June 23, 2010
Gallery Show - John A. Copley presents "48198"
The Side Door Gallery located in Dexter Picture Frame, presents "48198" - by John A. Copley
June 21 - July 31, 2010
Artist Reception will be Friday June 25, 2010 6-8pm
Don't miss these exceptional paintings which look at Superior Township through the eyes of a local Artist.
Posted by Peter at 04:22 PM
March 19, 2010
The Side Door Gallery's Artist Reception ~ Tonight
The Side Door Gallery is hosting an Artist Reception for the Whitmore Lake Portrait Group. Come see these great pieces, meet the Artists, have a little wine and food. This beautiful pastel has been created
by Local Artist, Marty Walker.
March 19th 6-8pm.
Posted by Peter at 11:38 AM
September 25, 2009
The Art Walk is Coming
The Art Walk is expanding to Saline and we are pleased to be part of the fun. We will be hosting our good friend Valerie Mann. Come and see her and the many local Artists featured through out Saline. Our Dexter Store will be participating with "flight" our group show of local Artist looking at birds.
Posted by Peter at 02:45 PM | Comments (0)
February 29, 2008
Meet Susan Amstutz
Susan Amstutz: Abridgement
February 1st -March 22nd
Opening Reception February 29th 5-8pm
We've been framing Susan Amstutz's work for a number of years - in fact both Sara and Mary have purchased pieces from her. We are excited about her current show both because we get to see a large body of her work and to find out more about her as an artist. Susan is modest about her art but we managed to corner her when she was at the gallery helping to set up the show and were able to ask her some questions.
Q: Susan, your landscapes are so evocative, are they real places?
A: Some of them are real locations, whether painted on site or from photos. I carry a camera with me so I can record places and color. Some of the landscapes are imaginary and some a combination of both
Q: What's your favorite medium to work in?
A:My favorite medium to work in is oil, including the encaustic work. I also enjoy water based paints, batik, cold water dyes, etc...
Q: What can you tell us about your technique?
A:About the abstracts -" I layer alot of color and textures. I use a lot of "found" objects to push and scrap the paint. Cardboard works well because its easy to adjust the size easily.On "Straw" I used wood glue and strips of wood to build up the surface, painted it, let it dry and them pulled off the a significant amount of the wood to create more texture. On "Control" I layered a significant amount of acrylic paint, then oil paint of a lot of different colors and shapes. Next,. I painted it all red (oil). Once dry, I covered it with furniture remover and let it bubble up and almost completely dry. Next, I used a putty knife to cut and scrape a random kinetic pattern. All the abstracts are mixed mediums, a combination of acrylic and oil, with, of course, the acrylic used first, to prevent peeling. I also use combinations of gold leaf, oil pastel, oil sticks, tissue, etc.
About oil encaustic -This is a highly toxic technique. You need lots of ventilation. I don't use pre-mix waxes. I make my own. On top of an electric griddle, I place a cake pan with an inch or two of water in it. Inside the cake pan I place a cupcake tin. Each of the wells in the cup cake tin holds a combination of beeswax, paraffin, damarr varnish, and oil paint. Before the oil paint is added to the mix, I let the excess oil leech out of it by squeezing it out on cold press board and letting it set for a few hours. It works like a double boiler. The painting is done with palate knives and brushes in one had and a hairdryer/heat gun in the other. The paint has to be applied, quickly and remain hot.
Q: When did you start painting?
A:My mother and aunt painted. She taught me about line and color at an earlier age. She also taught me how to use oils when I was in elementary school, around age 10 or so.Later she gave me her oil paints, pastels, everything she had. It created a very supportive atmosphere.
Q: Do You do commissions? How much?
A:Yes, I'm happy to do commissions. Pricing depends on size and complexity.
Q: You've been a generous contributor to Circle of Art. What are your thoughts about the event?
A:The COA is a wonderful event. Its makes a difference in people's lives. It benefits people in need and it enables others to help people in need. Both are gifts to those of us participating. Also, along with honor of being able to help others the COA allows artists to meet fellow artists.
Q: What's your day job?
