University Art - Newsletter

The Community Artist

University Art Newsletter Vol. 4 Issue 3, March 2005

ART ORGANIZATIONS SPOTLIGHT

This month we are going to visit an important Bay Area tradition: Open Studios of Silicon Valley.

For years this exciting program has featured a three weekend artistic odyssey to art lovers in the South Bay and Peninsula. During the first three weekends in May, you can travel from location to location. See and purchase completed works. See works in progress. Meet important local artists and catch informative demonstrations right in the artist's own studios. Local merchants participate in the program too by providing sight maps and full color catalogs to make your viewing easier and let you plan your journey. For more details try on-line at director@svlocalartists.org

COMING SOON

Jean Paul Bourdier
3/19/05 - 5/8/05
Reception 3/31/05 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Triton Museum of Art
1505 Warburton Avenue
Santa Clara, CA
For Details: www.tritonmuseum.org

Jacquelyn Paull
Paintings and digital Graphics
1/1/05 - 3/15/05
Rosirucian Egyptian Museum
1342 Naglee Avenue
San Jose, CA 95191

Tom Lynch Mini Watercolor Workshops
University Art
Palo Alto, San Jose, Sacramento
4/4/05 - 4/9/05
$75.00 per day or $150.00 for both days. All materials are provided.
Call (916)-484-1640 (Sac), (650)328-3500 (PA) or (408) 297-4707 (SJ) to register or for details.

If you have exhibit info that you want to have posted please e-mail at snjbram@aol.com

TRIVIA AND STUFF JUST FOR FUN

The wearing of the green on St. Patrick's Day is meant to symbolize the verdant Irish landscape. Hurling, horse racing, and Irish Football, a soccer- like sport, are all popular on St. Patrick's Day in Ireland.

Saint Patrick is one of three patron saints of Ireland, the other two are St. Columba and St. Brigid. Saint Brigid founded four monasteries in Ireland and has her own feast day on February 1st, while Saint Columba specialized in missionary work and has a feast day of June 6th.

ASK BRAMSCHANDOZ

Q: I am looking to get my husband an easel, which one should I get?

A: There are several things to consider when buying an easel. What kind of painting is being done and how big do you work? How much space do you have? Does it have to be movable indoors to outdoors at need? How often do you paint or draw? What is your budget for an easel? Generally speaking a vertical, tripod style easel is good for just about everything but watercolor. Watercolorists can use special watercolor easels, or French- style sketch- box easels. Sketch-box easels or travel easels tend to be lightweight and easily movable, making them great for tight spaces or outdoor plein-air trips (some even have duffle bags that they fold into). For the artist who has studio space, paints indoors or paints large, and has the budget for it, a full- size Beech wood easel is a perfect choice and there are several models to choose from. Easels must be easy to use, sturdy and reliable so get the best you can afford.

JEFF'S TIPS

This month's tip: Give as much attention to the signing of your work as you would completing the work in the first place.

Traditionally the signature goes in the bottom right but left is ok too. There are some artists who even sign their work in the body of the work while others sign the back of the work or on the stretcher bars. The location is not as important as to how the signature is done however. It should be distinctive, but it should also work into the piece and not become an unintended center of interest.

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