Lovetts Gallery Fine Arts Blog

Trick or Treat?

2015-10-19T08:44:11-05:00

TRICK OR TREAT?

At Lovetts Gallery, you don’t have to choose one or the other. With Artist Jay Davenport.....you get both!

As a Master of Trompe L’Oeil, Jay goes about his work as a Grand Illusionist. One with a sense of humor, I must add! His very detailed and realistic paintings are done in oil. Trick no.1: Looks like a photograph...but it’s not! Trick no.2: Appears that the image is 3Dimensional...but it is not! Along with his paints, Davenport uses the tool of linear perspective to fool us!

Jay continues to have a lifelong interest and pursuit in Fine Art and favors animals and wildlife as his subject matter, although not exclusively. Through his paintings, he tells secrets, on us as humans; by the way we interact and perceive things in life. Maybe Jay is laughing at us, laughing at ourselves! Did we get tricked again?

The Treat: Davenport’s “Mail Order Bride” and “There’s No Place Like Home” are presently in the Gallery with additional pieces scheduled for arrival. Treat yourself to the talent and creativity of artist Jay Davenport!

Representationalism is the bedrock to this artist. His dedication is clearly evident in his attention to detail. He has been awarded, medaled, and published and we are glad to welcome him to the Gallery and to you!

WELCOME TO THE IMAGINATION JAY DAVENPORT

Trompe L’Oeil – to trick the eye! An art technique that uses the rendering of objects and spaces with eye-fooling exactitude. Both playful and intellectually serious, Trompe Artists toy with spectators “seeing” to raise questions about the nature of art and perception.

A funny story about the famous Florentine painter, Giotto (1267-1337), as an illustration: One day, Giotto decided to play a trick on the older artist Cimabue (1240-1302), to whom he was apprenticed. So when the latter’s back was turned, Giotto painted a tiny fly onto the mural which his master was painting. Cimabue then went berserk trying to brush away the fly, before he realized it was an illusion!

Lovett’s is honored to continue to represent two other outstanding Trompe Artists at the Gallery. Come and be delightfully and deliciously deceived by K. Henderson and Natalie Featherston!

So come and bag some eye-candy from the Trick and Treat art of Trompe L’oeil artists at Lovetts Gallery!

Raven Sawyer

In Art..........Being distressed is a good thing!

2015-08-27T11:35:16-05:00

Artist Ramona Youngquist takes you to a place of serenity and peace by way of a whirlwind canvas ride of oils. You have heard the saying, “the calm before the storm”.......but with Ramona’s unique approach to painting......”the storm before the calm” more aptly defines her creative technique.

A completed work of art from Ramona isn’t just about application. It is also about removal. Addition and subtraction. Herein lays her passion, as she “storms” the canvas with a myriad of tools to do her bidding, in the act of distressing. After applying oils from her muted and limited palette, softly building from a soft shower, she gathers strength and intensity like a thunderhead cloud billowing above. Powerful lightning bolts of sand paper, brushes uprooted and used on their pointy ends, to rags, or anything else blowing in her way are snatched at will for her to strike the canvas with. The aftermath of this textural effects storm, in its unconventional applications, leaves the finished painting shining in the dewy light of comforting scenes of traditional form. The calm. The relatable. The recognizable and the wishful.

At a very early age, she was fascinated with values as she observed them in nature. Value is the relative lightness and darkness of a color. It defines form and creates spatial illusion. Contrast and gradation. Mass and contour. Mood and drama. Whether living in Oklahoma as a youth or an adult in the wine country of Oregon today, Ramona’s subject matter is close to home. She has nurtured appreciation and observancy in regards to her surroundings and allowed nature to be her teacher. Inspired in this way, she encourages you to escape the stresses of daily life and indulge in an impressionistic walk through her work where one experiences peace and inspiration. Rejuvenation.

We are happy to welcome Ramona Youngquist to our group of artist’s here at Lovetts Gallery!

WELCOME TO THE IMAGINATION RAMONA YOUNGQUIST

“The Clouds----the only birds that never sleep”........Victor Hugo

Raven Sawyer

July art appreciation

2015-07-22T11:51:52-05:00

Good Morning……all day long!!!

This week I am excited to talk about what art appreciation is. But first, I’d like to define what “appreciation” means. When we recognize and enjoy the good qualities of someone (like you!) or something, we experience appreciation. It is fully understanding a situation; the nature or meaning of something. Appreciation is all about understanding! I loathe brussel sprouts! But, I can appreciate that others feel culinary delight to have a plate of them, as well as receiving the nutrition they provide. Phil, our logistics manager, loves camping. I love NOT camping. I do appreciate the elements of camping and that it provides pleasure and adventure for Phil and his family. We can appreciate the different elements of people, places and things. I’ll have more to say about elements in a moment, in regards to art.

