Celebrate Man’s BFF!

This week, Shayna and I decided to test your knowledge on a subject about which we know a thing or two, namely dogs! (We’re doing this on the honor system; if you get stumped by a question, no fair asking Fido.)

1.    American artist John Weiss is known for his moving portraits of dogs. Queen Elizabeth is among his collectors! In his limited edition print entitled Wake-up Call, Weiss depicts what breed of sheep herding dog?

2.    Although we hate to admit it, not all dogs are as cool as us. There is a little known breed that is, shall we say, fashion-challenged. Westminster does not recognize the breed, but this popular artist does and has captured the traits that make Nerd Dogs unique. What is his name?

3.    This colorful breed of dog, found in Africa, used to be called “wild dog” or “Cape hunting dog.” They are a highly social but endangered species and the subject of a limited edition print by artist Robert Bateman. What is their more common name?

4.    He was known as Alaska’s preeminent artist, capturing the kaleidoscope of its colorful landscape and traditional Eskimo lifestyle. One of his favorite subjects to paint was sled dogs. Who was this famous artist?

5.    Artist Bonnie Marris immortalized the dog from a series of movie comedies popular in the 1930s about a group of kids and their neighborhood adventures. Her print For the Love of Pete pays tribute to their mascot. This beloved movie series was remade as a film in 1994. What was its name?

6.    Dogs are descendants of wolves. These highly socialized animals have a sense of camaraderie that has enabled them to overcome adversity. Artist Carl Brenders pays tribute to this characteristic in his limited edition print of four Arctic wolves. What is the name of this print that is also a common French expression?

7.    Award-winning photographer Alan Brown captured a tender moment as two little animals rub noses in this original giclée photograph. The two are not really dogs as the title would suggest, but burrowing members of the rodent family who bark to warn each other. What is their name?

8.    Renowned Canadian artist Michael Dumas painted this man and his little white dog that he observed in the French city of Arles. The title refers to a traditionally nomadic ethnic group also known as the Romani. What is the title?

9.    Little boys love to play ball. So do dogs. In this case, the boy’s dog has made off with the baseball and chewed its stitching. When the heist is discovered, the dog rolls over for an “all is forgiven” belly rub. Name this endearing work of art by American artist Jim Daly.

10.    Artist Bob Leathers’ humorous take on Cleveland’s football fans is the subject of his signed poster. It depicts the bleacher section of the stadium where the fans are especially loud and often dress in dog masks and bark, known as “The Dawg Pound.” What is the title of this poster?

ANSWERS TO WEEK 2
1.    Dick Dugan
2.    Abstract art
3.    Luke Buck
4.    Nita Engle
5.    Alan & Norah Lynne Brown
6.    Jim Ptacek
7.    Jim Daly
8.    James Christensen
9.    Robert Bateman
10.    Little Star People

Take a break! But keep your mind sharp by answering this week’s ArtSmartz questions!

ArtSmartz

Week #2: Take a break!

1.    Time out! Cleveland’s football team was a popular subject for a favorite Gallery One artist. For decades, he drew caricatures and cartoons of Cleveland’s sports legends for The Plain Dealer. What was his name?

2.    This painting style emerged in the 20th century. (You could say it took a break from reality.) In it, lines, shapes, colors and forms replaced realistic or representational images. What is the name of this style?

3.    What’s more relaxing than a ride through the country? This artist and his wife often explore the backroads on his Harley, searching for subjects. He is known for his watercolor landscapes of rural America that extend beyond their borders, and he authenticates each of his paintings with his thumb print? Do you know who he is?

4.    How do you cool off when the temperature climbs? With a swim? How about a squirt gun? This famous American watercolor artist uses a spray bottle – on her paintings! She only paints landscapes that she has seen, and millions have seen her artwork. This award-winning artist is a member of the American Watercolor Society. And if you’re a long-time reader of a certain publication, you may have had the opportunity to “Digest” her artwork. Who is she?

5.    Some people dream of how they’ll spend their retirement relaxing – travel, gardening, hobbies... But not these two; oh no. They’ve been working in the art business for more than 40 years (just ask Shayna and me). You may have heard of them. Their business was twice-named Cleveland’s BEST Art Gallery. Who are they?

