Art Opportunity: The 2008 Speckie Awards

The 2008 Speckie Advertising Awards Call for Entries

Do you have some great but killed commercial advertising,

design or photography work that deserves recognition?

Check out The Speckies -an all new award show that's about

ideas and ideas and ideas.

No clients, no rules, no briefs, no 13 page strategies

to cram into a 10 word headline. You're the boss.

You make the ad! Don't have any laying around?

There's dozens of categories to choose from.

Go make one of your own.

Deadline March 1, 2008. Entry fee.

Enter now at: http://www.thespeckies.com/

The 2008 Speckies!

about the art: "CrystalVision" created in 2005 using Macromedia

Fireworks.bourque.png

Artist Round Table Meeting- Tues. Oct. 2nd @ 7PM

Over the past few months, I have blogged a lot about this ART group and many people have expressed an interest in joining, The Artists Round Table. Well, here is your chance to join this Tuesday evening, go to the Columbia Chamber of Commerce building at 930 Richland in downtown Columbia, SC. If you are coming in from the St. Andrews area, take I-26 onto Elmwood at Assembly take a right and go a block or two to Richland, take a Left and it will be a few buildings up on the right. It is a large brick colonial style 4 story building with a fairly noticeable entrance. It sets back from the road and there is parking in the rear of the building. In the evening the only door open is the front door. You may recognize this address as the Cultural Council's address. It is the same place.
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When you enter the large foyer, to the right, you see a beautiful turn of the century staircase, reminiscent to the one in "Gone With the Wind". Go past that and keep going. At that point, you should start seeing some of the artists. However, you may not, if the door is closed. If it is closed; just go on in. We are a group of professional artists working in various mediums from performance to visual art and we are a friendly bunch.

See you Tuesday Oct. 2 at 7PM at the ARTists Round Table.

Painting "Sea Oats" an oil painting by Jean Bourque (NFS)

The Wonderful World of Colors, An Artist Resource

I can't tell you how many times I have been in an art meeting or a painting workshop where someone will ask, how do I find out what colors are in style? Never fear, I have some great web places you can go and learn all you might want to know about color; like Pantone Universe. Not only will you learn what colors are in style and what the future holds for home fashions and color decor, you will also see articles on "The Psychology of Color" and many interesting flash displays featuring the color of the day and even the perfect color for you based on a system of "Colorstrology". You will even learn about an insider secret called "The Color Think Tank" and how to get your own "Pantone Matched Paints" or color swatches available in fabrics, paint color chips, and paper, too.

Now if reading on the web is just not your thing and you do not have a ton of color ink loaded on your printer; you may want to buy some of the great books on Color they have on this website -Books on Color. If you just want to know what colors to paint for the Spring 2008 market just see "Fashion Trendsetter".

Pretty Mirror with Polymer Clay

Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who makes the coolest mirrors of them all?

Gail Cunningham of Bay Harbor Designs that's who

This is just too cute. This great looking mirror was made by none other than Gail Cunningham. We met her at the fairgrounds during art drop off and got talking. Gail often does interesting jewelry pieces with polymer clay and I was curious to see what she had sent in. She showed me this and I am sure this has got to be a winner!

We always thought these polymer clay items were hand painted and marveled at the intricate designs she creates. She told us they are not painted at all. Each pattern is created using a multitude of various colored clays.

Guess Who's Coming to Town! Ilona live from NYC

About twice a year, Columbia, the capital city of SC gets a visit from a wonderfully interesting New York City artist known worldwide as "Ilona". Internationally renowned artist, Ilona Royce Smithken of SCETV "Painting with Ilona" tv show and book fame will be guest at Sandra Phaup's home. Sandra is a member of the Trenholm Artists Guild and has hosted Ilona twice yearly for many years. For the last two weeks of October, you have the opportunity to learn to paint impressionistic oils with one of the world's most celebrated artists. The dates are Oct. 15 to Oct 19th and the following week Oct. 22 through Oct. 26th. Classes are usually from 9 AM to 1 PM Mon.-Fri. You can attend a couple mornings or attend one week or two weeks.
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Ilona, with her bright red hair and super long flirty red eyelashes standing less than 5 foot tall speaks with a European accent and gets noticed everywhere she goes. She truly is a star! Ilona does a dance routine ever summer in Cape Cod, known as "The Eyelash Review".
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If you would like to learn to paint or have taken class with Ilona before and would like to continue in your studies, you may contact Sandra Phaup through the Trenholm Art Guild or make a comment here and inquire for further details. Sign up as soon as you can before the classes are full.

