SUMMER GUEST HOUSE

Please join me Friday June 26, for the opening reception at Marcia Wood Gallery

SUMMER GUEST HOUSE

Solstice At Beaver Lake, Mary Farmer 2009

Silk Road, Joanne Mattera

June 26 - August 1, 2009
Opening Reception Friday June 26, 7 - 10 pm, this evening is also in conjunction with the Castleberry Hill Artstroll

SUMMER GUEST HOUSE is an eclectic gathering of artists mixing it up at a summer happening. Marcia Wood Gallery artists have invited regional artists as their guests to exhibit work in this delightful visual conflation.


Guest Artists are Betsy Cain, Lisa Clague, Lorie Corbus, Mary Farmer, Julio Garcia, Scott Griffin, Rocky Horton, Lance Ledbetter, Mia Merlin, Mary O'Horo, Shana Robbins, Rocio Rodriguez, Ben Steele, Summer Wheat and Cosmo Whyte.

Host Artists are Frances Barth, Amber Boardman, Philip Carpenter, Monica Cook, Mary Engel, Jason Fulford, Marcus Kenney, Alan Loehle, Joanne Mattera, Chris Scarborough and Pamela Sunstrum.

With House Guest Karen Hennessee presenting The Strand

On the Verge: Emerging Artists

Movie Picks
Get out and see “Sin Nombre”, it’s moving, it’s harsh and it never backs down. This is a powerful and moving film; best anti-gang motivation ever.

I loved Star Trek, it was serious fun, make time to see this summer feature.

On the Verge
What a cool show; ten of Western North Carolina’s emerging artists have been selected to represent. Over 150 artists submitted work for consideration, not surprising for a region known to foster its artists.

The work of Ian Brownlee, Ben Johnson, Marie Knight, Genie Maples, Libby & Jim Mijanovich, Sylvie Rosenthal, Gabriel Shaffer, E. Ryan Simmons, and Megan Van Deusen is featured in a show at the Asheville Area Arts Council through May 29, 2009.

A short bio of each artist is available in May 2009, “The ARTS Issue”, of WNC Magazine. The powers that be at WNC magazine are delighted with the outcome and huge number of web hits on this issue. Keep it up we need your support! Please let everyone know that art is important to you and to your community. We love Asheville because of the many cultural offerings, if they go away so will the great quality of life we so enjoy here.

Three Day Encaustic Class
I’ve just finished teaching a 3 Day class here in Asheville; Fleta Monaghan hosted me and my hot plates and my heat guns in her River’s Edge Studios this past week end.

We had so much fun! Everyone just jumped in with both, uh, hands and made some art. This class starts from the very beginning and ends with intermediate encaustic techniques. All students left with finished pieces, many with the determination to continue on.

I’ll teach this class again in September, stay tuned for dates, etc.

My Work
I have been very busy with my own work; it’s been a most productive time for me. I’m very pleased to have been invited to show in two regional galleries, The Design Gallery in Burnsville and the new Revolving Arts Gallery in Hendersonville.

If you have not visited The Design Gallery, 7 S Main St, Burnsville, NC, I urge to check it out. Firstly, it’s a delightful day trip from Asheville and secondly, you are going to be astounded by the quality work in Wendy Reid’s gallery.

Artists are drawn to this region for many reasons: natural beauty, spirituality, cultural happenings, m usic, the long history of art making, etc. The quality of work available will astonish. Wendy is personally acquainted with of all her artists. She will quickly share that knowledge to give you a firm sense of what is happening with any particular piece of art; you will make an informed choice.

Wendy and I were featured in the May issue of WNC Woman. Check it out, if you’d like a copy just let me know.

Down in Hendersonville, Julie Spalla and David Lookingbill have launched The Revolving Arts Gallery. Expect to hear much more about this gorgeous gallery located at 511 S. Main St.

New Work April 2009

Sunrise in the Glen, 30 x 38 x 2 Encaustic on Panel

Forsythia Amid the Mist, 30 x 38 x 2, Encaustic on Panel

Abundance, 40 x 48 x 2, Encaustic on Panel

As you can see I've been pretty busy. I'm excited about this work and have a new venue for its debut. The venue is still under wraps, I'll let you know very soon where this art can be seen. Just know I'm so pleased to have been invited.

I've written an article for WNC Woman Magazine; be sure to check the May Issue.

You may find my work in Burnsville, NC at The Design Gallery. It's a lovely little town and Wendy Reid, at The Design Gallery, has been tremendously supportive of my work. Please stop in, it's on the way to Penland for a great day trip.