A:I'm a Graphic Designer for the Sprinkler Fitters located in the Great Lakes Building at Washtenaw Community College. I have also been a teacher in the Visual Arts and Technology Dept, Graphic Design at Washtenaw Community College for ten years. I teach Design History, during which, I show the students gold leafing, paper making, calligraphy, wood block relief, silkscreen and more. I also have taught other design and application courses as well.
Pictured above, from top left, "Straw", "Hendershot Highway", "Michigan Fence Row I", "Azure"
Posted by Peter at 08:41 AM
May 23, 2007
The Top Ten Things We Like About the Circle of Art
10) A Tent. Nothing says a party like a big fancy tent. We had a great one graciously donated by the folks at Deluxe Tent.
9) Art in the Mail Box. Getting a big envelope with colorful hand lettering makes getting the mail a big treat.
8) Wonton Cups. They revolutionized our food presentation - thanks to Nic at Skip to my Roux for her great advice.
7) A Big Clean Up. Every shop should throw a big party once a year to trigger a major swamp out. Volunteers Val, Kathy, Jim, Karl, Rosemary, Leslie and John sorted, swamped and swept.
6) Kathy Rhadigan's Signs. Kathy's amazing. Put a marker or piece of chalk in her hand and stand back. Carrots and spirals and pithy phrases transformed Saline Picture Frame. A true artist.
5) A String Quartet. We asked the folks Shar Music if they could provide us with a strolling violinist, but we ended up with a quartet because so many people wanted to help!
4) 480 Little Pictures All in One Place. Wow. It was incredible to see the variety of art that lined the walls and tables at Saline Picture Frame. From botanical studies to felted bags - rich pastels and hammered silver hoops. A walking stick. Food tiles. Carved mice. Hand-bound books. Lego pictures and beaded carrots. Simply incredible!
3) Food Gatherers. Good people doing important work well. We are proud to partner up with them.
2) $18,527. Yeah! The amount of money Circle of Art 2007 raised for Food Gatherers. Thank you each and every one.
1) Community. It's the circle. It's all of us. It's grand. Thanks.
Posted by Peter at 12:06 PM | Comments (0)
May 17, 2007
Bring a Can of Food to the Circle of Art Party...
And get a ticket to the big Circle of Art Raffle!
Announcing our first Circle of Art raffle. Tickets for the raffle are $1.00 each or a can of food for Food Gatherers. The raffle prizes are:
Raffle #1 - Frame A Circle of Art Auction Item. Our frame vendor Nelson's Moulding and Frame in Traverse City will foot the bill for the framing of any one Circle of Art piece.
Raffle #2 - Frame A Circle of Art Auction Item. Our frame vendor Larson Juhl of Plymouth will foot the bill for the framing of any one Circle of Art piece.
Raffle #3 - Thrillin' at the Grillin'. Tickets for two to the Food Gatherers 18th annual community picnic on June 10th at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds. Plus goodies like t-shirts, coffee mugs and whatever else they find to throw in!
Raffle #4 - The Ultimate PB&J. Koeze Company Cream-Nut peanut butter, American Spoon Foods Wild Elderberry Jelly, Nutella hazelnut spread and a loaf to bread from Great Harvest Bread Company.
Raffle #5 - Think Local First Gift Bag. A group of local businesses that are "ensuring our place doesn't become every place". A great bottle of wine and a wine bag from everyday wines (bring the bag back to everyday wines, fill it with 6 bottles of wine and get 10% off. A gift that keeps giving). Two bags of
Raffle #6 - Simon and Garfunkel Herb Pot. A lovely garden urn filled with farmer's market fresh herbs. Yes, you guessed it, there is parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. We couldn't resist.
Raffle #7 - Refresh, Relax and Renew. Our bookkeeper Sara Martens is a do all kind of gal. She keeps the SPFC books ship shape, she is our Ace Super Nova Vision hanger (she hung pretty much every Circle of Art picture for the last three years)and,to top that off, she is a Certified Massage Therapist at In Touch of Ann Arbor. She is donating an hour massage to the lucky winner of this raffle.