Inquiry about Classes with Ilona here

Toffee and Diva - The Artist's Puppies

We love to paint, too!

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Information regarding photographs and credits:

1. Toffee (L at 6 months) Diva (R)

2. Diva at 10 weeks old (all Diva pictures on this post are 10 weeks old)

3. Diva likes to drink her water.

4. Toffee (at 5 months old) paints whenever she can.

Top three photos(1, 2, & 3) by Jean Ehler, bottom photo(4) by Jean Bourque, c 2007.

Artist Quote for Today

"A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art."
— Paul Cézanne

Attention SC Potters- Free Directory & websites

Here is the BIG secret:
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"SouthernPotters.com is an online directory of Southern Potters for potters to list contact information at no cost. The aim of the site is to provide a service for potters and to be a resource for collectors. In addition to the Potters Directory, potters may post free their kiln openings and shows. Also, the first 100 potters will receive a free web page until March 2008."

FallN2Art Show & Greek Festival Downtown Now

FallN2Art starts today -
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Over 60 artists will have their various artworks on display and you will be able to meet the artists all day today in downtown Columbia, SC and for the next two days. If you are going to the Greek Festival, you can't miss FallN2Art as they are right beside each other. For a list of participating artists go to The Artists Round Table website by clicking it.

*Photograph by Julie Cooper, "Full Moon" downtown Columbia, SC

The Design Museum in London

I just recently found out about The Design Museum in London. Occasionally, they have art competitions for designs which include not just fine art but graphic arts, photo manipulation, architecture and other media. It's an interesting place. Click on the Design Museum and go there now.

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Click on some of the links inside the museum website and you find information and photos of the latest exhibits. They have a discussion on graphic arts and talk of a variety of different competitions. They also feature the work of some very talented people.

Artists Opportunities

"ANNUAL CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE URBAN INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS As part of an ongoing commitment to promote challenging, innovative practices in the visual arts, UICA is seeking exhibition proposals for solo shows, curated shows, and individual pieces that address contemporary issues and concerns, and/or work that pushes traditional boundaries in its treatment of materials or subject. There are five exhibition opportunities, prospectuses for each exhibition opportunity are available to download on UICA's website. All entries will be reviewed for the 2008/2009 season if postmarked by NOVEMBER 1, 2007." as quoted from artdaily

Artist Quote for the Day...

"Nobody sees a flower, really, it is so small.

We haven't time -

and to see takes time

like to have a friend takes time."

by Georgia O'Keefe

Fall N2 Art Show Volunteers Needed

Fall N2 Art Show hosted by

The Artists Round Table of Columbia, SC

Friday and Saturday Sept 21 & 22nd 10AM to 6PM

and Sunday September, 23rd, 12-5PM

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

If you can volunteer for any two hour block or more or want more info about volunteer duties, please email the festival at Falln2art@hotmail.com

For more info including a list of participating artists go to

The Artists Round Table Website

About the Painting: 'Husband's Apology" by Deb Scott, winner of the 2007 Poster Contest for Fall N2 Art. Congratulations, Deb Scott!

Thanks to the Artists Round Table and Deb Scott for its use.

Artcyclopedia: A Resource for Artist Info

I found a great website that has put together some interesting information such as the top 30 artists list. Not only that each one has a clickable name that takes you to more info on that artist. It's like an artist encyclopedia and it's free. You name the artist and it does the work. Go to Artcyclopedia to see what I am talking about.

They also have a list of Art Museums Worldwide which is broken down by country
(and states for USA). This is an amazing list. So before your next vacation, look up where ever you are going and find the art museums in that area. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

http://www.artcyclopedia.com/ If you are searching for an artist, they have many artists here besides the top 30. Here is the current top 10 Quoted from Artcyclopedia...
"Ranked"
" 1 Pablo Picasso
2 Vincent van Gogh
3 Leonardo da Vinci
4 Claude Monet
5 Salvador Dali
6 Henri Matisse
7 Andy Warhol
8 Rembrandt
9 Peter Paul Rubens
10 Edgar Degas "

SC Women in Business Meeting Announcement

SCWIB Announcement:

Our next SC Women In Business meeting

will be held on Thursday October 18, 2007

5:30-7:30 PM at Damon's Restaurant 900 Senate St. in Columbia's Vista

Our speaker from Human Resources Dynamics will present

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"The Different Communication Styles of Men and Women"

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Cost is the meal plus gratuity for the wait staff

Call 803-360-2468 RSVP is required by Oct. 15, 2007.

