A sad story again this week in Adelaide with one of our most beloved art galleries shutting their doors after some 40 years in the art business.  This is the gallery I belonged to Greenhill Gallery and it has long been recognized as one of the most important exhibition spaces in South Australia and was established in 1972 by Veda Swain.  Russell Starke became the Director in 1988 and continued the tradition of showing great artists as well as giving promising new emerging artists a go.  The Global Financial Crisis has a lot to answer for as such a lot of different businesses  have gone bust not just art galleries.  Russell will be sorely missed by his artists and clients alike and we do certainly hope some sort of a deal can be worked out or that Russell has a second reincarnation and opens up another gallery when the market improves.

The timing seems to be a little off however, as we are starting to come out of the downturn and sales are definitely picking up right across the board.  It makes me think if people can just hang on a little while longer they would reap the rewards.  Although in many cases that is just not possible I realize.

VICTOR HARBOR ART SHOW

Take for instance the local Rotary of Victor Harbor Art Show which was recently on here in South Australia which this year sold an outstanding AUS $263,485 worth of art in just a few days.  It makes me think that there certainly is a lot more money about the place.  Although the patrons of such events are in general a little more conservative in the art they buy and stick to more traditional art of gum trees and beach scenes.

SCULPTURE IN CERAMIC AND MOSAIC

This wall-based sculpture is called “Carrot and Peas if you please” and made from handmade ceramic and mosaic.  It sold at one of the Greenhill exhibitions and was such a pleasure to make.  Of course I had to research the subject matter thoroughly, lol this goes without saying!  Although the smoking part was just by memory as I gave up cigarettes 20 years ago, and the Carrot and Peas part thankfully too (some things you learn with time, like whats your limit!) LOL

BUYING ART FROM ART GALLERIES

I wonder perhaps if people are a bit reluctant to buy from art galleries these days.  I know quite a few clients and just people in general have complained to me that art galleries often do not treat the average “just browsing” person with the respect and courtesy they should.  Many a time, I have been told how they felt belittled going into a fancy gallery and get the feeling they were looked down upon.  Perhaps it is a little like the scruffy, “down and out” looking millionaire who gets snubbed whilst looking at luxury cars.  Just another example of “Never judge the book by its cover “I think.

ARTISTS WEBSITES

I wonder too if the galleries are doing less well now because so many artists have their own gallery so to speak by having a artists website?  I do know some people are reluctant still to buy art online but it seems to be moving forward even there.  People like to have a relationship with an artist or gallery, they want to feel that they matter and also that they are not being taken for a ride.  I have found that it takes a while to establish this trust and mutual respect.  It is also so very rewarding for an artist to be in contact with the clients themselves to get the feedback and the encouragement straight from the horse’s mouth so to speak.

ART ON SOCIAL NETWORKS

Thanks to social networking this has now added an extra element whereby some of the people who comment regularly on my art have moved into a different category altogether and we have become friends.  In some cases I really hope we meet up in real life one of these days and as a matter of fact whilst I was in Europe last year I already did so in a few instances, which have been wonderful both on a business level and also in a personal rewarding way.

BUYING ART ONLINE

One aspect of viewing art online however is that most of the time the art looks so much better in real life.  So to have art galleries where you can view the art properly is so very important too.  People are often so surprised with my paintings for instance that the paint is really thick and the breast and bottoms on all my people actually stick out from the canvas and become quite tactile.  So that thankfully, has become a happy surprise when they buy my art online!

FOR THE LOVE OF ART

To me however to have art, artists, art galleries, artists friends and friends who like art is all very important.  We should all embrace and encourage each other to flourish and grow and let’s hope we have now come to the end of art galleries closing and are looking forward to a bright future together.

Here is a quote I think fits well here by Paul Strand;

“The artist’s world is limitless.  It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away.  It is always on his doorstep.”

Till next time, happy painting and sculpting to you all.

Love Marie xxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

It is that time of the year again – SALA – when we celebrate the South Australian Living Artists and this year it is for the 15^th time.  How time flies!

This Acrylic on Canvas Naive painting called ” SURFIN ‘N’ SA” is one of 3 artworks in the Sala Exhibition.

Sala an idea which grew from a seed planted by Paul Greenaway who thought we celebrated the dead artists at the detriment of the living and I couldn’t agree more.  Sala is a showcase for us artists that are not dead yet and that is a club I want to belong to!

This year there are 3,453 participating visual artists exhibiting in 520 diverse ranges of venues.  You will of course find art in Art Galleries, studios, public spaces, cellar doors, movie theater foyers, cafes and restaurants around the whole of our state.

ART TRAIL

However did you also realize that down in Glenelg they are presenting an inspirational art trail that offers a visual feast to stimulate the senses.  Jetty Road in Glenelg has totally embraced the Sala concept and nearly every business on this road has artists work on display.  This means that when you come to the bay you will also see art in hairdressing salons, chemists, ice cream shops, clothes boutiques, real estate agents, shoe shops and jewellers, yes all kinds of business have gotten behind the art here at the bay.

