Land Art
In order to grow as an artist, the best thing to do is to try something new and get out of your comfort zone. I would describe myself as a traditional two-dimensional artist; therefore, with this land art project, I was able to think outside of the box and instead of drawing with the typical pencil and paper, I went outside and started designing with what the land had to offer.
In order to grow as an artist, the best thing to do is to try something new and get out of your comfort zone. I would describe myself as a traditional two-dimensional artist; therefore, with this land art project, I was able to think outside of the box and instead of drawing with the typical pencil and paper, I went outside and started designing with what the land had to offer.
For my first Land Art project, I decided to create a Mandala design by using leaves and pines cones found and collected around the yard. My process was simple, I started with the yellow maple leaves and designed an oval, then I added the green lilac leaves and the brown pine cones to further develop that mandala and to create some contrast. I let three weeks pass by, and it was interesting to notice how the leaves were the most effected by the weather and the passage of time; yet, a couple of weeks later, I started to see a fading in the pine cones, as well, and the mandala was almost unrecognizable. The elements I had used to draw in the landscape went back to their real purpose of decay and renewal.
For my second project, I decided to create an installation of leaves tied by the stems on the branches of a bare arctic kiwi plant. After a month the vibrancy of the fall colors faded away.
For my third art project, I wanted to depict how the sun had an important role in creating instant drawings through its dramatic play of of lights and shadows.
For my fourth project, I decided to use recycled brown paper, braided tall weeds and plant to create lines which either flowed harmoniously with the landscape or harshly contrasted with it.
Lastly, I wanted to depict how a small land art design can have a great visual impact on the landscape, if even for a very brief period.
In conclusion, what I have learned from land art is that the creative process is more important than the final art piece, which is short-lived. While working on these art projects, I witnessed nature as a constant dynamic force. Through the sun, rain, and snow influencing and destroying my land art pieces, I felt the never ending energy and its effortless flow, and I saw the beauty of life in all its glory.
The Artist's Path: 5 Fine Artists who Make a Living with Their Art
For this blog post, I've decided to highlight 5 professional fine artists, who make a living with their art, in order to inspire emerging artists that this career path, even though it's hard, is possible. These artists kindly shared with me who they are, what they do, and a piece of wisdom they learned along their creative journey.
For this blog post, I've decided to highlight 5 professional fine artists, who make a living with their art, in order to inspire emerging artists that this career path, even though it's hard, is possible. These artists kindly shared with me who they are, what they do, and a piece of wisdom they learned along their creative journey.
Bridget Bossart van Otterloo
“Time is your most valuable asset. Everyone gets the same amount of time in one day, it’s your choice to decide how you’re going to spend it. Make what’s important to you a priority.”
Q: Who are you and what do you do?
A: I'm a painter living in Corning NY, a small town with a great art community. I spend most days working in my home studio. I also teach part time in my studio and at 171 Cedar Arts Center here in Corning. https://www.171cedararts.org/classes/drawingpainting
My work is inspired by the beauty in nature.
Here is my Artist Statement:
My work is about the beauty in nature. I believe that this beauty enriches our existence, if we can only take a moment to pause our busy lives and take notice. Natural forms, elegant lines, bold colors, and the intrinsic details found in nature are the themes in my work. When painting, I represent nature accurately, but also with my own impression. I use the paint, oil or watercolor, in thin transparent layers. This layering technique creates a luminous glow throughout the piece, as light passes through and bounces off the different layers. With nature as my muse, I have yet to run out of inspiration. I hope my work serves to reconnect you with her beauty.
My work can be viewed at the West End Gallery and The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes on Market Street in Corning, NY. It can also be viewed at the Nan Miller Gallery in Rochester, NY
Q: How has your practice changed over time?
A: My work has always been inspired by nature. Over time I've broadened my subject matter to include landscapes and figurative work. I also enjoy working in ceramics from time to time.
Q: What work do you most enjoying doing?