Monday Sept. 17 Art League Meetings in SC

The Orangeburg League of Art in Orangeburg, SC will be meeting

Monday Sept 17 at 7 PM at the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center The program is "Glazing in Watercolors by Anne Hightower-Patterson". Anne is a very well known watercolorist and art educator from Columbia, SC.

Painting "Annie B" by Anne Hightower-Patterson

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In Chapin, SC The Crooked Creek Art League will be meeting at 7 PM on Monday September 17 2007 at the Crooked Creek Park with featured speaker

Roy Paschal and a discussion of painting in Flesh Tones.

Art for the Masses Wilmington, NC Nov. 17, 2007

Calling Regional Visual Fine Artists

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Regional artists sell their work directly to the public. No gallery, no middleman, no wine, no cheese, and to encourage buyers all artwork must be priced $250 or less, with all proceeds going to the artists.
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Event on Saturday, November 17, 2007 – 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Set-up on Friday, November 16, 2007 – 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
115 North 2nd Street, Downtown Wilmington, NC
Registration Deadline – 5:00pm, Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Registration Fee - $50*
Registration form at: http://www.creativewilmington.com/

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Contact: Matthew Dols mattdols@creativewilmington.com Phone: 910.251.9296
*A portion of the proceeds will benefit CreativeWilmington a Wilmington Arts non-profit organization.

CRASH at SCSU and Southern Circuit Film Blogs

"Hey Jeanee,
I do have some art news!! I've begun blogging for South Carolina State University's IP Stanback Museum & Planetarium - it's called CRASH, which is an acronym for Civil Rights, Art, Science and Humanities. It will showcase all that goes on concerning the arts in our community. On it you will find info about the Southern Circuit Independent film series, and the first one will show this Sunday, September 16 at 5 PM at the Museum. Actually, the plans are to show it in the planetarium - it will be cool to see it in place of the stars and galaxies!!" quoted from Harriett Hilton
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While doing my research for links I discovered the Southern Circuit blog. Enjoy!

"Thoroughly Modern Millie' at Workshop Theater

"Thoroughly Modern Millie" a musical based on the 2002 Broadway play which was adapted from the 1967 movie, is playing at Workshop Theater, 1136 Bull St., Columbia, SC now until Sat. Sept 22. Call to reserve your seat 803-799-6551. Yesterday's September 11, 2007, issue of the State newspaper had a wonderful review written by Larry Hembree, Executive Director of the Nickelodeon Theater... "Kathy Hartzog’s dragon lady performance is an over-the-top testament to her innate understanding of comedic timing, and Lou Warth, as Miss Flannery, couldn’t be funnier."...
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I am calling to get my tickets now. I love funny musicals!
yours,
Jeanee

Great Tutorials from Greg Lunn, scetv web designer

Go to www.monkeyflash.com to see what I am talking about!

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I have been real fortunate to have learned a lot about web design from a variety of wonderful educators. One such person happens to be the web designer at SCETV and an educator named Greg Lunn. He has a great blog which I thought might be real helpful for those of us that have websites and would like to take them up a notch or two with special effects and interesting attributes. For a sample of his flash animation work see
Gullah Music at Know it all.
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Greg will be teaching a class in "Flash" next Thursday and Friday Sept. 20 and Sept. 21 at the Northeast campus of Midlands Technical College, Columbia, SC. Any interested artists or web designers should call MTC Continuing Ed to sign up as soon as you can at 803-732-0432. For more info on the Continuing Education program their website is at www.mtctraining.com.
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In the mean time check out Greg's blog at Monkey Flash.
Enjoy.

I saw Peter Max Saturday night in Charlotte NC

I believe my headline says it all. What a heady experience for a big Peter Max fan to be at a Peter Max Art opening and Gallery Reception! He was in Charlotte NC at the Wentworth Gallery, Saturday evening September 8, 2007. It was so exciting to see him and so many of his artworks all in one place at one time! It was all so colorful and of course all the works were framed and displayed and they were selling like I had never seen at any art opening ever. It was very impressive to think about how many sales they may have made during my short visit.

