Recycled Runway at Columbia Museum of Art

What: A fashion show of recycled materials

When: Thursday, April 17, 6:00 p.m.

Where: Columbia Museum of Art

Who : Open to anyone who wishes to design an outfit

Rules: 1. Garments must be made from recycled materials

2. Entrants must sign up by April 4, 20083.

Entrants must attend dress rehearsal on April 15, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.

Very cool prizes for winning designs! MC The Lady Chablis!

Columbia’s karaoke stars! DJ! Cash Bar w/proper I.D.
To enter, or for more information,

call Rhett Anders at 803-238-5684 or Runawayrunway1@aol.com

SC Water Media Society Events Feb. - April 2008

AIKEN Feb. 12, 7:00 PM
Aiken Historical Museum
433 Newberry St., SW (Off Boundary St.) 803-642-2015
Co-sponsored by the Aiken Artist Guild.
Critique by Michael Pearson from Beaufort. Bring a finished painting or one in progress.

ANDERSON Feb. 11, 6:30 PM
Anderson County Art Center
110 Federal St., 864-222-2787
Co-sponsored by the Anderson Artist Guild.
Lecture & demonstration, “Painting Botanicals, Up-close & Vibrant” by Michael Pearson from Beaufort.

BEAUFORT Feb. 26, 6:30 PM
Green St. Arts Center - Green Street Gym
1001 Hamar St.
Co-sponsored by the Beaufort Art Association.
Lecture & demonstration, “Ways with Watercolor,” by Daniel Cromer from Spartanburg. A look at watercolor and its various approaches from pure transparent to experimental methods using paper and other surfaces.

CHAPIN Feb. 18, 7:00 PM
Crooked Creek Park (meeting room)
1098 Old Lexington Hwy.
Co-sponsored by the Crooked Creek Art League
Lecture & demonstration,” Painting Botanicals, Up-close & Vibrant” by Michael Pearson from Beaufort.

COLUMBIA April 14, 6:30 PM
Forest Lake Recreation Center
6829 Wedgefield Rd. www.trenholmartistsguild.org
Co-sponsored by the Trenholm Artist Guild
Lecture & demonstration by Rose Metz of Sumter. “Abstract & Realism,” constructing paintings working with color, line & shapes to achieve abstract or realism.

FLORENCE Feb 7, 10 AM - Noon
Lynda English Studio & Gallery
402 Second Loop 843 -673-9144
Demonstration, “The Figure & the Beauty of Skin Tones in Watercolor.” by Kate Lagaly from Myrtle Beach. This is a hands-on painting class so bring your materials & learn to paint skin tones.


GREENVILLE Feb. 19, 6:30 PM
Metropolitan Arts Council, 16 Augusta St.
Local Contact: Jane Todd Butcher, 864-288-1092
Co-sponsored by the Metropolitan Arts Council.
Critique by Carrie Burns Brown & Michael Brodeur. Bring 1 - 2 paintings to share with the group.

GEORGETOWN Feb 6, 10:00 AM
Willbrook Plantation Clubhouse
140 Tidewater Cir. Call Gail Joley – 843-237-9921.
From Hwy. 17, turn west onto Willbrook Blvd., left into the plantation & stop at the guard house. Co-sponsored by the Georgetown County Watercolor Society.
Critique by Lynda English from Florence. Bring 1 - 2 finished paintings or one in progress.

HILTON HEAD Feb. 28, 6:30 PM
Hilton Head Art Academy
106 Cordillo Parkway (843-681-2399
Co-sponsored by the Hilton Head Art League.
Lecture & demonstration, “Ways with Watercolor,” by Daniel Cromer from Spartanburg. A look at watercolor and its various approaches from pure transparent to experimental methods using paper and other surfaces.

MYRTLE BEACH Feb 16, 10:15 - Noon
Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum. 3100 South Ocean Blvd. (843) 238.2510
Co-sponsored by the Waccamaw Arts & Crafts Guild.
Lecture & demonstration, “Using Acrylic & Acrylic Inks on Paper” by Lynda English from Florence.

N. AUGUSTA Feb. 5, 7:00 PM
N. Augusta Community Center
101 Brookside Dr.
Co-sponsored by the North Augusta Artist Guild
Critique by Michael Pearson from Beaufort. Bring a finished painting or one in progress.

ROCK HILL Feb 19, 6:30 PM
Center for the Arts
121 E. Main St. 803- 328-2787
Co-sponsored by the Center for the Arts in Rock Hill.
Lecture, “Challenges of Plein Air Painting in France,” by Seymour Simmons, III from Winthrop University.

