Yes, once again.....

it's been a while since posting here. I tend to hang out more on our studio Facebook page where I share info about our upcoming Painting Parties, pics of students doing their thing, projects I'm doing at the studio and just general artsy stuff.

What got me thinking about the blog this morning? Maybe I should say who got me thinking - Alyson Stanfield did a 2-part post recently on artists and galleries and I wanted to share it here. Part one is about the upside of artists working with galleries. How can galleries help you further your career? Part two is about the downside of artists working with galleries and the red flags you should be aware of before approaching a gallery. And.... the percentage they get from sales is WHAT? Be sure to check out both the links below.

Why Artists Should Embrace Galleries

Why Artists Should Avoid Gallery Representation

Sunrise

This is the project for the upcoming Friday Night Painting Party. We will be working in acrylic on a canvas that I'll prepare with a texture done with Super Heavy Body Gesso. We only have room for 12 party goers and 6 of those seats are taken already so if you're interested in joining us, let us know ASAP. The party starts at 7pm on July 26th. The cost is $50 and we provide absolutely everything you need to start and finish your painting that evening. Just bring yourself and whatever you want to drink - yes, you can bring wine.

Some happy faces from past parties.......

Now go to your studio and paint something.

Peace,

Carlynne

Some catching up to do

I've been so caught up in posting to our Facebook page that I haven't posted here in a while. Spend a lot of time on Facebook?! Really? Anyone else relate? So if you do relate click on that link and check us out there. You might even "Like" us. :) So here are the last two Friday Night Painting Party groups. They did an incredible job, as always!

This is the piece we're doing for this months party coming up on Friday. It's called Prairie Path and it's from a photo I took up in Paynes Prairie. My husband and I decided to explore the hiking trails on that trip. We didn't realize how late it had gotten or how far we had walked. The next thing we know it's getting to be dusk and we were pretty far from the visitor center. Thankfully hubby has a good sense of direction so we made it back without a problem. If it were just me, someone would have to send out a search party. I'd end up sleeping under a pine tree with the lizards and snakes and who knows what else is out there. Since I lived to tell the tale, I had to paint the scenery. Let me know ASAP if you want to paint it along with me. There are a few seats still available but the time is short. Send an email to hershbergerhuff@hotmail.com

Peace and creativity,
Carlynne

Painting with Paper

Last month at our Friday Night Painting Party we had fun painting palms trees.

 Have you ever used scissors and glue? This month learn how to turn this......

into this.

 We're painting with paper. If you can scrapbook, you can collage.

 Yes, there are still a couple of openings so get your info to us ASAP if you want to join us Friday night. Comment here or shoot us an email at hershbergerhuff@hotmail.com

Poinsettia time at the FNPP

Hello artsy people! We're fast approaching the - election, I know and won't we ALL be very happy when it's over. It doesn't matter who you're voting for, the ads and mailers (yay for the recycle bin) are getting very old! We're also fast approaching the next Friday Night Painting Party. It's this week. The last month has just flown by. Hard to believe I have to start prepping canvases already. So......

this is the painting we'll be doing in our fun little mini-workshop Friday night. The last one was pumpkins so of course the next one had to continue the holiday theme. There are only a few seats left for this one so if you're so inclined, be sure to sign up right away. It costs $50 and includes everything you need to do this painting. All you have to do is show up and we'll guide you through the rest. When you're done you take home some holiday decor for you or a gift for someone you love. 

Also, just a little FYI, I will be out of town on the last Friday of November so that painting party will be moved to the FIRST Friday in December which will be the 7th. Mark your calendars. I guess that one will have to count for the November and December workshops. Everyone is pretty pooped by the end of December so we'll start the regular party schedule again with the January workshop.

Peace and creativity,

Carlynne

Painting Time

A Walk in the Park

16x16

acrylic

In between prepping for Friday Night Painting Parties I get to do some painting. I've been loving the landscapes lately and this is the latest from the easel. Up until now I've painted all the landscapes on a canvas toned with red or orange paint. I love the way the greens pop when combined with their compliment. But.... the weather is getting hot and I'm feeling the need to bring some cool colors into the palette. I felt like painting something cool and soothing.

The photo I worked from is one I took on a trip that Kelli and I took to Hontoon State Park a few years ago. We did a weekend getaway and spent an entire day wandering the island. Some areas were like this - cool shadows, bits of sunlight bouncing off the vegetation here and there. Other areas were - how should I put this - we were afraid if we didn't get off the island soon a park ranger was going to find our bleached bones scattered among the palm fronds. Ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but not by much. 

