Tag Archives: acrylic

Art Melt 2010

"Fragility" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Fragility" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010

I received news the other day that my work was selected for this year’s Art Melt in Baton Rouge. So looks like my new work is going to get some more exposure! The 2010 Art Melt will be held at a new venue this year- the Louisiana State Museum in Baton Rouge, LA. The jurors for this year’s exhibit were Andrea Pollan, the Executive Director of the Curator’s Office in Washington D.C; Denny Mecham, the Executive Director of the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi, Mississippi; and Paul Dean, Associate Professor at the LSU School of Art in Baton Rouge, LA. The exhibit will open July 16th and remain up through August 28th. There will be a preview party on July 15th from 6:30-10pm.

For more information, check out their website at www.ArtMelt.org. And for more information on my work and to view my portfolio, visit www.AmyGuidry.com.

Another Piece of the Puzzle

Detail of work in progress- "Survival of the Fittest" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
Detail of work in progress- "Survival of the Fittest" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
Detail from "Survival of the Fittest" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
Detail from "Survival of the Fittest" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010

You may recall I posted a small piece of my latest work on here. Although it’s not finished yet, I do have a good chunk done to show you. This time it’s roughly one and a half feet wide. I’m calling this piece “Survival of the Fittest.” After all the hours and days and months (!) I’ve invested in this piece, I’m starting to think this is a test of my own fitness. I’m no quitter, though, so I will be posting the finished piece soon!

This will be my latest addition to my series, “In Our Veins.” BTW, you can also read more about this series on my website since I’ve recently added an artist statement. And for those of you who are wondering, this is an acrylic on canvas, 36 inches wide by 18 inches high.

So in the meantime, enjoy these detail shots of my progress and be sure to check out the rest of this series on my website www.AmyGuidry.com.

Collecting Art

"Cuzco" by Frededric O. Daspit; wood with acrylic and iron oxide
"Cuzco" by Frededric O. Daspit; wood with acrylic and iron oxide

I recently purchased a wall sculpture by Fred Daspit and thought it would be nice to share some photos of a few pieces from my art collection. I spend a lot of time showing my work, meeting other artists, and obviously hanging out in galleries, so it’s no surprise that I’d get the collecting bug. It’s one thing to hang your own art in your home, but to have work from other artists in different styles and media is entirely another.

As I was taking photos, I started to consider why I purchased these particular works of art. Given the fact that I am an artist, I thought it might be interesting to consider collecting art from the buyer’s perspective. Obviously I enjoy the art in my collection and find it aesthetically pleasing, but clearly there’s more to it than that. So what drives one to buy art? I think this is something all artists, myself included, have asked ourselves at some point in time. I don’t know that there is any one answer, given there are different buying

Untitled by Tom Ladousa; ceramic
Untitled by Tom Ladousa; ceramic

“styles” out there. However, I do think there are a few common traits amongst buyers. As I said, I buy art because I like it and most people like the art they purchase (those that purchase art solely as an investment may not necessarily like the work).

"Ship" by Troy Dugas; vintage prints on wood panel
"Ship" by Troy Dugas; vintage prints on wood panel

As an artist, I also understand the value of art. I’m well-aware that it took a hell of a lot of time to create that masterpiece I’m about to buy, and it’s only fair that the artist is paid for their time and skill. I don’t give away my work, so I certainly don’t expect anyone else to.

Another factor is liking the artist. It’s not just about liking the work, but also liking the person behind the work. I have purchased from artists I never met, or met after the fact, but most works are by people I know and like. Those I don’t know personally have a good reputation amongst the art community, though.

Lastly, the fact that these artists are in the public eye on a regular basis serves as a great reminder that I should buy their work. And when I say public eye, I don’t necessarily mean they are featured in the news or received some big accolade. It could be their personal emails to me or a postcard invitation to a show. Anytime I see their name, it just reminds me of their work and the fact that I would like to own a piece.

Some people buy on impulse, some buy because it’s just a great deal, but I think it’s safe to say that all of us should get out there and meet and greet if we want to sell art. With that said, if you would like to see and learn more about my work, be sure to check out my website at www.AmyGuidry.com.

Special Request

Someone recently asked if I ever post photos of my work in progress. Technically yes, but it’s usually just a snippet of a painting. So I dug through some photos for this “photo diary” post of sorts since I actually documented my work on “Untitled.” So here goes:

The initial sketch on canvas for "Untitled"
The initial sketch on canvas for "Untitled"
Making the first mark with paint- very rough initial layer
Making the first mark with paint- very rough initial layer
First layer of paint complete
First layer of paint complete
Adding more layers to the sky and clouds, building it slowly
Adding more layers to the sky and clouds, building it slowly
One of my helpers sleeping on the job.  I inadvertently woke him up with the camera
One of my helpers sleeping on the job. I inadvertently woke him up with the camera
The sky is finished at this point.  More detail has been added to the ground and the cliffs.
The sky is finished at this point. More detail has been added to the ground and the cliffs.
Another helper- testing paintbrush durability
Another helper- testing paintbrush durability
Finishing details such as rocks have been added to the background
Finishing details such as rocks have been added to the background
Adding more layers and detail to the horse head and ribcage
Adding more layers and detail to the horse head and ribcage
Horse head and ribcage are finished, final details added.  More layers added to carcass.
Horse head and ribcage are finished, final details added. More layers added to carcass.
Detail shot of the finished horse head and desert cliffs
Detail shot of the finished horse head and desert cliffs
Finished painting- "Untitled."  (c) Amy Guidry 2010
Finished painting- "Untitled." (c) Amy Guidry 2010

“Untitled” by Amy Guidry; Acrylic on canvas; 30″w x 24″h

To view this painting as well as more of my work, visit www.AmyGuidry.com. And while you are there, if you’d like to be informed about new work and upcoming events, sign up for my monthly newsletter on my contact page.

