Visionary Artists exhibit at Whitewater Cultural Arts Center through May 27th.

My Visionary Artist friends and I are presently exhibiting at the Whitewater Cultural Arts Center through May 27th.

©Barbara Grant, Corner of Clover Valley & Willis Ray

I’m excited to be displaying scenes from my neighborhood including my “Stormy Weather” and “Dorothy’s Woods” paintings.  Also included are “Straddle the Turtle” pieces that are still available from my collection.

The Cultural Arts Center is located at 402 Main Street in Whitewater, Wisconsin and is open Thursday through Sunday from noon to 5:00.

Dorothy’s Woods #2

©2011 Barbara Grant, Dorothy's Woods #2 - Umbrella's, oil on canvas 40" x 30"

Exploring Dorothy’s Woods on a summer day and glad we thought to bring umbrellas!

Keep your act together ~ ~ ~

©Barbara Grant, "Red Faced" water-based oil on 11" x 9 " board

This morning as I was leaving exercise class, Peggy said to me, “Keep your act together.” Which got us musing about what that might mean, and I blurted out, “It’s ALL an act, isn’t it?”

Joking…just joking.

It is what Peggy’s mom used to say to her upon parting. I’m glad she has passed it on to me, to share:  sometimes it is not easy to keep your act together; sometimes it takes everything you’ve got ~ ~ ~

Dorothy’s Woods

©2011 Barbara Grant, Dorothy's Woods #1 - E-kids

I know a lovely woman named Dorothy who clears trails and resting spots in her woods. She turned 88 this year – such an amazing person!

I follow her paths on occasion and sometimes take my grandchildren along.  We have good memories of hiking Dorothy’s woods.

I’m feeling moved, recently, to express these experiences in my artwork.

Celebrating after 14 months to the day!!!

Back to 2 rings

I am celebrating, because today my third finger knuckle has finally shrunk enough to fit my Lapiz Azul ring! It has taken 14 months to the day, but I can now wear my kids’ birthstones on my ring finger again.

Somewhat back to normal except for distortion, swelling, and stiffness of the pointer I originally cut.

Another lesson in patience ~ ~ ~

Visions of Wisconsin at the Hoard Museum in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

V

“Visions of Wisconsin” is a two-year creative endeavor.  The exhibit will include over 120 original paintings and drawings created in various mediums including watercolor, acrylic, oil, graphite and mixed media.  This art show offers a variety of subjects reflecting each artist’s visions of Wisconsin.

Out on a Limb ©Marilyn Fuerstenberg

Farmstead in Winter ©Karolyn Alexander

The artists’ state: “We have enjoyed this opportunity and are excited for the viewing public to see what we have been able to create through our individual artistic styles and subject selections.  Wisconsin inspires us with a colorful beauty of land, sky, water, flora and fauna”.

Daffodils ©Joyce Follis

3 Cows in Hebron ©Barbara Grant

Please mark your calendars for the Opening Reception of this exhibit on Saturday afternoon, September 24, 2011 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Perfect Time of Day ©Thomas Jewell

Lake Michigan Shore ©Roberta Gehri Juckett

The exhibit will be on display from September 17 through October 14, 2011 during regular museum hours:  Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 AM through 4:30 PM.  The Hoard Museum is located at 401 Whitewater Avenue in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin.

The Hoard Historical Museum website is:  www.hoardmuseum.org

Pictured from left to right are artists Karolyn Alexander Tscharnack, Thomas Jewell, Barbara Grant, Joyce Follis, Roberta Gehri Juckett, and Marilyn Fuerstenberg.

Visionary Artists group

Money Bags at FrameDog in Whitewater

Money Bag #2

A new installation of my “Money Bags” will be on display at Joe Jaquess’ FrameDog framing and gift shop located at 145 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190 (262-472-0436).

The exhibit opens on July 18^th and will run through August 27^th.  I’ll be present at the shop to discuss my work on Tuesday, July 19^th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

This project started by gathering moneybags from the bank where I once worked.  I rescued them on their way to destruction due to wear and tear.  The bags are used throughout our Federal Reserve Banking System to transport money.  They are made of strong canvas, which I knew could be recycled in my artwork.

At times I incorporate quilting techniques in my art, using fabric as paint and tread as line.  I came across some fabric depicting coins and currency and decided to use it in some way with the moneybags.  At one point while handling these materials, I rested my hand on the canvas and was transfixed by the outline of my hand and fingers on the moneybag.  I traced the shape on the bag and thus began the direction for this presentation.

As I worked on each bag, my feelings about our universal dependence on money were transferred directly onto the very canvas that brings it to us.

All 7 images of the “Money Bags” can be viewed at www.GrantviewStudio.com.