Ad Faux Pas

My latest ad appearing alongside the Table of Contents in the fledgling "Hold Your Horses" magazine has strong points and not so strong. Not so: I have a typo that screamed out to the annoying perfectionist in me. And that was after two separate scrutinies with proof readers. I'm still cringing. However, I'm learning to let go and move on.

Ad pictured at left is too small to detect the offending gaff...did you think I would be THAT forthcoming? You'll have to pick up your own copy of this refreshingly honest and frank horse industry talk. Distribution is increasing exponentially by demand with every issue. If you'd like to request copies in your region, e-mail: holdyourhorses.steele@gmail.com. Of course I highly recommend.

Now for the strong point: I'm offering 20% off ANYTHING that is produced in the studio until December 31st, 2009 just for mentioning my ad. This not only includes my originals, but also my Fine Art Giclee Reproductions and gift merchandise. As a reminder, last year I reigned as the Pet Portrait Queen of the Universe! What an impressive gift instead of the usual ho-hum electronics or jewelry.

Oh, did I mention equine portraits? Champions immortalized forever.

Check out my website for more info and a closer look at what I do: www.sharoncrute.com

"Business Art is the step that comes after Art." - Andy Warhol

Reception Pics

Here's my salon group, "Out of Hand Artists" (OoHA) at our reception last Friday night at MCA Brick City Center for the Arts.

Titled "OoHA H.U.G.S Ocala", it's an amazing exhibit of beautiful and powerful artwork created by seven professional artists.

L. to R. Moi, Margaret Watts, Lorna Effler, Nancy Moskovitz, Jacquelyn Schindehette,
Moe Hahn and Mary Verrrandeaux

Local newspaper Ocala Star Banner was in attendance capturing the conversation between artists and art lovers. You can see more photos here.

"The painterly painter uses the viewer's experience to give life to the work. Instead of being a passive receiver of information, the viewer becomes a participant." - Charles Movalli

OoHA HUGS Ocala Reception

Please join us for a gala opening reception for "OoHA HUGS Ocala."

My artist salon "Out of Hand Artists" (OoHA) is conducting an Art Exhibit and Sale at the Brick City Center for the Arts in downtown Ocala. A portion of the proceeds will benefit H.U.G.S. Charities, Inc., a non-profit organization that raises funds for the research, prevention, detection and treatment of all forms of cancer and assists individuals and families whose lives have been adversely affected by it.

Out of Hand Artists is comprised of seven professional artists who meet twice monthly to discuss the business aspects of being an artist.

The details:

Gala Opening Reception:

Friday, November 6th, 2009 from 5:30-8:30pm. Brick City Center for the Arts 23 SW Broadway Ocala, FL 34471

Call moi for more info: 352-671-7469. All are welcome to attend.

Please join us for food and libations. This is an impressively strong exhibit of fine art and paintings. I promise you'll be amazed.

“An artist has every right - one may even say a duty - to exhibit his productions as prominently as he can” - Jacques Barzun

FAFO

My first fine art festival.

Oh yes, I've participated in numerous outdoor events of an equine nature. Those would be horse shows, steeplechase and race tracks when they'll have me.

This is the painting I began and shortly put away during last winter's season of horse and art recession. Missing my muse terribly, the festival was a good excuse to to revisit and make amends.

"Vying for Position" oil on canvas, 48"x68"

My studio and gallery partner, Jackie Schindehette and I each won an award. For mine, I have to thank, you guessed it, my muse(s).

Jackie & moi in my booth at the Ocala Fine Arts Festival.

"A couple of guys won Academy Awards for the things that I turned down. Today, after coming to terms with everything, after being in therapy for a long time-there are areas where I will compromise. " - Mickey Rourke

Preview Party

Consider this your invitation to our Pre-Ocala Fine Arts Festival Preview Party.

All are welcome and of course it's free. Get a sneak peek of our paintings being exhibited at the festival this coming weekend. My partner Jackie Schindehette is the hostess providing vittles as well as libations. Please come.

At our new studio/gallery:

Voilart!
108 E. Fort King St.
Ocala, FL 34479
(one block south of the central square)
Friday, October 23rd, 5-8pm

"I had reservations about making art a business, but I got over it." - Mary Boone

October Newsletter

I'm painting. And painting. Wanted to get the big canvas finished therefore everything else in my life has been neglected (this blog, husband, deranged cat, housework, etc.). As of this post it's finished but letting it sit for a few days so the flaws will make themselves annoyingly evident. Michael actually made a list of objectionable aspects such as: no forelocks are under the browbands (the better to add the dynamic), eyes have no color, bit at odd angle, suggest stick in jock's hand and the list goes on. He's like a professional witness. Gotta love and appreciate the honest critiques.

