contemporary collage paintings
the process
Leslie Avon Miller

My life flows when I'm in my art.


Jean De Muzio

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Unscripted; An Exhibition by Thirteen Experimental Artists





Wind Changing to the East
by Leslie Avon Miller
diptych 24 x 24
acrylic and mixed media  on birch panel


Not knowing the way, I paint a space in which to breathe deeply.
 The painting becomes a stepping stone on the path, a marker of the journey. 
I feel, but I can not explain what I am learning of space, time and light. 

Artist Statement, Leslie Avon Miller





The Artists Whisperer







The Artist Whisper. That’s how I think of Steve Aimone. In April of this year I spent a week in a Steve Aimone graduate work shop, working, thinking, painting, being with other artists, and getting feedback and critique from Steve. It was the second time I worked with Steve in an intensive workshop setting.







Through the Window
by Leslie Avon Miller
36 x36
Acrylic and Mixed Media on birch panel

There is something about taking the time to get away and immerse one's self in a workshop; to live and breathe in one's work in the company of other like minded individuals. The energy created is with me still, as I continue to explore my path.

The workshop is described as 


The workshops are designed to replicate the atmosphere and mindset of a graduate school fine art studio. Each artist will focus on an individual contract (or mission statement) to explore certain territory, develop a series of pieces, or explore a particular theme. Participants will introduce and refine their contract in an opening roundtable discussion. This contract serves as the genesis point for the development of work during the remainder of the retreat. 

Interactive discussions of work take place throughout the workshop, allowing artists to engage in the process of discussing one another’s working process and development. Spur of the moment, informal critiques are encouraged and facilitated. The workshop ends in a summary discussion and critique during which each artist makes a formal presentation, followed by responses from Steven Aimone, and, as time allows, other artists.
 








Leslie Avon Miller 
workshop participant
photo by Steve Aimone


Unscripted


The true work of art is born from the 'artist': a mysterious, enigmatic, and mystical creation. 
It detaches itself from him, it acquires an autonomous life, 
becomes a personality, an independent subject, animated with a spiritual breath, 
the living subject of a real existence of being.

~Wassily Kandinsky
 


Unscripted is a capstone of the work these artist have done with Steve in the last two years. 


The Old School House Arts Center is presenting ‘UNSCRIPTED’, an exhibition and sale of the newest work produced by thirteen experimental abstract artists, many of whom are FCA members. 
Over the past two years, these artists have completed a series of workshops with artist, author and instructor, Steven Aimone, MFA and this show is the culmination of their extensive work and exploration. 
Opening reception at TOSH is Wednesday, October 17 at 7pm. 
Come meet the artists and share the excitement. Show runs October 15 to November 19, 2012. 
The Old School House,122 Fern Road West, Qualicum Beach.

In conjunction with this exhibition, Vancouver Island Art Workshops is pleased to announce that Steven Aimone, MFA will give a power point slide presentation and discussion that surveys art historical examples of abstract paintings, how they work, and what kinds of expressive purposes they serve. 
Steven will conclude his presentation with a commentary and analysis of one painting from each of the participating artists. You'll leave the presentation with a greater understanding of what abstract painting is. Saturday October 27, 2012 at 2:00 PM. Only 50 tickets @ $20.00 This is a fund raising event for TOSH. info@vancouverislandartworkshops.com or call TOSH @ 250-752-6133

Many, many thanks to Mary Stewart who organizes a fabulous workshop experience, to Barbara Scott for being  so kind and generous as my host on Vancouver island, and to Lisa Danesin who took time to professionally photograph my work.  To each member of the work shop I also extend my thanks for your dedication to the arts. I appreciate you all. 
 And a special thanks to Steve for all the positive mentoring, but most of all for loving art as much as you do. 

Namaste

25 comments:

  1. ooo, looks and sounds wonderful, so close to me and yet a ferry ride and overnight stay away!

