Meredith Kuntzsch Artist Blog

Life in the Balance

2016-03-30T21:32:00.000-04:00

Life is just one big balancing act. For me it's a constant juggle between my left brain and right brain duties and responsibilities that go along with managing an art career. If I could become two people, one working at the computer doing taxes and the other working at the easel making art, my world would be in perfect harmony.

"Balancing Act" 24x24 inches, acrylic on canvas with sculptural stainless wire embellishment. ©M. Kuntzsch 2012

Everyone Needs a Good Flight Plan

2012-03-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

I'm an aeronautics lover. Plain and simple. If it flies, I'm there. So here's a nod to my left brain lusting of the fabulous flying machine.

"Flight Plan" 48x24 inches, acrylic on canvas with sculptural stainless & copper wire embellishments. ©M. Kuntzsch 2012

Texas' Friendly Prickly Pear

2012-03-23T19:00:00.000-04:00

The prickly pear cactus is not just about it's spiny pokers that can catch you off guard while hiking around here in the Texas Hill Country. Nope. It's much more friendly that you realize. Did you know that its fruit can be used in jam, margaritas and simply eaten well chilled? Now you do. So here's to the friendly prickly pear...

"Prickly Pear" - 24x24 inches, acrylic and graphite on canvas, ©M. Kuntzsch 2012

Gauguin in the Tropics

2012-03-22T22:29:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I finished this 48x24 inch painting on canvas. And although while I was painting I wasn't thinking of famous artist Paul Gauguin and his Tahitian inspired paintings, I realized once I was to write this blog post that the colors I used were certainly of the same variety as the ones he used. And... although I'm back in my Texas studio right now, I can tell that the tropical atmosphere of South Florida is still playing with me. Ahh....warm ocean breezes, ripe fruit falling from the trees...heaven.

Paul Gauguin - Still Life with Mangoes

"Exotic Fruit" - 48x24 inches, acrylic and charcoal on canvas, ©M.Kuntzsch 2012

2012-02-28T20:19:00.001-05:00

New work on canvas to be introduced to Texas. And two big shows with pastels. Read more here.

Making Sense of the Natural World

2012-01-09T13:07:00.001-05:00

I've been working on my series of mixed media paintings on canvas that I'll be exhibiting at a show for the first time next month. For me it's like learning a new language and being asked to present a speech without understanding the basics of sentence structure. I've been working in pastels for so long, however, that creating a large body of work in a new direction is incredibly freeing and at the same time quite dizzying. What I'm learning is that no matter what medium I work in, the message always has a connection to the natural world. I've been thinking a lot about this - how a species is created, organisms, systems, designs produced by these life sustaining systems. Check out this shell and limestone rock. Notice the intricate circles in both. The shape and form and color and texture...oh my. It's informing the overall flavor of my work. I'm also inspired to draw lines in charcoal mimicking the shapes and symbolizing the idea of systems of creation, birth, life, etc. This is bringing another layer into the realm of painting - delicate lines mingling amidst the paint. This is just so much fun. It's as simple as that.

Free Shipping For the Holiday Season

2011-12-03T13:37:00.001-05:00

Yes, it sounds like a shameless sales tactic. But free shipping from now until the end of the year is my was of thanking all my loyal collectors - old, new and soon to be. Be watching the blog as I will highlight different paintings in the days to come. Also be sure to visit my website for the entire body of work available now.

"Rolling In"
Original Pastel, 20x20 inches, (framed to 29x29 inches), ©M. Kuntzsch 2011
$1150

Long-hidden Diebenkorns surface at Hirshhorn | Tyler Green: Modern Art Notes | ARTINFO.com

2011-11-30T18:22:00.000-05:00

Long-hidden Diebenkorns surface at Hirshhorn | Tyler Green: Modern Art Notes | ARTINFO.com

What's in a Name?

2011-11-28T20:54:00.001-05:00

Hear ye, hear ye.

I've decided to change the name of this blog from "Duststorms" to "Art <=> Life." As we grow and change, so does our focus. And because of that I began to feel like the title of my blog needed some housekeeping to keep in line with this new focus.