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I must admit that Peter Max's art style with all the bold colors has been the biggest influence of all living artists on my own artistic ventures. After seeing so much Peter Max in "real life" and breathing the same air; I feel like a teen age groupie and probably sound like one, too! I don't believe I have ever seen so many bright colors in such a small space ever. Smile!

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I can't wait to get my hands in the paint and go bold again! It was just what I needed!

Yours Jeanee

About this painting: This is Free Forever on a 16x20 inch canvas painted in acrylics and oil pastels; painted by Jean Bourque, c 2006; it is unframed and for sale.

Saluda Shoals Park Update

Got a change in the performance piece. Vicky Saye Henderson cannot make it. We’ve added Elizabeth Cameron & Kathy Bradley. They are a banjo/guitar singer/songwriter duo.
UPDATE
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Saluda Shoals Park: "Through the Eyes of Art"

Sunday Oct 7, 2007

The public is invited and expected from 1-5 PM

This will be a unique artistic experience for Columbia, SC

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Not only will performing artists perform

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VISUAL ARTISTS

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will demonstrate the inspiration of being in Saluda Shoals Park

Come see the artists create, perform, demonstrate and entertain!

This is art and Saluda Shoals Park making history!

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Please note this is not a sales show. Many of the artists are happy to sell their art work, however the park has requested this be done outside the park. If you see something you would like to purchase be sure to get a business card from the artists involved and call or email them with your request. Thank you for respecting the Saluda Shoals Park request to keep this event as an entertainment activity.

Thank you.

Morning Coffee Chat with Jean Bourque

UPDATED ************
Good Morning! Aaah; nothing like a fresh cup of coffee using kona beans from Hawaii to get the brain thinking.
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Tonight at 80808 Studios in the Vista in Columbia SC they are having an art show from 5-10 pm, with many international artists. It should be a great show and really the first of this magnitude in this area that I can recall. Of course most all our local favorite artists from 80808 will be there too. Laura Spong will be showing work from her early days as well. *
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This past week we had our Artist Round Table meeting on Tues. We met with each other to discuss marketing, websites, art shows, art business and the ever popular subject among artists; selling more art. If you are a serious artist and are not a member; you may want to really consider this business minded ART group. ART meets the first Tues. of every month at 7 pm at the Chamber of Commerce 930 Richland St. Columbia, SC. *
Reminders:
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Monday Sept. 10 Trenholm Art Guild aka: TAG is having the monthly art meeting at Richland County Recreation Commission; at The Forest Lake Park in Columbia, SC Meeting 7PM. Speaker Lee Malerich, nationally known fiber artist and teacher from Neeses, SC at 7:30 pm
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Monday Sept. 17th Crooked Creek Art League meets aka CCAL at Crooked Creek Park in Chapin SC
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Thursday Sept 20 Seven Oaks Art League aka: SOAL will be having their monthly meeting
at Seven Oaks Park in the St Andrews area of Columbia, SC at 7 PM. Group gets together starting about 6:30 for greet and meet, all artists are welcome to attend.
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Painting on the back porch... I will admit this week is definitely cooler (than last week) thank goodness. The group of paintings I have been working on are coming along well. I have just finished putting the final touches on my piece for the fair and am real excited about it.
Besides the Fair piece I have 5 others in process. Since I am painting on a bunch of canvases during each sitting, perhaps it would be best to bring more than one canvas when I paint at Saluda Shoals. Heaven forbid I may get bored or stifled just working on one. Laugh! You see, I really like doing a lot of paintings at the same time. With the great loopy curved and bent trees I will be in front of I think that will call for at the very least two paintings. Come see me paint on Sunday Oct. 7th at Saluda Shoals Park from 1-4 in Columbia, SC.
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Have a great day.... paint your life away...it's a lot of fun!
yours;
Jeanee

California Dreaming and Peter Max

I just got through reading Art Daily which is the oldest online art newspaper. (check it out)
Peter Max is now showing at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, CA along with the city wide celebration of "The Summer of Love" anniversary.
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It's times like these I wish I were back in CA. I could hop in the car and head into SF and check out the show. The first time I ever saw his work was in San Francisco; CA. The bright colors in his posters felt like they were alive. The artwork spoke to me and it was one of life's defining moments! I was just a child doodling with the brightest colors I could find in pastels, crayons or even Tri Chem. How could I ever go back to Spirograph drawings and Jon Gnagy paint kits after seeing the electrifying works of Peter Max?
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Answer: I couldn't!
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If you would like to see what I am talking about click on his name or buy this book:
"The Art of Peter Max" TMc; dated 2002 written by Charles Riley II. There are lots of images on large format glossy paper and it is like taking a trip down memory lane with a big box of Eye Candy.
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California Dreaming of a Peter Max Art Show *
Jeanee

