Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Show - Day 16 - Saturday, June 12, 2010

Last day for most of us - very hot and sticky without a breeze! But people were out, about and moving - the Farmers Market was in full swing - Shuler's peaches from the upstate, fresh lowcountry corn, okra and squash - both Carol Gardner and I did our grocery shopping this morning. We were sitting with the fan on full blast and the most wonderful hat came by! 

Naomi Doddington, vintage hat and dog!

 We had a great chat with Naomi, who is an artist and who works with Bottles n Brushes in Mt. Pleasant.  I told her about my great vintage hat from the flea market in Paris that I wore to the Anglican Church and then on to the Louvre:

Le Chapeau Parisienne

It was so hot today that it was difficult not to fall asleep if you were under your umbrella with your fan full blast in your face although perhaps we were simply resting and reserving our strength for 5:00 pm when the booth breakdown began. Much easier than set-up but by the 16th day in this heat, the artists just want to get through this as soon as possible and home to collapse in the air conditioning.

Time to go home.

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Show - Day 15 - Friday, June 11, 2010

Today was sweltering hot and sticky. Zero breeze.  We drank lots of water and more family and friends stopped by to say hello as they headed toward anything with airconditioning.

Family from here who now live off, like in Richmond, VA...

Julian, Susan and David Mills

My cousins, Susan Mills (nee Mikell from Edisto) and her sister, Pie Mikell, came by with Susan's husband, David, and their youngest son, Julian. Julian is enjoying "quality time" alone with his parents since his older brother, Nelson, is on a trip abroad.  It was great to see them, but we missed Nelson.  However, I doubt seriously that he missed us since he is in Paris and getting ready to go to Rome...

Later, Miss Callie Sanders came by with her MyMy and Poppy (Boo and Hugh Wilson), who are like family to me.  Callie was being coy and decided she didn't want her picture taken so I could only get her "on the run" and this 3 year old is fast!

Miss Callie Sanders

About lunchtime, Queen Victoria, our show co-coordinator, determined that it was time to present K.C. Collins, winner of "Best In Show - The Mayor's Award 2010", with her quite nice and substantial check. K.C.'s painting, "Butterfly Forest" will hang in Mayor Riley's office for a year and then rotate to other City offices.

Yes, K.C., if I were getting a large check, I would have a great big grin on my face, too!

Well, it even got better than the big check. Tony "Singer/Songwriter" Hardwick a/k/a "Mango Moment Man", had been commissioned by Queen Victoria to write a ditty in honor of K.C., her award, and the fact that she soldiered on throughout the entire length of the show (so she could get the money). As all you regular blog readers of mine know, Tony has taken up songwriting and singing, having discovered he was a "natural", primarily because (1) he got bored and (2) whatever extra his mango italian ices may have in them...

It is evident that K.C. is enthralled by Tony's singing tribute to her.

For all of us artists who did not win the Mayor's Award (or any award), we were not left out completely.  Our good friends from Artist and Craftsman Supply at their Charleston location (right across the street from the art show) came by with complimentary journals, oil paint, sharpies to brighten a very hot day.  We love free gifts, but especially art supplies! Thank you, Artist and Craftsman Supply!

Hirona Matsuda and Trevor Webster

Artist and Craftsman Supply

143 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC

Finally,  my friend and fellow Artist and Arts Activist, Elaine Hruska, came by to rally the art troops regarding disturbing news about SC Governor Mark Sanford's decision to issue vetoes that will slash art funding to our schools, arts education and support grant programs and set back the arts programs light years in SC.

Veto #32 cuts Statewide Arts Services totaling $1,212,733, more than half of the Arts Commission's budget.

Veto #105 cuts the $250,000 in stimulus funds for the competitive grants program, which funds local arts programs in communities and school districts in every county of South Carolina.

Please contact your SC State House and Senate members - a full listing is at the SC Arts Alliance website. Our legislators need to hear from us by Tuesday, June 15th.  Please speak up for the future of the arts in SC!

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Show - Day 14 - Thursday, June 10, 2010

Today, I had a really wonderful surprise - my niece, Ashley Whaley, called my cell phone. She had to come into town from Edisto for cheerleading practice for First Baptist High School and her sister, Melissa and my sister-in-law, Renae, had a few hours free and walked down from the gym at the City Market to visit me at the Art Show in Marion Square:

Melissa and Renae Whaley from Edisto Beach

I walked them over to the Passing Notions? show where they enjoyed the multi-media show and the airconditioning.  Afterwards, they helped me close my booth down, and I drove them back to the gym and got to see Ashley, too.  They left my brother, Marion, at Edisto, working hard as this is a busy season  for him (Whaley's Landscaping and Irrigation). But it was good to see most of the family because right before and during Spoleto, I don't get to Edisto at all, not even to hear Melissa sing her solo, a song honoring the teachers, at the closing of school this week.

