Ginger Bowen “Waiting for the World to Change” Oil on Board, 20″ x 24″

This December, the Master Signature and Signature Member’s Show and Competition Exhibition will feature the work of Ginger Bowen, Gallery MAR artist, at Galeri Gabrie in Pasadena, California. This is an annual exhibition, inaugurated in 1990. Bowen’s piece “Waiting for the World to Change” is sure to be a favorite.

I visited with Ginger Bowen this past weekend in Arizona and was invited to tour her “studio.” Truth be told, it’s not a “studio,” but rather an immaculately kept painting lounge, mini-gallery, found-item/EBay museum, office, and crafts room, all enjoying gorgeous northerly light. Her collection of toys, memorabilia, antiques, and statues from which she paints is truly incredible. With great ease, Bowen can walk into this room of these keepsakes, pick up a few fun and whimsical elements, and draw connections between the pieces in her titles as she works. It’s easy to see, Bowen doesn’t take herself too seriously and truly enjoys the entire painting process, from setting up her still life (she works only from life, and meticulously assembles her compositions), to her daily time painting in the studio. The results are incredible. We will feature an exhibition of Ginger Bowen’s work, alongside Fred Calleri, this February at Gallery MAR.

Ginger Bowen “Heavy Metal on the Edge” Oil on Board, 10″ x 29.5″

A little more information on the American Women Artists (AWA):  They are dedicated to the inspiration, celebration and encouragement of women in the visual arts. With membership of professional, acclaimed artists, AWA increases the public awareness of women in the arts by exhibiting quality artwork in museums and galleries. And more importantly, all activities planned and presented by the group are the mission in action. There are three levels of membership and all levels support the mission of the organization - the inspiration, celebration and encouragement of women in the visual arts. Click here to learn more about AWA.

The Secret to a Happy Life

a condensed, easy-to-read philosophy gleaned from ancient times
By Allan Mardon

Isn’t this what we all need? Wackiness and spirited humor from Gallery MAR artist Allan Mardon. Mardon is a veteran painter of desert landscapes, horses, buffaloes, and the Indians that lived with them. He is probably best known for his work “The Battle of Greasy Grass,” which depicts Custer’s “last stand” and is featured in the permanent collection of the Whitney Gallery of Western Art. Of his work, Mardon says, “People find my painting themes and style available to them but perhaps don’t know why. It may be because of the traditional elements I use that are archetypal. I combine the simple visual approach of man’s earliest art with the roaming layout of ancient tapestries and murals.”

“I have reduced thousands of books written on this subject into a stunningly economical work. This is not a full self-help book but yet more of a spoof.” For book purchase information, click here.

We just received new new paintings by Mardon, which you can view in the gallery or online. To see more artworks by Allan Mardon, visit his artworks page.

Anderson wins People’s Choice award in San Luis Obispo

Gallery MAR artist Scott Lloyd Anderson was one of 53 artists who participated in the San Luis Obispo  Art Center’s Plein Air Festival during the first week of October. His painting, Morning on Estero Bay (left), was voted People’s Choice by attendees to the gala event. Before returning home to Minneapolis, Scott and fellow painter, Mike Rada, spent some time painting at spectacular Big Sur (photo below).

“My practice incorporates the use of the prismatic color palette, an emphasis on accurate draftsmanship, and ideas about composition learned during my years as an art director. My paintings are impressionistic in that they describe the unique character of a particular day’s weather and light, and realistic in their desire to show the world as it is. In addition, I use the language of landscape to express abstract notions about color, form, design—and simply for the pleasing texture of paint on canvas.”

1st Place and People’s Choice award in Grand Marais, Michigan

In August, Scott participated in a plein air event at the Grand Marais Art Colony on the North Shore of Lake Superior. His painting won the top prize in the painting category and was voted the favorite by fellow painters and visitors of the show. He also won top prize in both 2005 and 2004.

Upcoming events for this plein air painter include the Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational October 16-19 in Laguna Beach, California and the Plein Air Painter of the West member’s show in Monrovia, California.

To read the full article, view our Press page or call the gallery for your own copy. Want to offer your home-for-trade to these enterprising artists? Visit their Craiglist advertisement for more information. See artwork by Penelope Moore and Aaron Memmott at Gallery MAR today.

Penelope Moore, “Nothing Better” Oil

Aaron Memmott, “The Helper” Oil

Warren Neary “Winter Eve” Oil

• “Children’s Spookin’ Art Show” - October 31st, 2008

Young Artists up to age 13 are invited to join Gallery MAR in presenting our Spookin’ Art Show. Stop by the gallery beginning October 1st to receive your blank canvas. Using the Halloween theme, paint or decorate your piece in a “Spookin’” fashion and deliver your work back to the gallery by October 20th. $10 entry fee. Proceeds benefit Arts Kids.

The Spookin’ Art Show and sale runs October 24th through November 3rd. Reception for the artists is on Friday, October 31st from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Costumes encouraged. Call 435-649-3001 for more information.