Here's a link to my latest newsletter with info on upcoming exhibits:
http://tinyurl.com/yfqurqj.
If you'd like a copy of my newsletter delivered to your inbox, please sign-up in the box at right. I promise to never share info (I hate spam too) or overwhelm with too-frequent mailings (that's a promise!).

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender". - Vince Lombardi

The State of My heART

Roller coasters are thrilling at the amusement park. Not so much in daily studio life.

It's tough love, babe. Deciding to separate from the muse can leave an artist treading water without land in sight. Placing a lifetime of passion and dedication up on the shelf calls for stern resolve of epic proportion. I did it, I experimented, and now I'm back to mend the relationship if only temporarily. Let's say we're dating.

Advice from friends and associates sounds something like this:
"It was a great ride while it lasted, wasn't it?"
"What a terrible time to be in the horse racing business - for anyone."
"Paint something else until the business fixes itself."

I'm a bit more optimistic about the future of horse racing. It will survive albeit not as we presently recognize it. Owners will continue to buy good horses as well as treat themselves to the luxury of expensive cars, beautiful homes and collect great equine art that elicits personal and emotional resonance. These purchases will occur within a changed climate, like everything else that's newly...changed. The smart artist acknowledges and is ready.

I'm so glad for the expansion.

"Full Cry" oil on canvas, 11"x14"

"Twilight" oil on two canvases, each 11"x14"

"If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come." - Chinese Proverb

Back to the River

A bad day on the river is better that a good day in___(fill in the blank).

As we electric motored our way up the Oklawaha, we realized that a dredging company was fishing out the submerged logs and other flora to clear the waterway about two miles upstream from us. This made the water thick and murky and the big gators jittery. Saw a couple of biggies, probably 8-footers, but they hauled butt from us with annoyed attitude upon sighting the canoe. So, we had to settle for the wee ones sunning on the log pictured below. These were babies, and I apologize for not getting closer. Mama was nearby, no doubt.

Florida Wildlife authorities have been capturing these feral monkeys over the past year but missed this crewe. These rascals are several generation descendants of the escapees from film and TV productions at Silver Springs in the 50's and 60's. Think Sea Hunt and Tarzan.

This is the alpha male keeping a close eye on us.

Females with infants crossed the river over our heads.

Forgive the shakiness of this photo, but it is a...a...snake. This is a Florida Water Snake, unfortunately often confused with cottonmouths. Their color and markings are similar but the head shape is different. This sleek-headed snake was docile and ignored us.

“Cats and monkeys, monkeys and cats - all human life is there” - Henry James

International World Wide Paint Out

A hardy bunch of plein air painters descended on Ocala today in observance of the World Wide Paint Out. Gray skies and occasional rain did not deter these focused artists from painting, painting, painting. As a sheltered studio artist, I'm impressed.

Voilart! served as a base for the painters to check in and provide their approximate location, get a cold drink of water and most important - use the bathroom! And that's another challenge for these artists that I am just not aware of. I guess a tree would stand in for facilities when they paint in the woods.

Important equipment like this umbrella to serve rain or shine.

Love this woody that this painter works out of.

Some painters planned ahead such as Carole Drost
who's working on the porch of the Blakley House.

Heat, rain, wind, bugs, rapidly changing light, weirdos, animals - I admire them for their tenacity under all these conditions.

"All pictures painted inside in the studio will never be as good as the things done outside." - Paul Cezanne. Well, there you go.

Gala Ribbon Cutting

In a light drizzle and under a full moon we conducted our ribbon cutting ceremony last night for Voilart!

Holding the ribbon from left to right: Marion Cultural Alliance Executive Director Nancy Ledding; Marion County Administrator Dr. Lee Niblock; Florida landscape artist (my partner) Jackie Schindehette; moi; and Marion County Commissioner Barbara Fitos.

I love our red archway.

The turnout was fabulous and we were packed with well-wishers all night.

As enjoyable as it was, I'm relieved the various pomp and circumstance is over with, enabling Jackie and I to get back to the serious business of painting. We both have shows and exhibits fast approaching and need to buckle down and get productive.

Next Saturday Voilart! will serve as headquarters for local plein air painters participating in the International Worldwide Paint Out. We'll provide the initial sign-up for artists and also provide approximate locales where they can be found painting for interested observers. For more info check out the Ocala Plein Air Painters website.

"The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more." - Jonas Salk