Kansas Weather Captured with Artistic Vision - Artist Michael Duane

What is that quote about Kansas weather from Mark Twain? “If you don’t like the weather in Kansas, just wait a minute.” This quote brings to mind the next featured artist at SouthWind Gallery, Michael Duane. Fascinated with weather, he captures the beautiful scenic Flint Hills with the sharp contrasts of an oncoming thunderstorm or a simple far-off cloud in pastel. After seeing his work for the first time several years ago during a Mid America Pastel Society show we hosted, I can not travel through the Flint Hills on a late spring day without thinking about Michael’s work. So for me this show is quite timely as the living landscape begins to blossom with rolling hills of green after the spring burn. The opening for the exhibit titled Ethereal Visions of the Flint Hills: a one man show of new works by Michael Duane at SouthWind Gallery will be April 2, 6:00 - 8:30 during the First Friday Art Walk.Come in and visit with the artist!

While talking to Michael about his work, the source of his inspiration is palpable as he recalls his first tornado at the age of seven with one word “Wow!” The terror of the storm faded away as he watched in with rapt wonder the towering clouds that boiled and rotated. Since that day and he has been spellbound with the ever changing Kansas Skyscape.  Michael is passionate about his subject matter and believes his art is ever evolving like the weather because of this passion.  He invites us to experience the allure of a storm chaser through his paintings. Michael says, “I want to capture that same “wow” factor that I first felt as a child. …and show the awesome power and beauty of Mother Nature.”

He seeks out his inspiration on frequent trips across Kansas capturing the ever changing Midwest weather that he’s combined with the beautiful, scenic Flint Hills.  Occasionally, man made objects such as a winding road, an abandoned house or barn, or an old truck, find their way into his art. 

He has developed a technique which involves rubbing the pastels into the paper creating smooth shapes with less detail rather than building texture through individual strokes. This distinctive illustrative style provides an ethereal sensation, creating a countryside filled with the pleasure of quilted comfort accompanied by a sky filled with an awe inspiring weather event.

Michael was born in Kansas City, Missouri and grew up in Overland Park, Kansas where he still makes his home today.  He’s had a love of the visual arts since he was a young boy.  He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts/Design from the University of Kansas in 1980.  Achieving both Signature and Master Pastelist status in the Mid America Pastel Society, Michael has also been awarded the prestigious Signature Status in the Pastel Society of America.

Works available are being hung this week in the gallery and the opening for the exhibit titled Ethereal Visions of the Flint Hills: a one man show of new works by Michael Duane at SouthWind Gallery will be April 2, 6:00 - 8:30 during the First Friday Art Walk. Exhibit runs April 2 - May 15, 2010.

Preview the Show Online at SouthWindArtGallery.com

Ethreal Visions of the Flint Hills - Artist Michael Duane

SouthWind Gallery Is Pleased to Present…
Ethereal Visions of the Flint Hills
A one-man showing featuring the works of Michael Duane

Michael Duane is fascinated with weather. The source of his inspiration is palpable as he recalls seeing his first Kansas tornado at the age of seven. Michael admits that since that day, he has been spellbound by the natural forces of sky and earth.

Michael is passionate about his subject matter and believes his art is ever evolving, like the weather. He invites us to experience the allure of storm chasing through his paintings.

Michael says, “I want to capture that same “wow” factor in my paintings that I first felt as a child, …and show the awesome power and beauty of Mother Nature.”

Working with pastels, Michael has developed a technique that involves rubbing the pastels into the paper, creating smooth shapes with less detail, rather than building texture through individual strokes. This distinctive, illustrative style provides an ethereal sensation for the viewer.

Exhibit runs April 2, 2010 – May 15, 2010
Artists’ Reception: Friday, April 2, 2010, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

See the work online >>

SouthWindArtGallery.com

Travel Kansas Through An Artist’s Eyes!

As a Kansan, and a true Jayhawk, I always delight in traveling the Sunflower State. Also as the assistant gallery director here at SouthWind, I get opportunities to see the state from many points of view on a daily basis. This is the beauty of working in an art gallery. It’s like taking a journey through the artist's eyes and learning to love the things often seen as ordinary and routine in a whole new way.

The experiences I have after I pass through an area that I have seen painted by an artist, a whole new world opens up!  I can remember distinctly traveling the Post Rock Scenic Byway after seeing Stan Herd's version painted, right. (My husband's family lives north of Wilson county so we pass through there often.) The recognition hit me like a rock and I said "Oh! Chuck Look! That's the plateau and barn Stan painted for this Scenic Byway!" I've traveled that byway countless times but had never noticed that old barn on the top of the plateau. And I'll tell you it isn't far off the I-70 turnoff - you need to keep your eyes open to catch it! It was an exciting moment that I wouldn't have missed for the world.

Having the chance to be involved in awesome projects like the Stan Herd Kansas Byways summer event in 2009 and the A Spring Day on the Hill plein aire event in 2008 make me grateful to be so closely involved in the arts.  Both of these projects brought new art and artists into the gallery each having their own point of view of Kansas. We at SouthWind would like you to have the opportunity to enjoy the experience of traveling through an artist’s eyes so we teamed up with Visit Topeka and Travel Kansas to give you this great deal honoring the beauty of Kansas!

Commemorate the Beauty of Kansas and Save 20% on the Stan Herd Kansas Byways (art inspired by the nine Scenic Byways across Kansas) Boxed Giclee Prints Set, Postcards, Note Cards and Poster and/or the “A Spring Day on the Hill” book featuring art inspired by the University of Kansas campus.  

To see everything for the Hot Deals please go to the SouthWind Gallery Website. This is an online promotion, but if you mention it when you come in... we'll give you the discount too.


About the Stan Herd Kansas Byways:

The Kansas Lottery commissioned artist Stan Herd to paint nine paintings of the Kansas Scenic Byways as the latest of the Made in Kansas lottery games.  Four of the images appear on the new Painted Byways $2 Instant Scratch game tickets.  The promotion also includes “Second Chance” drawings on November 13, 2009, for the nine original paintings created by Mr. Herd. The project’s goal is to draw attention to the scenic areas of the state while promoting a well-known Kansas artist.

Stan Herd, a native Kansan known worldwide for his gigantic earthwork creations, (one of which is featured on the scratch section of the tickets), and an accomplished fine art painter, was chosen for this project. Mr. Herd visited each of the nine scenic byways as inspiration for his paintings.

The Kansas Lottery teamed up with Kansas Department of Transportation, KansasDepartment of Commerce (Travel & Tourism) , Kansas Arts Commission and SouthWind Gallery of Topeka, to produce a series of personal appearances by Mr. Herd at the various Byways throughout the summer of 2009.

You are encouraged to follow Stan Herd’s lead and travel to the byways to enjoy the beauty our state offers. A day trip through any of the Byways – Flint Hills, Glacial Hills, Gypsum Hills, Frontier Military Route, Prairie Trails, Wetlands and Wildlife, Smoky Valley, Native Stone and Post Rock Country – provides an opportunity to commune with nature and discover the beauty and history through out the state.

Stan re-visited all nine byways communities the summer and fall of 2009 to promote the program and the visits were sponsored by the Kansas Scenic Byways, their web site at: www.ksbyways.org.

Signed Limited Edition prints, posters and note cards depicting the images featured in the Painted Byways are available through SouthWind Gallery, Topeka, Kansas.

About “A Spring Day on the Hill” Art Book

SouthWind Gallery, in collaboration with the KU Alumni Association, invited artists to participate in a mass “plein air” painting event that took place April 26, 2008, on the KU Campus in Lawrence, Kansas. On that day, 65 artists set up easels across Mt. Oread and, with paintbrush in hand, captured the renowned beauty of the KU campus. The result is an amazing body of work consisting of 100 paintings, rendered in a various styles and media.

The KU Campus plein air painting event was a juried competition that offered cash prizes totaling $2,250.00 to the top three winning entries. The event drew many professional artists as well as up-and-coming artists from a three-state area. Serving as juror for the competition was the distinguished Roger Shimomura, an internationally known artist and Distinguished Professor emeritus of the University of Kansas School of Fine Arts.

The three winning artists were: 1st Place – Barbara Waterman Peters (Topeka, KS); 2nd Place – Jim Clements (El Dorado, KS); and 3rd Place—Gary Ozias (Downs, KS).

SouthWindArtGallery.com

Kansas Weather Captured with Artistic Vision - Artist Michael Duane

What is that quote about Kansas weather from Mark Twain? “If you don’t like the weather in Kansas, just wait a minute.” This quote brings to mind the next featured artist at SouthWind Gallery, Michael Duane. Fascinated with weather, he captures the beautiful scenic Flint Hills with the sharp contrasts of an oncoming thunderstorm or a simple far-off cloud in pastel. After seeing his work for the first time several years ago during a Mid America Pastel Society show we hosted, I can not travel through the Flint Hills on a late spring day without thinking about Michael’s work. So for me this show is quite timely as the living landscape begins to blossom with rolling hills of green after the spring burn.

While talking to Michael about his work, the source of his inspiration is palpable as he recalls his first tornado at the age of seven with one word “Wow!” The terror of the storm faded away as he watched in with rapt wonder the towering clouds that boiled and rotated. Since that day and he has been spellbound with the ever changing Kansas Skyscape.  Michael is passionate about his subject matter and believes his art is ever evolving like the weather because of this passion.  He invites us to experience the allure of a storm chaser through his paintings. Michael says, “I want to capture that same “wow” factor that I first felt as a child. …and show the awesome power and beauty of Mother Nature.”

He seeks out his inspiration on frequent trips across Kansas capturing the ever changing Midwest weather that he’s combined with the beautiful, scenic Flint Hills.  Occasionally, man made objects such as a winding road, an abandoned house or barn, or an old truck, find their way into his art. 

He has developed a technique which involves rubbing the pastels into the paper creating smooth shapes with less detail rather than building texture through individual strokes. This distinctive illustrative style provides an ethereal sensation, creating a countryside filled with the pleasure of quilted comfort accompanied by a sky filled with an awe inspiring weather event.

Michael was born in Kansas City, Missouri and grew up in Overland Park, Kansas where he still makes his home today.  He’s had a love of the visual arts since he was a young boy.  He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts/Design from the University of Kansas in 1980.  Achieving both Signature and Master Pastelist status in the Mid America Pastel Society, Michael has also been awarded the prestigious Signature Status in the Pastel Society of America.

Works available will be released online next week and the opening for the exhibit at SouthWind Gallery will be April 2, 6:00 - 8:30 during the First Friday Art Walk.

SouthWindArtGallery.com

Buy Local Reap Rewards

Have you heard of the 3/50 Project yet? If you haven't, let me get you in on a little secret. You know those locally owned shops, the Mom's and Pop's, that you pass by everyday. The kind who has been in the community a while and define your city with their unique offerings, helpful and friendly staff and you are most likely to talk to the owner before you leave the store. Would you miss these quaint shops if they had to close and were no longer available?

Well, the 3/50 Project is a grassroots awareness movement to encourage you to pick three locally-owned places you'd miss if they disappeared. Spend $50 per month between those three places. Simple as can be and we can all reap the rewards with a wealthier and healthier local economy.

Here are some statistics to support the project:

So, there is our little secret... Ok, maybe it's not so secret... but, we would like to invite you to participate in the project. And stop in to see us at SouthWind Gallery to say hello, because we would love to see you!
To learn more go to www.the350project.net


SouthWindArtGallery.com

WRHS Art Night Lock-In Fundraiser for the Blue Print Student Show

One Night Only!
During the March First Friday Art Walk
WRHS Art Night Lock-In Silent Auction Fundraiser for the Blue Print Student Show

This is the third consecutive year that SouthWind Gallery has hosted a Washburn Rural student exhibit. Proceeds from this year's silent auction will benefit the WRHS "Blue Print" project, an art exhibition showcasing student work that was created throughout the school year. The 2009-2010 Blue Print show is a juried show that helps with cash awards for college bound students.

Prior to the show and auction at SouthWind Gallery.

In preparation for the Lock-In, a local artist is invited by the WRHS art department to spend some time painting alongside the students at the Lock-In. This year's artist was one of SouthWind Gallery's master artists Barbara Waterman Peters.  In addition, she also be conducted a two and half hour workshop on Friday, February 19th where she will demonstrated painting techniques and helped students generate ideas for the paintings they created on the night of the Lock-In.

About Barbara Waterman-Peters

Barbara Waterman-Peters received her BFA from Washburn University, her MFA from Kansas State University, taught drawing and painting at both institutions, and has been active in many arts organizations.  Her award-winning work has been shown nationally, internationally, and is in museum, corporate, and private collections, including the Beach Museum of Art, the Spencer Museum of Art, the Mulvane Art Museum and the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery at Topeka & Shawnee County Library.  

She was invited to show in both the Kansas Inaugural and the Kansas Masters Exhibitions.  In 2007 her work for the Washburn University Theater was exhibited at the Mulvane Art Museum.  In 2003 she was awarded a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Contributions to the State of Kansas; in 2005 she was asked to design the governor’s Christmas card.  Waterman-Peters has been nominated twice for a Governor’s Arts Award. In 2008 she was invited to design the image for the Sunflower Music Festival.  She received an invitation to participate in the 2009 Florence, Italy, Biennale and will be featured in the next issue of STUDIO VISIT Magazine. She is also a writer, currently for TOPEKA Magazine.  Also in 2009 she received the Lilla Day Monroe Award from Washburn University Alumni Association and won Best of Show in the KU Plein Air Event sponsored jointly by the University of Kansas Alumni Association and South Wind Gallery.

Several of Barbara's works are currently available at SouthWind Gallery. Some come on in and see her work too!

SouthWindArtGallery.com

KDOT arts contest offers four scholarships to Kansas students

By The Capital-Journal

February 21, 2010 - 10:59am

The Kansas Department of Transportation is sponsoring its fourth annual arts contest that encourages Kansas youths to abstain from drinking alcohol.

The contest allows Kansas' youths to express themselves through music, art, writing or public service announcements. Kansas residents ages 14 through 20 can win scholarships. Entries are due April 15 and can be made at www.sobrietyrocksks.net.

Four separate $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in June for best music, best art, best writing and best public service announcement. It is possible for a contestant to win in more than one category.

"Half of Kansas high school seniors report having consumed alcohol in the last month, many of them binge drinking," said Pete Bodyk, manager of KDOT's traffic safety section. "High levels of drinking among teens of all ages make underage drinking a serious and widespread threat to all of Kansas' health and safety. Last year's contest winners, Sherissa Callarman, Breanna Ellison, Justine Gruen and Elizabeth Kraushar, created inspiring works that vividly illustrate the dangers of alcohol for teens — the troubles it brings and how to resist peer pressure. We can't wait to see what this year brings."

Potential topics can include peer pressure to drink alcohol, finding more to life than drinking, problems that are created or made worse by alcohol and why waiting until age 21 to drink is smart.

Entries will be judged by instructors and professionals in the four categories. Judging will be based on creativity, originality, craftsmanship and the passion of the message.

SouthWindArtGallery.com