Holiday Time at Studio 116

I knew I had been blog-absent for a while, but have been so busy with art and life, I did not realize my last post was in September. My art world had a nice 'burp' of activity, then a month or two of nothingness. Hopefully this past Friday night was the beginning of a new upward spiral that will continue to gain momentum. Stop by Studio 116. I have covered the walls with new work and it looks wonderful!

The Chairman's Waltz Violin (Memoirs of a Geisha)

This is my donated piece for Virginia Beach Symphony "The Painted Violins" 2010 fundraiser.* I have been told it is one of six that will be in the live auction, and although that information was enthusiastically shared as an honor, live auctions chill me to my very being. Fun for the patrons, not so much for this artist! 

After researching past "painted violins" across the country, I found most artists cover the entire instrument with their medium. Wanting to take a different route, I chose to leave large sections of varnished wood to contrast with the painted surface. In addition, Memoirs of a Geisha, featuring hauntingly beautiful cello and violin solos, has always been a favorite of mine, and a most appropriate subject, on many levels, for my violin piece. The color scheme was inspired by the kimono worn during Sayuri's public debut with the images from the many themes that ran through the story. A special tribute is paid to Jaimie Goodwin, one of several Dance Energy artists featured on So You Think You Can Dance and one of my nieces' fellow company dancers, who I have had the pleasure of watching at many of Denise Wall's recitals and national competitions. Jaimie along with fellow dancer Hok Konishi  gave an incredible performance on SYTYCD with their Emmy Award winning "Hummingbird and Flower" number choreographed by Wade Robson to the score of The Chairman's Waltz. (view dance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRWdIwCGjbE ) There were so many artistic possibilities with this theme, I would love to get the opportunity to do a series of variations in future projects.


The Chairman’s Waltz Violin
-Artist Lynette Kelly Crain

•  “The Chairman’s Waltz” (Memoirs of a Geisha) was a violin solo written by composer John Williams specifically for, and performed by, violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman.
• Williams’ beautiful Memoirs of a Geisha conceptual theme was composed for the cello solos (written for and performed by Yo-Yo Ma) to be the "voice" of the geisha Sayuri, while the violin solos represent Sayuri’s true love, The Chairman.
•  Choreographer Wade Robson created a jazz number to “The Chairman’s Waltz” on FOX TV’s So You Think You Can Dance 2007 competition. 
• The Emmy award winning dance by Robson, known as “Hummingbird and Flower,” featured Virginia Beach’s Jaimie Goodwin, from the acclaimed Denise Wall’s Dance Energy, and Hok Konishi. 
• A tribute to “The Chairman’s Waltz” dance is on the back of the violin.
• A profusion of cherry blossoms, found on the front and back of the violin, always appeared during the happiest encounters between Sayuri and The Chairman.
•  In many ways, Memoirs of a Geisha is a study in contrasts. The artistic theme of the violin suggests similar contrasts with paint against wood, polished against matte, angled lines against fluid.
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*The Symphonicity "The Painted Violins" Fundraiser auction will be held October 3, 2010. I will post details when they are made available. Calendars and posters will also be printed.

The winds of time!

Ten of us are creating a collaborative fantasy creature that will be exhibited in mid-2011. I brought my current project home so I could work while Hurricane Earl swirls our way. Hopefully he won't stay long and will leave us with power!

Portrait of the Artist at the Charles H Taylor Art Center

Paintings are delivered! Both images are from my amazing trip to Oz. First stop: Sydney. I took so many photos of friends and family that some of the world's most amazing landmarks were behind me. My patient travelling companions came to accept my constant photo sessions; new found family members easily recognized me as the blonde behind the camera. (Sydney Self Portrait November 2009, oil on canvas.)

With encouraging words from my Australian Navy cousin, I took SCUBA lessons at the local dive center. My first dives after completing my certification in Virginia Beach were in the Coral Sea off Agincort Reef. The light at the 80 foot dives was great for the experience, but not so great for my camera. It was, however,perfect for capturing a moment of relaxing snorkeling between dives at Turtle Bommie! (Between Dives, oil on canvas.)

Endings & Beginnings

Only four more days for my P|4 Show at the Visual Arts Center in Historic Olde Towne Portsmouth. 340 High Street, Portsmouth, Virginia. By Friday, I will be packing the Expedition with paintings and filling up the home studio. I will take a few days to decide what stays there and what goes into Studio 116 at 208 East Main Street, Norfolk, VA.

Virginia Artists 2010 ends a couple days after that. Luckily, I can deliver the two new paintings for "Portrait of the Artist" to the Charles H. Taylor Art Center when I pick up the Virginia Artists entry. "Portrait" September 4- October 17, 2010. Opening Reception, September 3, 2010. 4205 Victoria

Boulevard, Hampton, Virginia

Painted Violins! I am really excited about my violin. After weeks of mulling over an idea, I decided on a multi-level conceptual theme for my violin. This is to benefit the Virginia Beach Symphony and will be a part of a travelling exhibition. Calendars and posters of the 24 violins will also be available for purchase. Opening reception October 3, 2010 at the Sandler Center, Town Center, Virginia Beach, Virginia

October will also be my one-man exhibition at the Meyera Oberndorf Central Library's Art Gallery in Virginia Beach. 4100 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA. The show runs from October 1-31, 2010.

One of my small paintings was also selected for the prestigious Peninsula Fine Arts Biennial 2010 Show. Juror Richard Hunt, Sculptor, Chicago, chose my painting, "Mister Charles," to be a part of the exhibition. October 2, 2010-January 2, 2011. Opening Reception and Awards, Friday, October 1, 2010. 101 Museum Drive, Newport News, Virginia.

