Art & Power

Most of us suffered for some time with the recent power outages of the Ice Storm that hit our area. After I made sure the generator was running and the sump pump was doing what it should, I took a moment and thought about those of us that depend upon electricity to create our art. Besides the lights and heat, some of us use computers (not only for blogging) to enhance digital images that we have stored. Others use the computers to create their art. What do they do then?  Laptops and devices that work on battery power are fine until the cell runs down. That got me to wondering, how do they create their art? Those that are use to drawing with pencil, pen or painting with the brush or pastel would simply resort to these methods to rough out ideas or finish some work. Those using the camera would shoot their visions and print them once the power comes back on, unless you are still shooting film.  Whatever your medium is, whether it be modern or old school, deal with the emergency first then take the time to create. After all your art (although it may not run a generator and such) is very powerful!

By the way being one who is old school  I usually reach for the candle lanterns in an emergency, but recent events have led me to get the tools needed to keep the studio safe from harm and water damages. For those still waiting for the lights to come back on, be safe and stay warm. 

The Colors of Snow

Wow!Another storm dumping 6 to 8 inches in the North Penn Area. What is really neat about this is that you can actually see the colors in the snow. As I was outside clearing the path for the second time I observed as I was piling the shovel full onto the lawn, shades of blue were seen as it landed on the untouched frozen precipitation that was accumulating naturally. I was fascinated with the variety between light and darker shades depending upon the shadows. The colors are created due to the temperature and the atmospheric surroundings, but all the same it was amazing to see color other than white. For those of you who are photographers take your cameras and see what the lens will reveal. I'm certain you will be astonished with your results.
 I visited freebigpictures.com and went to the winter category, here are some of the selections.

So let it snow and enjoy the beauty before it all melts away.

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

 

Show Your Art

So you have taken art classes, practice every day, created some great pieces, but you have never exhibited your work. Why not? If you have fun creating your art and then showing it to friends and family, why not show some of it to total strangers? You can, by submitting your work in the 19th Annual Members’ Art Exhibition of the North Penn Arts Alliance. The North Penn Arts Alliance host 2 annual shows a year. The first one is opening to the public on April 25th, but you need to have your work completed, framed and wired so that we can hang it. All work submitted must be ready to hang and it must be delivered to the Elm Terrace Gardens, 660 North Broad St, Lansdale, PA. (Please use the 7th Street entrance to deliver your works.) Artworks can be delivered between 3:00pm & 7:00pm on April 22, 2013.


You must also be or become a member of the North Penn Arts Alliance which has been encouraging artists and those that love the arts with opportunities to create, learn, network and grow in a supportive environment for over 25 years. The members of the North Penn Arts Alliance takes pride in providing an outlet for preserving and promoting artistic growth and culture in our community. We are an organization of artists for artists and it doesn’t matter what style or medium you use. We have members that range from full time artists, art instructors, those that like to dabble and those that like to be among the artists and learn from what is done during a workshop or presentation. Our artists will use anything from oil paint, acrylic, or watercolors to paint or charcoal, pencil, or ink to draw, some will use pastels to draw or paint a wonderful world, while others will photograph the world around them. We even have members that will create three dimensional pieces using wood, stone, metal, even ceramics. So join us on the wonderful journey of art and start showing your work.   For the Spring show the art work is judged for prizes in six different categories. Our Judge for this show is Jennifer Hansen Rolli. Jennifer is a renowned artist from Bucks County. Her work is in many private collections and she is one of four regular artists that exhibit at the Silverman Gallery in Doylestown.
All work with the exception of three dimensional should be framed and wired on the back so that it can be hung. Absolutely no saw-tooth hangers are allowed. If your work is on paper it should be matted, protected by glass, framed, and wired. If you are exhibiting a three dimensional piece you should also provide a display pedestal. Works cannot exceed 36 inches in height or width. For more information about the show or the North Penn Arts Alliance, please visit us at www.northpennarts.org or call us at 212-393-9110.
So, take the leap and show your art.

Great Start to an Artful New Year

On January 2nd, 2013 members of the North Penn Arts Alliance gathered for the first time in 2013. The purpose was the first meeting of the new year and it promised to be a great presentation. Well it was more so, members Dan Fione, Caroline Niesley and Ed Kane made a group presentation pertaining to doing artwork with ink, pen & brush. Ed started by passing out goose quills and talking about the use of the quill and the process used to turn a feather into a pen. Since Ed is also a re-enactor and performer he explained as to why he uses the quill and how it was used not only for drawing but also writing. He discussed the inks that he uses for the quill since it is natural and organic. Ed prefers to use natural inks made from soot ash, crushed black walnut shells, or iron oxide when using the quill. He will use modern ink when drawing with a metal point.


Dan then brought us back to the present and spoke about ink being used in illustration and publishing. Dan also spoke about his use of technical pens and brought along various drawings for a new piece that he is working on. Finally Caroline spoke about using ink with a brush and brought several examples of her work and other artists, cartoonists, and illustrators showing how the brush was used.

When the presentation was done, ink, pens, brushes and pencils were passed out along with blank card stock and blue line illustrations for everyone to try their hand at inking.

Ed took a goose quill and some iron oxide ink and began inking a pencil sketch that he had done of a scene along the Schuykill River.

Everyone that attended were engaged in learning about ink and how it can be used as a tool to create art. Several used toothpicks and straws to create their own piece with ink.