Back Porch Studio - Mark your Calendar, Now

Yesterday, the Back Porch Studio artists met and we have decided to host our first Spring Opening reception and show in honor of our group's mentor: Ilona Royce Smithken on Sunday April 20th, 2008, from 3-5 PM. Come out and meet Ilona and the Back Porch Studio Artists.

Ilona will be teaching at the Phaup home in Forest Acres,
Columbia, SC April 21- April 25. and April 28-May 2.
Classes are held in the mornings from 10am -1pm.

At the end of Ilona's visit we will host a Weekend Celebration with new works to show the work our artists have done and how Ilona has inspired us! So please come out on Saturday May 3rd from 10 am to 6 PM and on Sunday May 4th from 12-6PM

These events will be held at the Back Porch Studio Galleries at 6729 Two Notch Rd. Ste E, Columbia, SC in the same plaza as "Very's Restaurant". From downtown, its about a block or two before Columbia Place Mall on the right, just before Faust St.

Many of our artist work in oil painted impressionism on canvas since that is what Ilona teaches. However, we also have other artists that do work outside of impressionism. We do have abstract mixed media artist Jean Bourque, Christy Aitken who works in a variety of painting styles, photography by Sandra Phaup, charcoal portraits while you wait with Jean Ehler, oil painting portraits with Allan Hobbs and potters Paul Moore, Kevin Smith and Tricia Phaup and sculptor Robin Jones. Members of the Back Porch Studios are: Sandra Phaup, Sheila Watts, Denby Singley, Jean Ehler, Jean Bourque, Allan Hobbs, Judy Boepple, Joan Davis, Christy Aitken, Paul Moore, Kevin Smith, Tricia Phaup, John Sawyer, Robin Jones, Betty Kournegay, Jack Kaneft, Fred Ehler, and Ilona Royce Smithken.

Vista Bank Seeks Artists Columbia SC

The new Vista Bank with offices in Columbia and Aiken is seeking to commission an artist to create 9-10 original works appropriate for placement in the Columbia office and that represent Columbia vistas. Vista Bank offices are at 1219 Assembly Street in Columbia. Interested artists may wish to stop by to see which wall spaces are open for placement.

The Cultural Council will charge a 20% commission to the artist. In addition if the artist wishes the Cultural Council to remit the sales tax, the Council will remit that therefore the artist will pay a 27% commission. Please submit sample images to the Cultural Council no later than February 14th for consideration. The bank jury will meet during the week of February 18 with selection of the finalists by the 22nd and final selection by February 29th. Please note, the bank does not expect the artist to have all works currently in inventory, and indeed, will anticipate the artist will continue to create work through the following weeks.

For application and more details bring your images on a cd to the Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties, 930 Richland Street, Columbia SC 29201 Or Call Andy Witt at 803-231-3131 (direct line)

Photo of Artists: Jean Bourque of Columbia, SC and Ilona Royce Smithken of NYC, NY and Cape Cod, MA. Photo courtesy of Jean Ehler, of St. Mathews, SC artist and photographer. All three are members of the Back Porch Painters.

Back Porch Painters Dec. Show Photo Log

Dancing off The Wall Oil Painting

by Jean Bourque

Musicians & Artists at Glenforest Nov 16th at 6PM

Paintings: part of the Heart Series, by Jean Bourque

TONIGHT- Friday November 16th at 6 PM

GLENFOREST SCHOOL PRESENTS

Pastries, Pianos, and Picasso's
The Palmetto Mastersingers and Award Winning Local Artists

Christy Aitken * Jean Bourque
Beads and Buds - Lynn Dwyer & Kathy Rogers
Gina Condon * Melissa Crook * Jean Ehler
Betty Evans * Richard Glover * Stan Hart
Janet Kozachek * Susan Lee * Barbie Mathis
May Peach * Carolyn Ramsey * Lee Sipe
Pat Stone * Martha Stone Tuttle * Greg Whetstone
Plus art cards and prints from Toni Elkins
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Meet the Masters & Meet the Artists- Dessert Reception after the Performance, part of the proceeds will benefit Glenforest School’s Arts Program.

To hear a sample of the music, Palmetto Mastersingers perform, click on their name.

There is a map on their website for directions. Click on Glenforest to see their website.
For Tickets Call: 796-7622

Back Porch Painters Paint with Ilona Smithken

I bet you can guess who was the model and who was able to play photographer, that week. It was such fun! Of course, painting is even more fun. Before and or after each day, I painted that week. It was very inspiring.

Yours Truly,

Jean Bourque

The painting Jean Ehler is holding in her hand of herself

was painted by Jean Bourque. I think it really looks like her.
As you may guess, the Back Porch Painters Paint with Ilona as much as possible.

She is awesome! Ilona Royce Smithken resides in NYC and comes to Columbia, SC

twice a year. She is the star of "Painting with Ilona", an SCETV show

that ran in the 70's and 80's and had a revival airing a few years ago.

