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 

Changing My Focus!

But first, a farewell to a dear friend . . . Henry Pitt

This blog is dedicated to Henry Pitt, a friend, mentor, a fine artist, and a giant to all of us in the Sebastian River Art Club, who passed away earlier this month.  Henry, at age 87 and with only one eye, was an inspiration to all who knew him.  Each week he would come in with a new painting, one more stunning than the other.  Most with wildlife or domestic animals in them, many from Montana where he once was owner of a large ranch.  Henry had a quick wit and a charming smile, and enjoyed some notoriety and fame over the years for his paintings and also for his efforts on behalf of the arts.  He was quick to offer advice and critique when asked, and all of it was good.  My husband Bob and I  enjoyed listening to his stories of Montana and various adventures and foibles during his long life.  His legacy will live on in the countless paintings he's left behind, and the memories that will stay with all of us.  
God speed, Henry . . . and keep the palette filled for us as we join you in painting heaven some day.

Henry Pitt - 1927-2014

"Ram" Oil Painting by Henry Pitt

Changing My Focus ~

Henry's passing reminds us all that life has an "Expiration Date."  And to that end in evaluating my art life I had concluded that some of my energies need to be taken in a new direction.  Up until now I have devoted much of my free time to volunteering in the Arts community, and I can now look back with a sense of satisfaction at my small contributions towards the growth of the Arts in Indian River County.  Working hard with the Artists Guild Gallery and other galleries in the Arts District, the Vero Beach Art Club and Sebastian River Art Club, the Cultural Council, and many charitable organizations.  My service included serving on boards and committees, organizing and helping with art shows and fund-raisers, helping build and market the Arts District, running the many local arts blogs, and marketing-marketing-marketing.  But now, as time is creeping up on me and family is wanting more of my time, I am wishing well to those who will step in to fill whatever small void I leave as I slow my volunteer hours down and relinquish my positions of responsibility.

Time also to concentrate on painting and marketing for myself, and getting all those paintings out from the corners and closets of our house and out into plain view.  But first I want to enjoy once more the experiences of painting out-of-doors, "en plein air."  On April 16-17-18 I was one of about 40 artists to paint "Main Street Fort Pierce," which also included a day at Adams Ranch.  Adams Ranch is the 15th largest cattle ranch in the U.S.A., and is breathtakingly beautiful, with its tree houses, meandering streams, hammocks, grazing cattle and horses, and just stunning landscape.  Below is the painting I did on my day at Adams Ranch, along with a portrait of Bud Adams which was included in "Au Naturale," a 2007 Calendar Project for Heathcote Gardens.

"Adams Ranch" oil by Judy Burgarella (Available)

"Bud Adams" oil painting, for "Au Naturale" 2007 Calendar by Judy Burgarella

Two other paintings that I completed during the three-day event are pictured below.  It was great painting with buddies Dawn Mill and Christine Thomas, who worked with me on a year-and-a-half mural painting project for Vero Beach (www.verobeachmural.blogspot.com).  Main Street Fort Pierce treated us wonderfully, feeding us and accommodating us in whatever way they could.  A portion of the proceeds from the sales of paintings went to help with the Backus House.

"Pure Florida" Chochki in oil by Judy Burgarella (sold)

"View from the Manatee Center" oil by Judy Burgarella (available)

So my next plein air event was at the Vero Beach Yacht Club, for the Cultural Council on Tuesday April 22nd.  This all-day event was also a wonderful experience, in that I met some interesting people and completed 2 paintings which sold!  It was a lovely, calm day, in a lovely place with beautiful views.  I was "in the zone" all day, with endorphins in high gear and freckles flaring.  Such fun, and plein air is my roots and my beginnings, so I feel as if I'm home again.  Now to find places to paint in the summer heat ... that will be a curious endeavor!

"At Rest" 8"x10" Oil by Judy Burgarella (sold)

"Morning Mist" 11"x14" Oil by Judy Burgarella (sold)

 So stay tuned for more news of how I plan to "reinvent" myself.  I'm still thinking . . .

But in the meantime, I'll be playing with my adorable 2-year-old granddaughter, Salem, who is also an artist--who even has business cards to prove it! 

Alas, this little cherub has taken my affections from the brush and the canvas and onto herself. 
I am a very lucky grandma.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger 

Rag Reduction Painting

In the last couple of hours of the Sebastian River Art Club's show in Riverview Park I decided to start a painting ... silly me.  But I must follow my "muse" whever it calls me, otherwise it may not come back again soon after.  So I slopped some alizarin crimson and sap green all over the unprimed canvas with a palette knife putting globs here and there at random.  Then I took a big brsh and squished it all over the canvas, allowing the colors to be somewhat separate in spots.

Then I looked for a rag, and found I had none in my bag, and I was stuck.  So I took a paper towel and some Q-tips I had packed and went to it, wiping the highlights away, leaving the shadowed areas intact.  Looked pretty bad at first, but within about a half hour it started looking like a face.  I lightly glazed alizarin on the cheeks, prussian blue on the iris, orange at the bottom of the eyeball for the glow under the sparkle at the top.  It was such fun to begin to see that face looking out at me--that's the part I love.  I think she's beautiful, and can't wait to frame her, although I looked and looked today and could't find a 9"x12" frame.  Not a common size.  I will be demonstrating this technique tomorrow at the Sebastian River Art Club during my class.  Enjoy.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Two New Portraits

"African Woman" (actually she's an Etheopian), started out as a demo during my class at the Sebastian River Art Club.  It's a 9"x12" acrylic on canvas.  Now to find a frame.

