gets great results without traditional glazing. She turns out wonderful decorative pieces using stains and acrylics for coloring. In her studio/gallery you can see her large sized pots and wall hangings that are highlighted with great texture; texture you want to touch. Luz is one of those fortunate artists to have her studio at Sunset Center in Amarillo, TX. The center will be host a Friday night art walk this Friday, April 1, if you're in town. All the studios will be open and there is so much energy as you stroll with the crowd. Otherwise you can see Luz's art at her web site: http://www.luzangelacrawford.com/.



Sunday, March 20, 2011

Mexico City

Dream of Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park by Diego Rivera
Image courtesy of delange.org
I'm rereading The Lacuna by Barbara Kingslover. It has stirred my interest in Mexico City once again. I would love to see the murals painted by Diego Rivera and others. I've done a little research and have found that the homes of Frida Kahlo & Rivera are now museums. The Bauhaus house designed by O'Gorman is described as a monstrosity but the pictures I've seen, of stacked colored boxes, intrigue me. Since I've never been to Mexico would Mexico City be a good way to start? I'd like to find out.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Quote of the week

"You find the nicest things in simplicity and directness."
George Nakashima

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Ceramics lab

Today I spent a couple hours in the ceramics lab. OPSU is on spring break so there were only a couple of us up there working. I've counted 17 masks and my goal was 20; and it would be easy to make three more (plenty of ideas in my head). But then the real challenge is the glazing. Picking color combinations from what is available in the lab; I have mixed my own but that takes time. Visualizing how they will turn out, and there are always surprises. A mask that takes an hour to make will take an hour and one half to glaze and then more time to embellish. I have hours of work ahead of me.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Yvonne Sangster

Once again a wonderful work by Yvonne was the hit of the OPSU Art Auction commanding the second highest bid of the evening. Of course Yvonne can always be counted on to produce fabulous work; her pastels sparkle, and notice the detail.
Here is the little darling that could capture any one's heart : The Little Pow Wow Princess. Yvonne shared with me how she was ready with her camera at the Taos Pow Wow. "For two days I sat in awe as the Native Americans danced past in full regalia giving inspiration for many pastel paintings. A precious little girl, so tiny that I could not believe she could walk, danced by with her mother. I knew at that moment I would have to capture her forever in pastel!"


Yvonne is an instructor at OPSU and this pic shows her at last spring's Art Jubilee demonstrating her skill to a group of perspective college art majors. And look what she's working on!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Carol Beesley

Artist, Carol Beesley, was in town last week. I managed to catch her at the No Man's Land Museum. She had been out roaming the countryside with director Debbie Coleson, and taking photographs for an up coming show. I first met Carol at OU when I was completing my BLS and we have been bumping into each other throughout the years. She is a great painter and you can see her work on www.ovac-ok.org and find an wonderful article about her and her work at www.artisan-santafe.com under featured artists. She will be returning to town next month so expect to hear more about her and see some pics.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Art Auction


Today is the day, or rather, tonight is the night for the annual OPSU Art Auction. There will be wining and dining, fancy dress & unusual dress, and of course plenty of art. This is a juried auction, so the best of the students, faculty and alums will be available for enthusiastic & cut-throat bidding. Some silent auction items will be available as well. And all for a good cause, the Paul Farrell Memorial Scholarship Fund. This event is always a great and successful evening.