Happy New Year

“A writer - and, I believe, generally all persons - must think that whatever happens to him or her is a resource. All things have been given to us for a purpose, and an artist must feel this more intensely. All that happens to us, including our humiliations, our misfortunes, our embarrassments, all is given to us as raw material, as clay, so that we may shape our art.” (Jorge Luis Borges) http://artquotes.robertgenn.com/

There is so much good information online to access.  Please send appropriate links to us and we will post some of them from time to time.

Some tips for the new year from New Zealand artist Richard Robinson. www.livepaintinglessons.com This site also allows you to sign up for some free lessons.

"1. Re-evaluate. Look at your latest works and notes to see where you have come to and try to recapture your previous notions of where you were heading.

2. Absorb. Look at other artists' works on the web or printed media or galleries to spark the desire to create something that beautiful.

3. Play. Just PLAY with your paints until something starts to emerge. This can be lots of fun.

4. Set a Goal. Set a goal for learning or exploring a subject or technique which will generate its own inspiring thoughts.

5. Explore. Go exploring outside, by foot or vehicle, looking for things that grab your eye.

6. Feel. Start with a feeling or a piece of music or poetry - how would you paint that? Try to imbue everything you do with that feeling - from first sketch to mixing paint, to each brush stroke - let it all be an expression of one idea."

Please note that Friends of Art Manchester has some new venues for artists to display their artwork coming up in 2014.  Please consider joining us in the new year and learning where you can hang your work in downtown Manchester (commission free). We are also planning on some murals in the spring. We also hope to have a variety of projects going on in the downtown, perhaps even a plein air paint-in in one of the parks and an indoor pop-up gallery.

Since no one submitted a painting or photo for today’s post, you might enjoy looking at other  murals. To see a mosaic mural named “Trust”: http://www.muralmosaic.com/Cochrane.html  

May 2014 be a creative year for all of us.  Happy New Year.

Call for Artists - Public Art Project

Hello!

I am writing to invite you and any interested friends or art groups you know of to submit designs for this new public art project in downtown Manchester.  All artists from NH are invited to apply. Both individuals and groups are welcome to apply.  The deadline is March 7th, 2014. Here are the details:

This is a statewide call for artists to submit designs to paint 3-5 traffic signal boxes in the downtown Manchester. The winning artists will be given an award and a stipend to cover painting materials. They will actually paint the boxes when the good weather comes around in April. All the details are outlined in the call for entries form and application.

Link to the website with Calls for Entries at Studio 550 (there are several others in 2014 which you might be interested in):  http://www.550arts.com/opportunities/

Direct link to the PDF Application:
http://www.550arts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/ThinkOutsideTheBox-CallForEntries1.pdf

Thank you so much for sharing this with any friends, colleagues, or artists groups you think might be interested. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

See you in the Studio!

Monica

--

Programs Director

Studio 550 - Community Art Center

www.550arts.com

603.232.5597

 

BELIEVE

The word means  "confidence". I chose this as the one word to add to my painting of David Ortiz. On the evening the Red Sox won the World Series we were watching the television as clip after clip of the festivities were broadcast. Before too many moments went by I grabbed my camera (as my husband, Steve just shook his head because he wasn't surprised at my thought process) and began taking photos of the images as they flashed by on the screen. This one of David Ortiz featured his signature sunglasses and speaking to the crowd from the heart. He is a great role model and I was happy to include this as part of Family in Transition's request of art work for the men's living area.

Post and painting by Debbie Curtin.

Deb's painting is part of our second project for Families in Transition and will be going into the men's residence.

Art at The Wine Studio

THE WINE STUDIO

Anthony Williams was the featured artist at a reception during the Wine Studio's Thursday evening wine tasting event. December 5 brought in friends and regulars to the showing of Anthony's watercolor paintings. The food provided by Maureen was fabulous and the wine tasting a hit with everyone as the evening progressed. The ambiance co-mingled with the flair of the artist as he brought panache (dashing elegance of manner; carefree, spirited self-confidence or style) to the occasion.

The artist poses for a dashing photograph in front of a jolly Frosty the Snowman painted on a piece of slate. His watercolor of a covered bridge is a masterpiece of fall colors.

Photos and text by guest blogger Debbie Curtin.

A Few Updates

The second project with Families in Transition is going forward.  We are painting canvases for their men’s residence.  All the canvases have been picked up and two of the proposals have been accepted. The other artists will be submitting their proposals soon and then can start painting.  There will be a reception for the artists who painted canvases for the women’s residence on December 17th.  If this sounds like something you would like to do, please consider becoming a member of Friends of Art Manchester and getting involved.

