An Artist in the Making

The Education of Quinton Merada, An Artist

Quinton and his Mother, Denise

I first heard Quinton's name from my elementary art teacher friend Maryanne Hamilton.  She had this wonderful student who had a great family she told me about.   She also told me he was very talented. Through the years she stayed friends with Quinton and his Mother, Denise.
 Quinton we on to an art magnate middle school where another friend of mine was an art teacher.  Julie Smith is an exceptional middle school art teacher. So I continued to hear  about this talented fine young man through time. 
  And this past week I ran into him again with his Mother and friends at his senior art show at the Morean Art Center with his art magnate high school (Pinellas Center for the Arts).  It is adynamic show with all of the art teachers showing their work with a student senior show. 

Colored pencil drawing  by Quinton

Quinton had some of the finest art teachers one could have from a public education system that supports the arts.  He was fortunate, not all school system support the arts and many talented artists do not receive the education and support they need to succeed.    
His work is exceptional, his talent outstanding and his skills polished by fine teachers and a supportive family and community. 

UPDATE: Out of 200,000, Quinton chosen among top students for National Scholastic Award of Arts! A Trip to NYC for Award!

THE RIPPLE EFFECT IN ART

This was once a seafood packing plant before renovation
with over 7,800 sq. ft 

THE SEAFOOD WAREHOUSE THAT BECAME A STUDIO!
the vision of one artist is a role model for others  in the arts

ONE PERSON HERE, ONE PERSON THERE, A TEACHER, AN ART LOVER, A PARENT, A GROUP THAT JOINS TOGETHER IN COMMON PASSION, THAT IS HOW IT STARTS...THE RIPPLE GOES OUT, THE SEEDS ARE DROPPED!

I can tell you in every community all around the world, large or small this is how it begins with one person with dedication and passion who effects another or many.  Their influence bathes others in their light of creativity and vision, and then like a planted seed it takes growth.  Duncan McClellen's Studio warehouse is one successful example.

Main gallery of Duncan Mc Clellen's Studio

How can I be so certain this is the path you may ask?  It has been my journey, I answer.  I have been an artist and arts teacher for well over 37 years.  As an artist I have practiced much longer.  I have also been an active art advocate all those years and to present. I have sat on art council and lobbied for the arts at our state capital.  I have seen how one person or a small group of dedicated people can change attitudes and communities.   

Living Room of studio, off to the left is the deck below

Front deck has sculptures, exotic fruit trees and seating

The element of fire is in several areas, carrying out the image of fire in the
process of glass blowing

Now envision your town, your area, your village, neighborhood or wherever you are in the world.  Do not think of money or resources, not right away.  Think of a dream, think of a vision, think of a passion you have in art.  Start with your talents and abilities, join with others who have other abilities with a vision or dream...that is how is comes into reality...that and a lot of hard work. Ah, one more thing...always be generous to other artists, students, schools, and patrons!

Bar with Duncan's etchings on the side deck of warehouse

In  future post we will look at other artists and communities that have transformed warehouses and depressed areas into art studio's, art centers, and art class areas that in turn build a more vibrant community.

A SHINING STAR

ONE  STAR OF THE SUPER BOWL WEEKEND OF ART

Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg

JOSEPH CAVALIERI  

Madonna in Prada  by Joseph Cavalieri                   photo by Elizabeth Gordon

Joseph Cavalieri and me at Duncan McClellan's Glass Studio Open House
Wonderful work, wonderful artist, and nice guy!

 Some people are just good people, they are good, kind and humble.  Joseph Cavalieri is an very talented artist who is fascinating to talk to, down to Earth and extremely generous.
Joseph is also a very talented and energetic man.  His work is highly detailed and crafted.  There is an element of surprise to every piece.  It is almost art come alive, for the light of the glass and colors feel like a living thing.

Joseph Cavalieri's work is at times wonderfully humorous if not a bit

cheeky and serious with historyview from a modern touch 

Meeting my cousin Lisa for the first time at Joseph's show! Lisa and her

husband are huge supporters of the Arts in our area.  Two of her sons are

artists themselves.  A community that invests in the arts has many champions.

R Crumb Influence is wonderful in these art pieces 

Duncan McClellen's Glass Studio where Joseph's work was

shown.  Duncan is very generous with other artists, supporting,

encouraging and promoting.  