Portrait of the Artist

Time to type the artist statements about the self portraits that will be in the Charles H. Taylor Art Center in Hampton, Virginia. This should be a lot more fun than the dreaded Artist Statement.

"PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST: Self-Portraits and Portraits of Artists by Tidewater Artists" at the Charles H. Taylor Art Center

September 4-October 17, 2010

Opening Reception: Friday, September 3, 7:30-9:30 PM

4205 Victoria Boulevard, Hampton, VA 23669

Painted Violins

Temps have finally returned to double digits and thoughts can once again turn to painting. The Virginia Beach Symphony delivered a violin for me to paint and I am excited to have a chance to be a part of this fundraiser with many of my fellow d'Art Center artists. I have been told a calendar and a poster of the finished violins are in the plans. I do hope I can create an instrument beautiful enough to be included in one or both of the printed promotions! Symphonicity - The Painted Violins

Ferry Friends

Tomorrow is the big day! Because planning two parties was a little more than I wanted to put on my plate for my first gallery show, I chose not to have a small reception at Studio 116. However my amazing studio mate Ray Hershberger offered to pick up the mission and organize the d'Art happening for me. d'Art is having the Chair Re-Done opening tomorrow at 6:00 along with free (yes, FREE) beer from several microbreweries, along with munchies that include crab cakes and sliders from City Dock Restaurant. At 6:40 PM, Ray will gather all the "Ferry Friends" to carry the party down to the Waterside Docks for a ride on the 7:00 Elizabeth River Ferry over to Olde Towne Portsmouth and the short walk to the Visual Arts Center. I am one lucky artist. I only wish I could join in on the party ride!! Thanks ever so much, Ray. You're the best!

P4: Paintings, Photography, Pottery and Prints

My first gallery show opens this Friday night! My paintings will be featured along with photography by National Geographic photographer, Raymond Gehman, pottery by the College of William & Mary's Marlene Jack, and prints by d'Art Center's Anne May. Come by and celebrate with us at the Visual Arts Center, TCC at Olde Towne, Portsmouth, Virginia. Opening Reception is 7:00 - 9:00 PM July 9; show runs July 10 - August 26, 2010. Hope to see you there!

(Pretty in Pink, 20"x24". oil on canvas)

Take a Deep Breath...

Oh my goodness. I thought I had my P4|exhibition at the Visual Arts Center under control, but July 9 is coming fast and I am having a minor panic attack. Although the majority of work is framed, I still have two canvas paintings to finish, and 4-5 drawings to frame--which means cutting mats and glass. (I anticipate a few bad words will be spewed...)

My studio mate Ray Hershberger had a fabulous opening this past Friday: a one man show with three times the work and one-quarter of the artists, so I will take that success as a good omen by association.

I also took self-promotion upon myself and had postcards and posters printed that feature my art! There has been a lot of positive feedback, and although the show is the same night as the d'Art Center's "Chair Redone" opening, I hope to get the overflow to take the ferry over after the Center's festivities end. Sadly, my volunteer and staff friends probably won't be able to get away in time. Hurry the beer-tasters out early, my friends. I will miss you~

Judge Cites Freedom of Speech in Reversing Own Order

Interesting news in today's paper: a Circuit Court judge reversed his own decision to shut down a website criticizing Norfolk's Vice Mayor. Of course, this reversal compelled me to visit the site. http://www.may4thcounts.com/

Sadly, the hot bed of controversy revolves around the opening of a new club just outside the d'ART Center. Thank you 'disgruntled citizen' for publishing the website. I hope the Norfolk voters are listening.

NYCC Paint Out Day Three

Exciting news found me on the cover of the NYCC Paint Out brochure. Thank you Betsy Sommers for the honor! It has been a exhausting 3 days, but I did get a couple nice paintings out of the weekend and met some of the nicest people in the city. A wonderful surprise to this rainy day was the activity of the junior Sailing Club. The flurry of activity and the colorful sailboats were most welcome on cool and grey morning. A special thank you to Harbor Master Dino Kunic for the warm welcome and to everyone from Norfolk Yacht Club who treated us all like royalty. It has been a wonderful experience.

Paint Out at Norfolk Yacht Club

The day started out with a slow drizzle but gradually turned into a lovely day to paint at the Yacht Club. Lots of local artists showed up to get the good jump on the weather that still promises to be less than pleasant as the weekend approaches. I got a fair start on a painting but had to leave to pick up the cake for Mum's 80th birthday party. On the drive home I decided it was a poor use of a nice canvas and I had just enough time to wipe the entire mess off, clean the brushes and pack up for tomorrow morning. Time to call it a night so I can get an early start in the AM.

Oh Captain, My Captain

Boats v1. The Spirit of Norfolk extended a most generous invitation for me to hang some paintings on their cruise ship, so Friday was the day. General manager Jolene Price-Thompson removed all the old "Spirit" photos, installed Walker Display systems on both floors and nine artists from d'ART Center have the good fortune to display our works to cruise passengers. Look for my paintings on the dining area wall to the left of the first floor bar!

Boats v2. Tomorrow is Day One of a 4-day plein air paint out at Norfolk Yacht Club. Again, another stroke of good luck had one of my paintings chosen for a publicity poster. Crossing my fingers that the boating gods smile on me for another day or two so I may get a couple paintings of the yacht club finished before the predicted rains return to the region.

I Couldn't Sleep at All Last Night...

My first big show coming up and unsolicited critiques have me in knots.

My wonderful studio mate, Ray Hershberger, insists it is a compliment that a certain art critic is compelled to come into the studio several times a day to inspect my progress. Thanks for the kindness, Ray, but those visits have me up at 3:30 this morning stressing about tomorrow and the Return of Hovering Art Critic!

On a positive note, I have officially entered the World of the Blog. Leon, my friend, you should be proud. I am Lynette and I am a blogger.