Featured Artist… Nancy Colella!

“Glorius Fall” by Nancy Colella

Facebook. It’s an amazing way to discover new artists… I’m thrilled to have found artist Nancy Colella! She’s wonderfully talented. Her paintings are happy… you can tell that she’s studied from some of the greats… such as Charles Sovek, Tim Horn and Colin Page (among others!). Those three are just amazing to me and Nancy has that same ‘amazingness’. You must check out her work, it’s brilliant! Fresh, colorful, different and LOOSE! I love “Glorious Fall” (pictured above), I love the contrast! It really stands out, this painting won Honorable Mention at the Duxbury (MA) Art Association Winter Juried Show! In addition to Nancy’s wonderful website she maintains two blogs, both are fabulous, one is SIMPLY PAINTING, it’s a journal of sorts, including her paintings and wonderful stories as well as great bits of information, I’m thrilled to have found it! Another blog entitled PATIENCE WITH PATIENTS just warms my heart to no end. Here’s Nancy’s description:

A year ago, I was asked if I’d like to give “art” lessons to Alzheimer patients. I am not an art therapist and have no experience with Alzheimer’s patients, but I strongly believe “art” opens doors, in some way, for everyone. I took this on as a challenge and started this blog with the hope that sharing my journey would help care givers and family members use “art” to open new doors of communication. 

Talk about amazing! You can see how her art lessons open doors, lets their creativity rein free… I couldn’t help thinking if I were in their position how much an art lesson would mean to me… it would definitely be the bright spot in the day! I think it’s fabulous that Nancy makes the effort because it clearly makes a difference in so many people’s lives… hmmm, a lesson we can all learn from? What can you do to help make someone’s day/week/month better?

A blip about the artist from her website… ”Glorius Fall” by Nancy Colella / Image from artist’s website

About the Artist

Nancy was a painting major at Muskingum College and graduated with a BA in Art Education, then continued her studies at the Aegean School of Fine Arts in Paros, Greece and at the Instituto de Allende in San Miquel Mexico. After a career in the Hospitality business and while raising her two children, she began studying again at Mass College of Art in Boston, MA and at the North River Arts Society in Marshfield Hills, MA. She has studied with numerous contemporary impressionist painters; Charles Sovek, Peggi Kroll Roberts, Ken Auster, Kim English, Colin Page, Carol Marine and Karin Jurick, to name a few. She is a gallery artist and faculty member at the South Shore Art Center in Cohasset, MA and a member artist at the Copley Societyin Boston. She exhibits regularly in her gallery/ studio where visitors are welcomed.

One more because I just love it… This painting reminds me so much of Charles Sovek and his wonderful work! (All images from artists website):

Your art is amazing Nancy! Catch you back here tomorrow!

POSTADAY2011 Challenge complete! THANK YOU WordPress!

Let me start by saying… HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE! Can you believe how fast time flies?? I want to send a quick Thank You to WordPress… Last year I decided to figure out what a “blog” entailed… why not spend some time each day and see what happens? Can’t hurt, right? After a lot of research I decided on a WordPress blog, and let me say… I’m happy I flew with WordPress! I created this blog on January 1, 2011, and planned to do several posts a week. Then I noticed WordPress had a POSTADAY and a POSTAWEEK challenge… Ok, now my interest is really peaked… a POSTAWEEK challenge really isn’t a challenge for me since I feel I can ramble on about pretty much anything, and doing so only once a week is too easy, but EVERY SINGLE DAY?? Eek, that quickly started to become a challenge. It wasn’t the topics it was the time it took to research and to figure out WHAT… once I have the WHAT I’m set! WordPress has a blog you can subscribe to that gives you ideas of a topic to write about each day, they ENCOURAGE you to write. I would have to say I am THRILLED with WordPress. They strive to be the best and to constantly improve the best of the best. I have contacted their support a few times, and they are wonderful, they respond quickly, and let me just say… they are called HAPPINESS ENGINEERS for a reason! Who couldn’t love that!

Keep it up WordPress… I’ll be with you next year! A big thank you to those of you who have spent the time to follow this blog throughout the year, I have met the coolest people this past year! I’m looking forward to next year…  OK, y’all, have a wonderful New Year’s Eve… be safe, don’t drink and drive… call a taxi or have a designated driver! Catch you back here TOMORROW!

Image via tribulant.com

Artist to watch… ArtBoy68, uh, I mean, Scott Hamilton!

