Painted Paper Collage by Daniel Heron

"Dwellings," 48" x 32" Painted Paper Collage, $1,600

"Checkered Animal," 31" x 34" Painted Paper Collage, $1,050

"Faithful Wounds," 9.5" x 12.5" Painted Paper Collage, $200

"The Visitation," 9.5" x 12.5" Painted Paper Collage, $200

"Tulum," 20.5" x 30.5" Painted Paper Collage, $600

"RedRabbit," 24" x 36" Painted Paper Collage, $900

"Saddle Blanket," 20.5" x 31.5" Painted Paper Collage, $640

"Smoke Dancing," 24.5" x 42.5" Painted Paper Collage, $1,000

Coming November/ December 2012
The Proverbial Art Show: Painted Paper Collage by Daniel Heron
Meet the Artist Reception: Saturday, November 10th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Daniel Heron was born in Detroit in 1948 to Millard and Estelle. His father was a Baptist minister, who along with his mother, gave him a strong foundation for life. His mom fostered his early interest in art by providing him with painting and drawing lessons.

The artist's work is inspired by early native American arts in all of its forms —- the colorful geometrics of the Great Plains tribes' bead work, the Navajo' weavings, the Mimbres' pottery, the designs and motifs painted on teepees -- horses, weapons, faces; and the mysterious rock paintings found all over the American West. He draws from these earthy primitive colors, textures, designs and stylized figures and combines these elements to create new abstract forms. He has also been influenced by the abstract expressionists.

Heron began marketing his paintings in 1997 when Billy Hoxie, then owner of Watermelon Sugar Gallery in Traverse City, Michigan, first accepted his work. About a year later, the artist met Joe DeLuca. Joe is well-known throughout the Midwest for his abstract paintings and is a retired art professor from Western Michigan University. His advice and mentoring have greatly shaped Heron's work.

See the above eight paintings at Gallery Fifty now or call for more information: 231-932-0775.

Time, Space and Matter: Paintings by Amy Kerr Hardin

Turtles, All the Way Down
Oil on Canvas, 16" x 40", $1,000

Microcosm
Oil on Canvas with Mixed Media, 24" x 24", $700

Orrery
Oil on Canvas, 48" x 48", $1,500

Apeiron
Oil on Canvas, 36" x 48", $1,400

Musica Universalis
Oil on Canvas, 48" x 36", $1,400

Arts and Letters
Oil on Canvas, 24" x 48", $1,200

Paper Chase
Oil on Canvas, 30" x 24", $1,000

Coriolis
Oil on Canvas, 40" x 30", $1,200

Brother-Sister
Oil on Canvas, 36" x 24", $1,000

Mother-Daughter
Oil on Canvas, 36" x 24", $1,000

Father-Son
Oil on Canvas, 30" x 24", $900

Amy Kerr Hardin has been an oil painter for four decades ever since she discovered painting at the age of twelve. At about the same time she entered junior high school and took a science class titled “Time, Space, and Matter”. Here she gained a lifelong fascination with the physical universe - - those properties known and those of theory became Amy’s area of interest.

This collection titled “Time, Space, and Matter” is an homage to that long-ago science class which inspired that nascent artist with an inquisitive mind.

Mythology, fantasy, and the world of dreams is woven into these works. Amy also took inspiration from the study of the human mind’s perception of the universe. Bilateralisation, also known as “left-brain/right-brain” plays an important role in this collection. Each piece stimulates both the linear left hemisphere and the holistic right hemisphere. These paintings represent both our inner and outer universes.

Amy’s style is bold and meant to be attention-grabbing. They are not intended to be the docile companions of beige sofas. Her works have been purchased regionally, nationally and internationally by collectors with an eye for her bold style and confident hand.

Amy maintains a busy studio overlooking the beautiful woods of Williamsburg, Michigan. Each season brings new light and new inspiration to her and her work.

The show will be up through September 6, 2011. Please contact Gallery Fifty at 231-932-0775 to inquire about Amy's work.

Introducing Cathy Broski

"I enjoy the story and form that grow together as each piece evolves. Creating a connection to my work for the viewer is important to me."


"Play Ball"
The artist found inspiration for this playful pose from her lovable dog, Porter. The natural coloring of the dog is achieved by applying a glaze then wiping the highlights of the texture to leave behind glaze that has a flashing quality. The dog is affixed to the ball with the aide of a steel rod. The ball is filled with sand to create a stable sculpture.
Dimensions: 13.0in H x 9.0in W x 5.0in D
$500


"House of Poppies"
The artist found inspiration for this playful pose from her lovable dog, Porter. The natural coloring of the dog is achieved by applying a glaze then wiping the highlights of the texture to leave behind glaze that has a flashing quality. Each is fired multiple times and is made from stoneware clay.
Dimensions: 16.5in H x 7.0in W x 7.0in D
$650


"Let's Play!"
The artist found inspiration for this playful pose from her lovable dog, Porter. The natural coloring of the dog is achieved by applying a glaze then wiping the highlights of the texture to leave behind glaze that has a flashing quality. The bird is fired separately and attached with wire.
Dimensions: 6.0in H x 6.0in W x 12.0in D
$300