Today two artists, Hilarie Lambert and Colleen Weissmann painted the same subject matter, one painting realistic, the other painting abstract - can anyone figure out what the subject matter was???

Hilarie Lambert's Artistic Interpretation

Colleen Weissmann's Artistic Interpretation

We're winding down, 2 more days to go, then it's time to pack up until next year - I think most of us have mixed emotions - our energy is somewhat drained from the heat, we're getting tired, but many of us are already making plans for how to make the show better next year.  After all, we're artists, and it's in our blood...

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Show - Day 13 - Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Another hot, slow day in Marion Square - I went to work and left my booth to the care of Pat and Mr. Pippin.  The middle of the week is the slowest of the art show; new people start rolling into Charleston on Thursday for a long weekend, the last weekend of Spoleto 2010.  Artists are getting ready, hoping for great weather - sunny and moderate, not too humid - because then we'll have a crowd. Vicky Ellis is the co-coordinator, along with Billie Sumner, of the annual Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition - she may be the queen of Marion Square, but she also has the headaches that go along with being "in charge".  The good news is that she handles it all graciously.

Queen Victoria

Others are anticipating 3 more days to go

 and celebrating the crowds and sales to come!

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Show - Day 12 - Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Today was a day at the office for me, but I needed to vote first and then open my tent for Pat and Mr. Pippin.

Not too hot, under the umbrellas, nice company, Pat and Mr. Pippin had a pleasant Tuesday.

Some artists painted.

 Some artists enjoyed "un-mango moments".

 And wrote songs about "Please take my art home. Please take my art home."

(To a tune from Les Mis)

 Some artists rested.

 

 Maybe even dreamed...

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Show - Day 11 - Monday, June 7, 2010

I'm posting the last of this year's award winners for the show:

MERIT AWARD

Kent Ambler for his woodcut, "Midnight Gathering"

HONORABLE MENTION

Carl Crawford for "The Sax Man and Boy"

Both Kent and Carl work in somewhat unusual art media - this is not your typical "oil, acrylic or watercolor" and each of these artists show a true mastery of their individual media.  Kent creates magnificent woodcuts and Carl has developed a unique method of collage on glass. I encourage you to click on their names above and visit their websites for more information on their art and techniques.

Today started out as a slow Monday and the big excitement in our little "pod" of artists was "Moe Monday" which means you can get any burrito and a regular drink at Moe's for $5.00.  It's amazing the little things that can garner enthusiasm for artists who have been in the hot sun for 11 days and still have 5 more to go.

What a great lunch we had - Thank you, Moe!

Right as we were finishing up lunch, I had a visit from the Walkers "next door" at Citadel Square Baptist Church where the Piccolo Spoleto and Artist on Fire multi-media show, "Passing Notions?" is being held. Pastor David Walker, his family and his congregation have gone out of their way to welcome and work with Artist on Fire and the artists for the Passing Notions? show and to welcome the greater community and our Spoleto guests into their church and the multi-media show.  Also, for the first time, Citadel Square held a tea room for 4 days of the first week of the festival, and it was a success - I ate there several times, and the food was excellent, so I'm already looking forward to next year!  Citadel Square is a church with a big heart, and I was delighted that David and his family came over to walk through the show and stop by to say hello to me.

Pastor David Walker, his wife Jean and their children, Maggie and Benjamin

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Show -Day 10 -Sunday, June 6, 2010

Hot but breezy today, lots of people wandering around the Art Show in Marion Square.

 

These were heading for the free art demonstration!

We had 2 art demonstrations today - both were lowcountry marshes and yet so different because artists are different and infuse something of themselves in each painting. Two fine artists, two fine demos, two fine paintings in progress.

The first demonstration was by Kevin LePrince who also has a blog on his website - Kevin also has a gift of marketing - he advertises on his blog, "buy a painting - get a free ice water" (Kevin LePrince, May 28, 2010)

Kevin is well on his way with his Lowcountry marsh in oil

K

Kevin's stopping point for the day.

Later this afternoon, Christie Crosby begins her demonstration.  She had already completed an underpainting  in cadmium red:

 

Christie Crosby lays in a blue sky in oil

while Nancy Newton, aspiring artist, enjoys what amounts to a free art lesson!

 

 Christie's stopping place for today.

I went down to Laurie Meyer's booth twice today and have 2 updates on her painting demonstration from yesterday:

The earlier version is below but you can see in the later version on the right, Laurie has begun to define some of the shapes further and lighten colors. However, hints of the red and orange underpainting still peek through and glow in several places.  Will continue the updated pictures as she develops the painting.

 

And speaking of orange, I was walking back to my booth and this was a picture waiting to happen. 

