REAL Life Drawing: My Eye On Washington DC

REAL Life Drawing: My Eye On Washington DC
Photo- Gessoed Hand of MG Stout holding her favorite paint while prepping paper

Thursday, July 14, 2011

What is ART OUT LOUD 2011?


Art Out Loud 2011
by MG Stout & Allen Pryor

The Art Out Loud event that took place last fall introduced the community to an alternative, interactive art exhibition. Resident Artist, MG Stout and Big Green Cherry (BGC), a local indie rock band united to create an exciting multi-media art show. Music and Art: a pairing almost as perfect as peanut butter & chocolate!  Songs echoed and enriched the expressionistic pastels, while the images illustrated inspired lyrics.  The show was built upon MGS’s latest series  REAL Life Drawing: My Eye on Washington DC, that was translated into a book by Sunbury Press and corresponded with it’s release.

MGS says of her recent work, “I needed to get out of my studio (and my head) to connect with the outside world so that people might actually be able to participate with the imagery.  My next requirement was to find a material that was easy to travel with and would somehow connect with my subject.  Enter my a-ha moment - NEWSPAPER! The Washington Post directly related to my subject: daily life in the District of Columbia.  It was the perfect choice as it would be conversant with the images I wanted to create.  Goosebumps ran down my arm and I knew that I was on the right track.”

It is no mystery why the leader of BGC, Edd Welsh, and MGS partnered for the event.  BGC’s music is a blend of subtle nuances and edgy interpretation of the lives we live.  Their style of music was a perfect match for the art on hand.

MGS shared the inspiration of selected pieces while BGC set the mood with a symbiotic musical tempo.  The result was a finer appreciation for Mary’s art and a deeper connection between the artist and audience consecrated by musical anchors.   Then the microphone was turned over to BGC.  MGS set up her easel stage right and began sketching live!
Drawing from the energy of the crowd, as well as the band, Mary captured the ambience in her very raw and special way.  The entire process was streamed live and projected on a large screen for all to see.   
When MGS was not on stage a video documentary of the locations and her creative process rolled as the band rocked electrifying sets to an energized audience. (for 2011 the feed will be on her canvas on so everyone can see a painting being born!)

This year Art Out Loud is going to be even bigger!  The entertainment roster has been tripled!  Performances include new music by Starryville, a homegrown alt-rock favorite with a huge following. There will be an acoustic set by Thrive, a rising singer/songwriter duo, and of course Big Green Cherry will get their rock on!  One of the biggest treats of the evening will be introducing Northern VA to the artists latest muse: The Philadelphia Mummers Woodland String Band.  They will be in full costume and will perform classics from Billy Joel and other favorites.   While the music plays,  MGS will be stage right creating artwork right before your eyes.

Her latest series, Endangered Species, will be on exhibit and the audience will get a sneak peek of images to be published in her upcoming book:  REAL Life Drawing, My Eye on the Philadelphia Mummers, which is scheduled for release later this year.
Guests will be able to enjoy Uncle Fred's BBQ and there will certainly be a cash bar. 

Art Out Loud is blend of visual and musical works that celebrate community and the value of the Arts in our lives.  On July 16, 2011 you’ll find MGS seizing the moment with brilliant colors, buttery lines and playful banter, while the bands perform their hearts out.  So save the date...
I Promise Polar Bear, 36x36, mixed media on canvas by MG Stout SOLD
Endangered Species Series:  Art Out Loud 2011

This is one FREE concert that you don't want to miss!



Tuesday, July 12, 2011

DECK-O Art Originals Artist Reception



 Art Deck-O: DC Playing Card Originals Artists from the Washington DC Playing Card Project Opening Reception: Friday, July 8, 6–8:30 pm 
This past winter 54 of Washington DC's finest artists came together to produce wildly creative designs that form a playing card deck unique to our area. The culmination of these efforts was then published in a deck of fully functional playing cards with traditional suites of diamonds, hearts, spades and clubs. Although decks of cards--designed by artists or created in a particular theme--have been around for centuries, this latest variation on the concept has given DC area artists a fun way to showcase their individual expressions in card form. Both the originals and the decks of cards will be on exhibit at Touchstone Gallery during the month of July as Touchstone partners with Art In Hand TM to promote the work of artists here in DC. Each deck is composed of a fantastic array of genres and mediums which are a big hit with artists, school teachers, magicians, game players and art lovers everywhere. Each deck is like holding an Art Gallery right in your own hands. 
Washington is the third city in a series of art decks created by Art In Hand TM, an arts publisher out of Charlotte, NC. Founded by Dione Goyette in 2009, the first project united artists in the Charlotte area and then inspired a deck in Portland, Oregon. This imaginative and collaborative project isn't just fun and games. So far, participating artists in Charlotte and Portland can boast that their work is in the homes of over 3,000 and 5,000 people respectively. Decks in both cities will go back for second printings this year. 
Artists: Steve Alderton, Erin Antognoli, Michael J. Auger, Jennifer Beinhacker, Chris Bishop, Jennifer Bishop, Liliane Blom, Adam Bradley, Tory Cowles, Karen Deans, Cheryl Patrice Derricotte, Devbo, Dana Ellyn, Theresa Esterlund, Susan Feller, Beth Hannon Fuller, Jenne Glover, Emily Greene Liddle, Rosemary Luckett, Sue Lynch, Susan Makara, Angela Maray, Joyce McCarten, Newton More, Jennifer O'Connell, Eileen Olson, Maggie O'Neill, Kristy Orr, Cindy Packard Richmond, Judith Peck, Pam Rogers, Daniel Francisco Roncesvalles, Lisa K. Rosenstein, Matt Sesow, Pauline A. Siple, Isabelle Spicer, Charles St. Charles, Mary Gallagher Stout, Dan Tulk, Pamela H. Viola, Gail Vollrath, Andrew Wodzianski, Emma SkyWolf, Sharon Wolpoff and Jason Zampol. 
For more information please contact Ksenia Grishkova, Director, at 202-347-2787 or e-mail at info@touchstonegallery.com or visit our website at www.touchstonegallery.com 
Art In Hand TM, Dione Goyette, Owner at 704-918-8186; email info@artinhandcards.com or visit website www.artinhandcards.com 


The Crowd

You can see my painting (eagle in the corner)

Me & Eileen Olson pointing to her work
  
The show was very interesting, but not all the works were there...  Some pieces sold prior to the event (my work is sold but the collector was okay with letting me borrow it for the exhibition).  Some artists didn't want to participate or couldn't.  What was surprising was that there were a few pieces that were prints?  It made sense for those who created the image digitally, but for those who created paintings?  I was a little disappointed.  For me there is nothing better than seeing the original.  My other gripe - I was really looking forward to meeting a few of the artists, but there were no introductions or name tags or identifying marks to connect the artists to their work.  Overall it was a lovely evening.  Great artists, delicious vino and familiar faces. 
FYI the images featuring the crowd.  I did catch a few dirty looks for standing on the bench to take those shots as I wanted to be able to share what I saw with all of you.  My only regret is not being able to conjure up a fart to shoot in her direction! What is wrong with me?

Monday, July 11, 2011

Mark Your Calendars!

Hey there sports fans.  I know it has been ages since my last post, but I've been painting my fingers to the bone for ART OUT LOUD 2011 and you are all invited to attend.

What is this ART OUT LOUD 2011 of which I speak?  It is a FREE concert & live painting exhibition.  There will be a cash bar, Uncle Fred's BBQ and if everything works out a shaved iced vendor as well. Pack a blanket, bring a volleyball (yup, there is a net and all, set up and ready to go) or horse shoes or any other lawn game you like and chill-lax on the quad of the Workhouse Arts Center.

Listen with your eyes and hear everything you see as I've created a very special series just for the occasion.  Visit, share and like our Facebook Page   THIS Saturday, July 16 (my mother-in-law's birthday) from 6:00p-9:00pm.  All ages are welcomed and encouraged to join us while we dance, sing, eat, drink, mingle and be merry!  Come on over and support the ARTS.

FYI- On July 7, the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee began the budget process for FY 2012 by approving a $20 million cut in funding to the National Endowment for the Arts.  If enacted, this would be the deepest cut to the NEA in 16 years.  This cut is cause for concern and action.  The NEA funds grants to local arts agencies (yes, The Workhouse Arts Center), museums, music, musical theater, visual arts, media art, et al.  Just by showing up you'll be doing some good.  If you are feeling downright angelic...take a few minutes to write to your Members of Congress to urge them to support the NEA in the FY 2012 Interior Appropriations bill to widen citizen access to the cultural, educational, and economic benefits of the arts, and to advance creativity and innovation in communities across the United States.

I'm off to the studio and look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday night.