Feb 3 High Art Festival "The Dubber" Great Sound!

Hosted By: THE Dubber
When: Sunday Feb 03, 2008
at 8:00 PM
Where: Apache Cafe
64 3rd Street N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30308
United States
Description:
THE Dubber

Click Here To View Event
He played in Columbia, SC and has a great sound. All my buddies in Atlanta GA go on out to see "The Dubber" at the High Art festival Feb. 3.

For Sound Preview: http://events.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.detail&eventID=401245.317

Artist Retreat with Heidi Darr Hope & Sharon Bray

Sharon Bray and Heidi Darr-Hope present
The 4th Annual La Serrania Retreat Sanctuary: Exploring the Self in Writing and Art

May 24 – 31, 2008
Mallorca, Spain
$1,725 Fee includes workshop costs, beautiful accommodations; delicious Mediterranean meals…Register early as enrollment is limited to 14.
Imagine yourself in the beauty of the Mallorcan countryside, amid the tranquil setting of La Serrania, part of a small group of people gathered together to wander and explore. You will be inspired by the serenity of nature and the quiet time, allowing you to express your creativity in word and art, gleaned from your wellspring of imagination and memory. To create a sanctuary for authentic self-expression is to engage ourselves creatively in a search for meaning. Whether we express ourselves through words, music, dance or images, our mind, body, and soul merge. We then experience a unique way to connect with the unseen spiritual forces that guide and support our lives.Yearning to deepen and enrich your life? Longing to reconnect with your creative spirit? Misplaced your life’s passion? Join us and give yourself the gift of Sanctuary
For more information and photos- http://www.darr-hope.com/Scheduled%20Workshops.htm#laserrania

Get Your Free Flickr Account Today!

Since I had mentioned Flickr in my last post, I thought I should explain. Flickr is a free photo sharing website. If you are a pro photographer like Jerry or my son you can upgrade to Pro or if you are someone that wants to load lots of photos, upgrade, by paying the annual fee. I had an artsails1 site and couldn't get on it no matter how hard I tried. So I just opened a fresh "jeanbourque1" site which I am just starting now. The link to my old site is in the link box in the side panel. Flickr is now owned by Yahoo, so if you have a yahoo email or ever have it will use that as your default email. I suspect that may have had something to do with why I couldn't get on the site. Anyway, my images are still on the old site; they just will stay there. I was in a couple of art exchange groups through that site, so if you are in any of those groups, please invite me back at the new website.

Thank you!

If you want a free photo account to show your art at get a flickr account today.

Yours Truly,

Jean Bourque

Painting is called "Lucky Star"

It's an oil painting by Jean Bourque

and is also available in prints

Selling Art on Ebay and The Love Series

Love Series by Jean Bourque

Prints to be released soon!

At Seven Oaks Art League this past week we had Rachel Parker talk with us about Selling Art on Ebay. She mostly sells prints on Ebay but on occasion does sell originals. She spends about 10 hours a week on ebay including her painting time and sells 3-4 prints a week. She sells several originals a month and also gets commissions through her ebay store. She sells her works unframed (usually) and they can be mailed in a priority envelope unless they are large and then she would use a poster tube. She recommends using PayPal as the preferred method of payment on Ebay. There is a live link for PayPal to the right, here. She links it all to her main website and blog.

Listening to Rachel really got me motivated to get back on ebay. After all I am certified by Ebay and have helped other people set up their ebay accounts and taught them how to use it. For me, it's just a matter of doing it. I have been hearing a lot of positive feedback on my Love Series of art from the Talent Database and local friends too. Perhaps it's time to test the waters....with an entirely different art product and marketed in a totally different way.

Don't mind me, I am just thinking as I am writing....it's open to feedback and comments...

The love series...because love never goes out of style and it's almost valentine's day!

Yours Truly,

Jean Bourque

New Web Page Launch- Ellin Baskin artist

Ellin Baskin of West Columbia SC has been painting since she was a teenager. She
graduated with a Masters degree from USC and has pursued her art
extensively since then. In a 5 year period Ellin lost both her parents
and has always lived in the house she grew up in. She says she was crying
all the time when her Mom died until God healed her broken heart.
Read all about her amazing healing experience on her new blog and
see some of her art work. http://ellinbaskin.blogspot.com/

Back Porch Painters Meets Today at 11 AM

Back Porch Painters will meet today Jan. 15 at 11 AM at the Gallery on Two Notch Rd. Columbia, SC. Sandra Phaup will make announcements for this seasons paint gatherings and for the gallery space. Come one, Come All, If you have ever studied with Ilona Royce Smithken, paint in impressionistic style or you are a friend of Sandra's; come on down. The Back Porch painters is a friendly group that has taken classes in Impressionism in Oils with Ilona Royce Smithken. We all paint on canvas and even though some of us also paint in acrylics, it is pretty much an oil painters group. Bring your own art supplies.


