Exhibit Poster

Last weekend was a flurry of artistic activities. We hung my exhibit “The Nature of Flowers”  at Texas Discovery Gardens Sunday before the opening on Monday the 22nd. After a ton of things to make it happen, Friday night was upon us, and the reception for the exhibit. I’m not going to lie, I was pretty nervous, flashbacks of a Christmas Caroling party Karen and I had as kids, where no one showed up, except our best friend, kept raising its ugly head.  All the worry was for nothing, it was a “fantabulous” night. There was such a great turn out, I meet so many wonderful people, all of whom really loved my work. So many of them said the paintings brought smiles to their faces, they truly made them happy. Exactly what I was hoping for, each piece has been my attempt to capture the beauty created by the Master Artist.  I had such wonderful support from my family and friends. My husband seemed to be everywhere, helping out, my son in law took pictures, my mom got everyone to sign the guest book. There are just not enough thank you’s to show my appreciation to my family for their support. I also appreciate everyone who came out, I meet so many nice people. Elsie and her daughter, Penelope and her Dad, Alma and her husband, and so many others. Thank each of you for braving the traffic to spend the evening visiting and viewing my art. Saturday morning I did a little painting and visiting in the Gallery. What a joy to share my work and get the added bonus of meeting and speaking with so many different folks.  Enjoy the photos from my week.

Sunny and Monarch

Great Food

A few of the wonderful people who came out

Elsie and Daughter

Great conversation

Saturday Demo Painting at the Gallery

You are Invited

It feels like Christmas! Having my work on exhibit in the Gallery at Texas Discovery Gardens is so amazing. I feel so very blessed to be able to intertwine my art with such a beautiful venue that supports our environment. My work will be on exhibition beginning March 22 and ending July 31, 2010. There will be an Opening Reception for the Exhibit on March 26th from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at the Gallery. Texas Discovery Gardens’ 7.5 acres offer a wonderful diversity of garden styles and botanical collections. The Gardens feature native plants and plant species from other regions of the world that are adapted to the challenging climate and soils of North Texas. Plants are also selected for their benefits in providing habitat for native wildlife, including butterflies, bugs, and birds. You can also enjoy more than 15 native species of butterflies in the Rosine Smith Sammons Butterfly House and Insectarium, as well as many new tropical butterflies. They offer many fun, hands-on environmental education programs for children and adults. What a great place to spend a Saturday enjoying art, flowers, butterflies and fun!

To view more about the exhibit click on the following link: http://www.texasdiscoverygardens.org/upcoming_events.shtml

After

I am really looking forward to this year. I am in the process now of reorganizing my studio. My studio is small, so I really have to figure out ways to maximize my space. I am also working on a newsletter called “The Art of Smiles”, my goal is to send it out once a month. It will give info on what I am working on, where I will be showing my work and other bits and pieces of info. Be sure and subscribe to “The Art of Smiles” newsletter on my web site http://www.sharenchatterton.com. I am also excited about spending more time painting. This is going to be a great year! Best wishes to all for an amazing 2010!

Before

I prefer this one:  Art is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations, and modes of expression.

Now given that definition, I can begin my work of art. I will be deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to my senses and emotions! When I work, it has to be creating something that appeals to me. Hopefully others will like it too, but the idea of that happening does not enter in to my creative expression or I would never get anything done. I can’t possibly know what others will like, I do know what I like.

Each of us has our own idea of what Art is. Each piece is beautiful unto itself. Don’t let anything hold you back. Be deliberate, arrange the elements so they appeal to you. Create to please yourself and the Art will come!

‘The First Thanksgiving,’ artist Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863–1930)

Artist Robert Walter Weir, ‘The Embarkation of the Pilgrims from Delfthaven in Holland’ (1844)

‘Thanksgiving,’ artist Doris Lee, c. 1935

Artist Charles Dana Gibson’s “Thanksgiving Nov. 1903″ was on the cover of Life magazine… I am not sure what the baby on the platter means!

Life magazine cover 1903, artist Charles Dana Gibson

This Thanksgiving watercolor was by artist Alice Barber Stephens. It appeared in the US periodical “Harper’s Weekly” on November 28, 1896.