Bye, Ilona...

We all look forward to seeing you again in

Spring 2008.

Yours truly, Jean Bourque

Photography by Jean Bourque

Back Porch Painters Art Reception Photos

Pictures provided by Jean Ehler of Hillview Arts.



The art show will continue 12-6 Fri Nov 16th and Sat. Nov. 17th

on Two Notch Rd. besides Very's Philly Food.

Back Porch Painters Art Sale Nov. 15-17

On your way to Vista Lights.... Catch the Back Porch Painters

ART SALE NOV. 15-17 @ TWO NOTCH PLAZA

6729 Two Notch Rd. Columbia, SC - Next to Very's Restaurant

Hours 11-7PM daily - Reception Thurs Nov 15th from 5-7PM

painting by Christy Aitken

The Back Porch Painters have all painted on the back porch at Sandra Phaup's home and they have all studied oil painting with ETV's star of "Painting with Ilona". Artists in the Back Porch Painters Show are: Christy Aitken, JoDean Bauknight, Judy Boepple, Jean Bourque, Jean Ehler, Denby Gorman, Allan Hobbs, Sandra Phaup, John Sawyer, Sheila Watts, and Joan Wyndham.

Joining the Back Porch Painters to Round out the Show are watercolorist Betty Kornegay, and Sculptors and Potters: Paul Moore, Tricia Phaup, and Kevin Smith and Robin Jones.

Do stop by and check out the show!

Yours Truly,

Jean Bourque

Photos from Painting with Ilona

Ilona Royce Smithken, Artist

Jean Bourque with Ilona
Painting of Jean Bourque by Judith Boepple
Painting of Jean Bourque by Sandra Phaup

Photographer: Jean Ehler of Hillview Art

Painting Day & Night & November Art Shows

Paintings in Progress: on the left the larger painting was done by Jean Bourque. On the right the smaller painting was done by Allan Hobbs.

Today, a group of us were painting with Ilona Royce Smithken at Sandra Phaup's house. It was our typical group of artists painting together with the addition of Cristy Aitken. Someone brought a copy of "The Star" newspaper and Ilona was on the cover in full color. What a great article it was. The article continues on page 3 with a photo of Denby one of our regular painters. There is a small group of us working on the portrait of Jean Ehler and another small group working on flowers and Cristy Aitken worked on multiple apples. My painting is coming along nicely. I have lots of great new works that have never been seen as I have painted a lot. I have three shows coming up for November. The Vista Show will have all new works within the last two years on museum quality canvas. In the 5 points area, Jean Bourque will have a solo show for the month of November featuring all new 2007 art in brightly colored works on regular canvases with painted sides and the NE Show will be a variety of framed works from the last ten years. As soon as I have all the details on the three shows, I will post them. Please sign up to subscribe. Stay in the know on all the art events happening in Columbia, SC and the surrounding areas.

Yours Truly,

Jean Bourque

Congratulations to Jean Ehler First Place Winner

Jean Ehler of Hillview Art won first place

for her oil painting at the Folly Beach Festival of the Arts

held at the Holiday Inn at Folly Beach, SC this past weekend!

Congratulations Jean!!!

Painting with Ilona; Seeing Differently

This week, I have been painting with Ilona and I have been challenging myself. The picture above is Jean Ehler, she is our model for the portrait class with Ilona. She has that Mona Lisa smile, too! I must confess, I hadn't painted much in oils lately. Not only that I rarely have used a live model or photo.

Often I just create from my mind, even the people are just figments of my imagination. Ilona calls my art, Fantasy. I tend to think of cartoon characters with muscle bound men and women with tiny waists when I think of fantasy art. I do not see my people that way. But maybe they look that way to others. I am not sure, knowing that I see differently.

Drawing people from life is no easy task when you are wearing tri-focal progressive lens glasses. You see when I look down I see larger and when I look up, I see smaller and it is very hard to focus in the process of looking up and down with tri-focals. Now, I have tried it without the glasses and that is even worse. (can't see any details!) Now you know the secret to why I paint from my mind instead of my eyes! Oh what can I say? (life is a blur...sigh)

I am having fun and that is the important thing!

yours truly;

Jeanee

PS you can still get in on the class if you like by calling Sandra Phaup at 803-787-9617.

It runs 10-1 M-F. Each class is only $30. It runs all next week too.

Photos from Through the Eyes Of Art

Photos

by Jean Ehler

"Path" an

oil painting

by Jean Ehler; an

18x24 on

canvas.

The photo of the three works Jean Bourque worked on at the Saluda Shoals event.

