The Artist's Voice

I haven't written about my 2 favorite artists in a while, but I see they have both updated their websites with new works. Tyson Skross and Allyson L Smith, young urban and evolving. Living in New York has effected their process, materials and work. (Full disclosure - Tyson is my son and Allyson is my daughter-in-law which in no way detracts from their prodigious talents.)

Art is a silent vehicle for a voice. In their new pieces I can hear them speaking out, processing their personal growth, gritty surroundings and frustrations. Although they are similarily preoccupied with shapes, surfaces and color, they are polar opposites in their expressions.

Allyson is light, slyly humerous and simply complex with repitition of shape and bright colors

There is a sense of childlike wonder at her world and where she is in it. I love her explorations. I want to leap into her canvas and cavort with the shapes. There is joy with a hint of what's around the corner for her viewer to discover.

After flirting with bright colors, Tyson is toned down and concentrating on shapes and surfaces which are layered and worked.. He doesn't expose his complicated view but lets it peek out of all sides of the canvas. He challenges his audience to create its own narrative, rip open its own hidden places.

So spend a little time on their websites. Listen to their voices. I give my interpretation. What's yours? What do you hear?

www.allysonlsmith.com

www.tysonskross.com 

Monday Likes

Although I like my weekends, I have always liked Mondays. After all the relaxation and entertainment of Saturday and Sunday, I welcome the return to my work routine on Monday. Today is no exception as I happily sew a litle sundress featuring black, red and yellow. Sounds wild, but the colors play quite well together. A nice way to start my week.

A bit of good news this Monday. Tyson Skross sent out a link to a site that has accepted his work. White Columns. This is a site that features artists of note who are currently unrepresented by a New York gallery. He is in some very good company. He is also currently in a new exhibition at the Saratoga Art Center. So good things are happening to a good artist.

And speaking of good artists, Allyson Smith has updated her website with some new work. Check it out. www.allysonlsmith.com . She is slyly whimsical with a lightness of spirit which speaks to me. I love her new direction.

I hope you all are having a like Monday. Back to the sewing machine for me, but I'm smiling all the way.

Imagine

I've been spending a lot of time sewing which means I've been spending a lot of time thinking. A lot of my thoughts are self-indulgent dribble with a touch of whine. so I've refrained from sharing them or rather boring you, my readers, with the high pitched repetition of endless pity. Where am I going? What do I have to say? Where do I belong?

Thankfully. in between, the useless questions I've had a few useful moments. I'd like to thank my father for his constant urging to not take myself to seriously. (He saw this unproductive tendancy in me at a very early age.) When I get mired down in my questions, get heavy with my thoughts, I hear his words and surface. Surface to a world where all is possible, much is positive and imagination roams free. "What ifs" are an elixir which feeds my creativity. What if I put this fabric with that one? What if I made this apron fuller? What if I attached a skirt to a onesie? What if I made a headband for babies? Ahha!

Then this am I find my son, T's latest blog post. (Don't know why it shows as 2 months old on my list, but I'll work on fixing that later.) "Sluppy lines" - lines of, to, in imagination. In wonderful pictures and with short lines of dialogue, he sings of the imagination. How important it is. The varied places it can take us. It lifts the mundane to the magical. It feeds creativity. It makes us smile. It makes us think. Love his pictures and thoughts. He expresses with clarity what I wish I could say so simply. Step over and look at his pics www.tysonskross.com Share your thoughts with him. share where your imagination takes you with both of us.

Below is one of my flight of fancies for this week. From the raw fabric delivered to my door

to the sundress for an adorable toddler.


Imagine....

Pride

I know, I know...2 posts back to back, but with the chaotic holiday pace, I missed this post on my son's blog. Of course, typical for him, he didn't mention it to me. Now I've stumbled across it so I must share.

Tyson Skross and wife, Allyson Smith, have made some momentous changes and a friend, Greg Nay, wrote an interesting and insightful piece on their leap into the unknown. Here is the link to the blog. http://tysonskross.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry101209-101503.

You can see why I am so in awe of these two artists, Tyson and Allyson. New York treat them well!

A Sunday Thought

anyack (lower bridge mine) by Tyson Skross 2010

If we, citizens,do not support our artists, then we sacrifice our

imagination on the altar of crude reality and we end up believing

in nothing and having worthless dreams.

