Ice, Ice baby

This is a painting I did for my July show titled, " North of Barrow". I was really happy how the ice came out. I did a series of layering to get the true depth of ice. I started with a rich green and then added on the blue and then the white. Ice, like polar bears, are not just white. There is a lot going on as the next photo shows.

This is small part of Portage Glacier. It is beautiful! Interesting, the glacier isn't as rich and colorful in the sun. The best way to see a glacier is on a cloudy or rainy day. I wasn't complaining though. The day was spectacular and the glacier is always an awesome sight. It is a moving, almost living thing. They groan and shift and look different every day.

It's true a tree is green, a polar bear is white and the dirt is brown. But if you take a minute and look a little deeper you will see many colors within a simple leaf. A polar bears fur will change based on their diet. And the dirt in Oklahoma is nothing like the dirt on the shores of Alaska.

So have an art filled day by taking a second and looking a little deeper into the simple colors of creation.

Art Filled Summer

Doesn't this picture make you want to stroll around in the sun, enjoying all the colors and styles of art? This summer there is a special art show on Saturdays on G Street in downtown Anchorage. It's called "Art on G Street, from studio to street". The street is closed off between 3rd and 5th to allow for casual art booth browsing. Some galleries were featuring artists that decorate their walls. Other booths were independent artist excited to have a greater audience.

My goal was to simply check out this great art happening. Say hello to any artist I knew and see how the whole program was working. I didn't get far before a booth dragged me in. Yes, dragged! I wasn't planning on buying anything and my walls are quite full. But WHOA NELLY did my heart insist I come home with some art. Keep checking the blog for pictures of what we brought home. Anyway, I highly recommend putting G Street on your summer to do list. You are sure to enjoy the 2 block trip.

This Wednesday Portage Glacier Cruises is featuring their "Art on the Lake" trip. It starts at 6:30 and is a two hour cruise around the lake and glacier. There will be music, food, wine and of course lots of art. Check my past blog for more details. Also, the Saturday market is in full swing. Many artists have booths there and it's a great way to see some Alaska art.

Here is to sunshine, relaxing days and an art filled summer.

Art on the Lake

I love art attacks. You know what I mean, you are just moving through your day and you suddenly come upon unexpected art. Maybe you enter a building for some mundane errand and see fantastic paintings on the wall. Or you turn a corner and see an art show set up on the street. Your mind is suddenly happy and curious as you soak up all the creative energy. Your boring errands and traffic woes are forgotten as you enjoy the art attack. The Girdwood Center for Visual Art is staging an art attack. We hope to give locals and visitor's a surprise moment of art.

The MV Ptarmigan will tour the pristine Portage Lake and the Portage Glacier like it does every summer. People will enjoy the life sounds of glacier, see the area wildlife and learn about Alaska. The twist? Art from the Girdwood Center for Visual Art will be on display. During the cruise artists will be on board creating while the boat lazily circles the shoreline. Musicians will entertain passengers as they sip wine and munch on hors d'oeuvres. This one time event will add a truly memorable moment to their summer.

I have gone on this cruise and it really is a nice boat trip with a great close up of the glacier. But art added to the wonderful scenery.....now that is going to be great. Mark your calendar if you would like this join this art attack. We will be on the boat Wednesday,June 24 and the tickets are $50. Drop me a note if you would like to know more. And always enjoy those unexpected art moments.