Art is a tangible entity as in a painting, sculpture, photograph, and etc. Art is uniquely human and tied directly to culture. It is an expressive medium that allows us to experience joy, sorrow, confusion and clarity. It gives a visual voice to ideas and feelings, connects us to the past, reflects the present, and anticipates the future.

But art…….requires an artist. Societies call on artists… to create.

So obviously, an artist is the first element of art. The other elements, the building blocks, include line, shape, form, space, texture, value and color. Art also requires content, which is idea based. These are intended and /or actual messages and our reactions as individuals to them. Content also includes ways in which a piece of work was influenced; society, politics, religion, personal experiences, history, education and emotions. All these factors, together, make up the content side of art.

By referencing appreciation, am I getting ready to tell you that you should like all art?

Absolutely not!

Do you like every piece of music you hear, every book you read or every food you’ve tasted?

Of course not!

But you can learn to appreciate (to understand) art outside your comfort zone. The benefits are twofold. (1) Understanding the elements an artist implements in order to create is helpful in understanding what their piece of work is about. And (2) Familiarity can bring with it a particular level of relaxation. Learning can certainly have these after-effects!

Often, an appreciation for something only comes with repeated and prolonged exposure.

For almost six decades I have been involved in art in some shape or fashion. Some of my personal tastes in art have changed a few times, but due to learning to “appreciate” art; I’ve since become more eclectic in admiring and collecting!

It really is an enjoyable exercise. As Dee, our Social Media Director, likes to quote her father…..”Have an open mind, but not so wide your brains fall out!”.

Now let’s work out!!!

Get your art pants on and come to Lovett’s Gallery and do some stretching in Art Appreciation!

WELCOME TO THE IMAGINATION

Dear Art Diary

2015-06-24T16:39:10-05:00

Dear Art Diary,

There’s a wonderful spot, I’m told, where it’s never too hot and it’s never too cold;

Where you’re never too young and you’re never too old,

Where you’re never too big or small.

And you’re never, never, never too, too, too, anything at all, Oh!

You’re not too mad and you’re not too sane,

And you don’t compare and you don’t complain,

All you do is sit tight, ‘cause it’s all so, so, so, so down –right, right!

Tra-la-la! Ha-ha-ha and a couple of ho-ho-ho’s,

That’s how we laughed the night away,

At the Lovetts Lollipop Guild Art Show!

Oh, Art Diary, how I love the wonderful world of art! The expression of each artist

was so creative; each a wizard in their own right! All together they worked like a

team…….follow the fellow who follows a dream!

The room was full, with lots of inspectors;

Fond faces of patrons, our cherished collectors!

The refreshments, they flowed, and the lights were aglow,

Thank you for following Lovetts yellow brick road!

The Lollipop Guild Exhibition is in the Gallery for viewing and purchase through

July 20, 2015. (Note: some sold pieces will remain through this date and others

will go with their new owners at time of sale) This unusual collection of miniature

works are only small in size, but many in numbers and large in talent. Art wasn’t

the only thing hanging, as we had the surprise and pleasure of artists hanging out

as well. Robert Caldwell, Virginia, Sharon Pomales, California, James Johnson,

Texas, Oklahomans, Dr. Wood and Molly Murphy and Brian Slawson from………….

Kansas!

We aren’t sure how Brian got back home to Kansas…..hot-air balloon? Or

did he click his heels together three times and say “there’s no place like home”?

I will be writing again very soon.

The Birds Show is coming up and there are a lot of preparations here at Lovetts Gallery!

Sincerely yours,

Raven

A generous “THANK YOU” to everyone for your support and enthusiasm of The

Lollipop Guild Exhibition and for making the imagination real!

LOVETTS GALLERY

WELCOME TO THE IMAGINATION

Dear Art Diary

2015-06-10T10:52:23-05:00

Dear Art Diary,

Oh, so many things to talk about since I wrote you last. In case you haven’t heard, I suppose now would be a good time to tell you. Remember HTTP…..like we have been together forever. Well, I think that relationship has run its course and he is so on his way out the door. He’s been loyal and faithful and all, but he is kind of stuck in his ways, lives in the past and stubborn to try new things. I was ready to go to the next level and that’s when I met WordPress. He sooo gets me and this new relationship will take us and our clients to a better business web experience.

