Luminous Layers: Exploring Contemporary Encaustic - Video by Linda Womack

Finally! A great video which shows the shows the versatility of encaustic (hot beeswax) painting and sculpture by contemporary artists.

The video below is by Embracing Encaustic author Linda Womack who was also the curator of the Luminous Layers: Exploring Contemporary Encaustic at the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts in Oregon.

The show is now closed, but you can get a peek at the work in the video below.

I personally love the sculptural encaustic works, and I am dying to find out the name of the artists. Since 3-D encaustic is where I am working, it is great to find more artists who have "mastered" the techniques and are showing them out. When I get the name of the artists, I will be sure to share them!


So how about you? What is your favorite work in this video? Share in the comments below.

Luminous Layers: Exploring Contemporary Encaustic Video


You can read more about the Luminous Layers show on Linda Womack's Embracing Encaustic blog.

I love encaustic! ~  Jaime Lyerly

Opening Reception for SDSU's "Comatose in the Sculptorium"

Reminder!

Tonight from 6-9 pm is the San Diego State University's Intermediate and Advanced Sculpture class anonymously juried show called "Comatose in the Sculptorium"

Exhibition: Comatose in the Sculptorium: SDSU's Intermediate and Advanced Sculpture student show

Dates/Times: May 15 - 20, 2010. Hours variable. Opening: May 15, 2010 from 7 pm - 9 pm

Location: San Diego State University, Flor Y Canto Gallery on the fifth floor of the Art Department.

More Information: Facebook event

What's in it for you:

• Support local and emerging artists!
  
• See the experimental and conceptual sculpture that is being produced by the SDSU sculpture students. The variety is amazing.
  
• See my untitled 3-D encaustic sculptures from 2009 in a whole new setting and installation.
• Meet the infamous instructor and local artist, Richard Keely.
  
• FREE ADMISSION!

Hope to see you there!

~ Jaime Lyerly

"Repeat. Sum. Repeat." Installation Experience - part one

Just wanted to let you all know that I am still working hard on my installation in room Art 418C at San Diego State University with Experimental Musician Chris Miner called "Repeat. Sum. Repeat."

Last Saturday was supposed to be the informal opening, but we were still installing all day and night, so there was not much to see.

This Tuesday, 5/11/2010, all the installation will be complete and the room should be open from 12 pm until 3 pm, and more hours as requested.

Thanks to Joyce and Will for stopping by on Saturday. They got to see all the pieces spread about, but not installed. However, they were very understanding!

Thanks to Gwyneth Mapes for coming by on Sunday, and giving me such an honest opinion of the installation as a whole.

Huge thanks to Starry Wright, Chris Miner and my son, Xen, for helping me install.

A few lessons from this installation experience, so far.

1. SDSU parking enforcement will still give you a $40 parking ticket, even if you are quickly unloading your car, and they haven't printed the ticket.
   
2. Expect to move boxes in and out of the room all day for a couple of days.
3. Bring other people to talk to! On Friday, I kept leaving the room to seek out interaction with people.
   
4. Prepare your artist statement and tags before hand.
   
5. Don't expect that the room will be set up with lights and power needed.
6. Sound installation needs more preparation than expected and should be laid out visually before any art is installed.
   
7. Pedestals are pretentious, but needed to differentiate the works, unless prepared before hand.
   
8. Purchase all hardware, extension cords and food before installation day.
   
9. It is much harder to install older pieces and make new work at the same time. Don't pressure yourself into doing more than you can handle.
   
10. Installation is exhausting!

I will have lots of pictures coming soon, video of the pieces including the sound collage by Chris Miner. Stay tuned for more!

Thanks for joining me on this journey! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Art and Fear - part one - You are not alone

My last two posts have been so different from my normal, perky blogging style. I'm so sorry you had to suffer for it.

I just started reading "Art and Fear" by David Bayles and Ted Orland and it is amazing.