This portrait by Jean Bourque is called "Contemplation" and it is an example of the impressionistic style we have learned. Ilona is a NYC Artist in the winter, residing in Grenwich Village and a Provincetown, Cape Cod Artist in the summer. Cape Cod is just south of Boston, MA and just north of Providence RI. Provincetown, is at the very tip of Cape Cod and has the most beautiful views, especially on a clear day. Although the water tends to be be very cold even in summer, it is the summer home to many famous artists, writers and performers. It is a great place to go to get inspired.

One of my Mentors Speaks on Public Speaking

I know many people dread public speaking. But let's face it as artists (of any kind) there are times when we must speak publicly. It may just be an informal gathering of art lovers, a business meeting, a chamber of commerce meeting , going to a new art group meeting, or an official speaking engagement. No matter what occasion it is, anxiety is normal. It actually helps you deliver a more energetic image. Hope this helps ease the fears...

(Scroll to the very bottom of the page for this video and click play)

Brookgreen Gardens Call for Water Media Art

Entry Deadline: Jan. 15, 2008 postmarked by Jan 15th is fine.

Brookgreen Gardens is a National Historic Landmark with the most significant collection of figurative sculpture, in an outdoor setting, by American artists in the world. Founded in 1931, it was America's first public sculpture garden. The collection currently contains over 900 works spanning the entire period of American sculpture from the early 1800s to the present.


SC Watermedia Society (formerly SC Watercolor Society) will partner with Brookgreen Gardens for an exhibit that is also a part of the 2008 juried exhibition event, which includes the 31st Annual Exhibition at Franklin Burroughs-Simeon Chapin Art Museum in Myrtle Beach and the annual painting workshop at Litchfield Beach Resort. SCWS will host a reception for this exhibit on Oct. 24, which is the same weekend of the opening of our 31st Annual Exhibition in Myrtle Beach.


In conjunction with a scheduled sculpture exhibit by Brookgreen Gardens entitled, Flights of Fantasy: Birds in Sculpture and Hoof Beats and Heroes: Horses in American Sculpture, SC Watermedia Society will exhibit paintings to accompany the sculpture. Paintings need to reflect the theme of the sculpture exhibits. Interpretation to the theme is open but abstracted work with imagery that reflects the theme work is preferred.


Robin Salmon, Brookgreen Gardens Curator & VP of Collections, will select the artists. Your entry is a sample of your work. Paintings (entry samples) do not need to match the themed exhibit but rather show the type of work that you do. Once artists are selected, SCWS will send out notification letters with details, i.e. framing, sizes (maximum 30” x 40” framed), number of paintings per artists (could be 1 – 6) and delivery procedures. Selected artist will then paint specifically for this themed exhibition. All paintings must be for sale. Commission rate is 30%. Entries accepted from SCWS current members only. Join Now!


Brookgreen Gardens Exhibition Calendar:
Jan. 15, 2008 CD submission deadline to Brookgreen Gardens (Postmark)
March 1 Notification letters to artists
March - Aug. Artists create paintings
Aug. 18 - 22 Delivery of work
Sept. 6 Exhibition opens
Oct. 24 SCWS reception at Brookgreen
Nov. 2 Exhibition closes
Nov. 3 & 4 Pick up of paintings

Exhibition Procedures:
1. One-page bio/resume (include name, address, phone & email.) Keep this to one page.
2. CD with 4 - 6 images (JPG format) of your current work. CD will not be returned.
3. Self-addressed & stamped envelop (business #10 envelope) with completed form below.
Mail to: Robin Salmon, Brookgreen Gardens, P.O. Box 3368, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 (843)235-6012.
- - - - - -#- -- - - - - - -# - - - - - - - - - #
Brookgreen Gardens Entry Results

Name ________________________________________

Address_______________________________________

_____________________________________________
r Selected r Not Selected
_____________________________________________
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Water Media Art

These two were created by Jean Bourque on canvas with painted edges. The woman portrayed painting is in acrylics and is called "Bring It On!" it is a 30x24 inch on museum quality canvas with thick sides that have been painted. The next piece is named "Space" it is an acrylic painting on pre-stretched canvas with edges painted. It is 24 inches tall with 18 inches across. Both pieces are wired and ready to hang. Email Jean if you are interested in acquiring either selection. We do accept PayPal online and there is a link (to the right) to set up an account, if you do not have one.

