Posts from ‘watercolors’
How gorgeous is this woodblock print? You can’t tell from this image of course; an electronic image rarely reveals art’s true nature. But trust me, artist Leon Loughridge’s woodblock print, Diablo Canyon Storm, is divine. This print, along with several others by Loughridge, is on view at the National Museum of Wildlife Art as part of 2010′s Western Visions. Loughridge’s passion is depicting the light, shadows and atmosphere of the Southwest. I at first took Loughridge’s work for a painting, a masterful watercolor.
The artist says that woodblock artists Arthur Wesley Dow and Kawase Hasui are primary influences, and in fact he has referred to his prints as “woodblock paintings.” If you’ve not seen Loughridge’s work, or visited the Western Visions collection, a nice chance to do so comes up Wednesday, September 29, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at “Art a’ Brewin’” at the museum. Many works are still available for sale, and you can see all them that day, for FREE.
Woodblock artist works (including several by Montana’s Russell Chatham) are on display in the Wapiti Gallery. www.wildlifeart.org.
And, speaking of Montana tonalists, another artist whose work is not represented in any of Jackson’s galleries (that I know of), Dave Hall, creates subtle, hypnotic landscape paintings of Yellowstone National Park and lower Montana.
I’ve not personally viewed his work, but I’ve seen many images on line and Hall looks like he’s got it. According to his website, he’s been painting full time for seven years;
much of his work reminds me of Skorut’s, and his paintings of streams running through fields recall John Felsing.
Here’s what the artist says about his work and inspirations: “I am moved by the half light of dawn and dusk, and most of my paintings are of the southwest Montana and Yellowstone Park areas. A corner of my heart resides there, due in large part to the poetry associated with the convergence of family and friends, moving water and mayfly hatches. Influences include Utah artist and friend Connie Borup, Mark Rothko, Wolf Kahn, Russell Chatham, the Impressionists, and the American tonalists George Inness and Albert Ryder.”
Hall divides his time between Salt Lake City and Montana. See more of his work on his website, www.davehalllandscapes.com.
Item #2
Elected, elected, I wanna be selected…
As I hope and pray you know, there’s a general election coming up. Recently somebody said to me that there’s a perception that Jackson and Teton County ”have no real issues right now.”
No matter what we write in the papers, no matter the coverage, the population majority is not aware of issues—and they’re often not even aware of who is running until the last days—and sometimes hours and minutes—before they go to the polls. I fear young voters ask their buddies who THEY are voting for and vote the same way.
Elections like the one that just took place in Delaware tell us that too many Americans have no clue; we are involved only on the most superficial levels. Who is responsible for climate woes? We are, because we continue to use products that emit high levels of pollutants. Who is responsible for the people holding political office? We are. We are responsible for listening to candidates, being aware of issues, following voting records, keeping abreast of how those running for office speak to us. Do they really answer our questions? Will we push for better answers?
Or are we waiting for someone to tell us what to care about?
Nobody can control who chooses to become an informed voter, or what voter turnout will be, but we can certainly try to provide opportunities to listen to the candidates. It is impossible to fully appreciate or understand a candidate unless you hear them debate in real time. It’s hugely enlightening and has changed my vote many times. I’m hoping for more real-time opportunities, and I’m involved in trying to create opportunities.
Providing accessible, generous space for public debate is a great community service.
So, between now and November 2, 2010, this blog will devote space to election issues. It will try to present a balance of questions and opinions from voters and candidates. I’m not sure how much I can accomplish here, but I’m a C-Span fan and C-Span is my inspiration.
If you have a question for any candidate, send it to me at this address: tammy@jacksonholearttours.com. I will pass the question on to candidates on both sides of the issue. I will not print your name if you want to remain anonymous, so no repercussion fears. Your identity will remain confidential, I won’t divulge it on or “off” this blog. I will also jury the questions, so if a question is not clear, is rude, threatening or inappropriate, it won’t be considered. When candidates respond I’ll post the question and the response.
Onward and upward with the arts and politics! Stay tuned.
Center Street Gallery debuts artist Kay Stratman’s new brush paintings at an artist’s reception Thursday, August 20, 5-8:00 p.m. Titled Expect the Unexpected, Stratman’s collective works are, as far as I know, Jackson’s only examples of East Asian sumi-e (墨絵) painting, originated in China. An ancient practice, sumi-e (soo-me-ee) was introduced to Japan in the mid 14th century. Ink and wash paintings at first used only black inks; color washes were added later.
Sumi-e’s tools—stick ink (sumi), grinding stone, fine papers or fabric, and bamboo handled brushes—are known as the Four Treasures. According to practice, Stratman has produced paintings balanced in composition and color. They depict landscapes that, although often inspired by the West, are swathed in Asian delicacy—soft, as well as precise. Misty mountains, swans flying in tandem over serene, mirror-like lakes, snow scenes and liquid portraits of koi, geckos and butterflies are Stratman’s subjects–she renders all using a palette of warm and cool pastel tones.
Sumi-e’s goal is to capture a subject’s soul. “To paint a flower, there is no need to perfectly match its petals and colors, but it is essential to convey its liveliness and fragrance.”
A final note: Stratman is married to new Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance Executive Director Paul Hansen. For more information, phone 307.733.1115. www.centerstreetgallery.com.
Item #2
Tonalist Jared Sanders’ new collection of works, “A Period of Transition,” also opens Thursday, 5-7:00 pm, at Altamira Fine Art. A chronicler of nature, Sanders’ quiet, harmonic works play out in soft browns, earth yellows, reds, and their balancing cooler tones of blue and green. His compositions are simple, in the realm of the naive. His portrayals of cows in the fields, those colors and structure, can remind me of Milton Avery.
As a rural youngster, Sanders began painting the landscapes of his northern Utah home. “His artistic process is measured and very detailed,” says the gallery. “After scouting potential landscape subjects and taking hundreds of snapshots, he sorts through the best candidates, sketching some in pencil. He then transfers the sketch to gesso board using brown or sienna oils finished in warm gray or ochre tones, focusing on getting the color of one object or shape in the painting perfect.”
Sanders likes the softer, shoulder seasons: Autumn and Spring.
“I like it in autumn after all the leaves have fallen from the trees. And my favorite time is in spring when winter is just barely leaving – nothing is green yet, everything is still dead from the winter, the trees are leafless, the willows are red, and a few patches of snow are left on the ground.”
For information: connect@altamiraart.com.
Item #3
Explorer-photographer Jimmy Chin will be at Oswald Gallery on Friday, August 21, 6-9 p.m., to discuss his photographic work and his climbing experiences.
Chin exhibits his views of the extreme landscapes he explores and the people who live in those high and distant countries. Says the Oswald, “From the Karakoram to Mali to Everest and beyond, Chin has traveled the globe, shooting from some of the most inaccessible terrain in the world, all in an attempt to arrest images that go beyond the ambition of the athlete and wanderlust of the explorer. Images that give the audience a glimpse into remote cultures, distant lands and the world of extreme athletes, ultimately giving perspective into the human potential and our own culture.”
Got bliss? Want some if you don’t have it? Visit some of the lands where bliss is a way of life as you view Jimmy Chin’s vibrant photography. www.oswaldgallery.com.
