Afternoon Critique by Ann Quinn

Once again, Kathy Berls led a fun critique session at the gallery, where twelve artists presented over 21 works of art for review. The comments by Kathy and the attendees were upbeat and well taken. Many of the art pieces were still works in progress. Comments about composition, color, framing, and “where does this line lead your eye? “were all clues about how to improve. Some artists were trying new approaches (Barb Tobiska and her intriguing abstract), while others had older works that they just wanted to make better.


The LAC provides a great place to learn in a supporting atmosphere. Critique comments are suggestions and meant to be taken in a positive light, so watch for the next critique session and bring in your work! Everyone is welcome!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

The holidays have definitely arrived at the LAC Art Center & Gallery! From the glittering jewelry downstairs to the completely transformed upstairs, the place is colorful, fun and full of wonderful treasures ...judging by the early bird shoppers who were there on Monday, it's definitely not to soon to get started with your holiday shopping! Kay Alexander and Barbara Mantei got first pick at the popular gift baskets which are still priced at $15 each.  Susan Gordon and Lynnette Kupferer also stopped in, saying they like to "support the local artists".  It seemed busy through out the day, with people in a happy and festive mood - good to see all the familiar faces such as Barb Tobiska, Jean Barringer and Mary Elgandour. 
 
Of course all this is the result of almost five days of intense preparation - getting the old exhibit out, moving the display panels and bringing in tables and other props to get things ready.  Extra big thank you to all the helpers, including Gene Smith, Gail Firmin, Jan Casper, Beverly Zeromsky, Rosalie Metzker, Barb Benik and Marcia Nowak.
 

Tell your friends about us - we're looking forward to seeing all of you over the holidays.

Election Results for LAC Board

Congratulations to our new LAC Board for 2012!

Thank you to everyone who sent in their ballots - and to the volunteers who have agreed to serve.
(not pictured - Warner Reeser and Shizuko Barbara Hanson)

Member at Large, Marcia Brill (left)
New President, Barbara Benik

New Vice President, Ann Quinn
Founder, Barbara Tobiska
Member at Large, Marge Walsh

Member at Large, Cindy Haase
Member at Large, Charlie Casper
Treasurer, Loraine Miller

Member at Large, June Davis
Member at Large, J Bisant
Secretary, Karen Hoff

Planning Meeting for 2012

They're HERE!

Small works now in the LAC Member's Gallery

A special section of black and white work.
 Pictured are drawings by Barbara Benik and digital by Charlie Casper.

A wonderful pastel rendering by Lynnette Kupferer.

A very special collection of small works created by the members of the LAC Co-Op Gallery are now on display at the LAC Art Center. Priced from $15-$125, it's the perfect time to purchase an original work by one of your favorite artists. Included in the collection are works by Cindy Ahrenkiel, Kay Alexander, Barbara Benik, Charlie Casper, Jane Dorsey, Gail Firmin, Katy Haas, Lynnette Kupferer, Anita Lamprell, Loraine Miller, Ann Quinn, Gene Smith and Barbara Tobiska.
 

The Red Hat Cats by Jane McFadden Dorsey

A lovely pastel by Gene Smith

Fun events at the LAC Art Center today!

Loraine works with student Jan Kitchell

Saturday watercolor class hard at work

It was a lively day at the gallery today with a couple of different activities going on.  Loraine Miller's watercolor class was having a great time painting florals and landscapes.  She is a patient teacher who emphasizes the fun of working in watercolor.  Each of her students gets special attention as she helps them find their own style of painting.

As soon as the class ended, the classroom was reorganized to get ready for a calligraphy demonstration presented by Wendy Wham Mills.  Wendy is a co-owner of pARTiculars co-op gallery in Old Town Lafayette where she teaches and exhibits her calligraphy, oil painting and jewelry.  She had lots of interesting and helpful information to pass on to the group about the art of creative lettering and manuscript illumination. She is a warm and friendly person who speaks with enthusiasm and knowledge.  The group enjoyed the afternoon which included refreshments of pumpkin muffins and cinnamon flavored coffee. Yum! Visit Wendy's website at www.WendyWhamMills.com.

Wendy Wham Mills visits with LAC member Lynnette Kupferer following the program.

Throughout the day, several visitors came in to see what is new at the gallery as well as view the "Spotlight on Colorado Artists" show upstairs.  This is the last week for this exhibit so be sure to stop by before it closes.  There is also a lot of new work in the Co-Op gallery on the main floor. A new exhibit of small works arrives in the LAC Member's Gallery on Monday - just in time for the big Holiday Arts and Crafts Show coming on November 8th.

