Taking A Local Art Trip: Saper Gallery, Technology Businesses, Favorite Artists

Friday May 16, 2014 - A beautiful day and most of the university students have turned the town over to the locals. That means less student traffic and more art festivals and music events in the streets.  We went to the big art museum but it was closed until noon so we went to other art venues in town, what a great treat.  

Fortitude, 18x24 oil on canvas, currently at MMAG show

       In previous blogs we have noted visits to interesting venues to display our art. The last few weeks we have placed paintings in a variety of businesses supporting the local art scene. The first was the newly renovated Okemos Library, Mid Michigan Art Guild (MMAG) member show. The show highlighted the talents of members in the local art guild. The second is a start-up incubator office space for a very creative business community, the Technology Innovations Center (T.I.C.). The show was launched by live music and libations and a bonus, Maureen Ryan, one of the visual artists is also a fine vocalist. The third is a similar venue, a service center for several businesses relying on the new technologies for expansion, Force by Design. It too has wall space just waiting for the creative touch by artists. A big thank to you all for letting for us brighten your days.  

Autumn Dune Grasses, 16x20 acrylic on linen currently at Force By Design

       Our local art adventure on this brilliant day was moving along just fine, the kind of adventure that nourishes the soul, and we were not done, the morning was still young. On to our top notch and highly acclaimed art resource, Saper Gallery of East Lansing, Michigan.  We were greeted by a charming assistant who was willing to discuss the local art and how it is shaped by the bigger art world. We started discussing the works of Tunis Ponsen, a Michigan native originally from Muskegon. Tunis Ponsen is a fine mid-century oil and water colorist. Roy Saper of Saper Gallery holds a number of Ponsen beautiful works for sale. There were several fine works by other Michigan artists in the gallery. The work of an artist friend, Barbara McCleary, was its usual top form and a real treat so see in such a

Cooling of the Dunes, 20x24 oil on canvas, currently at T.I.C.

magnificent gallery setting.

       While we were having our local art adventure in East Lansing, the activity pace in town was picking up as 180 artists were moving in for the 51st East Lansing Art Festival. This should be a fun weekend. We hope some university students come back to see their city in its best artsy party mode.

Look about you for some fine art,

Joel

www.joelellisart.com  

Thomas Hart Benton, Jackson Pollock, Lee Krasner, Peggy Guggenheim Winter Companions

Winter is almost over, spring will be short and summer will be here soon. As I was looking back over my winter reading, (yes, I should have been painting, but it was a long cold winter), I found that the reading list was quite interesting and gave me a better background to this fun and crazy world of art. The main standouts were Thomas Hart Benton, Jackson Pollock, LeeKrasner and Peggy Guggenheim. The biographies all had a same theme and general geography, New York. We artists, not in N. Y., often think what would our chances be of making it big in The Big Apple. Austin Kleon’s latest book ShowYour Work points out that the new technologies such as what you are reading right now put us all in touch, artists and patrons, all over the world…. So hello world!!!

June Morning  16x20  acrylic on linen

Cosmic Spin  20x24   acrylic on linen

There were some new paintings completed this winter; one can be seen on the latest website (www.joelellisart.com), We Are Stardust. The other paintings on the website are on display around the capital city area, Michigan.

Tech advisors also say to blog and blog often and show your works in progress. Maybe I’ll try to show work in progress but, but, but that sounds like a big studio clean up session.

Enjoy the Spring flowers.

Joel 

Iris Window  16x20   acrylic on linen

Peace   20x24   acrylic on canvas

Imagination in the Technology Innovation Center East Lansing

Helene's Cosmos 16x20 watercolor

When we get started talking about the artist’s process of creating that masterpiece, the phrase, you have a lot of imagination, often comes up. If an artist looks at a vase of flowers and paints what is seen, the rendering is much like the vase of flowers, but if the flowers “spark” to the artist, a creative flow begins to takes over and a deeper meaning of flowers is revealed. The result is a piece replete with imagination. That spark is the energy that fuels the imagination for the creator and the viewer, we have completed the circle. 

We can say the art piece spoke to us, and so the circle is completed. The artist has made contact with the mysterious part of our being and we are moved.

Flowers are a source of universal beauty, but what about the painting that does not have a clear  object, that splash of colors and swirling shapes that we like to look at and try to make the canvas-dance speak to us. The artist is inspired to find an avenue of expression through the creative imagination. Another level of experience is added to take the viewer on a deeper journey. If for some reason we, the viewers, have subtle reason to resist the higher level of exploration, we might slide past the work and mutter, interesting or nice try or I don’t get it.

Eleven Wonders 16x20 acrylic on linen

Imagination can be for everyone.  We have all heard folks with their hands to their face say to no one in particular, “I guess I’m not creative enough,” or “Where do they come up with stuff.” With the non-object view of the art, the artist is trying to take us on a deeper journey to enhance the enjoyment and beauty all around us. The simple things in life take on a more significant place in our environment. We can absorb the artist’s “spark” and enjoy the experience of the creative flow.

Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures. – Henry Ward Beecher

Flowers are coming, just imagine!

Joel

www.joelellisart.com 

paintings@joelellisart.com 

Post Script:

If you are out Sunday, March 9, and in or around East Lansing, you may want to enjoy some good music and snacks and fine art for the Miscellany exhibit at the Technology Innovation Center, 1 to 3 pm. upstairs of the old Barnes and Noble building. Use the walkway on the second floor from the parking structure.

