Visiting the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA

Sculpture by Anna Hyatt Huntington

The minute we pulled up to the Chrysler Art Museum, I knew we were in for a treat.  Right in front of the museum was a sculpture by Anna Hyatt Huntington ( Founder of SC's  Brookgreen Gardens).  I felt like we we at home before we even entered the cheery lobby with decked out for the holidays.

Christmas tree made of poinsettias

The Chrysler's Primary  is its collection of  glass.

Contemporary fine art glass

Glass from famous artists

Tiffany Glass

There was an entire room devoted to Tiffany Art Glass

Tiffany Exhibit Room

The other  exciting  exhibition of works was the art on loan from private collections in the region, ranging from French and American Impressionists, to Old Master European paintings to cutting-edge contemporary glass art.I wish we'd had more time.  We didn't begin to see it all.

Sandcast Glass by Bertil Vallien

My favorites were definitely the contemporary fine art glass from artists  Bertil Vallien and William Morris.

Large Glass  Vase by William Morris

Center for Contemporary Art in Virginnia Beach

Just by chance we stumbled upon a fabulous fine art photography exhibit today at MOCA in Virginia Beach.

Courtesy of MOCA

Kim Keever makes luminous photographs from miniature, synthetic landscapes that he initially creates in 200-gallon aquarium tanks. Using props found at hobby stores, in combination with homemade plaster mountains, water, and pigment, the artist builds experimental dioramas that are then photographed. When water and pigment collide within the tank, cloud-like billows and rippling brooks are formed, and the artist must quickly capture the composed scene with his large format camera. In this exhibition the Museum of Contemporary Art presents Keever's large scale photographs, an interview with the artist, studio set-up images and a participatory section for visitors. In addition to seeing some really beautiful images, we learned a lot about the creative process involved in making those images.

Souper Bowl Painting

On Saturday Dec 3rd and Wednesday,  Dec. 7th,  members of the Seacoast Artist Guild gathered together at the Applewood Gallery for a different kind of painting experience .....  We all  painted  Ceramic  Bowls for the Habitat for Humanity's  upcoming Souper Bowl fundraiser 

Neither the  photographers nor  the painters had any experience with the media so, it was a level playing field.   It was fun watching the different styles emerge.  I went for abstract.  Bruce like  repetitive designs.  Some  artists went for a Christmas theme, and some liked sea decor.

Once painted, the bowls will be glazed ,and fired,  then made available for selection  by those who purchase a ticket to the Souper Bowl Event. 

The fourteenth annual Souper Bowl to benefit Habitat for Humanity Georgetown County will be held at Precious Blood of Christ Roman Catholic Church  of Pawleys Island SC on Saturday, January 28th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. The Souper Bowl features gourmet soups donated by over 40 restaurants, homemade breads by area bakers, and handmade bowls and mugs by area artists and locals.

For more information an pictures see:

http://habitatgeorgetown.com/events_souperbowl.html

Ebb n Flow Gallery

Ebb n Flow, 4763 Highway 17,  Murrells Inlet, SC

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best place in town to purchase local honey is the Ebb n Flow Art Gallery in Murrell's Inlet. One of the artists at the gallery is a bee keeper. Its also a fun place to visit  for hand made Christmas gifts and get a good cup of fresh coffee.

More wildlife paintings completed

Three Wildlife Paintings in progress

Remember this photo I posted of  the Wildlife paintings  I was working on last week? 

 Two of the three are complete.

Egret in progress

Here's a closer look at the process.  A lite coat of Cadmium red light acrylic was used as a mother color over a gessoed artist panel... After the acrylic dried, I sketched in the main shapes.  Then I used ultramaire blue, alizarine crimson, and Cad Yellow Dark oil paint (plus minimal Titanium White) to block in all the main shapes.  After that dried, I when back and refined the values in those areas using the same paint hues.  Finally, when I was happy with the background,  I painted in the egret using white tinted with the colors in the background.

Finished Egret on a Post

I used the same process in working on the Redwing Blackbird.

Red Wing Blackbird in the Cat-tails

Brookgreen Garden: Night of a Thousand Candles

Last night was the opening night of Brookgreen Gardens Night of a Thousand Candles.  I and my camera spent the evening documenting the spectacular beauty of the gardens at night.

 
Every year, for three weekend evenings,,  Brookgreen Gardens come to life  with holiday spirit amid the soft glow of more than 5,500 hand-lit candles and countless sparkling lights.

Visitors stroll miles of paths lit by luminaria.

Back sculpture of a dog seems so real

   The sculptures are even more beautiful at night than they are by day. They almost seem alive.

The huntress

 The  sculptures in the pools and fountains appear to be dancing

Nymph Pool

The  heritage oak trees take on an other worldly look and seem even more ancient and massive at night.

Heritage oaks

Holiday Spirituals

Pavilions with jazz musicians, gospel singers, and  classical musicians  offer cheery shelter to foot-weary garden guests

Old Kitchen

  And the old kitchen offers a cheery place to relax with some warm  mulled cider

It's a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays.

For mor information go to: http://www.brookgreen.org/NOTC.cfm

Give Orginal Art for the holidays

In anticipation of the holidays, SAG members  have gotten into the spirit of giving with a display of  original 4"x4" and 4"x 5"  miniature paintings The proceeds from the sale of these original works will be used to benefit children's art programs in our local schools.   The always popular "minis" are festively  displayed on a  a table near the check out counter . These affordable ( just $10 without a stand)miniature works of art  make great Christmas gifts and will be available through the month of December.. Come to the  SAG Gallery at Applewoods for the holidays and begin a holiday tradition of giving original and unique art work at Christmas! 

14361 Hwy. 17,  Litchfield Beach, South Carolina Phone: 843.979.1022