Art league meetings for The Week Ahead

Trenholm Artists Guild (aka TAG) will meet this Monday evening Jan. 14, 2008 at Forest Lake Park Rec Ctr just off Decker Blvd. in NE Columbia, SC from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The speaker will be well known award winner artist Claire Farrell (aka Suzy) She will give a unique demonstration of hand printing with water based inks. Claire has earned her MFA from USC and is a member of Southern Watercolor, Southern Graphics Council, SC Watermedia Society (Member with Excellence) and the Georgia Watercolor Society as signature member. Open to all members and guests and open to artists that would like to meet other artists and join.


Seven Oaks Art League will meet at 6:30 at the Seven Oaks Rec Ctr on Leisure Lane which is just off St. Andrews Rd. If you are coming in from I26, it is just off Piney Grove Rd. just before it hits St. Andrews Rd. SOAL will have a speaker talk about Selling Art Work.

FYI - Local Art Leagues Columbia SC

People are often asking me about the various art leagues in Columbia. So I put this together, these are the ones I am in and you can feel free to tell me about others I am not in. So you know what each offers, here it is:

ART= Artists Round Table
SOAL= Seven Oaks Art League
TAG= Trenholm Artists Guild

Guild Website Links Page Dues Etc

ART http://theartistsroundtable.org/ yes yes $35. a yr Jan. Several shows
membership Professional career artists- all types of artists such as musicians, spoken word artists, sculptors, potters, glass beads, fiber arts, actors, dancers, painters, potters, photographers, illustrators, web designers, bloggers, poets, writers and more. Meets year round, first Tuesday of the month. Lots of great opportunities. Next month bring any art supplies you no longer want and we will have an artists exchange at the Cultural Council aka Chamber of Commerce Building downtown. To participate in the art supply exchange, for any type of artist, arrive early or drop off so the board can set it up and plan the function! Should be fun. Affiliated with the Cultural Council. Chuck Lamark, formerly of the Cultural Council has agreed to take Alicia Leekes's place as our leader. Great connections! Art Gallery Coop and Social every Thursday at 1213 Lincoln St. in the Vista.


SOAL No website, no blog, does have an emailed newsletter $20. yr Sept.
Meets the third Thursday from Sept to May, except in Nov and Dec its the 3rd Wed. Annual show is at the Seven Oaks Park. Membership 90% women and has hobbyists as well as professional artists, some potters, painters, glass bowls, jewelry makers, gourd art, etc. lots of talented people. Fun events like Dec. Fabulous Fakes, artists painted something based on a famous artwork. Offers educational events for techniques in art.


TAG http://trenholmartistsguild.org/ yes http://trenholmartistsguild.org/Artists.html
Has 3 places any art member can show at regularly Palmetto Hospital, BC BS, and Eye physicians. Dues $20. plus $5. to $10. link to website and get a page, due in Sept. Meets second Monday of the month, Sept to May except Dec no meet. Annual show at prestigious IHOF gallery for all members. Many old timers with lots of experience and well known artists, the genders are equally represented. Monthly meetings are educational and may cover art techniques and promoting art such as taking digital photography of art. Also offers many art technique workshops.


I know there are several other art leagues, Rosewood Art League and there is one in nearby Chapin and another one up in Sesqui Park, but I am not a member and would not want to say the wrong info. If you are reading this and are a member of another art league in the greater Columbia area and would like me to mention it in the blog, please send me info or leave a comment and contact info .
Stay Artsy...
Jeanee

Volunteers Needed for Spring Art Event A.R.T.

At Artists Round Table we received a grant to work with non-profits to host an art show with the community. Our committee will meet soon and put the event together. In the mean time, let me know if you would like to be on the committee and be invited to the group meeting. Please let me know if you want to volunteer for this committee. More details later as they are available. Thanks.

Night out Wed, Jan 16 Spoken Arts Night

For fun night out in the middle of the week try the Poetry Slam and Free Speech Zone at H20 on State St in West Columbia, SC Second block up from Terra's. I had to let you all know there is a great little venue this Wednesday night Jan 16 starting at 8PM.


It's a Poetry Slam, music session and Open Mic. It starts at 8PM at H20 on State St. W Columbia. John Starino, spoken word artist and photographer has put together "The Phoenix Tongue" for your entertainment. OR better yet, if you have prose or other talent you would like to show this very arts oriented group, stop by, bring your material, some is funny, some is serious and some is musical, so what ever you have for talent; Bring It On!!!!!


