contemporary collage paintings
the process
Leslie Avon Miller

My life flows when I'm in my art.


Jean De Muzio

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Art Gallery Hopping



We had a little get away to the big city of Vancouver BC, and spent an afternoon strolling though several contemporary art galleries. I enjoyed looking at painting and mixed media presentations. It was time to take a break and fill up the well.




There were numbers of artists pouring a two part epoxy on top of their mixed media. They seemed to let it drip off the sides and leave the sides unfinished. Perhaps the intent was to have the purchaser frame the piece. Or maybe drips are considered edgy. I just wonder if it will eventually yellow. It certainly makes for a deep and shiny finish.

We saw an exhibit of Janna Watson’s work at Bau-Xi Gallery.




We also say a video by artist Mark Lewis at the Monte Clerk Gallery. It was interesting – no sound, monochromatic, landscapes, some sort of fortress. I would like to hear him explain it. I found him explaining another of his films here.




Work has continued on our studio building, but there isn’t much that’s photogenic: just drywall mud and tape. I’ll let you have a peek when something dramatic happens.


The other exciting bit was that here at home our neighbor saw our resident bear. We knew they were around, and evidence has always existed, but actual sightings are rare. Apparently a young bear was climbing a tree, and was spied by our neighbor. When she exclaimed, the bear dropped to the ground and scurried off, apparently to Mama Bear. I’m sorry I missed it!

I’m working hard behind the scenes designing a marketing class for artists who are (very, Very, or Very!) shy, frustrated and reluctant art marketers, who would love to be confident and sell their art so they can keep making more. I’ll keep you posted.

33 comments:

  1. That artwork is really nice. Heh, heh. That course sounds good.

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  2. These two pieces are so nice. I especially like the second one. wow.

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  3. Both pieces are exceptional! Love a day at a gallery!! What fun!!

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  4. Beautiful pieces...love the colors. What fun...gallery hopping!Not sure about the epoxy treatment and the dripping on the side.
    Glad your studio is moving along and anxious for the finished photos....excluding the bear! You are in the wild?! I saw a raccoon the other day...a very large raccoon...he or she was comfortable walking down the road...but a bear?!!

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  5. Your trip to Vancouver sounds like great fun, I love a good gallery crawl. Like Willow I particularly like the second image you have posted.

    Bears at the end of the garden! now that is real excitement.

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  6. I like the second picture with that dark blue base. Hoping the bears come down to let you see them oon.

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  7. Hi Leslie,

    Glad you had a good time in the big city. I'm probably just dense but what do the references to 4K and 2K mean on the Mark Lewis list? $56,000 is going some!

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  8. I do enjoy a good gallery hop! Janna Watson's work is lovely especially the second piece.
    Sorry you missed the bear too but I'm sure the curious little chap will be back .... with big mama.

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  9. Hi Leslie, welcome back to blogland. Always fun to check out new galleries, and see other prices.

    Sorry you missed the bear too...would have loved to see that photo. We saw a large coyote on the land just next to Mama's home in Tucson...surprised us. Wild creatures are roaming.

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  10. Hi Leslie,

    I'm glad you had a good trip! I've never visited Vancouver BC, but the galleries look great. I'll have to plan a trip! Missed your posts while you were away, Welcome back!

    We've had a cougar sighting in our neighborhood. It's interesting to live on the fringe of the wild, isn't it?

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  11. I agree with Ian -- a good gallery crawl is definitely needed to re-charge the creative well, as you put it, Leslie! Epoxy, uh? I think you're right -- yellowing may occur sooner or later. Your workshop on marketing sounds good -- wish I was on the West Coast -- New England is so "staid" :-( But I will sign up for your newsletters! :-)

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  12. Leslie, I've so enjoyed catching up on the latest with you this morning. Your studio, the bears, the new classes, all very exciting!

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  13. First visit and you have inspired me to do a little gallery hopping this week. Is that Janna Watson's work at the top? I really want to see it in person now and since I live in Vancouver -- I can! :)

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  14. How fortunate you were to be able to go to these galleries and how fortunate we are that you shared these great images.Thank you! As for the drips that are running off the side. I'm guessing the artist intended it to be seen. Much like encaustic wax dripping down the sides. If it turns yellow, that's just part of it. My concern would be if effected the painting itself.

