Memories Of Our Artists – #CIJArtGallery

Contributor post by Michelle of EviesToolEmporium

We spent the months of January, February and March strolling the first Christmas In July Art Gallery! Since the CIJ team is worldwide we held a virtual #CIJArtGallery right here on our blog!

The CIJ Art Gallery opened on Wednesday – January 28th, 2015 and closed on Tuesday – March 31st. As I mentioned the team is international and we featured artists from many countries!

We wanted to include as many of our talented team members as possible! The participation was fantastic! Our team members are creative artists!

Each artist shared with us their art, as well as a little bit about themselves. Please join me as we close our CIJ Art Gallery! Watch for new opportunities in the future!

Here are the featured artists:

1. January 28th – ColourScapeStudios/Kel
2. February 6th – hjmArtGallery/Helen
3. February 10th – modernimpressionist/Christine
4. February 12th – GraciousArt/Pamela
5. February 17th – SSFDesigns/Susan
6. February 24th – GinaWaltersdorfArt/Gina
7. February 26th – AngsanaSeedsPhoto/Ivy
8. March 3rd – Angelshaug/Anne Irene
9. March 10th – StockLaneStudio/Mary
10. March 13th – LeeArt/Catherine
11. March 19th – CarmensArt/Carmen
12. March 31st – DeeDeeDeesigns/Dawn

A special thank you to the blog contributors who were the hosts of the CIJ Art Gallery!

Megha from byTheArtBug
Alicia from AliciasFindings
Amy from BeadsandThreadsbyAmy
Michelle from EviesToolEmporium

Please use #CIJArtGallery on social media as you visit our virtual art gallery!

Thank you so much for joining us on our #CIJArtGallery!

#CIJArtGallery – GraciousArt

Contributor post by Alicia of AliciasFindings

Virtual Art Gallery – Pamela from GraciousArt

1. What is your work of art?

The title is Launiupoko, named after the beach park on Maui which is depicted.

It’s 12x16x3/4″, oil paint over mixed media surface (texture) on canvas.

I’m inspired by the beautiful universe we are blessed to live in, by found textural materials and by the colors in my paint box. I’m kind of inspired by everything!

GraciousArt

2. Please share your inspiration for this piece.

When I first started this piece, I had no particular plan as to what the image or colors would be. I just decided to try texturing a canvas with an all over pattern using a very coarse sand, a very long and boring (or meditative!) process. I stained the entire thing with magenta oil paint. After completing this and some other textured panels, I found myself at this beach park in Lahaina. It was very atmospheric that morning and I knew just which canvas to begin. The formative part of the imagery was painted en plein air that day. It was completed in the studio later.

3. What keywords describe your work? 

texture painting, oil painting, original art, tropical landscape, impressionism, unusual technique, mixed media art, tropical art, original painting, OOAK,

4. Is this your favorite medium? Do you work in other mediums?

My favorite medium is whatever sparks my interest at the time. The texture series, Maui Dreamscapes, combines two of my uber favorites, found object/mixed media and oil paint. Keeping all the texture and random items separated by layers of artists’ gesso allows me to use mixed media and oil paint together without sacrificing an archival product. The paintings are museum quality in that respect.

5. What fascinates you?

The natural world fascinates me. I like to dwell on our place in it and watch life unfolding. I’m lucky enough to live on Maui, so the beauty of nature is always in my face. It never gets old. Even mixing the paint, unexpected things happen. When I’m gathering textural materials, it’s like a treasure hunt. People also fascinate me. Connecting with them through my art continues to be an amazing journey.

Wednesday The Art Gallery Opens – #CIJArtGallery

Contributor post by Michelle of EviesToolEmporium

We are getting excited for the Christmas In July Art Gallery! Since the CIJ team is worldwide we are going to open a virtual #CIJArtGallery right here on our blog! 

The art gallery opens on Wednesday – January 28th. As I mentioned the team is international and we are excited to share with you many talented artists from all over the world!

As a member of the CIJ team there is a way for you to get involved today before the fun begins on Wednesday. Please go to the CIJ forums and there is a thread that explains all the specifics! We want to include as many of our talented team members as possible! So far the following artists have submitted their work: Kel from ColourscapeStudios, Helen from hjmArtGallery, Christine from modernimpressionist, Pamela from GraciousArt and Susan from SSFDesigns! We’re looking for additional artists to join the art gallery!

If you are not a member of the team please feel free to join the team today! Otherwise you will have to wait until Wednesday to see what we have planned!

Please use #CIJArtGallery on social media as you enjoy the art gallery with us!

Want a sneak peek of one of the artists who is going to be featured? Kel from ColourscapesStudios lives in Australia! Come meet Kel on Wednesday! Thank you Kel for participating!

ColourscapeStudios

So mark your calendars, invite your friends, and get ready to participate in an art gallery! A #CIJArtGallery!