Asian Brushstrokes

Asian Brushstrokes

5-8 p.m. Friday April 3rd

at Gallery 31 Fifty, 3150 C Street

featuring Jean Shadrach and Gail Flotre

I am very excited about my upcoming April show on Friday the 3rd! Jean Shadrach, an art icon in Alaska and Gail Flotre, silk painter extraordinaire, will be doing hands on demonstrations at the show titled "Asian Brushstrokes. You know that artist inside you just waiting to get out? Well this could be the moment it emerges! Jean is an amazing artist and a certified sumi-e painter. She actually lived several years in Okinawa. Sumi-e is traditional Japanese one brush ink painting. My sumi-e book defines it this way: "To be sumi-e, a black-ink painting must be like a thing alive with the power to stir the hearts and emotions of all who see it." Wow, no pressure there uh! Maybe an easier explanation a simple image done with simple brush strokes using black ink. I will admit it is much harder than it looks. Jean has an image of a bird that she is holding in the photo of her that is excellent. This content, plump little bird was created with just a few ink lines. Jean will be giving instructions and then allowing you to give it a try. By the way, the line forms behind me.

Gail Flotre is from Kodiak originally and is a popular silk and watercolor artist. I have several of Gail's scarves. I will warn you they are pretty much irresistible! Some have painted images of fireweed or poppies while others are a gorgeous swirl of color. In the last show that Gail joined me in she even had a man buying her scarves for himself! I have seen this gentlemen in his scarf and it is nothing but classy. Gail is also a noted watercolor artist. She will have original paintings and cards available at the show. If you have been wanting a nice watercolor piece for your home but have a very limited art budget check out Gail's items. You will be impressed with the quality and affordability of her work. Gail too will be showing you how to paint on silk and will then hand over the brush for you to give it a try. It's true, your attempt at a flower might look like a bunny rabbit but that is okay. You gotta start somewhere!

So maybe you're asking, "What is Gina doing for this show?" Excellent question. Funny, Gail and Jean asked me the same thing. Sadly I don't really have an art skill that translates well to demonstration. I will have several Asian inspired works and will be helping Gail and Jean with their demonstrations. This show is going to be great! It's like a free art class. OH, I almost forgot another great part. Every 30 minutes a piece of art will be given away. Gail, Jean and I are all contributing items for visitors to go home with. Wow, free classes, free art... now if I only had free Ginsu knives to add to the package.

Here is the info to jot on your calendar: Asian Brushstrokes 5-8 p.m. First Friday April 3 at 3150 C Street. (31st and C) The art will still be on display 11-5 p.m. Monday, April 6 (but the classes are only available on Friday night !)