Starting Again in 2015

       Well, what can I say? Another eventful year has closed with all joys and sorrows that fill our lives. These events keep us happy and bring us smiles that are the stuff of life making the holiday seasons worth the enormous effort. Looking back over the challenges and accomplishments this season we charged in full bore ahead and learned the business of art on the cutting edge.

       One of the events new to us involved the Billboard Project: "Art in the Sky", a partnership of the Greater Lansing Arts Council and AdamsOutdoor Advertising to promote the thriving arts culture in Mid-Michigan. Six local artists were selected for the new round of billboards displaying their art. I am grateful to be one of the six with my painting, Bold Beach, exhibited on Interstate 69 west of the Owosso/Perry exit (between Flint and Lansing).

Bold Beach by Joel F. Ellis, one of six works selected for the Art in the Sky Project from Greater Lansing Arts Council

       Goodall Gallery of Kentucky serves a number of clients throughout the country. In a search for one of those clients requesting specific art from various states, owner Rhonda Goodall went to the Mid-Michigan Art Guild website which led to a contact with me. Ultimately the contact led to a welcomed sale for us at the end of the year, Gold Sands, a 30 x 40 acrylic, and shipment of the painting for Pittsburgh’s PNC Tower.

Gold Sands, 30x40 acrylic on canvas, sold to represent Michigan in  States' display in Pennsylvania

       Also at the end of the year, one of my paintings, Purple Pair was selected to join other Michigan artists to honor a special plant from the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens greenhouse. The 80-year old American Agave plant grew so tall that the ceiling glass had to be removed from the greenhouse. The Agave blooming happens just once before the plant dies. This exquisite art exhibit at the historic Rackham Hall was a great honor for me to be included. The exhibit was curated by Chelsea River Gallery.

Purple Pair, 20x24 acrylic on linen, selected by Chelsea River Gallery for University of Michigan display.

       Many art venues will soon be coming up and new contacts made and yes even winter snows will return as another painting season begins and a renewed push into creative adventures.

       At one of the open houses for an art showing, I had an impassioned discussion about the arts and how we are all affected by the beauty in our environments. Michigan is a main backdrop for inspiration.  We all agreed that mid-Michigan has a rich and encouraging artist community in part because of the environment of higher education, many artist groups and many art venues. We also agreed that this area is as rich and prolific as the well-documented historically productive arts communities around the world.

Third Coast View, 30x40 acrylic, first painting by Joel F. Ellis in the new year, 2015 ,
is full of texture reflecting dune country along Michigan's coastal waters

       A good friend once said, “Bloom where you are planted.” She was so right about the blooming part. We all have to take from our experiences and environments and make the art we have been called to make.

       Wishing you and your friends and family a happy and productive new year full of beauty enriched by your environments.

Joel

www.joelellisart.com

Joel Ellis Art Virtual Gallery - Happy Holidays

The key to original art is One-of-a-kind, none other like it. That is the advantage of very special gifts of fine arts – it is the only one. Artists who create from their experience and from the heart know this extraordinary phenomenon very well. 

       The works from Joel Ellis Art during this giving season are based in the aura of original art. If you want to purchase special gifts consider the richness of the Greater Lansing Area, Michigan where art is in full bloom. My works are currently displayed at several venues in the Capitol Area including several small paintings in archival mats and clear bags at about $65 in Absolute Gallery, Shiawassee Art Center and Lansing Art Gallery:

Newfoundland  5x7 in 8x10 archival mat, one of 10 small paintings at Abolute Gallery

Cosmos Bloom 5x7 in 8x10 archival mat, small painting at
Absolute Gallery in Old Town Lansing

Absolute Gallery – Old Town Lansing    10 small works  

Great Escape 18x24  oil on canvas, at Force By Design downtown East Lansing

Force by Design – 5 mid-size and large paintings atop the Marriot Hotel East Lansing      

Wet Beach 20x24 oil on canvas, at Lansing Art Gallery, downtown Lansing near the Capitol

Lansing Art Gallery – 3 mid-sized works, plus several small, downtown Lansing         

We Are Stardust 36x36 acrylic on canvas, in the atrium of Mid-Michigan Physicians Building, Lansing 