No longer do I work only in soft pastels (as in the dust in Duststorms), but also now in oils and acrylics and charcoal, ink and more. And I'm rooted in the knowledge that my passion for life is a passion for art and that passion for art makes a difference in life. Hence, Life = Art and Art = Life, or Life <=> Art. It goes both ways. It's a perfect balance, a kindered relationship, two pieces of a puzzle that fit together to form a whole. Art has been a part of human private, social and ceremonial life since the dawn of time. Art is everywhere and forever. Not just at galleries or art fairs or museums. But all around you. You are art. That tree is art. The sun on the ice is art. The detritus found on beaches? Most definitely some of my favorite art. It is everything, it is life.

But where does the concept of giving play in? In the giving of yourself - the greatest gift in the world. My gift giving is teaching a form of art therapy in order to empower those in need. Creation is a life force providing a sense of freedom and the ability to say the words one might never have been able to speak. Some pretty powerful stuff, wouldn't you say?

So hurray for committing to a new focus as 2012 nears. Perhaps these are good questions when figuring out your New Year Resolutions. Are you finding aspects of your life on which you are refocusing? If so, how are you going to follow this new focus internally and externally? I'd love to hear from you.

A Most Exciting Countdown

2011-11-28T17:57:00.001-05:00

Whew, this has been a tough year, what with the huge storm that destroyed my paintings and equipment in June and most recently my month-long stint in the hospital. (Thanks to all the personal well wishes.) But I have to tell you, I'm excited! Why? Because I'm not going out of 2011 like a lamb, I'm going out like a lion - one who is breathing fire and all stoked up for an exciting 2012.

What's the hype? Well get ready for not only new work in pastels, but new work in mixed media (oils, acrylics, charcoal, collage, etc.) I'll be showing my mixed media paintings at my show in February in Jupiter, FL - Artigras. If you're in the area I encourage you to come out to the show and check it out.

"Origin" 24x24 inches, mixed media on canvas, ©Meredith Kuntzsch 2011

I Gave a Lecture and Got So Much in Return!

2011-10-24T12:42:00.000-04:00

My final show of the 2011 summer tour was Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson, TX (Dallas area.) This is such a well juried show and really quite competitive in 2D. The art goers have a bevy of good work choose from. Highlights from this show was I just happened to meet a wonderful couple who, as it turned out, happened to be the in-laws of a woman who works for my brother and sister-in-law all the way up in Michigan. Talk about a small world! We had a lot of fun making this connection, and they walked away carrying a nice, big painting. We joked that we are family now. I definitely feel this way and am so happy that the painting that I worked on so hard is now living with them.

Another highlight was visiting the art magnate kids at West Jr. High in Richardson. I gave a visiting artist lecture to roughly 100 of the most enthusiastic, polite kids I've come across in a long time. I had a ball. Many of them came to the show on Saturday to visit with me and see the work in person.

But the best thing was that a couple of weeks later I received a package in the mail with a huge stack of postcards from the kids. They had all created a little piece of art and written a thank you message on the back.
One young lady, Rachel, wrote: "Dear Ms. Kuntzsch: You have inspired me to keep on doing art because I thought about stopping but I thought if you put your mind to it, it's all okay. So thank you for taking your time 'outta' the day and using it to inspire kids about art!."
It really touched me! Thank you West Jr. High students!!! You gave me so much in return.

Here are just a few of the postcards.

Back on the Horse, Back on the Road

2011-08-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

Today is a big day. I woke early, grabbed my list to do list and downed a cup of coffee before heading out to Lowes. Normally I would get up slowly....slowly....drink some coffee, read my book. You know, ease into the day. Then work from noon till 10pm. But today is different because today is the last day I have to get ready for my next show - my FIRST SHOW since the big storm wiped me out in June. Whew.

Yes, I'm a little nervous. Not so much about the weather, but about having enough work to show, about having all the equipment I need to set up my booth, and about my vehicle which is sitting in the dealership service bay right now. Yikes! I'm looking at the clock seeing the minutes, hours tick by and cringe knowing that everything I need to accomplish before leaving early tomorrow morning will probably not get finished until, well, early tomorrow morning. But such is the life and I know once I'm on the road driving toward the beautiful Kentucky horse country, I'll be a happy camper.

