The International Guild of Realism’s mission is to advance realism in fine art through museum exhibitions, art gallery shows, workshops and education programs conducted by our Members, marketing support and Internet exposure. Membership in the Guild is by juried invitation only. I am happy to announce that I was recently invited to become a member of this outstanding group of artists. You can read more about the Guild at the link below.
“Reflections” – Mute Swans at Banner Marsh
"Reflections"
An early winter trip to Banner Marsh – which is a wildlife refuge not far from my home – netted me some beautiful reference photos of marshlands and waterfowl – including these two Mute Swans in the backwaters. I love the colors and the contrast of the white swans against the reflective surface of the still water. This is an oil on canvas – 8″ high by 16″ wide.
“Headed for Shade”
Headed for Shade
This is the first painting completed in 2012. The reference photos for the painting were taken on a hot summer day at my son’s ranch. Initially the horses were very inquisitive of my camera, but the heat of the day became a little too much and they all “headed for shade” under the old trees. Acrylic on canvas, 16h x 12w.
Conservation Artist Award – January 2012
Signature Member
What a way to start the new year! I am deeply honored to be chosen for Artists for Conservation’s Conservation Artist Award for January 2012! You can click the link immediately below to read the details.
http://www.natureartists.com/conservation/conservation-award.asp
The award is given monthly by AFC to an AFC member artist for “artistic excellence and extraordinary dedication to conservation.” You can read more about the award and its significance here: http://www.artistsforconservation.org/programs/awards
Misbehavin’ – new western-themed painting
After many hours of agonizing over the details, I finally finished this painting. For the few that will recognize the genuine look of the saddle and the proper placement of all of the other elements on the horse, this level of detail, for me, was necessary. The reference photos were taken when I was in Arizona this summer for a show. This horse belonged to one of the wranglers who led the trail ride at the ranch I visited. As the wrangler put it, this young skittish horse, “thinks everything is gonna get him.” Click the image to enjoy a larger view.
Misbehavin
New Paintings, News and Reflections on the Year
NEW PAINTINGS:
This is my latest painting – or almost the latest; there’s another in this post below. I spent some time in Arizona in August enjoying the scenery when I wasn’t at the gallery where I had an exhibit. The day I left, I stopped at a scenic area 6 miles from Sedona. I didn’t have much time, but I wanted to capture that scenery, so I rushed to take as many photos as I could. When I got home, I discovered the photo with this statue in it – and of course I had to paint it. I titled it “The Guardian” as it appears to be guarding the area. There will be many more paintings from the Sedona reference photos.
This is an oil on canvas that I started as a plein air piece earlier in October. I was parked at the edge of the cornfield, overrun by black flies, gnats, and big nasty hornets. So I took some reference photos and finished the painting in the studio. It’s 9 x 12 and titled “2500N.”THE NEWS: I was recently notified that I have been accepted as an associate member of WAOW – Women Artists of the West. It was a thrill to receive that email and I am deeply honored to be among some of the most accomplished women artists in the U.S.! Membership is by juried invitation and the jury meets only once a year each fall.
REFLECTIONS: Many of you may already know that I retired from full time employment in June of this year. Shortly thereafter, I was informed that my painting, “Monarch of the Plains, was accepted into two prestigous exhibitions – the 2011 Art of Conservation Exhibition (Artists for Conservation) and the 27th Annual Art of the Plains Exhibition (American Plains Artists). Additionally, 3 of my works were accepted into the 10th annual Ciao Gallery “Call of the Wild” exhibit in Jackson, Wyoming. Earlier this year, The Beach Boys was accepted into the 2nd annual Judith Ryan Williams Nature & Wildlife Art Show in St. Augustine, Florida. I have two local exhibits in December, one at a new gallery, which I am very excited about.
It has been an outstanding year for me. I am where my Creator wants me to be at this point in my life and art. I am truly thankful for all the achievements of the year and I am looking forward to an even better 2012!