Lansing Area Arts Connection – two large works in the atrium and a small painting, Mid-Michigan Physicians Building, Lansing

Okemos Library – in the excellent Mid-Michigan Art Guild winter show, Okemos

Northshore Waters 16x20 acrylic on canvas, exhibited at Shiawassee Art Center, Owosso

Shiawassee Art Center, Owosso – 3 mid-size paintings plus small 8x10 matted works

Abalone Dreams 20x24 acrylic on linen, at the Technology Innovations Center,
second floor above old Barnes Noble Building,  East Lansing

Technology Innovations Center – East Lansing (second floor of old Barnes & Nobles)

Wishing you all a satisfying and wholesome Holiday,

Joel

Why Artists Paint - Chinese saying, Henry James, 4-year-old artist

       A few days ago a painting was handed to me. The presenter watched my expression with an expectant glance trying to catch my reaction. The creation was all in blue circles swirling over the white paper. When an artist first sees a new painting the normal reaction is something like, how was it done and could I do this, too? The new painting was placed beside one of my mostly blue pieces and the similarity was quite remarkable. Who did this good little painting? A four-year-old created this masterpiece, a young artist reveling in the joy and exhilaration of the moment.

On Hold 16x20 at Lansing Art Gallery Holiday Show

       As artists we often get caught up in promotion and marketing, trying to arrange the next contact so we can be in the right place at the right time to catch a sale break. This can sap the spontaneity and pure joy away from the reason we are in the arts.

       The four-year-old artist got recognition and validation for his work. Isn’t that what we all seek when we put our work in public view? An ancient Chinese saying gives us insight as to why we create: In painting, the master paints not the created image, but the forces that created that image.

       We don’t know the forces working on the four-year-old and we can hardly monitor the forces that lurk in our own lives. We don’t always have time to evaluate our action as we pursue our creative passions but if we did, we might consider the writer Henry James’s often pondered three questions: 1. What was the artist trying to achieve? 2. Was the attempt successful? 3. Was the effort worth attempting?       

Agate Field in Shiawassee Art Center, Owosso, MI

       The four-year-old artist painted for the pure joy of the moment, no concerns about the market or the contact leading to public acceptance, just pure and innocent joy. Oh to have the courage of a four-year-old artist.

       Speaking of the art market, many opportunities are available this season to buy beautiful original art. Folks that are in the tri-state region of Michigan-Ohio-Indiana, or those who are returning for the holidays may want to visit several venues that I share with a host of regional artists. Be sure to support the arts during this brilliant colorful season:

We Are Stardust 36 x36 in atrium at Mid-Michigan Physicians Bldg

Lansing Art Center,119 N. Washington Sq., Lansing MI 48933  

Shiawassee Art Center, 206 Curwood Castle Drive, Owosso, MI

Rackham Hall, University of Michigan, fourth floor, to see Purple Pair in “Reaching for the Light” exhibit (show comes down December 6), contact River Gallery, curators, 120 S. Main St., Chelsea, MI (see previous blog)

Spring Marsh Song 36x36 in atrium at Mid-Michigan Physicians Building

Lansing Area Arts Commission at Mid-Michigan Physicians Building, 1540 Lake Lansing Rd, Lansing, MI, three floors of good art; Joel Ellis Art in the atrium: We Are Stardust, Spring Marsh Song

Force by Design, sixth floor of the Marriot Hotel, East Lansing, across from Charles Street Parking Ramp on Albert St, East Lansing

Evening Breeze 18x24 Lansing Art Gallery

Technology InnovationCenter, (above former Barnes and Noble building), 325 E. Grand River/downtown East Lansing; accessible from 2^nd level skywalk of Charles Street parking ramp

Mid-Michigan ArtGuild, Okemos Library, 4321 Okemos Road, Okemos, MI

Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in my work – Joel F. Ellis, paintings@joelellisart.com , 517-525-0150 or at any of the venues mentioned.