I've never done the Woodland Park Art Fair before, but I'm betting on the gentile Bluegrass State hospitality coming from the good people of Lexington. My mother was born and raised in Louisville, her whole family hailing from the area, and I have a deep sentimental response every time I hear someone play "My Old Kentucky Home." (Did you know Johnny Cash sang a rendition of this?) It reminds me of innocence, safety, shady summer afternoons sharing a Coke with my grandmother while squeaking back and forth in her metal glider, my little legs dangling, never quite reaching the ground. Life was so simple, so perfectly happy at those moments.

So here I come art lovers. I'm back up again and taking my first wobbly steps. I'll finish that last painting, frame it, go through all my gear, pack the vehicle to its gills (once it's out of the shop) with paintings and bags and tent and walls and more, make the 9-hour drive, find my hotel, spend Friday unloading and setting everything up (oh my aching back) and then back to the hotel for a good night's sleep. All of this will be done in preparation for the moment when I can stand there on Saturday morning in front of my work and say, "Yes, I'm back up on the horse! Time to celebrate."

I Love These Voices in my Head

2011-08-08T18:37:00.001-04:00

I love listening to talk radio. It keeps me feeling a part of the world while holed away in the studio. And thankfully so many good podcasts abound these days that I'm never at a loss for something good to listen to while working, exercising or driving cross country. So I thought, why hide the good stuff? Here's a list of some good audio listening to keep your mind in the game of life and art:

The Untitled Art Show

Erik Issac and Michael Keen host this often hour-long (my favorite length) show featuring discussions with artists active in Denver's booming art scene. Erik and Michael really do have some insightful discussions relating not just to the methods and materials of artmaking, but also the philosophy of and questions posed by the act of creating art. It's a lively, intelligent show with no lack for good artist interviews.

This American Life

A production of Chicago Public Media and hosted by public radio icon Ira Glass. I've been listening to the show since it first came out in 1995, and it never disappoints. Each show is based on a theme. Then there are three stories based on that theme. It's journalistic storytelling at its best with lots of juicy sound bites that make it incredibly entertaining. Yet I always come away having learned something wonderful.

Art a GoGo

I've only just found this podcast, but so far it seems there's something there for the avid artoholic and the newbie alike. The podcast features news, reviews and commentary about art in a style that is entertaining and accessible. It's art news without the art speak.

WNYC's Radiolab

Another public radio offering in the style of This American Life. Radiolab, with hosts Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, is a show and podcast that weaves stories and science into sound and music-rich documentaries. The hosts are clever and funny, a perfect mix to handle the subject matter in an amusing way.

If you have a favorite podcast to share, I'd love to hear about it!

Save An Artist - The Columbus Storm Aftermath

2011-06-10T22:13:00.000-04:00

As many of you may know by now, my most recent show in Columbus, OH, the Columbus Arts Festival, was hit with a microburst storm with no more than a few minutes warning. (click here to see a video.) It was a terrifying experience as I was alone in my booth hanging on for dear life while around me my booth, walls and artwork all collapsed into a heap in the more than foot of water with live electrical wires. I thank God I wasn't hurt more than I was, but my equipment and artwork suffered a major loss. Like most traveling artists, I didn't have insurance that would cover my equipment and work out on the streets of America. Every piece of artwork in my possession (except two lovely seascapes) are ruined. I'm left with the pieces of a broken business and am faced with the prospect of rebuilding in the face of financial devastation. Did I cry? You bet.

It's funny. I consider myself a giver. Turbo Tax even flagged me this year on my charitable contributions line item. Apparently I give more than I should based on my income. But there are so many who need more than I have. Or had. I don't ask for help easily, and maybe this, as with all the other hardships I've endured in my life, are God's way of making me learn how to trust, open up, be vulnerable and accept help when I need it. Oh geez, it's still hard to do. So I've come up with a little plan whereby I'm asking for help, but giving back at the same time. (Please see the Save An Artist page in this blog.)

