The Christmas Push!

I had to put the push on painting some really fun small giftings, in order to get them to their destinations on time.  The following two are mini paintings fashioned for use as ornaments for the Sebastian River Art Club's fundraiser for the Food Pantry.  I developed this program last year, got the little canvases and other supplies, nagged the SRAC members to paint, had a "backing and hanger" assemblage party.  We filled up 2 trees with these little beauties, then had an opening reception to launch them ... the result of which we were able to donate $700 to the Food Pantry for the holidays.

This year, since I am busier than a one-armed paperhanger with family obligations, some wonderful hearty hands pitched in and took over the responsibility.  I think the paintings are even better this year, and I can foresee this program going over the top each year and becoming quite famous locally.  These little masterpieces are sold for $10 each, and all proceeds go to the Food Pantry in Sebastian.  What a great way for artists to give back and utilize their talents for the good of others.

"Red Hibiscus" mini Acrylic

"Boat Reflections" mini Acrylic

The next painting was for my daughter Tracy and her hubby Turhan, who live in Chandler Arizona.  They lost two beloved cats this year, and Maggie, their Scottish Fold cat, was also failing.  I happened to come across this lovely box in TJ Max, and got the idea to make her a painting to put in the picture frame area.  She already had full-face paintings of all their five cats from last Christmas, but this one would be profile and more contemplative--with less of an "angry cat"-like look that Maggie always had.  Maggie had a craggy nose, flat ears, and a rather mean disposition, so I tried to capture the softer side of her for them to remember her by after her passing.   I finished it quickly, packed it up and mailed it best fastest way, hoping it would get there before Maggie's passing.  It arrived the day after and so was a bit sad for them.   The painting was only 3"x5", but painted with much tenderness and love.

As Christmas approaches my mind begins to focus on my soon-to-come after-Christmas art obligations, which seem like many right now.  And so I must find time to paint for them, in between working for my daughter's www.CrimsonKeyEstateSales.com company, and babysitting for her and Cass's adorable daughter, Salem, pictured below.

And so visit this blog again soon as I bang out paintings for January, when I will be the featured artist in the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center's "Orange Room" (quite a challenge gathering paintings that go with orange!), and also the Featured Artist in Dale Sorensen Real Estate's office in the Vero Beach Arts District, where my daughter Robin also works as an agent.  Come see my work there during the Gallery Stroll, January 2nd, 5-8 pm.  Then the next month my art studio will be part of the 11-studio "4th Annual Sebastian Art Studio Tour" on February 7th, 10-5:00.  This is my second year participating in this event, although I helped out with publicity on the others.

As I sign off today, all those who see this posting I wish a Merry Christmas, and a new year filled with good health, peace, love, and art.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

New Paintings, New Blog!

 . . . Here, chickie chickie!

I had a lot of fun painting this one. When I got to the Sebastian River Art Center this morning to teach a class, this wooden painter's box was still sitting on the counter, where I had donated it to be sold for our Scholarship Fund.  So in a last-ditch effort to get it sold and out of the Art Center I painted this rooster on it in oils, then hung it in one of the gallery spaces as if it was a regular painting, it looked charming.  Turned out pretty good for a painting which took me about an hour, in between chatting and teaching.  Here's hoping it's gone by the next time I'm at the Art Center.  NOTE: Got a call from Peni Baker, Club member and wonderful artist herself, who purchased the paintbox.  The $35 price goes to our Scholarship Fund.
. . . And FOOTNOTE:  This box was given to me by the family of Ruth Steer, a long-time student of mine and wonderful friend, who passed away recently.  She would be thrilled to know what I did with it, where it went and the money it brought for a cause she believed in--she so loved painting, and was such a strong supporter of the arts.  The box was one of many things which I passed on to the Club from Ruth.  I will finish her great-granddaughter Lucy's portrait for her, one that she started before her passing; Need to get it to her family before Christmas, and I will post it on this blog when done.

 
PRETTY BRITTANY ~
Below is a nice little painting I did of my niece Brittany Preble.  I started it over a year ago and just finished it.  I hope it still looks like her.  Wrapping it up tonight to ship it out tomorrow.

Painting "en plein air"
I participated in the Cultural Council's Bird Show in October, and my White Egret in Flight won 3rd place and went home with some lucky buyer.  Didn't get to take a pic of it.  Last week I joined a dozen or so other plein air painters for a day of painting at the Vero Beach Yacht Club, and painted in oil a tallish picture (below), which sold that night at the reception.  It was a beautiful sunny day and I thoroughly loved it.  There' is a certain comfort level in painting outdoors with other artists.  This painting took under 5 hours and started out really rough but I tweaked it till it was presentable.  I really hate to frame a wet oil painting but that's part of the deal.  I forgot to sign it, so I took it home, signed it, and later delivered it.

