Tuesday, March 17, 2009

South Carolina Philharmonic: 2009 Painted Violin


(click to enlarge) 2008 Painted Violin titled play.

I love music. So, every year when the South Carolina Philharmonic invites artists to participate in the Painted Violin project, my friend Janette Grassi and I are eager to do so. This year, however, was different. It was a juried competition so there were no guarantees of being included. We had to create a concept and proposal and submit it. So, you can imagine our joy when we received confirmation that we were included.

Artists are invited to participate in many benefits but this is by far our favorite. We want to support the SC Philharmonic and the SC Philharmonic appreciates and values artists. Event chairperson Lani Stringer is the most creative, organized person and does an incredible job of highlighting the artists and their work. Last year she designed a very artful, full color catalog for the event and this year she is creating a book which will be auctioned along with the violins. She also designs and produces a poster of each piece which is yet another sales opportunity for the Philharmonic. In addition, she organizes a reception for the event and this year it will be held in conjunction with Artista Vista, when a large crowd of art supporters are present. The South Carolina Philharmonic is lucky to have such a talented, dedicated volunteer and we are excited to be included in the 2009 Painted Violin benefit!





(click to enlarge) 2009 Painted Violin proposal.



(click to enlarge) Violin provided.



(click to enlarge) A work in progress.


(click to enlarge) Finished violin  on metal base titled soar.

2009 AIDS benefit platter with Janette Grassi

Every time Janette Grassi and I are asked to participate in the annual ABFSC Dining With Friends aids benefit, we agree to do it. Both of us have known and lost someone to aids and it's our way of trying to raise awareness of this dreadful disease and to increase funding for aids survivors and for aids research.

This year's theme is Paint The Town Red and we decided to do just that. So, here's a before and after of our platter.



(click to enlarge) Platter in progress.


(Click to enlarge). 2009 platter titled aid

Spring Has Arrived


Well not officially, that doesn't occur until Saturday but you can tell it's not far off. I've had a terrible sinus infection and our cars and back porch are already covered with a yellow blanket of pollen.  However, my favorite sign of spring is the beautiful blooming shrubs and trees. 

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Brian Rutenberg:SC Book Festival

(click to enlarge) Brian Rutenberg's book

Yesterday I went to the SC Book Festival at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center with my friend Kay Reardon. It was the first time I had ever been to the book festival but I had read Jeffrey Day's article in The State about Brian Rutenburg and I wanted to hear his art talk. Although Ruttenberg had a show two years ago at the SC State Museum, I was out of county and did not see the exhibition so I was not familiar with his new body of work.


(click to enlarge) Ruttenberg and Jeffrey Day


I'm so glad Kay and I made the effort to go to the show, despite the pouring rains and flooded streets. Rutenberg's art talk was a gift. He presented a slide show of some of his early drawings, his inspirations, his philosophy and his new body of work. He was a kind and very thoughtful person sharing his history and thoughts about color and art and his process of creating his massive paintings. When it ended, I felt like I had attended an art history class.


(click to enlarge) Ruttenberg and Kay Reardon


(click to enlarge) Ruttenberg and Doni Jordan