They sing “breaking up is hard to do”…….But in my case, it’s really just the hassles of making the transitions necessary to be up and running smoothly. For instance, the Wall newsletter will now be accessible on our site so our clients and visitors won’t experience a disconnect in regards to art and artists and other news and information. You will continue to be able to access all of our social media sites in one place!

I’m so excited about the other new features too, like the Inventory Tab that will be on Lovetts front page. This will allow you to see the entire collection of all artists work at one time. At present, it is by individual artist and that will remain as well.

For all new pieces, you’ll be able to view four separate images of 3Dimensional works! With more options in viewing artwork, quicker and additional information on the artists, press and videos……..It will definitely be love at first “site”!

I also heard through the Gallery grapevine that Phil has a new photo of Jack he’s going to replace for the present one. Jack doesn’t know! I just love you art diary; we can talk and you keep my secrets!

But two things that are never a secret…….is the greatness of the art and artists at Lovetts Gallery and certainly the greatness of our clients.

Oh, Art Diary, I have so much to talk about but will have to wait till my next entry.

So much to do for the upcoming Lollipop Guild Exhibition in a few weeks!

I bid you a sweet goodbye!

Raven

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE………..

2015-04-23T15:08:03-05:00

All we are saying is………..

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE………..

Pablo Picasso has said, that ”Often while reading a book, one feels that the author would have preferred to paint rather than write. One can sense the pleasure he derives from describing a landscape or a person as if he were painting what he is saying, because deep in his heart he would have preferred to use brushes and color.”

Artist Shanna Kunz is a woman who has chosen to speak with paintbrushes and oils as her voice!

First of all, hers is one of sharing by experience. The diversity of her contemporary western American landscapes is rooted in her being planted as a naturalist at a young age. Shanna seeks balance in nature, within herself, and her artwork. The three applications that are instrumental to Kunz in achieving her goal of connectivity are consciousness, composition and communication. I believe these are evident in her thematic decisions, attention to detail, the deliberate performances of mood, light and color, the contrast of subtleness and complexity and her emotional investments of her encounters of the land, trees and water.

In her piece “Evanescence”, you see nature mirrored in the water, a reflection of itself. Spatial relationship and distance give this painting depth and dimension; from the water, to land, over the tree tops, above the hill, to the mountain top and up to the sky………. yes, the sky revealing the time of day like a watchmaker using shadow and light as hours and minutes. Evanescence is the condition of transition, in time, in the seasons and in life. Now let me transition to another piece of Shanna’s, titled “Liz’s Cattails”.

The foreground of this painting spotlights the cattails by its position up close, the star feature in this show of nature, as they stand in contrast to the landscape behind them in Utah. Enjoy the uncomplicated beauty they add to the landscape, but don’t be fooled….. they are important producers to our environment. Cattails-“Typha” are often among the first wetland plants to colonize areas of newly exposed wet mud, with their abundant wind-dispersed seeds. They are typically eaten by wetland animals, such as the muskrat, which may also use them to construct feeding platforms and dens. Birds like to use the seed hairs as nest lining. Ah! Natural recycling!

Collectors and admirers of Shanna’s work inevitably express a feeling of peacefulness and tranquility when viewing and purchasing her work. I certainly concur! The deft way she applies her oils in layers and “pushes the color and value” in her compositions is also striking in her other new pieces, such as, “Azure Afternoon”,

"Sapphire Shadows” ,”Bend in the Stream “and “Autumn Stirs”. When you come in to see her work, you will see her mission; to continue studying the landscape, bringing her closer to an honest translation-of both soul and land- and to continue a lifelong effort to communicate the emotional connection she feels with her environment. We feel it too! At Lovetts, we are so glad that Shanna shares the sentiment of Picasso and chooses to describe landscapes with brushes and color. Thank you Shanna!

WELCOME TO THE IMAGINATION

BECAUSE

"EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE IS REAL" (Pablo Picasso).

Raven Sawyer

JUST LIKE THOMAS EDISON……

2015-04-16T12:02:22-05:00

ARTIST JODY LYLE, “WORKS ……….BRINGING OUT THE SECRETS OF NATURE AND APPLYING THEM FOR THE HAPPINESS OF MAN.” Rather for the happiness of women in her case! Unless, of course, it is the happiness it brings the man to see her wearing it or purchasing it for her!

What does this artist create, to bring us the happiness of which I speak?

Jewelry.

Fusion Jewelry.

Jody merges the different elements of nature into a union of personal adornment. Jewelry has always been a part of human culture. Jewels were produced from any kind of materials that were available-stones, animal skins, feathers, plants, bones, shells, wood, and natural made semi-precious materials such as obsidian. As the time went on, advancing technology enabled artisans to start taming metals and precious gems into works of art that influenced entire cultures and many modern jewelry styles. However, even with all the advancements of metallurgy and gem processing, the purpose of wearing jewelry always remained the same: they enabled the wearer to express themselves non-verbally, showcase wealth, rank, political and religious affiliation or affections toward someone. This enabled jewelry to become timeless, and a target for constant development and refinement.

Lyle incorporates her devotion for creation, innovation, and cultural heritage. Parallel with personal discovery and disclosure, Jody’s heart and goals are in her commitment to art and exploration of fusion jewelry.

The results of Jody’s merging work have brought several new pieces to the Gallery and I am excited to tell you about them! One is the “Obsidian and Orange Sapphire Forged Necklace”.

The Obsidian, carved and polished, set in a hand forged Argentium sterling silver pendant with a sterling silver chain and a pop of color with the natural orange sapphire infused into the design, is a beautiful collaboration of the artist and nature. Another piece, “Black and White Necklace”, Jody has set the dramatic stone of dendrite opal on a black and silver backdrop.

Dendrite opal is an enigmatic and otherworldly looking stone due to its nature. A perfect white color and ghostly branch-like crystals gives it this reputation. The manganese oxide, which is the black part of the stone, is an excellent balance to the white. The contrasting colors of black and white, makes it very versatile to many types of clothing.

Jody applies many designs to her metalwork as well as using a diverse choice of stones.

Jasper, Siberian Jade, Green Sapphire,

Tiger Eye, Purple and Black Onyx,

and Blue (Chinese) Turquoise, to name a few! Her new work includes rings, pendant necklaces and earrings.

Please treat yourself to the works of Bainbridge Island, Washington, Fusion Jewelry artist,

Jody Lyle!

Thanks Jody for bringing out the secrets of nature and applying them for our happiness!!

WELCOME TO THE IMAGINATION

A footnote….not only does Jody create fusion, but so does the Earth, from which she works. Volcanic glass is amorphous (uncrystallized) product of rapidly cooling magma. Like all types of glass, it is a state of matter, intermediate between the close-packed, highly ordered array of a crystal and the highly disordered array of gas. Obsidian is a volcanic glass.

By the way…. If you see my husband, tell him I really want the Siberian Jade,

set with the woven bezel. It matches my eyes!

Raven Sawyer

A PICTURE PAINTS A THOUSAND WORDS………………

2015-04-10T09:59:57-05:00

Artist Kristan Le, softly tells us stories with her oils. I imagine the respectful tone of her voice as she relates to times in the past…. experiences not forgotten. The environments and the people of her native country as they go about their everyday customs of living are instilled in her like an artist etching. Like any good book, there are chapters.

Vietnam. It was the year 1975. Saigon fell and Kristan’s family fled. She was a little girl at that time. Some of her earliest memories consist of observing her father, sketching trees and buildings, during breaks at the restaurant he opened in San Diego.(He was an architect in Vietnam). Watching him get absorbed in this creative world birthed a love of art in her.

She turns the pages and we see “Sunlight on the Mekong” and “Quiet Morning Hue”. The water, the landscapes, the people and the boats. The motion of living; one in brightness and light and the other in calm shades of grays and blues.

Writing with her paint brush, she imparts mood into her figurative works, as well as a wide variety of other genres she enjoys. Her artistic mission is applicable to all her paintings: to apprehend the genuineness and authenticity of the moment.

Kristan is open-minded when it comes to inspiration: Straightforward, esoteric or maybe no explanation at all in regards to subject, composition, settings and images---but in all commonality----feeling an emotional connection to her chosen subject. Le says, “I try to understand what is there visually and emotionally. And if I can capture both essences, then that is a successful painting to me.”

You certainly see in her work, such high standards and proof of success. “Braids” and “Arrangement of Plums” are beautiful, reflective, and meditative.

Her choice of colors…picture perfect. “Sunlit”…a fitting title to describe a painting she has done of a horse standing in the sunshine, but each time I look at it the more I realized the horse was only part of the whole as Kristan wonderfully executed an in-depth study of full exposure sunlight to the entire painting. Brilliant!

