Best Practices for a Group Art Exhibit - October 2014

 Vine Arts Center member show on exhibit "Get Behind The Work, II"

How Can You Make a Group Show Experience a Win/Win

What a delight to have our meeting at the Vine Arts Center while surrounded by the beautiful original art created by members for the Get Behind The Work, II member show.

I must admit the October gathering was the perfect blend of having a respectful discussion that was on task to the subject while also inspiring 90 minutes of continuous idea brainstorming around "best practices for a group art exhibit."  Cannot wait for what Donna calls "the Fertile Minds Journey."  More specifics on the show via direct email messaging.

November's discussion will start with the idea  to "BE INSPIRED versus to BE DISCIPLINED." 

An artist has to look inside each day and ask "am I working out of inspiration (that may come and go) or am I working in a disciplined manner that may sustain me for hours, days, months, a lifetime?"  When you have a goal such as an upcoming exhibit, does that change your pace of work? Do you wait for the midnight inspiration or,  put in a full day's work hoping to push through any blocks along the way?  How do you overcome the internal rebellion against disciplined work or, as Amanda said, "what if you feel like a sloth somedays"?  What do you do to tap into your inner creativity? 

We'll start the evening discussion with these ideas and see where these questions take us.

Salonists All in a Circle - September 2014

Toys and Play and Creativity: An Art Salon Discussion

How to stay creative during the middle process:  the work.  But also, how does play contribute to our creative process? How do we feel about toys and playfulness? How do we stay in touch with our child at play?

Those of us who have opted in on the group art exhibit are especially interested in these ideas.  Once we get started with an idea how do we retain the creative spark and passion that was there in the beginning.

Salonists - September 2014

Beginnings - August 2014

BEGINNINGS - How do you begin? An Art Salon Discussion

The August Art Salon For Fertile Minds gathering was two evenings rolled into one: Art Salon discussion 
forum and the group art exhibit Q&A time.

We loved talking about BEGINNINGS, the topic of the evening. What inspires us, when we plan it, when we don't, when we're working for our love of art and when we're working for commerce. Many reasons to begin.

But what happens next?  That's what we'll talk about in September.

How to stay creative during the middle process:  the work.  But also, how does play contribute to our creative process? How do we feel about toys and playfulness? How do we stay in touch with our child at play?

Those of us who have opted in on the group art exhibit are especially interested in these ideas.  Once we get started with an idea how do we retain the creative spark and passion that was there in the beginning.

Please join us September 10th for our next gathering.  We would love to meet you and hear about your art making experiences.
We are inspired by the following quote:
"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. - Albert Schweitzer

Being In Synch - July 2014

The July gathering of the Art Salon for Fertile Minds was all about "BEING IN SYNCH" and we were.

There was never a quiet moment as people talked about how it felt to be in synch with their art, their artmaking process, their surroundings, the beating of their hearts, etc. Well, you can almost imagine.  I was so engrossed in the conversations that I never took one picture, very unusual.


At the conclusion of the art salon discussion it seemed that the thread of conversation that would carry over for next month, August, would be a discussion around...
HOW DO YOU BEGIN? A single piece? A whole new series? A short poem? A full novel? Do you pre-visualize how it's going to end?

What gets you in the mood to engage with your art process? Quiet? Loud? Music? Meditation?  Inside? Outside? Nature? Urban Environment?
It can be so subjective and so varied from one day to the next, or not.


Let's share our BEGINNINGS process and see how it inspires and affects one another.


And, speaking of beginnings, you should have received a CALL FOR ARTIST ENTRIES for an Art Salon For Fertile Minds group show to be on display in 2015 (if accepted). Please email wendyhblomseth@gmail.com if you wish to receive the application.

Invite to Donna Troska's painting exhibition

INVITATION

Painter/member Donna Troska invites you to visit her painting exhibition

June 2 - June 30 at U-CARE SKYWAY, 950 Nicollet Mall Suite 290, Mpls MN.  

More info. at www.donnatriska.com  

Art and Nature - June 2014 Art Salon Discussion

Each Art Salon For Fertile Minds gathering is an unpredictable evening that sometimes reminds me of a dance, a theatrical performance or an art installation.

June 11th felt like a dance with individuals stepping forward  into the open circle to share their hearts, souls, paintings, photographs and storytelling.  No visible cues were given but the timing seemed to be at the perfect moment for each artist.  The theme of Art And Nature flowed from the historical past to the present and to what might happen in the future.  Art and Nature is a topic that could be discussed for many more hours than we had available.  But as always the discussion around this theme led us to topics for future discussion, which is our end of the night ritual that I love because people throw out short sentences, one word or a whole concept for consideration.

July 9th we will start our evening discussion around these concepts:

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE/FEEL LIKE WHEN WE ARE IN SYNC, IN TUNE, WORKING AT HIGH CAPACITY, WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO BE INSPIRED.

Or, how do you proceed forward when you're not in sync? How do you push yourself to get back in sync?

Pls join us.

Relationship Between Love and Art - May 2014

The evening was a true salon experience unlike any other. Museum-goers who had attended the Henri Matisse and Edward Hopper exhibits critiqued and recommended these two shows. Member, Endel K. said "a great art exhibit should change the viewer after having experienced the artwork."  He left the Matisse exhibit changed and Karl B. felt the same about the Hopper experience.  (more on THAT below.)


The art salon discussions explored The Relationship Between Love and Art. Again, we've touched on a subject that you can talk about for hours. We barely scratched the surface of love and art with countless references to (1) loved ones who have created art, especially paintings, that held our love and attention for decades and (2) collaborations with husbands/partners/fellow artists. The joy and challenges of working with others can be a lovely experience (or not so much.)


Longtime member, Doug Sievers left the CURRENTS show (on display now at the Vine Arts Center) changed and inspired. So much so that he created and performed for us a multi-media performance of river-current-themed-poetry and photography.  Quite a performance! 


It is suggested that for June we discuss The Relationship Between Nature And Art.  You can simply think Spring. Or, you can also think how much we love nature and how she inspires and energizes artists and their art work.

Member Doug Sievers Performance - May 2014

Amanda and Her Painting - March 2014

Amanda's beautiful painting of butterfly and flora.  She creates such wonderfully colorful paintings.

Amanda Loves to Paint Cats - February 2014

Barry McMahon and Painting - February 2014

February brought artists who wished to share their new work representing LOVE of someone/something.  We discussed discuss our process, what we love and why we love and our love of art, of course.
What an indescribable gift the Art Salon is for all who gather.

We are inspired by the following quote:
"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. - Albert Schweitzer

Italian Visitor Plays the Harmonica - January 2014