A NIGHT OF ART, A SUPER NIGHT OF ART!

The Art Walk

The Glass Art of Steven Rolfe Powell

I promised you pictures and here they are.  It was a super bowl night of the arts in St. Petersburg!  Dale Chihuly spoke, Morean Art show of master teachers from the Pinellas Center for the Arts and students was a block buster, Michelle Tuegel's gallery opening, the Train Depot Pottery complex, and Duncan McClellen's huge fancier than ever, studio and ever expanding hot shop!!!  Duncan had two visiting artist that knocked it out of the park with their collections and demonstrations : Steven Rolfe Powell and Joseph Cavalieri. 

Stadium Seats to View Art!!!  That is Big!  

You would think it was a rock star, but no, it is a glass star!!!  Steven Powell is a start in the glass blowing world and here he wows the crowd with his awesome talent.  I am trying to think when I ever saw stadium seats set up for the viewing of art. It is just so impressive there are almost no words.  If you doubt for one minute the power of art, the just look at these pictures. Now imagine what your community might do.  This was once a dream in Duncan Mc Clellen's mind...only a thought, only an idea.  But then with vision and leadership he made it a reality.  It is evidence of what one person can do, when they have passion and persistence.  Of course there are many others supporting and helping, many who have become partners along the way...but first there must be the spark that catches flame.  I am not sure how this community will ever thank Duncan for all he has done.  I hope you have a Duncan in your community or perhaps, with his example, you will become a leader of the arts.

Pack crowds, standing room only left!

The fire is roaring hot, the glass is molten, art is about to
happen!

Steven describes the process of glass blowing

Viewing Joseph Cavelieri's Awesome stained glass art

Stunning Decks at Duncan Mc Clellen's Studio

The night is set for art and the crowds are coming

Duncan has a flare for style with his designs etched on the bar!

Studio living Room and hall gallery

Entering the huge doors of Duncan's expansive studio

THE ART WALK

Community and Art-A Very Good Thing!

from google image for educational purposes only

I am not sure whether your community does this or not, but it is a great idea.  Get art shops, galleries, artists studio's, and museums to all open up on one night a month.  It promotes community gathering and it helps a town economically.  So it is a win-win situation.  Tonight my area is having one of their monthly art walks and I plan to attend and take friends.
Even if you live in a very small town or village you can organize something similar to this.  Get people who sell food, their crafts and art, get people in your neighborhood out to meet, eat and talk.  I don't care how small a gathering is, you can make it work.  And it is a good thing, a positive thing, and a peaceful thing.  It doesn't have to involve politics, arguments, violence or disagreement-all things our world is too full of.  Build positive good things in your town or village and I promise you it will reap rewards, like a pebble dropped in a pond, the good will ripple outward wider and wider.
And tomorrow my in my post I will share my experience with you.

A SHINING WEEKEND OF GLASS ARTS

Steven Rolf Powell                               Glass Artist

St. Pete once again proves it is an Art Town!
When a community focuses on the arts it enriches itself economically and culturally.

Dali Museum Art Night Opening

On the Florida Gulf Coast in the middle of the state lies an area that comprises the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg and surrounding areas.  It is becoming known as the Tampa Bay Area. The communities are blending in ways that make them almost one big city and that is a good thing. There is much art in both areas, and together it is a wonderful offering for those who live there and those who visit.

Steven Rolf Powell    Glass Artist                              from google for educational purposes only

Dale Chihuly at his new St. Petersburg Museum

This is going to be a great weekend of glass arts in the Tampa Bay Area.  St. Petersburg really has become a town that puts a huge focus on the arts. First it was the Museum of Art, then came Dali Museum, the Morean Art Center, the Florida Craftsmen Guild, the Train Depot(clay center), and now a new stunning Dali museum and the Chihuly Museum. 

Duncan Mc Clellen's Art Warehouse Studio, the hub of the warehouse arts district

 Duncan Mc Clellen's huge warehouse studio will be buzzing with an open house and guest glass artists demonstrating and showing their work. 

Joseph Cavalieri 

Duncan McClellen's  Wave 

Joseph Cavalieri will be there and Steven Powell.  Dale Chihuly will be in town speaking at the Vinoy and highlighting his museum in St. Pete. (the only museum of his work in the USA other than his home of Seattle). 
 Wow! What a weekend!  And there is an art walk with all the galleries and museum open this weekend!!!

