What happens at a monthly meeting of the North Penn Arts Alliance?

Usually anything can happen. Last month we had a presentation by Robert Walters and Tess Kissinger on Dinosaurs and Dinosaur Art. While we were trying to get the projector to speak to the laptop and vice versa. Robert did a Dino portrait of a T-Rex on the white board. They explained as to how they use research and science as they work with scientists, museum curators and directors to bring to life creatures and plant life that no longer exists.

This month, we will have a presentation by North Penn Art & Repro as they inform us of the process that will take an original piece of art and generate multiple copies or giclees. The giclee is a reproduction of your original piece of art that is printed on various surfaces for you to sell  online or at shows.

In March we are looking forward to having a dancer to discuss Art and the Dance. Hopefully the dance will also perform so that we can sketch as a group.

April, brings about our annual show and we will discuss what you need to do to prepare your work for the show.

Each monthly meeting has a presentation followed by a break for refreshments and concludes with a few minutes to discuss what is happening and how you can get into having fun with art. We also announce opportunities for artists to exhibit their works for the public.

During the break you can network with other artists or those that enjoy the arts. You will be surprised as to multiple levels of talented people that are members of the North Penn Arts Alliance.

The North Penn Arts Alliance meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 521 W. Main St., Lansdale, PA. The meetings get underway at 7:00p.m.

For more information visit us at www.northpennarts.org

Winter in Art

WINTER, blah! It's cold, dark, damp, dreary, dismal, snowy, cloudy, everything is covered in white. Yet winter scenes have been a mainstay in landscape paintings for centuries.

"Way Home"  by Ed Kane 2" x 3" 

Winter is a time of rest and restoration. A blanket of clean white is laid upon the country side. A peaceful tranquility is transmitted in the dawn of the day and again at dusk. The atmosphere has an effect on the lighting, and the reflection of light upon this crisp blanket.

"Autumn Hanging On"  by Ed Kane  9" x 12" watercolor

 I'm not a scientist so I'm not going to explain the scientific reasons as to what the causes and effects are. But if you go out at different times of the day after a snowfall (besides to shovel it) take a moment and look at the light changes, look into the shadows and see the cool shades. See how the sun reflects off the snow. Observe the color changes in the sky. Now look at several pieces of winter scenes that have been done by artists in the past. Here is a link to 10 pieces of winter scenes, http://voices.yahoo.com/10-artworks-winter-study-7572890.html

As you look and study these, consider what you can do in the warmth of your home studio. Yet if you want to venture out, dress in layers, take precautions, keep your feet warm & dry or paint in your car. I found too many articles pertaining to this subject for me to list here, just search for "plein air painting in winter" and your screen will be filled with tips from other artists. The most important thing is that you are safe, warm and having fun.

Keep warm and keep painting

Ed Kane

New Year, New Start

By Ed Kane of the North Penn Arts Alliance

 

Well the New Year has come and gone and so has many of our resolutions. Besides the usual, how many of you said, "I'm going to be more creative?" How many of you got stumped because you didn't know where to begin?  Well most of us fall into that pit, even those that have been creating for years.

How to get more creative or inspired to create?

1) READ

     Read the papers, read a book, read blogs. Stay on top of the current trends or what is happening in your community.

2) SEEK

     Seek what other artists have done or are doing. Visit a museum or a gallery.

3) LEARN

     As a creative person I learn something everyday. How to foreshorten an arm or a figure. How to make canvas or material appear three dimensional in a drawing or painting. When researching an old building, I learn how it was made along with the history of the structure and the surrounding territory.

4) SCRIBBLE

     That's right, scribble or doodle keep a notebook or journal. Scribble down ideas or doodle a few rough sketches.

5) PRACTICE

     Practice drawing, painting, sculpting, singing, dance, you get the picture.

     Practice helps you improve, helps you learn and helps keeping you inspired

6) PARTICIPATE

     Participate in a workshop, class, or join an arts group like the North Penn Arts Alliance.
     By participating, you network with other artists and those that enjoy the arts.
     Participate in an art show. See what others are doing and find out what inspires them.

These are a few steps that you can take. Remember, it doesn't happen overnight but it will happen. When it does you will know it.  

 

For more information on the North Penn Arts Alliance, please visit us at www.northpennarts.org