Assembling Art: Wednesday Junior Art Class

As most of you know, I lead a Wednesday Junior Art Class. I say lead because I don't know how much actual teaching I do. Mostly I try to mentor and guide them into doing what they want to do anyway, rather than imposing what I want to do. I try to give them the skills and confidence to achieve what they need to do.

Robbie Sets things up

To this end, I have been looking into having other artists give demonstrations in their own art, and how they approach the creative process. How they work, what they work with, what are their goals, that sort of thing. To this end, I bludgeoned, ah, asked by friend and fellow Renaissance Art Gallery artist, Robbie Poore to give the class an insight into his unique approach to art.



Robbie is an assemblage artist at The Renaissance Art Gallery. This means that he creates works of art out of things that everyone else would through out. His demonstration was simple. You take a surface, in this case canvas; you use glue and start building. Robbie seldom has the complete design in mind when he starts. Oh he has an idea, even a goal, but he follows obediently to where the art leads him. It is not unusual for him to change directions in mid-stream. He gets inspiration from the objects themselves and the music he listens to.

Working on Art

So he presented the idea of found art, and assemblage. He brought in 12x12 canvases, glue and bags of different items including bottle caps, old CD’s (shattered) broken records (literally) cut up gift cards, string, lugs, eye hooks, crushed shells, and tubes of kitty litter (unused, thankfully!) All kinds of things! Others brought in miscellaneous items also.

Creative use of materials

Several items proved to be rather popular and flexible items, such as the kitty litter. Now, I did think some of those nice decorative polished stones you get in floral craft shops would be good, but kitty litter? It works. As well as the wooden keys you often get when you buy stretched canvas, but seldom use? It was very well received, both as a tool for spreading glue and for parts of the artwork. Things with a lot of texture worked really well, but unusual things also were used. All of them mixed and matched things with abandon, but with their own unique aesthetic eye.



We do have paint for the kids, both tempura and craft acrylics, but they actually preferred working with the natural colors of the items. Quite a few used random puzzle pieces, sometimes the print side, and sometimes the backs. They were really innovative in how they used these items, working with texture and design. Things I would not have thought would make good art found their way into some rather nice pieces. The work they did give me a fresh look at art. It also gave them a different point of view on just what art is. We had done standard collage and torn paper projects but this was totally different for them and me.

Watching each piece develop was exciting

The success of today makes me realize just how important it is to expose these young artists to other points of views, to other ways of approaching art. In the coming months I will be having other artists and other media in the Junior Art Class at The Renaissance Art Gallery. I do enjoy working with them and giving them my point of view on art. Teaching them to look at the work as an artist does. But what I can give them is simply one point of view, and that is in itself limiting. I am not looking to turn out clones of me but help them access their own unique artistic gifts. Being exposed to other artists, with different aesthetics will help them focus on their own views without stifling them. And by having each gallery member visit, they will be exposed to multiple mediums.

~Susan Tschantz

Renaissance Artist

Butterflies are free!

Here's looking at you, Kid

Lots of different materials
gave many options

Gary Lapelle-Pet Portraits

Introducing

When people visit the Renaissance Art Gallery, they are told we are an artist co-op. Just what is an artist co-op? It is a group of local artist, who have banned together to create a showplace for our art and share our knowledge of art with them. The Renaissance Art Gallery is a working gallery, filled with working artists.

Getting to know us

We are people. Rather ordinary people who have one extra-ordinary feature. We create art. But just who are we? So let me introduce us.



     Getting to know…



Gary Lapelle

                   Pet Portraits

Gary Lapelle

Most people visiting The Renaissance Art Gallery in Huntington, WV see Gary Lapelle as a cartoonist, but he is more than that. Gary does beautiful animal portraits in acrylic ink. A committed animal lover, Gary’s devotion shows in the beautiful, loving portraits he does of area pets. Capturing an important family member as artwork will be a treasured addition to anyone’s wall décor. Gary has had years of experience with commissioned pet portraits. By working directly with an experienced artist, a beautiful artwork can be created that could be affordable to most. This is the time of year to be thinking ahead about a wonderful holiday gift, a pet portrait.

"Spaniel"
G. Lapelle

I am an animal lover myself, so I understand how people feel about their companions” Says Gary.


" I like working with two to three snapshots. What can be seen in one picture might not be seen in another. I can use these to compose a portrait of the pet"



Gary is a true animal lover and worked for animal rights and good care for pets. Gary, worked closely with Help For Animals,Inc., a low-cost animal clinic that encourages people to spay and neuter their pets, to help curb pet over-population.Gary had served on the board of Directors of HFA for ten years and as its president one year.


Help for Animals

He serves on the board of directors of Tri-State Arts Association (TSAA), as well as our Board of Directors here at the Renaissance Art Gallery.


The Renaissance Art Gallery is proud to have Gary as one of its longtime members and accomplished artist. Contact Gary through The Renaissance Art Gallery:

Best of West Virginia 2011

Haeberle

The 4th Annual Best of West Virginia Juried Exhibition opened June 19, 2011 at Tamarack. Thirty-six counties in WV with 109 artists are represented in the exhibition that runs until August 13th. Christine Humphrey, Gallery Manager, commented that it showcases the most talented and creative artists in West Virginia.

Moul

Two members of the Renaissance Gallery had artwork accepted into this special show. Ron Haeberle, of Huntington, WV, had a watercolor of a West Virginia river and Laura Moul, of Milton, WV, had a metallic photographic reflection of Stewart Hall into the windows of the Mountainlair at West Virginia University.

Currently at the Renaissance Gallery is a solo exhibition of Ron Haeberle's "Surf and Turf a serious look at landscapes". Laura also has artwork in the gallery. The Renaissance Art Gallery is open to the public Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is located on the ground floor of the Renaissance Building (the old Huntington High School) on the corner of 8th Street and 9th Avenue.

The Renaissance Art Gallery is an artist co-operative gallery focusing on the work of local artists. Their mission is to promote art and art education in the community and among its members.

Additions to the Renaissance Art Gallery

New Members June 2011

Pati Payne

Pati Payne: Painter—New Member



Artist Pati Payne enjoys life and this enjoyment is reflected in her work. The work submitted to the 4th Annual National Spring Fine Art Exhibition, “Parks & Recreation” is typical for her. Children playing in autumn leaves, flying kites and riding a seesaw in the park. These three works were perfect for this show, yes, but also perfect examples of well developed themes and composition. Each shows her high level of skill and development as an artist. The Renaissance Art Gallery is proud to welcome Pati to its membership and to award her space to permanently display her award winning art.



Linda Harbison: Painter & Sculptor—New Member




Linda Harbison


Many of you who have visited the Renaissance Art Gallery during the Spring Fine Art Exhibition, “Parks & Recreation” have commented on Linda Harbison’s watercolors of Camden Park, one of Huntington, WV’s most beloved landmarks. You will all be pleased to know that painter and sculptor Linda Harbison has joined the Renaissance Art Gallery and will soon have her own display in the main gallery. Over the coming months you can see her artwork in the main gallery, as well as enjoy her company on walk-through on her gallery days.



Laura Moul: Photographer—New Member



Also joining at this time is landscape photographer, Laura Moul. She has been a frequent participant in our annual shows and a long time friend of the Renaissance Art Gallery. She is in her own right a well known and award winning artist. She also will have a permanent presence in the Gallery and will be a valuable resource on fine art photography and all the changes technology has brought to the field.

Laura Moul

One of the nicest things about the Renaissance Art Gallery is the artists. Each and every person manning the gallery is an active-productive artist from our community

“Surf and Turf” - Landscapes and Seascapes in Watercolor.



Clear Morning on Dry Branch
Ron Haeberle

 While this exhibition is not limited to landscapes and seascapes, they are the centerpiece. It is a collection which includes both older pieces that represent “landmarks” in the development of way I paint and new work that is still damp.


When I began painting, much of my early effort went into paintings of buildings or street scenes representing places I had visited. I was frustrated in the effort by producing stiff, uncomfortable looking images lacking the sense and feel I sought from watercolor. I began to cast about for a different approach. Surveying the works of others, I was soon able to find paintings to which I could simply say – “I like that”. I used that inspiration to begin to create landscapes that satisfied my desire to produce work that gave a comfortable sense of being there. A long series of landscapes has followed. Almost by definition my landscapes contain water. I suppose this comes from the challenge this presents in painting and the interest it adds if you can get it right.

It is no surprise then that portraying the sea with watercolor was the next challenge. My objective was to create images that would capture the sea in a realistic way without becoming overly romantic in the manner of many seascapes. It was my good fortune to strike the balance I was seeking very early on. A continuing series of surf paintings has been the result. In the process of doing research (sitting in a beach chair at varying times of the day) I begin to understand the profound way the sun, sky and wind determine the personality of the ever changing sea. There is no shortage of new images to record.

Morning Surf XII
Ron Haeberle

In the interest of full disclosure the exhibit includes a smattering of other subjects – the odd building, still life and portrait. These represent a continuing interest in attempting any subject that represents a challenge. As often happens, this has opened the door to a series of architectural paintings of Huntington buildings of both beauty and historical importance.

Most importantly these works represent my attempt to allow the viewer to experience a moment in time in a place they may not have visited. Not only by seeing but sensing the smells and sounds and feeling the warmth of the sun or the cool of the shade.

The Renaissance Gallery Opening

You are cordially invited to the opening of a new art exhibition at The Renaissance Art Gallery, Sunday June 5, 2011 from 2-4 pm. Not in the Kumkum Majumdar Exhibition Hall, but in the newly renovated Main Gallery.




After months of work the new hall is ready to display the Best Artwork in the Tri-State are, and to celebrate we are proud to welcome you to enjoy our gallery by viewing the outstanding watercolors of artist Ron Haeberle.



Ron was both designer and construction worker of this renovation, so what could be more appropriate than hanging his work to show off the new wall?



“Surf & Turf” is a serious look at landscape painting in watercolor and shows Ron’s progress through this popular and compelling format.

Come and Join us in celebrating our new gallery and enjoy Ron Haeberle's fine watercolors.

The Renaissance Gallery’s “Renaissance Man” Show Opens

The Renaissance Art Gallery

The Renaissance Gallery’s “Renaissance Man” Show Opens

Not since Leonardo Davinci has there been so many talents combined in one artist/person!  Ron Haeberle is one of the Tri State’s most prolific watercolor artists creating

works depicting historical buildings and regional recreation sites in his work.  A clean, precise yet impressionistic style makes his art soothing as well as evocative.  But wait… Ron is also the Gallery’s architect, interior designer, master carpenter, flooring specialist, wall and fixture painter, carpet installer and financial adviser. 

Ron has worked all through this past winter and spring to remodel our main Gallery at Renaissance. And we felt it appropriate that he should open it to you with a one-man show.  If you have visited us before, you must come to the reception on June 5^th from 2-4 p.m. to see Ron’s work and see his handiwork.  If you are one of the hundreds of people who have driven past us on 8^th Street and 9^thAvenue saying to yourself  “ want to stop in and see what the Renaissance Gallery is all about”…well now is your chance!  You will have from June 5, 2011 until July 1^st to see Ron’s work and our newly renovated Gallery. 

We thank Ron for his undying energy and dedication to The Renaissance Gallery.  He is a man who puts his energy where his mouth is!  And we are blessed to have him. 

Even though we have been in a mess since the beginning trying to keep the Gallery open with everything in the KumKum Majumdar Exhibition Hall during Ron’s work, you still have time to stop in on Wednesday afternoons, Friday and Saturdays from 12-4 p.m. and Sundays 1-4 p.m.

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You may also leave messages at the Gallery by calling (304) 525-3235.  You may make special appointments by calling (304) 453-3187

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