A story told has an ending…..but not this one. Kristan has many more chapters to paint and we will look forward as she continues to share her life and talent with us. Nothing compares to seeing these oils in person, so I hope you will come in the Gallery and indulge yourself!!

………………………IN SOME CASES, A PICTURE DOESN’T JUST PAINT A THOUSAND WORDS. A PICTURE PAINTS THE WORDS THAT WE WOULD FORGET TO SAY, IF WE WERE ONLY RELYING ON WORDS THEMSELVES.

Raven Sawyer

EARTH WIND and FIRE

2015-03-13T12:44:24-05:00

I’m not referring to the music composers, popular since the 70’s, but the renowned clay composer, Wyandot potter, Jamie Zane Smith. Jamie’s sculptural expertise is evident once again, such as his piece “Head of the River Double Wall”.

He continues to design and carve his own stamps of shape and subject for serial patterning and textural imagery.

The stamps content is an original rendering of ancient mound-builder copper plate design. In this piece he has used raptor imagery (bird of prey). The repetition of the design represents cyclical symmetry. The shape of the vessel itself is circular. All these elements together give it flow and movement…..and honor to his ancestors! The raptor pattern, likewise adorns his piece “Head of the River Plate”.

In honor to the Maple tree, Jamie has created a large platter named “Maple Bridge”.
His stamping and design work covers the front and the back of this piece, which depicts the growth patterns of the Maple tree.

The wooden stand is made from Maple wood; a great detail. The Maple tree has ancient cosmological significance and ancestral importance and is the head of the phratry (clan) for its sweet sap, then and now.

“Head of the River Kettle” is another work of Jamie’s that shows his beautiful art of stamping. He creates his own colors and this vessel well displays graceful form and texture with the contrast of large and small patterns.

EARTH…..WIND…..FIRE…..PASSION

Not only learning and evolving new techniques in creating Wyandot pottery, Jamie Zane Smith is the type of person who purposes to learn and evolve in his personal life. This is an artist/man who feels deeply connected to what he does. Those indigenous roots have not only guided him…..they have grown in him abundantly.

Glad you are part of the Earth Jamie!

And a part of Lovetts!

WELCOME TO THE IMAGINATION

Raven Sawyer

EATING…..DRINKING…..HANGING OUT………………..

2015-03-11T16:15:57-05:00

Artist Josh George has been known to have affection for these activities, as most of us have experienced as well. A very human experience! Our lives are a collage, as we are a composite of our many experiences, past and present, with its attending pain and joys. Dimensional by all the layering of these elements, making us colorful and glued together (ok...so some of us are a little less hinged!) A quick collage of Josh George shows us a man of many interests in life and the drive to seek them out.

He moved from New York (a previous source of subject matter) to Virginia.

He now enjoys a bigger studio that enables him to do larger pieces. Rural living in an antique dwelling makes him happy with the simple life. But the rest of this story is far more complex. His art story. His approach is narrative, not in words, but in emotion. Josh starts with wood panel as his working surface. Next is the placement of paper which can include wallpaper, wine bottle labels or whatever he may deem pertinent to his subject matter. He then paints with acrylics in dark and rich colors, followed by oils over the entire surface with a varnish glaze for a happy ending.

He has a realistic expression to the form of his people, leaning, turned, off-centered (in a good way) and angular. His characters are extremely demonstrative, but can leave you with a sense of mystery! Dominate in George’s art is “domesticity”; be it in his architecture or his figures and I think this is a strong pull in relating to his work.

How wonderful to see how colorful real life is when you stand back and look. Thanks Josh!

Curious about the bats in his paintings?...One of the impactful things of living in Richmond for George is the bats. “I do a lot of bat paintings because I’m fascinated by them-never saw one in N.Y.!

We certainly agree with him! They are really smart and beautiful creatures. A few visit our home often! Movies have unfairly characterized these little fellows. Still curious… go to BATZILLATHEBAT

Editor’s note:

Collage-French term “colle’”-to glue. This term was coined by Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso in the beginning of the 20^th Century when collage became a distinctive part of Modern Art. With influences from the Synthetic Cubist Period and other artists like Matisse, who expressed emotion with intense color, one can see these beautiful talents in Josh Georges work! Check out “Kissy Bat”, “Rough Enough to Tie One On”, “Honeyed Pie”, or “Point Adaption” and you’ll see what I mean!

“I Know What Has Been Given To You” has sold, but is still hanging in the gallery at present. Come in and see it before it flies out the door “like a bat out of hell!” (sorry, I couldn't resist!)

Raven Sawyer