Concrete Canvas: Fairfax On the Street 2011

Fairfax Government Center Before Celebration

Signage with project description & MG Stout sweating nay painting

One of Four Logo Panels (I didn't photograph all of them)

MG Stout re-creating Gunston Hall

Gunston Hall After the Rain w/ touch up

My dedicated staff...selling my art while I work

George Mason University

MG Stout moving the tent

Fairfax PD Panel Bed Race 

A Goat from the petting zoo

County Seal Re-imagined

The Festival is Coming...

Fairfax County Government Center 

See the sidewalk in the foreground.  That is my concrete canvas.  I will be there for the entire festival.  Imagine rows of tents filled with crafters on the grass.  I will have a staffed tent at the intersection of the crosswalk where people can purchase my artwork, books, and other goodies.  

I'll be easy to find since I will be the sweaty chick covered in chalk crouching over the pavement.  Luckily, CFI will be providing me an additional tent to keep the sunshine from frying me alive!

You can get tickets early at a reduced price at Wegmans or by going to Celebrate Fairfax

Out with the Old...

I am painting over an old work 

 Smile Like You Mean It

FDR will be my next subject. His monument inspires me.

I've varnished the Washington Post on 

and layered with a variety of transparent glazes

FDR In the Paper He Is the Line 36 x36 Mixed Media on Canvas

Evolution of a Painting

First Wash Canvas 

Second Wash & Charcoal Rough

3rd Wash Painted Loose Sketch

Round 4: Decided I like the reds & oranges better

Oversized Sketch - hating the blue

Covered with the Daily News- much better

Warmed up the background & sketched with white

TRIUMPH

Philadelphia City Hall if it were dressed as a Mummer!

I dig making reds recede & pushing cool colors forward.  When it works it brings me great joy.

Sneak Peek: Celebrate Fairfax Festival Promotion

(image of ticket booth CFF)

I was commissioned to create an interactive art exhibition on the sidewalk during the festival.  

Concrete Canvas Baby!

I'll be depicting individual scenes, landmarks & events that make Fairfax County so fantastic.

My aim to complete the following ten images:

1.  Festival Ferris Wheel & Fireworks

2.  Fairfax County Seal as seen on the Gov't Center 

3.  National Air & Space Museum (Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center)

4.  Mt. Vernon Estates & Gardens

5.  Fairfax Police & Fire

6.  Fairfax Surf Shop

7.  Workhouse Arts Center

8. Fairfax Station Railroad Musuem

9. George Mason University

10. Community Choice (TBD by votes on Facebook)

Look how excited everyone is!  

(photo of crowd Bud Light Stage)

Not only will I be painting live, Third Eye Blind will be performing as will the Bangles and a bunch of other headliners.  There will be fireworks, food, a beer garden, petting zoo, rides, vendors, artists, etc!

Check out some of the pictures from last year.

(image of petting zoo)

(image of trackless train)

(image of artisan's ojects d'art)

(kids performance stage)

Be sure to mark your calendars folks.  This is one festival you do not want to miss.

Absent Entries of April 2011

What on earth was I doing in April?   I was busy teaching, painting, organizing shows, parenting, cleaning. FYI- My house is a filthy shit hole, literally.  My dogs have been maddening! Whizzing and throwing poop parties in the basement (the finished portion of course).  I have to have the carpet ripped out.  A contractor is coming tomorrow and I am so embarrassed that I want to put a bag over my head like the "Unknown Comic" from the Gong Show. Oh dear, now I've really dated myself. 

The thing is, the real reason I didn't blog much in April wasn't because I was too busy.  Let's face it we are all busy.  I avoided the blog on purpose, kinda... here it goes:  I suffer with Depression and Anxiety and I am on medication to treat this fucking annoying condition.  Every six months or so I stop taking my meds.  I am a Spartan ya know! My WILL is way tougher than that gray sponge in my skull.  I think I am just fine without those pills, however those closest to me would disagree.

I know they are right and eating crow isn't something I like to do.  It is way too gamey.
I saw my doc yesterday and had my prescriptions filled. Truth be told, the drugs work.  My husband is getting the grill ready right now.   DAMN

PS. Dear You Know Who You Are,
Don't call me and tell me how inappropriate this entry is.  I don't care if it is "bad for business." I am more embarrassed by the stench of my basement than I am of admitting to having Depression.  I have five words for you:  It's your issue, not mine.