1. I'm offering a "pre pay" sales and/or donation page. Rather than wait until the end of the year, pre pay now for a beautiful 2012 full color wall calendar of my work. Printing of the calendar runs around $1700, so hopefully enough people will decide to purchase one in advance to cover this expense and yet allow me to have some cash flow now to get back on my feet.

2. Or, pre pay now in an installment plan for the purchase of future work. You can commission any size painting in any color and style similar to those on my website. Or once new work is posted, simply choose your favorite and the money you've pre payed will allow you to purchase a painting at a discounted price.

3. Or if you feel like just donating, I'm offering that as well. And I'm thanking you profusely.

Next week I'm scheduled to go on my annual mission trip to work with the poor in Peru. It's ironic timing for sure. Experiencing hardship puts you closer to understanding the hardship of others. I only wish I had the art supplies to take down to the children this year. I'm feeling like I've failed them. Who knows, perhaps there's still a way to pull it off.

Most importantly, I would like to thank everyone who has sent me personal messages, called and posted Facebook messages with their concern and prayers. This has all meant more to me than you can imagine.

And so I'm asking you now......Can you help save an artist today?

If you have a blog or Facebook account, know my work and believe in this, would you mind passing along the word? Thank you, Meredith

Home is Where the Art Is

2011-05-22T21:43:00.000-04:00

After months on the road doing winter shows, I finally made it back home to TX. My tour through Florida was beautiful...and busy. From Jupiter to Delray Beach to Ft. Lauderdale, Sarasota, Bonita Springs, Venice, and St. Petersburg, I painted, did shows, saw my collectors and friends, met new customers and fellow artists, and signed on with art dealer Sandra Neustadter. I held a baby shark. I swam in the ocean. I even started a healthy new diet. And I got some amazing inspiration. It was a great winter indeed! But the time came to finally go home.

During the winter several of my paintings found their way home too - to their new homes, that is. I just love seeing where they go. Take a look at these photos. Don't these two customers have gorgeous styles? Both are different - one being quite contemporary, and the other being more conservative.

The first home is a streamlined condo overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Gorgeous. Need I say more?

The second one is a restored 1920s home that the owners are decorating from the ground up. Everything that goes in the house is being selected especially for it. No hand-me-downs and nothing brought from another house. What fun that would be to start fresh! Wouldn't you love to be a guest in this cool, calming bedroom? I sure would.

If you have purchased artwork from me in the past, I'd love to see where you have your painting(s) hanging. Drop me an email with your jpeg image. Thanks so much.

Four Reasons You Shouldn't Miss the Mainsail Arts Festival in St. Petersburg

2011-04-12T00:22:00.000-04:00

Ah, the time has come for my last show in Florida for winter of 2011. Did you miss me at another Florida show this winter? Well, this is your chance! Your, ahem, last chance.

The Talent

There's some pretty stiff competition at this show in terms of talent. Why especially? Well, Mainsail offers a hefty sum to the artist who wins Best of Show. Yep, a full $10,000. Wowser! So this is a good opportunity for art lovers to come out. You'll be sure to see some extremely serious talent vying for that award money.

Sweet Spot

The show is in such a nice setting. Artists are set up along the water on the soft grass of Vinoy Park, just one of the many attractions along gorgeous Bayshore Drive. You could make a nice weekend getaway out of it. Now doesn't that sound lovely?

Unveiling

I'll have new work at the show, so even if you've seen me earlier this year, expect to see quite a few new paintings. I'm working on a big piece tomorrow that will hopefully be done in time for its debut.

Don't be Left Out
I hope to see you all there! You'll be kicking yourself if you miss it. And I just hate to think of you hurting yourself that way.

36th Annual Mainsail Arts Festival
Location: Vinoy Park, Bayshore Drive & 7th Ave. N.E.

St. Petersburg, FloridaSaturday, April 16th, 2011 ~ 9am to 6pm &
Sunday, April 17th, 2011 ~ 10am to 5pm

Mini #69

2011-03-24T21:23:00.001-04:00

Mini #69

5x7 inches, original pastel on paper

Framed to 10x14 inches

$190 plus shipping

SOLD

The minis are exquisite--even surprisingly so.

