Get-Away

Canaan Valley Resort, 10-17-09

This weekend I am going to be at Canaan Valley, WV. Two nights at the resort - it was a Christmas gift from Derek's sister and brother-in-law. (Thanks, guys - we can really use it after FINALLY settling into the new home!) I will be taking my easel, paints and a few smaller canvases with me, so I may get some painting done if we don't get rained out. Last weekend Canaan received its first snowfall of the season with 3.6 inches. I certainly don't ski, but I would love to paint some snow! Too bad it's probably all melted by now...and I'm not sure what the rain and snow have done to the beautiful fall leaves. I'll be posting some pictures along with any decent painting I get from the trip, plus I have a new painting from the beginning of October (before all the moving started) still to put up here!

Columbus

Had a great time visiting friends (and gallery hopping, etc.) this past weekend! The Short North was a lot of fun and the food in the area was fantastic. We also visited the Wexner Center (which I was a bit too excited about, being kind of nerdy about architecture) and viewed the Luc Tuymans exhibit that was up. For more info on that see here: http://wexarts.org/ex/index.php?eventid=4043 I went overboard on taking pictures of the building, so here is a limited selection:

A work by Maya Lin

I know I'm not supposed to take pictures inside the Center, but I couldn't help myself.

Some fantastic wood-fired pieces on exhibit in a gallery in the Short North:

Also, I had some interest from another gallery, so I'm excited about a few different prospects - hope one of them works out. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Gallery Seeking

It's been my personal mission lately to send out submissions to galleries that I think might be a good fit (as prescribed in my very own Goals 2009 list). Since I've been neglecting that goal all year, I'm really behind where I wanted to be as far as just sending out submissions/packets/etc goes. It's ridiculously difficult to find these "good fit" galleries in the first place. So I decided to pick a city outside of West Virginia and search, search, search!

First, I settled on Columbus. Friends who live there say it may be a good place to try. So, I compiled a list of galleries that qualify as a "good fit". Really hard. Practically the hardest part of it all. Sometimes it's easy - "Gallery A exhibits fine art photography". Okay, obviously not for me. Most of the time, it's not that simple.

Then I tried to find any information on how to submit materials for consideration. Next I attempted to assess if the gallery is looking for new artists in the first place. Most of the galleries don't mention on their websites (if they have websites) if they are looking for new artists or not, so out went emails about both of these issues. Of the galleries that responded to my emails, two were willing to look at my images and information. Of those two, one was interested in my work and thought I may be a "good fit" too. To get that far felt really great - I am going to Columbus on Oct. 9th to meet with the gallery. We'll see how it goes!

New Painting

September 5th 18x14" oil on canvas

Here's a new work - September 5th. I found a new spot along my favorite creek where there are some beautiful, sort-of rock walls on one side. Can't wait to paint there in the winter time. But I'm certainly not going to wish away the fall. I will be taking advantage of the good weather as much as possible, I have several shows that are around the corner. Soon I will have to start getting these framed up and boxes built so they will be ready to go!

Also, Derek Overfield's reception was a great success - for a review of the exhibit, see the Tatler's blog (under Very Important Links).

Overfield's "New Paintings in Enamel"

Derek Overfield's solo show New Paintings in Enamel is traveling to Fairmont State University's James David Brooks Gallery for the month of September. The reception is set for this Tuesday, September 8th at 7:00 pm, where the artist will give a gallery talk and refreshments will be provided. Since the work has last been displayed several very new, very nice works have been added to the mix! For more info, check out the Tatler's blog: http://fineartsfsu.wordpress.com/

Painting 35 Enamel on wood, 36"x80", 2009

New Painting

My very newest painting, August 27th, (18 x14") was completed on a cloudy afternoon at Prickett's Creek. It was a great day. While out working, I was very happy to run into my old painting professor at Fairmont State - unexpected, but really made my day. Plus, of my more recent works, that day's painting is my favorite. The last few works I decided not to post here or on my website because, after I stared at them for several days, the conclusion was (I'll be honest) - they stunk. They weren't by any means the worst pieces ever, but nothing to write home about. Something about the palette was just not working, among other things. So I am moving on and hoping for good weather in September! Fall is my absolute favorite season and I am very excited that it's just around the corner. The light is changing and you can feel it approaching - love it!

Annual Juried Art Exhibit

A quick announcement - The Randolph County Community Arts Center is hosting the Annual Juried Art Exhibit for the 73rd Annual Mountain State Forest Festival. They are accepting hand delivered entries on Saturday, September 26, 2009. The juror is Adam Hodges of Charleston, WV. He is director of the WV Division of Culture and History’s Museums Section.

For more info or contacts see - http://www.randolpharts.org/forestfestentryannouncement.html