It is one Ah ha! moment after another. I am only 20 pages in to the book and I am ready to buy copies for all my artist friends so that they can experience this book.

The crankiness that I have been experiencing recently (and blogging about - see The Psychology of Collaboration and Casting a wide net) is all about self-doubt. The "Art and Fear" book tells me that I am not alone in this self-doubt, and that it probably never will go away. I just need to work with it.

Usually, I just avoid blogging (and contact with other people in general) when I am feeling confused or unsure of myself. However, I am beginning to realize that even these lows are part of my artistic journey, and that is what my blog is about. So I will question myself and hopefully, you will know that your are not alone on this either.

So from this low, I tell you my good news - Two of my newest encaustic pieces got into the juried San Diego State University Student Award Exhibition XII.

I am thrilled because these works are very new, and I think some of my best work. The irony is that is NOT my "student work." This is the work that I do outside of my assignments, although I do bring them into my sculpture class for critique sometimes.

One of the pieces is the 30x30x2" untitled encaustic painting from the Gatherings series which is in the blog post below. The other is called Collection (Fibrous Waximus) and is a wall installation fiber and encaustic sculpture. I need a good installation shot for the blog and I will get you one next week.

The show opens on March 15, 2010 at the San Diego State University Everett Gee Jackson Gallery and Flor y Canto Gallery, and is up until March 24, 2010 until 3 pm. I hope that if you are in the area, you can check it out.

Back to my art and fear - I am working through this.

Yesterday, I was working in some wax and nothing was feeling right, so I took out some boards and started drawing on them with charcoal. A few hours later, I had a triptych that is complete. Usually, I spend a long time thinking about my work, and making it, but it hardly ever feels done that quickly. These feel done and I am shocked! Am I learning to accept the inspiration? Maybe... no, scratch that - YES. That is just fear talking.

And until that inner critic decides to take a vacation, I will continue to crank when I am feeling uninspried and unconnected. But I am working through it. And you will too...

Art and Fear... what is stopping you?
~Jaime Lyerly

Ellen "Ellie" Benfatti's Art Reception and Wine Tasting at "The Wine Spot" Feb 27, 2010

image © 2010 Ellen Benfatti

A unique art reception and wine tasting event on Saturday, February 27, 2010 featuring 2010 San Diego Women's Caucus for Art Vice President Ellen "Ellie" Benfatti.

Here is more information about Ellie and her event:

Ellen Benfatti was born in the United States and resides in North San Diego, California. Several years ago she experienced a life altering event while visiting the spa of a luxury cruise line. Ellen was invited to experience a Reiki treatment. Shortly after her experience she began to have a strong desire to paint. She went on to become a certified Reiki Master Teacher and Artist. She was recently featured on San Diego public television for her brilliant use of color and its connection to increased health. She has spent the last several years studying the affects of color on the human body. Ellie’s studio is located at the New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad. She’s a full time Artist and Pain Management Consultant.

She’s currently a featured artist for the Banners lining Pacific Coast Highway in Leucadia.

She opens at “The Wine Spot” on Feb 27th her exhibit will run from Feb 27-March 30th.

Feb 27th Art Reception and Wine Tasting 7-10 pm
The Wine Spot 2917 State St. Carlsbad
Complimentary Wines and Cheeses served from 7-8:30pm

Ellie will be raffling one of her gorgeous pictures and she'll be serving complimentary wines for tasting from 7-8:30.
RSVP on her Facebook event page or just come on down!

To learn more about her you may visit her portfolio at:
www.angelicmanifestations.com

Support local independent artists! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Miya Hannan - Connectivity at Hyde Gallery

All artworks in this post are © 2006-2010 Miya Hannan

I just got back from seeing the Miya Hannan art show "Connectivity" at the Hyde Gallery, Grossmont Community College and it is AMAZING!

The show is open until February 25, 2010, and it is free.

My friend Starry came to see the show with me, and Grossmont Art Professor Jim Wilsterman stopped by to give us some more insight on the show.