• “Winter Grand Opening and Miniature Show”

Utah artists - December 26th, 2008. Local Utah artists present new miniature works for this holiday season, in all styles and media, for all art lovers and their unique tastes. Artists include Ryan S. Brown, Debbie Fowler, Shirley McKay, Aaron Memmott, Penelope Moore, Jan Perkins, Kathleen Peterson, and Brooks Yates. Contact the gallery for a private preview of the artworks.

The Winter Grand Opening and reception for the artists will be Friday, December 26th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. All are welcome to join us for delicious eats and artful conversation. This exhibition runs from December 19th through January 4th.

Our Winter Grand Opening will be followed by a lineup of exciting artist receptions, all of which will start at Gallery MAR at 6 p.m. and include gourmet eats, beverages and illuminating chats with the artists.

• “As Nature Unfolds”

New works by Brooks Yates and Sharon Jackman - January 30th, 2009. This exhibition runs from January 26th through February 9th.

• “Alternate Reality”

New works by Ginger Bowen and Fred Calleri - February 27th, 2009. This exhibition runs from February 23rd through March 9th.

• “A Conscious Balance”

Brad Stroman and Lisa Lamoreaux - March 27th, 2009. This exhibition runs from March 23rd through April 13th.

Opportunity drawing for an original painting by Brad Stroman to benefit the Swaner Eco Center. A portion of sales from “A Conscious Balance” will benefit the Swaner Nature Preserve and Eco Center, which proudly protects 1,200 acres of high-altitude wetland, stream corridor, and upland habitat for wildlife, water quality, and recreation in Park City, Utah.

Shawna Moore, Montana artist

The soothing scent of beeswax is floating through the gallery and a new abstract artist’s work hangs on our walls. Welcome to encaustic artist Shawna Moore, Gallery MAR’s newest artist. An ancient art, which is believed to have been originally used in Ancient Egyptian tombs, encaustic utilizes beeswax mixed with resins and varnishes in layered effects on board or canvas. Moore paints up to 20 or even 30 layers on her boards. The wax is heated, planed and scratched, and reworked to create intriguing depth.

She is currently exploring the idea of “line”– what makes a mark, and how that is related to the past and our landscape. For Moore, making art is a quest to make sense of the world, both materially and conceptually, though the observance of nature, line, and color, and how they entwine with the flow of thought and creativity. View more of Shawna Moore’s artwork.

Ron Russon “Two Watched by Three” Oil

Ron Russon was born and raised in a rural area outside of Salt Lake City and continues to live and work on a farm.  He is surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains, many farms, and acres of cultivated ground. As a youngster, he never took art too seriously, or considered it as a viable career. But when he attended Utah Valley Community College, and took a basic drawing class, and something about it felt right.  He was accepted into the Illustration Design program at Brigham Young University and, as he puts it, “didn’t get fired, so I kept going.” In addition to the dairy farm, Russon maintained two other jobs to pay for his schooling.

Russon became a freelance illustrator and gained several clients. His commercial art career was cut short after painting an acrylic Uncle Sam wrapping a smiling house in red tape; the editor’s “art consciousness” was problematic and Russon’s internal struggle to paint creatively pushed him back to his rural roots of farms and wildlife. Now, Russon paints what he wants to: his life pursuits and hobbies are portrayed on canvas. Listening to bluegrass or space-pop, he paints in oil employing a loose brush and pallet knife to varied scenes, from a serene resting tractor in a wind rowed field of hay to a cacophony of geometric colors creating luminescent bison.  Through both abstraction and realism, his art reflects his relationship with nature and his communication with the outdoors.

Russon’s work is exhibited all over the West and each year he participates in many local and national exhibitions. This year he was chosen for the 2008 Hogel Zoo poster. Visit the Hogle Zoo site to see his painting and purchse a poster. Stop by the gallery to view the new works by Ron Russon. You’ll find his textures and color captivating.

Joining CODA Gallery, Montgommery Lee Fine Art, and Julie Nester Gallery, Gallery MAR is featured in the September issue of Salt Lake City Magazine in their “Women in Business” section, featuring local women business owners. This month’s magazine features Utah’s “65 Best Breakfasts.” Hungry for fantastic art? Look no further! Read the copy here: SLC Magazine Feature.

Check out the latest press coverage of Gallery MAR below. In their “Coast to Coast” section American Art Collector Magazine chose Gallery MAR for our insider advice into the market here in Park City. The September issue is on newsstands now.

American Art Collector Magazine - September 2008

Congratulations to Kathy Lofft. Just today she got the endorsement from Utah’s second most powerful public executive (after the Governor): Peter Corroon, Salt Lake County’s Mayor. Spread the word and visit her website at www.VoteLofft.com. Lofft’s fund raising even on Monday night was a great success. Thank you to her campaign contributers for donating so generously, to Done to Your Taste Catering for the fantastic food, and everyone who helped to set up and support Lofft’s race for House Seat 53.