Love Feast 2012 and Giveaway

What if we all decide to share the love in 2012.

Love Feast Table is starting with a Giveaway of their Heart Gram Set in Rose and Crimson

With Valentines Day coming up, I have been thinking of how each of us can make  even more of a difference in the lives of our family, friends, and yes, the World!

Love Feast Dessert

It sounds so simplistic to think that we have the ability to make major changes in the World by small actions. However it IS True! So True!

Diane James Design

A Flower,  a Hand-written Note, A Smile, a Hug, it does not have to cost a Cent!

Callie Grayson: A Different Shade of Gray

Quietly, a Prayer, a Loving Thought, a Positive Mantra, a treat left on ones Porch

Karen Sugarman Earrings

A Pair of Earrings; or a box of candy that inspired the gorgeous design by Karen Sugarman! Good and Plenty!

Art de Vivre

Celebrate Life in ways large and small. In any way at all. Walk and meditate on the beauty that surrounds us!

Via French Kissed

Dream of a Better, a more Blessed Life for All. Pray for Peace no matter what your Beliefs or Faith.

Enter to Win this Wonderful Giveaway from Love Feast Table

US Residents for this Giveaway Please

1) Go to visit the Love Feast Life Shop and come back to tell what You love!

2) Extra Entry Become a Fan of Love Feast Table on Facebook

3)  Additional Entry  Follow Love Feast Table on Twitter

4) One more Chance.... Post or Place Button on Your own site about this wonderful Giveaway!

The  Winner will be chosen on February 5th at Midnight EST

Thank You so much to Chris Ann and Kristin of Love Feast Table

xoxo

Karena

Art by Karena

2012 Artist Series: The Renowned Robert Quackenbush

Today I would like to introduce you to renowned Kansas City Area artist Robert Quackenbush

Yellow

You will get to know him in the interview below as well as experience some of his amazing works of abstract art.

K) When did you first realize that you wanted to paint and create art? 

R)  When I was a kid I was a doodler. I also spent a lot of time with art books that my parents owned…hours and hours and hours. I had no idea at the time why I was so fascinated with these books. Later, when I was twenty-five years old, I had sort of an epiphany, and realized that I was supposed to be a painter. At that point, a lot of loose ends started to fall into place. I was living and working in the Philadelphia area where there are many art schools and, therefore, many art supply stores. I remember loading up on everything I could put my hands on to start painting. I had absolutely no knowledge of what I was doing, I just had to get started. About a year or so later I received as a birthday gift an Introductory Drawing Class at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. The minute I walked into those cavernous studios at PAFA, I knew that I was where I was supposed to be. The rest is history.

K) What artists organizations are you involved in?

R) In addition to the Kansas City Artists Coalition, I am a member of the Hand Print Press working out of the printmaking studio at UMKC. Membership in both these organizations allows me to stay in contact with my fellow artists in the Kansas City area. I have also been able to take advantage of exhibition opportunities. KCAC has given me a one-man show and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art has exhibited the work of the Hand Print Press, which included one of my prints.

What Holds Up Your Sky #12

K) What genre do you work in?

R) Although I started as an oil painter, I now work in several different fields. I still paint regularly using an assortment of mixed media which include acrylics, oils, enamel paint, water based mediums, spray paint, aluminum siding paint, found objects and other things I can attach to the surface of my work. In addition,  I am a printmaker working as a member of the UMKC/Hand Print Press. Over the past couple of years I have started to make metal sculpture. I share some studio space in the Crossroads with Reilly Hoffman.

What Holds Up Your Sky #11

K) Where do you derive much of your your inspiration?

R) I have a huge inventory of photographs, print ads, etc. which I use to inform my work. I do a lot of drawings. Mostly, however, I use my imagination. I get a lot of input from dreams.

K) Where does the motivation to create art come from?

R) I keep my passion for making art alive by working every day. I have more ideas than I know what to do with (and, sometimes, that can be a problem). Being around other artists also keeps me fresh. And, I teach painting in my studio. Working as a mentor/coach to other artists is very invigorating.

What Holds Up Your Sky #13

K) Robert where are you currently showing your art and what exhibits are in the near future?

    R) I am currently showing work at the Todd Weiner Gallery in the Crossroads. I have donated a piece for the KCAC auction which takes place in February. (see below)  In addition, the American Jazz Museum has asked me to create a large scale painting as a centerpiece for their upcoming exhibition in celebration of Ella Fitzgerald’s 95^th birthday. The exhibition, “ELLA: FIRST LADY OF SONG”,  opens on March 2^nd and runs through June 2, 2012. 

   Two of my works on paper have been juried into the “ARTI GRAS” exhibition which opens on Friday,  February 24^th at Leawood’s Community Center in City Hall

   In the  the summer, I will be participating in a group show called “SPACE FRAMES”  hosted by the Kansas City Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art and curated by their Director, Marcus Cain. I plan to have both sculptures and paintings in this exhibition. And, the year is young….

"Awareness" painting to be auctioned at The Kansas City Artists Coalition Annual Benefit held on February 18th 2012      Value $2400.

 

 K) What do you see in your future as an artist?

 

   R) The future will bring what it brings. As well as making a steady stream of work, I am using the tools which I acquired as a participant in the first Artists, Inc. seminar in Kansas City to make my presence better known. A positive attitude helps, too.

Donated to the Kansas City Jewish Museum’s URBAN/SUBURBAN Exhibition and Auction last Autumn

Archangel Sculpture

 K) What words of wisdom do you have for an aspiring artist?

