"Means to an End" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 4" x 4"; (c) Amy Guidry 2011; SOLD
One of my latest additions to the In Our Veins series has sold. Means to an End was shipped to its new home in Florida. It is an acrylic on canvas, 4″ x 4.” The In Our Veins series, in short, explores the connections between all life forms and the cycle of life through a surreal, psychologically-charged narrative. You can read more about the series on my website as well as view a larger image of Means to an End at this direct link: www.amyguidry.com/means_to_an_end.html.
I’ve recently finished another addition to the In Our Veins series! My painting “Fleeting” is now online- it is an acrylic on canvas, 8″ wide by 10″ high. Since the series deals with the life cycle and our role as well as impact on it, I thought this piece would be fitting given it is an example of the brevity of life. The moth plays an integral part since I have always had an interest in butterflies and moths and how short their life span can be (depending on the species). They are so delicate and beautiful, and only on this earth for such a short while. Which really is a metaphor for life in general- though many of us take it for granted and feel invincible. The pregnant woman is no one in particular (in reality there was no model- she is completely made up), she is a mother or will be, she is nature, she is Mother Earth, she is giving life, while the moth represents life.
I have posted the progression of this painting from start to finish- sorry for the cruddy photos- all were taken by me except the final one (which is why it was taken in good lighting on the proper setting and the colors look more accurate). View a larger version of the finished piece online at http://www.amyguidry.com/fleeting.html.
Almost forgot to take a photo- “Fleeting” original sketch on canvas; by Amy Guidry
Roughed in the first layer of paint for “Fleeting”
Background is finished; Adding another layer of paint to the figure to further develop
Adding another layer of paint to the moth to further develop
Adding another layer of paint to the face, cleaning up and adding details
Adding more color to the hair and fine details; Developing figure with another layer of paint
More color and detail to figure, focusing on the hands
Hands are done; Starting to develop the moth with another layer of paint
Adding more detail to the moth as I add the next layer of paint
“Fuzzy” part of moth complete- stripes are next
Stripes are done as well as further development of the shadows underneath
“Fleeting” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas, 8″ x 10″; (c) Amy Guidry 2011
Perfume Bottle drawing by Amy Guidry; SOLD; Done when I was 16 years old
I recently posted a few photos of work I did as a kid up through high school. Funny, it never occurred to me that someone would be interested in adding one to their art collection…I guess because even though they are art, somehow I only considered work done during my “professional” years to be of interest. That is until someone expressed interest. I was also surprised by the enthusiasm people had over these once I posted them to my Facebook “Fan Page.” Even though they were all pieces I did on my own time, they were still part of my “sketchbook” assignments (even though they were not just simple sketches) which I had to turn in weekly to show that I was working on my art. This was standard for those in the Talented Art Program. Every week I would show what I worked on, usually adding more to the same drawing, and wait for approval. In some ways, it’s not all that different from how things are today. So I think this serves as a great reminder that we shouldn’t be so critical of our own work- on the whole, if it’s good, it’s good, no matter how old it is, no matter the imperfections that we think we see, no matter how many times we had to start over. No one else sees that, they just see a great work of art.
"Jay II" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; Private Collection; (c) Amy Guidry
And another painting from my “New Realm” series has found a new home. This piece is from my smaller, 5″ x 5″ ‘sub-series’ which are almost entirely sold out. Only a few left, which is crazy to think since there were so many to begin with. This piece is titled “Jay II” and is an acrylic on canvas from 2009. (The original “Jay” painting from the year prior sold at that time.) I exhibited this painting in an auction in which part of the sales would benefit Virtues of Acadiana, a local organization whose mission is to “instill virtues while facilitating the academic, socio-cultural, and professional development of Acadiana’s youth.”
To view more of my work, including the (remaining) available “New Realm” 5″ x 5″ paintings, visit my website at www.AmyGuidry.com.