I feel very lucky to have lived where art is appreciated and embraced, for a long time it was in the mid-north town of Balaklava and now by the sea.

This year I have been too busy with overseas exhibitions in Europe, painting for ArtnBed and Giclee Link and various commissions so I am not having a solo show.   Instead I am exhibiting with talented artists living in and around the bay.  This mixed exhibition was held at;

The Bay Discovery Centre

Glenelg Town Hall

Moseley Square, Glenelg

Open daily 10am-4pm

(81799508)

3-26 August 2012

ART AT THE BAY

The theme explored is Play at the Bay with over 20 artists taking part including Clint Habib, Cat Leonard, Dave Archer, John Hamilton, Margo Miles and Sue McKenzie.

Sue McKenzie is an artist who is doing interesting work collecting discarded furniture from the roadside which she paints in bright bold colors.  “One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure” says Sue.  Sue’s work is also on display at the Better Health Midnight Pharmacies.

Another artist with two separate exhibitions for Sala is Sarah Philip her abstract work inspired by the ocean can be found on Jetty Road, Brighton in the Enuf Burger Bar as well as her stunning works of beautiful people which are my favorites showing at Westfield Marion – Events Cinema.

Here is a quote that I think we should all live by from William W. Purkey;

“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting to you all,

Love Marie xxxx

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN LIVING ARTS FESTIVAL

The Sala Festival or South Australian Living Artists Festival as the acronym stands for is just that;  a showcase for us artists that are not dead yet!  LOL, so that’s a good thing right, a club well worth supporting for as long as you can.

The concept I believe was thought up by Paul Greenaway, from Greenaway Galleries as he thought we celebrated the dead artists at the detriment of the living.  You know it is the old saying of “You do not know what you got until it’s gone” so true isn’t it?

This year will be the 14^th year since the festival started and each year around August we here in South Australia look forward to the buzz and excitement of exhibitions and shows everywhere.  I mean literally everywhere. (Here is a link to another ART blog & Sala show in the MID NORTH)

ARTISTS GALORE

There will be 4,132 amateur, emerging and established visual artists participating in the 2011 Festival with some 543 venues statewide, ranging from art galleries, art studios, public spaces, cellar doors to cafes and restaurants.  Just about anywhere you look there will be an exhibition to see, whether it is up in the hills or on the plains in the city or by the sea.

Don’t think that you won’t find something  that you like either as every taste is catered for; traditional or cutting edge and in any medium too – painting, ceramics, textiles, photography, sculpture or mixed media.

Sala has also organized city lunch time artist talks, weekday walking tours, bi-lingual cycling tours and this year has thrown into the mix a Saturday night Moving Image tour as well.

This year I will be exhibiting at the Waverley Homestead together with a very talented glass artist Glenn Howlett, who works out of his studio in Willunga.  Glenn has been involved in making the trophies for the Tour Down Under ( which if you missed it is part of the world circuit for the Tour de France Bike race – where we now can claim one of our own with the recent win of Cadel Evens)

Glenn has been making his glass art since the late 1980’s and has exhibited both interstate and here and I really look forward to see what he has come up with this time.

Our show is called “KALEIDOSCOPE” which does describe both our works perfectly so come & have a look.  You are all invited to the OPENING, where you will find bright and colourful ceramics & mosaics, paintings, sculpture, giclee prints, mixed media and glass.  Something to make you feel good Enjoy!

SATURDAY 6^th AUGUST  2011 at 6.30pm

At  WAVERLEY HOMESTEAD

ST. PETER’S TERRACE, WILLUNGA,  SOUTH AUSTRALIA

To be opened by Amanda Rishworth M.P. (member for Kingston) and the exhibition will continue each Saturday and Sunday from 11 am – 3 pm until 28 August.

So now you are wondering how the STARS come into it – well that stands for Southern Theatre and Arts Supporters and their mission is to foster a diverse and vital arts culture in the southern region. They are the people responsible for this art exhibition as well as lots of other fantastic cultural events in the area relying on volunteers and always looking for new members willing to lend a hand.  Why not visit their website STARS and perhaps get involved.  Their other activities include advocating for the arts, bringing in events, creating strategic partnerships to strengthen the art community, developing artistic skills as well as providing access to the arts.

Here is a quote I like by Oq Mandino (American essayist & psychologist);

“I will love the light for it shows me the way, yet I will endure the darkness because it shows me the stars”

Till next time happy painting and sculpting to you all,

Love Marie xxxx   (C)

Why not come and have a look at Marie Jonsson-Harrison’s PAINTINGS FOR SALE, GICLEE PRINTS FOR SALE and SCULPTURES for sale or WALLBASED SCULPTURES.  Enjoy an original artwork on your walls or perhaps one on your bed ARTnBED.