"Heart in Hand"
Each unique hand made sculpture is carved individually from stoneware clay. The surface is achieved by wiping off the high points to leave the glaze in the carved lines. This evokes a found object feel the artist strives for. The heart is fired separate and attached after firing. Each piece is unique, and will vary slightly from that shown. Hearts symbolize the love felt or given.
Dimensions: 4.0in H x 3.0in W x 4.0in L
$100


"Bird in Hand"
Each unique hand made sculpture is carved individually from stoneware clay. The surface is achieved by wiping off the high points to leave the glaze in the carved lines. This evokes a found object feel the artist strives for. The bird is fired separate and is unattached. Each piece is unique, and will vary slightly from that shown. Birds symbolize our inner voice or spirit.
Dimensions: 4.0in H x 3.0in W x 4.0in L
$100


"Safe Landing"
Each unique hand made sculpture is carved individually from stoneware clay. The surface is achieved by wiping off the high points to leave the glaze in the carved lines. This evokes a found object feel the artist strives for. The birds are fired separately and attached after firing. Each piece is unique, and will vary slightly from that shown. Birds symbolize our inner voice or spirit.
Dimensions: 8.0in H x 3.0in W x 3.0in L
$100

Ceramic artist Cathy Broski's work is steeped in archetypal and personal symbolism. Figures, houses, boats and pottery are all vessels to contain things we hold dear, and sometimes those things we would cast off. Cathy chose these forms to work with because they have several levels of meaning she finds intriguing to explore. She loves found objects, because of their wear and marks of their journeys. This is the feel Cathy tries to achieve on her surfaces by using a layering technique.

Cathy begins each piece on the potters wheel or with slabs. The pieces grow with the application of coils or additional slabs. When each piece is completed, She carves or textures the surface. The base colors of terra sigilattas and slips are applied and fired. Once the first firing is complete, Cathy applies and wipes off a combination of stains and glazes, then fires again to cone 6. This process is repeated until the desired effect is achieved.

Since receiving her BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in 1990, Cathy has worked in the ceramics field in many capacities. Presently she is represented by numerous galleries, teaches several pottery classes, instructs workshops, sells work at art fairs, and has been published in several ceramic periodicals. In 2000, she and her husband built a studio right outside their backdoor. And in 2007 they completed a 40 cu ft gas car kiln.

For more information, or to see Cathy's work, visit Gallery Fifty at the Grand Traverse Commons or call 231-932-0775.

Gallery Fifty introduces Kristen Jongen

Attempting Flight
24" x 36" Mixed Media on Canvas, $5,200

We've admired Kristen's work for years and have recently ironed out details for gallery representation — not only for her best-selling line of books and prints, but also her gallery wrapped canvas giclees and a few large original mixed media paintings. We plan hang her work at our Downtown location to start and then possibly do a larger show in the Mercato at the Commons in the fall.

Flying High
16" x 20" gallery wrapped canvas giclee, $525

Love is Still Bigger
24" x 32" gallery wrapped canvas giclee, $795

Trying Yes
24" x 24" gallery wrapped canvas giclee, $575

Kristen Jongen's inspirational work has rocketed to the forefront of the American art movement. She has been featured in national magazines and won acclaimed recognition for her raw and uncanny poetry. Jongen owns Soul Soup, a creative enterprise that features her original large format paintings, prints, limited editions and books. The artist and writer currently lives in northern Michigan with her three children and a host of unruly pets.

Kristen's work will be available after July 12th. For more information, call or stop into our downtown location: 321 East Front Street, Traverse City, 231-946-0610.

Post Urban - Northern Mid-West: New Work by Rufus Snoddy

Now showing in the Mercato, adjacent to Gallery Fifty at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons through July 31, 2010.

Rufus Snoddy moved from Los Angeles to northern Michigan eight years ago, and this show is his response to that change. The artist describes his "head space" as The Wizard of Oz meets Alice in Wonderland while creating this new body of work. Sticks, twigs and accumulations of nature have replaced the motherboards, industrial remnants and collections of urban refuse. Elements of urban angst have slowly morphed into serene textures of a more natural environment. Though Snoddy is "not in Kansas," nor L.A. anymore, he has been seduced by the Midwestern spirit and is loving it.