We have a location in Manchester (a restaurant downtown) that will host 3-4 paintings on a monthly basis.  We have already met with the owner.  Now we are looking for someone to chair this committee and be responsible for changing the artwork each month.

We also have a good possibility for a space for a pop-up gallery downtown, possibly for Valentine’s Day.  This space may continue for us to use in the future as well.

We are investigating a spring project, a mural on Union Street. The owner is definitely interested, now our intrepid crew will come up with some details.  This project will probably involve several artists working with the muralist, and possibly some students as well.

You may have noticed an earlier post about painting electric boxes.  We are on the list to be contacted for proposals.  This will also be a spring project. Initially there will be three boxes to be painted.

Hope all our readers had a wonderful holiday weekend and are looking forward to snow! Please send suggestions to us for future blog posts.  Thank you.

Acrylic painting, 16” X 20” by Linda H. Feinberg of snowmobile on the trail in Auburn, NH.  

Returning to Art - Deb Funk

Deb Funk has lived in Manchester with her family for 13 years. The proud mother of 4 and "Gramzi" to two grandsons, she is now enjoying more time to devote to her artwork.

Annual Christmas tree lot, corner of Salmon & Elm Streets, Manchester.

On Cape Cod, Acrylic

Hiking in Wisconsin, Watercolor

           Grandmother at Nauset Beach
                       Acrylic

Murals in Downtown Manchester

Mural located on Mechanic Street near the YMCA by artist Anthony Williams. Photo by John Mitchell. (Just click on the photo to enlarge it, press Esc key to go back to the text.)

Anthony Williams supervised the artists who painted these murals in Cat Alley, Manchester, NH.  Pan photo by Lance Quenneville.

If you know of any other building owners in the downtown who would like to have a mural painted on their building, please contact FOA. We have artists!

We have a date for our reception for the first Families in Transition project (canvases painted for the women's residence).  If you would like to be on the evite list, please send an e-mail to treasurer, Linda Feinberg,  and ask to be added to the list.  The reception will be on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 from 4:00-5:00 pm.

Our weekend painters

Some of our members participated in the Art in Action event in Londonderry, NH over the weekend. This was held in two different buildings, Mack’s Apples and Shady Hill Nursery.

On the left:  Frank Moulin and some of his beautiful watercolors.

Debbie Curtin looked like she was having fun talking to everyone.

Anthony Williams (our vice president) and author Joe Smiga enjoyed their conversation too.  These photos were taken in the greenhouse by our treasurer, Linda Feinberg.

Some of Anthony's paintings.

And a reminder: Our second project with Families in Transition is going forward and we have six artists committed to paint.  We have one more canvas available.  This will be similar to our last project with FIT except that we will be painting the canvases for their men’s residence this time.  Contact treasurer Linda Feinberg if you would like more information.



Update: 11/12/13: the last canvas has been spoken for. Please contact Linda if you would like to be on the list for the next project.

Poetry is art too

Pearls   By John Mitchell

And what I sought,
you were,
a few times;
as green islands
are glimpsed
from a schooner.
Like seafaring friends
we greeted those moments--
grabbed at them--
hugging--
joy in our eyes.
Trices of worth!
made of white sand;
lapped with
warm sea waves.
But, we were
Polynesians
finding rare pearls,
many empty dives
came between.

John Mitchell jacatols1@hotmail.com

John is one of the founding members of Friends of Art Manchester and is an excellent photographer. You can see some of his work on this site.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

November again

the trail is blanketed with leaves

as I follow the dog around the pond

dull yellows and browns

no longer the brilliant reds

like the burning bush by our house

the acorns have finally finished dropping

on the wooden deck

startling me with their loud noise

the mums are withering

the garden bare

a few herbs hanging on

to grow again in spring

the first snow was early this year

and melted quickly

the nights are frosty

and we cuddle under a warm quilt

in the evening I take out

yarn and knitting needles

another pair of mittens

for a daughter far away

reminding me of mother

and her granny squares

my weekly phone calls

now with my children

as hers used to be with me

seasons change

each with its own beauty

the earth rests, then renews

November again

©Linda H. Feinberg   

I wrote this one many years ago. We no longer have a dog, but I still walk around the pond and still love the changing of the seasons. I have more poems on my personal blog. Select the category “poems” to filter it. I am one of the founding members of this group and its treasurer. I have been writing poems for over 30 years, but my books are currently out of print. lhfeinberg@yahoo.com

Artists Demos & Local Craft Shows

See artists demonstrating their work in the annual fall Art in Action in Londonderry. Mack's Apples is opening up their farmstand and Shady Hill just up the street will have their greenhouse wide open for this weekend event. Anthony Williams, Frank Moulin, Debbie Curtin and many others will be set up and ready to rock and roll out some new work! Check it out!

