Working on the 10th Annual National Miniature Exhibition

The entire Renaissance Gallery is working hard to make this the best International National Miniature show we have ever had. In honor of our 10th Miniature Exhibition, we want the widest audience, and the widest participation among local artists we have ever had.





This is important to us. We feel that our central location at 900 Eighth Street, Suite 20 in downtown Huntington WV in the Tri-state area makes us the best place to showcase local artists. The Miniature Show is fun! It is exciting to be in a nationally recognized show. And we have cash awards!

Size Matters!

Art schools tend to emphasize painting large. Large is good. Large is important. Large is impressive. For those of us who are self-taught, the tendency is for sizes we are comfortable and familiar, ea. we tend towards sizes that photos come in, 8x10, 5x7 etc. Or whatever is on sale at the local craft store.

But choosing the size is also a part of composition. So go small!

Small works can be surprisingly intimidating.

How Do I Paint So Small?

Once you try a couple, you find it really isn’t that hard. With the correct tools and lighting it can be very relaxing. After the stress of painting large, there is a certain freedom in going small.

Four inches by six inches (4x6) seems to be the most popular size, both with artists and with collectors. This seems to be small enough to be intriguing, and still allows the viewer to interact with the scene. Another plus-it is a standard size and relatively easy and inexpensive to frame.

Publicity

We have gotten a couple of nice write-ups in the local papers here in West Virginia but continue to have trouble getting noticed in Eastern Kentucky and Southern Ohio. Since The Renaissance Art Gallery is located in Huntington, WV right across the river from Ohio, and only miles from Kentucky it is a great place to artists to gather and party a bit. Celebrate being an artist. We always have a number of tv stations and reporters attending the reception, and they are always on the look out for fresh blood! And it is an easy show to get into. Simply stay with the size and media, and you are in!

It is also a great way to build an art resume. Something that is nationally recognized and outside the walls of academia, and is nationally recognized.

Are you going to be part of the 10th Annual National Miniature Exhibition?



http://www.cabellstandard.com/main.asp?SectionID=15&SubSectionID=15&ArticleID=2346



http://www.orgsites.com/wv/renaissance/index.html

Life Drawing Class - Fall 2010

Artist S. Tschantz

First Saturday

1st of 6 drawing days.

Figure drawing started last Saturday after the summer hiatus. It took a little effort to get things organized, but we made it.

It was good to get back to basic—real live drawing. First pose lasted a bit more than the scheduled 20 minutes. Time-boy forgot to set the timer at first! Since Time-boy is also lighting-man, this is understandable and forgivable. Lighting-man had to rush back to is own easel to start his drawings.

Thankfully the oppressive hot weather seemed to break by Saturday, so the gallery was comfortable. We still needed the little fan for Lynn, our model, but we were able to turn off our loud, stand alone air conditioner. One of the drawbacks of being in an old historic building is old pre-central air wiring!

Support and media

Interesting was the different approaches by the artists. Most use large sketchpads, spiral bound to keep the pages together, but not all. There were several newsprint pads as well as one artist who brought a box of full size drawing paper sheets. These sheets or pad were put on easels, but one artist brings a more manageable size pad, which gives her the freedom to walk around the room for just the right point of view. Since she works off a pad she can comfortably hold, she is not tied to one spot.

With this variety of formats is a variety of media. While everyone has an array of pencils, other media is also employed. There were charcoal pencils, vine charcoal sticks, pens, pencils, colored pencils and water media. One artist routinely “sketches” with watercolor washes.

Artist L. Helgasson

There are 5 more Saturdays in this fall session of figure drawing, and there are still 2 spots available to local artists. This session runs through Saturday October 30, 2010, ending the Saturday before the Miniature show.

Location:

The Renaissance Art Gallery is convenient for West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky and Southern Ohio, and all adult artists are welcome to one or more drawing sessions.

Class meets Saturday afternoon, 1-4 pm in the Exhibition Hall of The Renaissance Art Gallery.

The Renaissance Art Gallery
900 8th Street, Suite #20
Huntington, WV 25701

Gallery (304) 525-3235
Appointments: (304) 453-3187
gallerywv@yahoo.com
www.orgsites.com/wv/renaissance

http://twitter.com/wvgallery
http://renaissancegalleryart.blogspot.com/

Gallery hours are:

Friday & Saturday 12-4 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm
Studio hours Monday 10-Noon, Wednesday 1:00-7:30 pm and Saturday 10-Noon

Figure Drawing Fall 2010

On Saturday, September 25 2010, the first class of the fall Figure Drawing Class will be held at Renaissance Gallery will begin. It will meet every Saturday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. through October 30, 2010. The course runs for 6 Saturdays, 3 hours each (for a total of 18 hours of drawing time!) Students are encouraged to bring whatever media they choose to work in. Students need to bring their own easel and their choice of materials. Some students have worked in watercolor, some in oils, some in charcoal; some in pastel...just choose the one you like. Bruce suggests that the drawing pad you choose should be no smaller than 18" X 24" for your larger studies. You may also want to bring a pad 9" X 12" for smaller studies or notes.

Bruce Bowersock is the instructor/monitor for this course. He will stress, as usual, the basic key points to look for and apply when drawing from the live model. The class begins with 10- one minute long gesture drawings so the students can warm up. While the model rests, Bruce addresses any questions or problems anyone might have, and then the class starts 5 -10-15-20 minute poses. The longest pose will be the 45 minutes.

During the breaks, free open discussion between students is encouraged. Bruce will bring reference books on anatomy. Bring refreshments of your choice, but the Gallery usually has coffee available.

The cost for the course $94.50 tax included, for a total of. A modeling fee is divided equally among the class.

Space is limited to 12 students. If the class is closed, there will be another one in Spring 2011.

Questions, call the Renaissance Gallery at 304-525-3235.

You may also email Bruce at:

bhbowersock@gmail.com

or call him at (304) 634-1418

The Renaissance Art Gallery
900 8th Street Suite 20
Huntington WV 25701

Gallery 304-525-3235
Appointments: 304-453-8137

gallerywv@yahoo.com
www.orgsites.com/wv/renaissance

http://twitter.com/wvgallery
http://renaissancegalleryart.blogspot.com/

Gallery hours are:

Friday and Saturday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Studio hours- Monday 10-noon, Wednesday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Renaissance Gallery Art: The Unfinished Nude

Renaissance Gallery Art: The Unfinished Nude

...Gary, Your Words...and Drawings ...Sing!

The Unfinished Nude

She's Mocking Me!

(Gary Taylor, Studio Drawing)

That nude young woman in the charcoal sketch on the easel is mocking me.

She thinks she's complete.

She thinks it's so easy to stop with those few strokes and lines and sweeps of charcoal.

I sketched her from life in one of my last sessions of figure drawing, taught by fellow gallery member Bruce Bowersock.

Her name is Melanie.

I think Melanie needs to be fleshed out -- well, not that way.

I mean, her flesh is pretty nearly perfect, as is, for a young woman.

Melanie's an active character. She's young enough to be my daughter.

She's demurely turned away from the viewer except for that knowing glance over her shoulder.

I'm looking for that. I want the viewer of my final artwork to understand that look. I want the viewer to see this whole, complete young woman.

She's not a naked girl. She's not a head-and-shoulders portrait.

She's a whole nude Melanie, kneeling, at ease, her face turned to look at something that interests her. She's not unaware of being looked at; she's simply at ease with it.

(She's America. She's life. She's seen from behind. She doesn't hide her face, exactly. She's naked, but no one knows her entirely.)

I've been drawing different versions of the original sketch for months now. I start by drawing her from memory, without consulting the original sketch.

Each time, I simplify or elaborate something about the original sketch. I work on the shadowed background. I work on the composition.

Then I compare my latest attempt from memory with the original sketch.

I've begun to think that I should paint her in ink wash or washes of acrylic paint.

I talk to her in her sketch on my easel. I ask her what she thinks.

She keeps giving me that Mona Lisa smile. That is, I think that's how La Gioconda would look, kneeling nude with her back to us, her head turned to her left, to the side of her heart, arms folded across her unseen breasts.

For now, I'll keep working.

~Gary Taylor, Artist

NEWS FLASH: Bowersocks are home and glad about it!

The Bowersocks just returned from a month-long vacation. Now, don't get the wrong idea. Part of it was visiting family, but I must say that Bruce has a really wonderfufamily. Reconnecting after 3 years was a good thing. Lil surprised Bruce with a 2-night stop at National Harbor, a new WyndhamVacationResorts property right across the river from Historic Alexandria, Va. Spending two whole 7 hour days in the National Gallery of Art was nothing but fabulous. Bruce was like a little kid as he tried to suck in all the wonderful and precious paintings and sculptures on display.


We were both inspired at this point, but another treat was on the way. We sketched, biked, walked, photographed and just basked in the glory of nature spread out by God for all to see and enjoy.


While we were on our trip, we had a wonderful to talk to our two friends with doctorates and brainstorm about new ways to make this art business work. So now we are on a wild ride to writing a book....Bruce's book. More about this as it progresses.

9/11 Bud Commercial - AIRED ONLY ONCE

Open House

Our Sister Organization, Arts Resouces for the Tri-State, is having an open house this Saturday to help the people of Eastern Kentucky, Southern Ohio and West Virginia put some art in their young people's lives.



Each year they sponsor a series of fine arts classes for young people in drama, dance, visual arts and more. This Saturday, September 11, 2010, there is a preview and sign-up day. All the teachers for the programs will be gather in the old High School Cafeteria, now the ballroom ( and you should see it!). They will be there to answer questions, demonstrate their programs and general enrich your lives. Many of the teachers do take on adult students too, so everyone can come. The Open House Starts at 2:30 but who knows when it will end!