6.    Sight-seeing is a great way to kick back. Sometimes it’s fun to just be a tourist in your home town. Shayna and I are proud to be part of “The Comeback City” – Cleveland, OH. And so is this award-winning photog, who has captured the city’s major landmarks in amazing limited edition prints and giclées, ornaments and wearing apparel. Who is he?

7.    This American artist, an admirer of Norman Rockwell, is well-known for his nostalgic portrayals of children. His limited edition print, Time Out, shows a little boy taking time out, cooling off with a drink from the garden hose. Who is this artist?

8.    Spend a relaxing day hiking in the woods. You’ll see birds and all sorts of animals. But you’ll need a sharp eye to spot this character who keeps watch over the woods and all of its inhabitants. The Guardian of the Woods was painted by this artist, who contends that “Believing is seeing.” Who is he?

9.    Relax with a charging rhino. Or maybe a giant gorilla. Explore Africa with this famous Canadian artist and naturalist who recounts his adventures in Safari, a fascinating book filled with his sketches, paintings and first-hand observations. Enjoy the adventure without leaving your couch. Can you name the artist/author?

10.    Fireflies wink good night at the end of a lazy summer day. Also known as lightning bugs, Native Americans have another name for them. It is also the title of this painting by artist R. Tom Gilleon, depicting a teepee encircled by fireflies. What is the name?

ANSWERS TO WEEK #1

1.    Carl Brenders
2.    Plein air
3.    Thomas Kinkade
4.    Alan Bean
5.    Doug Bloodworth
6.    Egg tempera
7.    Certified Picture Framer
8.    Giclée (pronounced ZHEE-CLAY)
9.    James Gurney
10.    Peter Ellenshaw

Gallery One Presents ArtSmartz© Gallery One

Clancy here. As Gallery One’s “Patrons of the Arfs,” Shayna and I want to keep everyone up on the latest trends, trivia and info in the exciting and ever-evolving world of art. Test your art I.Q. - learn more about fine art, impress your family and friends AND earn official bragging rights with ArtSmartz!

How does ArtSmartz work?
Each week, we’ll give you a list of 10 questions, the answers for which can ALL be found somewhere within Gallery One’s websites: www.galleryone.com and www.gallerygiclees.com (look in the artists’ collections, in our footer under “Helpful Links,” “Artist Bios” and elsewhere.) You can play on your mobile device or computer. Just in case you get stumped, we’ll announce the answers the following week. Challenge your family and friends to see who can correctly answer all the questions first!

Want to earn extra bragging rights credit?
Email us YOUR ideas for questions to use! Send them to lindadc@gallerygiclees.com (she works for us). And give us a call with your ArtSmartz comments or questions; we’d love to hear from you! (800.621.1141 or 440.255.1200)

Here are this week’s questions. Good Luck!
1. I was born in Belgium and became a wildlife painter whose detailed work is often mistaken for photography. Who am I?
2. Sometimes we artists prefer to leave the confines of our studios to paint outdoors. What is the French expression for works accomplished when artists play hooky?
3. Unbeknownst to many collectors, what contemporary American artist painted in a completely different style under the alias “Robert Girrard”?
4. Some artists paint romantic scenes beneath a glowing moon, but I’m the only artist who knows what the moon really looks like because I’ve BEEN there. Who am I?
5. I’m just a kid at heart – I love the Three Stooges, snack food and comic book superheroes. I even get candy and cookie crumbs all over my artwork when I paint. But my collectors don’t mind – in fact, they love it! What’s my name?
6. In the Middle Ages, before oil paints were developed, artists used to mix pigments with yolks. What is the name of this medium? (Hint: It sounds like something on a breakfast menu.)
7. In the picture framing world, these initials are a designation of excellence, earned only by someone who has passed rigorous testing and demonstrated particular skill and knowledge in their demanding profession (and Gallery One has three of them on-staff). What does CPF stand for?
8. This French term meaning “fine spray” has revolutionized the way fine art is reproduced, using digital scans to print directly onto canvas or paper. What is the term?
9. This American artist created an elaborate mythical island on which people co-existed peacefully with intellectually evolved dinosaurs. What is his name?
10. This British artist was an RAF pilot during World War II. After moving to the U.S., he worked as a matte painter for Walt Disney Studios, winning the 1964 Oscar for Best Visual Effects for the film classic, Mary Poppins. What is his name?