Saturday, November 9^th in Manchester

Our treasurer, Linda Feinberg and her husband, writer Joe Smiga, will be sharing a table at the Brookside Congregational Church annual craft fair.  The church is located on Elm Street in Manchester, two blocks north of Webster Street.  The fair is on Saturday, November 9^th  from 9:00 – 3:00 and you will find many gift ideas as well as some delicious bakery items. Stop by and check out the artwork, books & crafts.

Final Paintings for Families in Transition Project

Carolina Chauvette painted this beautiful butterfly for our project with Families in Transition.  

The final paintings have been delivered to FIT and we are waiting for them to notify us when they will be having a reception so we can enjoy seeing all the paintings hanging on the walls of the residence.

An interesting mandala by Paul Davidson. Acrylic painting 16” X 20”.

We will be having a meeting on Wednesday evening, October 23^rd and hope to pick our next project at that time. If you need more information, contact our treasurer or president. Contact information

The Art of the Portrait by Deb Curtin

When I started my very first job out of college as a layout artist for a newspaper in Massachusetts, I learned on the job and became proficient over time. I left that job after only three years knowing I needed to move on to other possibilities in the art world. Today I can look back and see quite the interesting art path I have travelled. I always felt drawn to doing more art and have never stopped. To me growing and learning through artistic opportunities makes for a more varied palette of skills. 

When we moved to New Hampshire, I found a job working for a local printer. I had a baby daughter to care for so this mom and pop place was a good fit. The Adult Evening program in town offered a drawing class and The New Hampshire Art Institute offered a colored pencil drawing class during the year. I said 'why not?' Keep up and keep going, that's my motto. This time in my art life led me to an interesting challenge. My boss asked me to paint or draw a house portrait of his family's lovely old-style Cape. In  the barter (we decided to make it one), I needed a piece of furniture stripped and refinished which he agreed to do. I completed the house portrait and he restored my family heirloom. (I think he put in more time and sweat for sure!)

This first portrait started a path to more portraits after putting a small ad in the local paper. Every house portrait and some other unique portrait collaborations has had a neat story. I delved into people portraits with some apprehension but figured out my style and went with it. Each of these also has a story. These few I'll share with you.

#1 - Michael

This portrait was commissioned by the grandparents as one of their two grandchildren. I was given a picture of Michael and knew immediately he needed a haircut and a proper shirt. Done.

#2 - Lauren

Lauren was in a bathing suit and her hair was wet in the photo I received of her from the grandparents. So, I dried her hair and then styled it. A floral dress was given to me to have her wear in the portrait. No problem. I asked daughter #3 who was about the same age as Lauren to put the dress on and model for me. It worked.

#3 - Jordan

I wanted to thank a co-worker of mine who helped me immensely when I started a new job. I chose one of Jordan's favorite fairy tales and used Tinker Bell to personalize the portrait.

My advice is don't stop what YOU are doing! Keep the pen, pencil, brush, chalk, charcoal, paint, and fingers moving on the paper, canvas, board, wall etc. Look for those opportunities to 'just do it'.

Contact information:

Deb Curtin

debcurtin5@gmail.com
603 432-8143

Thank you, Deb, for this inspiring blog post. If you would like to submit a guest blog post, please e-mail it to treasurer, Linda Feinberg, lhfeinberg@myfairpoint.net

Laurie Lafleur

Manchester native, Laurie Lafleur has been active on the local art scene since the 1980s. 

Having won numerous awards, she is listed in several, current Who's Who publications, most notably: "Who's Who in American Art".  

She participates in summer art shows in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.

She teaches the weekly Hooksett Library art class, as well as the Suncook Senior Center art class.

Contact: DonLaurieL@comcast.net
603-485-9012

Project Update - FIT

Another beautiful acrylic painting by Frank Moulin. He mentioned that he used a sponge on this one to create texture. Sounds like a fun technique. This one is 16” X 20”

Our newest member, Deb Funk, submitted this colorful bird on an 8” X 10” canvas. This should certainly brighten up the residence walls for Families in Transition.

Our FIT project is coming to a close. We are waiting for the last two canvases and then we hope to have a reception at the residence for our artists and the public sometime this month or next. Stay tuned….more information will be posted when we know the dates.

