Mayor Jim Taylor, Director Lee Tillery and Parks & Rec Manager Colten Marble Give Art Ribbons

Mayor Taylor Awards Illa Joshi's Best of Nature as his favorite painting

Lee Tillery Recognized Russell Smith's "Franz Josef Sunset" as his favorite painting

Parks and Rec Manager Colten Marble could not attend but he awarded Allyson Parrott's "Kiss" as his personal favorite

Rebecca Primm Wins First Place With Multi Medium "Captivating"

2012 Matthews Alive! Art Show First Place

Captivating by Rebecca Primm

 

Along with Rebecca Primm, the other award recipients are:

 

2nd Place: Connie Snipes "All Alone" (Oil) SOLD

 

3rd Place: Russell Smith "Franz Josef Sunset" (Oil)

 

Honorable Mentions:

Jean Yates "Red Apples" (Watercolor) SOLD

Cindi Powell "Red Cactus" (Oil)

Carlos Alverez Cotera "Coconuts IV" (Oil)

Lynn Calahan "From the Sea" (Ink)

Gene Lazo "Street Jesus" (Photography)

Carol Benston "Resting Horse" (Oil)

 

The judges for this event were: Elizabeth Apple and Carolyn Jacobs

Matthews Alive! Art Show Reception

The Matthews Alive! Art Show Reception is Thursday (8/30) at 7 PM at the Matthews Community Ctr.

Anna and Elizabeth Boyle will provide the live music for the evening. Food, beverages and wine will be provided to artists and their guests. The highlight of the reception will be the announcement of the winners for first, second, and third place as well as the 6 honorable mentions chosen by judges Carolyn Jacobs and Elizabeth Apple.

Mayor Jim Taylor of Matthews, along with Director Lee Tillery, Parks and Rec Colten Marble and Matthews Alive! coordinator Jayson Johnston will give ribbons for their favorite paintings too.

Special thanks to Binders and Cheap Joe's for providing gift certificates for the Honorable Mention Awards.

The Numbers Are 54 and 104

54 artists and 104 paintings turned out for the Matthews Alive! Art Show take-in yesterday. Thank you to all who entered and EVERY piece of artwork is an enhancement to the show. Come to the Matthews Community Center to see all the beautiful works for yourself and see not only the judges' choices but also Mayor Taylor's, Director Lee Tillery's, Parks and Rec Colten Marble's and MA! Jayson Johnston's favorite choices. AND we are taking a talley of the crowd's favorite. So come by and cast your vote too! MAG is all about promoting art for everyone's enjoyment.

The participants are listed below:

1. Baldwin, Jewel
2. Benston, Carol
3. Benton, Jennifer
4. Bowers, Rita
5. Brandell, Yvette
6. Britton, Dianne
7. Britton, Lisa
8. Callahan, Lynn
9. Churchward, Belinda
10. Collins, Kathy
11. Cotera, Carlos Alvarez
12. Evans, Robert
13. Fischer, Joyce
14. Floerchinger, Jeremy
15. Floerchinger, Lori
16. Harrell, Anne Routh
17. Harris, Shirley
18. Hemsley, Paula
19. Jimison, Barbara
20. Joshi, Illa
21. Lazo, Gene
22. Leatherwood, Dottie
23. Lomax, John
24. Maddox, Bob
25. Magee, Mary
26. Manco, Martha
27. Martineau, Elizabeth
28. Maske, Katherine
29. Mataya
30. Midkiff, Belinda
31. Miles, Richard
32. Moeslein, John
33. Mullin, Linda
34. Musgrove, Marcee
35. Narmour, Reg
36. Newman, Carol
37. Panzarella, Sue
38. Parrott, Allyson
39. Pighin, Carol
40. Powell, Cindi
41. Powers, Cynthia
42. Primm, Rebecca
43. Shanahan, Chris
44. Shealy, Carl
45. Smith, Russell
46. Smith, Susan Brooks
47. Snipes, Connie
48. Spaker, Jen
49. Tenz, Johanna
50. Thomas, Mike
51. Wood, Rebecca
52. Yacenda, Debbie
53. Yates, Jean
54. Younce, Kim

 

Today is the DAY!

