HAVE AN ARTFUL 4^TH OF JULY!

Like most Americans, Shana and I LOVE patriotic holidays like the 4^th of July (except for the really loud fireworks; those are scary). However, I digress. We love the cook-outs and those hot dogs that magically “roll” off the grill...we enjoy the songs and get-togethers. Our celebrations with family and friends are made even more festive by art that captures the true American spirit as best symbolized by that grand lady, the Statue of Liberty. (And, to paraphrase lyrics from the American musical, Damn Yankees: “You gotta have ‘art,’ all you really need is ‘art!’”)

Shana and I are surrounded by artful reminders of Americana every day at Gallery One. If you’d like to add these works to your surroundings, stop in or give us a call. We’d be happy to point you in the right direction! Here are just a few of our all-American favorites:

Lady Liberty’s Independence Day Enterprising Immigrants

© Charles Wysocki

WYSLA1 - 23” X19.25” - $495

Wysocki painted the original in 1986 to celebrate the renovation of the Statue of Liberty and the promise of opportunity it represents for all.

                              

GIVE IT HEART III © Simon Bull, 2010

Original acrylic painting,

hand-signed by the artist

BULGI1  - 10” x 10” - $2,000

(Framed as shown)  

Bull was born in Bedfordshire, England in 1958, becoming an American citizen in 2011.  He wrote: “I want my paintings to lift people’s spirits, to send them on their way with a smile on their face…”

   

PILLARS OF A NATION

© Jim Daly

Giclée on canvas, hand-signed

DALPI3  - 39” x 52” - $1,125

“Pillars of a Nation is an image about the experience of emigration. It was commissioned by a man whose grandfather arrived at Ellis Island from Hungary in 1907. Like most of the immigrants who passed through Ellis Island, he came with few resources — just a burning desire to succeed. Pillars of a Nation is a tribute to that grandfather and to all immigrants who came to North America.” – Jim Daly 

THE GREATEST GENERATION © John Weiss

550s/n - WEIGR2 - 14” x 14” - $135

The art of John Weiss conveys the message that strength, comfort and encouragement are always within reach. The artist often uses man’s best friend to represent family, friends and faith. Weiss believes that the key to understanding it all is in recognizing the wag of a tail for what it truly is.  

              

THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE © William S. Phillips

Giclée on canvas - 300 s/n - PHIBE3 30” x 24” - $775

Bill Phillips may be the world's top aviation artist. Another dimension to Bill's talents lies in his nostalgic landscape scenes. This is a scene from the idyllic community he created, Phillips Bay, where picturesque and romantic images of Americana abound. 

                   

Wishing you a safe and Happy 4^th of July,

     

Clancy & Shayna

(Your Patrons of the Arfs)

ARTFUL IDEAS FOR SUMMER FUN

Clancy here. Ah, summer! Shana and I just saw our first lightning bug of the season last night! Twinkling at dusk, just as the street lights came on, they signal the longer days to come. And the longer days of summer make it the perfect time to get everyone outdoors and get creative!

If you’re looking for ways to stimulate your kids’ creativity now that school is out, we have some fun projects that you can try. Best of all, the family dog can participate! (Now everyone can have fun!)

PET POSIES

Dip your pup’s paw in pet-safe paint, then gently press the paw on paper. Have the kids paint stems and leaves. Add a frame, and you have a great gift for grandparents!

“SHE SELLS SEASHELLS…”

If you have a collection of white seashells gathered from vacation, you have lots of little blank canvases from which to work. (Or get a bag of shells from your craft store as well as some washable kid’s paint, and let the kids paint the shells.) When the paint has dried, the shells can be glued to magnets, wreathes, barrettes, etc. Or use their natural color to enhance flower pots and picture frames.

WIND SONG

Gather the kids and grab the dog for a walk in the woods. Collect pine cones and sticks you find along the way. You’ll also need small screw eyes and twine or yarn. You can paint the sticks with craft paint for extra color. Attach a screw eye to the end of each stick or pine cone. Thread yarn or twine through the screw eyes, and tie them to a stick. Hang on your porch or in a tree and watch them dance in the breeze.

Have some great ideas to share? Send them to us, and we’ll post them in our Blog!  Happy summer!

     

Clancy & Shayna