Recognize who you are and Go with the Flow

I adore vintage leaded and stained glass windows. My latest painting was inspired by them. Additional ideas came from a fabric design incorporating yellow and blue. These are Swedish colors from my mother’s heritage and cemented my vision. I’m currently working on the composition and will share it with you in my next blog.

This week, the assassination of Martin Luther King on April 4 was commemorated. Because of this, my featured artist is Kevin Cole, a recognized African American abstractionist who uses symbolism and color to convey his message.

Imagine using all of your anger and your pain to create something meaningful and beautiful. Using the bright colors of Africa and the symbolic representation of a noose in the form of a man’s necktie, Cole expresses the anguish he felt when he stood beneath a large tree where slaves were once hanged in great numbers when they tried to exercise their newfound right to vote. Dressed to honor the occasion, the ties they wore were used to hang them.

In many of Cole’s works, the symbolism deepens in what Kevin calls “mapping.” Slave families were split apart and sent to other plantations. Cole maps their travels in three-D shapes and symbols using the same colorful ties, tools and weapons they were beaten with if they tried to escape.

Some of Kevin's stories end up as paintings done in broad swathes of emotion and detail. Cole’s work sizzles. According to The Artist’s Magazine where Cole was featured in the September 2013 issue, “Cole’s work has a musicality born from the background of popular music, jazz, and blues that keeps Cole moving around his studio.”

Cole credits his rise and success to a former “high school teacher (Terrance Corbin) who spotted his nascent talent, and many others who encouraged him along the way, first in college and then in graduate school in Illinois.

“Art professor and mixed media artist Kevin E. Cole was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on January 19, 1960 to Jessie and Sam Cole, Jr. He received his B.S. degree in art education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 1982; his M.A. degree in art education a year later, and his M.F.A degree in drawing from Northern Illinois University in 1984.

“Cole began his art career as an art teacher at Camp Creek Middle School in College Park, Georgia in 1985. At the same time, he also became an adjunct professor at Georgia State University’s School of Art and Design where he remained until 1998. In 1990, Cole was chairperson of the visual and performing arts magnet program of Tri-Cities High School in East Point, Georgia until 1994. Later, in 2003, he became the chairman of the Fine Arts Department at Westlake High School where he created the school's first arts program.

“Cole’s artwork is well known for including imagery of neckties as symbols of power and emphasizes the relationship between color and music, particularly jazz, blues, hip-hop, and gospel. He incorporates patterns and textures from traditional African cloths to speak to human conditions and behaviors.

“In 1994, Cole was commissioned by the Coca-Cola Company to create a fifteen story mural celebrating the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. The mural took two years to create and was a little over 800 square feet. He has been featured in Who’s Who in Education and received the Award of Excellence for Public Art by the Atlanta Urban Design Commission.”  http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/kevin-cole-41 

Below Cole tells his own story and shares the inspiration for his collective works:

Kevin Cole’s personal online web portal follows if you would like to see and hear more: http://artistkcole.com 

Home Décor Trending Natural and Exotic

I love to nurse my morning cup of coffee while reading the newspaper. In the “Home Section” the trending accents are natural and exotic; a way to temper the modern geometric patterns and shapes of the present.

There’s nothing like wood and wood tones to anchor the run-away-dizziness of today’s busy patterns and blockiness. Natural woods and round shapes provide a bold statement while adding an element of curviness and softness to angular designs.

According to Mark Stewart of “The News Press” in Fort Myers, Florida, the perfect wood comes from reclaimed forests where unusual wood grains and shapes are found. This wood inspires unusual shapes for tables and functional furniture.

The “Associated Press” in an article by Beth J. Harpaz discussed the renewed popularity of “Molas,” a unique textile created in the Panama region by the Kuna people. Although China and other countries are trying to duplicate the process, if you want something authentic, look for the Kuna label.

Originally Molas were used as body art. Eventually they were made into cloth squares and turned into clothing. The process is a layering of different colored fabric, which is then cut away in a reverse appliqué technique.

Unlike the appliqué many of our mother’s did in the past to make delicate tablecloths, Kuna appliqué combines many layers rather than one. Little by little fabric is clipped away and the edges stitched to hold them down and to keep them from fraying.

Very much in demand, Molas have a folk art appeal, and are a natural and colorful way to brighten your home.

I’m a big collector of unusual woods and woody seeds and pods. I’ve also painted masks on woody palm fronds. Now I’m thinking I should polish the fronds and leave the wood natural; perhaps painting a delicate scene or using a stain on an all natural mask as the African’s do.

Keep your eyes peeled and reclaim some of the natural woods near your home. It may surprise you what you can restore and turn into something beautiful. So next time you create – think wood; think natural.

Contemporary furniture almost demands wood tones and grains to bring them down to earth and create warmth. Wood floors are not the only way to add this natural appeal. Wall art and furniture are a secondary way to bring the outdoors inside. The addition of color and live green plants are the perfect balance to complement leather furniture and modern creations.

Seeing is Believing; Quality and Professionalism Ring True

In the 60s, I saw with my own eyes the stunning perfection of the most famous sculpture of all time: The Pietà.

According to Wickipedia, “In 1964, The Pietà was lent by the Vatican to the 1964-65 New York World's Fair to be installed in the Vatican pavilion. People stood in line for hours to catch a glimpse from a conveyor moving past the sculpture. It was returned to the Vatican after the fair.^”

I was on that conveyor belt anticipating my first glimpse of the famous sculpture. The display had blue floodlights giving the white marble an aura of holiness. When it appeared, I was breathless and in awe of this magnificent work of art by Michelangelo Buonarroti. The memory has stayed in my mind as if it were yesterday. The statue's spiritual aura made indelible marks on my soul. Great art will do that!