Labor Day = Play Day

Labor Day = Day off which = Play Day! For some reason; I am walking down memory lane today and have found such fun looking back at some of my 'older' art work. It's amazing; how much of my artwork is about playing. For me; a well documented work-a-holic; with absolutely no "earth" in my chart; it really helps ground me; to keep in touch with the little child inside and remember to take a day to just play. It's funny; when you think about it; that non-artists often think of art as play and I guess in some ways it is. But being an artist does have a lot of work to it. There is a business side to the art; no question about that. But let's not get into that today; because today is a Play Day!
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I found a jpeg image of this painting which my son has. It is a 16 x 20 inch on pre-stretched canvas; called "Playing". It is about being a kid and playing. You see the colorful little hopscotch board; creating a circle and the Raggedy Ann (or Andy) feet dangling down and the big eyed girl; getting ready to play! That's me today; the big eyed girl; getting ready to play.
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Have fun and go play!
yours;
Jeanee

International Online Artist Opportunity

These were the winning artworks of the 9th Art Interview; names listed below.

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CALL FOR ARTISTS: DEADLINE: 30 Sep 2007

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The 10th Art Interview - International Online Artist Competition

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is an international, juried exhibition of paintings, drawings and sculptures in any medium. It is open to all living artists worldwide aged 16 and up. A European gallery exhibition and a total of € 17,000 in cash may be awarded each quarter to the first, second and third place winners. First place winners receive up to € 10,000 plus a featured interview in Art Interview Online Magazine.
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The competition is run completely over the Internet, which eliminates the need for you to send slides or arrange for physical transportation of your artworks. Gain international recognition for your artwork and be interviewed along with the world's top artists, curators and gallery owners in Art Interview Online Magazine.
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Read more information on the competition and how to enter it!

Last years winners were:
Marcus Antonius Jansen ; Mai Tomita ;Matt DeFord ;Koji Omori ;Lidia Simeonova ;Kevin Bell ;
Helga Portanier ;Katarina Gajewska ;Oksana Bumstead .
Good Luck to you all...
Jeanee

A Pair of Jeans; Painting on the Back Porch

What fun it is to get together with other artists hang out and paint together. We always have a great time. This week it was Jean Ehler and myself Jean Bourque. Many of you know Jean Ehler paints realistically and I paint in the very abstract; most of the time. We got together and painted on my back porch. It was like 105 degrees out but under the porch we had shade and occasionally a burst of a/c from opening the door to let my two puppies in and out of the house.
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I worked in acrylics and pastels on several different canvases. I often work on several at a time. It's like one feeds the other. I also do a lot of dripping, spraying and watering so I often need to let one dry a bit in the sun to capture an effect. If it rains while it is outside; that's even better (sometimes) because it creates a unique design that cannot be duplicated. I love the idea of one of a kind and creating something that never existed. It's a powerful sensation. My color scheme was perhaps more monochrome than is typical working in burnt sienna and yellow ochre.
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Much to my surprise Jean Ehler was working in bright colors like fuchsia and purples which she custom mixed in oil paints on her palette. Ehler worked on a smaller canvas painting some beautiful flowers; from a photograph. I asked her about her technique and she said she usually draws the composition in charcoal and then paints. However; with this painting; she went for the paints. She had a flawless blue background and several large open flowers. We had talked about Georgia O'Keefe and as different as we paint from each other; both of us have been inspired by her work and both have done pieces in that style.
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While I was using a regular Stanrite aluminium studio easel Jean Ehler had her traveling easel; which I really liked. I have a wood box Julian style one; but when you travel and walk a long way to paint; it does get quite burdensome. Ehler's new black easel was like a modern tall tripod which all clicked in to place and fit in a shoulder bag. Of course I had to find out where it came from. Yes; I will be running to Hobby Lobby on my next day off and finding this little gem! This will be perfect for "Through the Eyes of Art" show in Saluda Shoals; on Sun. Oct. 7th from 1-5PM.
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Have a great Day;
Jean Bourque
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About the painting: "Floral Fantasy" is an oil painting c by Jean Bourque on 24 x 18 canvas