Sylvie's Beach 24x30 at Technology Innovation Center

Thank you for your interest,

Joel

Early Snow 18x24 to be in MMAG at Okemos Library

Cool Paintings for Cool Cities

       A few days ago we had a family gathering and birthday celebration, a great way to keep the summer a little longer. The house was specially cleaned and made ready for the family. A friend said the good part about a party is an excuse to really clean the house and the added bonus, tasty left

Autumn Dune Grasses, 16x20 oil on linen
(Copyright Joel F. Ellis)

overs.

       One relative guest wanted to see the studio. She was from another state and gets to Michigan once a year. She walked into another world of colors, shapes and smells. Her reaction was surprising to me.

       Oh, cool Joel, this is really cool.

       We forget the person not creating the art is entering into a whole new world. She was quick to spot the painting in progress, and not shy about talking about the parts she liked.  As a piece is “in the process” of creation we go through levels of ecstasy and dismay until all the weak parts are discovered, analyzed and improved. I have found a break from the painting process will give my eye a better insight into the improvements needed. That’s where a cup of tea comes in handy; a moment of contemplating the tea of choice for this painting session is a real plus.  A minute or so later and the fun starts up again until that next sip of tea and a chance to see the painting in progress beginning to transform by the step back and check process.

       Many years ago my university oil painting professor said it takes two people to paint a successful painting, one to apply paint and one to tell the artist when to stop. A good artist’s friend added that he wishes all artists could be more self-critical of their work. I put a little note in my journal about the comment hoping he wasn’t being tactful about my artist endeavors.

       Over the last few months we have been putting my work in for judging to get into some special shows. Some are accepted and some not, that is the process we all face in the arts. We put our efforts out to be viewed and evaluated by the audience. It would  be wonderful if all comments were “Oh, cool Joel, this is really cool.”

       As a side note – I am happy to say that two of those special shows have been accepted:

• I was one of six artists selected for the “Art in the Sky” project, a partnership with Adams Outdoor Advertising (billboards) and the Greater Lansing Arts Council. The painting, Bold Beach, (see previous blog, September1) will be presented on a billboard within a 100 mile radius of  greater Lansing to help promote the arts in our Mid-Michigan area and show how “cool” arts are in the Lansing area.
• Purple Pair, a special painting was selected by the RiverGallery for “Reaching for the Light” curated by the gallery at Rackham Hall, University of Michigan Ann Arbor campus. I am delighted by these entries and acceptance.

Welcome to a colorful autumn

Joel

Purple Pair 18x24 acrylic on linen, currently exhibited at Rackham Hall, University of Michigan
(Copyright Joel F. Ellis)

Begin with a New Canvas, and Cookies

       When we go into the studio to get back to work we have to clear all the stuff of life out of the way so the paint will fly freely. In the book Claude and Camille, the lives of the artists living and working in France during the late 1800’s, puts us in touch with their significant difficulties. For most of the painters that became known as the impressionists, life was a hand to hand struggle with poverty and the events of the emerging European nations. Some went on to be the super stars that still attract crowds to museums around the world today. Just how did they overcome these difficult times with little financial support? Looking over the pages of history, some came with a strong family financial support system while others worked day jobs. Some were fortunate to have a patron for that much needed help to keep the break-through art flowing. Having a support system can come in many forms in today’s world, from the internet world to the local artist group. We all need a little pat on the back and a kind smile to keep us going.

Bold Beach  16x20 oil on canvas

       But going back to the studio we still have to deal with the stuff of life’s issues. We still have to be in that creative zone. For me I often think how my two grandsons are doing in art school and hoping their art journey can be as rewarding and full of adventure as mine. There are so many things I have learned and would love to share, but they will learn when there is a need and they too will have their eureka moments to build on.

       And just where do we put the struggles of daily life when we look at the clean canvas and start that something new? That something new is just that, a new start that reflects the artist’s environment and is a part of the artist’s take on the happenings in their times. Some events can be horrific while others can be mellow and calming. These real life events can be the energy that propels the artist to go on to the next level and bear their soul to make that creation reflect the times we live in.    

     

Salute to Summer   30x40 acrylic on canvas

The stuff of life is important and we all deal with these events in our way, some with the printed word, others with the paint brush and some with a fresh batch of cookies. Bless the cookie maker for they will for sure make the world a sweeter place to create.