A: My favorite part of the process is setting up a still life. It's at this point that the painting is full of potential and possibilities are endless.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given and learned in your art career?
A: Time is your most valuable asset. Everyone gets the same amount of time in one day, it's your choice to decide how you're going to spend it. Make what's important to you a priority.
Wendy Harris
“you never get worse by doing - just keep painting”
315-727-6577 www.wendyharrisfineart.com
Q: Who are you and what do you do?
A: I’m largely a landscape painter, both plein air and studio; pastel is my primary medium. I love the immediacy, vivid color, depth, and elasticity of soft pastels. And I’m just finishing up a 48 x 75” commission of a cityscape done in acrylic and oils. I’ve been graced to have been the singular 2D commissioned artist for Upstate Medical Center’s new Cancer Treatment Center which is entirely decorated with regional art along the theme “healing through nature.” I have eight additional paintings and prints in the exquisite facility. I am happily getting a reputation for being the go-to artist for healing environments. What an incredible privilege.
Q: How and where do you work?
A: My studio is in Syracuse's Delavan Center, the largest collection of artists under one roof between Rochester and Albany. I work, as well all do, in solitary pleasure. I am happy to get outside when the weather allows but nothing is as rich as the late summer and autumn months in Central New York State. Strangers invited me to visit and paint where they lived… France. I very much liked that too…! Where to next?!
Q: How has your practice changed over time?
A: This latest commission has forced me to be doggedly dedicated to daily painting for several months, a discipline I have long resisted but welcomed and learned from. My practice has changed over time. First, I have matured as an artist due to just age and doing. I have come into my own, finally being able to say “I can do this” and "this is who I was meant to be.” I now give private lessons and love it. I am working into the use of a brush and other mediums, eager to see where that takes me. I am getting looser and more daring in color, both are welcome but not always predictable.
Q: What work do you most enjoying doing?
A: I confess I love chasing clouds and the late afternoon golden hour. Those are two distinctly different activities and times of day as clouds so often disappear at sunset. Clouds require reference material in a studio as they are so ephemeral. I’m a proud member of the Cloud Appreciation Society. Golden hours are meant for plein air painting which is so satisfying - the conditions of the day return as a gestalt whenever I view the image. Maybe the moment you fell in love does that for you, but here it is repeated so many times with the many wonders of the natural world. I count myself very lucky.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given and learned in your art career?
A: “you never get worse by doing - just keep painting”
Cayetano Valenzuela
“[Every] one of us is equal in the fact that we are given 24 hours...in a day and we chose what we do with that 24 hours...Are we dedicated enough to make that time count? ”
Q: Who are you and what do you do?
A: My name is Cayetano Valenzuela and I am the owner of Black Rabbit Studio. Black Rabbit paints signs, does illustration and a little design work.
Q: How and where do you work?
A: I have a studio in the Delavan Building on West Fayette St. Syracuse. I also have a home studio and workshop. I cut and build at home and paint at the studio. I draw wherever.
Q: How has your practice changed over time?
A: Most definitely. Hand painted signs have been keeping my pretty busy these days. I had been doing more illustration and painting five years ago. I still do that but I have had to find a new balance in order to grow my business. I think I am still changing how my business works and what it works on. I am constantly trying to refine Black Rabbit Studio
Q: What work do you most enjoying doing?
A: Honestly I love to draw. I love to draw letters and I love to draw figures. I also love vintage ephemera whether it be old circus & movie poster or fading ghost signs. Searching for inspiration in old books or on the internet or in antique shops and finding great illustrations or examples of lettering is so much fun.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given and learned in your art career?
