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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

Artist Reception: Renee Lynn Hartig

About fifty artists and friends turned out last Saturday evening to meet Portland artist Renee Lynn Hartig. Gallery Fifty at the Commons is featuring her animal portraits along with a series of best-selling landscapes through the end of May. It was a low-key evening with fabulous appetizers from Trattoria Stella and wine from Silver Tree Deli. Who's up next? We're showing all new work from Rufus Snoddy in June and July. Stay tuned...
Rufus Snoddy, Renee Hartig, Christie Minervini and Jill Anton

A nice turnout of about fifty guests at the reception

"Peacock" was one of the first paintings to sell

We featured food from Trattoria Stella and wine from Silver Tree Deli

Minervini receives C.R.A.F.T. Design Challenge recognition

Gallery Fifty owner Christie Minervini was recently honored in a design competition held in conjunction with the Buyers Market of American Craft in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She won one of three grand prizes awarded in the C.R.A.F.T. Design Challenge. (One display pedestal. Five contemporary art objects. A box of props. Make magic.)

Minervini won $350 in merchandise vouchers good at the show. "I was thrilled to learn that I'd won. While I was proud of my design, I didn't feel it was my best work, so I was totally surprised," said Minervini.

Judge Kristen Godsey commented, "The jewelry displayed on the tree is clever and effective, as is the placement of the rounded, metallic objects in a circular pattern in the scene. I like the use of the flowing, earth-toned fabric, with just a smattering of rocks, to create a simple statement."

Breaking Boundaries: The Art of the Quilt

Gallery Fifty is thrilled to announce the opening of "Breaking Boundaries: The Art of the Quilt." Twenty-five regional art quilters were selected to participate by gallery owner Christie Minervini and guest curator Desiree Vaughn.

Artists were chosen for their unique design abilities, skilled craftsmanship and overall commitment to fiber art. Vaughn is being featured in the adjacent Rinaldo Gallery with her latest work.

Awards were announced earlier this month. First place and a $300 cash prize went to Pat McKean for "Blaze" (see photo); second place and $200 went to Jill Ault for "Divided Circle: Anthracite"; and third place with $100 went to Lenore Crawford for "Hybrid Lily III".

Honorable mentions went to: Jacky Trimble, "Thinking Outside of the Box 3"; Virginia Spiegel, "Boundry Waters 19"; Jeanne Beck, "Harvest"; Pamela Allen, "Autumn"; Susie Vigland, "Big Baby Girl"; Sidney Inch, "Plastic Fusion"; Lynn Krawczyk, "Talk to Me I"; Sue Holdaway-Heys, "Land of Blue"; and Lisa Chipetine, "Trapped."

"We were really hoping to capitalize on the interest that the Dennos Museum has generated with their 'Twelve Voices' show," says Minervini. "We're so proud of our exhibition — it really has exceeded expectations."

Over 100 art quilts are on display through the Mercato at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons through December 31, 2008. Gallery hours are Monday - Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Thursday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The exhibition may be viewed on-line at www.galleryfifty.com. Call 231-932-0775 for more information.

Tour of the Pacific Rim

Over Mother's Day Weekend we participated in a fundraising event for Child and Family Services. The "Festival of Tables" drew large crowds and enabled Gallery Fifty to showcase a few of its artists including Christian Burchard and Janine Sopp. We partnered with Select Fine Wine to create a display table with the theme,"Tour of the Pacific Rim."

The event raised a lot of money for a good cause and we look forward to our entry next year. I'm considering using all recycled elements, so check back to see what we come up with!

"Hearts & Flowers" Exhibition

"Hearts & Flowers:
An Exploration of Love"
February 9 -April 30, 2008

Gallery Fifty is currently featuring an all-media exhibition and sale featuring the work of our favorite artists and craftspeople. The show ended up being 2-3 times larger than expected with 80 pieces submitted by thirty artists. Cash prizes were awarded for first, second and third place and nine honorable mentions were awarded:

First Place - David Petrakovitz, "Love Totem"
Second Place - Melonie Steffes, "The Lovers of Verdona"
Third Place - Rod Bearup, "Passion Flower Blossom"

Honorable Mentions:
Debbie Sparks, "Hide and Seek"
Anna Hildebrand, "Lady in Lace"
Julie Pearson, "Live What You Believe... Make Your Whole World Your Art"
Nancy Crisp, "Sudokad"
Rufus Snoddy, "From the Garden of Wisdom"
Carol C. Spaulding, "Splash"
Flora Ricca Hoffman, "RAH"
Timothy G. Lewis, "Valentine Cat & Bird"
Joe DeLuca, "Bleeding Hearts After Dark"

We've already sold twelve pieces, but you can view the available work on-line at www.galleryfifty.com.

'Mr. Art Critic' makes a stop at Gallery Fifty

Here's some fun gallery news! On Monday, director Rich Brauer and his crew filmed the opening scene for his upcoming film, "Mr. Art Critic." He approached me about a month ago, looking for a location that could pass for a hip Chicago art gallery (major compliment) and we were thrilled to oblige.

Actor Bronson Pinchot plays the role of M.J. Clayton, a high-profile art critic. Known for his heartless, mean-spirited reviews, he makes an impulsive statement that any idiot can make art, and sets out to prove it. Quickly realizing that it is infinitely more difficult than he perceived, he quietly purchases a beautiful painting from a talented artist, and submits it as his own entry into an art exhibition while vacationing at his summer home on Mackinac Island. The real truth is ultimately revealed, resulting in a dramatic shift from arrogance to humility... discovering the hard way that the ability to create art is indeed a gift.