My portrait done by artist Scott Hamilton

I ran across this blog a while back by artist Scott Hamilton (Artboy68), a VERY talented artist from British Columbia. I signed up to be a follower because I was intrigued at what he was doing, 100 portraits in 20 weeks. The blog is aptly titled “100 Portraits“, and I enjoy reading the comments back from people like me who have had their portrait done! I urge you to check out Scott’s blog, he’s very talented indeed! This sketch is 2 3/8 x 2 15/16 and he is sending it to me, what a special surprise. Click HERE for the link to this post…

I’ve met a lot of neat people through WordPress, people like Scott, but no one has done my portrait before, ha ha… THANK YOU Scott! I wish you much success, you are talented indeed… AND just so you know, I already had a draft started so that I could feature you, but I was waiting for you to do a SELF portrait… hint hint… maybe the 100th?

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… Otto Lange!

"Milkman" - Image: OttoLange.com

OK, who here remembers the milkman? You know, the man who delivered milk and other dairy products to your house each week. Well now the secret is out, I’m old enough to remember and I kind of miss the concept of the milkman! How nice would it be to answer your door and have your dairy products right there? Or reach inside the milk box that was outside the door in case you weren’t home? Well, I think the milkman era has long been gone, but here is a painting done by a very cool artist entitled “MILKMAN”. I just happened upon this artists website and it’s just so different. Very realistic images. The artist’s name is Otto Lange and he lives in Athens, GA. He has work in several galleries…

• Mason Murer Fine Art, Atlanta, GA
• Miller Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
• Elliott Fouts Gallery, Sacramento, CA

He’s been in several publications, has a great BLOG and WEBSITE… So if you get a chance, check him out!

Oh… this has me now thinking about the bread man… He. Had. Pastries. I guess I’m glad there is no longer a bread man… I think I’d be in trouble!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… Greta Van Campen!

Image: DowlingWalsh.com

Hey! It’s not too late! There’s still time to catch this show at the Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland, Maine! I first saw Greta’s name mentioned while reading Colin Page’s Journal (if you haven’t read it… it’s addictive, this is one VERY talented artist, who shares a wealth of information). Greta’s work is so different. I am impressed. This is one girl with some energy! She has a great WEBSITE and BLOG. She’s in a fabulous gallery, the DOWLING WALSH GALLERY. So if you are fortunate enough to live anywhere in the Rockland vicinity and haven’t seen Greta’s show yet… I would find a way to make it over there…

Here’s a blip about Greta from the Dowling Walsh website:

Greta Paints America

“Over the course of 2011, I plan to visit all 50 of the United States and paint a portrait of America. The act of painting helps me to look more closely and honestly at all that is around. I want to explore contemporary America, while also learning about the history of the land and people in our country. I want to meet individuals from all walks of life and listen to their stories. My goal will be to preserve and share the experience of paying close attention to all that I see and learn by capturing it in paint. A car will serve as my main mode of transportation, but I’ll also be traveling by plane, bus, rail, boat, and foot. I want to begin the project with loose guidelines: one year, 50 states, oil paint, an open and curious mind, and the desire to learn, listen, explore, and look closely. Hopefully, if I hold true to those guidelines, the project will develop organically, leading me to many great discoveries!”

Greta will have a solo exhibition at Dowling Walsh Gallery from Friday, September 30th through Sunday, October 30th, 2011.

One more image… from Dowling Walsh’s website… check them out for more!

Image: DowlingWalsh.com

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist Carol Marine… House lost in Texas fire, can you help?

Image: Chron.com

I know Carol Marine through her wonderful blog (Carol Marine’s Painting A Day) and Facebook. By now most of you have heard about the devastating fires in Texas… It has destroyed nearly 800 homes and displaced countless people. Artist Carol Marine and her family recently found out from a neighbor that their home was completely destroyed. Absolutely. Nothing. Left. Ugh. The good thing is that Carol, her husband and her 6 year old son are all OK. Her husband was brilliant in thinking to drive both cars, one with the camper… so they are set up in a park until they can determine what to do next. Fire insurance is great, but the benefits aren’t instant. It’ll be a while… It’s hard to imagine losing everything. I don’t know Carol personally. I know a lot of people who DO know her. From what I’ve always heard, she is just the nicest person, willing to help anyone at anytime.