Fresh Prints of Gallery Giclees™

My Lighthouse by Diana Weber Gardner

We are extremely excited to announce the introduction of two new artists to our growing pool of talent at Gallery Giclees™!

Our first artist is local to northeast Ohio.  As a college student in the 70s, Diana Weber (now Weber-Gardner), first worked for Gallery One. Today, after 20 years of leading marketing communications departments for corporate America, she has returned to Mentor as an artist for Gallery Giclees™. Welcome back, Diana!  Her first work, entitled "My Lighthouse," is shown here.  Locals will instantly recognise it, but everyone has their own favorite lighthouse.  They may conjure up memories of vacations as a child or bring to mind the knowledge of the lives they have saved and continue to save.  Her soft use of the brush and pastel color pallette set a restful mood.

End of Summer by Ryan Douglas Jacque

Our second artist is a native New Englander, Ryan Douglas Jacque is known worldwide for his exquisite pencil works. In his hands, the pencil becomes a paintbrush with which he crafts compelling portraits of people, animals and nature. His meticulous attention to light, shadow and detail results in patterns and textures with an almost abstract dimension. At a young age Jacque attended art workshops at The George Walter Vincent Smith Museum in Springfield, MA, and studied fine line drawing at Ashton Institute of Art in Newington, CT, before earning a scholarship to Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, FL, and Paier College of Art in Hamden, CT. He later attended John Seerey-Lester's Wilderness Art Workshop in Alaska's Denali National Park. Jacque has conducted workshops at The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA.  "End of Summer" is shown here.

Featured in a number of major publications, his finely detailed art has received prestigious awards and honors and has been included in many important shows and notable exhibits. Two of his works are in the permanent collection of Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, and his portrait of famed wildlife artist Robert Bateman is on permanent display at The Robert Bateman Centre in Victoria, BC.

According to Ryan, "My Gallery Giclées™ reproductions make me proud and excited to be the artist who created the originals. I couldn't have asked for a better representation."  Thanks, Ryan.  We only go to print when the artists are happy.  Visit www.gallerygiclees.com and see all the art from these new artists as well as from Alan Brown, Carl Brenders, Anthony Cook, Jim Daly, Michael Dumas, Jane Jones, Lynn Kaatz, Jean Monti, Dean Morrissey, Rowenna Anderson and David Utz.

FOLD & FLY

Gallery One is hosting a FREE fun and educational Friday evening for the entire family on January 30, and YOU’RE invited! Come and learn more about butterflies, books and beautiful art.

We have invited children’s book author Mary Lee Corlett and illustrator Sophie Cayless to autograph copies of their new book, Belle’s Wild Ride: The Artful Adventure of a Butterfly and a Cabbie on Friday, January 30, 2015 from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. We will display illustrations from their colorful story, and they will give presentations teaching how to draw and make origami butterflies. (What better way to get ready for spring?)

Belle’s Wild Ride is a hardcover book for kids ages 8-12 years, loaded with information that art lovers of ALL ages will find interesting. It is the story of Belle, a red admiral butterfly who has lived in a 300 year-old painting at the National Gallery of Art. Her grandmother resides in another painting at The Cleveland Museum of Art, so Belle hatches a plan to visit her. An artful adventure ensues, taking Belle and the reader to various masterpieces throughout the collection.

Author Mary Lee Corlett is an art historian and research associate at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. (AND former Gallery One employee). She has written about many contemporary American artists and began writing children’s literature following the birth of her daughter. Her first children's book, Belle: The Amazing, Astonishingly Magical Journey of An Artfully Painted Lady, based on the National Gallery's art collection, was published in 2011.

Sophie Cayless, a freelance illustrator, earned her degree in illustration from the Cleveland Institute of Art and Case Western Reserve University. In addition to teaching drawing and painting, she illustrated the books Beaver Tales and Sophie’s Stuff and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators.

Make plans to bring your entire family and friends and join us! We’re located at 7003 Center Street (between Rtes. 2 and 90). We are wheel chair accessible with loads of free parking. For more information about this or other events, call us at 800.621.1141 or 440.255.1200. See you January 30th!

Art Lovers - Listen Up!

Shayna & Clancy announce Artist in Residence at Gallery One

Ever since man first painted on the walls of his cave, others have looked on in admiration, wondering the same thing: “How does he DO that?”