But wait there's more! Our friend Sue Becker at Eden Foods donated an enormous 10 lb. bag of Tamari roasted almonds and if that isn't enough,the folks at Shar Music have put together a string quartet to entertain the crowds while we serve champagne and chocolate covered strawberries during the final auction tally.
Posted by Sara at 05:47 PM | Comments (1)
September 01, 2006
The Box Show
An interesting show at the Lenawee Council for the Visual Arts in Adrian, MI. The 4th Annual Box Show & Silent Auction is an exhibition consisting entirely of boxes, both functional and nonfunctional, created by artist members and friends of the LCVA. The artists include Circle of Art donors Pi Benio, Valerie Mann, Cathie Royer, James Freeman, and numerous others. All of the boxes are available for purchase at the silent auction on September 30th, 7-9pm with proceeds benefiting the LCVA. The Closing auction is open to everyone and is sure to be great fun including live music, hor d'oeuvres and beverages. At 112 W. Maumee St. Adrian, Mi.
Posted by Peter at 04:22 PM | Comments (0)
June 12, 2006
Tuscan Days
Jill Stefani Wagner, one of our favorite watercolorists, is having a show at the Taubman North Gallery at the University of Michigan Heath Center as part of U of M's great Gifts of Art program. Jill is a very talented woman and a generous supporter of our Circle of Art benefit. Her Italian landscapes are elegant and assured with a wonderful sense of place. Mary and I bought one of her little Tuscan scenes at the first Circle of Art benefit and it is a gem, capable of transporting me to a sun washed hillside on a midwinter Michigan evening (no small accomplishment). Treat yourself to a quick trip to Italy by visiting these wonderful paintings. The show runs from June 19th to August 17th and is open from 8am to 8pm daily. You can meet the artist on June 28th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Taubman Gallery.
Posted by Peter at 05:02 PM | Comments (0)
June 10, 2006
Sunny Summer Pictures
These sun-washed watercolor sketches are drawn from life in Professor Loree's garden. Think how happy a bright daisy bloom will make you feel next February.
Twenty sunny summer paintings on display now at Saline Picture Frame Company.
$65/matted $115/framed
Posted by Peter at 10:57 AM | Comments (0)
June 05, 2006
Gerry Volgenau takes a Look at Island Life
Islands-what could be cooler? We are thrilled to have a collection of framed photographs by Ann Arbor adventurer-travel writer-photographer Gerry Volgenau on display through the end of the month. Gerry has published a wonderful book about some of the many islands on the Great Lakes. Combining gorgeous photos with captivating stories and lore Gerry brings the beauty and intrigue of the Great Lake's Islands alive. Did you know that there was a King of Beaver Island, or that pirates and spies were on Great Lake islands? The Great Lakes even had a Loch Ness-type monster. If you want to find out if it is safe to dive into Lake Michigan this summer, come into the store on Wednesday June 14 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm and hear Gerry spin some yarns about the history of the Great Lake Islands. His photos and his book will be on sale at the shop just in time for Father's Day.
Posted by Sara at 02:47 PM | Comments (0)
March 26, 2006
It's Up to the Artists to Save the Day
The Circle of Art entries are starting to flow in. You can see them as they arrive at our Online store where you can place early bids. I have placed my first bid for "Cobalt Bottle" an elegant still life by our friend and tireless circle of art supporter Valerie Mann.
The word from Food Gatherers is that times are tough. Corporate donations are down and demand for services are up. It looks like Artists, who are used to struggling in good times and bad, are going to have to step in and help save the day. You can help by making art, buying art and spreading the word. These little pictures can be a big help in fighting hunger in our community.
Posted by Peter at 12:34 PM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2006
"Domestic Arts" - Valerie Mann Exhibit
Here is a link to a nice review of our friend Valerie Mann's current show at the Fitton Center for the Creative Arts in Cincinnati. I saw the "Fortunes" piece earlier this year in Flint and I was somewhat unprepared for how powerful it was. It brought tears to my eyes.
If you can't get to Cincinnati watch for a later showing of this moving work. You can see one of Valerie's wonderful alphabets at our very own Saline District Library. Look up above the circulation desk.
