April 2015 - |
Artist as Storyteller Artists are trained to be storytellers. At the most basic level, if an art piece is representational, there is a recognizable subject. Then there are the emotions that are communicated through the use of color, composition, and brushstrokes. A piece may also contain a narrative - the subject may be more than meets the eye. An artist is also able to tell their own personal stories about the piece - what inspired them to create it, and the techniques and mediums used. Artists may also tell stories about themselves - what messages tie together the works they choose to create, their artistic journey, or a story from their personal life. As people ask me about my work at a festival or exhibition opening, I have a large repertoire of tales I can choose from. Every great piece of art tells not just one story, but many. My art news this month features, mostly by coincidence, several events directly related to storytelling. The Art of Storytelling: I am honored to have been selected for inclusion in North Light Publication's Incite 3: The Art of Storytelling, The Best of Mixed Media. As part of the book's theme, selected artists were asked to write about the meaning of stories in their work. Cultural stories: In April, as part of Boulder Arts Week, the North Boulder Arts District has paired visual and verbal artists together to share in a new creative process. Because I occasionally find myself pondering on world cultures and folklore, I jumped when storyteller Kay Negash was suggested to me. First Friday and Saturday, Kay will be telling world folk tales that pair with my paper sculptures. Traveling stories: Truly the best stories are the ones in the making. Earlier this year, I was announced the winner of the Don Eckelberry Scholarship Award from the Society of Animal Artists. The Award includes traveling and lodging expenses to a place I've always longed to visit: the rainforest. Crossing paths with 33 more stories: When a bill passed in Peru banning the use of circus animals, 33 lions from various enterprises found themselves with a chance for a new life, but few options. The Wild Animal Sanctuary will be rescuing all 33 lions in an impressive undertaking. Expenses include crating, transporting, and housing the lions, and an additional upkeep of $8,000 a year for each animal. The Zoo Sketch Group has teamed together to create a benefit auction to support the rescue operation. |
Awards |
|
|||
Incite 3: The Art of Storytelling I am honored to have two works, Anuran Cathedrals and Stomp, included in this anthology publication from North Light Books. The book has a soft publication schedule for September. |
||||
Anuran Cathedrals 10" x 20" |
||||
 |
||||
Stomp 40" x 23" |
||||
|
|
Don Eckelberry Scholarship Award This award is very exciting! From the Society of Animal Artists' announcement: "Don Eckelberry was a renowned bird artist, writer and speaker on bird life and conservation and a longtime member of the Society. This award is a trip to the Asa Wright Nature Center in Trinidad where he spent time over the years. In sum, the Eckelberry Scholarship Award is intended to provide promising bird artists with a unique opportunity to study and sketch birds in a lush and unusually accessible Neotropical setting." |
|
 |
||
This is a ten-day (and all expenses paid) trip to the island of Trinidad. This will be my first international travel, and my first experience in a tropical rainforest, a beautiful and fascinating ecosystem that has inspired me from afar since my childhood. What an experience it will be in person! This trip is sure to produce some amazing future stories. Stay tuned! |
||
Finalist - International ARC Salon I wish I could say more about this, but according to the notification, "We have not revealed what category or what works the individuals are finalists in, in order to keep the suspense high for the actual announcement of the winners." |
Upcoming Events |
Boulder Arts Week
ArtSpeak 2015 NoBo Arts District has paired visual and vocal artists together to create unique creative teams. ArtSpeak is a presentation of the district-wide collaborations in one time and location. |
 |
|
|
NoBo First Friday Art Walk Join me in my Boulder studio space for a special event with Storyteller Kay Negash. Kay will be telling folklore stories that pair with two of my pieces, Sweet Oasis and Life at the Bottom. As always, there will be food, wine, and art for purchase. |
|
Zoo Sketch Group Benefit Auction for the Wild Animal Sanctuary's Peru Lion Rescue The Zoo Sketch Group has joined together to create an artist-initiated auction to benefit the Wild Animal Sanctuary. When a bill passed in Peru banning the use of circus animals, 33 lions from various enterprises found themselves with a chance for a new life, but few options. Expenses include crating, transporting, and housing the lions, and an additional upkeep of $8,000 a year for each animal. I will be donating these two original, framed drawings to help the lion rescue. You can bid on these, or any of the other fantastic art pieces donated by the Zoo Sketch Group online in the next few weeks. Please monitor our Facebook page for the announcement of the online auction site. You can also send me an email and request to be notified when the auction goes live. |
|
||||
 |
|||||
Wild Animal Sanctuary |
Cheetah Head Study 6" x 5" |
||||
 |
Kangaroo Study 12" x 16" |
23rd Annual May 31st - June 28th |
 |
Opening Night Gala Plein Air Quick Draw |
Each year since 1991, The Governor's Art Show has featured a juried collection of outstanding works by Colorado artists at The Loveland Museum/Gallery in Downtown Loveland, Colorado. Don’t miss the opportunity to view and purchase a wide variety of pieces by prominent artists from across the state. |
||
 |
||
Art Students League of Denver Summer Art Market |
Booth #95 June 13th, 10am-6pm |
|
Sculpture in the Park August 8th, 9:30am-6pm |
Admission: Adult $7 14 and under free |
 |
| Now in its 32nd year, Sculpture in the Park is the largest and most celebrated outdoor juried sculpture show and sale in America. |
|
|
Society of Animal Artists
April 17th - August 30th |
|
 Dragons in Darkness, winner of the SAA's President's Award for 3D. |
Demos
|
Approximately 15 artists from the Governor's Art Show will be creating live en plein air at Loveland's historic Osborn Farm. Artwork created during this event will be auctioned at noon, a percentage of the proceeds going to support Loveland Rotary Club and Thompson Valley Rotary Club and their charitable projects. This event is free and open to the public. |
Governor's Art Show Plein Air Quick Draw and Auction May 31st, 8:30am |
|
||
 |
 |
Tiffany Miller Russell www.wildlifeinpaper.com |
|