Now you can see for yourself! As Gallery One’s Official “Patrons of the Arfs,” Shayna and I are THRILLED to tell you about a new program our folks have just announced − Gallery One’s “Artist in Residence” Program.

You are warmly invited (and nobody’s warmer than us) to experience the thrill of watching a noted artist as she creates her newest masterpiece beginning on Saturday, September 27 from 1 until 3 p.m. This marks the latest in the series of special community events that our folks are sponsoring to thank you as we celebrate Gallery One’s 40th Anniversary. Periodically, noted artists will be setting up shop inside Gallery One so that you, your family and friends can watch and ask questions as they work.

As you know, we’ve hosted hundreds of artist shows over the years where you’ve met some of the world’s greatest contemporary artists. You’ve seen their finished artwork, but NOW you’ll have the chance to be a part of the creative process! We want to make art fun, enjoyable and accessible for as many people as possible. That’s why this program is a fabulous opportunity for art lovers, art students and aspiring artists. You’ll learn more about art as well as the techniques of the artists whom we feature.

Best of all, this event is FREE and open to the public. (Teachers with large groups of students are asked to call Gallery One in advance: 800-621-1141.) We’re located at 7003 Center Street (between Rtes. 2 and 90). Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday or by appointment. We’re a family-friendly gallery, wheel chair accessible with lots of free parking. Call us at 440-255-1200 for more information.

Clancy & Shayna

Greatness with a Brush: Artist David Utz!

After this past winter’s record-setting frigid temperatures over much of the nation, who didn’t dream of escaping to a warm tropical paradise? Even if island-hopping is not on the immediate agenda or in the budget, the imaginative art of David Utz presents an enticing option. 

Born in New England, David Utz grew up in Florida where his family had relocated. His father, the late Thornton Utz, a renowned fine artist and celebrated illustrator, recognized and nurtured his son’s artistic gifts.

Paying homage to the surrealists, pop artists and Henri Rousseau, David Utz has developed a distinctive style instantly recognizable and uniquely his own. An artist of many interests — painter, sculptor, portrait artist and graphic designer — his work incorporates the influences of early 20th century illustrators, the art of Central and South America, the bold graphics and vivid hues of the Caribbean, the contemporary look of 60s media art, as well as the sunny tropical climate of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

His internationally licensed work has won honors, awards and recognition and is found in a number of private collections. The vibrant creations of David Utz have also been displayed at the New York Art Exhibition. Get to know the man behind the palm fronds!

GG:  What is your favorite childhood memory?
David: The freedom that I found bicycling.

GG: When did you know that you were destined to become an artist?
David: Late in my teenage years I really became interested in graphic art and art direction, then in my twenties I started painting.

GG:  Who has most encouraged or inspired you?
David: My father, the wonderful person and excellent artist/illustrator.

GG:  What do you find to be the single most gratifying aspect of being an artist?
David: Creating something and not really knowing where it came from.

GG:   What is your preferred medium with which to paint and why is it your favorite?
David: I prefer acrylic because I work in dry brush and it's perfect for that.

GG:  What is your favorite pastime (other than painting)?
David: Traveling anywhere and movies!

GG: What is your favorite current film?
David:  The Wolf of Wall Street

GG:   Favorite vacation destination?  
David:  Europe

GG:   Favorite cuisine?
David:  Real northern Italian!

GG: What is it that you hope people will discover in your work?
David: Imagination and the joy of color.

Discover the joy of color in the imaginative art of David Utz, exclusively from Gallery Giclées™. Transform your walls or outdoor living space into a private retreat where you can relax and unwind or, if you prefer, party like a rock star!  

SPECIAL OFFER:

• David Utz is currently accepting commissions for ORIGINAL PAINTINGS.

All artwork © David Utz
Giclées on canvas, hand-signed by the artist

Bellaquest UTZBE1  $995  38” x 57”

Birds of Paradise UTZBI1  $425  20” x 27”

The Fantasy UTZFA1  $295  15” x 20”

Red Parrot on Vine UTZRE1  $295  18” x 18”

Spoonbill UTZSP1  $345  24” x 17”

Sunrise Tiger UTZSU1 $425  24” x 24” UTZSU2 $795  36” x 36”

Jungle Dream UTZJU3  $995  38” x 47”

Contact me for more info!
Norah Lynne Brown
440.255.1200 or 800.621.1141
Google