Governor's Reception

Last night was the reception for the artists chosen to have their work in the Governor's Residence. The residence is nothing I expected. It is a sprawling contemporary home decorated with Michigan wood, textiles, books, and now, art.
Gov. Granholm greeted each one of us, spoke about the house, the art and took pictures with each of us with our art.


I was thrilled to find my three pieces together in the Living Room.




My friend and fellow Ovid artist Tom Tomasek shown with the Governor and his pastel titled, "Fayette". It is the limestone cliffs at Fayette Historical State Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. His three pieces are also in the Living Room.









All the artists gathered with the Governor.


The range of art - paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs and prints - was so impressive! I met so many artists whose work I have admired and am rather stunned to find mine in the same company.

The Governor's Residence Artists Program is designed to showcase the depth and breadth of Michigan's talented artists in an annual exhibit.
Lansing Art Gallery executive Director, Catherine Allswede Babcock, provided Governor Jennifer M. Granholm with 145 selections. Thirty-six Michigan Artists have generously donated sixty-two total pieces to this years program. The art will be enjoyed by the First Family of Michigan and the many visitors who come to the home each year.

Art and the Environment Exhibition

I am honored to have been chosen to represent Michigan beauty and it's important environment in this exhibit. I will be showing the 12 Views of the Shiawassee River.
www.interlochen.org

The Interlochen Dow Center for Visual Arts Gallery will host its first Art and the Environment exhibition. Art related to the environment is something Interlochen students are asked to contemplate often as they create art in the woods of Northern Lower Michigan. 2011 will be the third year that the Visual Arts department has offered an Art and the Environment class where students are challenged to explore art-making from an ecological standpoint be it through the materials used, the concepts projects are built upon, or the nature influenced aesthetics of the work.

Six artists who address environment in their art work are included in this exhibition: Linda J. Beeman (Ovid, MI), Eric L. Hansen (Nashville, TN), Jill Parisi (NY,NY), Jino Park (Philadelphia, PA & Korea)), Mary Lyverse (Mesa, AZ), and Merrill Steiger (NY, NY).

At a time when “environmental art” can be alarmist, cautionary, critical and often depressing, this exhibition was created with a focus on environmental education, celebration and respect.


The Art and the Environment exhibition will be presented from December 4, 2010 - January 22, 2011.
The artist’s reception will take place on Saturday, December 4, 2010 from 6:00 – 7:30pm.
Additionally, one of the exhibition’s artists, Jill Parisi, will present her work during an artist’s lecture from 7:00 – 8:00pm on Thursday, December 2.
Interlochen Dow Center for Visual Arts Gallery hours are 12:00 – 8:00pm, Tuesday – Friday, 12:00 – 5:00pm, Saturday.

Chihuly Exhibit

Dale Chihuly developed an impressive and inspiring exhibit to celebrate the 15th anniversary of The Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The exhibition is designed to respond to the horticultural and natural conditions of each site. The Sculpture Park itself is one of the world's foremost collections of Modern and Contemporary sculpture. Set amidst diverse gardens and landscapes - it's a treasure.




Yellow Reeds


I, you, she or he by Jaume Plensa


Lime Crystal Tower


Grand Rapids Arch by Andy Goldworthy


Blue Moon


The American Horse (Leonardo Di Vinci's Horse) by Nina Akuma


Listening to History by Bill Woodrow


Red Reeds


Niijima Floats

Three Prints Selected for Governor's Residence

I am honored to have three prints selected by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern to hang in the Lansing Governor's residence for the coming year. The Governor's Residence Michigan Artists Program brings artwork of Michigan artists into the public areas of the residence for one year. There will be an artist reception - date to be determined.
The 3 pieces selected are Winter Thaw, Shy That Way and Guardian.

Lansing Art Gallery Demonstration

On Thursday, August 12 I demonstrated Japanese woodblock printmaking at Lansing Art Gallery during the lunch hour. A very hot and humid day in the 2 story front window made printing........interesting. A good crowd of people came and went with more watching from out on the sidewalk.
The demo was sponsored by Mid-Michigan MRI. Lansing Art Gallery is located at 113 S. Washington Square, one block from the Michigan State Capital.

Winter Thaw

Winter Thaw is another print in the 12 Views of the Shiawassee River series. It was a bright day in late January. We were traveling the back roads near Fenton when we came across this area of the river thawing at a little one lane bridge. The bushes had berries that turned a bright red and they were full of happy birds!


I have been remiss in that I usually just post the print and never the process. I can only say it's because I forget to take pictures. I might take the first couple but then forget to take the rest. So this time I made a point of taking every step. Ok, I missed one........but at least I consciously tried!
Step one:
I laid in the far background.

Step two:
berry bushes

Step 3:
Deepened red on near bushes and added some reflections

Step 4:
Sky and reflected blue

Step 5:
Shadow on ice edges and added trees

Step 6:
Deepened water

Final print:
I added shadow along the river banks and deepened color on trees.

I was rather intimidated to do a winter scene but I really like how it turned out.

River Water

Recently another printmaker suggested using actual water from the Shiawassee in the making of the prints for this series. I don't know why I didn't think of that! It adds a special dimension to the prints.
So, on a very chilly (58 degrees) July morning here in Michigan, we set off to Curwood Castle Park to collect water. I grew up 3 houses from the Castle. This view of the Shiawassee was my view.

We ran the water through our Katadyn filter that we use backpacking.


Now I have a clean gallon of Shiawassee River water to use!