Cotton Anniversary: CALL TO ARTISTS

I'm very blessed to be in Bisbee, among a wonderful community of artists and creatives. November marks the two-year anniversary since Heather Green Studios opened to the public at 27 Subway. To celebrate, I am continuing the tradition of inviting artists to submit artwork for an exhibition. Last year, artists submitted work that measured 11"x11" and had a paper element for my "Paper Anniversary." This year, for my "Cotton Anniversary," the only parameter is that all pieces must measure 12"x12" -- all media, subject matter, and styles are welcome. Click here for entry forms.

Although the parameters are "square," I welcome variations on the theme.

Last year, Sharon Lee submitted a circular work whose diameter was in keeping with the dimensions. Alan Potter entered work that was three-dimensional, and satisfied the measurements of height and width without being a cube.

 

Works that are accepted in this exhibition will have some great coverage and traffic. The exhibit will open on Saturday, November 10th and end on Saturday, December 8th, which both fall on the night of the Bisbee After 5 artwalk. Furthermore, the exhibit will be part of the Bisbee After 5 Small Town Holiday artwalk over the Thanksgiving weekend. Many visitors will be in town for the 30th Annual Historic Home Tour and 11th Annual Art Chair Auction.

"Cotton Anniversary" will also have coverage in the local newspapers and via social media, including e-newsletters, facebook, twitter, and google+, through Heather Green Studios, Bisbee After 5, and the Bisbee Enclave!

 

Please feel free to call or e-mail me with any questions! Entry forms are available at the studio, on the bulletin board outside the Bisbee post office, and online.

 

MASKED

Masked: Work by Timothy Hasenstein

Do masks conceal, or reveal? Answer this age-old question as you view artwork by Silver City, NM artist Timothy Hasenstein at Heather Green Studios this month. As a former art instructor and artist-in-residence in Minnesota, having worked with kids and adults alike, Hasenstein understands the transformative nature of masks, and their universal appeal. He says that most people's first instinct is to place one of his masks over their faces. I agree -- there something both magical and mysterious about the experience of interacting with masks. My junior high art students are currently in the middle of a mask unit, which is always met with curiosity and excitement. They will be taking a field trip to see this exhibit while the work is up!

Hasenstein often uses natural and found or discarded materials to create his masks and sculptures. It references the conventional practice that cultures throughout the world and throughout history use materials that are abundantly available to make masks. This practice also fits into the modern and contemporary practice of artists "upcycling" objects to create art. Hasenstein will collect natural objects found while hiking. He also finds remnants of man-made materials, such as foamcore, lace, and cardboard that are being discarded at frame shops, construction sites, and even the dumpster.

Join us for the Artist's Opening Reception during the Bisbee After 5 "Saints Souls, & Skeletons" Artwalk on Saturday, October 13th from 5 to 8 pm. Meet Timothy Hasenstein and discuss your view of masks, and whether they reveal or conceal. You are also invited to view the exhibit through a couple of the animal masks and take photographs with friends! Special guest singer/songwriter Ruth Elaine Giegerich will perform her original contemporary folk music throughout the evening. Light refreshments will also be provided.

"Masked" will run from Saturday, October 13th through Saturday, November 3rd during regular gallery hours (Fridays & Saturdays from Noon until 5 pm) and by appointment. See photos from the exhibit and reception on my Facebook page!




FALL WORKSHOPS!

I'm offering a few new workshops through the Cochise College Center for Lifelong Learning. These classes are a great way to explore an interest at a reasonable price without a lot of commitment, and have some fun at the same time!

SKETCHBOOK ADVENTURES
September 22nd from 9 AM to 12 PM in Old Bisbee -- $35

Explore Old Bisbee with a sketchbook! The historic architecture, old staircases, colorful artwork, and quirky characters practically invite you to draw them. Sketchbooks are a great way to document your experiences while honing your drawing skills. In this workshop, participants will learn about types of sketchbooks, portable media, and ways to use both in a personal and creative way while discovering Old Bisbee on foot. Students must bring their own sketchbook, pencil, eraser, and any portable art media they choose (pen, colored pencils, pastels, pan watercolor, etc.) This class is for students at all levels of their art exploration. Class meets at Heather Green Studios located at 27 Subway St. Bisbee.
Sign up here or call (520)515-5492.


