Art Work And Exhibits Keep Coming Around

After a summer of art exhibits and sales events I took some time off from showing my work. That did not mean I stopped working. I updated my website, downloaded a Lightroom e-book and will soon be teaching myself more about that program. And this week I am in the process of updating my Etsy shop. 

I would appreciate any comments you may have about ways to improve the website and the Etsy shop.  Please feel free to e-mail me with any thoughts: pmlyon@juno.com

Website:  http://patricialyonsurrey.wordpress.com/

Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/lyonsurreyphotos

In November there will be a book release party at Lost Nation Theater in Montpelier, Vermont for Ron Thompson's new book, On Cue--for which I took the photos documenting the concepts in the book.  More on the book and the party in a later post.

And exhibits don't stop coming around even if I am busy doing other things. Here is one current exhibit and two upcoming ones.

University of Vermont

4th Annual Alumni Art Exhibit

Burlington, Vermont

In celebration of Homecoming Week and in partnership with the Alumni Association, this exhibit showcases the artistic talent of UVM alumni.

Where: Livak Fireplace Lounge and Gallery, Davis Center 4th floor
When: Wednesday, October 8th through Sunday, November 2nd
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 11, 2:00-3:30 PM

Patricia Lyon-Surrey photograph chosen by committee:

Point Reyes Illusion, a composite montage

16x20 matted print   $100

framed $200

 

 

 

 

 Bryan Memorial Gallery

180 Main Street

Jeffersonville, Vermont

Exhibit:  Gems

November 7-November 28, 2014

Opening Reception:  Friday, November 7    6-8 PM

 

 Adobe Blue

 8 x 10  Framed  Polaroid Transfer Print

$160 

 

 

 

Point Reyes Morning

 8 x 10 Framed and Matted Print

$160

 

Helen Day Art Center

90 Pond Street

Stowe, Vermont

Member's Show

Always a great holiday show and a tradition in Stowe for many years, the gallery walls are given over to the art of Helen Day's  members and the Festival of Trees runs in conjunction with the exhibit.  

Courtesy of Helen Day

This year the exhibit runs from December 2-December 28 and the opening reception (with great food)  is on Friday, December 5 at 5:00.

I haven't chosen my second entry; you can see my first below. It will be matted and framed and available for sale at the show.  

What to name it?  Simplicity of Winter?  Cat-o Nines in Winter?  If you have an idea for a name, e-mail me at  pmlyon@juno.com  

The first 5 people who send in an idea for a name will get 2 of my photo cards as a thank you.

 

My two photo entries will be matted and framed and available for sale at the exhibit.  This is a great opportunity to support an artist and an art center--Helen Day gets a percentage of the sale.

 

 

 

Wall Art

I visited the Kent Museum in Calais, Vermont to see an exhibit of contemporary art.  The Kent Museum is an historic 1837 tavern/general store at Kents’ Corner—a crossroads hamlet in Calais, Vermont—just 10 miles north of Montpelier. Operated for over 40 years as a seasonal museum by the Vermont Historical Society, the Museum today is owned by the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation, and currently hosts shows of contemporary art within the complex.  What resulted was my fascination, not of the art, but of a plaster walled room that was kept "as Is" and included writings from former tenants.  I started taking pictures of various parts of the walls.  Contemporary Art?

The Reluctant Fall Photographer

I find myself wanting less and less to take "ordinary photos."  Maybe it has something to do with everyone having a cell phone and using it constantly... Maybe it's because so many pictures are the same: streams caught in stillness, landscapes that show bucolic settings, reflections of everything, HD exaggerated colors ....
Maybe it is because I've been doing this a long time--been there, done that syndrome.
So, when a friend asked me to go on a photo shoot to capture the colors of fall in Vermont, I cringed.  And then I agreed to go.

Bucolic Landscape 1

Bucolic Landscape 2

Fall Close-up

Mustard Field in Fall

At some point I decided to start playing...

Tree Pan

Quarry 1

Quarry 2

Sumac Pan

Tell me what you think.  Are you an "ordinary picture" person?  Is it important for art to be new and different?  What is beautiful?  intriguing?  inspiring?

More Silhouettes

I love that the original silhouette portraits were named after Étienne de Silhouette, a French finance minister who, in 1759, was forced by France's credit crisis during the Seven Years' War to impose severe economic demands upon the French people, particularly the wealthy.  Because of de Silhouette's austere economies, his name became synonymous with anything done or made cheaply and so with these outline portraits. Prior to the advent of photography, silhouette profiles cut from black card were the cheapest way of recording a person's appearance.

Here are mine from the last class, also made very cheaply...  I definitely am in the market now for an overhead projector.  There must be hundreds lying around in school basements.

My "Dancing Tree" photograph enhanced with ballet dancers

On Blue with movement!

Swimming in Ice

A little whimsy added!

Tatted Snowflakes

Silhouette Photography Fun

I am taking a class at Helen Day Art Center on making silhouette photographs using an overhead projector, transparencies and various collected cut outs and small objects. The class is taught by artist Michelle Saffran (one of the members of my art group).   
I have so many ideas that I really wish it was more than a 2 day class!  I just may have to purchase an overhead and keep doing this!