THE OUTDOOR ART SHOW, AN ADVENTURE

Gasparilla        Art            Festival(click)

Largest Outdoor Art Festival

Photography booth

I admire anyone who does outdoor festivals.  I did shows for many years. I did them for  years on top of a full teaching career.  I remember it very well.  On Wednesday nights after working all day at school I would come home and start the loading of my fan.  The process took two evenings, then I would be ready to head out on Saturday morning to where ever the show was to set up early before the judges came around.  Usually I arrived at 7am because the booth set up took two hours.  Then you wait for the judges to come around and view your work.  You are already tired before the show starts.  Once the booth is set up and the public comes, you are on stage talking about your work, answering questions of all kinds, and pretending not to listen to criticism or remarks that could have been made out of your presence.  Next your job is to sit with your work all day and be a meeter greeter and translator of your work.  It is not for the thin skinned, people will say anything and oddly enough that is a good thing.  Once you learn to know the remarks people make come from their level of understanding of art, and that not everyone is going to like everything then you learn not to take the criticism personally.  It builds a strength and self confidence in you as an artist that is hard to get anywhere else. 

I think the  statue is  Balancing, but I just love the whole photo,
like she is on a runway taking off and the man to left is so unaware.

Showing your work whether at outdoor shows, galleries, or other venues is an important step in being an artist.  You can paint or sculpt your heart out, but only when you take the risk to show to others that you truly gain self confidence in your self and your work.   for several years on top of a full teaching career.

  I remember the process very well.  On Wednesday nights after working all day at school, I would come home and start the loading of my fan.  The process took two to three evenings, then I would be ready to head out on Saturday morning to what ever town the show was in to set up early before the judges came around.  Usually I arrived at 7am because the booth set up took two hours and judges walked around before 9am.

  Then you wait for the judges to come around and view your work.  You are already tired before the show starts.  Once the booth is set up and the public comes, you are on stage talking about your work, answering questions of all kinds, and pretending not to listen to criticism or remarks that could have been made out of your presence.  Next your job is to sit with your work all day and be a meeter greeter and translator of your work.  It is not for the thin skinned, people will say anything and oddly enough that is a good thing. 

 Once you learn to know the remarks people make come from their level of understanding of art, and that not everyone is going to like everything then you learn not to take the criticism personally.  It builds a strength and self confidence in you as an artist that is hard to get anywhere else. Showing your work whether at outdoor shows, galleries, or other venues is an important step in being an artist.  You can paint or sculpt your heart out, but only when you take the risk to show to others that you truly gain self confidence in your self and your work.  

Another element in showing outdoors is the elements, the weather.  It can be cold and windy, hot and still, it can be raining and wind gusts that blow your work and tent down.  The sun can beat down and humidity can make a small atrium out of your glass framed work.  

Lover looking the minarets of Tampa University the art show is packed.

So, when I did outdoor shows, after the set up, I sat with my work until closing on Saturday, then came the securing of the tent before you could leave and go stay in your hotel.  On Sunday up again, off to the show to sit to closing.  I would then take it down, pack it in the van, drive home and unload.  About 9pm I was finished and ready for bed, and up at 5:45am the next day for school.  It was quite a routine, so I lasted about 3 years and then decided it was indoor shows from then on for me.  

I enjoyed meeting other artists and sharing.  I enjoyed meeting people who truly loved art and talking with interest and curiosity about my work. I also knew I was growing as an artist to show and take criticism in stride.

But it was not easy, so I truly admire people who do this for a living.



Mary Proctor (click for more information) is what we call an Outsider Artist.  She is self taught and her works her truly her own unique vision and expression of her creativity.  She is in several books on folk artist in America.  She is a charming, bubbly, smiling person who works hard to show her work, no matter great personal challenges in her life.  I love her work and you will too.  She lives in Tallahassee, the capital of Florida, so close to Alabama it is oft called lower Alabama. 

Mary Proctor is an Outsider artist of some renown.

Lyn Whipple(click) is a delightful person who is very engaging and a very creative artist.  Her husband John Whipple is a wonderful painter!  John's Mother is a jeweler and artist.  It is all in the family!

