Now Showing....

Carol L. Adamec: "Red Iris Landscape", 2017, original oil on panel, 12'x12"

..."In a Japanese Garden" at Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, MO, thru December 16.
 
As I painted this closeup of a red iris, the image became a landscape for me, with all the grandeur, sweep, and color of the Southwest. I'm still chasing beauty--through realism--after 50 years of painting practice, and still surprised by what can occur using oil, pigment, and a stick with hair on the end.
_______________________________
Text and image ©2017 Carol L. Adamec

A Good Time in Joplin...

Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, MO.

I arrived in Joplin on October 10 to deliver my work for my show "In a Japanese Garden"...and they already had my name on the wall—a very nice welcome after a long drive from Albuquerque.

The Spiva opening was Friday evening, October 13. It's been 8 years since my last exhibit and visit to Joplin, so the opening was a big event and reunion for me. There was a great crowd for the Spiva Membership show in the Main Gallery and my exhibit in the Regional Gallery. I am so grateful to the many Joplin friends who came to my exhibit to say "Hello." My son, and my sister and mom sent me beautiful bouquets for the opening (Thank you, Erik, Karen and Mom), and "Congrats" arrived by text and email from friends and supporters.

There were 39 pieces in my exhibit, beautifully placed and installed by Spiva's Shaun Conroy and longtime Spiva member and supporter Cleo Copeland. Five works sold (Thank you, Jeff and Dace, Terry, Diana, and new collectors), and I received many complimentary comments on the exhibit.

On Saturday I gave a talk about my inspiration and process for creating the artwork for the exhibit. The attentive audience included several cousins, dear friends, and new friends.

I have so many to thank for their support for me and this exhibit, in particular: My cousin Judy and husband Alan, for their excellent care of my every want and need during my visit. The Spiva folks: Josie Mai, Shaun Conroy, Sarah Clements, Cleo Copeland. Jo "Da Boss" and Don, for lunch, conversation, and photos. Cousins Tracey, Steve and Marsha, for making the trip to Joplin to see me and sharing a fun lunch. My sister April and husband John for supportive texts, the lovely handmade kimono card, and generous gift. My cousin Marilyn in ABQ, for watching over my casita; and my dear friend Sondra at Marlowe Farms for taking care of Scrap.

Thank you ALL!

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Text and Image ©2017 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

Sneak Peek #5...

Carol L. Adamec: "Double Gold Kimono" 2017, mixed media on rice paper, 14"x11"
SOLD

Busy! Busy! Busy!

Just two more weeks to work in the studio. Doing the framing at home. Then off to Joplin, Missouri,  for my exhibit, "In a Japanese Garden" opening Friday evening, October 13, at Spiva Center for the Arts.

________________________________

Text and image ©2017 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

White Blossoms

SOLD White Blossoms, 2015. Gouache on ricepaper, mounted on panel. 6"x6"

Last year I was pleased to become a "Rainmaker" in the Small Works Auction, an annual fundraiser in support of the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin, Missouri. An artist receives this designation when his/her artwork receives a bid of $300 or more during the auction.

The painting posted on my blog today is a small version (6x6 inches) of "White Blossoms", a 12x12 inch painting submitted to this year's Small Works Auction at Spiva. Both versions are painted in gouache on rice paper, mounted on panel. In both versions, the rice papers have bits of leaves embedded in the paper fibers which are part of the composition and surface texture.

Thanks for taking a moment to visit my art blog. I've been on the road for over a month, visiting my mother who just celebrated her 92nd birthday. (And she looks great for her age!)
___________________________________________
Image and text ©2015 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Labor Day Lily

Peeking Out, 2010
Original: oil, alkyd on panel
Unframed size: 6" x 6"
SOLD

As I am posting on the Labor Day holiday, I hope everyone is indulging in a relaxing day, or at least "laboring" at something they enjoy doing.

Today's painting is going to Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin, MO, for their annual "Small Works Auction." As I've mention before, I enjoyed being Spiva's Associate Director when I lived in Missouri a few years ago. Although the job was labor-intensive, it was very rewarding. The folks involved with Spiva--the staff, board members, artists, volunteers, and members--all are hardworking and generous with their knowledge, skills, and time. Their efforts make a huge difference in the community.

So, it's always an honor for me to participate in this Spiva fundraiser. This year's auction begins on September 18, and anyone can bid on the work...Just give them a call.

Thanks for taking a look. I'm off to work on a new painting..something I truly enjoy doing.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Text and image ©2010 Carol Adamec. All rights reserved.