LEARNING TO SEE: DRAWING IN CHARCOAL
Saturday, October 6th & 13th from 9 AM to 1 PM in Sierra Vista -- $59*

Discover how artists convert what they “see” onto paper in realistic and expressive ways. Demonstrations and hands-on activities will change the way you approach your art, while honing your observation skills and establishing a toolbox of traditional and experimental drawing techniques. Rendering objects in charcoal has never been easier. *Students can either purchase a materials kit from the instructor for $35 or bring their own materials. Call 515-5492 for a materials list. Cochise College, Sierra Vista Campus room 401.
Sign up here or call (520)515-5492.


LINOCUT PRINTMAKING FUN
Saturday, October 20th from 9 AM to 3:30 PM in Sierra Vista -- $55*


Create bold, decorative artwork with this basic relief printing technique. In this workshop, participants will learn how to plan, carve, and print multiple images to make greeting cards using a linoleum block. This ancient medium is easy enough for beginners, yet challenging enough for experienced artists. Once learned, this skill can be enjoyed for a lifetime! Bring a sack lunch, snacks and something to drink. There will be a 30 min lunch break. *There is a required $45 kit fee to be paid to instructor at the beginning of class. ALSO, there is a $5 Early Bird Discount available. Cochise College, Sierra Vista Campus room 404.
Sign up here or call (520)515-5492.

Dog (& Cat) Days of Summer

Join us in celebrating our four-legged friends during the next Bisbee After 5 artwalk! Local artists Jan Searle, Sharon Lee, Amber Spring Wakeman, and Chris Bovee are exhibiting work dedicated to man's (and woman and child's) best friends.

Artist's Opening Reception will take place Saturday, July 14th from 5 to 8 pm. Enjoy treats for canines, felines, and humans too. "Dog tags" will also be given away as Bisbee After 5 "Salutes Our Military." The exhibit will remain open through Saturday, August 4th during regular gallery hours and by appointment.


oil on paper by Jan Searle

I am honored to have Jan Searle return to the gallery with her incredible work in oils and pastels. Jan is well-known in Bisbee for landscapes, cloudscapes, and portraiture. During the Wall Musings event I held in March, she documented people on the wall with quick gesture drawings and oil pastels throughout the day. No doubt, her pet portraiture is just as lovely. Jan Searle is a member of the Central School Project and the Tang Gallery Cooperative. 

acrylic on metal food lid by Sharon Lee

Sharon Lee is a gallery favorite, having also participated in the Wall Musings event and my Paper Anniversary exhibit. I love her primitive/naivete style and the bright, bold colors that she uses. I am also enamored with her use of found objects and mixed media in some of her paintings. In a way, the discarded object has lost its original function, but is repurposed into an object of contemplation. Sharon's work is often seen at The Spirit Gallery.



acrylic by Amber Wakeman

Amber Spring Wakeman's "Spotted in Bisbee" series is the inspiration behind this exhibit. These playful paintings feature area dogs and cats (and the occasional bird) against an Old Bisbee backdrop. The titles are just as playful and witty as the images, and are part of the fun. It's no wonder people have asked for a quirky pet portrait of their own pets. You also need to check out the matting and framing on her work -- she is Bisbee's resident framing expert.


pastel sketch by Chris Bovee

I'm also thrilled to have Chris Bovee's whimsical drawings and mixed-media pieces. Chris's work has been seen at the Subway Gallery, and she participates in a local Sunday "Drink and Draw" gathering of artists. She is a also a gifted musician, having played in several bands. Soft pastels are a relatively new medium for Chris, and I'm please to say that she had a lovely pastel landscape for my Paper Anniversary exhibit.

Mimosas, Nibbles, Art, & Giggles

8 Hours in 2 Minutes

If you missed "Wall Musings," here's an opportunity to see it! Eight hours compressed into two minutes for your viewing pleasure:

This is a time lapse video of the "Wall Musings" event at Heather Green Studios in Bisbee, Arizona on Saturday, March 10, 2012. Six artists were given carte blanche to do whatever they wished to the walls within an eight-hour time frame. The public was invited to watch, and some even became part of the resulting artwork! Participating artists: Jan Searle, Ed Rosko, Sharon Lee, Katy Hooper, Jeff Henley, and Joseph Klinger. Click for more information about this event.

"Wall Musings"

An 8-Hour Drawing Event

The theme for the March Bisbee After 5 artwalk is "Art Madness." I decided it was the perfect opportunity to let other artists come into my space and do whatever they want with the walls.