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    1. If you go, I suggest you go listen to Steve's talk. TOSH has sold all the tickets, but I can let you know how to get one.

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  2. Absolutely beautiful paintings - the three pictured here. Always so inspiring.

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  3. Aah bliss! Great to see you so immersed in your painting. Liking the yellow in the works in progress. Love Through the Window. The Kandinsky quote rings true.

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    1. The yellow one has been on our mantel for about 6 months and has finally grown on me. I'll take an image soon.

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  4. What a beautiful gathering. I love your work.

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  5. Not only do these two paintings resonate deep within, but so do your artists statement and the Kandinsky quote. I wish I was so eloquent. Just beautiful Leslie.

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    1. Thank you Susan. I find each piece you make to be eloquent.

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  6. oh leslie. i love this photo of you at work and seeing you work on a large canvas. i always envision your paintings as small but maybe that's because a photo close up is bounded by the photo size.

    such a wonderful workshop it sounds like. and wind changing to the east seems to have more dark tones than usual for you. i like it as it seems to give depth.

    also like your header which appears to be done on tissue paper???

    i too love your artists statement. you paint the space in which you can breathe deeply. love that. blessings, suki

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    1. Hi Suki: A lot of my work is small, but I have worked up to 48 x 48. So 36 x 36 is fairly comfortable. But then I have to find someplace for it! Thank you for stopping by.

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  7. Congratulations Leslie, a wonderful journey you have been on attending this retreat, new work and most likely connecting to artists in a way that lasts a lifetime. Your statement reads heartfelt. I too like the golden yellow in the trial pieces. Best of luck on this show!!

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    1. HI Mary Ann: Thank you. Art is heartfelt, very heart felt. I know you know that too.

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  8. Congratulations, Leslie. It looks like it must have been such a wonderful experience, working with Steve and the other artists. I miss those days of having others to work beside and bounce ideas off of. From what I can see, it appears that you have indeed painted "a space in which to breathe deeply." I love those words- just beautiful.

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    1. Hi Sharmon: Thank you. If not in person, we do connect in the blog world. I find it an important part of being an artist - these connects to others with similar passions.

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  9. 1. the artist whisperer: perfectly evocative! yes, please!
    2. the retreat: now i am craving. intrigued by the idea of a contract to start with.
    3. your lovely pieces and words: once again challenge me to pare work and words down to their essence, as to better extract/savor it.

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  10. Et le souffle toujours porte loin la profondeur de votre travail. Ancre l'esprit à l'humain.
    Inlassablement.

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  11. Hi Leslie, I popped by the other day and read this post and savoured it, and promptly fell back into bed with the flu. On the couch yesterday I started to read a book I had bought - Expressive Drawing by Steven Aimone. Initially no connection - but a few pages in, I thought 'don't tell me...' The serendipity of reading a book by the man who so inspired you and helped you create such exquisite work - I was overjoyed! Best wishes for the exhibition - Through the Window draws me in deeply.

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  12. LAM - Wow and Wow!! It is so true - slipping off into the creativity of a workshop always gives me the opportunity to explore and be me without feeling the need to compete or compare - just learn; and what an amazing thing for you and others to be part of the exhibition. It would be beautiful to be there but alas that can't happen. Go well. B

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  13. Thank you for sharing more of your experience in Steve Aimone's workshop... it is apparent you came away with a deeper more personal voice in approaching your own work.

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  14. What a wonderful experience this must have been. So glad to see you painting in the photo -- I can see your intensity and focus, even with your back to the camera. I do so wish I could attend the exhibition, see the work in person, and celebrate with you. Congratulations!

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  15. All the elements that make for a rich and exciting experience for an artist! Beautiful work!

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  16. Oh my gosh, Leslie, I'm attending Seven Aimone's workshop this coming week in Nanaimo! I am so looking forward to spending this time painting without distractions, especially now after reading this! Your work takes my breathe away.

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  17. Love the beautiful work. Don't every stop :)

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