Lovely Day
Lovely day...
It has been one of those weeks…you know…the kind where there was a definite soundtrack. Between crazy rainstorms in Houston, a trip to ATX to see my sister and about a million art-type ideas running through my head, the main theme has been rest and inspiration. Keep reading to:
Hear about some new ideas coming to AG Fine Art
See some of the artists I want to spend my #artistsupportpledge money on
A few songs on my playlist this week
inspiration
My mind has been running about 300 million miles a minute this week. Okay, maybe not quite, but it feels that way. Something about storms really inspires me and helps me rest at the same time. I’ve taken my fair share of naps, but my art journal is bursting full of new ideas! Including but not limited tooooo…
Pet portraits! Have you seen some of the latest pieces coming off the studio table? There are a LOT of animals involved right now. I was hanging out with my baby sister, her partner and their ADORABLE new puppy (my fur-niece) last weekend and after taking lots of pictures decided that it’s time to give pet portrait commissions a go. What are your thoughts? Could you see your pet in one of my collages? I love the idea of doing dogs, cats, horses, even birds or other exotic type pets like lizards and snakes!
Fluid Art! If you haven’t caught on yet, I’m pretty nerdy when it comes to creativity—I get so excited by reading about new techniques, creativity and the brain, all that goes into making art, music, dance, movement, theater, etc. I create all of my collages through an intuitive process without much planning before I sit down to piece them together. BUT! I’ve been doing some pretty serious research on TikTok (hope you get my sarcasm there…) and am fascinated by the flow of fluid art. I talked to my friend Cody last week about acrylics and decided it was time to give it a go. The week has been spent collecting materials, figuring out how to get started and hopefully I’ll do my first pour this weekend! I think they would make incredible backgrounds for larger mixed media pieces (besides the fact that everything I’ve seen so far is just gorgeous stand alone art.) I’m especially inspired by artists like Emma Lindstrom and Space McDamon. I cannot wait to dig in and get messy.
#ArtistSupportPledge
I mentioned in my previous post about the #artistsupportpledge —it’s where artists sell pieces for less than $200 and then once we reach $1000 of sales we spend $200 to support another artist. In last week’s email update I promised to share who’s work I am admiring and hoping to purchase! (Didn’t get the update? You can join the studio email list here.) Ta-da, here they are:
Lauren Luna
Here’s her bio from Fine Art America
“Lauren Luna was born in Columbus, Ohio. After graduating from Kent State University’s School of Fine Arts with a focus in painting, she moved to New York City. It was there where she developed her love of big city life, though quickly learning the hardships of being a young artist. In 2002, she began teaching Special Education for New York City schools and entered a Masters program at Manhattan College. Upon graduation, she moved back to her hometown of Columbus along with her toddler son and continued teaching. As a result of all her new responsibilities Luna was forced to put art on a back burner. It wasn’t until 2007 while participating in a local arts festival that her artistic flame was reignited, and she enrolled in the Academy of Art University. Luna began the path for her second Masters’s degree, this time in Fine Arts.
While being represented by a local gallery in Ohio, Luna also began showing locally and independently at various events nationally. Luna also joined the Ohio Art League, sat on the activities board for the Simon-Kenton Boyscouts, and the Bicentennial Art Committee of Columbus, organizing a citywide artistic celebration of the 200th year of the city. Luna was recognized in the Who’s Who of Black Columbus 2010, and has been featured in numerous publications and news telecasts.
In 2011, Luna relocated to Houston, Texas, where she believed there was more opportunity for professional artists. There she began to pursue her new life as a full time artist and footwear designer. Luna became a member of the Fashion Footwear Association of New York (FFANY), and has participated in numerous art shows locally, such as Houston Press™ Artopia, Midtown Art in the Park, and Bayou City Arts Festival. Simultaneously, continuing her custom footwear business, having her designs manufactured.
In 2013, Lauren Luna was named a Top 50 Entrepreneur by Scion Car Company, participated in Austin and Houston Fashion Week, was featured in British Vogue and Glamour Magazines, and had a shoe design in an exhibit in the Grassi Museum in Germany.
In 2014, she was honored to receive the Margot Siegel Award for Design by the Goldstein Museum. She was also delighted to encounter that two pairs of her shoes are a part of the museum™s permanent collection.
In 2015, after winning Best In Show at a juried art competition, she was commended by the Alvin Independent School District School Board, and was put into Congressional Record by the District's State Representative.
Luna continues to work actively as an artist, showing her paintings nationwide, and spreading her knowledge while inspiring future generations as a junior high school art teacher and adjunct art professor at Alvin Community College.
Sillie Mugo Art
From silliemugoart.com:
Art has always been my forever passion and escape. Growing up in Kenya allowed me endless colourful inspiration, from the Lush Botanical Gardens, to the Landscapes of the Great Rift Valley. But it wasn't until I moved to the US at age 15 that I started to tell my visual story through my art. Art quickly became my safe haven as I tried to fit in and try to learn a completely different culture - not to mention my heavy accent! I found that no matter what background, art always found a way to connect me with the people around me and I love that I have the opportunity to explore and tell my visual story, One Vibrant brushstroke at a Time.
What's my Why? In the past couple of years, I often prayed for a clear sign of what my purpose was, I worked in a corporate job that I loved, but something always felt incomplete. I learned that when we heed to obedience and walk in our calling, Heaven, Earth and the Universe in between will work together to make things happen! I quickly studied the ins and outs of being a creative entrepreneur, and within my first year of being a professional artist, I was published and signed my first licensing deal that allowed my art to be in national retailers like HomeGoods, Marshalls and Old Time Pottery, to name a few.
I'm Fortunate to be able to share my art with the world.
EXHIBITIONS:
Award, National Endowment for the Arts 2007, Outstanding Contribution to Interpreting "To Kill a Mockingbird"
December '17 Featured Artist at Atwater's
Catonsville, MD
December '17 - Featured Artist at Calvert Brewery
Upper Marlboro, MD
Solo:
Abstract Feels & Botanical Queens - Solo Exhibition July-August '18
Campspace Hyattsville, MD
Lara Cecilia Celia East/West
From ceciliaeastwest.com:
Hello! I'm lara cecilia, the artist behind CECILIA EAST / WEST. I live on the east coast but I am drawn to the west, the coast and all the landscapes and colors in-between. I like to create work on the wheel but most of my work- (and my favorite parts of it) are spent hand building pieces. I create work that uses vibrant clay bodies & color, plays with organic forms and incorporates illustration & playfullness. I’m inspired by the outdoors, plants, feelings, moods, bodies, shapes & color.
So…..
I am pretty obsessed with all of the art these women are putting out into the world and would be thrilled to collect pieces from all of them! I love the concept behind the #artistsupportpledge and to support any of these incredible artists would be an honor.
A little weekend music…
and as promised, here are the tunes that have been running through my mind all week… at the top, I’m sure you’re not surprised:
Lovely Day by Bill Withers
Wild World by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors
Diamonds by Johnnyswim
Married Life on Up’s Soundtrack by Michael Giacamo (I promise this adorable piano duet video won’t disappoint you!)
Wild Horses by Noah Gunderson
Andi (and Charlie, too!)