I've got a music tip: Grit Pixies...two women making whole lotta sound. Give a listen

Savannah, Atlanta and Asheville - Worth a look

Savannah
Teaming with SCAD influences the opening of contemporary art spaces in Savannah is quite refreshing. It's such a lovely place to walk about and stumble into things like to gardens, quaint shops and yummy eateries. It's an unexpected pleasure to find interesting and compelling contemporary art in history steeped Savannah.

2carGarage

During my visit in early Feb, an excellent show of Chris Kienke's work was up. His work covers a lot of territory, figures, animals, abstraction, fish, water and yet is all recognizable as Chris Kienke. I liked the variety in the scale of work as well,this variation provided unexpected delight from large diptychs to more personal, small work.

Color abounds, Kienke's visual language is evolving over each piece you see the strokes change, the palette changes, and the content. In his own words, "...I recognized the value in the unintended". Thanks for this show.

Up next at 2carGARAGE is Betsy Cain's strong and decisive mental landscape work. Stop by, you'll be glad you did.

Atlanta
Meeting fellow artists and reacquainting is sheer delight. I love how artist's minds work and how we look at the world. It was my great pleasure to me John Folsom.

John Folsom
Folsom has just received confirmation of a show at the Gibbes Museum in Charleston; well deserved I might add.

John's photo based work lends a dreamy quality to the bucolic settings he photographs; his work is visually arresting and expertly crafted. Folsom reminds us why our landscape is important. This is especially significant to me as I've just seen some of George Masa's, the Ansel Adams of Appalachia, remaining photos of the Blue Ridge (c. 1922-1933). Much of this landscape has been preserved in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Where it could have gone so terribly wrong, this beauty has been preserved.

We depend upon George Masa and John Folsom to help us remember what was.

Asheville
Asheville has more galleries than Charlotte, hmm. What does that say for this jewel of a town?

Gallery Minerva
Anna Parker-Barnett and Heidi Gruner--this is the gallery staff with whom I'd love to work. They do not hide behind computer screens and desks, they get up and greet you when you visit Gallery Minerva. Anna and Heidi speak with great authority about each artist in their gallery, I'm not talking art-speak either. It is so refreshing. Thank you both.

I'm happy to report the expansion of Gallery Minerva into a second space on Biltmore Ave. Anna is a great resource for starting or expanding your collection. If you are a first time art buyer and feel a bit intimidated, ask Anna, she will deftly guide you through the art purchase process. I urge you to support this downtown expansion and spend time and money in Asheville. This is a courageous move for Gallery Minerva and I applaud their grit and hope for their continued success.

Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts
Another Asheville treasure is Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts. I'm not sure how many artist work in this fine space, but let me say, it's a beehive of activity.

I attended a recent opening, "Ceramic Artists Members Show" and was thrilled to see the large crowd there. The show runs through March 6. Good food, great music and best of all excellent clay work. The show is beautifully curated by the resident artists. They are all versed in the complexities of ceramic art and willing to share this information with you.

Odyssey is one of those unique places that fosters artistic achievement; you'll find studio space with all the necessary equipment, classes, seminars, lectures and workshops.

Here I'll share the work of two Odyssey artists, Jillian Wolf and Kat McIver. Stop by Odyssey, see the show, be dazzled by the quality work made right here in Asheville.

Contemporary Art (and some Blues) in Charleston, SC

I can surely recommend a January/February visit to Charleston; during this time you will encounter few tourists and mild weather. In fact it was kind of “Seattle” like--moody, grey, foggy and breezy.

I began my gallery crawl and found some contemporary art treasures here: RLS, Rebekah Jacobs, Redux Contemporary Art Center, Eva Carter Gallery, City Gallery, and Cone 10 Studios.

Redux Contemporary Art Center
Dalek, Broke Beaten and Buried
Jan 23-Mar 7, 2009

Here at Redux Contemporary, James Marshall, aka Dalek, has moved away from his well-known individualized works on canvas. This new work explodes within the galleries of Redux. The main portion of the exhibition was created on-site, one and a half weeks before the opening. A team of 8 people came together under the direction of Dalek to install this exciting work.
There are great photographs from the exhibition on the Redux website
and Dalek's website that you should check out if you haven't already.

The galleries crackle with visual excitement. I heard Charleston turned out 1,000 people, at the opening, to see this eye grabbing installation. You'll experience geometry and color theory seamlessly combined; the artist’s hand is never visible.

RLS

Robert and Megan Lange are the most delightful, charming and knowledgeable art couple. Robert’s photorealism is featured in the gallery and he paints on site. Megan’s thoughtful landscapes are a subtle contrast to Robert's work. You can catch them on the gallery web cam.

Rebekah Jacob Gallery
Tim Hussey
March 1-31 (how’s that for a scoop?)

Hussey’s painterly work is executed with vigor and is not for timid art viewers. Figures and face are obscured, juicy items are collaged, and firm, confident strokes add layer upon layer of content. Hussey's figures are not shy; there’s humor and thoughtfulness going on here, take a serious look at this work.

Rebekah Jacobs Gallery is the only gallery in Charleston to run a contemporary program, photography program, a folk art program and an African-American program. Word has it Rebekah is force in the world of private art dealers. Be sure to follow her new bricks and mortar gallery.


Eva Carter
Karin Olah


Olah references the Amish quilts of her childhood in the work currently on exhibition at Eva Carter. She expertly collages fabric, cotton, silk, and linen, to emulate calligraphic brushstrokes. Paint, collage and fiber complete her work. Her palate is muted giving the fabric an opportunity to garner interest. Olah’s craft is exemplary.

City Gallery at Waterfront Park
Photography by Michelle Van Parys and Stuart Klipper
Mento Mori: Warnings from the American West and Antarctia

Warnings have been sounded, we know we are abusing our planet, Klipper and Van Parys have photographic evidence. You can see beauty and disgrace in the captivating show. Plus, the City Gallery is one of the great gifts of Charleston.

Mark Long, guest curator of Mento Mori, writes, “Be warned, then, of our power to disfigure even the most arresting landscapes.”

Lowcountry Blues Bash
Feb 6-16, 2009
All over Charleston

44 Acts that include Beverly “Guitar” Watson, Robert Paige & the Holy City Sinners, Dr. Pickup, Daddy Mack Blues Band, Liz Mandeville, and Tinsley Ellis.

Some more than half of the shows are free. What a great February get away. By mid-February I’m ready for winter to pass; hot guitar licks will surely help.

For more info: mail@bluesbash.com Have a great time.

Up at 16 Patton Fine Art

Margaret Dyer

Margaret Dyer master of pastel is also working in oil. One of my earliest art classes was Dyer’s pastel class. Oh was it ever delicious, discovering all those colors in skin tones and having the figure come alive on paper. She is truly inspiring and a deft painter. It has been so nice to reconnect with her work. To you, Margaret, great job!

Favorite Black Shoes

Raymond Chorneau
Chorneau’s work is dreamy and textural with brush strokes enlivened by oil and cold wax. You can see the Bay Area/Olivera influence in these constructions, where layers are added and layers are removed; snippets of each bring the surface to life. These figures are moody, strong, vague and present. The tension is palpable, we’re not sure what has transpired. Take a good long drink of Chorneau’s work.

Left: Pow, Right: Blue Morning

R. John Ichter
Talk about pure color! R. John Ichter’s work incorporates pure pigment in intense competing colors which create a rich, vibrant world. This work has a strong presence and a velvety feeling, I’m not talking Elvis velvet here. The pigment sparkles and crackles; they reach out and grab your attention. You will not be a passive viewer.

Sapphire Point

Suzy Schultz
Bathed in light and perched pensively in a chair “Expecting #2” is sheer anticipation. This large watercolor by Shultz is well executed, the paint fluid and spontaneous. We have happened upon a very private moment; this sitter is expectant.

Expecting #2

Changing Coasts Opening

Here are Photos from the opening of my Changing Coasts Show









Press Release:

Asheville Area Arts Council presents: Changing Coasts, new work by Mary Farmer

Changing Coasts encaustic work by new to Asheville artist, Mary Farmer, captures her impression of WNC. Says Farmer, "Working in wax, encaustic painting, is a very physical endeavor. You'll find heat guns, hot plates, large wooden panels, and gas torches in my studio. This physicality is very appealing to me as I layer and scrape, gouge and fill, heat and distress each work. When paired with my own visual vocabulary, I find myself deeply involved in the process; it is the perfect combination of process, abstraction, color, movement and composition."

Paintings rendered in encaustic have given collectors a new medium to contemplate and has attracted its very own following. The work is lush,
luminous and presents great depth.





A reception for Asheville artist Mary Farmer will be held in the Boardroom Gallery on Friday, January 9, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Asheville Area Arts Council,11 Biltmore Avenue. Titled “Changing Coasts”, the exhibit remains on display through Feb 28.


Mary Farmer
828.712.3786
6 Lakeshore Lane
Asheville, NC 28804
www.maryfarmer.com