2011 Matthews Alive! Art Show Winner "Self Portrait as a German Ace in 1817"

by local artist Russell Smith

 

Take-In for the Matthews Alive! Art Show is today, Tuesday,8/28 at the Matthews Community Center (100 McDowell St./ Matthews, NC 28105) from 3-6 PM.

Don't miss it!
All Artists, 18 and older, are welcome.
Hung works only that have been painted within the past 2 years.

The awards for this show are $800 (First Place), $400 (Second Place), $200 (Third Place). In addition there will be 6 Honorable Mentions ($50 in Gift Certicate from either Binders or Cheap Joe's). All winners will receive a ribbon including the paintings chosen as favorites by Matthews City Officials: Mayor Taylor, Jayson Johnston, Lee Tillery and Colten Marble.

Please come with works labeled, properly wired and framed (or canvas gallery-wrapped), entry form filled out, and check/cash for $30 ready to hand in. All this preparation saves time in the line.

Entry Form/Labels: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6ryeT3BfM8LX1JfUnNtN1Rpa2s
Rules of Integrity: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6ryeT3BfM8LRnJENmNxSGpZNWc

Check the list of participants: http://matthewsartistguild.blogspot.com/2012/08/list-of-participants-for-2012-matthews.html

Email Debbie if you plan on coming and do NOT see your name: dyacenda@aol.com and let her know to expect you.

Judges Announced for Matthews Alive! Art Show

MAG is proud to announce Carolyn Jacobs and Elizabeth Apple as our judges for this year's Matthews Alive! Art Show.

Carolyn Jacobs holds a MFA in Drawing from the University of Tennessee, and a BFA in Painting and Printmaking from Eastern Kentucky University. Carolyn is senior studio faculty at Central Piedmont Community College, teaching Drawing, Painting, Design, and Watercolor. Additionally, she often teaches at the Mint Museum and is scheduled to lecture at the Bechtler Museum this fall. Carolyn is also Faculty Advisor to CPCC Art Galleries. You can view her work at www.carolynjacobs.blogspot.com .

Elizabeth Apple has been an avid art enthusiast for more than 40 years. Her parents encouraged an appreciation of art, beginning with her first visit to the Metropolitan in NY at age 4. Growing up in Winston-Salem, NC, Elizabeth participated in art classes through the W-S Arts Council and worked in many mediums. In choosing a college and a field of study, Elizabeth was undecided between graphic design and musical performance. Eventually, Elizabeth decided to pursue a degree in music at the College Conservatory of Music/University of Cincinnati and then earned a Masters degree in Business at Wake Forest University.

After working in New York for several years, Elizabeth returned to North Carolina and located in Charlotte. Since moving to Charlotte, Elizabeth has been an active member of the Mint Museum of Charlotte. She is also a charter member of the Romare Bearden Society. Her recent artistic expression has focused on the medium of clay in the form of functional pottery and ceramic sculpture. Elizabeth has studied at Penland, and has taken workshops with several regionally and nationally known artists.

As an avid art enthusiast and collector, there are several contemporary artists that Elizabeth enjoys very much and makes a point of keeping abreast of their work and attending their shows and exhibitions whenever possible. These artists include: Wolf Kahn, Romare Bearden, Robert Motherwell, Thomas McNickle, Ramon Urban, Brian Russell, Alice Ballard, and Michel Sherrill to name a few. There are local emerging artists, such as Felicia van Borek and Duy Nuynh, which she has been exposed to in the past several years and is very enthusiastic regarding their growing body of work. Elizabeth has enjoyed, attending shows and lectures and getting to meet and spend time with many of these artists. This exposure to the artist behind the work serves to deepen her enjoyment and connection to their work. Elizabeth feels that having the exposure to art by supporting local artists, galleries, and museums is a critical component to sustaining a quality of life within a community.

 

Take in for this event is Tuesday 8/28 at the Matthews Community Ctr from 3-6 PM. You may enter up to 2 framed/gallery-wrapped and wired artworks. Entry fee is $30. All artists, 18 and older, are welcome to participate. Artwork must be hung, no more than 2 years old and not in a previous MA! Art Show. Email Debbie if you plan on participating: dyacenda@aol.com.

