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Arts on Main

Community Arts Center in Gloucester, Virginia

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AiR Mail ~ Our artists in residence tell their stories…

Deliece Blanchard, one of the Artist in Residence this October shares her thoughts and diary with us to help us gain more insight into an artist’s creative process.

Day 1 Tuesday, Oct. 1 – I arrived bringing six paintings for the Arts on Main Gallery. The large “Morris Orchard Cabin” NFS, and five smaller paintings representing the Blue Ridge landscapes near me.

Day 2 Wednesday, Oct. 2 – I got up early and painted a small study of the boathouse at dawn. Walked around the point, noting the statues, architecture. Came home and played with photos of water reflections using gouache, and at 5:00 I painted the tree lined entry road.

Day 3 Thursday, Oct. 3 – At the boathouse by 6:45! Simple study of the sunrise. Then three paintings of the view looking back toward land. I’m trying to understand water. – These things – 1. Reflections 2. Color 3. Transparency – mostly the first two. Also, the way a tiny disturbance (e.g.. boat in the distance) affects a huge body of water, and that ripple response can be quite delayed. The distortion of the surface creates very INTERESTING organic, linear shapes in reflections. Very interested in the boathouse window and reflection. Also, thinking about how this solitude is affecting me. Trying to slow down. “No one needs me. No one is trying to reach me. I’m not performing. I don’t need to paint to please anyone.” It is very important for one to experiment and fail. It’s necessary for children, scientists, musicians, and artists.

Day 4 Friday, Oct. 4 – Overcast and windy. I walked around the gardens, feeling a little like a voyeuer. Then did a pencil sketch of boathouse window. Comfortably sitting in a chair sketching, I began to hear an extra lapping sound and turned to see a boat with three fishermen passing close by. It was like having strangers drift by my living room. a mutual silent hand wave – no speaking. Weird but nice. I was very aware of the cooler breezy air. Reflections minimal because of the breeze.

Thinking about the paradox of education. I love workshops with admired artists. I was very impressed that Kathleen Dunphy continues to learn from others, and she directed our class to Roz Stendahl’s online “Drawing in Public” class, which was life changing. However, I think you eventually need to tune out the advice. You can’t find your voice or solve your mystery with someone else’s technique. Looking at the water, I continually saw it differently, fighting against the assumptions in my head…..

Day 6 Sunday, Oct. 6 – Back down at the boathouse this morning because the air was still. Good reflections despite the overcast sky. So quiet. Listening to geese and the occasional flopping fish. Did three studies of the window reflections using black and white acrylic gouache. Challenging abstract and MOVING patterns. Patrick Saunders says “Paints what scares you.” Many things in plein air painting are challenges for me. Painting around people, dealing with adverse weather, carrying my equipment, but when it comes to subject matter, it is definitely painting anything that moves that I try to avoid. Today, painting the gently rippling reflections was an exercise in intense observation of the whole, the fleeting details, and working from memory. But, I had a comfortable seat, the quiet setting, and the satisfaction of visually meditating on a small aspect of the phenomenon of water and light.

Day 7 Monday, Oct. 7 – I did a sunrise painting of the river, and another study inside the boathouse.

I’ve been wondering how to tell the fourth grade students at Botetourt about what an “artist in residence” is. I’ve had several residencies and in the beginning I often feel undeservedly lucky to have the opportunity. Here, I’m surrounded by natural beauty and have a lovely cottage with a studio, a washer and dryer, an electric tea kettle and most of all TIME. People probably don’t realize that for many plays, novels, symphonies, and paintings to come into existence, the artist had help and support. I am so grateful that this residency is allowing me to explore, experiment, and work without interruptions. Because it is so precious, I’m not wasting a minute! Work, work, work!!

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: artist in residence, arts on main, deliece blanchard, gloucester va

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DECEMBER 2022:
Mary Morton Parsons Update

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Betsy Henderson, Interim Executive Director
director@gloucesterarts.org
(804) 824-9464

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(804) 824-9464

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adminassistant@gloucesterarts.org
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Communications@gloucesterarts.org
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Are you looking for ways to volunteer in the community? Arts on Main has wonderful volunteers and would like you to join them. Email adminassistant@gloucesterarts.org or call the gallery for more information. 804.824.9464.

 

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Meet Dathan Kane, one of the artists featured in o Meet Dathan Kane, one of the artists featured in our Black History Month Exhibit!

Dathan Kane is a contemporary abstract painter and muralist currently based in Hampton Roads, Virginia. He received his BFA in Art & Design from Virginia State University in (2014) with a focus on illustration & painting. The theme of his work focuses on the constant duality of life’s  choices whether positive or negative. He uses bold – organic, black/white shapes to explore the complexities of life and to gain a sense of balance through artistic expression. Dathan Kane has worked with numerous galleries, collectors and city mural projects across the state of Virginia, Baltimore Maryland and throughout the country. His work is currently included in the collections of Dollar Tree, Work Programs Architects (WPA) at Assembly Norfolk VA , VMFA (Virginia Museum of Fine Arts) as well as other institutional spaces. His first international exhibition took place at the Sichuan Contemporary Institute in China (2017). Kane was recently selected to be a muralist for the RVA Street Mural Festival (2022) in Richmond VA, Three Notchd “Leave Your Mark!” Mural Festival (2022) in Richmond VA and has exhibited with the Chrysler Museum (Glass Studio) Gallery in Norfolk VA (2022). In addition, Kane completed a two week residency program in Baltimore via “Studio House” producing two murals curated by the CAN Foundation. He currently serves on the board of the Hermitage Museum in Norfolk, Virginia and works on the (CAN) exhibition team at the Contemporary Arts Network in Newport News, Virginia.

Find more of his work at http://www.dkaneart.com
Story Shields Workshop by Featured Artist, LaKaye Story Shields Workshop by Featured Artist, LaKaye Mbah (Ages: Middle School Students-Adult)

Saturday, February 18
1:00pm-4:00pm

Arts on Main is excited to host a workshop by one of our February Black History Month featured artists, LaKaye Mbah. During this workshop, we will build a visual language based on our shared experiences, as well as what makes us unique as individuals. Together, we will discuss West African textiles and the history behind the creation of Story Shields, develop a shared visual language for the workshop participants, create story shields based on our shared visual language, and apply finishing touches that make each story shield unique.

‼️Registration deadline is Thursday, February 16 by 5pm.‼️

Sign up here: https://gloucesterarts.org/event/story-shields-workshop-by-featured-artist-lakaye-mbah/
Meet Ray Johnson, one of the artists featured in o Meet Ray Johnson, one of the artists featured in our Black History Month Exhibit! 

“As an artist, I aspire to create art that is meaningful and emotional. My art engages representation of black beauty, strength and perseverance. With the influences of artist like Dr. Fahamu Pecou, Patrick Dougher and Clayton Singleton, I try to capture the power in what it means to be “black”. I want all people to be able to connect and relate to my work. But I particularly hope that people of color gain pride through the positive representation of the black men and woman that I create.

In my work I like to use men and woman of color to express the topics of love, struggle and togetherness. With acrylic and oil, my paintings of random nameless figures are full of emotion that come to life on canvas.” – Ray Johnson

@rayjohnsonart 

Find more of his work at https://artxrayjohnson.com
Beginners Watercolor Paint Night with Jan Finn-Duf Beginners Watercolor Paint Night with Jan Finn-Duffy: Sea Turtle 🐢

Friday, February 17
6:00pm – 8:00pm

Join watercolor artist Jan Finn-Duffy for a fun evening of mixing paint and water to create an original piece of art!  No skills are necessary when you arrive, but don’t be surprised if you have a few watercolor skills when you leave!  All supplies are provided by the instructor.  Just come to experience the joy and fun of painting!

Cost is $40 per person.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 15 by 5pm.

Sign up here: https://gloucesterarts.org/event/beginners-watercolor-paint-night-with-jan-finn-duffy-sea-turtle/
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Activities at Arts on Main are partially funded by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Arts on Main is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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