Art Park Inspiration

Arlene Abend “Aggression”

Sculpture by Arlene Abend

Inspiration can come from many places but this past weekend I found inspiration at the Arlene Abend Exhibit and Reception.  The event was located at the Stone Quarry Hill Art Park in Cazenovia, New York and hosted by the Cazenovia Counterpoint.  The Stone Quarry Hill Art Parks grounds are open daily from dawn to dusk and has unique outdoor art throughout the 104 acres.  There are four miles of trails with breathtaking views.

Land was purchased in 1958 by Dorothy and Robert Riester and the house and studio at the top of the hill are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Arlene Abend’s reception included a documentary film by Courtney Rile which I found entertaining and inspirational.  Abend is a small woman with a big personality.  She has spent the last four decades creating her wonderful sculptures.  Some of her favorite tools are the welding torch, plasma cutters, vices and grinders.

I found her large sculptures captivating and thought-provoking.  Her story of overcoming challenges was inspiring to me and I was very happy to watch the film by Courtney Rile.  Abend worked as an artist in the field of metal work which was pretty much dominated by men.  She was not deterred but forged ahead with new ideas and techniques.  She has great enthusiasm which motivates me to continue on with my art.

If you are in the area, I would invite you to stop in at the Stone Quarry Art Park to walk some trails, look at some art and then head into town to visit some of the great little shops and restaurants in Cazenovia.

 

Video link   https://vimeo.com/241040476

article: https://www.syracuse.com/good-life/2016/11/woman_of_steel_with_a_welding.html

website link: Stone Quarry Hill Art Park

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Exercises For Brush Control

Chinese Brush Painting made easier using a giant serving tray as a mixing palette.

Chinese Brush Painting was one of many items on my Art “To-Do” list.  I had heard from others that it would be helpful in learning control of the brush.  I’ve been painting for a long time so I knew some techniques but I was happy to find that daily Chinese Brush painting practice has helped my painting.

Masters of Chinese Brush Painting study the art for many years and create some of the most beautiful paintings and calligraphy.  I was more interested in building the brush work into my daily habits.

Some of the exercises include painting bands of color, laying varying colors side by side (steady hand practice), and painting thick and thin lines using the tip and base of the brush (practicing pressure).  Painting fast lines with a wrist flick and cutting shapes are more exercises.  These are only some of the many exercises to try.

If you haven’t tried Chinese Brush Painting and you want to strengthen your brush control, give it a try.  There are many inexpensive books to help guide you in the process.  You can even use YouTube to get an idea of how to paint this way.

Here are some online resources: http://education.asianart.org/explore-resources/background-information/introduction-chinese-brushpainting-techniques

http://asia-art.net/chinese_brush.html

https://www.wikihow.com/Start-Chinese-Brush-Painting

https://youtu.be/qF3EbR8y8go

 

 

No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man

“Flowers and Circles” Watercolor by Katie Turner

The Renwick Gallery in Washington, DC has a new exhibit of large-scale works that runs through January 2019.  “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man” is a major exhibition curated by Norak Atkinson.  It’s an interactive installation filled with sight and sound.  Atkinson brought in various artists from The Burning Man Project to create special installations for this exhibition.  I find the art to be wonderfully strange and colorful.  To check out the art, click here: https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/burning-man  the video here: Renwick Gallery Burning Man Art Video

 

The Burning Man Project is an annual event held north of Nevada in the dessert.  The original event took place in 1986 and has since developed into an incredible experiment in community and art.  The event is all about exploring various forms of artistic self-expression and sharing one’s unique talents, not just being a spectator.  To see some of the experimental art at this event, click here:  https://burningman.org/event/brc/2018-art-installations/?yyyy=&artType=B  Here is a video from 2017 event: Burning Man 2017 Video

 

For the Joy of It: Watercolor Paintings by Katie Turner

This Saturday I will be hanging a new show at the Maxwell Memorial Library.  I titled the show, “For the Joy of It: Watercolor Paintings by Katie Turner” because I specifically wanted to focus on the positive aspects of art.  I find art can fulfil many roles and joy is one of my favorites.  Art can be so much more than just pretty pictures, it brings healing and peace to a challenging situation or it refocuses our minds to a certain time or memory.   This show gives me an opportunity to share joyful paintings with other art lovers.  I hope local friends, family and art aficionados will join me for a reception on Monday, June 4, 2018 from 6-7:30 at the Maxwell Library, 14 Genesee St., Camillus, New York.