Last Call

California Calla I, 2008
Original oil, alkyd on gessoed panel
12" x 12"
Available to highest bidder at
www.spivaarts.org

Dear Readers,

Today's image looks familiar because you've already seen it—back on September 24, when I announced that I had donated this painting to Spiva Center of Arts, in Joplin, Missouri.

In case you are interested in bidding on the painting, this is a reminder that Spiva's 12x12 auction ends this Friday, November 7, at 4pm for online bidders. Go to http://www.spivaarts.org and follow the 2008 12x12 links. California Calla I is #67.

You may want to check out the other entries, too. There are some great originals at great prices, and you can join the fun via online bidding, knowing that all proceeds support the Art Center.

Thanks for taking a moment to look at my painting (again). Have a great weekend!

See you next Monday...and I'll have new work to show you.
———————————————————————————————————————————
Text and image ©Carol Adamec 2008. All rights reserved.

Introducing...David Kontra

David Kontra
"Hunting High & Low"
Original acrylic on canvas
8" x 10"
Collection of Carol Adamec

David Kontra is a self-taught artist with whom I became acquainted while working for Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, David now resides outside of Hartville in rural Missouri.

Many of David's paintings and titles are inspired by the lyrics of pop music or deal with current events from the media. David calls himself a "contemporary expressionism artist" and confesses that, "I paint what I see, what I think, and what I feel at the moment, and it’s not always pretty."

Although colorful in rendering, the paintings can be dark in tone, often with figures placed in an urban setting. “I painting all kinds of people because there are so many kinds of people out there,” David notes.

Perhaps the most incredible thing about David's powerful imagery is that he is legally blind. His condition is due to a degenerative eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa. Currently he has less than 5 percent vision in one eye and only light perception in the other. He paints with his face just an inch or two from the canvas surface.

"Hunting High & Low" shown in today's post was one of David's many artworks included in Spiva's 2007 exhibit, In the Company of Outsiders. The painting now resides in my studio, a constant reminder to me that "where there's a will, there is a way" to create.

If you would like to see more of David's paintings, visit his website: www.DavidKontra.com.

Many thanks to those who left a comment/sent an email about Friday's "Detail: California Calla." I appreciate your kind comments. And thanks for taking a moment to read today's post.

See you Wednesday. ———————————————————————————————————————————
Image ©David Kontra, text ©Carol Adamec 2008. All rights reserved.

Up Close...Detail

Carol Adamec
"California Calla Close Up"
Original oil, alkyd on gessoed panel
Private Collection

Back in September, I posted the calla lily painting, measuring 12" x 12", that I had painted for Spiva Center for the Arts (9/24: "Art for a Good Cause").

Today's painting is a detail...a cropped segment from the first version, measuring 6" x 6" that I started awhile back, and completed yesterday. That's just the way it goes, sometimes.

Thanks for taking a moment to read this entry. If you would like to share a comment about my painting, please do so by clicking the COMMENTS link below. Or you can email me. Either way I look forward to hearing from you.

I hope you enjoy an easy weekend. See you Monday. ———————————————————————————————
Image and text ©Carol Adamec 2008. All rights reserved.

Art for a Good Cause

California Calla I, 2008
Original oil, alkyd on gessoed panel
12" x 12"
Available to highest bidder at
www.spivaarts.org

Just before moving to New Mexico, I completed the painting featured in today's blog and mailed it to Spiva Center for the Arts, in Joplin, MO. The painting is my donation to this year's Annual 12 x 12 Auction fundraiser, which features artwork by local, regional, and national artists who support the art center. I think this year has 78 contributions, all 12" x 12" and available for purchase to the highest bidder when the auction ends November 7 (see details online at the Spiva website).

Having been Spiva's Associate Director while living in the Joplin area, I know what a great art center Spiva is. In addition to showing top notch national exhibitions, Spiva supports local artists, too, through its Regional Gallery, Annual Membership Show, gift shop, and other events such as this auction. The art center offers year-round art classes for all ages, plus a day of art at Spiva for every Joplin 6th grader...over 600 kids! Spiva has a very hardworking staff, a volunteer board, and many faithful volunteers and supporters whose contributions make a huge difference for the local and regional communities that Spiva serves. It is an honor for me to again participate in this annual fundraiser.

If you are interested in bidding on my painting, go to www.spivaarts.org and follow the 2008 12x12 links. California Calla I is #67. You may want to check out the other entries, too. There are some great art pieces, and you can join the fun via online bidding, knowing that all proceeds support the art center.

Thanks for taking a moment to look at my painting. Have a great day! See you Friday.
———————————————————————————————————————————
Text and image ©Carol Adamec 2008. All rights reserved.