Calloway Garden

12x12

acrylic

This one does have the red underpainting. I did this one from a photo that my mother took in Calloway Gardens in Georgia. I just loved the way the azaleas grew so thick in and among the trees. I hadn't done this type of floral landscape before so I thought it would be fun challenge.

I hope you're all doing something creative.

Peace,

Carlynne

Friday Night Painting Party

Friday night we had our altered book painting party. Nancy was having fun doing a book about her travels.

Julie made some gorgeous color and texture layers in her book.

Diane is playing with texture using a great little roller tool I found..... someplace, can't remember!

Some of the tools we got to play with.

Demo boards from the workshop.

And here they are at the end of the night. Of course you can't see the books very well in this picture but you can see their smiling faces!

Where have we been?

Where in the world have we been? Well, the holiday crazies took over for a bit like they always do and Amazing Hubby had to have some surgery so I've been playing nurse (he's doing well). In spite of other 'stuff' our classes kept right on rolling.......

 here are a few of our very loyal Wednesday people

Mary's working on a gorgeous sunset in colored pencil

Diane is oh, so pleased with herself!

There are some seats open so if you're looking for some direction with your painting or you're just beginning and want to know which end of the pencil to sharpen, we're here at the studio Mondays from 12:30 til 3:30 and Wednesdays from 10:00 til 1:00. The classes are only 20.00 per session. Come every week or once or twice a month. It's totally up to you. Holler if you want more info.

Oh, and by the way. Go to this link and vote for your favorite Horse Fever design. Kelli and I both have designs entered. There are 12 designs to choose from but of course I think you should pick either Petals, Sand and Sea Horse or Wishes. I did 2 of the designs, can you guess which one is Kelli's?

Quick reminder: January 27th is Friday Night Painting Party. Paint this very colorful landscape. Beginners welcome!

Heads Up

Golden Leaves

11x14

Acrylic

I wanted to give you a heads up so you can pencil this in on your calendar. The next Friday Night Painting Party will be January 27, 2012. We'll be doing  this colorful acrylic landscape in our 3 hour workshop. I know things are crazy right now with everyone getting ready for the holidays but when the dust settles be sure to let us know if you plan on coming. These painting parties fill up and space is limited! We'll get the details out soon but in the meantime you can post a comment here or send an email to hershbergerhuff@hotmail.com if you're interested.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Original ideas for original gifts

Christmas is almost here so this is the last week to shop! Today through Thursday will be your last chance to pick up truly original and artsy gifts for the holidays. Stop in and see trees, flowers, beaches, necklaces and more. Gift certificates are available too. We're open Monday through Thursday 11-3. 1735 NE Jacksonville Rd in Ocala.

I hope your Thanksgiving day was full of love and good food. Kelli and I both had a wonderful time with our families. Now the shopping season begins. I'm not out there battling the crowds and traffic, I'm here at home, nice and cozy, sitting at my computer and talking to you. I've never done the "black Friday camping outside in the wee hours, standing in line" thing. Maybe I'm missing out on a lot of fun but for right now this is exactly where I want to be and what I wanted to tell you is that everything in our Etsy shop is 30% OFF today through Monday. All you have to do is use the coupon code HOLIDAYDEALS to get the discount. There's a variety of one of a kind items so poke around and see what you can find. Happy shopping, where ever you are :)

Where will you be?

Where will you be on November 18 and 19? We hope you'll be at Hershberger & Huff Studios for our Holiday Open House. We have never before discounted all artwork and jewelry as we will for this event! Everyone gets a discount from 20, 25 and 30% off your entire order to 40% off any one item. This could be a huge savings for you, just in time before the holidays!

BE ORIGINAL BUY ORIGINAL GIVE ORIGINAL

Keep your shopping local and hand made. Support local artists and give one of a kind gifts.

Join us on November 18 and 19

from 11:00 to 3:00

Hershberger & Huff Studios

1735 NE Jacksonville Rd

Ocala, FL

Word Out Wednesday - Jessi Miller

I'd like to introduce you to a friend of ours. She is Jessi Miller and she is one of the kindest people I know. Her heart is gold and her talent is huge. She is a designer extraordinaire. I asked her if she would share a little bit about herself so below you'll see her work and what she had to say.

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The 3 paintings above are from the Digital Paint series, mixed media on canvas - using bits from old electronics.

Can you tell us a bit about your education and work experience?