The Arts-Resources for the Tri-State is also located in the Renaissance Building, the repurposed Huntington High School, 900 8th Street in Huntington, WV

Open House!

This Saturday, Sue Tschantz, our Junior Arts teacher will be attending the open house for Arts resources for the tri-state featuring her junior arts class.


Her classe in for Fine Arts, Painting and drawing. is for junior members, 10- high school. The Junior class focuses on drawing as the foundation of visual art. She likes to take the students through the process of developing their artistic vision. Right now, the class is focusing on the human face, which is one of the first things people try to draw, but using this to develop powers of observation. But she will also be helping them develop a sense of composition and color. there will be having sessions that include Chinese Calligraphy, ink wash painting, some watercolors and more. Each session does include some art history that flows naturally in with what we are doing, including some interesting aspects of American history.

The arts in our children’s lives are very important. It is a fundamental to a well-rounded education, and helps in all areas of learning including reading, math and science. Art teaches problem solving. These courses are a wonderful supplement to their education.

If you are in the area, stop by The Renaissance Art Gallery and the Renaissance Art Center.

The Arts Center website is here: and you can find out more about all the classes offered.
http://733arts.org/fineartsschool.html

And this, of course is us!

The Renaissance Art Gallery
900 8th Street, Suite #20
Huntington, WV 25701

Gallery (304) 525-3235
Appointments: (304) 453-3187
gallerywv@yahoo.com
www.orgsites.com/wv/renaissance

http://twitter.com/wvgallery
http://renaissancegalleryart.blogspot.com/

Gallery hours are:

Friday & Saturday 12-4 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm
Studio hours Monday 10-Noon, Wednesday 1:00-7:30 pm and Saturday 10-Noon

Learn to make art.

Have you ever wanted to learn to paint? ~ Or do you find yourself doodling a lot and want to do something with it?


The artists of the Renaissance art gallery can help you with any artistic ambition.

We offer classes for both adults and children in basic art, painting, drawing, sketching, figure drawing. Classes are held at convenient times at The Renaissance Art Gallery.

Monday 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Painting

Open Studio (adult) $60 for 6 weeks continuing
- F. Christian (304) 453-3187

Wednesday 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Drawing and Fine Art

Open Studio - “How Pictures Work”, emphasis is on what makes an effective work of art, looking into color and its relationship to light, value and composition. How to use reference material effectively in the design and layout of original art work, what can be learn from the masters and how to work from life and photos. Various media materials will be explored, so all media is welcome. While working the student will explore art history with emphasis on American History. (Adult-high school Ideal for home schooled)

Open Studio (adult) $60 for 6 weeks continuing
-S. Tschantz (304) 757-3241

Wednesday 3:30-4:30 pm

Drawing Fundamental Junior Class

Drawing as a learnable skill. Learn to draw and appreciate art. Class is for students 10 years and up. While most work will be with graphite pencil, charcoal, ink, washes and colored pencils and pens will be covered.

$60 for 6 weeks (ideal for home schooled) Continuing.
-S. Tschantz (304) 757-3241

Wednesday 6-8 pm

Drawing Fundamentals –
Open Studio - Drawing as a learnable skill. Learning to draw what you really see, not what you think you see. Class will cover all aspects of drawing and design and explore materials both modern and historic. While most work will be with graphite pencil, charcoal, ink, washes and colored pencils and pens will be covered.

$60 for 6 weeks (adult-high school, ideal for home schooled) Continuing.

-S. Tschantz (304) 757-3241
stschantz@suddenlink.net
tschantz.myexpose.com

Saturday Morning 10am-12pm –

Painting
Open Studio $60 for 6 weeks Continuing.
-F. Christian (304) 453-3187

Saturday 1-4 PM

Figure drawing class is to return to Saturdays September 25, 2010 for 6 weeks. Cost is $120 plus modeling fee.

Lead by Bruce Bowersock pre-registration at The Renaissance Art Gallery or call B. Bowersock at: 304-743-6035

For more information on any of these classes, call The Renaissance Art Gallery during normal gallery hours or contact us by e-mail at gallerywv@yahoo.com.

Follow us on Twitter. at www.twitter.com/wvgallery.


The Renaissance Art Gallery
900 8th Street, Suite #20
Huntington, WV 25701

Gallery (304) 525-3235
Appointments: (304) 453-3187
gallerywv@yahoo.com
www.orgsites.com/wv/renaissance

http://twitter.com/wvgallery
http://renaissancegalleryart.blogspot.com/

Gallery hours are:

Friday & Saturday 12-4 pm, Sunday 1-4 pm
Studio hours Monday 10-Noon, Wednesday 1:00-7:30 pm and Saturday 10-Noon.