The artist statement from Miya Hannan does a great job of putting these ethereal pieces into context. Here is the statement, which is slightly different from her Artist Statement on her website:

I have nothing but great things to say about this show, but for time purposes, I will leave you with her images. Please do go see it if you are in the area and let me know what you think. Seeing art in person is so much more inspiring than online, but this is for the time crunched or distance-challenged artists!

All artworks in this post are © 2006-2010 Miya Hannan

Happy Art Making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

San Diego Community Art Events at the Women's History Museum

Some great art events coming to the Hillcrest area of San Diego, CA to the wonderful

Women's History Museum and Educational Center. Check it out!

Ladies Who Paint

at the museum thru January 31

In the tradition of Grandma Moses, these 3 artists discovered their artistic talents later in life and have made creative expression part of their daily lives.

Please join us to view "VENTURES IN ART", a representational collection on exhibit through January 31, 2010

Mollie Solorzano, Linda Kennedy and Dr. Georgianna Galas have painted together for several years and share a love of artistic expression.

Closing Reception
Sunday, January 31, 1 to 4pm

And in February

Bronze Sculpture © Jean Cornwell

"Up From the Ashes"

a new body of work from Sculptor, Jean Cornwell"

Opening Reception: Friday, February 5,

NOTE: This exhibit has been postponed due to illness in the artist's family. Will keep you updated.

6 to 9pm

Women's History Museum

Jean's work speaks for itself... but just as loud, are the words of the artist herself:

Artist Statement

My first one-woman art show was exhibited on the underside of my grandmother's kitchen table. I had not yet developed my own particular style nor could I reveal my source of inspiration but I was, nevertheless, expressing my artistic self. In years to come these childish dabblings would lead me to a never-ending experimentation with a variety of styles, media and methods which, to this day, are still in the process of creative evolution.

Born in the Black Capital of the world, Harlem, I was bombarded with sights and sounds that only this unique neighborhood could offer. I felt I had it all and was quite aware that I was living in a very live art gallery. From behind the windows of my basement apartment, I viewed the colorful parade of Black ladies with their sugar brown legs; red-eyed winos, drooling in drunken contentment in the curb; the white-tipped cane of the nameless blind man announcing this approach. I listened to the local crooners, using the stoops as their public stages. I watched the flamboyantly-dressed numbers runner make his twice-daily rounds dispensing either joy or sorrow. When I can on the street itself, I danced to the hop-scotch rhythms of the double-dutch, played with the neighborhood girls. I watched with envy the scrabby-kneed boys playing their game of loadies with old bottle caps. I enjoyed the summer evening games of stoop-ball watching the soft pink ball bravely bouncing against the gray-brown cement steps. It was a time for running, laughing, jumping-a fun time. A lifetime of images, waiting to be born, were formed on these streets by these alive Black people.

I hope you can check out these shows. I am going to do my best to head down to this wonderful museum.

Happy show attending! ~ Jaime Lyerly

Helen Redman's art show "Tensions in the Journey: From Child to Crone" at the Women's History Museum in San Diego

Another great event coming to the San Diego area this weekend on November 6, 2009: Founding Mother of the San Diego Women's Caucus for Art (SDWCA) Helen Redman's one woman show "Tensions in the Journey: From Child to Crone" at the Women's History Museum and Educational Center (WHMEC). Check out the press release below from the WHMEC for more information.

Tensions in the Journey:
From Child to Crone
Helen Redman

Exhibition: Nov. 6 - Dec. 5, 2009
Opening reception: November 6, 6-9 PM
Lecture/discussion: November 21, 2-4 PM

For nearly a half century, Helen Redman has been making art. Her stunning portraits and evocative mixed media works track events, both momentous and ordinary, in women’s life cycle. Much more than a visual account of one woman’s perspective on life, her works illuminate something transcendent: they compose a visual memoir of the flux and flow of embodiment and identity across a woman’s life cycle, a memory-laden landscape of time’s passing in a life lived through a certain era and in a particular body.

