Insider573 magazine is the best read, best supporter and best thing that has happened to the area in which we live. So, unexpectedly being selected by them as this year's Person of the Year, I am greatly honored. Thank you, Insider573, for all that you do for us.

I am painting for my show opening February 26 at Studio de Michel during the monthly Art Walk. Please come and visit and enjoy the other 14 art spaces downtown. The next Art Walk is Friday, January 22. CLICK HERE for more Art Walk information.

Click on the cover to read the story.

Previews of works in progress

These are all 16" x 20" oils, the largest pieces of the new work, as they stand today. The exhibit is a week from this Friday, and I still have these to finish, plus 9 more new ones and 6 older ones that are being updated and reworked.

Fourth Friday Art Walk in April in Ste Genevieve

Mark your calendars for April 24 from 6 - 9 PM when the Ste Genevieve art community will host it's tenth monthly art walk! Three local artists will be featured in three different spaces. Ali Cavanaugh and her "Milly paintings" will be featured at Merchant Street Gallery (see http://alicavanaugh.com ). Juanita Wyman will be featured at Galleria Ste Genevieve. Mike Devaney will be featured at Studio de Michel (see previous post) with over 12 new paintings and 6 older paintings updated. Also, for the first time the Welcome / Visitor's Center will be open with the Art Colony paintings and the Misselhorn Collection. There are eleven art venues on the Art Walk this month. For more information go to http://stegenartwalk.blogspot.com

Paintings in progress

04/09/09

6" x 12" Zell Scene - Oils 04/09/09
10" x 10" Concrete Pots - Oils

04/09/09

6" x 12" Street Scene - Oils

16" x 20" Street Scene - Oils

12" x 16" Reagan - Oils

16" x 20" Hotel - Oils

6" x 12" Citizen's Electric - Oils

04/09/09

10" x 10" Whitecliff - Oils
04/09/09

16" x 20" Ste Genevieve - Oils
04/09/09

16" x 20" Ironton 1864 - Oils

This week I began to pull together the photo ideas that I have been saving for future paintings. Then, I picked out the canvases on which I wanted to make those paintings, made some preliminary outline sketches on the canvas and threw some paint on. Below are some of the works in progress. Next Sunday, or sooner, I plan to update with these as they have progressed.

LaPorte House

This is a painting I have had in the Studio for a long time. The first time I showed the piece was at the Ste Genevieve Christmas Art Show in 2007. This is a 24" x 20" oil painting. The top picture shows the piece unfinished just before the 2007 show in the palette I had originally used. I have gotten a lot of positive comments on the finished painting over the months, however, I have never been quite happy with it, nor has it sold. In the first place, the painting was started as a plein air painting with the summer sun directly overhead. I have never liked that kind of lighting for a painting, and most painters agree. So, I snapped some pictures of the same house in the late afternoon sun. As I rework the painting, I am considering that lighting.

Opening a Show on April 24th

Well, it's been a long time since I have posted. But, I want to announce that I will be starting to paint again tomorrow...and all month...until I have enough work to fill my Studio on April 24th.

My scheduled artist for May's exhibit (opening on the Fourth Friday in April) suddenly backed out last night. So, I am taking that spot! What the heck. I haven't worked since December, and it's about time I got the paint out. I will post at the end of every day, so that you can get a feel for what it would be like for me to try to produce a lot of good work in a short time frame.

By the way, April's Art Walk, here in Ste Genevieve, will be something you won't want to miss. Why?

Stay tuned.

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

View Larger Map

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).

Ste Genevieve Arts Forum

Inkeeper, and artist, Karen Kulberg (who will opening her own art studio with Bev Baker soon) has conceived the web log at www.stegenarts.blogspot.com to promote interaction among artists and art enthusiasts involved with the Ste Genevieve arts scene. The newest addition to the Ste Genevieve art scene is a monthly gallery and open studio walk on the fourth Friday evening of each month (beginning in July on the 25th). A map with the various venues participating will be published and available at locations throughout Ste Genevieve. For more information on this event, and other art news in Ste Genevieve, sign up at the blog Ste Genevieve Arts Forum (www.stegenarts.blogspot.com) or request to be placed on the Ste Genevieve Art Guild email list at http://sgag.typetching.com

Nighttime at Studio de Michel

A few minutes after I snapped this photo, I was joined under the umbrella by Brett & Ali Cavanaugh. We talked about business, spirituality and art late into the evening. You can see Ali's art at alicavanaugh.com.

Last Saturday night, during the French Heritage Festival, Main Street was full of people. One friend counted 20 people in and around Studio de Michel, under the umbrella and sitting on the benches and stairs.