Orange is a Power Color

as worn by Colleen Weissmann, Hilarie Lambert and Joyce Hall.

or I guess I didn't get the memo since I was dressed in black and white...

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Show - Day 9 - Saturday, June 5, 2010

Today was hot, humid and filled with good friends out and about with Spoleto, the Outdoor Art Show and the Farmers Market.  Lots of good friends came by, starting early with Dave and Linda Soutter:

Lots of great memories with Linda and Dave from St. Michael's, Logan Street and New Street downtown! Then I got to meet a special young man who came by with his parents:

Will Davis with parents, Jennifer and Mark

Jennifer and Mark are both attorneys here in town. Will, their first child, was born in February, and I've been waiting to meet him.  Will was way too enthralled with both his parents to be overly concerned with me, but when I did catch his eye, he gave me a smile that is sure to set girls' hearts aflutter in a few years!

Maureen Williams, a paralegal who works with me, came by to chat - it was great to have a few minutes to catch up - I came back from Paris the weekend she left for Australia, so we're catching up with each others' trips.

Maureen Williams

Spoleto just isn't spoleto unless the Rices come in from Edisto and stop by.  Sure enough, they arrived with big news. They just became grandparents about 10 months ago - so we had a great visit about their new grandaughter, who, of course has already met and bonded with Edisto!

Charles and Gloria Rice on vacation at Edisto Beach

Another winner in the Art Show as Sally Bennett.  Below she is holding her award winner:

MERIT AWARD

Sally Bennett for " Spanish Moss and Marsh Orange"

Laurie Meyer gave a great demonstration in oil.  Laurie is our first place winner this year and you can view her award-winning artwork on the entry for Sunday, May 30.  She showed the crowd how she "got the glow" in the piece that won from her underpainting.  Below are several photos of the work in progress - I'll post the completed work when she finishes it: the work is off to a stunning start!

          It looks great already!

Looking good,

feeling good!

At the end of the day, we were all hot, sticky and tired but as I was walking to my car, I stopped at the Passing Notions? show and cooled off.  I couldn't resist taking the picture of Alex and Sara Radin's 2 daughters:

"SLEEPING BEAUTIES"

Elianna and Neriah Radin

Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Show - Day 8 - Friday, June 4, 2010

HONORABLE MENTION

T

Tyler Blanton for "Jester"

I've been unsuccessful coordinating with Tyler Blanton to get her picture with her award-winning painting "Jester" so above is Jester sans Tyler.

It's been really hot and humid, but that doesn't bother Rick Reinert who has his fan going full strength, classical music playing because you'll find him doing what he loves and what he's so good at - painting plein air!  

If you happen to wander through Marion Square during the art show, you'll find free demonstrations each day at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and during the week when it's slower, you'll probably come across "spontaneous" demos like Rick's above.

About 11:30 today, with no warning, it began to pour rain.  It was such a surprise that many of us were soaked.  We sprang into action - some artists like Sabine Alvacade below are more prepared than others...

Artist Carol Gardner tried creating a drainage system:

Artist Christine Crosby was soaked because she ran over to help a neighboring artist save their art but she had customers who got trapped in her tent and made her happy because they bought a painting:

Artist Lynne Hardwick also got caught in the rain but her hair will dry naturally curly and look like she just walked out of the hair salon.

And a little or lot of rain never phases Artist Karen Hagan - rain or shine, she is prepared, right down to the elegant parasol...

The ground in my tent was one big mud hole, so I went to the big fountain to wash my feet and my shoes and then go to the car to get my umbrella so maybe it wouldn't rain again. And I decided to take my time and go through the Passing Notions? multi-media show, an Artist on Fire offering and officially sponsored by the Piccolo Spoleto Festival right across the street from Marion Square.

I walked into airconditioning and someone playing the grand piano.  The first person I ran into was Mr. Artist on Fire himself, Alex Radin:

A

Alex Radin - Artist in Passing Notions? and Co-Founder with his wife Sara of Artist on Fire

He was also one of the volunteers for the day.  A renaissance man for certain!

This is the first time I've ever been in two major art shows during the 17 day festival.  I've been in the outdoor juried art show for 15 or so years, and I considered it a huge honor to be asked to be in the Passing Notions show. I found that preparing for both shows simultaneously required a level of dedication, determination and time management that I've never had to deal with before - in addition to working 30 hours a week doing corporate paralegal work.

It has been one an exhilarating experiences of my life.  I especially liked the freedom to choose my theme and title, to create a body of larger works and to move in a direction with my artwork that I've wanted to go for several years.  I've loved every minute of it, except maybe when one piece (4'x4') of a triptych accidentally fell on my toe...

Today, suddenly I was given a window of time to walk in and go through the show at my own pace, engaging and responding to all the artwork, including the films.  Each person must experience the show for themselves,  So, I took off my shoes and started at the beginning...