To celebrate the nearly fifty-year career of the artist Helen Redman, the Women's History Museum and Education Center is hosting Tensions in the Journey: From Child to Crone, an exhibition of selected works from the 1960s-2000s. The exhibition runs from Nov 6 - December 5, 2009, and opens with a reception on November 6th, 6-9 PM at 2323 Broadway, Suite 107, San Diego, California 92102. The exhibition is also part of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of women's studies at San Diego State University.

http://www.birthingthecrone.com

I love Helen Redman's work and think this show is going to be amazing. I look forward to seeing more of her work and meeting this powerfully moving artist. I hope you can join me!

Happy art making! ~ Jaime Lyerly

United and Severed - Art Opening this weekend at Art Produce Gallery in San Diego

Image © The Artist; from Art Produce Gallery Website

Art openings galore this weekend. Here is another don't miss event. See the information below from the Art Produce Gallery Website:

United & Severed
That window of Time..

October 17-December 6, 2009

Opening Reception- Oct. 17, 6-9pm

Panel Discussion with Artists & Participants- Oct. 29, 6-7:30pm

Video screening with Artists & Participants- Nov. 14, 6-9pm

Kristine Diekman & Karen Schaffman
(writing-audio-videography-choreography-installation)

Richard Keely & Anna O'Cain
(sculpture-installation)

An interdisciplinary work based on the experiences of 3 women living with traumatic injuries. Research for this artwork began with Diekman & Schaffman's interviews with Kim Anderson, Michele Caputo, & Ivy Kensinger. They tell their personal stories of shock injury where in a single moment their lives were changed forever.

For more Info. about "United & Severed"

I haven't been to the Art Produce Gallery before, but Richard Keely advised that it a premiere space. I may not be able to go to the opening event, but I will definitely see the show. Since I am fascinated with the process of making things, I am going to pencil the Panel Discussion with the artists into my super tight schedule. With video and sculpture combined, I am sure this will be a show worth making time for. Please come join me!

Happy Art-making and Show attending. ~ Jaime Lyerly

Artist Lincoln Maynard in San Diego this weekend!

"At the Well" © Lincoln Maynard

San Diego Art Lovers! Here is another great art event to pencil into your weekend activities. Lincoln Maynard is an artist that I just found out about through the power of Facebook, and I am so happy to share his work with you. See the press release below, including links to his wonderful paintings and fan page.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 14, 2009

On Assignment Studio will be introducing the fine art of Lincoln Maynard to the community of San Diego at the Opening Exhibition, Saturday, October 17th. 6:00pm - 9:00 pm, following with an Artist Reception, Sunday, October 18th, Noon - 3:00 pm.

Exhibition features select works from both the Canvas series "Now & Zen" and the Recycled series "Rhythms of The Earth"

His recent series of paintings are environmental designs titled “Rhythms of the Earth”. Other works include textural studies in line, form, and light. Taken as a series, or individually, each piece mirrors the whole or a focused part of the objects, atmospheres, architecture, people, and the life that surrounds him.

Lincoln Maynard is an inspired artist who is devoted to the creation of art reflecting the passion in life. He has been actively creating art throughout his lifetime. It’s the driving and enervating force that keeps him on course with the creative will of his being, and that of the universe. He is highly respected and recognized by the community he serves and his distinguished colleagues as well. Corporations, individuals, and museums collect his work. Lincoln has participated in the arts on many levels and will continue to create inspiring art for all to appreciate, experience and enjoy.

Exhibition Dates
October 17th through November 21st
~Including
*Ray of Night Art Walk, November 14th, 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
*North Park Nights, November 21st, 6:00pm -9:00pm

On Assignment Studio
2860 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92104
619-546-8320
For more information or to RSVP:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=167771086528&ref=mf
For current updates.
http://www.lmaynard.com
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47343884284

Happy art making and show attending! ~ Jaime Lyerly