The Art of Re-Use
Everyone is all about the Green Movement these days. I've been all for it for over 20 years now (yes, hard to believe, right?), and now it's gained more popularity than ever. So perhaps that is why recycled art materials are gaining popularity? Or maybe people just think it looks cool. Either way, you can show your support (ostensibly for the Green Movement) by attending the Art of Re-Use exhibition at Gallery 912. The opening reception is tonight (oops, so much for advanced notice) from 6-9pm at Gallery 912 in the Oil Center in Lafayette, LA.
All sales from the exhibit are to benefit the Children's Museum of Acadiana. The exhibit will later be on display in June at the Acadiana Center for the Arts (AcA). Last year's benefit was also a re-use of sorts because invited artists were given a 100-year old ceiling tile to rework. The photo to the left is actually from that exhibit. The woman featured with me is Deborah Norsworthy, the curator and exhibit planner for the Children's Museum of Acadiana.
And no, I do not have a photo of my piece. I completely forgot to take a photo of it. I can tell you that I painted on a wooden ceiling fan blade. It features the Stag from my New Realm series. If no one knew any better, they might just think I had a long, narrow piece of wood to paint on and cut a neat shape out of the end of it. Hee hee.
So if you're looking to check out an exhibit, stop by Gallery 912 sometime soon. And even if you can't make it, you can still see my work at www.AmyGuidry.com.
New “New Realm” Painting
![From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ft-butterflies.jpg "\\"Butterflies\\" by Amy Guidry")
After a short break, I did end up painting another 4" x 4" panel piece from my New Realm series. This one is "Butterflies" and features the red and black butterflies seen throughout the series. I kept the composition rather simple given the small size of the panel. These panels are great. I found them one day while getting art supplies. They're so darn cute and very smooth. Works wonders when doing tiny detail work (which is rather often for me...) so I do like working with them. I do like canvas, too, though, so I won't ever give that up.
Anyway, this piece is currently listed on Ebay right now. You can find it at this link http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=160317848123. You can also view more of my New Realm series, including large pieces (and I do mean large!) on my website www.AmyGuidry.com.
New Alice in Wonderland Addition
![From the Alice in Wonderland series by Amy Guidry](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/alice18.jpg "\")
I decided to bring back the skeleton playing cards and add them to my latest Alice in Wonderland painting. This is a group scene, so to speak, featuring Alice with her cat Dinah. Also included are the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, and said skeleton playing cards. Lots of emphasis on red and black in this piece, which was in keeping with the colors of card decks. (Red roses, the rabbit's red jacket, red and black cards, black checkerboard and black stripes on the cat...you get the idea.) This is another 5" x 5" canvas with painted sides featuring the four card suit, so each side has a pattern- hearts, diamonds, etc.
You can view more of my work on my website www.AmyGuidry.com.
The Sky is Falling?
![From the social commentary series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/consumerism.jpg "\\"The United States of Consumerism\\" by Amy Guidry")
Given all the talk about the economy, I had to touch upon this again. I've posted my points on this subject in the past, but I felt the need to add more. Sure, the economy is not so great right now. And yes, it has affected the art market. Some. (Sotheby's is still raking in millions in sales of artwork.) However, I do not think we should all adopt a Chicken Little attitude and assume that the world is coming to an end. Why should we? Because we need to be more responsible with our money? Because we can't afford to drive around all day in our oversized vehicles? Did anyone ever expect that this should be the norm? We buy, buy, and buy some more. We live in huge houses, drive big cars, consume more than our share of food, water, and natural resources. We supersize everything and have become supersized ourselves, which in turn leads to enormous healthcare costs. Why would anyone think that this is okay? Why shouldn't we put a stop to this type of behavior?
The fact that some people, and I emphasize some, have to reign in their spending habits and lifestyle habits has become cause for alarm is ridiculous. I am well aware that this is not the case for many people, mostly those living in poverty, and they now pay the price for our mistakes. The people that can afford to throw money around have been irresponsible. We're all guilty of that at times, but who in their right mind can say that we shouldn't change and be more responsible? Even if the economy were "fine," that wouldn't make up for the fact that we are rapidly using up resources. Our planet cannot sustain our way of life.
