New Painting

May 1st. oil and acrylic on canvas. 12" x 9"

A bit of a recap post today, I have my favorite newer painting included above. Also, the reception for the Lynn and Jennifer Boggess show was really nice. I can't say again how wonderful it is for them to be given the spotlight in this way. That night Derek Overfield took a few minutes to say a few words about Mr. and Mrs. Boggess, I enjoyed them a lot and just wanted to include a bit of it here with his permission:

"Lauren and I had similar experiences at FSU, though I graduated in 2003 and she in 2006. But, we can agree that we owe much of our success to our time there. We had a number of excellent instructors, some that introduced us to what it it was to be an art student, but the Boggesses showed us what it was to be artists. Lynn Boggess reinforced the fact that artists are just as learned, thorough, dedicated, intense and valuable as any profession out there. He instilled in us a love of the artistic trade and a confidence in our decisions to be artists, as well as a confidence in our own work. He felt the artist should never cover his tracks, but boldy show his work to the world, which he puncuated by urging us to compete. He showed us, by his own example what hard work is, and this was a valuable experience just to glimpse his immense energy and drive. We'd like to thank the Boggesses for their contributions to our education and their continued support in our professional careers."

If you haven't seen the show and will be in Charleston soon, don't forget to check it out. Plus, congratulations to Mr. Boggess for receiving the Governor’s Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement! I certainly couldn't think of anyone more deserving.

New Painting and Reception tonight!

Marion County - May 1st. oil and acrylic on canvas.

Just a reminder, tonight is the reception for the Lynn and Jennifer Boggess: Teaching Artists exhibition at the Culture Center in Charleston, WV. The schedule looks like this:

6 p.m. Program Starts in Great Hall
Welcome by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith
Secretary of Education and the Arts Kay Goodwin
Governor Joe Manchin
President of Fairmont State University Tom Krepel introduces Jennifer and Lynn Boggess
Lynn Boggess invites everyone to the Balcony Gallery
Gallery talk by Jennifer, Lynn and Students
Reception in Great Hall

I'm a bit nervous but excited all at once.

Also, above is a new painting I'm fairly proud of, due to it's enormous size (for me, anyway). Taking a canvas about four feet tall outside certainly presents a new set of challenges, especially since it's been windy lately. Ugh, wind, my sworn enemy. I almost had the painting topple onto me at one point.

"Lynn and Jennifer Boggess: Teaching Artists"

As was hinted at in my "Upcoming Events" section, I have a new show on the horizon. I'm completely honored to be included in the upcoming exhibition to be on display at the Culture Center in Charleston, Lynn and Jennifer Boggess: Teaching Artists. There will be a gallery talk and reception on Monday, May 17th. Derek (who is also a contributing artist) and I will be in attendance, we generally don't miss any opportunity to hear either artist speak about their work.

As an undergraduate student at Fairmont State University, I was very lucky to have studied with Professor Lynn Boggess. Anyone familiar with his work knows exactly what a wonderful opportunity that was and I couldn't be in better company showing with him and his wife (also a fantastic artist, see earlier post). Mr. Boggess has become a full-time professional artist since leaving FSU several years ago. So I'm very excited that this idea has been selected for the exhibition (and not just because it means I get to show, although that doesn't hurt!) because he (and Jennifer still) was an amazing instructor. A million thanks go out to them. Also while I'm on a roll thanking people, I'd also like to thank Betty Gay, Exhibits Coordinator at the Culture Center and the Dean of Fine Arts at FSU, Peter Lach.

For more info on the exhibition and contributors, see here: http://fineartsfsu.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/lynn-jennifer-boggess-teaching-artists-exhibition-to-open-in-charleston-at-the-culture-center-on-may-17/