VAN GOGH IN WASHINGTON D.C.

June Langford Berkley and Elizabeth Gordon

June Berkley and Ann Suggs

PHILLIPS COLLECTION(click)      VAN GOGH REPETITIONS
OCTOBER 12-JANUARY 26

The Postman by Van Gogh       google image for education only

The Postman       by Van Gogh              Google image for education only

Here we are outside the Phillips  Collection for the special exhibition Van Gogh's Repetition. It is a wonderful exhibition with several renditions of the same subject in which Van Gogh is studying light, color or composition. It is a wonderful show with supportive note books, letters and drawings.  The Phillips is always a joy, but this makes it even more special.  You can also enjoy a very inclusive gift shop and great coffee.  The book store is carrying the companion book on the exhibit.  I always think these are great values, as they are a limited printing and rarely accessible later.
  
PLEASE TREAT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY TO A UNIQUE ART COLLECTION AND EXHIBITION.

WHY YOU SHOULD TRY TO UNDERSTAND TO THE ART YOU HATE!

I know what I like!

Art is in the eye of the beholder.

A child could do that! 

These are all expressions one hears about art and often it is in response to art that we either don't understand or that we have a strong reaction to.

Art is constantly evolving and changing as well as peoples reaction to art. TODAY Impressionism is still one of the most popular art forms, but only a short time ago it was rejected by the art critics and public of the time.  Impressionists had to hire their own space to show their work to even have it shown to the public. Before Impressionism art was less colorful and more exacting in realistic replication.  It was called sloppy, junk, and blurs in the newspapers in Paris and art collectors snubbed Impressionists artists of the day. So why the strong reaction of the critics, the public and the news papers...why were people so stunned by this new art style?

If anything, what came to be called Impressionism was a natural consequence of confluent forces, social, technological, and economic, as well as aesthetic.

Monet's Water Lilly's      Impressionism      
from google only for the purposes of education

"Change was inevitable. Whenever art becomes institutionalized and rigid in terms of what is and isn’t permissible, artists are going to seek new solutions to old challenges. The history of art is a continual response to changing social conventions, political events, and cultural influences, and the second half of the 19th century in Europe was especially volatile.
Among other things, technology was developing rapidly and dramatically. Industrialization had taken hold, and the steam engine was becoming practical, facilitating rail and ship travel. Most important to the history of art, photography had made enormous strides since its introduction by Niepce and Daguerre in 1839,² and it contributed to the rise of Impressionism in a surprising way.

For the Impressionist painters photography could tell them what something looked like, but not how one saw it.

It’s easy to think of photography vs. painting in terms of reality vs. a transformed version of reality, but that’s deceptive. For the Impressionist painters photography could tell them what something looked like, but nothow one saw it. Early black and white photographs were a record of what was at the moment the photo was taken, but it couldn’t come close to replicating the experience of seeing." From the article by  by John Crowther  

Neo-Classism was the accepted art of the day
from google image for education only

So we evolve from handprints on caves to Egyptian body image to Da Vinci's anatomically correct bodies, from the Greeks' perfect proportion to raised perspective to 3 dimensional.  We learn more, we invent something else and things change along with peoples ideas about art.  Even artists disagree about what is good art and what is not.  We ask our selves the basic question of what is art.   Duchamp's r.e. Mutt presented confronted us with that dilemma.

Marcel Duchamp, Surrealist questioning " What is Art"

So do you have to like something you do not like, No.  But you do need to ask yourself why...why do I react to this?  Is it because I can 't understand it or is it another reason?  To have an open mind, to be curious and to react are what artists hope for in their public.  

Artists basically reflect our times, values, and questions back to us, that is their basic function...shaman of their times.  It may be an in your face selection, a pleasant non threatening reflection, it may ask you to think or feel or experience, but art does ask something of us.  Man will always replicate his world and environment in visual elements, as well as, reenactment as drama, and in music.  We constantly seek to understand the world around us and our experiences in that world.  Art is the first language of man and since time began we seek to increase our vocabulary.
by Elizabeth Gordon, Rms

IT'S A SMALL SMALL WORLD OF ART

LESLIE KNOWS BARBARA, I KNOW LESLIE, I INTRODUCE LESLIE TO MARK AND LYMAN, AND NOW WE ALL KNOW BARBARA.

BARBARA FISHER/ARTIST

                                        from google image for educational purposes only

Sometimes things are so happenstance in how they turn out.

Leslie Neuman, a wonderful painter, whom we all recently met and become friends with, just so happens to have a friend who is an artist in Asheville.  Barbara Fisher and Leslie Neuman as it turns out have been friends since middle school. 

from google image for educational purposes only

 So recently when in Asheville Mark and Lyman, who were visiting us at Rabbit's Moon Studio,  suggested we go meet her at her studio in the River Arts District.   It was a wonderful visit for everyone.  Barbara was amazed we knew Leslie and our all of our common connections.  As a result of our networking we got to meet a new painter, see her work and studio.  It was invigorating for all of us.  As creative people to meet and see other creatives doing what we all want to do...have a studio and be invested totally in their art, gets the motivation and creative juices going.  And just making new friends in the arts is another huge bonus.

