Tag Archives: Painting

The Art of Re-Use

Amy Guidry and Deborah Norsworthy at the Heymann Ceiling Tile Project and Exhibition

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.

Sadly, 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

"Butterflies" by Amy Guidry; SOLD; From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009

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. 

You can also view more of my New Realm series, including large pieces (and I do mean large!) on my website www.AmyGuidry.com.

Sold

"Mike" by Amy Guidry; SOLD; Copyright Amy Guidry 2009

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…)

"Craig" by Amy Guidry; SOLD; Copyright Amy Guidry 2009

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.

New Realm- New Painting

"Transition" by Amy Guidry; SOLD; From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009

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.” To view more of my work you can also visit my website at www.AmyGuidry.com.

New Painting

"Renewal" by Amy Guidry; From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2009

Lots going on this week, so I am posting yet again.  Making up for lost time, right?  I have a new painting finished.  It is from the New Realm series.  It’s called “Renewal” and it is 48″ x 24.”  This will be in my upcoming solo exhibition at the Schepis Museum in Columbia, LA.

The piece features the heroine of the series as well as the butterflies, albeit in their cocoon stage.  One of the butterflies does break free from the cocoon.  Dew drops are interspersed on the branch as well.  The cocoons and the dew drops represent morning, or renewal, the start of a something new.

You can view this piece, in addition to the rest of my series, on my website www.AmyGuidry.com.  You can also view a new video of my work on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uL3H_rKW1k which features detail shots of my work in addition to the meanings behind the paintings.

Getting Up to Speed

Amy and Zack Guidry I’m a little slow to join most of society, but now I can offically say that I have a Facebook page. I must admit I did not think that it was of great significance to join such a site, given the fact that I’m on the web in many other places (i.e. www.AmyGuidry.com, www.WallyWorkmanGallery.com, Myspace, ArtistsSpace, THIS blog, …) However, being on one more website certainly never hurt anyone. What I didn’t realize, however, was that everyone is on Facebook. And I mean everyone. People I haven’t seen in decades (yes, I’m that old).

In addition to posting some of my artwork and my new video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uL3H_rKW1k), I have also posted photos of family, friends, and me, of course. And I even play along and post comments on what I’m currently working on, etc. So now you can get a more in-depth view into my world (I shudder at the thought- haha) and can see more about me as an artist. Just go to www.Facebook.com.

To view more of my work, in addition to new paintings, go to www.AmyGuidry.com.

How To Be an Art Star 2.0

Recognize this blouse?  Answer at www.AmyGuidry.comOkay, that may be misleading since this is not the second edition, but a second time around for this class. For those of you who are not familiar with my Art Marketing class from last fall, this is your opportunity to to take part. As part of Frederick l’Ecole des Arts in Arnaudville, LA, I will be teaching another Art Marketing and Self-Promotion course. The first class was quite a success and a great, interactive opportunity to get together with aritists and gallery owners. In addition to my course outline, we had a group session covering individual questions and sharing ideas.

So if you missed out the first time, or are new to this blog and will be in the area, please sign up for Art Marketing and Self-Promotion. The class will be May 2nd (a Saturday) from 10AM-12Noon. Of course we did stay late last time because people had lots of questions and ideas to share, but if you need to leave at noon, feel free to do so.

To give you an idea of what the class is about, here is a general course outline. Overview: Risk assessment; getting out of your comfort zone. Changing your mindset. Goal-setting. Portfolio Development. Gallery submissions and approaching galleries. Alternative exhibition opportunities and juried shows. Marketing Materials. Pricing. Sales. Some of the additional topics discussed included shipping work, Ebay, vanity galleries (just stay away- that’s a free tip you can get from me right now!), and what else, but blogging, of course.

Some of these are very basic principles, and some of it boils down to good old-fashioned common sense, but for many artists, their expertise is in their medium and not in marketing. Unfortunately marketing is not a course requirement when getting your art degree, and quite frankly, it’s just plain scary to people (not just artists!). In addition, to succeed at ANYthing requires goals, planning, and organization. All skills that most people don’t think of or skip when trying to succeed at anything. How many people do you know who blame things on bad luck or lack of luck? Or think the only way they can do what they truly love is if they “win the lottery?” I can think of many.