Artist Statement
Northern Michigan is a long way from Los Angeles, evidenced by the colorful reactions I often get when bringing up my city of origin. The most common reactions are those of overwhelming traffic, way too many cars and way too many people. Most L.A. natives have these sentiments also. Other reactions might include the typical urban issues of crime, vice and corruption. The clichéd “Land of fruits and nuts” has also been heard rolling off the lips of some. All of these, clichés included, fueled my creative drive while growing up and living in el cuidad de Los Angeles. So, some may wonder what the affects of relocating to Northern Michigan are having on the creative inspiration of a transplanted west coast visual artist. I am one of those.
Having worked and lived here for eight years, a budding Michiganian, this is the first work I have done from the perspective of a genuine hybrid. As with Los Angeles, my day to day living environment has had much influence on my sensibilities and direction. The Wizard of Oz meets Alice in Wonderland is somewhat descriptive of the head space I have been in for the past two years while creating most of this work. Trying to find place and direction as an African American male, after following a now ex-wife back to her home, was a bit like Alice following the white rabbit with the watch.
Living on the northern bays of Lake Michigan is often dreamlike in its beauty and charm. It's also simultaneously confusing in its provincial seasonal rituals, to one who grew up in a place of constant seventy degree weather. The seemingly slavish-like devotion to hunting and fishing seasons is at odds with my city-dwelling sensibilities. Worlds of gang culture, movers and shakers and the commonplace nattily attired gives way to a world of farmers, outdoor recreation and camo.
I have learned to embrace the grays and whites of winter and celebratory colors of fall. Northern cool blues and greens replace the western warmth of reds, ochres and browns. The melted snow and other of Mother Nature's liquids are absorbed by the soil and our souls. Spring blossoms, and preps for harvest fill our world. They are slowly replacing the Pacific Coast's Urban-Chic yields of asphalt, vanity and beaches. Sticks, twigs and accumulations of nature replace the motherboards, industrial remnants and collections of urban refuse. Symbolic textures of urban angst are slowly morphing into the serene textures of a more natural environment.
The political climate is the one constant. Dogma tends to be more conservative in these parts than the west coast. But the “Mickey Rats” are found on the “yellow brick road” as they are found in the “Hills of Beverly”, just not as often. It is becoming commonplace for me to feel like Alice, swimming in a pool of my own tears and offending those who are swimming with me by talking about the things I love.
Though “I am not in Kansas” nor L.A., I am being seduced by the Midwestern spirit and loving it.

Art Walk: Amy Kerr Hardin

"Franklinia," 48" x 60", $2,000

Gallery Fifty Downtown is thrilled to be featuring Amy Kerr Hardin's beautiful floral oil paintings during the DTCA Art Walk on Friday, May 7th. For nearly four decades, Amy has been addicted to the art of oil painting. Her habit started at the age of twelve when she saved her allowance money to purchase a paint-by-numbers kit from the local dime store, and she proceeded to completely ignore the printed outline and simply flipped over the cardboard, to design her own painting.

Amy soon discovered a local parochial high school that had a top-notch art department. Although, she is not herself Catholic, she begged and pleaded to be allowed to attend this special school. Under the guidance of some very talented teachers, her painting skills blossomed and matured. She learned how to stretch canvas, paint with palette knives, work on enormous murals, and hunt down original subject matter.

Her paintings articulate a depth of field through strong foregrounds that create a dynamic tension and a sense of space rarely found in typical photorealism. Amy’s floral paintings seem to be alive with the wind, and her beach rock studies give the impression that one can actually reach out and feel the cold wet smoothness of her subject.

"Anemonie," 48" x 60", $2,000

"Fish Pond I," 24" x 48", $1,200

"Beach Stones II," 24" x 36", $1,000

'Confetti Quilts' are affordable and original

Ann Loveless is a native of Frankfort, Michigan, which is located on the shore of Lake Michigan. She attended Michigan State University and received her degree in Clothing & Textile Design. The artist began sewing her own clothes as a girl and in 2004, she fell in love with the art of Landscape Quilting. Most of her designs come from nature and the beautiful lakes and woods of her region. Ann works from photographs and sketches made on location.







All mini confetti quilts are one-of-a-kind originals and are signed and titled by the artist. They all come in 6" x 4" on an 8" x 10" white mat board for $42 and 6" x 8" on an 11" x 14" white mat board for $70. Stop by either Gallery Fifty location or call to order: 231-932-0775.

Evoking early childhood memories

Traverse City artist Linda Chamberlain's primary focus in designing her mixed media paintings is the exploration of man and his relationship to the natural environment. Her pieces evoke conceptual references to nature, botanical themes, the figurative form and early childhood memories.

Linda draws upon the simplification associated with the Arts and Crafts Period. She creates works that eliminate the superfluous in life, reducing reality to the essentials. The artist's most recent series explores man's fascination with life and spirituality. The bird image is used to examine this quest. Childlike figures lead us to the path of our own introspective journey. Man's fascination with his surroundings is examined within these confines.

We've been carrying Linda's original paintings and assemblages for years, but recently we've added her giclee prints and blank greeting cards. They are an affordable way for collectors to acquire images that they connect with. The "Friends," "Max," and "Up North" series are all best sellers and range from $40 for a 10" x 10" to $85 for a 14" x 14" giclee print. Greeting cards are $4.50 each.

Please contact Gallery Fifty directly to purchase or for a special order: 231-932-0775.

Arthur and the Red Ball

Moving Day

Bird in Hand

Emma

Eli

A Good Day

On the Pond

Road Trip

Rocket Dog

Bob the Bear with Cabin

Bob the Bear in Canoe

Bob the Bear with Rock