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  15. Looks like it was a fun day -- well except for the bear!

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  16. Like the first image - taking organic shapes and the minimal cubism approach to the edges...
    thanks for sharing.

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  17. I think MOST of us artists are like that (reluctant etc.).

    We have bears and mountain lions, sometimes, in my town of Boulder, CO. But everyone I know EXCEPT me has actually seen a bear (not many have seen a mountain lion though). I wanna see one! The closest I got to seeing a bear...maybe it counts...is when a whole bunch of people were gathered under an incredibly tall evergreen looking up. There was a ranger there making people stay back. He said there were two bear cubs up the tree...but all I saw was tree branches. They were great hiders!

    And then one time I went outside my house in the afternoon and the neighbors were all freaking out in the street. Apparently a mountain lion had just strolled through our alley (two feet from my back door). Why do I keep missing these events?!

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  18. I haven't been to Vancouver for a couple of years. What a beautiful and livable city (except for property prices). They certainly have a rich variety of art galleries.

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  19. All the galleries sound wonderful. What a resource! Your new course sounds amazing as well. As for the bears, well they are amazing as well but I prefer a bit of distance. I'm not up to sharing my picnic basket.

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  20. Wish I got to meet you when you were here in Vancouver. Beau Xi is one of my favourites for sure. Resin is all the rage right now in Vancouver. I would love to try it but am a little hesitant about the toxins. I use encaustic and that is toxic enough! I also just went gallery hopping in New York. Will post some photos on my blog soon but just finished posting my Asia trip. Art of a different nature!

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  21. Buster says he likes art and bears
    so may be planning a visit to your neck of the woods!
    All best wishes from New York.

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  22. Gallery hopping sounds wonderful, and I really love the first painting... and so exciting that your studio is coming along! take care, roxanne

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  23. These are gorgeous paintings, and what a fun day, gallery hopping!
    I'm very intrigued by the epoxy.
    Looking forward to seeing your studio pics., I know how eager you are to be in it.
    There is word out that a bear roams our lake area,but we've not seen it, which is A-OK by me!

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  24. the drips sound quite contemporary and fun.

    its been around a bit here too,

    a fashion, I guess, like all the drippy things.

    the course sounds very intriguing..

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  25. Vancouver gallery hopping sounds very good to me. great to read your story on this and am very curious as to your studio coming along. Best with all that Leslie!

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  26. I enjoyed tagging along on your gallery visits. Thanks, Leslie. We'll have to do it again soon. :)

    The class you're going to teach is something that so many need. I send my best wishes to you and your students for a successful and fun experience...

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  27. I can see why you like Janna Watson's work-- the lines. glad you are feeling better.

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  28. Hi everyone. I want to thank you for the comments you so thoughtfully leave. I haven't been responding to blogs or comments because I have a reaction to the seasonal pollen that is preventing me from doing all the things I enjoy doing. I am starting to feel better and will be around to your blogs soon!

    Your comments are always appreciated!

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  29. A friend is working with the 2 part resin which she buys at Home Depot in large containers. Her work is lovely, very abstract, and enhanced by the high gloss of the resin. It works for some work, not so much for most, and surely not for realistic work. I'd like to try it with collage. One would lose the texture but it would probably make some papers transparent... an interesting look.

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  30. Is your marketing class going to be online or 3-dimensional? I'd love to attend if it's virtual! Where do you live that you see bears? I live in northern Kentucky, but our place out in the country is in an area where there are bears; no personal sightings, yet, though.
    Also, I love those 2 pieces at the gallery; thanks for sharing!

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  31. Is the fist painting yours? I think is one of the most beautiful pieces Ive seen in time.
    http://elisabeth-lacunza.com/blog/

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  32. Hi Elizabeth: I love this painting too. It isn't mine. The artist is Janna Watson. Thanks for stopping by!

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