The first Open Mic of 08 was Jan. 2nd and we had a great turn out; many people shared their poetry, their humor, their lives. We even had two musicians play guitar as soloists, both very talented, The Dubber with his amazingly smooth soulful sound and Bob Kilgore with his unique guitar picking and playing.


No Cover, no drink minimum! Free Speech Zone. Check it out!

Call for Artist's Submissions DL 2-15-08

Send and Receive v.10 Call for Submissions

TALENT SPEAKS

Send + Receive is an annual audio art festival showcasing current and newly emerging areas of investigation in a variety of forms including live performance, radio, web-based projects, internet streaming projects, sound poetry, installations, film and video screenings, workshops, and panel discussions.

The festival for 2008 will be held October 17th-25th. You can view artists that participated last year on the site. The deadline for submissions is February 15th. Please visit the website to download the guidelines and entry form.


If you're an artist, musician, filmmaker, model, photographer, or other talented individual — join thousands of other creatives and create a free listing in the Global Talent Database.

Artsy Days are Here Again

"Journey" a Mixed Media Silk Collage c by Jean Bourque (SOLD)

Have you ever really looked at fiber art? When I ask that some people say is that just a fancy way of sewing or quilting? And of course I chuckle and say well no, but it could be if that's what you make of it. My own fiber arts are a variety of works I have done over my entire life. These are such a huge variety of combinations even though compared to my paintings in number they are far fewer. People really like them, that's why I do not have many of them in sstock at any given time. I really like them too. There is something about digging through a scrap heap of left over fabric, or tearing an old scarf or blouse down to it's prettiest parts. The feeling of pure joy is forever etched in my mind and it lets me be the free spirit, I really am. LOL!

*

I met with a wonderful fiber artist for lunch. She brought samples of her work. Each tiny little ATC and postcard was absolutely a work of art. I loved the textures, the unique qualities I found in each one. Some were adorned with tiny charms and others with cross stitch, zig zag stitches and mounted on vinyl, paper or a postcard. (Google Susan Lenz ) My fiber arts have been sitting in a bag waiting for assemblage...and apparently they waited for inspiration as well. Now, that I have my schedule totally booked day and night, I am inspired. How does this happen? I am so ready to play with fabrics. I want to do an Artist's Trading Card exchange with you. I also would like to do Exchange of artworks with other artists, too. If you are interested email me.

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ATC's have become very popular. This is happening all over the world. It is original, never a print, and the ATC is a tiny little work 2.5 by 3.5 inches and it is never to be sold only exchanged among artists. It must have your name and contact info on the piece. be thinking about what you could do and as I have time to work on them, I will post them up, so you can see what I mean.

*

Hugs, peace and love are the ingredients in great art and remember the arts make the world go round and round...

Stay artsy...Jeanee

http://www.jeanbourque.com/

Email from Americans for the Arts Action Fund

"January 9, 2008

Dear Jean,

Last week Iowa held the first presidential caucus, and yesterday, New Hampshire held the first presidential primary of the 2008 election. While it's still early in the process, ArtsVote2008 is very pleased to find candidates that support the arts and arts education have been dominating these contests! Americans for the Arts Action Fund launched ArtsVote2008 last year to be the voice of arts advocates across the nation. The initiative is dedicated to making sure that the presidential candidates make early on-the-record statements in support of the arts and arts education.

Winners of the Iowa Caucus, Senator Barack Obama (D) and Governor Mike Huckabee (R) have made extensive policy statements in support of the arts and arts education. Senator Obama has written two policy briefs outlining his support, and Governor Huckabee has been extremely vocal for years about his support for improving arts education throughout the country.

Late last night Senator Hillary Clinton (D) was confirmed as the winner of the New Hampshire Primary. Senator Clinton has also written a policy brief in support of the arts and has a strong record in this area during her tenure as First Lady. It should be noted that the NH GOP winner, Senator John McCain, has not yet issued a statement on the arts. Senator John Edwards (D) and Governor Bill Richardson (D) also have statements in support of the arts. To read the candidate statements and get additional campaign trail news, visit http://capwiz.com/artsusa/utr/1/LDUBHZJFOC/KAEIHZJFOT/1653504291.

In large part, securing early support for the arts and arts education in the months leading up to the primary was made possible through ArtsVoteNH—a partnership between Americans for the Arts Action Fund and New Hampshire Citizens for the Arts. Most recently, ArtsVoteNH held a statewide Arts Policy Forum at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, NH, at which five campaigns participated, including speakers on behalf of Senator Obama, Governor Huckabee and Senator Clinton.