A: The best piece of advice came from my college professor Prof. Torlen. He said, We are not actually born equal, we are born under different circumstances and different economic and social barriers, We all have different skill levels and drivers. However, where we are in fact equal, every one of us is equal in the fact that we are given 24 hours. 24 hours in a day and we chose what we do with that 24 hours. We could go to the movies we could sleep we could go a hang out with friends and we can make art. Each one of us must chose what we do with those 24 hours. What we as artists must decide is this: Are we dedicated enough to make that time count? The dedication to have a life in the arts for me came from those words. It has continued to inspire me to this day. I can't and will not have a life where these hands don't make art everyday in one form or another. I know that is what I am made for. So I swing a brush for a living and I am happy to do just that.
Lucie Wellner
“Hillary Paige...taught me to use a small “view finder” made out of a piece of matboard and clear plastic, divided into quadrants. This helps see, select, and simplify...the scene. I never start a plein air painting without it.”
Q: Who are you and what do you do?
A: I am an artist and designer. My focus is primarily watercolors and I also do some freelance design. I paint watercolors outside as much as I can, and also paint in my studio at home in Pompey. Traveling always offers loads of inspiration because the landscapes and light quality are different from Central New York. The studio is great because I can control my environment and touch up hastily painted scenes, explore new techniques and mediums and incorporate photographic references. I try to stay away from copying photos, but occasionally they are very useful as a departure point, or for creating a painting that is less dreamy and more accurate. An example of this is this painting of a rose that I photographed at the E. M. Mills Rose Garden in Thornden Park.
Q: How has your practice changed over time?
A: I have tried to focus mostly on watercolors in order to get a handle on how to best use the medium, but I remain interested in drawing with pen and ink, block printing, and fantasize about learning about a million other art practices. I like to test out new techniques at Open Figure Drawing. The figure never disappoints as inspiration.
http://openfiguredrawing.com/
Q: What work do you most enjoying doing?
A: The work I enjoy doing the most is un-interrupted, hands-on activities that help turn down the volume of brain static. Painting outside, especially in a secluded area, satisfies this requirement perfectly.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given and learned in your art career?
A: If I have to cite just one piece of advice that I've received, it's the one from Hillary Paige. She taught me to use a small "view finder" made out of a piece of matboard and clear plastic, divided into quadrants. This helps see, select, and simplify (her words) the scene. I never start a plein air painting without it.
Linda Bigness
“Be your own critic and work everyday.”
Q: Who are you and what do you do?
A: I am a professional artist in residence at the Studio 245, Delavan Center, 509 W.Fayette St. Syracuse, NY Phone: 315-491-3346
Q: How and where do you work?
A: Studio 245
Artist Statement
I am an internationally exhibited artist who maintains a gallery/studio in Syracuse, New York. My work has been exhibited in several prestigious solo and group shows that have involved notable jurors such as art critic Clement Greenberg, Ivan Karp, director of OK Harris Gallery in NYC, and Tom Piche, director of the Daum Museum of Contemporary Art. In addition, my large scale paintings are often selected and commissioned for corporate and residential clients, including the Turning Stone Resort, Merrill Lynch Corporation, Haylor, Freyer and Coon, and Bausch and Lomb. I continue to exhibit professionally at several venues with artwork featured frequently at the Nan Miller Gallery in Rochester, NY.
Presently I am working on my latest book and exhibition about abstract art and the contemporary processes used by working artists today. Part of the research for this book is taken from the workshops I teach and my oil painting and mixed media collage experience. For over 30 years I have used my expertise to share with others the unique beauty and processes of my chosen medium through writing, teaching and professional exhibits.
My first book “Paint It, Tear It, Create It” offered the reader insight into visual abstract thinking through the process of collage into painting. I continue to explore the abstract through surface manipulation using encaustics and oil and I am currently working on a new series, the “Journey Stones Revisited,” that reflects my extensive travels through the United States and Europe.
Q: How has your practice changed over time?
A: See my web site for the professional growth and new work: www.bignessart.com
Q: What work do you most enjoying doing?
A: I am a painter who enjoys the discovery of media and its applications in all forms.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given and learned in your art career?
A: Be your own critic and work everyday.