Literally, they have carte blanche -- any medium, any style. They can draw, paint, carve, attach objects, reflect light or cast shadows, screenprint, stencil, or do whatever they wish to the wall section they have been given in the front gallery. I'm calling it a "Drawing" event, but only loosely so.
The Catch: they only have eight hours to complete their task, and they must allow the public to watch as they create. Eight hours to cover a wall with artwork can be quite daunting, and some on-the-spot problem-solving (Project Runway style) will definitely need to happen. Furthermore, having an audience when creating can be nerve-wracking, as most artists work in solitude in the privacy of their own studios. It will be a bit of a social experiment to see how the artists react!

"Wall Musings" will take place this Saturday, March 10th at Heather Green Studios (27 Subway St., Bisbee AZ) from 11 am to 8 pm. The artists will have an hour break mid-day to eat and regroup. You are invited to come and watch at any time of the day -- see beginning, middle, and end of each artist's progress, and even participate if the artist chooses! Part of the fun is to see how dramatically art can change with something as little as a brushstroke. The Artists' Reception and Artists Talks are (tentatively) set for Saturday, March 24 from 6 to 9 pm. several of the artists will be available to talk about their work, their process and/or concept, as well as the experience of having people watch them as they work. The exhibit will be on view through March 31st.

I'm really excited to have such wonderful artists creating in my space! Here is some more info about those that have agreed to subject themselves to the public eye:

Jan Searle is a local favorite. She is a pastelist  and painter whose subjects usually include the incredible Arizona skies, Bisbee landscapes, animals, and portraits. She is a member with an art studio at the Central School Project, and exhibits her work primarily at the Tang Gallery Cooperative. She also teaches life drawing.

Ed Rosko is new to the desert southwest, moving recently from Brooklyn, NY. He is a painter, designer, sculptor, photographer, curator, and teacher. He has an amazing Pop Art sensibility, and is now moving towards abstraction. Quite often, his color palette comes from the mis-tinted "Oops" paint at the hardware store. I wouldn't be surprised if house paint is used on his wall during the event. :)

Sharon Lee is a Bisbee painter who works in a naivete or primitive style. Her work often deals with feminist and social issues in a colorful and abstract way. She hails from Pennsylvania, where she served on the boards and councils of various arts organizations and commissions. Sharon will be tag-teaming with Katy Hooper, a local artist who works for the National Parks Service and sometimes works with kids. I'm excited about their wall, as it will surely prove to be interactive, in which the audience can be participatory!

Jeff Henley is an Arizona native who currently works at the local college. Don't let his calm, quiet demeanor fool you -- his artwork is often filled with tongue-in-cheek wit, as seen in last year's "Catawampus" show. He is also a very skilled portrait and landscape painter, and works wonders with graphic design. I'm interested in seeing which direction he'll take for this project.

Photograph of Joe's artwork by David Day

Joe Klinger is a Bisbee artist whose work is most prolific in "The Gulch." Not sure which work is his? Just travel down Brewery Avenue and you will see the ever-changing "Bark Park," the on-going cooperative murals at Occupy Bisbee next to the park, and the many paintings and found-object sculptures attached to his home across the street. Artist Danny Selzter may also help Joe with this event. Danny's portraits of famous people are well-known around town.

I have to give credit to my Alma Mater, Allegheny College, for the idea behind this event. My sophomore year, the art department hosted their very first "8-Hour Drawings," which has continued as an annual event, now known as "8-Hour Projects." The experience was so incredibly amazing and profound, that I wanted to bring it to Bisbee. I hope that it becomes an annual event at the studio, with many, many artists choosing to participate!

Stitches and Folds

Down to the wire, and missing a page or two, I finished and shipped my Art House Coop 2012 Sketchbook Project on the postmark due date -- nothing like waiting until the last minute! The theme I chose was "Stitches and Folds." As many of you know, I have a series of dress drawings, done mostly in pastel. I have been wanting to sew on the paper with a sewing machine, but Stonehenge Rising paper is too soft, despite the thickness. The sewing needle just shreds the paper. This sketchbook allowed me to experiment a bit with different papers, and with the sewing machine itself, using thread as a drawing medium.



I jammed up my machine quite a bit, but I have some ideas on how to avoid some of that. I'm also excited to see how this process influences my artwork!

I'm also excited for friends and family to be able to physically "check out" my work without having to be in Arizona. Starting in April, my book will go on tour around the country. Afterwards, it will be catalogued and housed permanently in the Brooklyn Art Library. It's really fun to be part of such a project!