I witnessed the movie-making magic from only feet away and it was a real education! There were about 15 crew in intimate proximity to the actors and an amazing amount of lighting, sound and film equipment. Took nearly five hours to film about two minutes of content.

Rich plans to premier the movie in late November of this year. Hopefully, it will get widely distributed and everyone will want to track down the beautiful paintings featured. By the way, they belong to local artist Amy LeJeune Harper. She recently here moved from Chicago where the city was a main focus of her abstract aerial landscapes.

Above: Director Rich Brauer and actor Bronson Pinchot figuring out how to work together. Below: Closing the gallery was a small price to pay for a snapshot with Bronson! (Yes, you recognize him as Balki from the sitcom "Perfect Strangers.")

Scenery, light and seasons

I just returned from the studio of Lisa Wilkins Schulte and couldn't be more excited! She's been very prolific with her plein air pastel paintings and many feature local landscapes, such as the scenes from Old Mission Peninsula shown above.

Because she was born in Guyana, the rich, vivd hue of pastels appeal to her Caribbean sense of color and she loves the textures that she can create with them. Lisa is constantly inspired by the northern Michigan region and its spectacular scenery, light and changing seasons. Her influences include Michael Chesley Johnson, Wolf Kahn, Wassily Kandinsky and Marjorie Broodhagen.

We're getting a great range of new work in early July. Check back then for more information.

Expressive movements in nature

Michigan artist Angela Mathias Saxon is our newest addition to Gallery Fifty. I've been an admirer of Angela's painting for a long time, so we was thrilled when she finally agreed to show her work with us.

She considers herself primarily a "landscape painter," though recently she's been heading off in a new directions with metallic surface "veils" and mixing media like oil and charcoal. We're showing lakescapes of the Manitou Islands similar to the piece shown here, in addition to some beautiful stark winter trees paintings. Angela focuses on expressive movements in nature and often paints plein air.

I love to show clients her signature technique of incorporating trim from her older paintings to finish the edge of her newer work. Notice the lake, land, and sky (flipped horizontal from left to right) across the bottom of "Quiet Passage." I'm intriqued by her idea of a painting as a living, evolving thing.

Contact Gallery Fifty with your interest, and we'll email images of her current work: christie@galleryfifty.com.

Amy Harper's 'New Growth'

We can't tell you how excited we are to announce that Amy LeJeune Harper is painting again. We featured her as part of our exhibition series in 2005 and her "abstract aerial landscapes" have been popular with our customers ever since. Check out her older work at: www.lejeuneharper.com.

Over the past year, Amy took a break to have a baby and to focus on graduate school — all the while teaching art at a local junior high!

Anyway, one of the best parts of my job is watching the evolution of an artist and the natural progression of his/her work. Amy's new work exemplefies this. While you can see traces of her old style, you can also clearly see where she's taken it to the next level. Post-baby, her work reveals a more organic, looser style. We love the flowing, almost feminine lines along with her excellent color choices.

The piece above, "New Growth," is her favorite in a series of ten. Each are floating in a 15" x 15" light maple frame. We've priced them at $195 each. Call the Gallery Fifty for more information: 231-932-0775.

Process, Decisions & Discoveries

Michigan printmaker Dorothy Anderson Grow recently agreed to have her work featured as part of our exhibition series in May 2007. I've long admired her work and even purchased one of her pieces from the "Getting the Bugs Out" show earlier this year.

Dorothy thinks of her art as a discovery and an adventure. Using the images that suggest her past, she assembles and layers ideas without a plan and often heads off in risky directions. "I love the physical activity of printmaking and the endless options the process provides. Each plate printed determines what will happen next, what the next layer will be," she says.

It is the process, the decisions, and the discoveries that keep her excited and involved. Dorothy's will be the inaugural show in our new space, and we're thrilled to be showing work like "Grandfather's Tools" above.

Look for future blogs with photos and a virtual exhibition of her work at www.galleryfifty.com.

Beauty out of chaos

While we are in awe of all the artists we represent, few compare to Rufus Snoddy. We are planning an exhibition and sale of his work in June 2007 (the show is in conjunction with a feature article in Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine that same month).

The artist came from the wide open fields and prairies of rural Texas to the congestion of Los Angeles at a young age giving root to an appreciation of dichotomy which is still apparent in his work. Rolling green hills peacefully reveal their nearly human forms under ominously darkening skies which sporadically appear laced within heavily textured surfaces.

"Texture is very important to me," Snoddy remarks on his work. "I can't seem to make my work lay down. It isn't in me to create things without texture."

The texture of his work in many ways reflects the texture of his history. He calls his works "construction paintings," because they are sculpted works that could most accurately be described as "hanging out" from a wall rather than simply hanging on it.

The still-unnamed show will be a retrospective of his 30-year career and an unveiling of his new work, including "Landscape Green" above. Check future blogs for more information or check out our virtual exhibition in June: www.galleryfifty.com.

Time to Bug Out

Can't believe it's already time to take down the bug show. Three months in the planning and it's already over. I was very pleased with the outcome — thirty-five artists participating in many different media. I'll keep the virtual exhibition up on our website in case you missed it.