Project Updates

Finished paintings are coming in now for our project with Families in Transition. This one is by our Vice President, Anthony Williams.

I'm sure FIT will be happy with this horse. Painting by our President, Colleen O'Connor.

Two other paintings were posted earlier, on August 27th.

Our last project, the meters on Elm Street, has raised over $300 for New Horizons. That will pay for about 100 dinners.  Pat Long, the downtown alderman who initiated the project has ordered additional signage to be attached to the posts so people will be clear on why those meters are there. We've received lots of positive feedback on the meters.

Local Inspiration for Artists

Photos of Dorrs Pond by John Mitchell

Photos taken with 35 mm Cannon AE1

These photos were taken by John Mitchell a member of Friends of Art Manchester.  John was born in Maine and received his B.S. in Film and Radio Sound from the University of Oregon. John has lived in Manchester since 1984 and has been active in the arts community for several years.

Contact info: John Mitchell jacatols1@hotmail.com

Paintings of Dorrs Pond by Linda Feinberg

Acrylic painting of fall and the Dorrs Pond boatramp.

Dorrs Pond is located at Livingston Park in Manchester. The walk around the pond is about 1 mile.  There is a playground at the park for children and benches to rest on.  It is an easy walk.

This painting is also acrylic of fall at the pond. There are usually ducks there (mallards). Sometimes I see herons and Canada geese there too. (Also frogs and turtles.)

This one is watercolor, pen and ink.  The pondhouse as seen from the bridge over the pond.

While these three paintings are of the fall, the pond has beautiful views to paint or photograph in any season. There are beautiful flowering trees in the spring, interesting snow and ice shapes on the ice in the winter; Lovely reflections in the water in the summer. It is a good place to visit and be inspired.

Contact info: lhfeinberg@yahoo.com

www.lindafeinberg.com

To view full screen photos, just click on them.

Aline Lotter - Plein Air Painter

Aline Lotter is a plein aire painter and has submitted these four images that got her accepted into the upcoming (Sept 27-29) Blackstone Valley Plein Air Festival.  

Aline has recently retired from her law practice and we hope she has more time to enjoy painting and blogging. She also does studio painting. Her blog is currently focusing on nudes: http://paintingsbyaline.wordpress.com/

Blog post by Aline Lotter:

"Musicians at the Farmers Market" was painted on Marco Island, Florida, last February.  We needed shade and the people in charge wouldn't let us use the communal tent to paint in, because they had some artists who bought space for tents of their own.  We found some tree shade, but it was outside the venue, all the way behind the musicians.  Ok, we made the best of it!

"Apples Ready to Pick" was painted at Mack's Apples in Londonderry.  It was part of an International Plein Air Painters weekend.  The painting has been very successful, winning spots in juried exhibitions and even an award.

"Strawberry Field" is the most recent of this group.  I painted it last May in the course of the Bartlett Artists Getaway weekend.  That field between me and Cathedral Ledge is a strawberry field, and lies to the west of North Conway.  It has not been exhibited yet.

The last is the smallest and perhaps the oldest:  "Wentworth by the Sea" from the rear was painted as part of some organized event, and was shown for the rest of the summer by the McGowan Gallery in the Wentworth Coolidge gallery space.  I've always thought it one of my best, yet, like the rest, it remains unsold.

To contact Aline:

603-289-7447
www.paintingsbyaline.com
paintingsbyaline@mac.com

Paul Davidson - Musician & Artist

 When he's not performing, writing, or recording his music and others, you can find Paul Davidson with pen and paper making elaborate drawings of his perception of Life. Starting back in high school, doodling on books became commonplace for Paul and now have taken on a larger form. They now encompass full canvases with hours/days of work. Full of metaphors and symbolism, one can't just view a single picture in a single moment - one has to dig into the depth to understand any meaning.

 Only recently Paul has added more color in his art. Using Watercolors, Acrylics, Spray Paint or just about anything with color, he composes ideas that free form in his head to unique designs on canvas and walls. 

With all this creative juice going on Paul has also created an eclectic Art and Music production called, The OBE Show. It's a collaboration of musicians, artists, metaphysics, food, drink and good spirits. Each person usually leaves with a shared experience and a heightened awareness of oneself through the senses.

  

For more information on Paul Davidson

                             E-Mail - iampaulsmail@yahoo.com

                             Him - https://www.facebook.com/paul.davidson.3914

                             His Art - https://www.facebook.com/PauliArt

                             His Music - https://www.facebook.com/mindsetx

                             His Show - https://www.facebook.com/TheO.B.E.Show