Making Ripples: post-corporate adventures in Floyd County Virginia

In Floyd County, you never know who is going to offer help when you need it

As I get older, I really appreciate the help I get from my friends. I'm pretty handy with computers and cameras and technical stuff, but firewood presents a challenge that is best met with the aid of extra helping hands.

Gretchen and I managed to burn through a huge load of wood in the last few weeks and I was getting worried that the incoming storm would catch me with no firewood in our staging area on the front porch. This staging area holds about a ton and a half of wood and it was really getting low this morning.

Artist John Wade came to my rescue today and we transported and stacked a months supply of firewood in a matter of hours. He drove up from Union School Road to help me out and I will work a trade with him to design an online gallery to showcase his art.

John works in oils and has created some powerful pieces that deserve a wider audience. I have had the pleasure of framing two of his recent pieces and am looking forward to working on more of his work. The top piece is called "Bones" and the bottom one is titled "Packing Out".

He works on several pieces at the same time and his studio home on Union Schol Rd is filled with works in progress. He also paints murals.

When his website is operational, I will post a link so you can see more of his work.

The week that was

Last week generated more excitement around our house than usual.

Gretchen and I had a major framing project to complete and an exhibition at the Jacksonville Center to prepare for. I was also scheduled to go in for a cardio procedure on Friday which could possibly put me out of comission for several weeks while two consulting clients still had programs in progress. It would have been a high stress week without the support of my wife and caring friends.

People stepped in and helped in many different ways. Jim Connor took over the administration of the Floyd Tea Party members Forum which is just beginning to take off. My clients wished me godspeed on my medical procedure and were happy to give me time to recover if necessary. Neighbors, friends, and family prayed for me.

We were able to complete the framing project and to help hang it in the Breezeway Gallery at the JAX. I was in the hospital cardio section so I could not attend the reception at the Jacksonville Center but I heard that it was well attended and many paintings and prints were sold which will result in money being sent to Russian artist Lilia Momotova to further her career.

Fortunately, my hospital visit turned out to be a non-event because the good doctor could find nothing needing repairing This was a huge relief and a total surprise as well. I had to spend a night in the hospital to get over the effects of the catheterization and contrast dye, but I am able to drive and get back to work today.

I still do not know how or why my condition changed for the better, but I am eternally grateful for all of your prayers and good wishes.

On a different note, there were several people who were interested in obtaining original pastels by Lilia Momotova  and they nociced that only a few were on display at the Jacksonville Center. We have eleven original pastels that are still unframed. These can be obtained with custom framing to match your home or workplace. If you are interested, send me an email.

See Lilia Momotova's new collection of pastels at the JAX on Friday

An entirely new collection of Russian artist Lilia Momotova's art will be on display at the Jacksonville Center this Friday.

Her impressionistic pastels create complex interminglings of wistful sadness and yearnings for a happier existence. One ponders the play of bright colors against a severe background and leaves with a sense of having had an uplifting experience

Her fanciful views of the 1200 year old city of Pskov, Russia, mix bleak city backgrounds with intimate impressions of the artist's simple lifestyle.

Discovered 8 years ago by Rima Forrest-Sulzen, Lilia still lives in a third floor walkup with her adult son and teaches at a local Art Center. With the Russion economy well south of what it could be, she like many other talented Russian artists cannot make a living selling her art in Russia.
  
Rima was determined to bring Lilia's art to the United States and to find an audience for Lilia's art so that she could benefit from exposure to a wider audience. She arranged a showing at WVTF in 2009 and found that people responded to the impressionistic pastels with their bright colors and evocative moods. Some of the originals were snapped up as soon as the WVTF exhibit opened.

I have been framing Lilia's art for over a year and fully support Rima's campaign to make this artist better known. At Rima's request, all proceeds over and above expenses from the sale of originals, prints and note cards goes directly to the artist.

On Friday, October 1st, Lilia's latest works will be on exhibit in the Breezeway Gallery of the Jacksonville Center. We’ll be enjoying good food, good libations and good friends from 5 to 8 pm.

Lilia Momotova - Impressions of Pskov - at WVTF Roanoke

The works of Russian pastellist Lilia Momotova will be on exhibit at WVTF in Roanoke from Nov 2 -Nov 30. Her pastels enable the viewer to experience the bleak beauty of life in a society beset with continuing hardships and economic difficulties.

Her impressionistic paintings convey feelings of wistful sadness but offset this underlying mood with bright splashes of color. Her drawings seem to hold out a hope for a brighter future and leave one with a lingering sense that things may work out for the better.

Lilia lives and works in the ancient city of Pskov, Russia near St Petersburg. She has been teaching in the College of Arts for many years and has a local following, but this is the first exhibition of her work outside of Russia.

This collection captures the familiar scenes of Lilia's neighborhood in Pskov through views from her third floor apartment and while walking through the streets of this twelve hundred year old city.

A single mother who speaks no English, has no phone and lives with her son in a one room apartment, she creates art with passion in spite of the fact that she works with limited resources. With the current state of the Russian economy, Lilia is struggling to make ends meet because few people in Russia can afford to purchase art.

Lilia's work inspired Rima Forrest Sulzen of Floyd, VA, to sponsor exhibits for Lilia in the United States with the goal of generating income for Lilia so she can afford the time and supplies to create more work.

Rima Forrest Sulzen lived in Pskov for four months on an academic exchange and decided that she would make it her mission to spread the word about Lilia's remarkable talent and help her through exhibits and sales of originals and prints. All proceeds after expenses go directly to the artist.

UPDATE: I learned that "Evening Shadows" has already been purchased. (That is the painting shown at the top of the page.)

A full gallery of images will be posted shortly. Yes, I know it's been over a week, but I will get to it.

For additional information about Lilia and her art contact: Rima Forrest Sulzen, Box 783, Floyd, Virginia 24091, 540-250-8559, rimaforrest@gmail.com

For prints, framed and unframed, contact: Floyd Custom Framing, 293 Silverleaf Lane, Floyd, VA 24091, 540-808-2030, david.stlawrence@gmail.com

Scott Perry is teaching at the Jacksonville Center

Scott Perry's Pickin' Porch has moved to Studio 125 at the Jacksonville Center for the Arts in Floyd VA. He has made the transformation from a music store that gave music lessons to a music studio that sells instruments.

He started teaching Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, and Ukulele lessons two years ago with about 25 students.  He now teaches almost 50 students a week. When I visited him yesterday, he was teaching Alexandra Cox to play Clair de Lune.

Scott's lessons enliven the Center, staff members provide sales support when Scott is out of the studio, and Scott's students are exposed to the many wonders and services available at the Center. It looks like a win-win situation to me.

A few weeks ago his students were performing Blues and Country music on the streets of Floyd. After they played a couple of tunes, other musicians on the street began to join in. They were one of many groups jamming on the street in front of the Friday Night Jamboree.

Scott has a web site where he writes about acoustic blues and roots music and musicians. Take time to visit http://ohpapamusings.blogspot.com. Here is one of his articles where he shares his feelings about teaching music:

Scott performs traditional and original acoustic blues and roots music, and conducts educational workshops on blues music. He also has his own promotion company and record label Oh Papa Music.

He and his wife Lisa live on a 40 acre farm in Floyd County, VA, with their two sons.

We all need beauty in our lives...

Thanks to Andrea Marshall, Floyd County artist, jeweler, and musician, we have the gift of these fantastic Christmas ornaments made from dried okra and a little bit of fairy dust.

It is truly amazing how artists create beauty from humble elements.

 

Andrea's ornaments and jewelry can be found at Art Under the Sun on So Locust Street in downtown Floyd Virginia. She will often be heard performing during the Friday night gallery openings for the rest of the month.

Floyd artists are still creating - in spite of everything

Wall Street is melting down and the Presidential campaigns are sowing discord, but here in Floyd County new and old artists are still creating art that touches the heart and imagination. The Jacksonville Center in Floyd County, Virginia, held an Artists Reception for the "Mountain Color" Exhibit at the Hayloft Gallery on Saturday October 11.

Karen Sewell's tryptich was titled "Color Beyond Belief" and has already been snapped up by a fortunate buyer.

Fred First's trio of photographic images elicited a lot of favorable comment, both for the subject matter and composition and for the stunning frames created by local artist Ron Campbell.

Ron Campbell also submitted this marvelous creation in wood and stained glass titled, "Scooter and Wedge"

Gretchen St Lawrence's pastel drawing, "Mountain Sunset" attracted a lot of attention.

My personal favorite was her still life "Floyd Peaches".

A new artist to me was Barbara Gillespie whose painting, "God's Hand in Light" lit up one end of the gallery.

Pat Bonsignore's paintings have a classical feel and her "Sunlight and Shadow" captivated viewers.

Charlotte Lou Atkins pastel, "Mushrooming" captures the spirit of bygone times and blazing fall colors.

Catherine Pauley, one of Floyd's art legends, displayed several pieces that were a complete departure from her usual style. This silkscreen print called "Father's Day" demonstrates her ability to touch our emotions regardless of what media she work in.

This will be the last exhibit of 2008 and will be open through November 30. If you tour the Blue Ridge Parkway this Fall, make sure you take time to visit Floyd and the Jacksonville Center.

Another artist with a spirit of play

 

Martha Jane McDowell has long been one of my favorite artists/ sculptors/ creative spirits because she is always willing to work in new mediums and her work generally has an element of wry humor.

This concrete and tile goat, titled Sustainable Living I, is determinedly consuming recyclable plastic bottles.

The title worked for me on several levels. The goat is recycled and it is depicted in the act of recycling.

