SWOP opening in Pine Bluff, AR

Well, I managed to make it to the opening of Small Works on Paper, at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas on Friday, January 11, 2008. This place was very impressive. I had been told it was nice, and had high expectaions, but still, I was overwhelmed by it's beauty and lighting. I can't tell you how many mueseams and galleries I've been to that have really bad lighting or flow of space. Whoever designed it should get great recognition. In short, WOW!

The other thing that was refreshing was the kind people there. Everyone was so friendly and caring. I've only driven by Pine Bluff, never actually been there before. Cheri and Sally from the AR Arts Council were so understanding in my need for a chair, because of my health problems. I felt bad and couldn't stand up while the other artists spoke, but it was still nice to hear them talk about their work. I was glad to have an opportunity to speak about my piece, "The Unfurling Life". There was much more that I could have said about it, but I didn't think I could stand there for much longer. I have to say that I was surprised that there wasn't a grouping of chairs considering how large the room was.

My only real complaint is with whoever framed the works, there was a lot of dust in my piece, although that was not as bad as one of the purchase awards, which had a hair in it. I've been frustated by dust when framing my own work too, but usually only one maybe two pieces of dust ever show up in my frames. I find that computer screen clothes do the best job, when trying to capture run away dust on glass or plexi. Granted it takes 2 or 3 times to get it right.

Thanks to everyone who was so helpful. Also thanks to all those compliments, it really helped to lift my spirit.

Gretchen

SWOP opening accounced!

The opening for Small Works on Paper has been accounced. It will be held at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast AR in Pine Bluff, on Friday, January 11 from 5:30-7:30 pm. The address is 701 S. Main, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. The phone number is 870-536-3375. Regular hours of operation are 10 am -5 pm, Monday - Friday, and Saturday 1-4 pm.

I hope not only to be there, but if health permits, I might have an opportunity to speak about my work. Who knows how I'll be doing by then.

My work, "The Unfurling Life" will go on tour around the state for 2008. I think the entire touring schedule would be too large to post on here, so I'll do increments, and this very abbreviated schedule.

SWOP will be in Pine Bluff from January 4 -26th,
Hope from February 4-27th,
El Dorado from March 3- 28th,
Hot Springs from April 3- 28th,
Blytheville from May 5 -31st,
West Memphis from June 9- 30th,
Batesville from July 1- 30th,
Searcy from August 5 - Sept. 15th,
Conway from Sept. 18- Oct. 30th,
Fayetteville from Nov. 3- 26th

Please come and see my painting some point during the tour. This is the biggest show that I've gotten into so far. I appreciate your support!

Thank you,
Gretchen

Accepted into Swall Works on Paper! SWOP

I am proud to announce that my painting, "The Unfurling Life", was accepted into the Small Works on Paper from the Arkansas Dept. of Heritage. It along with other works will travel the state to 10 different locations throughout 2009. It will begin in January in Pine Bluff, but that is all the details I have so far.

Watch for more updates, as I get the infomation!

Thanks,
Gretchen

MSW Fall Exhibition 2007 at ARVAC!

My painting "Mystery Solved" is in the 2007 Mid-Southern Watercolorists Fall Exhibition. It is being shown at ARVAC in Russellville this year. The reception is this sunday, 18th from 1-3 pm at the AR River Valley Arts Center, 1001 East B St, RSVL, AR 72801.

ARVAC is behind the Hughes Bldg, when on Parkway, or next to city park on B ST.

I am planning on being there, but due to the nature of my pain, I cannot promise. Hopefully I will be able to.

Sorry this painting is not on my website yet. I will try to get Cliff to put it up soon.

Please come and show your support!
Thankyou !
Gretchen

MSW Summer Open Small Works Exhibit Opening

I barely made it to the opening, at 3:00. It was from 2-4. Sorry, if I missed anyone. I absolutely had to drag myself there. It was a good turn out, even at the halfway point. Lots of good artwork. I got a few complements myself. I really love all the folks from Mid-Southern Watercolorists. If you're a water-media artist in the South, I highly recommend joining this organization. I wish I felt well enough to be more involved. Even so, I still feel it's the most involved I've felt with an art community since college. Thanks to those who came! I really appreciate it.

MSW Summer Open Small Works Exhibition

I want to invite everyone to the opening reception for the Mid-Southern Watercolorist Open Membership Exhibit at Cantrell Gallery. It's on July 8, from 2:00 til 4:00, located at 8206 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR, 72227. I have "Sourwood Bonsai" in this show.

I plan on attending, but I'm still having pain from the surgery, so there is a chance that I won't be able to attend. I should be having a ct scan in the next week to find out if I have a surgical hernia or whatever is causing the continued pain. I found out last week that I have a couple of cysts on the same ovary, so I'm not very happy about that. I may have to have another surgery, so don't be surprised if there is another long period of neglect of this blog. Sorry. I'll try to post once I find out more.

I appreciate any continued support through this ordeal. Thankyou!

Fred Rawlinson at ALA meeting

Last night's Arkansas League of Artists meeting was amazing. I've never been so impressed by a guest. Not only is his artwork amazing, but it's down right entertaining to watch him make his art. He has a fun personality, probably because he has fun making his art. Infact, he only teaches workshops. He doesn't sell his art or enter competitions anymore. Fred Rawlinson does exactly what he enjoys.

All that is very inspirational, but the most inspiration I got out of his demo, was the speed he completed paintings. My chiropractor keeps telling me that I need to change mediums, so that I don't bend my neck. I can't bear the thought of leaving watercolour, even though I used to paint in oil. Some of his methods I could use to try to speed up my process, which would create less neck strain.

If you ever get the chance to take one of his workshops, then please do. If I had had the money and a better back (uncomfortable chairs), I would have taken it in a heartbeat. I can't go into great detail, but he had so many new tricks, things I never would have thought of, atleast not to use them in watercolour.

"Sourwood Bonsai" is now showing at US Bank

Last night my painting was voted at the Arkansas League of Artists to be shown at the US Bank on Capitol and Spring in downtown Little Rock! I'm excited to get some exposure. It's on an easel in the lobby, near the north exit. This is the first time I've entered too. If you can't see it in person, then you can click on the gallery link to the right of this column. The painting will be on display from today until Febuary 27th.