“Made in 1498-1499, the Pietà is a world-famous work of Renaissance sculpture housed in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. It is the first of a number of works of the same theme by the artist. The statue was commissioned for the French Cardinal Jean de Bilhères, who was a representative in Rome. The sculpture, in Carrere marble, was made for the cardinal's funeral monument, but was moved to its current location, the first chapel on the right as one enters the basilica, in the 18th century. It is the only piece Michelangelo ever signed.”

"Dainty Diva" mixed media on canvas (SOLD) prints available

When you see the grandeur of something up close and personal, your perspective is changed forever. I sat on a gymnasium floor with a crowd of hundreds listening to Louis Armstrong when he was in his prime. Trumpet in one hand, handkerchief in the other, he crooned for over an hour, took a break, and then crooned for another hour. We sat spellbound swaying to the music.

We came to dance, and we melted at his feet savoring each familiar, throaty phrase.

On that same floor, I whirled with my future husband to the “Big Band” sounds of Less Brown and his Band of Renown. For most of us, this was our first experience listening to a live orchestra of singers and performers. Our tiny college town was graced by many famous performers.

Margaret Whiting and Peggy Lee serenaded us within the walls of that same cultural center. It wasn’t so much the fame that surrounded these singers, but the quality of their performance that sent tingles up my arm. Here were voices of pure perfection, smooth as honey and always on pitch. Remarkable talent witnessed first-hand.

"Tickles from God" 24 x 18 acrylic on canvas

The exquisite thrill of hearing live music or watching performers on stage surpasses any recorded performance by far. When the Army/Navy Marching Band played a concert in our town I was very young, but I will never forget. Bouncing on my seat, listening to the trumpets, trombones and percussion instruments made me a believer. Truly, seeing is believing! 

I’d love to hear of your experiences witnessing a live performance or a famous work of art. Please share with us!

Hail to the Art Council of Southwest Florida

(A folk scene with a vintage frame)

 For fifty years, the Art Council has been “the voice of Southwest Florida’s non-profit visual arts community, providing opportunities for education, exhibitions, demonstrations, and most recently an interactive website to all affiliated organizations’ artists.”

The Art Council is a Cooperative venture encompassing 18 affiliated organizations comprised of members from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades Counties with a combined membership of over 6,750 artists of which I am one.

Yesterday was my day for working at the gallery, located at Coconut Point in Estero, between Panera Bread and The World Market. Each displaying artist volunteers at least one day every other month to support the gallery in customer relations and retail sales.

When I walked into the gallery after having been away for several weeks, I was blown away. “What a classy looking gallery,” I said to myself. With over 125 artists represented, the wide variety of items, styles and types of art creates an amazingly eclectic and sophisticated display.

(bird made entirely of glazed ceramic)

The remarkable leadership is supported by board members from the various leagues represented, including qualified judges who jury in each new piece of artwork. The gallery represents top-notch artists and a magnificent array of choices for the buyer.

One couple who visited the gallery yesterday remarked: “Oh, how we wish we’d found you before we decorated our house.” Enthused and excited about what the gallery had to offer, they assured us they would be back!

One young woman, pulling a piece of luggage on wheels, was flying back to Canada in a few short hours. She rushed in to buy a polka-dotted fish made from a palm frond that she'd seen before and couldn’t get out of her mind. We helped her bubble-wrap the fish which she intended to take on the plane as “carry-on.”

Many gallery artists bring their following of clients with them which boosts sales and attendance. New artists are continually being discovered, and an awareness of art is reverberating through the surrounding communities.

If you haven’t visited the gallery, you should. If you winter in Florida or vacation here, make Coconut Point Southwest Florida Art gallery a “must see” on your agenda.

See additional paintings below. Here are links for questions or information:
www.acswf.org or / info@acswf.org

(A beautiful scene by Carol McCardle) Too high for a straight on photo.

A Day of Networking, Culture, and Culinary Fun

Glenn Gunderson "Cypress Swamp #2" painted on wood

It’s always fun to try a new restaurant. Christof’s on McGregor has renovated one of the older homes in Fort Myers and turned it into a fine dining experience. They’ve modified the huge wraparound porch adding tables and chairs for an outdoor dining area. The front lawn and spreading oak trees provide shade for a new outdoor patio with tables.

Inside, wood floors and a classy interior create a sophisticated ambiance. Separate dining areas promote privacy, and a well-stocked inviting bar welcomes diners and encourages mingling and conversation. The food is excellent.

I met some women friends and we gathered in a separate dining area where we could actually hear one another. We discussed among other things portraits. People are always curious about my art and what kind of paintings I create

Deborah Mitchell, "Bearing Witness" mixed media

I had completed a drawing of one of the women’s two grandchildren a few years ago. She showed me their pictures and how they had grown. It was amazing that these teens still resembled the children I drew so long ago. The drawings seemed to come to life. It was a great networking lunch, and several women expressed interest in having a portrait done of a favorite pet or spouse.

"Day Dreams" (my granddaughter)

I love doing portraits. I enjoy including people in all of my paintings. Somehow, the canvas seems empty without them. I do want to do more landscapes, but I know I will always want to paint people or pets; living and breathing things that have a life of their own.

"Blonde Boy" (my grandson)

"Dainty Diva" (another granddaughter 'ballerina' )

After our luncheon, I popped into the Alliance for the Arts to see their latest sculpture exhibition. Again, the focus of the competition was to use either recycled materials or items from nature that could be incorporated into the artist’s work.