IT's DONE!

I signed it early this morning ! I hope you'll come to the "Essence of Wisconsin " opening reception on November 13th from 4:30pm to 6:30 pm at the Heyde Center in Chippewa Falls , WI.  This will be one of five pieces I will have on display along side my friends of the Valley Art Association.  You can enjoy viewing the show throughout the entire month of November. See You @ the Heyde Center!

"Tiger Oak" is nearly finished !

I'm adding the final touches to this painting this evening & will be signing it! I'm really delighted with how it's come out .  The process of it's creation has been quite an adventure as well ! I've discovered I need to take a slow & vigilant pace while intently paying attention to juxtaposing warm & cool colors adjacent to each other which lends a luminescence and profound freshness to the work .
I find that the more frequently I work & optimize my time in the Studio, the higher the quality of my work gets. Coupling this with first hand observation of nature & paying intense attention to lighting & texture  as I do so , translates into profound improvements in my paintings.
This painting will be on exhibit during the month of November,2010 at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls, WI during the "Essence of Wisconsin"  group exhibition of the Valley Artist's Association.
I am planning to submit "Tiger Oak" to the Leigh Yawkey Woodson's "Birds In Art" 2011  in Wausau, WI.
For those who may be interested, I intend to make Signed & Numbered Ltd. Ed. Giclee prints of this image available "On Demand " . Contact me for details.

Pan Pastels are a great BOON to painting in Soft Pastels!

I just received a sample set of Pan Pastels & I love them! The Hansa Yellow, used with a cosmetic applicator sponge adds warm Sunlight to an underpainting in a very delicate, translucent layer not previously possible.
I started "Tiger Oak" by drawing in the tree in charcoal pencil to establish the scene 1st.  Keeping in mind , where I wanted to place the Great Horned Owl ( aka - Flying Tiger & thus my Title ) , I drew in the structure of the tree's branches. I wanted to knock out the darkest darks first, so I used alcohol to wipe & brush in those areas & establish the movement of the piece. Next, I used the green pan pastel with a cosmetic cotton round soaked in alcohol to apply a layer of foliage green. The alcohol dries quickly so I am able move to the next step in a very brief time. I now laid in the Hansa yellow Sunlight layer.

From here , things get tighter & I begin to work on textures of the tree , the leaves, and I'll finish up with the Owl - bringing the tightest detail there to make it the center of focus.

Exacerbation of Aspired Inspirations

     I'm inspired by the wonders of the natural world around us. My Aspiration, however - has long been to create works of Art that cause  the viewer to catch their breath, step back from their previous concept of their perception of the world , and see things in new ways not previously considered .  To see the inherent aesthetic beauty that our Creator put in our midst. It is my deepest aspiration to inspire my viewers to take a few moments to slow down, take a walk in the outdoors and notice jewels they hadn't previously perceived before seeing my work.  To step "Out of the Box" !
     I am fascinated by Owls. Ghosts of the night! They represent a mystery that invites curiosity, yet evades complete comprehension. Like the elusive dance of the Northern Lights!

Arctic Night Ghost

The concept of dancing Light excites & inspires me and I am greatly enjoying exploring the various facets of jeweled color brought on by evening dusk lighting. I love the Oranges that emerge at that hour , juxtaposed by the blues & purples . It is interesting to note that the light / shadow relationships that are observable in nature correspond with what science & color theory teaches in academic Ateliers throughout history.  To Master this, is to master one's Artistic aesthetic.

Stonefeather Fine Art Studio: Upcoming Art Events & Announcements

www.dancinghawk-art.moonfruit.com

Stonefeather Fine Art Studio: Upcoming Art Events & Announcements

Stonefeather Fine Art Studio: Upcoming Art Events & Announcements

Upcoming Art Events & Announcements

• I'll be exhibiting at the "Open Air Festival of the Arts " in Phoenix Park @ the confluence of the Chippewa & Eau Claire Rivers in Downtown Eau Claire. The event will be held June 12th ( 9am - 5pm ) & 13th ( 10am - 3pm ). Look for my E-Z Up tent ! I'm working on several NEW Pastel paintings & expect to have several Ltd. Ed. Giclee prints.
• I am now taking pre-orders for a signed & numbered ( 250 prints) Ltd. Ed. Lithograph Print of my recent painting "Flow of Secrets" which is my Bobcat piece! The Price will be $75.00 ea. ; a deposit of $45.00 will be required to place your order / I'll require sales of a minimum of 10% of the edition prior to going to print . ( In the event the minimum order is not met , you will have the option of accepting a quality 13" x 19" Ltd. Ed. GICLEE print of the image, or a refund. ). Interested collectors may email me @ : justin.dancinghawk@gmail.com . I accept PayPal ! Orders outside the local area will require an additional charge for shipping & handling . You can also contact me via Skype : Justin_Dancing_Hawk & I'll be delighted to discuss the details with you !
• I am now represented at the Lee - Hoth Gallery in Port Wing, WI. Stop in while you're enjoying the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on the South Shore of Lake Superior in the beautiful Wisconsin North Woods !
• I will be up in Port Wing for the Plein Aire Painting Festival , August 2nd - 8th ! I will be painting on location @ various spots throughout the Port Wing area throughout the week. Aug. 5th - 7th I will be participating in the Plein Aire Competition , working hard & painting from Dawn - Dusk !! There will be a participating Artist's Group Exhibition , Aug. 7th ( 5:30 - 7:30) & 8th ( 9:00 - 12:00 ) .
• An Exhibition of my recent works is currently on display @ Benny HaHa's on Barstow St. in Downtown Eau Claire .
• Ltd. Ed. Giclee prints are currently available of :
• Full Fledged Guardian ( Fledgling Bald Eagle ) - which is my pastel painting of the 2009 fledgling Bald Eagle from the nest here in Chippewa Falls ! I created this piece in honor of "Old Abe " , the Bald Eagle that was carried into battle with the local regiment during the Civil War! Ironically, the nest is located on the grounds of a Veteran's Center! . . . THUS , my title !
• Chemisa Repose ( Cougar ) - this painting is based on the female Cougar on display @ Irvine Park Zoo here in Chippewa Falls! Chemisa is a yellow flowering plant that grows in the Southwest. Cougar is about Courage and leadership! As a leader, you will please some of the people some of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you will NEVER please ALL of the people ALL of the time ! Courage is required to stick to what you know is best for ALL of the people ! This is what my Didactic Symbolism is all about ! The word Didactic means : " a person sent on a special mission, usually as a diplomatic representative.", . . . which leads me to :
• Bard Emissary ( Barred Owl ) - I couldn't resist playing on words with this title ! A "Bard" is a Poet,. . .quoting the dictionary : " traditionally one reciting epics and associated with a particular oral tradition." . An Emissary is : a person sent on a special mission, usually as a diplomatic representative.". I intend to suggest that this Owl is a Bard of Native American Stories & traditions. * I * sent it as an Emissary of my Didactic Symbolism . ( Reference - Ted Andrews' book - "Animal Speak" ). So, you see! , . . . I really am NOT "just" a Wildlife Artist ! I am founding Didactic Symbolism as a Style of CONTEMPORARY ART ! I invite other Artists to work in this style as well. My hope is that we can help the world LEARN about the intrinsic & symbolic value of the natural environment - regardless of the SHORT SIGHTED capitalistic "value" ! What we do TODAY affects the next SEVEN GENERATIONS!!! JOIN ME & show your Grandchildren that they AND their world MATTER to us !! Ki Migwetch ( Anishanaabe / Ojibwa - Chippewa )! Thank You Very Much ( English) ! & Pila Maya Aho ( Lakota - Sioux ) !