What's Next 30 states are scheduled to hold their caucus or primaries in the next month, tell your friends to join our Action E-List and get the latest breaking news and campaign updates. Thank you for championing the arts in this election and for sending messages to the presidential candidates letting them know your support for the arts. For too long, America's arts community has been quiet during national campaigns. Thanks to you, we'll finally be heard!"

You Need a Blog, Artist's Statement, or Bio?

Many artists tell me that they do not know where to begin on marketing their art. Of course, any artist that has sold or shown their work can tell you, there is a lot more to it then they realized. Galleries and other show venues want art bios, artist's statements, price lists, inventory sheets, photos, slides, jpgs, and some even want an art resume. All this can seem very intimidating to a beginning artist and even to some experienced artists. Some artists do not like writing , they want others to write for them. I am happy to help.

Do you have a website? Does it have information about you; such as an art statement and an art bio? Has it been kept up to date? Besides showing art work, does it let the audience know a little bit about you and your art process? Having a website is like a phone number for artists, because galleries and buyers expect you to have one. But for some, that is an unknown territory and a difficult one to create if you are not fairly technically savvy.

A much easier and cost effective way to submit your art portfolio to the world and develop an international following is by creating and maintaining a blog. This can be your website if you do not have one. If you do have one, you can use this as a marketing tool to direct more traffic to your website. If you know nothing about creating blogs, it really doesn't take long to learn and I can set one up for you and teach you how to maintain it yourself. If you have digital images of your art, we can create slide shows for the world to see featuring your art.

If you have no interest in learning about it but can see it would be a good idea to have your art on the web and some info about where you are showing and what you are up to, I can set one up for you and maintain it too. We can put your artist's statement, your bio and your art resume with show history online at your blog. The blog is an easy way to go for you to get online. Email me with I need an artist's blog in the subject and I will take care of this for you.

Okay, you have a website and a blog, but keeping it updated is the problem you are having. You have just too many writing tasks and keeping up with the website, the blog, resume updates and inventory lists for shows is really important but there are so many hours in the day and perhaps you have a family or another life besides art. What to do? Email me and I can help with your art writing needs. Put I need a writer in the subject line.

Right now, I am available to assist with your art writing, art marketing and blog set up and maintenance. If you have a small business and just do not want the payroll commitment and have found that temp agencies do not provide professional writers, email Jean Bourque to create a web presence for you. Put "I need a web presence" in the subject. Now that I have put this on my blog, I will get booked up fairly quickly, so email me now. It doesn't take long to be booked 3 weeks or a month in advance. Reasonable rates.

Happy Blogging to you all,

Jean

Call for Realistic Oil Painters $20k Best in Show

Oil Painter of America’s 2008

National Juried Exhibition of Traditional Oils

May 2 To June 14, 2008
Hosted By: Dana Gallery

The goal is to assemble the finest display of representational oil paintings. The focus in the jurying to select paintings that show the highest quality in draftsmanship, color, and composition, emphasizing a diversity in representational style and subject matter.
Artist who reside in the United States, Canada and Mexico and are either current OPA members or have submitted an application for membership are welcome to apply for this exhibition. To join or renew your membership, go to the Oil Painters of America website.

AWARDS & Juror
Total Awards will be approximately $40,000, including a $20,000 Best In Show. The awarding juror for this year’s 2008 National Juried Exhibition is Master Signature Member and internationally renowned artist Ramon Kelley.

Entries will be posted on-line beginning Monday, February 25, 2008.
On-line Submissions – Deadline: Thursday, January 24, 2008
Mailed-in Submissions – Deadline: Thursday, January 17, 2008

For further details and an entry form go to the Oil Painters of America Website.

Good luck!

Trenholm Artists Guild Meets Jan. 14th at 7PM

TAG will meet at 7 PM, with a 6:30 social visit time, in NE Columbia, SC just off Decker.

Claire K. Farrell will be our speaker for January. She will demonstrate hand printing with water based inks. Claire was born in Charleston and hold degrees from Duke University and a Masters of Art from the University of South Carolina. She is a member of Southern Watercolor, Southern Graphics Council, South Carolina Watermedia Society (Member with Excellence), and the Georgia Watercolor Society (Signature Member). She has won awards in many shows.