The biggest thrill of all, however wonderful all of the above is, is that I became a grandmother with the birth of my beautiful granddaughter, Elizabeth in April. She is truly a gift from God, and I am thankful to be so blessed.
Yes – it’s been a great year!
Caveat Emptor – BUYER BEWARE!!!
So, you went to an art show/fair and bought an original work of art from a very talented artist. OR DID YOU? A couple of years ago, I used to do art fairs. USED to! I quit doing them because there were so many booths full of art from China that was neither original to the artist showing them, or authentic. They were copies – and being sold for under $25.00. There are a lot of true artists doing art fairs and their work is stunning. My experience was that in nearly every art fair I did, there were numerous booths full of multiple framed copies of the same piece, all UNSIGNED, and boxes and boxes of even more “inventory” stacked up behind the booths. I watched one lady pulling pieces out of boxes, replace the cardboard backer (which no doubt said “made in China”) and replace them with one of her own. Several of the “authentic” artists noticed the same thing, and simply packed up and went home. Most of these shows were supposed to be “original art” only.
China boasts many “talented” artists and their websites are replete with their “original” art. Dafen, China is the biggest exporter of these so-called “originals.” They are neither original or authentic – but are rather ILLEGAL copies. Thousands of Chinese “artists” sit in art factories 8 hours a day and turn out copies of art that has been stolen from internet websites of some of the best artists in the world. A perfect example of a stolen image is on this page: Image P118055:
http://www.dafenart.com/animal/pca005.html
Copy of Carl Brenders painting
This is a copy of a painting by Carl Brenders titled “The Monarch is Alive.” This type of stolen work is a multi-billion dollar ripoff of artists all over the world.
In these economic times, artists are struggling on a day to day basis to make ends meet selling their work, and this type of art theft does not help.
What can you do? If you find a piece of art on ebay or any one of these Chinese art marketing websites, chances are it’s a stolen image that was either stamped on a canvas to look like an original, or painted over in any one of a number of Chinese art factories, and especially the Dafen, China art factory.
No matter the technique, it is still a stolen image. While copyright laws exist in China, trying to get a multi-billion dollar enterprise in China to remove an artist’s image would be a daunting task, and depend solely on the Chinese government’s willingness to pursue it. But if YOU stop buying this type of stolen work – in galleries, at art fairs, and on the internet (ebay is the worst!), it can only help the artist who actually created the original work!
Whether you are an art buyer, gallery owner, or art fair promoter, get educated about the art you are promoting/buying and the artist holding the paintbrush. Be wary of HOW and WHERE you are buying art – and who you are allowing to show in your art fairs.
Ciao Gallery’s 4th Annual “Call of the Wild” Exhibit
Attitude
While I was in Sedona for the exhibit at the Sedona Arts Center, I received news that all THREE of my entries were accepted for this exhibit. It takes place during the Jackson Hole (Wyoming) Fall Arts Festival with the opening reception on September 9th, 2011, from 5 to 8 pm during the Palettes to Palates Gallery Walk.
"Canus lupus baileyi"
Ciao Gallery is located at 70 S. Glenwood Street, Jackson, Wyoming. I am very excited to be a part of this exhibit!
"Last Look Back"
All images copyright Marti Millington – all rights reserved.
Count Down to Sedona!
I am leaving on a 6:00 a.m. flight tomorrow morning, 8/13, for an exhibit in Sedona Arizona. I and 3 other U.S. artists and 4 Australian artists will be showing our work at the Sedona Arts Center, Special Exhibit Gallery, August 15 through the 29th. The Opening Reception is August 15th at 6:30 p.m.
I will have eight of my wildlife, nature and western themed works on display.
If you are in the area, please join us. I will be in Sedona for one week, but my work will remain on display until the 29th.
Art of the Plains
Our local newspaper, The Peoria Journal Star, has an Arts Plus feature every Sunday. Today, August 7, 2011, Monarch of the Plains, my bison painting was the “First in Print” feature article. I’m very excited! (Click on the article, and when it opens, click it again and you’ll be able to read it!)