Image: http://carolmarine.blogspot.com/

Carol has many friends. She is a fabulous artist. What more can be said? How about… would you like to buy a painting OR contribute to a fund set up to help out?  Artist Frank Gardner has several of Carol’s paintings at Galeria Gardner, he is waiving his portion of the sales so that 100% of the purchase price goes directly to Carol. Another good friend of Carol’s has set up an online fundraiser. Can you help?

Here is a small portion of the entry, click HERE to be taken directly to the online fundraiser page.

They had good insurance, but it will take time for that to all kick in, so I’d like to help them in the meantime.

Please consider making a donation below to help them get back on their feet.

It’s true, the most important thing is that they’re safe. They are my family and I love them all dearly. But my heart aches for everything they lost – all the mementos, all the memories, their sense of sanctuary.

Thanks for your help. And please say prayers for everyone that lost their house, dear pets, or is still in harm’s way.

With love,

Jennifer

We all need to help each other out when we can… if you don’t have extra money right now, a prayer, a good thought, any positive energy sent Carol’s way would be most appreciated.

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… Frank Bruckmann!

Image: http://fbruckmann.com

What a unique story this artist has! Meet Frank Bruckmann. I first ran across this artist when searching for blogs about Monhegan. I found one called MONHEGAN SOJOURN, it was fabulous, not only did it showcase Frank’s art, but it included stories and pictures of Monhegan Island, a great love for many of us! I see that since the family has moved off the island they have started another blog (click HERE), more great art, stories, etc. I urge you to check it out! Also check out the artist’s website! The featured painting is entitled FROM WHITEHEAD and can be found on the artist’s website under the MONHEGAN tab!

Here’s a blip from Frank’s website:

Frank began his studies at the DuCret school of Art in New Jersey, and then took classes at the Art Students League in NYC. In Paris he studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts, and spent nearly a decade in France and Spain, copying the masters in the great museums, and painting landscapes in the cities and countryside. 

Now a resident of New Haven, CT, Frank has found endless subject matter for landscapes in New England, but periodically packs his easel and travels farther and wider in his VW camper. 

How exciting is that? Check him out! Catch you back here tomorrow!

Artist to watch… Carol Marine!

Image: BlueCloudStudios.com

Carol Marine… I found her years and years ago while searching through different painting a day sites. Carol’s blog is amazing, a painting a day… absolutely spectacular! I try to use an image that is still for sale when I post an entry. There are so many SOLD paintings, it was tough! They’re all so good, so happy… if you get a chance, check out her website, http://www.bluecloudstudios.com … Then check out her blog ( http://carolmarine.blogspot.com/ ) you will flip! So many amazing paintings! Oh happy day!

Catch you back here tomorrow!

Http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com for my photo blog…

Artist to watch… Daniel Corey!

Image: CamdenFallsGallery.com

Daniel Corey… another artist to keep an eye on, his work is outstanding. If you get a chance check out his blog, full of information AND very entertaining! Click HERE to get to his blog… Dan is represented by Camden Falls Gallery in Camden, Maine, the Lupine Gallery on Monhegan Island, Maine and Coco Vivo Gallery in Charleston, SC. Links are provided on his blog. Go ahead, check him out!

 This painting entitled LEGACY is awesome. Anyone who’s been to Monhegan likely will remember this beautiful lobster boat!

 

Catch you back here tomorrow! If you get a chance, check out my photo blog at http://almostdailypic.wordpress.com !

Artist to watch… BRIDGET JENNINGS!

A wonderful artist to keep an eye on is Bridget Jennings. You can look at Bridget’s paintings for a while and always see something fresh and new. Her Mackinac Island paintings are so happy (AND such a great souvenier, better than some old bauble that’s going to get tossed into the first garage sale pile!) and bright. Her light and almost whimsical airiness gives the store front paintings such character. Bridget lives and paints in Algonac, MI where she grew up on the river and her local paintings reflect her love of the water. There are boats everywhere in Algonac, and Bridget can paint them! Check out her website and her blog! The artist is currently represented by three galleries…

Below are three of her paintings, the first one is DOCKED UNDER THE WILLOWS  (Algonac, MI) the second is KILWIN’S FUDGE SHOP  (Mackinac Island, MI) and the last one is MONHEGAN MOORING  (Monhegan Island, ME), it’s a small taste of the collection that she has painted! Enjoy!

Docked Under the Willows

 

Kilwin's Fudge Shop

 

Monhegan Mooring

  Bridget is more than a great artist… she’s my sister, and she’s the best!

Bridget painting on Mackinac Island, MI