Birdhouse Workshop – 10-14-11 by Ann Quinn

Adult ‘play-days’prevailed once more at the Gallery with a fun crowd attending the latest craft workshop on Friday. After a wonderful lunch (thanks, Kathy!) of croissant sandwiches, spicy soup and salad, Kathy gave a welcome to all. Ann shared a collection of birdhouse ideas, as well as a review of the materials available to complete everyone’s ideas. Anxious to begin, we all got down to the business of decorating our birdhouses! Some of the artists brought special tools and materials, while others came with their painting aprons, prepared to get serious! Several crafters opted to create decorative indoor birdhouses, using bright colors, stickers, knobby leg parts, and painted shingles, while others were creating “for the birds” with sticks and natural colors. There was even a Halloween themed birdhouse complete with a swirling ghost overhead! The creativity and individuality that developed was amazing! These photos tell the real story! Several more crafting sessions are planned for the coming year, so watch for future announcements!

Interview with Juror Joanne Burney



 “Plane Tree II”, oil, 30x20”
Joanne Burney

1. When you jury an exhibit what is the first thing about a painting that jumps out and says "I deserve an award"?

Paintings have presence. They say, “Look at me!” Once a painting gets your attention, you check to see if it is worth an award. (See my criteria below.)

2. Knowing you teach at the Denver Art Students League, what do you find the most rewarding as a teacher?

Being able to share what I know about art. I was very fortunate to have an exceptionally good art education. I went to good schools and studied with great artists and teachers. I feel I owe it to them to pass it on.

3. Your work with trees is amazing. What are the things you have learned about your subject and about yourself with this intimate focus?

Trees have something to say. They are not just fillers in a broad landscape, but are individually worthy of study. They may represent strength, or reaching for the sky (symbolically as well as physically), or silent suffering or abundant beauty – anything. I’m not interested in painting vistas, but as a portrait painter I am interested in character, and trees have plenty of that. At first I was intimidated by their complicated branch structure, foliage and unfamiliar attributes. But I learned that if I stayed with it, I could paint them.

4. What does a day in the life of Joanne Burney look like?

I get up, have coffee and make my husband’s lunch. I exercise, walk the dog, do chores and go to work (paint/art business/teaching). Then I make dinner. After dinner I relax a little and do more “stuff”. Then I walk the dog. Some days I teach all day and into the night. My day looks pretty much like anybody else’s, unless anybody else has kids, servants or no dog.

5. Do you spend time marketing? What activities have you found useful in marketing your art.

Artists have to spend a lot of time marketing. I enter shows, send out newsletters, advertise my classes and workshops, read trade journals and check out galleries.

     6.   Do you set goals for your artwork? What are two of your goals for next year?

I do set goals. Currently I am looking for another gallery and am doing more portraits.

     7.  Any comments you have about the LAC exhibit in general would be most interesting to our readers.

The LAC show looked good right from the start. I wish I’d had more awards to give. While subject matter per se and medium per se are not considerations when I choose a work for award, I was impressed with the range of subject matter and the range in mediums, and the quality throughout, that serendipitously provided me with such variety in the award winners.

Any comments for the award winners?

When I give awards I judge for several things –

1. Form and function (does the piece communicate something and do it appropriately with the composition and materials chosen?),

2. Technique (does the piece show good technique, and do it in such a way that you don’t notice technique, i.e. does the artist make it look effortless and natural – not belabored?),

3. Use of formal elements (has the artist taken full advantage of the use of line, shape, proportion, value, color, texture, gestalt). Whether representational or abstract, the piece has to use them well.

4. The “surprise” (does the piece show something new or something old in a new way?) This does not mean that the piece always is pleasant or communicates a happy mood. It means it touches us in a meaningful way.

The Best of Show had all of those and what a surprise! You just don’t see a piece like that every day.

The 2^nd place oil had a sense of lush technique and great shapes and color, showing wonder at the plays of light and beauty of the flowers.

The 3^rd place had killer color and design, and the surprise that it was a photo of a wall.

The Marge Steinbach award – the patterned integration with the subject of butterflies and background was so perfect to both. The piece had great color and movement and was an inspiration, much as Marge herself must have been to inspire that award.

The Merit Awards

      - The Acrylic Landscape had an exceptional moodiness and a unique look that supported/created it.

      - The Abstract Acrylic also had mood and flow and space, integrating the black into the otherwise colorful    piece very successfully.

      - The Pastel had a lovely, contemplative mood and a beautiful handling of the pastels, especially used to create the various objects in the still-life.

“Ponderosa - Light on the Morraine”, Pastel, 20x16”
Joanne Burney