Hooked Rug in the News!

'Sheep and Lambs- At Peace' (Hooked Rug)

 

 

Yeah! The Centre Daily Times published an article in today's paper about the hooked rug which I designed and created with a group of fifteen local residents to benefit 4-H. The rug took two years to hook, and was completed this summer just before the Grange Fair, where it was auctioned for a sum of $1500. All proceeds were donated to 4-H for youth scholarships. The article (see http://www.centredaily.com/baldeaglearea/index.html) describes the history of the project, with quotes from several people involved in the project, who ranged in age from 8 to 93! Many thanks to all who helped out- it was enjoyable and successful in so many ways!

Framing Time!

I feel like the squirrels running around gathering supplies for the winter! I'm busy preparing for my solo exhibition which opens on October 8, and am ready to frame a 'crop' of new pastels and oils. I'm glad that I started to 'forage' well ahead of time, since some of the supplies are taking a while to find..... hand-guilded gold frames are coming from GA, length moulding for pastels arrived from VA, my husband is hand-crafting a floater frame from native PA maple for a large oil, and mat board is back-ordered from the distributor in the soft, off-white tint which I prefer. So..... I've found lots of tasty supplies, and as soon as they land on the ground in my studio, I'll be off and running cutting mats, and assembling framing components. I'm really excited about my latest work, in both oil and pastel, and can't wait to put on the finishing touch of harmonious frames! See my website (www.alicekelsey.com) for more info. about my show.

A Weekend Making Music

I'm really excited to leave in an hour to participate in the weekend-long folk music gathering at Greenwood Furnace! I play guitar, and enjoy playing together with my husband (banjo & guitar) and son (fiddle), and meeting many other nice people and learning new tunes at this annual event (see http://folkgathering.com/index.html). I especially love old time music- the soulful, simple, rural music of the Appalachian region- it feels like 'home' to me, having heard my grandfather playing it as I grew up. He is the one who taught me to play guitar and to draw, and I feel a special kinship with him in both of these forms of artistic expression. And now I share this music with my own family!

Plein Air, Little J!

Alice Kelsey painting at Little Juniata River

My friend and fellow artist and flyfisherwoman Jeanne McKinney and I went out painting together at the Little Juniata River in Huntingdon County. The river was up after heavy rains last week, yet we managed to find 'perches' on the banks to set up our easels. The sun light up the river, and a bridge across it, and it felt wonderful to be outdoors immersed in earth and sky and water, and painting the magical colors and movement in this special location, and to share the experience. Here's Jeanne painting at the spot she found at the water's edge:

Jeanne McKinney painting at the Little Juniata River

Here's the Wash Version

'Honey Creek- Misty Morning' (wash)

A reader reminded me recently that I hadn't followed up with the last version of the Honey Creek paintings where I've been experimenting with the effect of wash techniques. So here it is, the version which involved a 'wash', where early on in the painting, after blocking in major colors and lines, I liquified the pastel with mineral spirits, and brushed it in with a bristle brush. This creates a semi-translucent underpainting. After this dried, more pastel was applied on top.

And for comparison, here's the first version, which was created with dry pastel only (no wash). I'd enjoy hearing from you about the look and feel of the two versions, and if you sense that the wash technique affected the look of the final painting. Comment replies are welcome!

"Honey Creek- Early Spring" (no wash)

Visit toToledo Museum of Art

My family and I toured the Toledo Museum of Art (OH) this past weekend, and I feel renewed with appreciation for the aspects of works of art which can be seen in original works with greater strength than in reproductions. I loved exploring the touches of the artists' hands in the visible brushstrokes, and build-up of paint on the surfaces (facture), and find so much expression in these movements. I still envision the surface of a large Rothko in the collection, with veils of color, and modulated edges, and large scale (size= about two of me!). Exploring the painting reminds me of gazing in to a pond, contemplative, with both surface and depth to gaze not quite in to or through. A photo of the Rothko is posted on my professional FB page ('alicekelseyartist'). I also really liked the DeKooning which was nearby- also a large canvas, with great wide energetic brush strokes (looked like they were made with a 4" house brush), and masses of color so seemingly simple yet in such pleasing interfaces. I also enjoyed seeing the Monet water lily, with thick and thin passages, areas of bare canvas, and radiant color.  Seeing these works in person inspires me to paint freely, 'follow the brush'!

Painting Accepted to National Exhibition!

I just received the good news that one of my paintings ("Honey Creek- Early Spring") has been accepted to The Maryland Pastel Society 'Shades of Pastel' National Juried Exhibition! The show opens on October 26 and runs through November 20 at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA. I'm very pleased that my work was selected for inclusion in this respected show, from submissions by artists across the country.  A really nice affirmation!