ArtSnark's Artifacts: art shows

3/21/11

Chalk Walk Tampa 2011

This weekend was the 3rd annual Chalk Walk in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Tampa, FL. We popped over and had a great time viewing the wide variety of 2-d artwork. There were 60 + artists showing off their stuff. (plus frozen lemonade & a bouncy house - what's not to love?)

Creature from the Black Lagoon by Tim Ritter

Many were creating colorful chalk murals on the sidewalk while others were plein air painters, busy interpreting the sights around them.

Terry Klaaren paints Tim Ritter & his chalk creature

So here are some of our favorites from the show. (On the aside, I think this was the first time my family actually agreed on what pieces we liked the most)

B.K. Lyons and her fun Sea Horse

Thank you to all of the artists who took the time to talk about their work (and for letting me take pics). For more info on these talented people, click the captions under each photo. You'll be taken to their websites or FaceBook page.

Artist Unknown - awaiting info

Silly me I forgot to get this gent's name. He was out of business cards but has my email. I will be sure to add his info if I hear from him. Aren't these chalk monkeys too cool?

It is truly amazing all that goes into these pieces. Most of the artists were working with small reference photos or drawings. Some made grids on their papers and then enlarged the grids on the ground before getting started. Others just jumped in and free-handed their colorful creations. Remember these murals are all made out of chalk. I did see lots of hairspray canisters for fixing things into place - good thing as it was a bit blustery on Saturday.

So there they are, trying to get their art-groove on. Keep in mind they are dealing with lots of people milling about & asking questions. Plus temps hit the mid 80s this weekend - phew! I have to say I am impressed.

I've been told there is a whole chalk circuit that some of these artists follow, traveling from town to town. Hmmm ... wouldn't it be fun to talk to one of these guys & find more about this unique art form? I'll have to look into that.

Well, thanks for coming along. Next weekend is Greenfest & I need to find some new trees to replace the bay & mango that we lost to the freeze. If you are in town, check it out. And if not, pop back here - there are always photos to share!

9/10/10

Art filled weekend in Tampa & Burlington

photo by Melissa Wilson

First a sneak peek of the Tampa Artists Emporium Museq show. One of the owners, Melissa Wilson, sent this photo last night after she finished hanging the show.

Diva - mixed media on paper

The 2 white matted pieces to the right of the door are mine - Squee! Here are the close-ups.

Smokin' - mixed media on paper

This show's theme is "Let Music Be Your Muse". The opening party runs 6-10 tonight. Lots of art & artists, live music, refreshments & a photographer shooting $10 portraits too. If you are in Tampa, stop by 3415 Bay to Bay Blvd - should be a great time!

Not in Florida? How about Vermont?

I got an email from SteamSmith (a.k.a. Mark Schwabe) about the Burlington South End Art Hop "the biggest art event in the state of Vermont". It started today runs through Sunday & afternoon. Last year it had 30,000 visitors.

SteamSmith has moved to a new studio at The Space Gallery which is located in the Soda Plant at 266 Pine Street (in Burlington's South End). If you're lucky enough to be in Burlington this weekend, check out Mark's new digs and enjoy his wonderful Steampunk creations..... oh, and would you tell him I say hi?

SteamSmith at work

Last November Mark showed us around his old studio. (Click here if you missed it). Perhaps we can persuade him to give us a tour of the new space once he gets settled in......

I also found out that mixed media artist Lorraine Reynolds will be showing her work during the hop. Someone over on facebook mentioned that she has a piece in the Juried Show. If I can get more details, I'll add them here later. By the way, Lorraine's ACEO Eve was one of the first pieces I bought on Etsy back in 2008.