Coming Soon!

"Special Ingredients" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Special Ingredients" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010

Funny that I just wrote a post on how to get your work published,that I received some good news regarding my own art. I had submitted my work to Adbusters Magazine quite some time ago and the right opportunity has finally presented itself. It just so happens my painting “Special Ingredients” is the perfect fit for one of their features and will be in the July/August 2010 issue. (That’s it on the left!) More good news- my work will also be featured with an artist’s profile/gallery on the beinArt Surreal Art Collective. I’ve been a fan of this site for quite awhile now and am honored to be included among the many talented artists featured there. I don’t have an exact date on when my work will be posted, but I will let everyone know as soon as it is online. In the meantime, be sure to check out their site (the name is a link!) and also be sure to check out Adbusters- online or in the bookstore. And if you would like to see more of my work, visit my website at www.AmyGuidry.com.

Here’s the Latest

"Vulnerable" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Vulnerable" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010

I have recently finished another addition to my new series of work. This painting is titled “Vulnerable” and will be featured in my group exhibition, 6@549,  at Gallery 549 in Lafayette, LA next month. It’s an acrylic on canvas, 24″ x 12.” I included a hare in the last painting from this series but this time he is a main character. The concept of vulnerability is interesting to me since as humans, we assume that we are invincible- be it physically or emotionally. Obviously this isn’t true, and sometimes it’s the things that we least expect that harm us.

For more from this series, or to view my entire body of work, please visit my website at www.AmyGuidry.com

LaGrange National

"Girl on Campus" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Girl on Campus" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010

I received some exciting news in the mail the other day. My work has been selected for inclusion in the LaGrange National XXVI Biennial Exhibition at the LaGrange Art Museum. The juror for the exhibit happens to be New Orleans’ own J. Richard Gruber, Director of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. The exhibit will be held at the LaGrange Art Museum in LaGrange, GA. I’ve shown in Atlanta before, but this will be a first for me in LaGrange. So more good news- there will be a color catalog of the exhibition and there will be Purchase Awards granted. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Okay, details- the exhibit will be on display from February 26th through April 17th, 2010. Hopefully with such a long exhibition period, more of you will have the opportunity to see the work in person. The opening reception, as well as the awards announcements, will be February 26th from 6-8pm. More info to be posted at www.AmyGuidry.com.

It’s Not All Skeletons…

"Pierce" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Pierce" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010

My latest work may be strange or grim or surreal, depending on whom you ask. So I thought I’d lighten things up a bit and show that I’m capable of painting a variety of things. Babies, for example. I do commissioned paintings every so often, so for this piece, I painted this delightful little boy for a collector of mine. The painting is titled “Pierce” and is 11 inches wide by 14 inches high, acrylic on canvas. The pose works great for this piece since he’s practically popping out of the canvas. And who can resist that face? The photo here doesn’t quite do it justice, but you can get a better look at it on my website under the Portraits category of the Gallery at www.AmyGuidry.com.

Here’s the Latest…

"Untitled (Heads)" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Untitled (Heads)" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010

Just a quick post today…sorry, I’m pressed for time and need to get to work in the studio. I have a new painting to share. This is part of my new series (yes, still working on a name for it…I need to pick from the ones that made it to the finals). You can view this series on my website www.AmyGuidry.com. So the new painting is titled “Untitled (Heads)” and is an acrylic on canvas, 20″ x 10.” Not a huge piece, but a good enough size for me to show a lot of detail. I think the pig is my favorite… I’m partial to pigs anyway. This will be part of the group show I will be in at Gallery 549 this March. Oh, and we’ve agreed upon a name- 6@549. Simple, but it works for 6 very different artists.

March Show

"Fragility" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Fragility" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010

I’m excited about an upcoming show that’s practically right around the corner. Sure, I’m busy preparing, but I’m looking forward to the debut of my new series. I’m still tossing around some ideas as far as names go, but for right now, I’m just calling it my new work. One of these pieces includes “Fragility” which you can see here to the left. It’s a 6″ x 6″ acrylic on canvas and there are more where that came from.

Okay, details… The show is a group exhibit featuring a total of six female artists. My friend, Deborah Norsworthy, coordinated the show (she used to curate) and will be in the exhibit as well as Diane Pecnik, Marie DesJardins, Lisa Ayres, and Mary Attwood. The exhibit opening will be March 13th from 6-8ish PM at Gallery 549 in downtown Lafayette, LA. This all takes place during Second Saturday Artwalk, so if you live in Acadiana, you should be more than familiar with this event. And if you miss it, you can still catch the show through the beginning of April. Photos for this event will be posted at www.AmyGuidry.com!