With its skinny rebar legs, and its lacework scarf and gold earring, it has a certain jaunty air even while it reminded me of those unfortunates who eke out a living picking through other people's refuse.

Like many of Martha's works, it made me think of issues far beyond the quiet gallery in which it stands.

Way to go, Martha! I can't wait to see what you do next.

There are many excellent artists on display in the Jacksonville Center's Hayloft Gallery. Indulge yourself and take an hour to wander through the 6th Annual New Works Exhibition by Regional Artists which runs through September 29.

You may find that every piece on display has something to say to you.

More Art coming through the Frame Shop

This pastel pencil drawing of Don Quixote by artist N S Goodwin has been stored away in a closet for 30 years and has never been framed or seen in public before. It is a marvelous take on the Don Quixote legend and it deserves to be admired.

What you see here is a computer-generated rendition of the mat and frame combination that will be used to protect and preserve this drawing.

An image of the finished frame will be posted on our framing website when it is complete.

I now get exposed to more art every week than I used to see in months and it is a deeply satisfying experience.

We have fine local artists and I get to see new works every day. This is an ongoing challenge because there are so many different objectives for framing a piece of art and there are so many constraints to take into consideration.

Art is a communication which evokes an emotional response in the viewer. Like any communication, the response depends on the mindset of the viewer as well as the intention and skill of the artist. Framing is almost subliminal. When done well, it should appear as a logical  extension of the artwork, not as a thing in itself.

The final result of a framing project should honor the message of the piece and present it to the expected audience in a way that tastefully maximizes the impact. When I hear that artwork we have framed has made a lasting and positive impression, I feel like we have made an appropriate contribution to the artist's original intention.

That is a desirable outcome for any project.

What does the Jacksonville Center do for Floyd County?

It helps keep Floyd green

For 13 years, the Jacksonville Center has been supporting artistic endeavors and rural creativity in our region. It is an organization of dedicated volunteers backed up by an extremely small group of paid staff members.

It serves as a focus for creating and supporting new artists and artisans. There is no other activity in Floyd that is dedicated to that activity. The public schools offer art instruction and various artists offer internships, but until recently, there were few other opportunities for artists to learn new skills and display their works locally.

Not everyone is aware that some internationally renown artists and artisans teach courses at the Jacksonville Center. Some instructors drive long distances to help students develop their skills and launch careers.

One of the outstanding aspects of the Jacksonville Center Community is the way experienced and successful artists share their hard-won knowledge with newcomers to the field of art.

Hundreds of successful artists and artisans in the region are members of the Jacksonville center and some are members of the Board or manage the Hayloft Gallery exhibitions. Their actions inspire others to contribute to the Center and to take courses.

Every year, some students choose to become artists and artisans after taking courses from the professional artists at the Jacksonville Center. These new artists become contributors to the local economy and some return to teach at the Jacksonville Center as they gain professional skills and generate their own following of fans.

There is a synergy at the Jacksonville Center that keeps it going, even though the Center is perpetually strapped for operating funds. Grant money may pay for buildings and additions, but operating expenses are supported by donations from businesses and individuals. That is why there are so many volunteers who give time and money to keep the center open. It is one of the few places in the county where you or your children can unlock your creativity and learn skills from professionals in the field of arts.

But, even after 13 years of serving Floyd County, some people still don't understand why government grant money is provided to the non-profit Jacksonville Center for the Arts in Floyd instead of "deserving individual artists".

They really don't comprehend that the Jacksonville Center IS DESERVING INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS.

They also don't understand that grants aren't "given" away. They must be won through a carefully thought-out application process and after a lot of hard work. The grants are government's way of extending government services without adding the taxpayer burden of a staff of government employees and a local government office.

The few naysayers who say "stay away from the Jacksonville Center and support local independent artists and craftspeople and their displays in privately owned galleries and studios" do not have a clue what the Jacksonville Center does and must not be talking to the many artists and gallery owners who support the Jacksonville Center and donate time to it.

If you are an artist, you want your work in as many venues as possible and you want those venues to promote you and your privately owned studio as much as possible. The Jacksonville Center does this. It is open to all artists and is a resource that this county is very fortunate to have.

The next time you find someone criticizing the Jacksonville Center for "competing" with Floyd artists in any way, you might ask them exactly "who" is being affected. You will not get any specifics, only general grumbling.

The Jacksonville Center is non-commercial and is run by local artists and other volunteers. Anyone criticizing the Jacksonville Center as being "bad for local art businesses" has a hidden agenda and deserves being investigated themselves.

We need all of the cultural incentives we can muster to inspire us to unlock our creativity. The Jacksonville Center and the artists who support it are a driving force for self-sustaining economic development in Floyd County. Selling talent will help keep Floyd green. Selling only land leads to another, and less desirable future for Floyd.

Help develop local talent in all areas and help keep Floyd green.