"Embrace" Roger Hutchison's Artwork

Artwork is in acrylics on Canvas

by Roger Hutchison of Columbia, SC

"Embrace" c 2008 Roger Hutchison

I had the opportunity to meet Roger just recently. He absolutely loves doing art and is very passionate about working with his hands and found objects. He has a warm personality and you can tell not only does he love art but he really cares about people. Roger is a newcomer to the art scene yet he has made wonderful strides and taking Columbia by storm with his hand painted brightly colored canvases. Roger has quickly become one of the top selling artists in Columbia, SC. I will be interviewing Roger soon so you can all hear about his wonderful adventures in the Columbia art world and more about the man behind the art.

Happy new year!

January 10 2009 Concert with Dance

SC Philharmonic and VISTA Ballroom

In Concert Together,

January 10 , 2009

@ The Koger Center For The Arts.

For Tickets Please Call

Capitol Ticket Office: 803-251-2222

Preview of Interview with Barbie Mathis

Barbie Mathis is by far one of the top selling Columbia SC artists. She is also very well liked and respected in the art community. Everyone admires Barbie's work. She has a gentle understated way about her that draws people to her and her art. Her art is very detailed and often features beautifully rendered flowers. People have asked me if Barbie's art is done with colored pencil. I have specifically asked Barbie and this group are all watercolors. On occasion she does do landscapes in oil.

Recently; I had the opportunity to interview Barbie. Watch my blog this week as I will be posting it soon. Happy New Year!!!

Barbie Mathis: Enlightened Eloquence

Watercolor by Barbie Mathis "Enlightened Eloquence" c 2008.

MUSIC: Fallen Kings Headliners Jan 2, 2009

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=321967166

Fallen Kings to perform at Headliners Jan 2, 2009. Celebrate the return reunion of former band members from the 90's in an all new group with a new drummer. They have a great sound and they are as yet unsigned; but with this sound; they should land a contract soon... given the right support locally and the talent to network; these guys will be national headliners! Come out and show your support for our local musicians. They have created new songs and you can listen to them or buy the single at myspace. Click above link. Take a listen on http://www.myspace.com/ search Fallen Kings if the above link isn't live on your screen.
Request line at 93.5 FM Radio!

Painting by Barbie Mathis

"Three in a Row" a watercolor c2008 by Barbie Mathis

Amazing Art Sales in this Economy

Columbia, SC. Recently, two artists have proven economy doesn't matter when you have art that has mass appeal and a personality combined with talent, determination and faith. Barbie Mathis of Lexington, SC has single handedly sold 14 originals, had numerous consignments and sold several prints all in the past 4 weeks. These sales were all made at the Sand Hills Village Gallery in the former Bombay Company Store, in Columbia, SC. This has made Barbie the highest selling artist at Sandhills. Barbie's paintings are highly detailed flowers ranging from photo realistic roses to irises with a minimalist background. They are stunning and I think what captures people's attention is the crisp spring feel and everyone loves flowers. Barbie's work can be seen at SandHills Village Gallery.

Then there is Paintings by Roger; featuring the artwork of Roger Hutchison. He is currently having a show at Frame of Mind on Main St in Columbia SC. On his opening night ten pieces sold and I have heard several more have sold since then. Rogers work is bright, eye catching and takes you to a place of playful freedom. I can understand the appeal as I am also attracted to Roger's artwork. He does all his acrylics without brushes. He actually uses his hands to hand paint the canvases in bright colors with some geometric qualities. You can still see Rogers work at Frame of Mind until January 8, 2009.

What is so amazing about Barbie and Roger's sales is that prior to this month as a professional artist in Columbia SC for well over a decade; I had never heard of any artist in Columbia having this kind of sales and to hear of two in one month in a bad economy really makes me stand up take notice. My hat goes off to both of them. Congratulations Barbie and Congratulations Roger!!! Great job! Watch ARTSAILS1 Blog for interviews with Barbie Mathis and an interview with Roger Hutchison and more visuals of their work.

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NOTE: Photo of Barbie Mathis Artist at Sandhills Village in the NE section of Columbia, SC. *

Arts Action Fund Newsletter

The Tapestry of Life by Jean Bourque
a fiberart mixed media assemblage

Are you an Art Lover? Are you an Advocate for the Arts?
Do you do whatever you can to show your support for the arts? Now is the time to take Action! Here is an Arts Action Fund newsletter. Recently US funding for the arts had been cut at the National level which has had a ripple effect in SC and locally in Columbia.

Artists, art lovers, art buyers, art museum attendees, museum staff, musicians, painters, poets, writers, dancers it has effected all of us.
Here is... the news with a ray of hope:

"Dear Jean;
As your voice on the national stage, the Americans for the Arts Action Fund advocates for the arts and arts education policies that affect all of us. Now, as a new administration prepares to take office, we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to ensure that the arts prosper for generations to come.

Join the Arts Action Fund as an Arts Advocate, and make your voice heard. It’s free and easy!Our members made support of the arts an important part of this historic election—and that work is now coming to life in the presidential transition. In a recent interview on Meet the Press, President-elect Obama discussed his plans to make an impact through arts and culture at the White House, saying that he is "thinking about the diversity of our culture and inviting jazz musicians and classical musicians and poetry readings in the White House so that, once again, we appreciate this incredible tapestry that's America." We’ve made amazing strides, but our most important opportunities are still ahead of us. Now is the time to send the message that we expect the new administration to enact arts-friendly policies as part of their sweeping economic and education plans. Add your name to thousands of others who have gone on the record with their support, and play your part for the arts! As an Arts Advocate, you’ll receive:• Coaching, tips, and easy-to-use tools to effectively voice your support for arts issues;• The email edition of Arts Action News, which provides the most up-to-date information on shaping arts advocacy;• Special alerts when your participation can make a critical difference on an urgent vote;• Members-only reports like our just-released 2008 Election Impact on the Arts (click here to download), our biennial Candidate Arts Survey, and our Congressional Arts Report Card.

You will also be eligible to participate in and contribute to the members-only Arts Action Fund Political Action Committee (PAC), dedicated exclusively to electing pro-arts federal candidates. Just look at the results of this last election cycle to see the difference this support can make! By becoming an Advocate Member of Americans for the Arts, you can help nourish the creativity and innovation that makes our nation thrive. Become an Arts Advocate today!

Sincerely,

Robert Lynch
President & CEO
Arts Action Fund

Call for Performing Talent; New Venue Columbia SC

A new opportunity to showcase your talent...
on Main Street USA.... Columbia, SC

Fresh new business with a big city flavor....
Looking for local talent; musicians, singers, and spoken word artists...

Venue will be smoke free and well lit. Venue anticipates start up mid January.

Contact ARTSAILS1 for email sign up or to sign up contact info for your fave group or performer. More details to follow in January.

Do you want to be on Dancing with the Stars?

Columbia and Greenville...Here is your chance to learn some great moves and or watch some great moves....

Tango Dreams in the Vista ...

has a website now at www.tangodreams.net

Would you like a night in Buenos Aires

I know I would...

Coming to Greenville, SC in Feb.

Want to learn to Dance....Really Dance

Find out more at Tango Dreams