Posted by Mary at 08:12 PM | Comments (0)
October 11, 2005
Animal Diversity Observed
There is a very interesting show at the U of M Exhibit Museum of Natural History this month - Animal Diversity Observed. This show is a collaboration between the Exhibit Museum and the School of Art and Design and showcases the work of Michigan Science Art, a group of scientific illustrators with local ties. It is a fascinating show and a great excuse to see the dinosaur skeletons on your way up to the gallery.
Posted by Peter at 08:41 AM | Comments (0)
September 12, 2005
Indoors and Out: Twenty-one paintings by Nora Venturelli
Noted Ann Arbor artist Nora Venturelli will be displaying her original drawings and paintings at Saline Picture Frame Co. Sept.6 - October 31, 2005.
The exhibition consists of twenty one current works and include lush Michigan landscapes, moody self-portraits and richly- hued floral still lifes.
Ms. Venturelli is an active member of the area arts community both as a teacher and as a working artist. She holds a MFA in painting and has taught classes at Eastern Michigan University, University of Michigan and Washtenaw Community College.
She has exhibited extensively throughout the Midwest as well as in her native home of Argentina and has earned many awards for her expressive painting.
Saline Picture Frame Co. will host an reception with the artist on Saturday, September 24th from 6-8p.m. Refreshments will be served.
Posted by Peter at 06:48 AM | Comments (1)
September 05, 2005
Pop Art Painting Attacked
A painting by pop artist Roy Lichtenstein has been slashed by a woman wielding a knife at an exhibition in Austria. You can see the BBC story here
We read this as a painful reminder of the transitory nature of modern art and once again encourage you to visit the excellent Pop! exhibit at the University of Michigan Museum of Art before it closes on the 25th.
Posted by Peter at 09:15 AM | Comments (0)
September 04, 2005
Nora Venturelli Show.
We hung the Nora Venturelli show yesterday and are quite excited about it. Nora arrived about 2:00 with a truck load of nineteen paintings and, with quiet efficiency and the able help of our friend Valerie Mann, had them beautifully arranged and hung by shortly after three.
The show consists of works selected by the artist and include several wonderful horizontal Michigan landscapes, a series of self portraits and a variety of other current works. As a group the paintings reflect a masterful command of technique and a calm elegance.
This is a must see show. We will be posting pictures and details about a September 24th artist reception later this week.
Posted by Peter at 02:14 PM | Comments (0)
August 19, 2005
Pop!
We highly recommend the Pop! exhibit at the University of Michigan Museum of Art, on display through September 25th. It's a great show with a really impressive collection of iconic pop art images. We're going back for a second trip! For more info about POP! and the University of Michigan Museum of Art, an under-appreciated treasure,
UMMA.
Posted by Peter at 11:39 AM | Comments (0)
July 22, 2005
Greg Sobran Show
My House
Greg's paintings are on display through August and we've fallen in love with most of them. Be sure to stop in and see some wonderful paintings by this very talented Ann Arbor artist. For more about Greg Sobran visit his website http://www.sobrangalleries.com
Posted by Peter at 01:11 PM | Comments (0)
July 11, 2005
"Summertime" - An exhibition of paintings by Greg Sobran
This Ann Arbor area artist travels much of the year - recording places on paper and canvas with watercolor and acrylics, giving a sense of place that transports the viewer completely. Each painting is like a vacation, a meditation for the eye.
Greg believes strongly in the traditional technique of working quickly on location to achieve a spontaneous, fresh style that never becomes too labored or overly fussy. His work is represented in galleries across the country as well as in many prestigious collections.
Greg paints only on location in the tradition of the French Impressionists. He has no desire to paint from photographs preferring to see the subject "En Plein Air" as the French say, "Outdoors in natural light". "I think it's apparent when work is done on location", Greg says "And I hope that it is obvious in my work in terms of the quality of light, and feeling of specific time of day and weather conditions."
He likes to describe his work as having the energy and excitement of abstract expressionism without the abandonment of traditional elements of painting such as subject matter and 3 dimensional form.
Posted by Peter at 04:36 PM | Comments (0)
January 18, 2005
Emil Weddige Artwork
Posted by Peter at 03:37 PM | Comments (0)