Lights, Camera, Action: Video Content for About.com

 

 Santos arrives at my studio with a ton o' gear.

 

See Santos prepare for the shoot. 

 

See me seeing Santos as Santos sees me.

See me looking nothing less than awkward on set!

On Monday we shot five "How to..." Videos for About.com

The videos are required to be 3 minutes or less.  I was booked to cover the following topics:

Fabric Painting Techniques

Acrylic Painting Techniques

Watercolor Painting Techniques

Drawing Techniques

Giclee

 Let me say that this is not an easy task.  Trying to demo and discuss these mediums in the time allotted is "insane in the membrane!"  Too much material in too little time.  Thanks to the world's greatest producer Santos, the job was accomplished.  If you ever need an artful eye, photographer, or video director he is your guy.  He is extremely professional and easy to work with.  His production company is called CANDY LOOP PRODUCTIONS 

  I haven't been in front of the camera in two years and the format has changed completely since my last shoot.  Santos was exceptional.  He was kind and walked me through the entire process.  I hope that he got the footage he needed and that About.com is happy with the content.

I'm just thankful that it is over and I can return to painting. 

New Painting

Honestly Abe, Those Colors Don't Go Acrylic on Canvas 60 x 48

Developing A Musician in Plein Air

 

Just so you know... this guy is still in progress.  His proportions are finally correct.

Gearing Up

I'm listening to Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough, by Michael Jackson, chair dancing & singing along.  Trying to get pumped for painting while feeling empty on the inside.  I think everyone has those less than successful days. Yesterday was one of those days.   Mind you it was productive in the sense that paintings were made, but I was very disappointed with what was staring back at me from my easel. 
Today is a new day and I am ready to begin again.
God be with me.

Construction of FDR

FDR 1

FDR 2 w/ Fala Ghosted In

FDR3 w/ Stars & Stripes

 

Big Boys: FDR & Fala, by MG Stout, Acrylic, Pastel & Charcoal on Post

Sorta Mission Statement

Personal ambition: To visit each major city in the United States and render that imagery onto each city’s newspaper.

Why use newspaper? 

a)  to preserve and safeguard a historically significant document

b)  the material is conversant with the images being depicted 

Newspapers have been the connective tissue keeping communities linked in and informed for ages.  Enter the World Wide Web. It is rapidly shifting how we get our information and changing the physical landscape as well. We are becoming more and more paperless.  Virtual communication is rapidly replacing newspapers and face time with twenty-four hour ticker lines and texts.  YIKES!

These works are a celebration of community and the newspapers that unite them.   

With pastel and charcoal I depict everyday moments, from families touring local monuments to dilapidated buildings.  I have successfully captured moments in our nation’s capitol  with expressive lines and vibrant colors.  The response to this series has been overwhelming.  Of the original 74 pieces included in my book, 36 have been sold and a few are now in the Securities Exchange Commission art collection.   

When  people visit my studio I am always surprised when they ask, “so when are you coming to Chicago… New York…Miami?” Soon, is my response because my gaze is fixed on Philly.  

VA Commission for the Arts Conference 2011

The crumby weather yesterday didn't ki-bosh the creative connections and inspired lectures at this years Advocacy for the Arts Convention.  While attendance might have suffered a bit as a result of the dreary day, discussions of innovation, imagination and education danced in the halls. 

conference goers pause to view an artist's passion for pottery

while I played with my pastels

 (did you enjoy all the above alliteration?)

 Below is an image of the room dedicated to the Workhouse Arts Center, home to over 100 artists, which saw quite a bit of foot traffic.

Lucky for us photographer, Ed Kirkpatrick, took these photos.  I was too busy yucking it up with anyone who even glanced in my direction.  I did complete one painting in spite of all my gabbing.  I started to get another piece going and then we were cut loose early.  The storm was en-route to Northern VA and schools were closing early.  So I packed up all my gear and split.  I think it was a successful day. 

SKILLS on the SAX: Kevin Haag

 

 

Haag On the Horn, 22 x 12, Acrylic, Pastel & Charcoal on Philadelphia Inquirer