Ann, Barbara, Mark, Lyman

Me, Barbara, Mark, Lyman

Barbara's work is amazing. I first 

thought her paintings were encaustic art.

She told me that people often think

that.  She paints with acrylic, but has a method of sanding and refining that makes the work have the same feeling of soft depth that encaustic has.  Her studio is a wonderful space in the River Arts District in Asheville, a community of 180 artists. Barbara has lived and painted in Asheville for over 7 years and was one of the original pioneers of the River Arts District.  

In her studio you can see the evolution of her style over the years from a tighter more figurative work to her present looser more abstract soulful art.  Beautiful work and a beautiful person. We all feel fortunate to have made the connection to a new artist and friend in the arts.
If you are in Asheville make sure you go by the studio and meet Barbara and treat yourself to  her work.  If you are on line go to Nathan Mark Phillips site and view his wonderful digital collage.  

THE VALUE OF CONNECTING IN THE ARTS/AN AMERICAN JOURNEY

AN ARTIST JOURNEY

Martin and Barbara Stynes arrive in the USA.  The excitement of the adventure shows on their faces.  Martin is a British Abstract landscape artist and his wife Barbara is an artist as well.  Martin and I met on line as a result of the Rabbit's Moon Studio blog. 

Martin Stynes, British Landscape Artist

 We became friends on line and chatted for a couple of years.  We talked about art, making art, artist blocks, and idea in depth.  We began to become good friends who talked weekly.  I began to know Martin's family and friends through his posts.  It was evident he was an exceptional person and artist.  The idea began to germinate that bringing his work to America would be beneficial for him and us.  So he began to enter his work in exhibitions in Florida.  Then the idea began to form of bringing Martin to the USA.  The more we talked the more exciting it became and the more possible it seemed.  After many conversations and initial plans one plan emerged and with Kathie O'Leary's help we figured out a way to host Martin and Barbara state side.  I would pick Martin up in Orlando, he would rest a few days at my house, the we would have an art party at Lyman and Marks, they would then spend a week with Kathie and her husband Bill on the beach, I would then pick them up and off the Charleston to stay at my brother and sister in law's for a couple of days and then on to Asheville for another week.  For British who are not used to driving long distances they did very well.  Martin was able to network with artist and galleries in each area.  He was also able to see the art scene in each area and its differences.  We met other artists in each area and had wonderful discussions.  I will ask Martin to write a few post of his experiences and thoughts about his trip to put here for you to read.  

In many respects this was a risk for Martin and me, we had never met except on line, but we felt we knew each other pretty well and a level of trust had built up over the years.  And after meeting Martin in person I can tell you he is exactly the same sweet, kind, honest, thoughtful, creative person I thought he was.  

The value of reaching out to other artists, to other cultures, to exchange ideas is a highly valuable one, that is beneficial to all involved.  Consider the building of understanding, the sharing of common ideas as a creative person, the ability to see through another persons cultural lens, and to build bridges between countries and cultures.  I think the arts are the single most important way to accomplish understanding and peace in this world that is so torn with conflict and misunderstanding.  I urge you to build bridges, reach out as Martin and I have.  Let this be the beginning of a movement that creates a pathway of artists sharing and creating.  Join the movement, invite and artist to your country, host them, introduce them to other artists and galleries, put on joint shows, invite other artists, and above all build tolerance, understanding and good will!

British Abstract Landscape Artist Martin Stynes and his artist wife Barbara arrive in America.

Martin and Barbara explore the tropical

The Hosting Partners meet at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor to plan
Martin and Barbara's American stay:starting on the right, Martin, Ann, Bill,
Kathie, Barbara, and me.

AN ART PARTY!  Lyman Zobel and Mark Phillips hosted an art party with myself and Ann for Martin and Barbara at their lovely artsy home.  Present were some of the finest artist and gallery owners in our area.  From right to left: Barbara Stynes, myself, Michelle Teugle, Leslie Neuman, Rose Marie Prins, and Betsy Lester.

Martin sharing ideas

Martin and Barbara in the foreground and James Michaels
painting in the background.  Lyman and Mark are avid collectors
of Michaels' work.

Barbara on Bellair Beach in Florida enjoying the sound of the surf.

Martin in Charleston discussing the news with April Gordon,
Charleston, S.C. host and my sister -in-law

MARTIN 

IN DEEP AND THOUGHTFUL 

DISCUSSION   

Helping to host an Asheville Deck Party

Martin and Barbara reading and relaxing in Asheville

Ann on the left, Martin, and myself eating at the Stoney Knob
Cafe, a funky artsy dinner.  Great food and fun.

