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.

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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.

"Remnant Church"

A member of Ste Genevieve's Remnant Church commissioned this painting, and the frontal view of it, after seeing several street scene photographs I had taken (one of which I am working on now) of the church. So, I went out and photographed the church again, from across the street, when the lighting was indistinct. As I was finishing the picture one morning, the sun came out strong and I snapped a new photograph with strong light and shadows, which helped me paint in strong shadows and strong light. Oils, 11" x 14" on canvas board, framed $200 SOLD.

The Southern Hotel

This is a commissioned oil painting, 11" x 14", of the famous Ste Genevieve landmark, the Southern Hotel at the corner of Third and Market Streets. SOLD.

The Old Academy

It has been a few weeks since I have published any posts. The reason for this is that I have been working on several paintings. Hopefully you will enjoy these. This is a 10" x 14" plein air oil painting started in a workshop with Michael Anderson in October. A buyer saw it unfinished and commissioned me to finish it. SOLD.

"Morning Levee Light"

Painted from a photo taken about a month ago from the Mississippi River levee north of downtown, the golden morning light makes this scene glow happily. Done in softer tones and brushwork, this painting is in oils on canvas board, 16" x 20". This piece will be on exhibit at the Garden Gallery in Cape Girardeau for the month of November, 2008, as a part of the Ste Genevieve Art Guild exhibition. SOLD

"Ste Genevieve Scene"

From a photo I took a month or two ago, I painted this 16" x 20" street scene of Ste Genevieve. This is a classic shot. Done in oils on canvas board. This will be in an exhibit of the Ste Genevieve Art Guild at the Garden Gallery in Cape Girardeau in November, 2008. The exhibit of some 60 pieces will open on Friday, November 7 during the First friday Gallery Hop in Cape. See you there. SOLD.

Five Paintings Sold Today!

"The Main Street Inn" 11" x 14" oils, SOLD.

A woman came in and bought 2 finished paintings, "The Hotel Entrance" and "The Main Street Inn". Then she asked me to finish 2 that were in process, "The Inn Ste Gemme Beauvais" and the "Old Academy". Then she commissioned me to paint the Southern Hotel. Thank you for your support (pictures of the new work will be posted soon).

"Menard Porch" Best of Show

"Menard Porch" This painting, along with "Inn St. Gemme" (below), were entered into the 2008 Ste Genevieve Plein Air Event competition and won 2nd Place in the category "oils and acrylics", and Best of Show! Thank you, to the judges, for the recognition. This is a view from under my table umbrella, outside my Studio in Ste Genevieve, looking north on Main Street. The sun hits the porch beautifully in the later morning. The challenge is catching it in paint. Desc: 16" x 20", plein air painted outdoors, in the late morning, over a 3 day period, oils on canvas board, $225 unframed. SOLD on 10/15/08

"Inn St Gemme Beauvais"

"Inn St. Gemme Beauvais" This painting was done over a three day period during the annual Ste Genevieve Plein Air event, October 3-10, 2008. After I got started, I noticed how much foreground I had! I decided, instead of changing the composition too much, to try and make the foreground more interesting. That was my challenge on this one. This is the view from the front of the Studio de Michel, looking across the street. Click to enlarge. Desc: Plein air painted over a 3 day period, in the late afternoon sun, 16" x 20", oils on canvas board. $225 unframed. SOLD on 10/15/08

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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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

Good morning and thoughts

This good morning begins with last night.

My Galerie de Artś exhibit is scheduled to open each last Friday of the month. Last night was the last Friday of June.

Artists new to the exhibition are Lulu, Barbara Olson and Nikita Wors. I cannot describe their modern art, but their influence in the exhibition and on my Studio is dramatic.

New work by artists Jacque Brillos, Matt Fels, Juanita Wyman, Iris Vincent and Mary Ann Roth were added to compliment the continuing exhibit of art by Jane Naeger, Cloice Linwedel, Pat Ferguson, Anita Alsup, Sara Best and Betty Joggerst. Many of these artists, along with Ali Cavanaugh and Karen Kulberg, spent most of the evening sipping wine, playing with children and talking art. Friends Richard Ellis and Arveda joined the artists and video taped portions of the evening. Others who stopped in were Bonnie Samuelson, Sam Conlon, Marjori Jokerst, Ken Kulberg, Carol (Bruceś Carol), Cathy Braun and Mary Peura.

Thoughts: These expressions of personal art which surround me, influence me.