    R) Be prolific! Do a lot of work. Constantly improve your skills. One of the best lessons I ever learned from my mentor (Alexander Shundi) is not to be afraid of my imagination. If making art is your passion, go after it. Don’t wait for anything. As Chuck Close once said, “Inspiration is for amateurs…Get to work!”

Untitled on Paper

K) Robert, Thank you so much for sharing so much insight with us! 

R) Thank you for this opportunity.

 Please be sure to visit Roberts site ArtbyQ

 xoxo

Karena

Art by Karena

Thank you to all of my readers and followers. Please leave a comment, I always appreciate your thoughts and feedback !

A Special Interview with Kansas City Artist Gregory Summers

I am very excited to feature local artist Gregory Summers and some of his stunning works of art.

Greg has a wonderful sense of humor  and as you can see he has a special love of Kansas City in his heart!

Gregory is involved in a number of art groups in the area. The Kansas City Artists Coalition, Friends of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Friends of the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art, Friend of the Overland Park Arts. and am one of the founding members of the Missouri Valley Impressionist Society.

A Plaza Light

 K) When did you realize that you wanted to paint and create art? 

G) A long long time ago, I remember reading "The Wind in the Willows" and loving the story, and not liking the illustrations that went along with it, so I proceeded to redraw it to my liking. It was a start, and it gave me something to do whenever I was sent to my room for one reason or another.

 Waiting on the Till

 K) I understand you are a member of the Kansas City Artists Coalition. Did joining that membership provide inspiration and support?

 G) Joining the KCAC brought me out of my little cocoon of my own making that kept me out of the art world.

Out of the Wind

 K)  You’re latest art I have seen is truly amazing, the light and shadows draw one in? Do you work from photographs, reality, or the visions in your own mind?

 G)Well thank you for saying that. What has revitalized my passion for art has been painting "en plein air". I just love grabbing my easel and paints and getting outdoors. Wind, rain, snow, it's like the postman's old mantra, but rearranged a bit to fit my own purposes... to paint. I do normally take a photo of the setting, and if I don't finish on site, I have no problem finishing it off in my studio.

Moraine Valley Elk

K) What keeps your passion to paint alive?

G) It's more like it's been reborn! In 2002 I sobered up after a long bout with alcoholism,  I was actually able to see the canvas clearly. I met a wonderfully supportive  woman whom I married. And pretty much she keeps my passion alive, that and all the years of trying to recapture all that I missed while "absent" from the art.

Gems from the West

K) Greg, do you have any exhibits currently or on the 2012 agenda?

G) I spent the better part of 2011 knocking on galleries trying to find places to show my art, and ended up with 10 openings last year. 2o12 looks to be equally as busy, just less foot work. I presently have a solo show of my "Plein Air" art at the West Patron Gallery, I am showing at the KC Arts Council, the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Assoc, and Glacial Till Gallery in Ashland Nebraska. In February I have a solo show at the Art Institute International Kansas City, March I am featured at the Kansas City Club, June is a the MVIS Founders Show in Lee's Summit. This February I am headed out of state for a plein air workshop, maybe it would have been easier to say "yes" I do. I really am using 2012 to improve and refine my work, and that will be my main focus for the year.

On Broadway

K) Finally, what words of wisdom do you have for the aspiring artist of any age?

G) Don't drink and drive? I bet you meant towards art. It would take a wiser man than I to profess any great words of wisdom. But I can speak from the experiences that I have encountered.  

If you want to amount to anything, go for greatness, don't just settle for being good at your work. There are a lot of things I am good at, but that's not what I will be remembered for.  It's when you continue to better yourself, and know that the next painting will be even better, that's how I'm going to get to be great at what I do.

K) Thank you so much Greg for taking the time  to share with us!

G) And thank you for your interest in me and my art

You can visit Gregory's  Art Website

Also  Visit his Blog at rgregorysummers.comBlog 

Also thank you to my faithful friends and followers who make it encourage and support the arts!

xoxo

Karena

Art by Karena

Life of Adventure, Exploration, and the Arts

This is the year for you! The year to make your passions come alive, your dreams come true, and to make a difference.

If that sounds selfish, think about what will happen. The person who is fulfilled and taking time for themselves will be a much better person for this world!

Of course this does not mean that right now you will make your living doing what you love. Wouldn't it be great though if more people could support themselves and their family doing what they are most passionate about.

Take a Leap of Faith and Make a decision to sign up for a class. Try Yoga to Relax AND Strengthen your body. Get out the bicycle and actually ride it! Start the first chapter of the book you have wanted to write ...oh for how long now?

Do something extraordinary and forget about what anyone else may think about it!

Jackson Pollock Art

Make a trip to the art supply store. Splurge on new walking shoes.

Take a Gourmet Cooking Class. Read for an hour before bed. Join a Book Club. Turn off the television.

Annapurna

The year is 2012 and it seems the Millennium just occurred, so lets not wait another year to take that opportunity for a bold new adventure. "Just do It!"

Voice Classes, make your own video, take up photography...

Dreams do come true; however you must do your part!

Now for the winner of the Giveaway from Serena & Lily Glenda of Notes on the Journey has won the lovely trio of Jala Frames. Congratulations Glenda.! I hope you will visit Glenda's site. She has a special story to tell. Her passion is very apparent and she is also a lighthearted fun lady!

Thanks to all of you who have been so supportive through my recent surgeries, recoveries and months of rehab to come! 

Can you tell I have had some time to think about this precious life we have been given?

xoxo

Karena

Art by Karena