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

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Help The Art Monkeys Win at the RAWards 2012!

2012 RAWards - Vote for RAW Artists: The Art Monkeys

The Art Monkeys need your support!

Pleeeease vote for us! This is a big award in the indie art scene so we need all the votes we can get.

It is as easy as 1, 2, 3:

1) Visit our RAW page RAWartists.org/TheArtMonkeys to check us out.

2) Register with RAW by using the 'Register' link on the NOMINATE ME banner above our name.
When you get your confirmation email from RAW, just click the link to verify that your email address is real (which keeps the contest fair) and you’ll be able to cast your first vote for The Art Monkeys.

3) Log in and vote once each day on our RAW page until October 15.

THANK YOU! Please share with friends and family and ask them to vote as well. We will love you for ever and everrr!


 

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The Making of the View From "H" Street

So I was so busy painting that I forgot to take pictures of the entire process.  Forgive me, for I know not what I do:)
Probably day 2 sometime?
I remembered again to shoot this work on day 4?

View From "H" Street by MG Stout 2012

All Done!
See it is as easy as one, two, three.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Must See Exhibition in Fredericksburg, VA (Juried by Yours Truly)


April


Juror's Statement
I ascended the narrow stairs and found myself in a small room filled with art. The paintings were around the entire perimeter. Available gallery space required eliminating half of the submissions. I began to select those works that represented proficiency in skill level, uniqueness of topic, overall impact, appropriate presentation and artistic voice. I looked for work which demonstrated originality, craftsmanship, personal style, composition and inspiration.
This exhibition has an enigmatic synergy. Captivating palettes, innovative perspectives, and artistic personalities are audible in this collection. As a painter, I think it is crucial for an artist to give the viewer a bit of themselves in the works they create. Artists need to demonstrate where they fit into the ever-evolving history of ART. This show is brimming with artists who have articulated their voice through their personal style. Be it in color, subject, or medium, they have carved their spot in history.
"Rabbit Round About" by Charlotte Richards demanded my attention. It is an exciting still life boasting fresh brush stokes, simplified patterns, bunnies and effortless charm. The palette of Joan C Limbrick is spellbinding. "After the Storm" is a dreamy tropical paradise fashioned by juxtaposing blues and violets with oranges and corals. Nancy Brittle's exceptional line work gave me pause in her piece titled, "At The Opening."
It was very difficult to choose the "best" pieces from the group. The point spread between them was like splitting hairs! Ultimately, I went with my gut and judged each work as fairly as humanly possible.  It is a strong show and I look forward to seeing it installedhttp://www.fccava.org/main_gal/4-12/

Stout













Mary Gallagher Stout -- MG Stout photographed reviewing submissions. 
 
Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts
813 Sophia Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401 || (540) 373-5646
Open 12-4 p.m. Wednesday-Monday and 11-4:00 Saturday (Closed Tues.)

Announcing My RAW Status!

We Like the Box...The Box That Goes BOOM!  Acrylic on Canvas, MG Stout 2012


I am a RAW Artist & created this piece for the MENAGERIE show at Cafe Asia on 4/12/12.  It was EPIC!
So...

WHAT IS RAW?
 

RAW:natural born artists is an independent arts organization, for artists, by artists.
We're a community made up of creative individuals across the nation.
Our mission is to provide independent artists within the first 10 years of their career with the tools, resources and exposure needed to inspire and cultivate creativity.


We encourage the creative success of the many visionaries and storytellers of our generation.
RAW currently operates in 32 cities across the United States and counting ...

HOW DOES RAW WORK?

 RAW Directors hand-pick and spotlight local artistic talent in film, fashion, music, visual art, hair & makeup artistry, and performance art. With artists from all genres in each showcase, RAW events come together to form an amazing one-night circus of creativity. These showcases occur once a month in each city location (32 showcases a month). Our RAW season runs from February-October and comes to an extravagant end with our indie arts awards show RAWards in Hollywood.


What can you expect when attending a RAW Showcase? You'll experience an independent film (usually a short, webisode or music video), a fashion show from an up-and-coming local designer, a musical performance, an art gallery featuring several independent visual artists and photographers, and performance art (comedy/dance/fire dancers, you name it...). You'll get a little taste of everything. Combine all this creativity with drinks, fun, and good company! To partake in the experience, RSVP ($10/ticket) to any of our 32 monthly, city showcases by clicking on the city tab at the top of the homepage!


www.RAWartists.org is designed to showcase our RAW artists online.  It hosts a plethora of online profiles -- exclusive to our hand-picked RAW artists. It is open to the public to view, however, the site profiles and perks are reserved for only selected RAW artists. RAW artists can connect with other RAW artists, post videos and music, promote upcoming projects, and track their success. We also host what we call our RAWk Wall, where art gets down to business. This portion of the site consists of exclusive art-to-business opportunities for our RAW artists to partake in.


I am so happy and proud to be a part of the RAW family and look forward to sharing the video of the show with you in a few weeks.