Okay, ready to sign up yet? Go to http://frederickarts.homestead.com/Classes.html to register for Art Marketing and Self-Promotion. Sign up early to ensure your spot in the class. And it doesn’t matter if you are in high school and planning on your future career as an artist or if you’ve been an artist all your life. If you want to improve your marketing skills, ask questions, or take your career to the next level, this is your opportunity. And meet some great people, too!

www.AmyGuidry.com

Studio Visit Volume 3! FINALLY!

Studio Visit Volume 3 Cover

Well it’s FINALLY here! Studio Visit Magazine arrived the other day. Apparently I was the last to receive a copy since mine got lost in the mail. (Hope my mail carrier is enjoying it…) So I just got my replacement copy. So here it is, I know you’ve been waiting forever. I know I have. My work is featured in Volume 3, the Fall 2008 issue. (Too bad I received it in 2009…)

As in the first issue, they split the accepted submissions into two volumes. Close to 1,000 entries were received and about 300 artists were accepted. And as with New American Paintings, the sister publication by The Open Studios Press, this is a juried competition. The juror was Carl Belz, Director Emeritus, The Rose Art Museum of Brandeis University. However, Studio Visit is an international competition, whereas New American Paintings is by region.

Both paintings I submitted were selected, so I have a two-page spread in this issue. Yea! They are from my New Realm series, which is my latest series. “Adaptation” is 48″ x 36″ and “Metamorphosis” is 40″ x 30.”

Studio Visit Magazine Volume 3, pages 78-79

Both are currently at Wally Workman Gallery in Austin, TX. If you’d like to see larger images of these paintings, or the rest of my work, you can go to my website www.AmyGuidry.com.

Smile For the Camera

Amy Guidry and George Marks at the Fire and Water Festival

I thought it’s only right to post some photos of my events and exhibits since I talk about them enough. So I’ve taken a few photos from the recent Fire and Water Festival and posted them here. (By the way, you can see a slideshow of all the photos from the event on my website www.AmyGuidry.com.) The festival was last weekend, but my artwork will be up through December 21st. Take a gander over to NuNu’s when you’re out doing your holiday shopping in Arnaudville, LA and see my work in person.

The show’s curator, and organizer of the entire event for that matter, is George Marks. George is an artist and also has work up in the gallery. (That’s him in the photo with me.) The installation photo is of my paintings from my New Realm series. While viewing my slideshow on my website (hint, hint), you should can check out the entire series while you are there.

Amy Guidry with her artwork at the Fire and Water Festival

In addition to the artwork, there was also plenty of music for the entire 3-day event. There are a few pictures of the band The Figs which were playing on Friday night when I was in attendance. And, of course, some bonfire photos. (Not that I really want to partake in bonfires, given the environmental impact they have and all, however, seeing as it was freezing out, the bonfire was greatly appreciated.) Sorry, no water photos. Maybe next year. But I’m sure you’ll be entertained by all the other photos- http://www.amyguidry.com/events.html.

New Painting

"Acceptance" by Amy Guidry; From the New Realm series. Copyright Amy Guidry 2008

This is going to be a quick post as I am busy with holiday preparations in addition to painting. Aside from all the holiday madness, I am uber-excited about my latest painting. The title is “Acceptance” and it is yet another addition to my New Realm series. This is a large piece, 48 inches wide and 36 inches high, so obviously you don’t get the full feel of it from just a tiny little jpeg. Which is all the more reason to check it out on my website www.AmyGuidry.com, under the Gallery section.

The boar/fish creature featured is another character from the surreal forest which the heroine encounters. Every hair and scale is painted in detail on this, so you can imagine how time consuming this was. I think I’m a masochist… At any rate, I am happy to say this piece is finally finished.

I will be showing this piece in my upcoming solo exhibition at the Schepis Museum in Columbia, LA in March 2009. Of course there will be other pieces from my New Realm series, including more new paintings, so be sure to attend if you are in the area. More details will follow soon.