Experimental Acrylic Techniques Workshop, Third Time!

Last May I was asked by the West Bank Art Guild to conduct an artist workshop. Based on enthusiastic reviews from my fellow artists, I decided I would again put together an “experimental acrylic techniques” workshop. The last one I taught was in 2012. So, it took a while for me to track down all the materials I had squirreled away. This time, however, the workshop took place in a new location.

Again, I encouraged the artists, who attended, to try different methods. Some even came up with their own ideas. Below are photos of the participants. The group was very productive and enthusiastic.

Tied for Artist of the Month

Tonight at the Jefferson Art Guild meeting, I tied with Terry Marks, Sr. for Artist of the Month for May 2013. My acrylic painting is titled “Running Red." His is an acrylic entitled “Roman Candy Guy at the Fest." After each meeting of the guild, there is an artist of the month competition. During the break, which precedes the program, members vote on the works submitted. The winner is announced at the end of the break.

Artist of the Season 2011-2012

Last night I received the Artist of the Season Award at Jefferson Art Guild's Annual Installation Banquet. During the year there were Artist of the Month competitions at a break following each business meeting. Members voted on the art entries. Each participant received points for participating and more points for placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd. At the end of the year, the points were tallied up in order to declare a winner of the Artist of the Season. A Golden Brush, or rather a brush with a gold ribbon, was presented to me. This past, January I tied for Artist of the Month. All year long I participated in the monthly competitions.

Second Term

Before I was installed for my second term as the president of Jefferson Art Guild, I was presented with a plaque that included a gavel and the guild logo. The plaque also displayed the years 2011 - 2013. Guild members teased me that there was no backing out now. Anyway, I was installed along with the other officers. The installer used a grocery shopping theme designating me with a can of Hormel Beef Tamales. The banquet was held at Jaeger's Seafood Beergarden. We had a lot of fun dining there.

Experimental Acrylic Techniques Workshop 2

After all the positive word of mouth about my “experimental acrylic techniques” workshop, I organized a second one. Again, I encouraged the artists, who attended, to try different methods. Some even came up with their own ideas. Below is a photo of two pieces I worked on during the workshop. The left painting involved imprinting of a sponge and string followed by a teal coat on top. The right painting was created by two types of bubble wrap sitting on top of watery acrylic and a glazing of magenta and then cadmium red. The artists, who attended, had a lot of fun.

Artist of the Month Competition

Earlier tonight, at the West Bank Art Guild meeting, I placed second in the Artist of the Month competition for February 2012. My acrylic painting is titled "Ocho." Prior to each general meeting of the guild, there is an artist of the month competition. Fifteen minutes before the meeting starts members vote. Then during the break, which precedes the program, the winners are announced.

There are three place ribbons. All three works hang on a wall downstairs at the Westwego Art Center. In the photo below are the artists with their winning artworks. From left to right there are Joan LeBlanc (3rd Place), Me (2nd Place) and Jude Trafficano
(1st Place).

Tied for Artist of the Month

Tonight at the Jefferson Art Guild meeting, I tied with Jackie Budde for Artist of the Month for January 2012. My acrylic painting is titled "Siete." Hers is titled "Steps of Pisa." After each meeting of the guild, there is an artist of the month competition. During the break, which precedes the program, members vote on the works submitted. The winner is announced at the end of the break.

Honorable Mention in St. Bernard!

Today, a watercolor of mine, “Turn,” received an Honorable Mention in the Under Glass category at the St. Bernard Art Guild Members Fall Show. The judge was Cathy Hallock. When members wandered around to view the winners, several of them came up to me to tell me how much they liked my winning piece.

New JAG President!

Tonight at a banquet, I was sworn in as the new president of the Jefferson Art Guild. The organization turned 15 years old this year. Back in 1996, I was one of the thirty-five Charter Members who helped found this organization. The group wanted to be sure that meetings stayed focused on art and fun rather rules.

Experimental Acrylic Techniques Workshop

Last June, I gave a presentation to the members of the West Bank Art Guild. I discussed my art surreal artwork and demonstrated some experimental acrylic painting techniques. After I was finished, several of the members asked me to have a workshop. Today I finally conducted a workshop on “experimental acrylic techniques.” I encouraged the artists, who attended, to try different methods. Some even came up with their own ideas. Below is a photo from the workshop. The left painting involved creating rock textures using a toothbrush. The right painting involved pressing my palette with excess paint against a fresh canvas. Everyone had fun.

Experimental Techniques in Acrylic Demonstration

On June 24th I demonstrated experimental techniques using acrylic paints at a West Bank Art Guild meeting. I filled the room with some large works that I painted between 1985 and 1988 as well as a couple from 1993. Before demonstrating, I passed around some of how-to books for my fellow artists to browse. Then came the messy part. I dripped and imprinted a variety of methods jumping from canvas to canvas. Several of the artists present expressed interest in a future workshop.

Collage Presentation

At tonight’s Jefferson Art Guild meeting I gave a presentation on my collage work from the last ten years. I brought my collage sketchbooks, three finished works and my how-to books to share with my fellow artists. While I talked I passed around the books. Many of the artists told me how much they enjoyed seeing my work and looking at the how-to books.

Honorable Mention and Best Abstract Plaque

Today two of my pieces were recognized at the St. Bernard Art Guild Members Fall Show. My collage, “Purple Blend” received an Honorable Mention in the Under Glass category. My dot art painting, “va” received a Best Abstract Plaque. Plaques are awarded for specific themes, i.e. best spiritual, maritime, portrait, etc. The judge was Kathy Miller Stone, an artist from Baton Rouge.







This show is the first one in the St. Bernard Government Complex since Hurricane Katrina. The building is located in Chalmette, which was devastated by flooding. At this afternoon’s reception, the St. Bernard Art Guild celebrated its 40th anniversary and recognized past presidents who attended.

Artist of the Month

Today I entered my painting "ov" in the Artist of the Month competition at the Le Petit Art Guild meeting. Following the voting by attending members, my painting was selected as the winner making me "The Artist of the Month." Below is a link to see the painting. See the rest of the series in my post from March 11th. Also, below is a link for my other dot paintings.


acrylic on canvas, 5" x 5"

dot art

Tres Earns Third Place

Thursday night at the West Bank Art Guild meeting, a painting of mine placed third in the "artist of the month" competition. Below is the piece I entered. During the break all the artists voted. It is always great to receive recognition from my peers.

After the meeting and program, the painting was hung in the center gallery along with the first and second place winners. Before, only the first place winner was honored. Now all three places are honored.

This is one of three paintings completed last October. I made a concerted effort to be less geometric in completing these paintings. The response from my fellow artists and non-artists has been very positive.


Tres


acrylic on canvas, 20" x 20"

3rd Place for Artist of the Year

At the West Bank Art Guild banquet, on May 25th, I received a certificate recognizing me for third place in the Artist of the Year competition.

At guild meetings member artists bring a piece to compete in an Artist of the Month Competition. During the break, members vote on the pieces entered. Names are covered so it is not obvious which artists made which piece. The top three vote getters are recognized. The first place artist has her/his winning piece displayed in the guild's gallery for a month.

The artists each receive points for participating and more points for placing. The accumulated scores are totaled at the end of the fiscal year.

At the February meeting, my piece placed third in competition. I did not attend every meeting in the year. But when I did, I brought a piece to compete.

The competition was created to encourage artist members to create new works.