I hope you enjoyed learning about these talented painters as much as I did and took a moment to read their advice on time management, daily art practice, a trick to successfully paint an plain air, and how you should be your own and only critic.
Maria Rizzo
The Artist’s Path: What are Other Artists Doing?
My take away from these two contrasting art shows, We Can Be Heroes: Visualizing the Life & Music of David Bowie and Angela Fraleigh: Between Tongue and Teeth, is that, in different ways, personally confirmed how art can be a powerful tool for engagement and made me appreciate the richness of the arts that we have in the New York region. Additionally, they made me question my own path as a professional fine artist.
With a new commitment to engage actively with my art community and to see what other contemporary artists are doing on a local and national level, in this blog post I talk about two art shows that not only have re-affirmed for me that art is a legitimate tool for engagement but, also, made me question my own path as a professional fine artist.
Artist: Penny Santy
The first opening I attended was at The Tech Garden in Syracuse, New York on Thursday September 22 at 5:00 p.m. to see We Can Be Heroes: Visualizing the Life & Music of David Bowie. This show was created by The Tech Garden’s artist-in-residence, Steve Nyland with the premise that he needed to be consoled for the loss of his idol, the music legend, David Bowie. Although Nyland has lost faith in using conventional PR channels, his call for artwork through social media and word-of-mouth received a good response from artists residing in Central New York with the outstanding number of 95 pieces, and with one artwork from England and one from the Philippines. The Tech Garden, which function as an incubator for promising technological enterprises, is a very modern one level building which was originally a garage (thetechgarden).
The Tech Garden’s hallway is long, tall and not too narrow, with an art gallery wall system that allows for easy installation. The opening for We Can Be Heroes was a true success. Many people came by to enjoy the art, the live music playing David Bowie’s hits by Parlor Games, the refreshments, and the social aspect. The amount of artwork depicting David Bowie as an icon was impressive, and it was almost odd to see the few pieces that were purely inspired by his music. When you walk down the hallway of The Tech Garden, no matter if you are a fan or not, you won’t be able to ignore the positive energy, a heartfelt commemoration of David Bowie’s life as an artist who influenced many generations during his five decades of music career (Wikipedia).
The beauty of an open call versus a juried call is that it gives the viewer an art salon style experience and it gives the artists a chance not only to showcase their work but an opportunity to make important connections to foster their art career.
We Can Be Heroes: Visualizing the Life & Music of David Bowie is open until December 2, 2016. Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5.p.m at The Gallery at The Tech Garden located at 235 Harrison St. Syracuse NY.
Through the half drowned stars. Oil, ink and synthetic resin on canvas, 66" x 90", 2015.
The second art opening I visited was at Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, New York, on Friday, September 23, to see Angela Fraleigh: Between Tongue and Teeth. The museum, which was built by the famous architect I. M. Pei in 1965, is a piece of art of its own right and experiencing it both from the outside and from the inside is always quite impressive to the eye (everson). Angela Fraleigh is a professor at the Moravian College and “currently lives and works in New York, NY and Allentown, PA, and this is her 1st major solo show in a museum (angelafraleigh). Between Tongue and Teeth, is a painting exhibition that include 30 paintings created by the artists in the span of ten years. The art is located in the upper floor of the museum in the Coyne Gallery and the Memorial Gallery. Fraleigh’ paintings are provocative because she re-interprets “women's roles in art history, literature, and contemporary media” (everson).
Angela Fraleigh, Carried by Voices, 2014, oil and 23kt gold leaf and alkyd on canvas.
