Art Walk and new paintings

Itś Sunday, and I´m looking back over this weekend. What a great experience. Studio de Michel had its grand opening and the Ste Genevieve arts community had its first Fourth Friday Art Walk. From all indications, the Art Walk was a smashing success and the studioes and galleries are planning for next months. The grand opening was well attended, and we may have seen around 75 visitors.

I finished two more commissions. The first was a watercolor of a photograph taken by the parents of one of the cast members of Fiddler on the Roof. Itś 9¨x 12¨. The second is a Ste Genevieve home in oil. It measures 10¨x 14¨. My Beauvais Porch (see previous posting) sold, as well.

August Exhibit Installed

It's early morning and I just finished with the installation of August's exhibit. Working all night makes me tired, but happy that it's all done. A few details left and, hopefully, a little concentration will be left to finish those. Something new for Studio de Michel is handcrafted jewelry by Julie West and Keith Hible. Our featured artist this month is James F. Wilson. Along with him, we will have Pamela Wickard, Suzie Cooper, Adrienne Rosen and Jack Tandy from St Louis. Tonight's opening will feature guitarist Josh Hinkebein and a few of our new artists. Also, well represented again this month is the Ste Genevieve Art Guild by Juanita Wyman, Iris Vincent, Mary Ann Roth, Betty Joggerst, Matthew Fels, Lulu, Jacque Brillos, Anita Alsup, Pat Ferguson, Jane Naeger and Cloice Lindewedel. Returning, also, is Barbara Olson and Mary Peura.

Hanging a New Exhibit

On Friday, July 25, a new exhibit opens in the Gallery of Studio de Michel. The featured artist is James F. Wilson, Artist in Residence at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Missouri. Through the Studio window, I took this picture of his oil painting, Colonial Still Life. This (approx) 18" x 24" unframed piece is priced at $600. He paints large, so I have three framed landscapes, 30" x 36" oils, which will take up most of a wall. I will be showing some of his other large oils and some watercolors.

Another artist I am proud to show, is Pamela Wickard from St Louis. Her latest works are large acrylic collages, in muted pallets, of females in various moods. She has a series of brightly painted florals in oil; another series of women in acrylic and some landscapes.

Rounding out the exhibit, this month will be paintings by various members of the Ste Genevieve Art Guild, Adrienne Rosen and Jack Tandy.

Map of the Arts District in Ste Genevieve

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"Vase of Flowers after Renoir"

This painting is 16" x 24" on canvas panel in oil, priced at $275 unframed.

My Vacation is Over

Since July 4th, I have been on vacation. No plans...just whatever...the way I like it. So...what did I do? A few little things...but most meaningful things. A movie and dinner with Patrick. A trip to St Louis with Sara. Digging through surplus frames at MM&G. Ordering reproductions of a small painting of Shaw House. Meeting with 4 artists interested in my gallery. Dinner at Chammette with Lulu, Bonnie and Jan. First Friday opening at Girardo Exhibit at the Arts Council Cape with Sara and Lulu. Picking up and painting doors for an art display. Meeting with Karen on finalizing plans for the new Ste Gen Art Walk. Dinner with Maryann during the storms. Talking with Iris and Anita. Getting a visit and card from Angie. Sitting in front of my studio under the umbrella and feeling happier than ever. Sunday dinner with Lulu, Spike and Bonnie and a walk afterward. Picking up an egg from Katie in her PJs. Saying goodbye to vacation and writing this blog.

August Exhibit being Formed

I am overwhelmed by the response and support of the artists to the gallery space at Studio de Michel! A sincere thanks to all who are involved.

An unexpected visit, today, from native artist Leon Basler (currently living in N Dakota) was welcomed. He was referred by Judy Sexhauer of Galleria Ste Genevieve (another well established, artist owned, Ste Genevieve art venue). Leon gave me some insight into the Ste Genevieve artist community of the 1960s and 70s which cements the city of Ste Genevieve with art since the 1930 - 40s artist colony. He had never viewed the wonderful art book written on the Ste Genevieve Art Colony and Summer School of Art, and was amazed by it as I am.

This week I have accepted work by three new artists. Jim Wilson, Adrienne Rosen and Jack Tandy have all accepted invitations to exhibit in Ste Genevieve at the Studio.

Jim Wilson, of Farmington, an art professor and "artist-in-residence" at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, will have oils and watercolors exhibited. He is my first "featured artist", an idea I am trying out for August. Adrienne Rosen of St Louis is a juried member of Best of Missouri Hands and brings watercolors, colored pencil and oils. Jack Tandy of St Louis is well recommended by Adrienne and he is exhibiting acrylic paintings. Another artist invited to return is Lulu who has an exhibit in Cape Giradeau in July and Memphis in August. The Ste Genevieve Art Guild is represented well by Juanita Rapp-Wyman who is exhibiting her pastels, mixed media and oils both here and in Cape Girardeau this month; and by Matthew Fels who brings brilliant colors and a unique style (including mice) to his oils. Other Art Guild-ers are Betty Joggerst, Anita Alsup, Iris Vincent, Mary Ann Roth, Pat Ferguson, Cloice Lindwedel, Jacque Brillos and Jane Naeger. (I will add more as I remember.)

Returning artists invited for August are Barbara Olson and Nikita Wors of St Louis and Sara Best of Biehle.

All I need is more wall space or more discernment. Don't be surprised if I can't hang every artwork received for August. I will be adding more "wall" space by utilizing four antique single panel doors donated by Ken Kulberg (whose wife Karen is opening her own studio space with Bev Baker this month at Main Street Inn).

August's exhibit will open, as usual, on the Last Friday of the Month (which is also the very first Ste Genevieve Fourth Friday Art Walk) with a preview at 6 pm and a "Meet the Artists Reception" from 7 - 9 PM. During this time, participating artists will be available, on and off as they choose, to meet patrons and discuss their work (Jim Wilson will not be available until August since he is on vacation).

Blog from Studio on Nokia N800

Earlier this year, I bought a Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, a blue tooth keyboard and unlimited data on my ATT blue tooth phone. I have been using this setup to check email, browse and other things. This is the first time I have posted to my blog with this setup. First, I took pictures with my Samsung Digimax D53 and moved the SD memory card to the Nokia N800. Now I am posting the new picture of the painting I finished yesterday.

This is a 16¨ x 20¨ oil painting on canvas board of a photo I took last summer of Inn St Gemme Beauvais´ front porch in the afternoon sun. In February of this year, the Inn suffered a devastating electrical fire. It sits across the street from Studio de Michel with all of its windows boarded and construction guys going in and out. The owners told me that the Inn will reopen next year.

Meanwhile, enjoy the memory from last summer. The painting is priced at $225.