Okay, so maybe a paragraph or so ago you were wondering why I posted this and what it possibly has to do with art. I do think we should be more responsible, yes, but that doesn't mean we have to live a boring existence. And I think many people agree. Which is why art is still being purchased. Some make it sound as if the art world is crumbling and there is no hope for artists, but that's just not true. It's not all doom and gloom. The sky isn't falling. We just have to be smart when it comes to spending. Now is the time for new artists, emerging artists, and even mid-career artists to take this opportunity to sell artwork, great artwork, that is affordable. Not everyone can afford a Koons or a Hirst, but they can afford a $2,000 painting or sculpture. And that's on the cheap end. Yes, if people are responsible, they can still afford artwork. And yes, there are still those out there who are so rich they can still toss money around at whatever they wish. This is the time to show potential buyers why your art is such a great investment and why it's such a great deal.
So many people think that when it comes to matters of money, art is one of the first things to go. That's simply not true. It wouldn't be wise, either. Art is a great investment. It only goes up in value because it is original. There will never be another. It's not like the housing market or the stock market. The value of art does not go down. Not to mention it is an investment that can adorn your home and be enjoyed for years and years. This is what people need to be reminded of. Make no mistake, people are still spending. It's up to us, the artists, to show them the value of art and why it is and always will be a valuable part of our lives.
And for the record, the painting to the left is available for purchase 
http://www.AmyGuidry.com
New Realm- New Work
![From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ft-daybreak.jpg "\\"Daybreak\\" by Amy Guidry")
Two pieces to mention from the New Realm series. These are 5" x 5" paintings from the aptly titled, New Realm 5 x 5 series. Both paintings feature the heroine of the story as well as the butterflies. The top piece is titled "Daybreak." This was fairly time-consuming given all the butterflies in the painting. However, I was rather happy with the outcome, so well worth the challenge.
The bottom piece is titled "Morning." This is also part of the 5 x 5 series. This painting stems from the large New Realm piece, "Renewal." Both have the same concept behind them- that of change, a new day, a fresh start.
Both of these new paintings will be featured in my upcoming solo exhibition at the Schepis Museum in Columbia, LA next month. The entire New Realm series, including the 5 x 5 series will be on exhibit.
![From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ft-morning.jpg "\\"Morning\\" by Amy Guidry")
If you would like to view more of my New Realm series, in addition to previous bodies of work, visit my website at www.AmyGuidry.com.
New Painting…A Little on the Dark Side
![From the Alice in Wonderland series by Amy Guidry](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/alice17.jpg "\")
In my effort to keep up to date, I have a new Alice in Wonderland painting to share. This one is a little more grim than the others. Or at least it's more obviously dark. This painting is derived from Alice's encounter with the Queen of Heart's playing cards. These guys are more like skeleton cards. I felt it was more appropriate given the evil, angry, head-removing Queen's tendencies. Alice is caught with paintbrush in hand and painted roses strewn across the courtyard. You can see the white of the roses peeking out beneath the red paint on them. In keeping with the rest of the series, this piece is on 5" x 5," gallery-wrapped canvas. The sides are painted with the four card suit. (Yes, I sound like a broken record, but this info is for all the new folks that came across this page.)
And again, for all the newbies out there in the blogosphere, you can view my entire body of work on my website at www.AmyGuidry.com.
Before It’s Too Late…
![From the Alice in Wonderland series by Amy Guidry](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/alice16.jpg "\\"Alice and the Baby Pig\\" by Amy Guidry")
Man, I'm really slacking. I thought I was "caught up" for the most part, and realized upon leaving that I hadn't posted my latest Alice in Wonderland painting. I finished another 5" x 5" piece for my Alice in Wonderland series recently. This one features Alice and the baby that turned into a pig upon leaving the Duchess's house. Hence the title, "Alice and the Baby Pig." I incorporated the Cheshire Cat into the background since he is the next character Alice will encounter in the story. The Duchess's house is also in the background atop a hill. The sides are painted and feature the four card suit. One side has hearts, one has diamonds, one has spades, and the last has clovers. This piece is currently listed on Ebay, and will end tomorrow. You can view the piece on Ebay at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=160313514864.