Getting Started in 2014

     

      The January thaw has come and gone and we didn't fully appreciate the warmer weather. On the positive side we do have a real winter this year with lots of snow and school closings.  Oops, there I go again, must stay positive. The New Year usually means time to make goals we hope to work on and find new paths to carry us into other directions.

       After a few weeks off, the studio needed its usual new start of cleaning and restocking painting supplies. That done, it is now time for pleasant music, a good cup of tea, and inspiration with that wonderful feeling of starting the new season. Sounds idyllic, but the first few starts this year were, well, not so good. Never fear, with a little repainting and, dare I say a little luck, new works are coming.

We are stardust 36 x 36 acrylic on canvas

       Last year I had the honor of making a presentation to the Jackson Civic Art Association. I brought the tools used in my style of moving paint over a surface. Some of the kind folks in the audience were surprised to see the ways paint can be applied. Yes I do use the traditional paint brush, but there are also many interesting and novel/daring ways to apply paint.

       After a little dumpster-diving a new tool was found - a wide vertical window shade section. The result

might have been accomplished with a painting knife but maybe not. The size and flexibility of the new tool worked well with the viscosity and volume of paint. The resulting work rendered in this challenging manner means a lot to the creator and I hope you enjoy viewing it as much as I did creating it.

       Hope those of you in the northern climes stay warm during these wintry days.

Joel

Snowy Inspirations

     We are having our first measurable snow fall on top of mounds of oak leaves. We usually go for a late autumn walk in a nearby county park that has a stream flowing through a wooded preserve. The air is crisp and colors are brilliant, all inspiration for future paintings. The milkweeds are in the going-back-to-the-earth phase of their life cycle. We hope they have nourished the next generation of Monarchs and that the butterflies will return next spring. … so far one inch of snow during this writing.

On Hold  16x20 oil on canvas

Winter Trail  oil on canvas board 9x12

     Michigan’s encouragement of the film industry has had some interesting opportunities for artists. We delivered a dozen paintings to a film shoot and hope to have some of the paintings appear in this full-length feature film.  As artists, we always try to get a good look at those background paintings. If this new adventure does take place as we expect it will, I’ll let folks know. In the meantime, keep looking at the paintings in the background on TV and movies.  … so far one and half inches of the white stuff.

Blue Ice acrylic on paper 22x24

   

     We have received a few very nice comments on the Xanadu Gallery experience, thank you. Several paintings can be viewed in the online Xanadu Gallery, search under artists, then Joel F Ellis. Xanadu has a walk-in gallery as well in Scottsdale Arizona.

    Outreach is an interesting experience. The actual non-painting time of this artist’s life is sometimes challenging, especially trying to get the paintings “out there” for visibility. Speaking of “out there”, the snow is accumulating. Time to get the snow shovel. Oh the price we pay to live in Michigan.

Joel

www.joelellisart.com

Early snow 18x24 acrylic on board

Winter Barn  18x24  acrylic on canvas

For Best Results: Patience Required

        Have you ever started a project and find it is more consuming than you anticipated? Early last year, as the weather was warming, a large 48”by 60” canvas came my way. It sat for a few weeks until the weather was perfect to paint outside. On a designated day, the deck was prepared for the project because the studio is too small to handle big paintings. Inspiration got the paint moving but like some efforts it just did not work out.

       The big oil painting had lots of thick paint piled on but not in a pleasing artistic manner. It was stored in the studio through the next year. Again the large surface came out for another go. This time the studio was made more spacious and the canvas was set on risers. To paint the lower third I sat on a small bench and later got down on the floor with paint brush in hand. For the first time I experienced a sense of the effort and great work applied to the ceiling of the Sistine chapel. I was humbled my meager attempts. Again the outcome was unsatisfactory and I tucked the big canvas away for a later day.

       In early autumn this year the painting called me back for another attempt. Some furniture was removed from the studio making more space for you know what, yes, the big canvas. This time the tea and music fit perfectly. The mood was right. Now to get the previous under paintings to work with me. The stormy sky appeared with some previous texture showing. Soon mist and trees played nicely together creating a mysterious sense of peace. Next I revisited the foreground, not too much, just a little defining of shapes. 

Highland Ridge  60" h x 48"w oil on canvas

       Wow, could it be that all elements finally came together? Yes, after more than a year and three starts Highland Ridge with its forest moods through texture and color emerged. Visitors to the studio have confirmed my positive feeling for this work. I am so glad I did not destroy the canvas out of frustration. St. Francis is reported to have told us, “Have patience with all things, but, first of all with yourself.” 

       Thank you for visiting my blog on the life of an artist. Please be sure to check the website, www.joelellisart.com, and work on the Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale Arizona.

Joel             

Joel Ellis in Xanadu Gallery

Hello – Welcome to Fall! Marc Chagall gives one of the important lessons of art, “All colors are the friends of their neighbors and the lovers of their opposites.”  My color wheel is almost worn out. Time to get another and study once again the friends and lovers in the scheme of color.

Traverse Morning  15 x 18  oil on canvas

        Color is an important part of my paintings exhibited online in the Xanadu Gallery website, www.xanadugallery.com , under artists in the menu find the work under Ellis, Joel. I am excited about this new outreach of my work and hope you will check it out. Also new work is presented on my own website, www.joelellisart.com

       I hope you are able to enjoy this beautiful colorful season.

Joel

Earth Cycle  18 x 24  acrylic on linen, currently in online exhibit of Xanadu Gallery