I thought I was ready to be a professional artist right out of high school! I nearly didn't go on to college. Fortunately, one of my high school art teachers who had encouraged me so much, told me I didn't know what I was doing and needed to continue my education. I listened and I'm grateful. I went to the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, worked very hard and found out how little I knew. I decided on a "practical" path, which was to work in advertising until my art took off on the side. 20 years later I still haven't quit the advertising side of art. I have worked in advertising agencies, had my own magazine in South Florida, worked for publishers and freelanced and I worked at Ocala Magazine for over 5 years. Currently I have my own marketing/branding design company (Little Black Mask Marketing) and I work and paint out of my downtown Ocala studio (Studio 9), which I share with artist Mary Verrandeaux. 

 The Kiss III

Acrylic on canvas

 Puppy Love II

Acrylic on canvas

What was your first memory as an artist?

It took me a long time to consider myself a "real artist." While I have lots memories of drawing in my childhood, creating assignments in high school and college, and even painting, illustrating, selling and showing art as an adult – I still did it all on the side of something else. I think the first time I honestly felt like an artist was during a showing in a Ft. Myers gallery, talking with the guests about my art. Hearing their impressions, the stories they got from my paintings, the emotions that were evoked by my work, and the further thoughtfulness it provoked, made me feel that I had accomplished something with the art – as opposed to just having accomplished the art itself. 

 The Nurturing I - Zebra

Acrylic on canvas.

 This was the first painting I made, right after college.

What does success in the art world mean to you?

It means affecting people with my art and making a living at it. I'm half way there (still not earning a living from it).

Like many artists, you're involved in many projects. How do you balance them all?

Insanity. Sometimes I think I'm not completely sane because of everything I'm doing. After all these years I have finally embraced the fact that I am not going to cut back on work and find "balance." After a particularly stressful and taxing project, I always feel the best sense of accomplishment and I realize, if I weren't so overwhelmed... if I had a calm balance... then I wouldn't be accomplishing these things. It's a sacrifice that I think a lot of great creative, driven people have made. 

You have a very distinct painting style, have you always worked that way? Do you like to work in different styles?

I haven't always worked in the "square brush stroke" style that I have been doing for a few years, but I have always worked with color and composition in an unnatural and strong way. I believe that some of the boldness comes from being a graphic artist. You know, "make it pop!" Also graphic design is a way of telling a story and evoking a response with a visual, so I think that I do the same in my paintings, too. I even suspect that, the "square brush stroke" is a painted version of a pixel, further extending the graphic design concept onto the canvas. 

I do like to work in different styles, actually, but have to admit that I have not for a long time. Marketing your work as an artist, it's important to be identifiable and unique, so I have focused on one style for some years now and will continue to do so until I get it out of my system. A lot of the graphic design that I do can be considered art as well, so digital art would be another style of mine.

To contact Jessi.......

www.littleblackmask.com

www.jessimiller.com/fineArt.html

325-286-8249

Thanks for sharing Jessi. 

Save the Date - It's a Painting Party!

What in the world are we doing with an electric griddle in the art studio? Not flippin flapjacks I can tell you - although they would be pretty tasty right about now, have you ever tried hot dog pancakes? Anyway, I won't be cooking but I will be melting colored pencils and maybe a few other writing or painting implements while I'm at it. I'll be doing a little demo at our studio for our first ever Friday Night Painting Party.

Here's the save the date part - it's the last Friday of the month - May 27th. The party starts at 7pm and goes til 10. Bring whatever artwork you're working on (any media) and your supplies. Kelli and I will be there to help guide you if you're stuck, help you get started if you're blank or critique if you just want some input. You can even test out the griddle. Beginners and experienced painters are all welcome. Cost is 25.00. We'll have some munchies there and a bucket of ice so along with your art stuff you're welcome to BYOB of your preferred beverage, you can even sip some wine while you paint.

In case you missed it - the studio is located at 1735 NE Jacksonville Rd., Suite 3. If you want to join the party send us an email - hershbergerhuff@hotmail.com

Hope you have a wonderful Monday!
Carlynne

Art and Guerrillas

I am so happy that we finally have a place like the Florida Museum for Women Artists. I'm also ashamed to say that I had not heard of Dorothy Gillespie before this exhibit announcement. This is why we need more museums like this one. Why haven't I heard of her before? I haven't been living under a rock outside the art world. I've been to galleries and museums. I've read art magazines and spent many, many hours perusing the art sections of book stores. I've done my share of surfing. Yet.... I had no clue this artist has been out there producing art for most of her 90 years. Of course it could be that I just wasn't looking in the right places but why is it that the majority of art students in the colleges are female yet the majority of artists represented in the museums are male?