Sales. In this Economy. Yeah, I Can Hardly Believe It, Either.
![From the portrait series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/mike.jpg "\")
I try to post as much as possible on here, but sometimes I slack off a bit when I'm really busy. Case in point. So while trying to catch up on recent news, I realized that I didn't even post the last two paintings I sold. Sales are always good news, so that's worth sharing. I sold two portraits that I had done awhile back. They were some of the first paintings I had done when I decided to paint professionally and make a career out of my art. I was especially glad since that series has dwindled down to not quite enough to have for a whole show, yet too many to have sitting in storage. And they didn't exactly fit with my recent series, either. So now they have new homes, and I am very happy about that.
Both paintings are the same size, 30" tall by 24" wide. A "medium" size that I do, depending on your definition of medium. (I know some artists think 4 or 5 feet is "medium" sized...)![From the portrait series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/craig.jpg "\")
And they are both framed, so that actually adds an 1 1/2" in each direction. The painting, "Mike," is of a friend I met through my husband. The painting, "Craig," is of my brother (you may recall seeing his picture in previous posts). The "Craig" painting is actually the first portrait I did for this series.
You can view more from my portrait series, in addition to my new work at www.AmyGuidry.com. And if you haven't seen it already, you can view my painting video on YouTube at http://www.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uL3H_rKW1k.
One Week, Two Shows. WOW.
![From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ft-unity2.jpg "\\"Acceptance\\" by Amy Guidry")
Sometimes good things happen all at once and it's just hard to believe. Usually because bad things seem to happen all at once, such as my car had to go to the shop, plus it turned into a bigger ordeal than originally thought, plus the washing machine is now acting up. See what I mean? Well, here's a first- I've received some really good news this week, day after day! Hope this lasts... I've been invited to do two shows. One is a solo exhibition at the Alexandria Museum of Art and the other is a group exhibition at Murray State University. I have shown at the Alexandria Museum before, but this will be my first solo show there. I've never shown at Murray State University before, but I have checked out their gallery on the internet in the past. In this case, however, they checked ME out after seeing my work in Studio Visit Magazine (the Fall 2008 issue that I didn't receive until this year, if you recall).
I will be showing my New Realm series in both exhibits. The Alexandria Museum of Art exhibit will be in 2010, so it's a little ways away. Worth the wait, though, right? I don't have the exact dates on it yet, but I will post that as soon as possible. The Murray State University exhibit will be from October 23rd to December 6th, with the opening reception held from 6-8pm on October 23rd. The title of the show is "Creatures Great and Small." It will consist of art using animals as metaphor.
Needless to say, I am very excited over this great news. Maybe this is some kind of good karma to make up for my broken "carma" in the "shoppa."
New Realm- New Venue
![From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009](http://www.artistcommentary.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/ft-transition.jpg "\")
I've had a lot of positive response to my New Realm series, and of course everybody has their favorites in the bunch. One of my personal favorites happens to be a popular piece among viewers of my shows and of my website. It may even be your favorite- "Adaptation." While this painting is rather large (4 feet tall and 3 feet wide), I have come up with a smaller solution that may soon be a new favorite. I found some 4" x 4" panels that I just fell in love with- great texture to work with, especially for small details, and the size is just too darn cute. So I have taken the beloved fish character and featured him in a 4 inch panel painting. I've aptly titled it "Transition" and have listed it on Ebay. I thought it would be nice to offer some New Realm pieces on Ebay, so this is the first official one. You can view all the details about the piece and see more photos of it, including detail shots, at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=160313896164. And to view more of my work you can also visit my website at www.AmyGuidry.com.