Seven Oaks Art League Meets Jan. 17th

JANUARY’S PROGRAM for Seven Oaks Art League in St. Andrews, Columbia, SC

We will meet at 7PM on Thursday, January 17, 2008. Our guest speaker will be Rachel Parker, a self-taught watercolorist. She has been drawing since she was a child and began painting in 2000. She comes from a family of artists. Her mother Gretchen Parker is an award-winning portrait artist. Her father is an award-winning photographer, so art must run in the family! She will share with us ideas about selling our artwork.

At our December holiday gathering, Barbie Mathis won the prize for her fabulous fake of Maxfield Parrish’s Ecstasy! It was a very tough decision as there were so many fabulously done fakes.

The SOAL Jan. 14-Feb.21 art show will feature work by Jean Bourque and Ingrid Carson.

Columbia, SC A Great Place to Be

Columbia, SC is seated in the middle of the state and serves as the state capital and home to Fort Jackson Army Base. It's a great place to live or visit. If you are thinking of moving to our beautiful area there are plenty of links on this blog that will tell you more about Columbia, SC. The best thing about Columbia is we have a very diversified population with a mix of many cultures. The city has several museums, a zoo, many annual art events, an ice hockey team, improv, many live theaters, comedy club, city baseball team, roller derby squad, many restaurants and great shopping as well as several prominent colleges including USC and is home to the Gamecocks.

Of course, if you are moving here you want more detail then that. I would recommend several websites to find out more about our great little city of Columbia, SC. If you already live here and just want to see what's happening beyond what I have listed on this blog go to any of these websites.


Access Columbia, SC

Columbia SC Visitor's Center

Hello Columbia

SC Information Highway

Roy Paschal Columbia Museum of Art Jan 6 Talk

Roy Paschal a very talented artist will be having a lecture at The Columbia Museum of Art at 2 PM on Sunday Jan. 6th. Roy is the Forensic Department Supervisor at SLED. His Lecture is titled, "Dead Men Do Tell Tales: Forensic Human Identification". The lecture is free and should be very interesting. Call the museum (803) 799-2810 or check their website for further info or to register for the lecture. There is a small fee for admission to the museum. The Columbia Museum of Art is located on Main St. In the Heart of Downtown Columbia, SC.
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Roy Paschal is a member of the Crooked Creek Art League in Chapin, SC.

Art Reception New Art 5:30-9 PM TONIGHT

ARTISTS ROUND TABLE

ART SHOW

Featuring artists such as Jamie Blackburn with a colorful wall of paintings

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Howard Hunt with photography,

paintings and other local artists

Charles E. Meyer
Richard Glover
E Stan Harp

Betty Mandell

Shown work by Jean Bourque from Dec. 2007 show

They are all members of the Artists Round Table at 1213 Lincoln St. in the Vista across from the Blue Marlin Restaurant in Columbia, SC

"The Art and Music of Dr.Yusef Leteef Jan. 16th"

"Seeing with the Heart's Eye, the Art of Yusef Lateef"
"Reception: Wed. Jan. 16, 2008; 5-7PM followed by his mini concert 7-9:30PM Swinton Center, Benedict College; The Ponder Fine Arts Gallery Rm. 203; 1600 Harden St. Columbia, SC. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to experience a multi-talented, multi-dimensional, principled, writer,composer and educator who defies labels. He has spent his entire life pursuing a career based on conviction, principle, a quest for knowledge and using his innate gifts to create books and music. He has been described as a "master of complexity," an adventurous musician and one of the most original voices in music."
*
"He was remarkable for his mastery of the flute, but equally adept at the
saxophone and oboe. He created compelling music that was culturally relevant for the times. He was born William Emanuel Huddleston in Chattanooga, TN. At five, he moved to Detroit, Michigan with his family, where his musical skills were honed. Detroit is a "music rich" city that has produced many great musicians including giants of jazz Kenny Burrell, Milt Jackson, Tommy Flanagan, Paul Chambers, and Donald Byrd, with all of whom Dr. Lateef forged friendships. Dr. Lateef launched his career playing with swing orchestras including Hot Lips Page, Roy Eldridge and Lucky Millender. In 1949, he joined the band of famed South Carolinian, Dizzy Gillespie, and played with him for a year."
*Dr. Lateef's desire to create new and exciting music has led him to make and experiment with many unique instruments. He makes flutes and other instruments and
plays rabat, shanai, shofar, argol, sarewa, Taiwan koto and others. Dr. Lateef has rejected the term "jazz" and "jazz musician" as limiting generalizations with multiple ambiguities and negative meanings. He describes the music he plays as auto-physio-psychic music, music that comes from the mental, physical, spiritual and intellectual self. He relates that he always attempts to "meld my soul
with the composition." Dr. Lateef prefers to be called a teacher and composer, rather than a jazz musician."
"In 1970, Dr. Lateef moved to Amherst, MA which is known as an intellectual and artistic community. As a teacher at Amherst, Dr. Lateef encouraged his students to find their own musical solutions. He continues to find his own musical solutions creating symphonies and piano concertos for groups throughout the world. He is also a writer whose books include "The Flute Book of the Blues", "A Night In The Garden of Love", and a number of short stories."
(information provided by T Geter)