Lyn Whipple tries out a banjo while I buy a piece of her work

A cool windy day, storm clouds gathering, but the show is still packed with people.  The arts win today!

Large hand thrown and hand built piece.df    

Gasparilla Art Show is one of the South Largest Outdoor
Art Shows, packed even on stormy days.

Even Dogs become works of art.

I hope when you go to outdoor shows this has given you an appreciation of the hard work the artists go through to be able to share their work with you.  And if you wonder why art cost as much as it does then it helps to know fees for booths and judging are high, that hotels and gas are part of the artist cost, as well as materials, time in the studio, advertising of work, and many other hidden fees.  And if you still think it is too much, look in where the artist park their cars and see what they are driving.  There are no Mercedes or Jaguars there, usually old vans that bump along and carry lots of art!

The Success of Intent and Passion in the Arts

THE MAKING OF AN ARTIST
NATHAN MARK PHILlIPS 

Nathan Mark Phillips      Digital Collage Artist
photo by Elizabeth Gordon

Tribute to Neil Armstron by Nathan Mark Phillips
with artist permission

Wayne Dryer, Julia Cameron, and others write about the mystical, but they are actually realistic elements that make for success in areas of our lives.  Julia Cameron writes specifically about art.  And there is also a book about Art by Steven Pressfield named The War of Art. I can remember when  Mark told me he was reading this wonderful book and he felt it set him back on his heels...that it directly says if you want to achieve in art you must treat approaching it like a job and dedicate yourself to it.  It is a kind of a boot camp for artists, but a very practical one beyond the thought that one must wait for the mood to create.  It completely changed Mark's outlook and output.  His art grew and grew, he evolved and blossomed.  It is literally amazing to see the progress, but it reminded me that true intent, dedication, and hard work pay off...but there must also be passion or the other three are left wanting.    

 Mark is now taking the first steps in building his career and I think it is a good role model for any artist. 

 First the work and learning skills and technique, second the application, third the reaching out to show and share.  Some stages are easier for some people than others, but I would say sharing is the hardest.  Art is an intensely personal thing, from deep inside one and your art is your creation-your expression of your creativity.  So when you share that with others, you are opened to acceptance or rejection, criticism or praise, or a non-reaction (which can be the most damning). 

Opening Night

Mark has now reached the stage of showing and sharing which is hard for him, as it was for me also. Mark is a private person, but he has and he said, stepped out of his comfort zone, to progress.  His work is now in a local gallery and he has built a shop on line and a blog.  

Newer Work by Nathan Mark Phillips
photo with artists permission

His work is wonderful and all along the way Mark has ask for advise from fellow artists and friends.  He has listened and ask for critical advise. All of these steps are well thought out and practical as he builds his career.  And one other element is hard work. Mark is prolific in his output and application to his craft. I predict a very successful career for Nathan Mark Philips.  I suggest you follow his progress, buy his work before he becomes famous, and become a fan of an artist on the move.

What Artists See

VISION IS SEEING WHAT OTHERS DO NOT.
JONATHAN SWIFT

Ai Weiwei   Chinese Artist   Washington D.C.
Hirshhorn Museum

  

Uniqueness of An Artists Vision

NO GREAT ARTIST SEES THINGS AS THEY ARE, OR THEY

WOULD CEASE BEING GREAT ARTIST.  oscar wilde

Dali Museum St. Petersburg Florida photo by elizabeth gordon

A Family in Art/The City has Done a Good Thing

Hyde Park Art Studio Art Family

This is a group of great women for all parts of town, with all different backgrounds and all ages, but the one thing they have in common is the love of art and a great sense of humor.  Art can bring out the best in people and this group acts like a family because they care and share.  Many have supported each other through losses of husbands or family members due to illness and death, divorce, marriage, new grandkids, the loss of jobs, and the gain of new jobs, and friends moving away.   This picture was take as Chris, in the center, was moving away after coming to classes for more than 10 years.  I can truly say this group helped me heal for two years after a devastating illness.  Art, humor and caring were just what the doctor ordered.  Some are wheel throwers, others hand builders in clay, and others fused glass artists..but they all create!
The city has done a very good thing in offering art classes on a high level with trained teachers...there is need all over this city, your city, and the world for places where art is done in a community of caring, loving and supportive environment...it builds lives and communities.