"Red Sail Cover" 30"x18" oil by Judy Burgarella

Tomorrow morning at 9 is my class in oils and acrylics at the Sebastian River Art Club, after which I will drop off 3 paintings at Gallery 14 for their Beautiful Waters show, then off to teach Cork & Canvas at the museum with Christine.  It will be a full, rich artsy day.  A good day for me.

Lots going on this season!

Hello to all of you out there who love to do or see art!  Just a quick post to get you excited about painting and painters.  Enjoy the above 2-minute video, which will remain as a header in all my postings.  Simply run your cursor over the palette painting and click on it.  This video was created by my friend Bob Barbour, photographer extraordinaire, who was also the model - bobbarbourphotography.com

Now that I've got your attention, I would like to announce that my art studio will be part of the Sebastian Art Studio Tour on February 7th, 2015.  More news on that to come.  Below is a list of shows I will be participating in as of this date (a mighty ambitious agenda I must say!), pending passing the jurying process in some of them.  There may be a few more sandwiched in or if I have time in between my dual jobs of babysitting for our fantabulous granddaughter Salem (pictured below)

3-year-old Salem, "An As-s-s-t like her grandma," painting a birdhouse

  ...and working for Crimson Key Estate Sales (crimsonkeyestatesales.com  Salem's parents' company).  With all this fun, it's tough to find time to paint!

EXHIBIT AGENDA
772-581-8281 for further information. All are free and open to the public unless indicated.
*Pending acceptance
**Pending a future scheduling conflict

Currently Showing
Through November: Beneduce Realty, 1930 14th Avenue, Vero Beach 772-564-6100

Ongoing

• Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center, 1245 Main Street, Sebastian. Open Tuesday, Thursday and most Saturdays, 11:00am-3:00pm
• Indian River County Main Library, 1600 21st Street, Vero Beach  772-770-5060

Future Shows

• Nov 12 - "Plein Air" at the Vero Beach Yacht Club, 3601 Rio Vista Blvd, Vero Beach (near the Vero Beach Museum of Art). A day-long paint-out on the grounds of the Yacht Club, culminating in a show and sale in the evening. 772-231-2211
• **Nov 15 - Sebastian River Art Club Park Show, Riverview Park, Sebastian. Tent show, 10am-4pm
• *Dec 2-Jan 3 - "Our Beautiful Waters" Gallery 14, 1911 14th Avenue, Vero Beach. Opening Receptions Dec 5 and Jan 3, 5-8 pm.  Call 772-562-5525.
• Friday, Dec 5, 5-9 pm - "Light up the Night." The Sebastian River Art Club participates in the yearly holiday event, with an art show and light competition. Refreshments at select locations
• **Dec 13 - Sebastian River Art Club Park Show, Riverview Park, Sebastian. Tent show, 10am-4pm
• Jan 1-30 - Artist of the Month, Dale Sorensen Realty, 1961 14th Ave 772-492-5300
• *Jan 17-18 - Sebastian Fine Art & Music Festival (www.sebastianartshow.com), Riverview Park, Sebastian.  Tent Show, over 120 exhibitors, food, music.
• Jan 23-25 - Vero Beach Art Club's "Art By The Sea" at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, 3001 Riverside Dr, Vero Beach. Jan 23 5-8pm (Opening Reception), Jan 24 10-5pm, Jan 25 10-4pm
• **Jan 24 - Sebastian River Art Club Park Show, Riverview Park, Sebastian. Tent show, 10am-4pm
• Feb 7 - Sebastian Art Studio Tour.  One of 13 Sebastian Artists whose studio will be open to the public. 9-5 pm
• Feb 13-14 - Vero Beach Art Club's "Art on the Island" at the Marsh Island Club, 9155 Marsh Island Drive, Vero Beach.
• **Feb 14-15 - Sebastian River Art Club's Competitive Show, Riverside Park, Sebastian. Tent show, 10am-4pm
• March 13, 14, 15 - Vero Beach Art Club's "Under the Oaks" fine art and craft show, Riverside Park, Vero Beach. An award-winning tent show with over 250 exhibitors. www.verobeachartclub.org
• March 20 - Treasure Coast Art Association's "Essence of a Woman" 223 Avenue A, Ft. Pierce info to come
• May - Florida's Finest en Plein Air info to come

There may be other shows not noted as exhibit opportunities come up

Many samples of my work can be found on www.burgarellaart.com.  Due to hosting problems, this site is no longer accessible to me for editing and so is in dire need of updating, however a new updated site will be released soon.  Be sure to click on the heads and subheads to see it all.

Thanks for visiting my blog, and be sure to scroll down and see previous posts for more 'artsy' info and pics.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger