Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Eternally Loved


Eternally Loved
A Journey in Painting Dedicated to
My Grandma
Sadie “Tex” Fein



   I don’t know where to begin in this blog. It is such an emotional journey…


   My Grandma was one of my best friends and greatest influences in my life.  At 99 years of age, she was still telling dirty jokes and her brain was as active and clearer than mine on my best days!

   We spent the last twenty-five years or so having lunch and shopping at the Dollar Store or Job Lot on a weekly bases.  We had more laughs and fun….





   My Grandma was so proud of me being an artist. She would carry around a magazine where one of my paintings had made it’s way to the cover and show everyone! She would ask all about my exhibits, how many paintings sold, what I was painting now…

"Looking Back"


   Anyway... Grandma did everything on her own terms. It was time to let her old body rest, so my very large family gathered around for the last three days of her life.  I didn’t leave Epoch ( the assisted living facility) during that time. Actually, many of my family members slept with me on the hard floors of Epoch just so we could be near Grandma in case she called for us or needed anything.


"Conversations"


   Two days prior to my Grandma’s passing, I received an email from Gallery Z inviting me to exhibit in their small picture show. Now… Grandma knew that Gallery Z was my next  “goal” I set my sights on.  So when I received the email, I ran upstairs to her to read her the email. I could see the email gave her joy! What a gift! My Grandma would know I had obtained my next goal!



"Swooning"



   It wasn’t until after she had passed that I thought through what I would paint for the small picture show at Gallery Z. I decided to paint a new series in her honor. I would call it “Eternally Loved”.  Each painting would show the many different ways we loved each other. I would tie them all together physically with an old doily that was hers. I would use the doily as a stencil to bring texture into each painting.



"Beautiful Branch"


   Each of the paintings displayed in this blog were painted on small canvases 12x12 or smaller for the Gallery Z exhibit. I plan on continuing this series on larger canvas’ until I can no longer think of ways Grandma and I shared our love for each other. I guess it is my way of both holding on to my Grandma, and trying to have Grandma’s love live on forever at the same time.


   When I paint these paintings; it brings me great joy thinking about the person who might view them, and see their own love story in the painting. My hopes is to spread Joy and Love through this series!


I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my blog and viewing some of the paintings! Please continue checking my website for new paintings I will be adding to this series!
www.kimelleryart.com

Hugs and Happiness,

Kim Ellery

Thursday, July 26, 2012

MY WEEK IN RESIDENCY @ JERRY'S ARTARAMA PROVIDENCE!


MY WEEK IN RESIDENCY @
JERRY’S ARTARAMA PROVIDENCE!



I had such a great time in my week of Artist in Residency, I hardly know where to begin!

…. When Jonathan Florez,, the manager at the Jerry’s in Providence Rhode Island, first approached me with the idea of having an Artist in Residency program I really didn’t know what to think...

All I knew was that Jonathan has been doing so much for our artist community here in our little state of RI, that I thought I probably should help him out with his idea…

 So, I made a few suggestions, and informed Jonathan I would be happy to be an Artist In Residence.

http://providence.jerrysartaramastores.com/index.php





Turns out, I was the first ever ARTIST IN RESIDENCE in all of the SIXTEEN Jerry’s Artarama Retail Stores throughout our nation!                                       WOW! What an honor!!




There were so many exciting and FUN things I experienced in that one week, I thought it would be easiest to list them!



* I met a lot of really awesome people!



* I was able to experiment and learn about some new art materials!

       * I was given a wonderful space to create in, as well as exhibit my work!

* I went to work everyday and got to see my friends! ( Jerry’s staff in Providence are AWESOME people to hang with!)




* I was approached by two different people with new opportunities to exhibit my work! 


* I met some wonderful women who are working on the  DAY OF PEACE  here in Rhode Island ( which is really a month long!)  I am honored to be included in an exhibit for Peace AND...                                                                  I will also be working with them on the Peace Flag Project! 

                                                                               http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/





* I had the opportunity to show many artists how I create my work, what makes my passion stay exciting and FUN...

...AND I got to hear their stories as well!



* I participated in Opening Night/ Gallery Night…




*AND…. I finished one, almost two paintings!








I’m sure there are things I forgot, but you get the idea!




To wrap things up...if you receive an opportunity to either participate as an Artist In Residence, OR get an opportunity to visit and Artist In Residence at any of your local Jerry’s Artarama’s… I suggest you go! It’s mad FUN and you just might learn something or make a new friend along the way!

Happy Creating!!

Hugs,
Kim Ellery

kimellery.blogspot.com