 

Please have entry form filled out and provided labels attached to your work(s). Entry form/labels: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6ryeT3BfM8LX1JfUnNtN1Rpa2s

 

Prizes are ribbons and $800 (First Place), $400 (Second Place), $200 (Third Place), 6 Honorable Mentions ($50 Gift Certificates), and Mayor's Choice along with other Matthews notables. Reception and giving of the awards is Thursday 8/30, 7 PM at the Matthews Community Ctr. Music and refreshments will be provided.

Dennis Shook... Shook Up MAG's Love For Watercolor

Dennis Shook with Demo Watercolor of Pot of Geraniums done vertically

Dennis Shook shared many of his secrets regarding color, brushes, paper, as well as, the frustrations of doing art... "don't let the bumps stop you."

He doesn't like cadmiums due to dullness. He prefers Rose Madder and Alizarin Crimson when it comes to red. He encourages experimentation when mixing colors. "Try tourquoise and orange together... cobalt violet with cobalt blue and rose madder... sap green with cobalt violet (nice fall green)... magnesium blue and new gamboge..." He raved about Daler-Rowney Trans Red Brown, Sennelier Sap Green and Grumbacher Cobalt Violet. Color is obviously an aspect of his art that he has tested and tried thoroughly.

As to brushes, his favorite are the hake brushes. "They're cheap too!" He also likes the heavier 300 lb. watercolor paper due to durability and you can skip the stretching step required for the lighter 140 lb.

Dennis had everyone psyched and ready to paint after his uplifting discussion. The provided palette consisted of phthalo green, sap green, alizarin crimson, poppy, new gamboge, ultra blue and burnt sienna for the simple yet lovely subject: a pot of geraniums. Most of the audience participated with palettes, paper and brushes provided by Nancy Kennedy. There were several who experienced watercolors for the first time swearing to continue with this medium. Exactly what MAG is all about. Thanks Dennis for a superior demo... and Nancy for arranging it all.

Local Encaustic Artist, Jackie Dunford, at September 11 MAG Meeting

Matthews Artists Guild
invites members and nonmembers interested in fine arts
to our September meeting when
Jackie Dunford
will demonstrate
Encaustic

Tuesday, September 11, 2012
6:30 PM social 7 PM meeting
at Matthews Community Center

100 McDowell Street East

Matthews, NC 28105

Jackie Dunford lives in Belmont, NC with a studio at Arts on Main in Gastonia, NC. She is serving her third term as President of the Gaston County Art Guild. She has owned a finish carpentry business, was a Realtor and wanted to be a nurse but fate insisted she be an artist. Jackie obtained her AFA in 2009, the year she was introduced to encaustic painting. It took a year to learn the characteristics of the medium and to create the right paint formula and she is entirely self-taught in the encaustic medium. She has a very supportive husband of 16 years and devotes most of her time to ceramics and encaustic painting. She is a member of Assorted Marbles Art Group. She is a prolific producer of clay, encaustic, jewelry and other mediums that interest her. Her pieces fly out of the Gift Shop at Arts on Main. You'll enjoy her infectious creative spirit and love of creating art.

Our meeting begins with a 6:30 PM social when you can chat with Jackie and preview samples of her works. At 7 PM we'll have brief announcements followed by Jackie's demonstration.

After telling us how she came to love this medium, Jackie will give us a brief history of encaustic, inform us of misconceptions we may have of its endurance, and melt us with her passion for encaustic. She'll take us step by step through supplies and equipment needed and the progression of creating a finished piece. I hope to see you there!

There's talk of a workshop so, if you are interested in more information, e-mail Nancy at workshop@nc-kennedy.com

If you have questions about the meeting, e-mail Nancy Kennedy presenter@nc-kennedy.com.

MAG Life Drawing Tonight at Matthews Community Center

"Tom" by Jack

If it's Wednesday, 7 PM, and not a major holiday... it's MAG's life drawing day at the Matthews Community Ctr in historic downtown Matthews, NC... location for the upcoming Labor Day Weekend Matthews Alive! Art Show (oops... sorry... promoting too much at once here but if you're interested: http://matthewsartistguild.blogspot.com/2012/06/matthews-alive-art-show-call-for.html). All 18+ yrs old artists are welcome. Everyone splits the model fee but max cost is always $10. Check the model schedule at the lower right to see who the model is for the day. Be sure to thank Nancy Kennedy for her hard work in maintaining this.

Wednesday Night... Life Drawing

"Tom" by Jack

You don't have to be a member of MAG to participate in the weekly life drawings at the Matthews Community Ctr... but you do have to be at least 18 years old and bring your own art supplies and have at least $10 in cash to help pay your part of the model fee. Everyone splits the cost and it usually runs around $7. The model schedule is at the lower left side of this blog. Starting time is 7 PM so please come early to set up so all will be ready on time. Thanks Nancy Kennedy for all her hard work in making this art option available.

List of Participants for 2012 Matthews Alive! Art Show

2011 MA! Art Show Winner

Self-Portrait as a German Ace in 1918 by local artist Russell Smith

Look to see if your name is on this list of those interested in entering the 2012 Matthews Alive! Art Show.  If not and you do plan on entering, email Debbie Yacenda at dyacenda@aol.com so we know to expect you. You can enter up to 2 works and the cost is $30 to enter. Bring your works (gallery-wrapped/framed and wired please) and the entry form and fee to the Matthews Community Center on Tuesday, August 28, between 3-6 PM.

1. Baldwin, Jewel
2. Benton, Jennifer
3. Bowers, Rita
4. Diane Britton
5. Britton, Lisa
6. Brown, Kevin
7. Callahan, Lynn
8. Churchward, Belinda
9. Collins, Kathy
10. Cotera, Carlos
11. Davis, Marie
12. Evans, Bob
13. Fischer, Joyce
14. Floerchinter, Jeremy
15. Floerchinter, Lori
16. Harrell, Anne
17. Hearne, Mona
18. Hemsley, Paula
19. Jimison, Barbara
20. Joshi, Ilia
21. Lazo, Gene
22. Leatherwood, Dottie
23. Lomax, John
24. Maddox, Bob
25. Magee, Mary
26. Manco, Martha
27. Martineau, Elizabeth
28. Mataya
29. Midkiff, Lindy
30. Miles, Richard
31. Moeslein, John
32. Mullin, Linda
33. Musgrove, Marcee
34. Narmour, Reg
35. Panzarella, Sue
36. Parrott, Allyson
37. Pighin, Carol
38. Powers, Cynthia
39. Shanahan, Chris
40. Shealy, Carl
41. Smith, Russell
42. Smith, Susan
43. Spaker, Jen
44. Tenz, Jo-hanna
45. Thomas, Mike
46. Wood, Becky
47. Yacenda, Debbie
48. Yates, Jean
49. Younce, Kim

Info and Entry Form: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6ryeT3BfM8LX1JfUnNtN1Rpa2s

Email Debbie dyacenda@aol.com if you have questions or difficulty in getting the entry form.

Rules of Integrity: https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B6ryeT3BfM8LRnJENmNxSGpZNWc

Plein Air Buds Will Take the Month of August Off

Due to the demands of the upcoming Matthews Alive! Art Show, the Plein Air Buds will take off the next few weeks until September. If anyone would like to gather a group of painters on their own, let Debbie know and she will inform the others (dyacenda@aol.com). If you would like to be included in the email list, email Debbie. "See you in September..."

Dennis Shook Watercolorist at Next MAG Meeting 8/14/12

Meet Dennis Shook at 8/14/12 MAG Meeting

Place: Matthews Community Ctr at 100 McDowell St in

downtown Matthews

Time: 6:30 PM Social Time/7 PM Meeting begins

Chairs will be set up for those who want to watch/ listen and tables will be set up for those who wish to paint. Dennis & Nancy will have basic supplies- brushes, paper, paint for about 20 artists to paint a picture while learning watercolor techniques. Or you can bring your own favorite brushes, paint and/or paper. Should be fun!