In America, silhouettes were highly popular from about 1790 to 1840. They consisted mostly of "portraits" that were cutouts on black paper put against a light background. This was often the work of specialist artists, working out of booths at fairs or markets. A traditional silhouette portrait artist would cut the likeness of a person, freehand, within a few minutes.

You may also have seen illustrations in books that use this technique including the work of Hans Christian Anderson.

With the invention of the camera, the formal silhouette portrait began to disappear. 
Now, some digital photographers and other artists are using different techniques and ideas to create silhouette art.  One of my favorite artists Kara Walker uses silhouette art along with other unique methods to combat racism.  Here is one of her gorgeous and disturbing silhouettes:

And a link to her show at the Domino Sugar Factory which is not silhouette based but amazing art, some of which she created using molasses.

BUT I am getting off the subject of my photography class which is a much simpler version of creating silhouette art.  Transparencies, cut-outs and objects are stacked on the over head projector and projected onto a wall or board.  The projection is then photographed.  

I had my grandmother Buchta in mind for this first silhouette.  I placed a "babushka" doll and a pair of rosary beads on a transparency of trees and a fence.  It took awhile to discover how to arrange the objects on the overhead projector to create the image I wanted.  I love the result for it's nostalgic and haunting image of my starynka.

My love of birds inspired this next one.

Circles upon circles using bubble wrap as the transparency.

Thinking about my father and death.

Playing with objects....

My next class is Thursday--stay tuned for more images soon.  I've been out there looking for things to use and have some new and quirky ideas!

How I will spend the rest of August or Taking a vacation from thinking about art.

The first part of my summer started slowly with a photo show with 4 artists at a local hospital.  Things began to speed up in July with a large exhibit/sale scheduled for August 3rd--complete with refreshments provided by me and my art group.

In that same week 2 photos needed to be delivered and exhibited at the annual Round Barn Photography Show as part of the Vermont Festival of the Arts celebration.

My art group outside the Round Barn at the reception

Add all the prep that goes into exhibiting: renting space, sorting and matting photos, framing, writing and sending press releases, flyers, postcards, many hours of set up....

Then there was the surprise assignment for a portrait shoot that involved a learning curve on using lights in photography along with the usual touch up and delivery of photos; the contest I entered at the Maine Media Workshop and College; the submission to the University of Vermont Alumni Show.

Did I mention the final review of the galley for a book that I took photos for which comes out in September?  No wonder this does not feel like retirement from my job as an events coordinator!

The rhythm of an artist has to include sustenance along with the inspiration, creation, marketing, showing cycles.  After these weeks of marketing and exhibiting it is time for relaxation and slow breathing.
No thinking about art...no schedule to follow...no being "on."

In two weeks I leave the mountains of Vermont and head for ocean side Maine, staying at an inexpensive studio on a farm situated along saltwater flats.  I'll bring at least three books to read, my journal, my kayak, my bike. (And Roger!)  I'll be up at dawn to drink coffee and watch the sunrise over the sea.  I'll take a lazy kayak ride through the salt marshes and along the sea river.  I'll bike to the local bakery for muffins and the morning paper.  I'll pet the local dogs and watch the farm goats butt heads.

We'll get vegetables from the local farmer's market and add them to homemade pesto and pasta.  We'll eat when and what we want: our favorite granola; peanut chicken kabobs, fresh fish, salads galore....

Roger will sleep in. He'll relish the time to leisurely cook or barbecue.  He'll treasure the planning of  bike trips in a new area even if we decide not to do them.

Our time away will be short--3 days.   I've promised myself that when we leave Maine, along with the sand dollars and sea glass, I am going to carry my contentment home. I'm going to take the rest of this last summer month on vacation from the work of art.  September will be soon enough to start the cycle again.

On The Way Art Day

Bruce and Eric 

Michelle in black and Jackie in the background

After a "successful" show in the Valley, today started with unloading the car, organizing everything for a future exhibit, and finding a place for all that stuff in my tiny house and even tinier office.  Ahhh, but tonight all is well and everything is done--except for taking back the easels I borrowed...

In spite of the work, Vermont is a wonderful place to be an artist--such camaraderie among the arts and business community.  I borrowed easels from a friend who paints,  Marcia Hill, and the Helen Day Art Center.  

The mat holder came from a fellow photographer, Annie Tiberio Carmeron .  Our  advertising was enhanced by a sandwich board from Bear Pond Books, a local independent bookstore. 

Then there is the sweetness of being with a group of artists who look out for each other, help each other set up and take down even when tired and hungry, and are generous in the sharing of a Visa square with those who don't have one (me).
Holly King, Michelle Saffran, Jackie Smith--thank you for being such enthusiastic and kind members of our art group.  We are truly "On The Way." And thank you to your partners and mine for being there to lug tables and chairs and art in and out, up and down, and around.

Oh, and how can I forget that we had underwriting help from  Majestic Auto of Moretown who generously paid the cost of insurance for the rental of the Historic Moretown Town Hall.

Speaking of historic-- the tin ceiling, hardwood floors, and large stage, complete with old stage curtains, added greatly to the ambience of the day. As did our musicians, Bruce Saffron, Eric Nielson and "Peace and Pardon," a trio that sings 19th century parlor music.

What a special day!

Holly and a prospective buyer

Patricia and her friend/buyer of art Karen

The refreshment table