The Blue Ridge Mountain air brings deep relaxation

Martin tasting a bit of mountain spirits, the real stuff, Moonshine.

Martin and Barbara in the mountains of the Blue Ridge

Martin and Barbara sitting in the Wild Berry Bed and Breakfast 

Dumont Cooke and Judy Baker host Martin and Barbara for cocktails at their
modern industrial style mountain house with a million dollar view.

Martin and Barbara enjoying meeting new friends

Barbara trying to capture that million dollar view

If you can't be a cowboy in America where can you be!?

Martin meets Botanical illustrator and artist in Asheville gallery

Leonardo Da Vinci was Barbara's constant companion,
better known as Vinci

Martin with a special liquid glow of enjoyment

Barbara finding Souther American handicrafts to take back to England

Barbara, the artist, with camera in hand

IT IS MY HOPE THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF VISITS AND SHARING, THAT MUCH GOOD WILL COME FROM THIS.  ANN AND I PLAN TO VISIT MARTIN AND BARBARA IN MANCHESTER, ENGLAND.  WE HOPE TO MEET OTHER ARTIST, VISIT GALLERIES, SHARE OUR WORK, AND CREATE. I SEE THIS AS THE FOUNDATION OF A BRIDGE THAT WE ARE BUILDING THAT MANY MAY TRAVEL BACK AND FORTH ON. 

 IF YOU WANT MORE IDEAS ON INVITING AND HOSTING ARTISTS IN YOUR AREA, CONTACT ME AT RABBITS5@AOL.COM. I PROMISE YOU THIS IS AN EXPERIENCE YOU WILL CHERISH AS I DO!

HANDS ACROSS THE OCEAN IN ART

ALONG CAME MARTIN

(STYNES THAT IS)

AND BARBARA NOT FAR BEHIND, LEAVING ENGLAND BEHIND THEY FLEW ACROSS THE ATLANTIC TO SEARCH OUT NEW WORLDS AS THE BRITISH ARE FOND OF DOING.  

Artists have away of connecting quite unlike any other group.  The arts are a universal language, after all, that all can understand.  So art connected Martin with other artists as our common bond from one land to another.  Through Facebook and the internet we became friends and our circle grew through the years.  The love of art is a strong connector.  After sharing and talking about art for a couple of years and the awe we had in Martins paintings we planned an meeting.  Could he come to America?  What seemed like a dream came true when Martin and his wife Barbara arrived on the sunny shores of Tampa Bay.  And what a delight it has been.  The sweetest and kindest of people they have reached out to the art community with great interest and generosity. Last evening we had a wonderful art party!

Leslie Neuman, Michelle Tuegel, Betsy Gordon, David Bewley, Pete Sheppard, Bob Teugel, Martin Stynes, Barbara Stynes, Lyman Zobel, and Rose Marie Prins delight in sharing ideas about art.

Wild Girls of the Arts!!!

Nathan Mark Phillips and Lyman Zobel helped us host our British friends in their house with 15 other area artists.  It was a charmed evening where creativity flowed as generously as the wine, and art and conversation was woven like fine sparking thread into a beautiful weaving. Everyone was sharing what they had been up to and David told us he had sold one of his major pieces. Kathie O'Leary talked about taking Martin to the beach and visiting more galleries and museums.  Michelle told us how her new gallery in downtown St. Pete is going and art sales from the view of the gallery owner.  Martin talked about the difference of the British art scene to that of America. Joyce Ely Walker talked about artist residencies she had done.  Rose Marie Prins talked about her new Best of Show Award and one woman show.  Mark showed his new e-book of Southern Gothic digital collages, and everyone was in awe of his work.  Ann shared her Found Object Collage Arrows and Michelle thought they might be perfect for her gallery Christmas show.  Betsy Lester talked about her classes and teaching art and encouraged Betsy Gordon to join her classes at the Morean Art Center.  Lyman talked about yoga and his master class studies.  Leslie Neuman talked about her wonderful home and studio in Aripeka and her paintings.  Everyone brought pot luck Southern food to share with our British friends.  There was so much food that Mark and Lyman can eat for a long long time.  Pulled pork BBQ, grilled chicken, baked beans, black eyed peas, Corn bread, salads, fried okra, dips, pies galore(pumpkin, key lime, banana cream and more).  I think we will ask all the artists to share their recipes with you from this evening as well! 

Martin in deep conversation with Bob and David

Lyman and Rose Marie Prins show the delight sharing art can bring

Me and B'Easy the dog, David, Pete and Tom.

Kathie O'Leary sneaking away from Lyman and Rose Marie

AND THIS LITTLE FELLOW SAYS IT ALL, " WELL WHAT DID YOU EXPECT EXCEPT AN EVENING OF MIRACLES?!" 
AND THE LAST THING SAID BY ALL IS WHEN IS THE NEXT ART PARTY!?