What makes her pieces stand out is not only the great size, which Fraleigh explains in a video on her website allows her paintings to go from personal to political, but the artist’s mastery of mixing classical figuration with contemporary and modern elements. I think Fraleigh’s creative process expresses her ability to push her limits by alternating from controlled painting techniques to hazardous and experimental ones. Creating a classical painting is time consuming; yet, Fraleigh fearlessly will set her pieces horizontally to add these paint pours giving chance a big role in the final composition. Along with the large scale paintings, the artist created for this exhibition intimate portraits and sculptures depicting women that played an important role with their art or activism in central New York (everson). Director and CEO of the Everson Museum of Art, Elizabeth Dunbar curated this astounding solo exhibition which will run until December 31 of 2016. You can visit the museum located at 401 Harrison Street, Syracuse NY on Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday from noon to 5.00 p.m.; on Thursday from noon to 8.00 p.m.; and on Saturday from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (everson).
The breezes at dawn have secrets to tell. Oil and silver metal leaf on linen, 90" x 66", 2015.
My take away from these two contrasting shows, We Can Be Heroes: Visualizing the Life & Music of David Bowie and Angela Fraleigh: Between Tongue and Teeth, is that, in different ways, personally confirmed how art can be a powerful tool for engagement and made me appreciate the richness of the arts that we have in the New York region. Additionally, they made me question my own path as a professional fine artist. After the creation of my community-based exhibition Trees of Onondaga, which was funded by the Individual Artist Grant commissioned by CNY Arts, I faced a creative dilemma.
Let me explain: I am an active user of Instagram, a social media platform that uses images and hashtags to connect people with businesses, and I've witnessed this distinctive separation among what I call commercial artists, entrepreneurs who create art to be sold directly to their audience, and the traditional artists, who strictly use the art world channels to achieve recognition and success by showcasing their masterpieces in fancy art galleries and museums. And here I am, stuck in the middle of these two pathways. Dwelling both ways; yet, truly unsure which way to confidently go. Of course, I know there is no real right or wrong answer. and time and more hints from the universe will eventually help me figure out the direction I want to take with my art path.
On my next blog post I will talk about how the branding of artists and art institutions play a crucial role in shaping the art market.
Work Cited
‘About.” Angela Fraleigh. N.p. 2016. Web. 23 Sep. 2016.
“About.” Everson Museum of Art. Everson, 2016. Web. 23 Sep. 2016.
“Current Exhibition.” Everson Museum of Art. Everson, 2016. Web. 23 Sep. 2016.
“David Bowie.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. MediaWiki, 2016. Web. 23 Sep.
2016.
Modern, Graceful and Bright
~ New Oil Paintings ~
Spring is finally here.
The days are warmer and the seasonal allergies are CRAZY annoying - thank goodness for antihistamine, right!?
Altogether, spring is an inspirational season, and creativity has been hanging out in my studio quite a bit!
I'm very excited to introduce you to 10 new oil paintings that share 3 qualities:
- they are modern,
- they are graceful,
- and they are airy.
Each artwork was painted with Williamsburg hand crafted oils on the finest-quality pure-cotton canvas. They are ready to hang and become a focal point in your home. You can click to each image to go to my online store.
HOW IS MY ARTWORK GOING TO BE SHIPPED?
All artwork is wrapped in paper, padded extremely well, and sent in a well-fitting sturdy cardboard box. Most artwork will ship via USPS or UPS and most packages arrive within 2-4 days (domestic) from time of shipping (includes tracking & insurance).
$15.00 shipping costs cover fees, packaging supplies, time, labor, and storage.
CAN I PICK UP MY ARTWORK?
Absolutely! You are welcome and encouraged to pick-up your artwork in person at Natur-Tyme in DeWitt, NY. To forgo shipping fees altogether, write me an email at mariarizzoart@gmail.com with the desired artwork you want to purchase. Then I will send you an invoice and we will work out a time to meet.
RETURNING COLLECTOR'S DISCOUNT
Patrons who have purchased original art from me are eligible for their 10% discount. Make sure to write me an email at mariarizzoart@gmail.com to request your discount code.
MARIA RIZZO
Trees, Lands & Dreams | Art Blogger #theartistspath | Art Educator | From Italy 🇮🇹🇺🇸 |