Joel
www.joelellisart.com

Goya, Picasso Speak from Courage

       Have you ever gotten lost in your favorite art museum or art gallery going from painting to painting ooing and awing and the next piece before you is a light switch? Our first reaction usually is wow what is this cool art piece? We quickly come out of our euphoria and hide a little laugh. The moment of seeing the “real world” is that moment, that sweet moment, wishing we could always see our world with that feeling.

       Now how do we get this “light switch as art” feeling in our daily lives? We could visit as much of the art that we can take in but that might be too much of a good thing. Artists prepare for the mysterious trip into their creative place each in their own way. If the artist is apprehensive and doubtful, their work will show it, but if they plunge in bravely with confidence it too will sparkle and speak to the courage it took to present the soul of the artist to the world. Picasso created some of his best art during the occupation of Paris and Goya told his stories through his creative art during the inquisition.   

       We like to think the lives of artists are courageous and confident, but in a careful reading about the lives of those well-known and remembered creators we learn they come in all backgrounds and levels of influences in their lives. In Goya’s The Third of May 1808, to help the world to experience his pain and passion, we are thrust before the firing squad. Picasso takes us to the bombing of a modern day city to experience his pain in his massive work Guernica.
       Remember the “light switch as art?” We are sensitized by our personal experiences and the times we live in. Our personal life, our circle of family and friends and beyond all blend with the events of the world we live in. Hopefully we feel the enrichment of life the artists have presented to us, the viewer. The artist’s goal is to help us see the world a little clearer and more intense so we can make a better place to live on this big blue marble slipping through space. 

The Third of May 1808 by Francisco de Goya

Enjoy this art summer, 
Joel  www.joelellisart.com 

Guernica by Pablo Picasso

Perseverance 22x27 acrylic on canvas  Joel F Ellis

Jan van Eyck Was Here, What's in a Signature

Cool of the Dunes  20x24 oil on canvas

       Signatures - we all use our personal identification every day. Artists, too, have the special identification mark we use to make things legal and official. Think back to our first checking account when we had to sign the bank paper work. We learned to practice the name over and over until we got something that looked presentable and official. The artist has the same issues to consider, our official ID and one that says, “I am the creator of this work of art.” In the beginning we do wonder, should the signature be a squiggle or a bunch of letters from our name?

       One of the first detected signatures was placed on the room’s back wall of Jan van Eyck’s The Arnolfini Portrait. It said “Jan van Eyck was here. 1434.” (Source: Secret Lives of Great Artists, Elizabeth Lunday )

       As we stroll passed the paintings on the walls of our favorite art gallery or museum take time to look at the artist’s name, is it big and bold or small and hard to find. There is a purpose for the personal ID. The artist is saying to the world “my work is finished and ready for its own life.”  Sometimes it is on the bottom right or in the painting texture of the images. The date completed can be near the inscription as well. Some artists like to put this information on the back of the support or on the stretcher bars for stretched canvas. 

When one of my favorite paintings, Cooling of the Dunes, was awarded Best in Show the judge discussed light and shadows, complementary  colors, then added that he liked the signature within the paint of the dune's edge.

Morning Fog 18x24 Signature in the painted right corner. Original sold, giclee available
Giclee uses exact matching pigments in a digital capture to reproduce from the original work.  

     Collectors of art do want to have that signature as well as the art itself. We all know the famous names and their personal note to us. Don’t we all hope to find that famous signature waiting for us in grandma’s attic?  So as an artist I pledge to sign all my work and hope my creative attempts may get into that attic of dreams just waiting to be researched in the online indexes of artists’ signatures.

       PS   Let’s not forget all the artists facing that cave wall thousands of years ago hoping to be remembered for their artistic expression and wisdom. They too left their name or even better their hand print on their communication to the futures viewers. Thanks to the cave painters and petroglyph artists in our past for showing us the way. 

Enjoy the views of original art,

Joel

www.Joelellisart.com  

Lellow 24x24 acrylic on canvas, signature left corner up the side

       

Joel preparing signature on Lellow