It's amazing to me that in such a small space you create so much magic!

-Customer J.W.

Making Your Own Pastel Stick

2011-03-21T19:23:00.000-04:00

When I paint with pastels, the pigment sifts down the easel from the surface of the painting leaving me with a bunch of loose, leftover "dust." I don't let this go to waste, however. Instead I gather it up and create my own pastel sticks from this loose pigment. In doing so, I've come up with some of the greatest colors in my pastel stick arsenal. View this video and you too can learn how to easily make your own sticks. Enjoy!

Painting "Profusion of Purple"

2011-03-02T11:23:00.000-05:00

Watch Me Paint - Orange Crush

2011-03-01T12:38:00.000-05:00

Here's a time compressed video of still shots taken over the several hours it took to paint "Orange Crush." Enjoy!

"Orange Crush"

20x20 inches, Pastel on Paper

Setting Goals & Making Plans in 1500 miles or less

2011-02-17T03:11:00.001-05:00

I'm en route to Jupiter, Fl. For Artigras Festival of Arts. The highway is filled primarily with 18-wheelers at 2am. But there's no worry of catching rush hour traffic anywhere. I check into my hotel tomorrow afternoon and have 540 miles left to get there. I'll just keep driving and driving and nap in the back of my van when I need to. I have everything packed to the gills in my trailer, and only partially in the van so that there is room enough for a bed the size of a sleeping bag. Perfect.
As I head to the show I find myself wondering how much longer I'll be doing my current body of work. As many of you know, I've been doing a lot of experimenting lately with different styles and mediums. Where will I go with this? When will it come to fruition? (Lightbulb Moment: now would be the perfect time to catch me at a show or visit my website if you or someone you know thought they would buy a piece "someday." That "someday" very well might be here.) I always have these big planning and goal setting sessions in my mind while driving America's long highways. I think sometimes you have to get away from the distractions of the studio in order to do your best art biz brainstorming work. Driving long distances work well for me because I love listening to art biz podcasts or audiobooks with no interruptions. Its such a treat!
And so, its Onward Ho! I'm looking foward to seeing all my Palm Beach area collectors as well as Facebook fans and blog followers. You all make the hard work fun.

How to Write An Artist Statement in 10 Years or Less

2011-02-14T15:34:00.000-05:00

Writing an artist statement is HARD. I've written several over the years and find it's one of the more difficult tasks that I have to handle. I simply don't know how to describe what my work is all about because frankly, I don't really engage the left side of my brain when I'm painting. I just do it. So I got to thinking, instead of describing my work, why don't I describe how I see the world instead? So here's what I came up with. It's not an artist statement, it's merely a short piece of writing based on a true lesson I received which has altered the way I look at the world to this day. I think it applies not only to my pastel work, but also to my new abstract work on canvas. Because who I am, the spirit inside me, and how I view the world around me influences everything I create. What is your inspiration?

My teacher said,

“Pretend you are an alien just landed on this planet.

Now, tell me what you see”

What is grass?
It is something without a name.
It is cool and fragrant beneath my feet.
It is soft whiskers, it is a bed,
it is a jungle, it is an ocean.

Do you see the fields, so similar to water
with their never-ending waves of color?

You will find me collecting stones,

or an oddly shaped seed pod,

shells and bones,
they are all worthy gifts
heavy and wet in my pockets

like treasures, like secrets, my loot.

I used to make believe that the

clouds were fluffy furniture,

and the sky my heavenly home.

My paintings are my explorer’s charts.

And I, the childlike voyager.

Antiquity

2011-02-09T21:15:00.000-05:00

"Antiquity"

Putting Off Pastels

2011-02-08T18:26:00.000-05:00

A wild swerve away from the pastels. There are so many different mediums flying around the studio right now, so many works in progress. Imagine cooking ten meals at once with all the ingredients creating a rich, exciting atmosphere.

"The Waves"

Diptych. 11x14 inches each. Oil, charcoal, ink and resin on board.

Mariner

2011-02-07T14:48:00.000-05:00

"Mariner"

To see more work, please visit my website.