Marvelous Minis for Merry Making

Has a ring to it, eh?

My gallery partner Jackie Schindehette and I are hosting an exhibit of miniature paintings on December 11th from 5:00-7:00pm at our studio/gallery Voilart! in downtown Ocala. With the economy attempting to recover yet still appearing a bit disheveled, our tiny paintings give patrons an opportunity to purchase an original oil at affordable prices. So quit blowing all your hard-earned bucks on electronics that are obsolete as soon as you leave the store, take months to figure out and have to be replaced next year. BUY ART!

Art is valuable, it's classy, very distinctive, tells a story, has pretty colors and makes your home or office a lovelier space. Art enhances your life. You can meditate peacefully on art, contemplating the layers of meaning. Interpret your piece as you like. Let it move you. Show off your original acquisitions to your friends, impress your clients with your knowledgeable art speak. If you're a young person, buying art is hip, cool, and your peers will be intrigued as you break away from iworld. Art is powerful, intimate, tranquil, personal, thought provoking, emotional, sensational. Art says you're cultured, intelligent, educated and affluent - even if you're not so much. Don't speculate about the future, buy what you love now. Allow art to speak to you. If you are fortunate and the artist of your piece becomes famous, you can pass it on to your kids and they'll have bragging rights. An heirloom tradition. Plus, art is just wonderful and beautiful as it is. BUY ART!

"The New Pony" oil on canvas, 8"x10"

If my paintings don't appeal to you, heck, buy Jackie's. She creates Florida landscapes that will caress you with a warm breeze when you're up to your eyeballs in snow. Art creates longing, inspires your imagination, dreams and desires. BUY ART!

"The Private Chat" oil on canvas, 11"x14"

Contemplate the conversation occurring in the above piece... BUY ART!

"Collectors are happy people." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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