Yann Martel

(Author's Note) Life of Pi

Take some time to enjoy some art. It feeds our souls, makes our lives brighter and lightens the tedium of daily life. I love living with original art. Do you? Can't afford contemporary art? (Although with the number of prints and photos out there, we all can afford a piece or 2 or more.) Visit a museum or gallery. Happy Sunday!!!

Good News

Back in November, I mentioned that someone I loved had received good news but I wasn't allowed to talk about it yet. Well here goes two months later. Tyson Skross, painter and son extraordinaire, received a fellowship from the Efroymson Family Fund. Five artists from Indiand and Ohio were chosen. It is a big deal to be so recognized plus the money awarded allows for them to advance their careers.

This is a look at Tyson's expanded studio space that some of his funds financed. Looking good! With this space he is able to explore more of his castings like the one below.

His Dad and I are so proud of him. Glad that all that model building when he was growing up has paid off. He is so talented!!!

Follow this link to see more of his work.http://www.tysonskross.com/New_work.html.

Read more about the Efroymson Family Fund on Ty's blog. http://tysonskross.com/pblog/comments.php?y=09&m=12&entry=entry091202-130302

And some more good news. Nikki is improving and has her sights on going home soon. She is spunky!!!

Everyone have a good weekend. I'll be at the Exchange this evening for First Friday with some of my new Annarella Girl clothes. Drop by and say hi!

Daily Serving

A new web site (new to me) about art for art lovers is the Daily Serving. Its mission is to be a "central site where art lovers can find resources and keep up with the happenings within the Contemporary Arts." Always looking for beauty and interesting art I'm intrigued by the daily spotlight. They feature a piece of contemporary art with a bit of information about the artist.

Today they posted this painting by Tyson Skross. (You all know I love him and his work.) I had to take a peek at any site smart enough to feature his work. And I fell in love with the site. Not enough time to delve into the archives, but I enjoyed the artists that they have featured recently. I added this site to my favorites so I can visit it often. Definitely a good place to feed my spirit!!!

A Feast for Your Eyes

A pause from the business of sewing....a recess from the business of creating....a look at art refreshes my soul. I invite you to feast your eye on these artists; your soul will be fed.

All these artists are drawing inspiration from history, present and future. Their palettes and scenes are a blend of simple and complex. Enjoy their works on the surface or delve into meanings. The paintings will bring you pleasure at whatever level you want to experience.


Dan Zinno has a new series titled Unearthed. Color-saturated surfaces are broken with decorative designs; the robust and the dainty side by side.

Go to Zinno's website, www.zinno.net to see the whole series and read what he has to say about his process.

Tracy Helgeson was brought to my attention by Dan Zinno. I love her blocky shapes and bright colors. It all looks so simple until you sink into the colors and realize how many variations there are.

In her words she says that she tries to simplify her landscapes without losing the personality. Go to her website, www.tracyhelgeson.com, to learn more about her and her work.

Tyson Skross has posted his new work from his Berlin exhibit. He is doing some small sculptures which are intriquing. The paintings implode with color and content as he explores the relationship of history with the modern life.

Go to his website, www.tysonskross.com, to experience his latest works.

Allyson Smith also refers to history for her works. As a figurative artist her history is personal yet universal. She allows, even encourages, the viewer to apply his/her own story to the paintings.

I love the optimistic energy that flows from her lines and colors. Check out her web site, www.allysonlsmith.com.

My spirit is revived through my enjoyment of the paintings from these 4 talented artists. My soul is fed. I hope you will get the same pleasure as you look at the websites. Give your eyes a feast.

Don't forget the SALE at my etsy store, www.annarellagirl.etsy.com. It runs until Monday, Aug.24.

Interesting...

I hope you all are reading Tyson's blog. He is finding some interesting images and artists to share.

He's also giving us a sneak peek at his work for the Berlin show this summer. It is very interesting. I see aspects of his former style and subjects, but he is evolving into more abstract forms and a more complex palette.

Don't you love it! Check in to get more information on his exhibit and see another piece.

Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging

Tyson Skross has become a blogger. He's posted 2. Take a trip over to see him. Ty's blog.

While you're surfing the internet, take a trip on Allyson Smith's website. Its been updated to include all her current work.

I'm starting my driving trip to Wilmington, Delaware, for the Wilmington Flower Market, May 7,8,9. We're taking our time and stopping to see some family on the way. I'm not sure what internet access I'll have while away, but we'll be back by May 15.

Annarella Home Design Studio is moving to the Atrium at 800 S Austin Ave. Pamela will continue to work with her existing and new clients. Email her for info annarellahome@yahoo.com

Have a great May Day. Make sure to smell the roses.