Well according to the Guerrilla Girls things have improved for women artists since the 80's but not so much at the higher levels of exhibition. Do you remember these feminist masked avengers in the art world? They're still around and doing their thing. Below is a segment from an early interview with the girls that I found on their website.

Q. How did the Guerrilla Girls start?

Kathe Kollwitz: In 1985, The Museum of Modern Art in New York opened an exhibition titled An International Survey of Painting and Sculpture. It was supposed to be an up-to-the minute summary of the most significant contemporary art in the world. Out of 169 artists, only 13 were women. All the artists were white, either from Europe or the US. That was bad enough, but the curator, Kynaston McShine, said any artist who wasn't in the show should rethink “his” career. And that really annoyed a lot of artists because obviously the guy was completely prejudiced. Women demonstrated in front of the museum with the usual placards and picket line. Some of us who attended were irritated that we didn't make any impression on passersby.

Meta Fuller: We began to ask ourselves some questions. Why did women and artists of color do better in the 1970's than in the 80's? Was there a backlash in the art world? Who was responsible? What could be done about it?

Q.What did you do?

Frida Kahlo: We decided to find out how bad it was. After about 5 minutes of research we found that it was worse than we thought: the most influential galleries and museums exhibited almost no women artists. When we showed the figures around, some said it was an issue of quality, not prejudice. Others admitted there was discrimination, but considered the situation hopeless. Everyone in positions of power curators, critics, collectors, the artists themselves passed the buck. The artists blamed the dealers, the dealers blamed the collectors, the collectors blamed the critics, and so on. We decided to embarrass each group by showing their records in public. Those were the first posters we put up in the streets of SoHo in New York .


Here's a piece of an interview that's more current.

So, are things ok for women in the art world now?

Things are better now than they ever have been for women and artists of color and we have helped effect that change. Right now there is decent representation of women and artists of color at the beginning and emerging levels of the art world. At the institutional level however, in museums, major collections and auctions sales, things are still pretty dismal for all but white guys. We believe that the economics of the art market is responsible for this. As long as art costs a lot of money and can be owned and controlled by individual collectors, it will represent the values of those people, not the larger art audience or the culture at large. We are still condemning the art world for its lack of ethics, tokenism and other bad behavior.


It's good to know that things are improving but apparently there's still a long way to go. For now we can keep on supporting not just FMWA but all museums that are including women in there line up of artists. I can't wait to see this show of Dorothy's work. Just the fact that she's 90 years old and still producing and exhibiting is amazingly inspirational. I want to be just like her when I grow up.

Peace, and go look at art somewhere...
Carlynne

Happy to be busy!

It's been a busy time in Etsy land lately! Both of these pieces above sold along with two other original paintings, a giclee and a copy of our book. I love making those trips to the post office.

Believe

5x5

Mixed Media

Remember in a previous post I had a bunch of canvas panels that I had started on? There were two with nothing but purple handmade paper glued on. Here they are finished. I just added them to the Etsy shop this week. I'm falling in love with violet and blue together. There's some more of that color combo in my future. I also want to do some more with words. Anyone have any suggestions for words they'd like to see added to a little abstract?

Purple Passion

5x5

Mixed Media

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Carlynne

If you're in Deland.....

...stop by the museum. Last week Kelli and I got to deliver our work to the Florida Museum for Women Artists. We were accepted to the gift shop so our work and our book is now available at the museum. Here you see a few of my pieces waiting to find their spots on the shelves.


Here's a better view of the shop. If you look at the bottom shelf in the middle of the picture you can see the crows painted by our friend Robin Pedrero. It's nice we get to hang out with her again - kind of. Well, at least our work gets to hang out together.

Check out the museum website for exhibition info. Maybe we'll see you there sometime.

Peace,
Carlynne

Avocado Trees - a little painting up for auction

Avocado Trees

9x11.5

pastel

In our Wednesday class Jane asked me to do a demo for her. She specifically requested pastel so I did this little landscape. I had so much fun doing it that I took over her spot at the table for a little while. She finally had to shove me out of her chair so she could actually get some of her own work done. Oh, how I've missed the joy of putting stick to paper. How in the world are we supposed to find time to work in all the media we enjoy? If anyone out there has an answer please let me know. In the meantime..... how about making an offer on this little piece.

I'm going to start doing a regular auction of small original works here on the blog. The bidding will start at 10.00. If you live in Ocala we can arrange for you to pick up the work. If not, I'll have to charge for shipping so add 5.00 to the winning bid. Of course if you live in FL you'll have to add 6% for sales tax. So, either leave a comment or send an email with your offer to hershbergerhuff@hotmail.com. The bidding will be open until the end of January.

Peace,

Carlynne