‘Over-indulgence–A Spoiled Thanksgiving,’

This , likely one of the most famous Norman Rockwell WWII paintings, “Freedom of Want,” was one of four paintings in a series, the “Four Freedoms,” that Rockwell created during World War II. It may not have been meant to commemorate Thanksgiving, but the painting embodies the spirit of family and Thanksgiving.

All of the artist and families at Luna Azul Studios wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. Create your memories in art!

Fort Worth Art Show

October 3, 2009 3pm-10pm (show is one night only)

The Art Show will be curated by Kerrie Conover (Fort Worth artist/photographer) as part of Fort Worth South’s Arts Goggle on October 3, 2009.

The exhibition will feature seventeen artists:

Ray Albarez (painting), Candy Austin (Earthenware), Sharen Chatterton & Karen Rester (collaborative painting/mixed media), Michelle Connolly (photography), Kerrie Conover (installation) Alissa Garret (photography), Jessica Greene (drawing), Pete Hernandez (painting/mixed media), Kelly Hucklebridge, M.Ed. (encaustic painting), Zeena Khalaf (photography), Dr. Chantel Langlinais (photography), Lindsey Lee (photography), Joyce Martin (installation/sculpture), Lorrie McClanahan (mixed media painting), Simone Riford (sculpture), Robert Rozell (photography)

Music by:
Jason Manriquez (of the Fate Lions) and DJ Eskb’n

DMS Architects, Inc., is located at 300 College Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76104

Sunflowers in our backyard

We live in a suburban community, but I still really enjoy nature and the beauty that surrounds us. Most of my nature loving is in our flower garden, I love working in it, watching things grow, watching all of our many flowers bloom and observing the comings and goings of the butterflies and bees flitting about, doing their thing.  I am constantly taking pictures to paint. Which is one of my other most favorite things to do.  Painting and gardening are both calming, and invigorating to me.  My paintings reflect my love of nature, I try to capture the beauty created by a undeniably talented God.  Each piece has to have that smile factor. When I look at it, it has to make me smile, glad to be alive to enjoy all the beauty around us.  My garden is also a reflection of my love of nature and our environment. We try very hard to be chemical free and as organic as possible in our garden, its just better for it and produces a more vibrant garden. Our garden also has to have that smile factor, it never fails to make me happy, whether I am working in it or just enjoying the fruits of our labor.  Gardening and painting, two very simple things, all they require is my time and effort.  However for myself, the return on my investment, is to create a greater appreciation for this planet and a persistent desire to preserve its beauty for generations to come.

Painting of sunflowers in our backyard

If you have only one book in your artist studio, it should be “New Artist’s Handbook” by Ray Smith. This book is packed with information on the visual arts, featuring over 1000 full color illustrations. It is a guide to the tools, materials and techniques of the artist’s craft. Mr. Smith covers many exciting modern processes, as well as a wide range of traditional skills, something for ever artist, no matter what your media. There is instructional material as well as inspirational challenges for using more creative techniques.  This book is for beginners and accomplished artists alike.

There are chapters on Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, digital media and photography and many more. With the step by step photo instructions, it offers each of us an opportunity to try new techniques and improve our skills in what ever media you currently use.

I have used my book over and over through the years. The most current addition is updated to include the ever expanding world of digital media and computer art. Get a copy today.

Irving, Texas, like many cities around the world, has a wonderful organizations that promotes the arts. The Irving Arts Center (IAC) combines family entertainment and cultural events with a convenient location in the center of Dallas/Fort Worth. The center boasts two state-of-the-art theaters; four galleries; meeting facilities and the beautiful outdoor Sculpture Garden on a ten-acre site. They host nationally recognized artists, classical and modern sculpture and numerous juried competitions. Additionally, the galleries offer a place for local professional artists to display both traditional and contemporary  work in a wonderful, inviting space.

The Irving Arts Center is currently having an exhibition featuring artwork in a variety of media from members of the art center’s art connection program. Along with other members, there are four works by Luna Azul Artist, Sharen Chatterton and Karen Rester on displayed in the Main Gallery.  The Exhibition runs from August 1 through August 29, 2009 in the Main Gallery.

http://www.irvingartscenter.com/