"African woman" 9"x12" acrylic by Judy Burgarella

"Arab" also started out as a demo during class, and it's a 12"x16"x1-1/2" gallery wrapped canvas, continuously painted on all sides.

"Arab" 12"x16" acrylic by Judy Burgarella

I'm shocked at how much like oil these paintings appear, as long as you don't use any water or painting medium and work in a feverish pace.  I can't decide which I like best--oil or acrylic. 

If you come to the Sebastian Club's 16th Annual Juried Art Show at Riverview Park in Sebastian (10-4), you'll be able to see these in person.

Ciou!

Judy Burgarella,
Blogger

Not About Me

This post is not about me, but about my friend Christine Thomas, who has opened up a brand-new art venue!  Actually it is an artsy gift shop, called "Inside Spaces and Outside Places."  It is still a works in progress, but coming together nicely.  Some of my work can be found inside, along with the works of many fine artisans who work in jewelry, pottery, abstracts, paintings of all kinds, murals (which Christine is a master of), photography by Greg Hills, and more.  Classes will be offered for adults and children on an ongoing basis.  Such a great undertaking, and we all wish her much success.  The shop is located on 12th Avenue in Vero Beach, in the strip mall just west of Old Dixie Highway.  Below are some photos of the shop as of a few days ago, but knowing Christine she's probably further improved it.

Wall near the entry

 

East wall of the shop

South wall of shop, with doorway into the "Featured Artist" space

Central area of the shop

 In back of the central area pictured above, and behind some folding screens, is a generous area where classes and workshops will be held.

View from the outside of the "Featured Artist Gallery" on the night I gave her a hand getting it together. The light on top is the moon.

Watch for a Grand Opening celebration, probably within the next few weeks.  Should be fun!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Last-minute painting

Talk about procrastination.  I knew about this deadline many months ago, when Sebastian River Art Club member Kathleen Richter, who is heading up the Sebastian Library's January window exhibit, gave a "Call to Artists" to paint a winter animal for her winter landscape mural project.  So she wanted the work in Saturday, December 28th, and I started the painting 11:00 pm December 27th.  Good thing I can work under pressure.  I slept late the next morning.  It's a cute one though, only 8"x10".

"Cardinal" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

Next emergency is "Osceola's Plume," for the Flora500 project, 500 painted flowers for Florida's 500th Anniversary of Ponce de Leon's arrival to our shores.

After that have to get ready for the Vero Beach Art Club's Art By the Sea, due January 23rd.  Going to paint the Seminole leader "Osceola," whom I've painted before some years ago, using a clay bust, the culmination of much research on his image.  However, after finding a death mask of him in New York shortly after I ended up having the first bust cast in bronze, I realized I must paint him again.  So I'm almost finished sculpting a new image--an exact sculpture of his death mask, sans closed eyes and any other evidence of his being dead.

How exciting it was for me to be in the same room with Osceola's death mask, and taking pictures of it, especially after spending so much time studying him over the years.  Dead at 36, pretty young, but what an impact he had on Florida, evidenced by the numerous places and things named after him.  His story is amazing, even in death, and I believe is greatly under appreciated and under publicized.   Below is a pic I just took of the sculpted head, located on a high shelf in my studio--too heavy for me to get down right now.

Clay sculpture of "Osceola" by Judy Burgarella

Actually, I kind of like this angle, and may paint it.  The beauty part of creating your own "model," is that it doesn't move, doesn't need a break or a drink of water, and you can cast it in any light you want to.  Oh, and there's no model fee.  Oh, and your painting is completely original, with nothing on his face referenced from another artist's painting, except maybe for a portion of clothing.  Trick is, you have to make up color, which never seems to be a problem with me.  I love color, and can imagine it in just about anything.  And skin tones especially are challenging and fun, especially when you nail it!  I just love it when the face is far enough along to be looking straight at me.  Spooky and exciting at the same time. Sometimes I paint the eyes first thing, just for that rush.

Below is a bronze of Osceola, the clay sculpture of which I used to create the first painting of him.

"Osceola" bronze sculpture by Judy Burgarella 11"Dx15"Hx7-1/2W"

 The below oil painting was created using the first clay sculpture based on my original research of Osceola, examining dozens of paintings and drawings of him, as he died before the advent of photography.  Also much of the visual data was collected by first-person accounts of his image and demeanor, clothing, etc., and numerous visits to museums to see artifacts.  I have in my possession several books on Osceola, and many other books which contain information about him, which I have spent way too much time perusing--to my ultimate enjoyment.

One macabre piece of history ... his head was removed from his body after death, used as a scary artifact by its owner Dr. Weedon, given to a medical professor, displayed in a museum window in New York, and supposedly "lost" in a fire.  But I think it's still out there someplace, perhaps in the Mutter Museum in Pennsylvania, or in some other museum's archives.  Or perhaps in a private collection.  Back in the day, the heads and/or brains of interesting, famous, intelligent or violent persons were sometimes separated from their bodies for supposed "research." 

"Osceola" oil painting by Judy Burgarella, 16"x20 canvas

A very disappointing situation it was when the bronze was not even cooled before this other "proof" of his actual image was discovered by me.  And so I had to rename the bronze "Seminole," although it does not have strong Indian features, as I knew that Osceola was only 1/8 Indian. 

So that's part of the story of Osceola's image.  I hope I can do him justice on this next painting.  Hope I didn't bore you with all this stuff, but it's so interesting to me.

Stay tuned.  I'll be posting the painting when it's done, probably the night before!

Judy Burgarella
Artist & Blogger

Merry Christmas!

Blessings to all who see this, and a Merry Christmas to everyone!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger