Richard Fudge - My Art Blog: 2009

12/31/2009

2010 Art Goals #1 Art and worship road trip

So tis the season to think and plan for the new year. Ever since I started mailing around the prayer journals and created a map of Artsy Churches, a massive road trip has been brewing in the back of my mind. I feel that a REAL road trip must last about a week, include a decent number of states traveled through, and a visit to the coastline.

View Larger Map

Look at that monster. That's over 2,100 miles, over 35 hours on the road, and crossing through a dozen states. Now, before I can really do this, I need to replace my old 93 Civic Hatchback. Poor thing has over 170,000 miles and recently i smashed the front a little in a minor accident. My clunker would probably die before the trip was half way through.

So that's the first BIG hurdle.* I'm hoping to find a good used wagon like a Subaru Outback or Scion xB. I don't plan on traveling light - well, at least not by the end of it. Think about it. I might need to haul my live painting supplies if there's a chance i might paint at some churches along the way. or I might pick up some art along the way. or maybe i have a traveling art show to share at the churches i visit.

I need to save up enough vacation days at my day job. Also, need to save up the gas money etc needed. I'll need a camera for the documentation. Some good podcasts and audio books to listen to along the way are a must. I think a classic road trip requires some nights of car camping. I might need to buy a small tent and a sleeping bag. i'll be passing through the Smokey Mountains, and i know i'll wish i had spent a night camping there. A few nights of camping will of course save on the hotel costs. Also, i hope that a few artists will be open to allowing me to crash at their place while i travel through their area (please!).

*a friend pointed out that i should considering renting a car for the trip. hmm. that might not be a bad idea. i could rent a model that im interested in buying. it'd be like an extended test drive. hmm.

12/29/2009

Fudge art update for 2009

As I approach the new year, I have been looking back over the past year for all the things I'm thankful for. Thank you so much for supporting me and my art. I can't tell you just how important it has been to me. This year has been a big one for me with many exciting firsts. So thought I'd post some summary sort of thing.

In the News:
Feb, Commercial Appeal, Hope Presbyterian service blends artistry, worship
We made the paper in part because of my writings about art and worship on my blog.
Sept., Germantown News, To Send a Prayer art show

Presentations on art and worship:
March, solo presentation, Tresvent Manor
May, solo presentation, Baptist Women's Hospital
Oct., Re:Creation - art conference, LifeLink Memphis

Live painting: 23 Total
January, Next Gen service, Highpoint Church -- 1 service
April-May, Resurrection Catholic Church -- 12 services
April, The Stirring -- 1 service
July, The Stirring -- 1 service
August, Baptist Women's Health Center -- 1 event
Sept., The Stirring -- 4 servies
Oct., The Stirring -- 3 services

Group Show Participation:
April, Impressions of the Cross, The Stirring Art Gallery
July, The Spirit of Growth Art Show, CrossRoad Church
August, Art of Caring, Baptist Foundation/Perry Nicole Fine Art galley
August, Help the Least of These fundraiser, Circa
August, Project Sketchbook, Rozelle Artists Guild
Sept, To Send a Prayer, The Stirring Art Gallery

Shows I managed at The Stirring Art Gallery:
April, Impressions of the Cross, artists: Kyle Holly and various Hope and Stirring artists
July, Bloom, artist: Jana Joplin
Sept., To Send a Prayer, artists: Arian Armstrong, Richard Fudge, and various Hope and Stirring artists
Nov., Atonement, artists: Brittney Owens and Deeann Carson

Art Projects:
To Send a Prayer - a sermon series and art exhibit that I'd been working on basically since January.

Visual Prayer Journals - 3 journals that are being mailed to artists around the country and filled with illustrated expressions of prayer. you can see the different drawings here: http://2sendaprayer.blogspot.com/

Fund-raising:
Art of Caring, Baptist Foundation, donated "Release" which sold for $1400
Help the Least of These, donated "Diverge" and "Cross #6" which sold for $500
Painted a large collection box for Resurrection Catholic Church to use in food drives, clothing drives, etc.

I gave the Phoenix Club permission to use a photo of a painting that I created at Resurrection. About 60% of every purchase goes directly to the Boys and Girls Club of Memphis and is therefore tax-deductable. If you want to order some, use this link below. http://www.phoenixclub.org/shop/mary-and-child-greeting-card-2009/

12/28/2009

LifeLink Memphis makes the news

I grabbed this from the CA web page. Click on the link below to read the full article and see samples from the exhibit. Congrats on the nice write up, LifeLink. I'm excited about the CIVA connection too.

Visual commentary on the Scriptures by Jewish masters

By Bill Ellis Friday, December 18, 2009, Commercial Appeal

In its first high-profile exhibit, Lifelink Memphis' upstart art space, Gallery 210, has secured a profoundly moving show of Biblical work by two 20th century Jewish masters. Titled "Talmud: The Art of Ben-Zion and Marc Chagall," the collection of 42 lithographs and intaglio prints by the two seminal artists runs through Jan. 15 and is part of a traveling exhibit put together by national nonprofit visual arts organization CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts) from the private collection of affiliated artist Edward Knippers.

http://www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/dec/18/visual-commentary-on-the-scriptures/

12/27/2009

2009 Lessons Learned in The Stirring Art Ministry - #1

We tried somethings out this year at the Stirring that really worked and somethings that didnt work as well. I thought'd share the insights with you.

1.) Which works better having an art opening on a weekend that is guaranteed to have a very large crowd (Easter and Christmas) or have just create a special night for the opening?

My expectation was that the larger the crowd the more likely we'd have a good number in the gallery viewing and purchasing the work. The reality.... nope. If anything, the huge crowd works against you. Here's how i see it.

On Easter and Christmas this year, I planned special art shows that tied into the theme of the service - a cross exhibit for Easter and an exhibit about Mary for Christmas. We had about 1200 in attendance for Easter and nearly 2000 for Christmas. That's 3-4 times the number of people we normally have, but the number of viewers in the gallery was no greater than the typical Sunday. This can be very frustrating for your artists. They've worked very hard to create paintings, hang a show, promote it, etc and all you see are people streaming in and then streaming back out.

This is not to say that i think the art show should be as important than the holiday service experience. It was my intension that the art add to the worship and reflection of the evening. It seemed logical that if there was a higher percentage of people in attendance than an equally higher percentage would view the art. but as it turns out, people are more concerned about getting in and out of the service than stopping to check out the art that we made to go with the service. Which is understandable, Easter and Christmas are full of holiday traditions (Christmas MORE so) and families are probably off to the next thing - a special dinner, a family gathering, etc.

Also, during a holiday service, there is a LARGE need for volunteers doing many things to help with the production and smooth running of the evening. If you're trying to do an art show at the same time, you are taking needed volunteers away from some other important job or you have to bring in new volunteers for just the art. Either you have enough support and feel like you should be lending the art volunteers to some short staffed area, or you're under supported and you feel bad about taking volunteers from some other job.

Last, it is our goal at the Stirring to do something very impactful at the close of a special service - some awe inspiring moment, a lasting impression or thought. This prevents our pastor from breaking the feel of the moment by making another announcement to encourage people to view the art. But without that reminder at the end of the service, most folks just go straight out the doors. There are probably a number of other factors that contribute to the lack of interest in the shows on a holiday night.

Now, on the 2 occasions that we did an art focused service followed by a reception, we had a much better turnout in the gallery. At those 2 events, the attendance was only 340 and 460 but there was 2-3 times as many people that checked out the gallery. We also had ample volunteer support for greeting, mingling, set-up and take down, and folks doing refreshments. We even had live music in the foyer. It had a much more professional art opening feel. I think next year I'm going to stick to more of this format and not try to add to the clutter and craziness of holiday services.

*Side note: Joey at LifeLink commented to me that he had a different results at his gallery. So I should probably point out that the location of your gallery space is probably a big factor. At the Stirring, the gallery space is upstairs on the second floor balcony over looking the foyer of the sanctuary. It's not really a part of the natural flow of traffic. LifeLink's gallery space on the other hand is located right next to the sanctuary and their info/coffee tables. As a result, they have more people check it out when the attendance is high.