Check Out Some NEW Paintings

In The Distance Mixed Media on Panel, 36x60, MG Stout 2012
Shit Happens... Acrylic on Canvas, 28x36, MG Stout 2012




Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Not Pretty

  I admire the Sky. -MG Stout 2012

I haven’t blogged.  I’m struggling with my work.  Life sometimes sends you a bucket of poop and jeers.  This is my current disposition.  I’m questioning everything I do.  I’m second-guessing every word and every line.  There is this little dude sitting on my shoulder with his arms crossed, his brow furrowed, hissing in my ear with very smelly breath, “YOU SUCK”.   I know, I whisper to myself.  Of course he only behaves this way when I am feeling weak and vulnerable.  He’s a bully, an emotional tyrant and right now he is playing me like a fiddle.  So I retreat. I excommunicate myself and crawl into bed.  I’m larva nestled in my blanket cocoon.  I toss and turn.  My thoughts race and I pray the Hail Mary over and over.

Quiet. 
I’m waiting for the trumpets. 
I know they will come, but when?

Meanwhile, I’ll be dragging my rump into the studio every day.  I’m an art warrior and I NEVER give up. I’ll paint something.  Hate it.  Paint over it.  Hate that ad infinitum.  Fear not good people of the “internets”this too shall pass!
From the tallest mountain hear this,  “I will paint a thousand appalling paintings to get through this creative limbo.


Tuesday, January 17, 2012

WANNA DONATE 2 the Have A Heart Project?


Look What I Can Do, Mixed Media on Canvas, 24x24, MG Stout 2010 

Above is a link to our donation website if you'd like to make a contribution to the 
Have A Heart Art Installation and Food Drive

I'm also am sharing a few paintings from the original series:
Art 4 U and Food For Others
I donate a portion of the proceeds from these painting directly to 
FOOD FOR OTHERS 501(c)(3)

Orange Grin, Mixed Media on Canvas, 24x24, MG Stout 2010

Another Corny Title, Acrylic on Canvas, 24x24, MG Stout 2010

We All Scream for Ice Cream, Acrylic on Canvas 24x24, MG Stout 2010

Raspberry Manicure, Acrylic on Canvas, 24x24, MG Stout 2010

Give Peas A Chance, Mixed Media on Canvas, 24x24, MG Stout 2010

A Kitchen Made of Tape That Is Anything But Tacky

Workhouse Arts Center Studio 4 Installation View #1

The Have a Heart Project is in full swing!  The community is already responding to our challenge and beginning to bring in donations.
WE ARE PSYCHED!!! 
Together the artists of Studio 4 drew this kitchen scene out of tape.
YES, tape.  Black painters tape.  The photograph we took doesn't really convey the energy this work oozes.  You've gotta see it in person.  So come on out and see it.
John Gascot & MG Stout fill a cart @ Bottom Dollar

Thanks to the generous $25.00 donation our kitchen is getting a little bit fuller and the folks at Food For Others and the Families they feed will have stocked pantries.
MG Stout at Bottom Dollar
John Gascot at Wegmans
When we are not shopping with the generous donations dropped into our collection lunch box,  John and I are busy creating new food-centric artworks for this socially conscious exhibition.  Our aim is to not only feed our neighbors but to demonstrate the important role art  plays communities.  The Arts and art education cultivate creative minds.  Creative minds are problem solvers.  Problem solvers solve problems and fewer problems make the world a lot more peaceful.


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Have a Heart Community Challenge



Workhouse Studio 4


Workhouse Arts Center Studio 4 Artists, John Gascot, Joan Yi, Lynn Goldstein, and MG Stout are working to fight hunger in our local community by launching an innovative food drive wherein the donations will become a part of an art installation!  These award-winning artists will create a new sort of "edible arrangement" that will be disassembled at the end of February and delivered to FOOD FOR OTHERS, a 501(c)(3) the largest distributor of free food to hungry people in Northern Virginia.  Food for Others offers vital assistance needed by our unemployed and low-income neighbors and those facing emergencies such as a family illness or sudden loss of a spouse or job.   They’ve proudly distributed more than 2.7 million pounds of free food in 2011.

The artists of Studio 4 believe in the power of art. They are harnessing that power and challenging themselves and the community.  The purpose of this interactive exhibit is twofold. 
1)    Raise awareness of hunger in our own backyard
2)    Translate awareness to action in the form of a food-centric art installation and exhibition

We are interested in securing business partners who share our projected goals and are willing to contribute their resources to help those in need.  As such, we’re asking you to consider partnering with us during the months of January and February for our Have a Heart Project: Food Drive & Art Installation.  We are primarily seeking non-perishable food donations, but would certainly accept food gift cards as an alternative. Your generous contribution will help bring hunger relief to those in need locally, while supporting resident artists in their educational, artistic, and philanthropic efforts. 

You're all invited to visit & participate in this exciting exhibition.  Bring in a can of soup, a box of pasta, or an entire bag of groceries.  Look into your cupboards with artful eyes.  See all the delicious shapes and bright colors manufactures use in packaging.  Don't they sort of remind you of lego bricks, erector set pieces, linkin' logs?  Collaborate with the artists of studio for as we build this food-er-ific art installation.  Come on and create for GOOD!!!  

Click the link and get the latest  Studio 4 "skinny"  as you will magically be transported to our facebook page.  While you're there be sure to "like" us and share the link with all your pals!