For more information go to: www.KTArtStudio.com or www.Maxwellmemoriallibrary.org

The show runs from June 2-30, 2018.

Monoprinting Without The Press

 

I love Art Printing and I’m excited to share some of my techniques at a demonstration on monoprinting at the next CNY Art Guild meeting in May.  If you’re in the Syracuse, New York area, feel free to join me for this Free event on Thursday, May 10th.  I’ll be demonstrating how to create and use your own mask and stencils and even how to do a transfer like the ones you see above.

The meeting is at 7:00 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Baldwinsville and the supply list is below.  Hope you can attend!

Grace Episcopal Church 110 Oswego Street, Baldwinsville, NY 13027 Please enter through the side (parking lot) door. Driving directions below:

From Rt. 48 (heading North), go through the light at the main intersection (4 Corners) in the Village of Baldwinsville. The next light is E. Oneida Street. Proceed through the intersection and down a slight hill (about 1/2 a mile). The driveway to the church is on the right.

From Rt. 31 (heading West), turn right at the light at the main intersection (4 Corners) in the Village of Baldwinsville. The next light is E. Oneida Street. Proceed through the intersection and down a slight hill (about 1/2 a mile). The driveway to the church is on the right. Our meeting place is handicapped accessible.

 

 

Supply List Flyer:

Join Katie Turner at the CNYAG meeting on Thursday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m. for a demonstration in Monoprinting.  She will be showing us several techniques using stencils, masks and the Gelli plate.  She will show us a unique way of creating your own homemade stencil and mask and show you how to create beautiful background papers that can be used with collaging or in other techniques.

If you’d like to participate please bring the following:

1. paper to print with (no heavier than 90-96 lbs)
2. bottles of acrylic paint
3. stencils (if you have them)
4. Old magazine with images you prefer (ie. Fashion magazine, etc.)
5. Packing Tape
6. Scissors
7. Gelli-plate (if you own one)
8. Brayer/roller (if you own one)

NOTE:  If you don’t want to get your hands or clothing painted, please bring gloves and dress appropriately as this can get messy.

For those who don’t own these supplies, Katie will have a limited amount of her own supplies to share with you, if you’d like to try this technique.

 

Urban Decay

“Ring of Fire”, 20″x16″ Watercolor on Terraskin, 2018 Katie Turner

A quick thanks to those local art-lovers who came out last week for my Urban Vibe Art reception.  It was so very nice to meet you.  Those who couldn’t make it – you were missed.  Thanks!

Urban Vibe: Watercolors by Katie Turner

“Keep Out” Watercolor by Katie Turner 2018

Paintings from Katie Turner’s “Urban Vibe” series incorporate her loose style with the structure of city buildings. Cities have contradictory traits, much the same as people with creative spirits, some of which fuels her inspiration. Her paintings are rich with color, shape and emotion. The colors she chooses speak to the excitement of city growth and beauty. On the other hand, color choice also lends itself to the dark side of decay, danger and destruction. As she paints, these cities seem to have their own spirit as they go in unplanned directions, colors mixing and mingling and developing on their own. It is exciting to see how these urban landscapes develop and the stories they tell.

Join us for a reception on Thursday, April 12, from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. FREE

(Show runs for the month of April 2018)

Hosted by Petit Branch Library – Onondaga County Public Libraries

105 Victoria Place, Syracuse, New York 13210