Dennis Shook Bio

Dennis Shook is a North Carolina artist who is primarily self taught. After reading all he could read and visiting as many art galleries as he possibly could, Dennis decided that he needed some formal training. The Gaston College Department of Visual Arts provided the essential fundamental instruction and ongoing encouragement that is necessary to support a fledgling career. Initially he painted in watercolors, put them away for three years, and moved through acrylics, pastels, stone sculpting and oils. Workshops, personal mentors and good fortune followed Dennis during the next ten or more years. An opportunity to return to watercolors presented itself when he reached an agreement to teach Beginning Watercolors and Intermediate Watercolors at The Gaston College Department of Visual Arts. This arrangement continued for ten years and was mutually beneficial as both students and instructor acquired added skills. Dennis moved on to teach at the Gaston School of the Arts, The Southern Arts Society, Inc. and various pro bono classes for local agencies, such as the Gaston County Library and Covenant Village. Dennis taught Watercolors privately for approximately two years at The Framing Shop on Second St., Gastonia, N.C. until the property was sold. He now paints and teaches at Arts on Main Gallery and Working Studios at 212 Main St., Gastonia, N.C. Individual instruction is provided in Open Painting Studio (any medium) or Watercolors specifically.  Mr Shook describes his work as representational but not photo realism. Dennis and his wife reside in Dallas, N. C. but they enjoy traveling as often as possible. Achievments and Gallery representation is available on the Artist's Statement.  Artist Statement I find it difficult to categorize myself as it relates to my artistic interests. I enjoy carving stone as much as I enjoy the joy of color falling off my finger tips as I render a pastel painting. I feel very blessed that I have the opportunity and the interest to try not only different mediums but different topics with equal ease. I often find myself locked into a particular topic; mountain streams, or interesting people, or wonderful architectural craftsmanship and I will usually do four or five paintings until I find a new subject that has grabbed my attention. Just as I always have one foot out the door, ready to travel to a new unseen location, I go into my studio each time with the promise that some image will find it's way to my mind, hands and the brush. I can never see enough or experience enough. It grieves me that so many beautiful things will pass away without them being recorded for our children to see. I have little interest in the painting, once it is painted. I am ready for the challenge of the next painting.  I have sold only one painting that I ever wanted back. My living room contains paintings that I have acquired from my artist friends and usually one of my own paintings that my wife has chosen. My Affiliations Gaston County Art Guild Southern Arts Society, Inc. Avery County Arts Council Marietta, Ohio Arts District and Cooperative Buffalo Creek Gallery, Shelby, N.C. Frame Shop Gallery, Gastonia, N.C. Frame Shop and Gallery, Belmont, N.C. Arts on Main, Gastonia, N.C.

Have You Signed Up To Be In Matthews Alive! Art Show?

Matthews Alive! Art Show 2011 First Place Winner

Self-Portrait as a German Ace in 1918 by Russell Smith

If you are interested in entering the MA! Art Show, please email Debbie at dyacenda@aol.com so MAG can plan the Take In, Hanging and Reception.

The more we know the smoother it will go. The names of those entering will be posted in a future blog. Thank you to all who have emailed their interest and questions. We welcome them!

Details are located at this earlier blog:
http://matthewsartistguild.blogspot.com/2012/06/matthews-alive-art-show-call-for.html

Two More Paintings Sold at Christ Episcopal Church Art Sale

Christ Episcopal Church Gallery

1412 Providence Road

Charlotte, NC

That makes 4 total that have sold by Jennifer Benton, Barbara Jimison, Jean Yates and Debbie Yacenda. Get out there during the shop hours M-Th 9 AM-4 PM or Sunday 9:45 AM-Noon. The paintings by MAG member will be on sale until take down, August 27/28. 

Wednesday Night Life Drawing

"Tom" by Jack

Tonight at 7 PM at the Matthews Community Ctr, MAG sponsors life drawing for all artists 18 and older. The model fee is split equally among participants with a ceiling cost of $10 (usually runs around $7). Please come early to set up to minimize distractions. The model schedule is at the lower left side of this blog.