A Mighty Fine Show

Just returned in the wee hours this morning from a trip to Bloomington, Indiana to view the thesis show of Master's Candidate, Allyson Smith. (My lovely daughter-in-law who makes me very proud.)

Bloomington is a very picturesque town and the campus of Indiana University is pretty with lots of trees, green grass and rolling hills. The weather was perfect on Friday and Saturday. We enjoyed just spending time together, viewing some good and very interesting art and eating some great meals.

Allyson has always been fascinated with the figure. These paintings are very boisterous and vibrant. She is moving from a cool blue palette to a warm rosy one.

During her gallery talk she spoke of her joy in the act of painting, and her exuberance can easily be seen in the easy flow of brushstrokes and lines.I especially like the following three for their intimate view of she and her husband, Tyson Skross. Different aspects of a relationship echoed in the light to dark palettes, distinctive parts to a merged single, upside down to right side up. Thoughtful and thought-provoking view of a couple which is universal. This was my favorite. I am always partial to mixed media so the three dimensional aspect with the painted wood slats is so pleasing to my eye. Allyson says that this was her most recemt piece for this exhibit. It looks to me like this could be the first piece of a whole new, or at least a continuation of, a series. How exciting to anticipate where her view of people and relationships will take us next.

Continuing the saga

Thanks to all the comments and feedback from my last post concerning my struggle with photography. You all were kind and generous. I decided that I needed to practice, so this morning I took my camera into my workroom to see if I could capture the essence of it.

(My analysis of the primary reason for my inadequate photos is that when I'm looking at viewfinder I see what I think/want to be there, not the actual image. Not until I see the published image do I notice all the clutter, fuzziness or lack of composition. It's kind of my approach to my own image in a mirror.)

This is where I spend most of my time these days. Notice the comfy swivel chair. I can go from cutting and pinning to ironing just by turning. (Lazy, lazy!) Seriously this layout works really well since every sewer knows that after the sewing machine, the most importabt piece of equipment is a good iron. P.S. The painting is an early one by my son, Tyson Skross. Check out his website.My sewing center with all the threads and ribbons in easy reach. You'll notice that I'm surrounded by family pictures. It makes me smile to have them all so close. And my vice - TV. Its always on - and frequently to junk - I confess to a love of talk shows, court TV and reality shows - Oprah, Jon & Kate, and Judge Judy are among my favorites. Of course, Project Runway - "make it work" is inspiring.Scraps and pieces. My bolts are beside my table. Painting is done by my talented daughter-in-law, Allyson Smith, who has her master's thesis show hanging April 14 at the art gallery at the University of Indiana in Bloomington. I'll be there for the opening on April 17. Can't wait!

More family photos. And the new table covers for Annarella Girl's booth at the Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So much better than the stark white.New dresses ready to take this weekend.Work in progress that I'm hoping to finish tonight.Patiently waiting.... this old gal is Zoie. Notice the carpet which is always full of threads and scraps of cuttings. Maybe someday a hard wood floor will appear. There used to be a bed in this room which was taken out so I'd have an organized and focused workroom. Zoie still misses the bed where she would nap away all the hours I worked. She isn't comfortable on the floor where she fears being stepped on. A real possibility!

So I'll keep practicing with my camera. These are slightly better. I'll take pictures of our improved booth this weekend and maybe some satisfied customers.

Catching Up Part 2

Tyson Skross has added some new work to his website.

Although still working in landscapes the mix of abstract and realism is striking. Here we see a striking contrast, perhaps conflict, between soft shapes and stark colors. There is so much to absorb that we see more each time we look. Is it a cityscape? Are we on mountains looking down? Is he playing with us? Perhaps daring us to look at the world from a different angle?again realism is playing off against the abstract. Are the craggy mountains in the cube or are they seen through a rip in the universe?More mountains. here he plays with the perspective. The distant is clear but we question just what is the foreground. Bright in the far and dark in the near. We could be going under the earth or into some ruins. Our eye is unsettled by the pull of light and dark, foreground and background. And it seems to be very purposeful. What do you think?

I'm having fun returning over and over to this new work. Questioning myself and my perceptions. Tyson is pushing me to expand my eyes. I think I can hear him softly chuckling as I try to make sense out of his sensibilities.

Check out the rest of his new works and how it compares to his previous pieces. Read his new statement which is in the "words" section of his website and talks about these new pieces. Let me know what you think.