Emerging artist: Roger Hutchison

"Neutron Dance" by Roger Hutchison
c 2008 acrylic painting

Roger Hutchison is a relative newcomer to the Columbia SC visual art scene. Even so, he is an active painter and has sold an impressive 15 paintings this past month. I know other artists always want to know how someone accomplished such a feat and with that in mind I set out to meet Roger myself.

Roger struck me as a very friendly person with a strong passion for painting. Naturally; I wanted to write about him as he had done something I have never seen any new artist do in Columbia.

I asked Roger to tell us about himself and here is what he had to say:

"I have always been a creative person, but it has only been in the past couple of years that I have really started "putting the word out" about my work. I use acrylics and I paint with my fingers. I also use business cards, nails, pieces of wood, and other "found" objects. I was inspired to move "out of the box" by my 9th Grade Civics teacher. He introduced me to artists like Cy Twombly, Tapies, and Mark Rothko. Seeing their work changed my life. "

(JB) Roger; You often use bold pure colors; are colors the inspiration for your work?

"I love color. Instead of looking at the sky and seeing a blue sky...I see pinks, purples, oranges, reds. I try to convey this in my paintings. I never know what I am going to paint...I just know that it will be saturated with deep and dancing color. I guess that describes my vision of the world around me. "

(JB) Who and where have you studied art with?

"I took a couple of basic art classes in college - Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC...but other than that, I have not really painted or studied with anyone other than my seven year old daughter and dogs, Scout and MaeBelle. "

(JB) Are there any artists that you would say played a major role either in mentoring you or in inspiring and shaping your career?

"I respond to so many artists - some of my favorites - Picasso, Van Gogh, Mark Rothko, Niki de Saint Phalle, and folk artists, Woodie Long and Eric Legge...I also admire the work of local artists Mike Williams and Laura Spong. "

(JB) How have you handled the marketing of your art; getting in shows, selling art, creating a web presence?

"It has been a very interesting and exciting process for me. I have a website that is hosted by "Other People's Pixels" and I market much of my work on facebook. I do think that you can never underestimate word of mouth." My website is at Roger Paintings.

"I have found success in spreading the word about my art via verbal contact with people, facebook, setting up a user-friendly website, and making connections with the local art community. I have also entered several contests both here in Columbia and in Charleston (Piccolo Spoleto). You have to be your own best marketing team.

I also think that when you are having fun and it shows, people want to be a part of that joy. I do not count on selling my art to survive...I have a full-time job...so the pressure to sell is something that I do not have to struggle with - although when I do sell something, I find myself over the moon. I know that is not the case for most artists. I have such respect for artists who live this struggle/celebration every day."

(JB) Is there anything else you would like to share?

"Painting is a holy experience for me. It is my prayer time...my God time. I work with children during the day...I experience their joys and their sorrows, their laughter and their tears. It is this joy and this energy that I hope comes through my work. It is also a reflection of the joy I feel as I move through this life as a husband and father.

I am also stunned and very grateful for all of the amazing response that I have experienced - especially over the past year. My heart is full with thanksgiving and respect for the local businesses who have supported my work - Mr. Friendly and Frame of Mind. I am thankful for you and the other artists in this community who have surrounded and supported the new kid on the block. "

(JB) Do you have any other careers beside being an artist?

I serve on staff at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia as the Canon for Children's Ministries and as the Director of the Trinity Center for Mission and Ministry.

(JB) In an ideal world where would you see yourself and your art career say ten years from now?

"Oh...I hope that I am still having a blast...experiencing joy...laughing and celebrating with each new piece that comes forward. I hope that people continue to be inspired by my work and my story. I hope that this community will continue to support the arts...and that I might be a small but important part of that journey.

...and to those of you who have welcomed one of my paintings into your home...thank you. You have become a part of me - and I hope I have become a part of you. It is my hope that my artwork brings a bit of hope, peace, and joy to to your world. "

(JB) Thank you Roger; I have really enjoyed sharing your art and art career with the Internet world. I wish you much success for the coming New Year.