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The other photo shows a variety of work done by the artists at Saluda Shoals
"Through the Eyes of Art" on Oct. 7th 2007. The event was such a success; the foundation may elect to make this an annual event. The brightly colored batik was done by Alicia Leeke. The watercolor below that was done by JJ Casey. I know one of the paintings was done by Roy Paschal. Take note Roy won in SC State Fair and in SCWM Society. (And) I thought he was an oil painter....way to go Roy.

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I am not sure which artists did the other paintings. Please let me know so we can add your name to this entry. All paintings are for sale, just click the artists name to find out contact info

or email me for more details. Many Thanks to Jean Ehler for the great photos.

yours truly;

Jean Bourque

Through the Eyes of Art at Saluda Shoals Today

Ahhh...a Sunday afternoon and your just sitting around web surfing, looking for something different to do...Hop in your car and come on to the Park...here's why:

The event is today Sunday Oct. 7, 2007 from 1-5PM.

"The beauty of the park serves as both a stage and an inspiration for some of the Midlands most talented artists. Experience a variety of artistic mediums and gain special insight from the artists on how the creative process works. Wander into the world of dancers, painters, musicians, and actors interpreting the beauty of nature's art along the trails of Saluda Shoals Park.

Participating Artists
Jean Bourque, Abstract Acrylic Painting
Betsy Clem Brown, Watercolor, Pencil, Prisma Colors
Elizabeth Cameron & Kathy Bradley, Banjo & Guitar Performance
J. J. Casey, Mixed Media, Watercolor
Beth Cavanaugh, Watercolor
Columbia College Dance Company, Martha Brim, Site specific Choreography
Ruby DeLoach, Haiku Poetry & Watercolor Art
Eboniramm, Poetry Reading w/Flute Accompaniment
Jean Ehler, Oil Painting
Julianna Gillespie, Watercolor
Vickie Saye Henderson, Improvisation
Howard Hunt, Oil Painting/Photography
Invasion Performance Group, Barbara Anderson, Interpretive Dance
Alicia Leeke, Batik Silks & Surface Designs
Susan Lenz, Machine Embroidery
Barbie Mathis, Oil Painting
Michel McNinch, Oil Painting
Roy Paschal, Oil Painting
Melinda Smith, Watercolor & Collage Demo
Tina Milhorn Stallard, Vocal Performance

Through the Eyes of Art Organization Team
Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission, Local artists, Artists Round Table, Columbia College Dance Company, Crooked Creek Art League, Cultural Council of Richland & Lexington Counties, Musicians & Songwriters Guild of SC, Nickelodeon, Sandlapper Magazine, SC Arts Commission, SC State Museum, Seven Oaks Art League, Sumter County Cultural Commission

Partners: Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina, Citadel Broadcasting, Cultural Council of Richland and Lexington Counties, First Community Bank, Jim Hudson Lexus, Professional Printers and SC PRT

The Saluda Shoals Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to serving as a steward of and an advocate for the preservation and sustainability Saluda Shoals Park programs and the environment. "

Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission
Saluda Shoals Park
5605 Bush River Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29212
803-772-1228

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

SC Giclee Printing by Jean Ehler @ Hillview Art

ATTENTION ARTISTS... ARE YOU THINKING OF

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Giclée Printing?

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Now you can order fine art prints at Hillview Art! They can print anything from a digital image onto high quality archival paper or canvas

with their Roland Hi-Fi Jet Large Format Printer.

You can order prints in any size, from 5x7" up to 3.5' x 10'. You can order any number of prints from 1 on up.

Optimizing your digital image to make the best prints possible - Restoring old photographs - Note Cards - digital photographs of your art - and much more.

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This is the Giclée printing business that was located in 'A Carolina Gallery' on Bush River Rd. in Columbia, SC. The owner is also a professional artist and understands the quality an artist expects with art reproduction. Jean Ehler (owner) will meet you at your convenience in many SC areas such as Columbia, Orangeburg, or Sumter, SC to do business. Complete price list and details on the Hillview Art website.

Contact Jean Ehler at Hillview Art for details.

A Carolina Gallery Giclee Biz sold to Jean Ehler

Many of you know that Tom Rose of A Carolina Gallery planned to sell his
Giclee Print Business. Jean Ehler, a professional artist has agreed to purchase the business and will be opening sometime in the near future. We will post information here as it becomes available.

Jean Ehler states; " This is the latest thing in fine art printing. The images will stay bright and beautiful for 125 years or more. This will allow me to print anything from a digital image; photographs, fine art, etc. on high quality archival paper or canvas in any size, from note cards up to 3.5' x 10'. More information will be coming soon just watch my Hillview Art site.
If you have anything you've thought about getting a print of an old photograph, a new photograph or a piece of your art, just let me know. I will make your image look its best, then print as many as you want."

Coming soon...this blog will announce when the business has opened and all the details
as they become available. Coming soon: Giclee prints contact Artist Jean Ehler

post updated 5-22-07 by artsails1
www.jeanbourque.com