12/26/2009

Artsy Advent Calendar - slide show

slide shows showing the progression:

Our artsy Advent Calendar which is on display in the Stirring Art Gallery. Each day is an original piece by featured artists Brittney Owens and Deeann Carson Rieves. It is a part of our current exhibit – Atonement.

12/25/2009

Artsy Advent Calendar - Day 25

12/24/2009

Artsy Advent Calendar - Day 24

12/23/2009

Artsy Advent Calendar - Day 23

12/22/2009

Artsy Advent Calendar - Day 22

12/21/2009

Artsy Advent Calendar - Day 21

12/20/2009

Artsy Advent Calendar - Day 20

12/19/2009

Artsy Advent Calendar - Day 19

12/18/2009

Artsy Advent Calendar - Day 18

12/17/2009

Artsy Advent Calendar - Day 17

Artsy Christmas Gift ideas

I thought I'd share a list of some alternative gift giving ideas. Artsy and handmade gifts that a person will treasure long after the those socks get holes, the sweater shrinks, and the gadget breaks. So here are some of my favorite artists:

Deeann Carson Rieves does custom abstracts which she can add your photos and quotes to. She also sells blank journals that she designed.

Arian Armstrong is a talented painter and illustrator. You should check out her affordable and adorable prints on etsy.

Melissa Bridgman creates some wonderful pottery pieces. They are both practical and beautiful. I've got a pretty sizable collection at home. Best thing is that they are dishwasher machine safe.

Of course you could always buy one of my paintings.

TOMs Shoes are also a cool idea. For each pair you buy, they donate a pair to a child in Africa. I've got a pair and I get tons of complements on them. They are super comfortable.

http://peoplesdesignaward.cooperhewitt.org/2007/images/nominations/navy%20large%20copy.jpg

Here's another neat product that gives back. Each Suubi™ necklace is 100% unique - hand-crafted by the Suubi women in Uganda and made of recycled paper.

12/16/2009

Artsy Advent Calendar - Day 16

12/15/2009

Artsy Advent Calendar - Day 15

12/14/2009

Atonement: Closing Reception

Closing Reception:
December 20th
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Viewers are invited to attend one of The Stirring's two Christmas services which are at 5:30 pm and 7:30 pm. During these special services, Brittney Owens and Joy Deeann Carson will create original artwork live on stage. Guests can view the exhibit, purchase work, speak to the artists, and enjoy refreshments before or after the services.

Where:
The Stirring Art Gallery in Hope Church
(located upstairs inside Entrance 1)
8500 Walnut Grove Rd., Cordova, Tennessee 38018
www.hopepres.com • www.thestirring.net • 901-755-7721

Exhibit description:
The Stirring art gallery is proud to present Atonement, an exhibit in which draws inspiration from the life of Mary. The theme was chosen based the time on the two artists strengths and passions.

“I was really excited about how this exhibit came together,” says Richard Fudge, the Stirring Art Gallery manager. “I’ve been trying to get Brittney’s work in the gallery for some time, and I really wanted a chance to show Deeann’s work again.”

“It was interesting to focus primarily on little Mary, the mother of Jesus, as she is the most well known woman of the Bible. She embodies beauty in her surrender, courage, desperation, and vulnerability.” – Deeann Carson Rieves

Rieves focuses on women from the Bible in her paintings and how she can relate to part of their journey. The she selects which part of the figure can best express the desired characteristic they exemplify- a hand desperately reaching for something lost, and deceitful turn of the wrist, a seductive glance, or a reluctant tilt of the neck. The collaged ambiguous environments give the viewer hints to the story.

“Mary holds to be a selfless, giving individual whose life was dedicated to God. Her example as a mother is a powerful expression of love.” – Brittney Owens

Owens draws inspiration from the Baroque era's use of strong contrast of light and dark, usually portraying pieces with powerful symbolic images to express ideas of good and evil, life and death. Collage is used in her works to add a subtle presence from Christ. Each piece has hidden images that require closer examination in order to find.