"Introspective" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 40"w x 30"h; (c) Amy Guidry 2011
Another painting from my New Realm series has a new home. I really love to share my work with people, especially people that I know. It’s a great feeling to know that something so personal to you is enjoyed by others. I remember when I first started to show my work (out of school), I was so self-conscious and afraid because it was work that I not only created on my own, with no guidance or “approval” by a professor, but also because I felt so exposed. My first show was a juried exhibit (talk about fear!). Most people there ignored me and visibly did not seem to like my painting, but I received 2nd place (obviously one person liked it) and I was so relieved and surprised, but it was enough to help spur me along. Which is how I’ve gotten where I am today.
So now “Introspective” is being enjoyed and shared with others. It’s such a good feeling- and that’s what keeps me going. It’s amazing how much we can accomplish when just one person gives us the encouragement.
“Heads II” by Amy Guidry; 12″ x 12″; acrylic on canvas; Sold; (c) Amy Guidry 2011
My latest piece is now finished and online! I had some back problems to slow me down a bit, but managed to pull through. This is the most recent addition to my “In Our Veins” series. It is a 12″ x 12″ painting, acrylic on canvas, titled “Heads II.” It is related to a previous painting- “Untitled (Heads).” I recently discussed this one and wanted to share my thoughts behind it. The concept behind this piece, as with several of my paintings, is that of humans viewing nature as a means to an end. We view animals as pieces and parts- head, tongue, rump, rear, breast, wing, etc. If they are not referred to as parts, they are named something other than what they are- chickens are poultry, pigs are pork, cows are beef, etc. They are no longer acknowledged as animals, but as food. Others are treated as trophies to hang on a wall, or turned into “luxury items” to wear or carry things in. I see animals as sentient beings- living, breathing, thinking, with offspring of their own to care for.
While humans typically treat their fellow members of the animal kingdom as a means to an end, I depict them with personalities, or what others arrogantly deem as “human” qualities (as if only humans can express emotions). For instance, many of the animals I paint have eyes that appear “human,” in that you see the whites of the eyes, or they have lighter colored eyes and not large, dark doe eyes as typically associated with animals. Some animals are positioned in a dominant stance or their facial expression is calm and serene- again, qualities typically associated with only humans. In this painting, the animals are confident and staring directly at the viewer, demanding attention and acknowledgement.
For a larger view (much larger, thanks to my recent website redesign), visit the following link: www.AmyGuidry.com/Heads_II.html
"Sandhya" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; (c) Amy Guidry 2011
Two more of my paintings have recently found new homes. (They are my babies, so I do think of them as growing up and finding homes of their own.) Both are from my 2005-2006 series of portraits- “Sandhya” and “Man in the Park.” They are both acrylic on canvas, and the same dimensions as well- 26 inches wide by 22 inches high, framed. “Man in the Park” is actually now in the permanent collection of the Alexandria Museum of Art in Alexandria, Louisiana.
"Man in the Park" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; (c) Amy Guidry 2011
As you may know from an earlier post, my website will be getting a makeover (it’s just going on behind the scenes so my site is still currently up and running). And since my portfolio is always expanding and there are very few portraits still available, I’ve decided to remove the portraits from the new site. You will still be able to enjoy them online elsewhere, though- such as this blog as well as my Facebook Fan Page. I’ll be revealing the new look soon, but in the meantime you can still check out all of my work at www.AmyGuidry.com.
"Fragility" by Amy Guidry, acrylic on canvas, (c) Amy Guidry 2011
Lots going on as of late. I will be revealing a new painting pretty soon. My website is currently getting a makeover which will be unveiled soon, hopefully. And I’ve had shows coming down and new ones about to go up. Recently my painting “Fragility” was sold and has found a new home in NYC. This is one from my latest series of work “In Our Veins.” It’s a 6″ x 6″, acrylic on canvas. I will miss him… “Fragility” was also featured recently on Beautiful Decay along with several other paintings from the series, which you can view at http://beautifuldecay.com/2011/02/21/amy-guidry/.
This weekend I will be one of the artists featured in the Throwdown.1.5 auction to benefit the Prospect New Orleans Biennial. It’s for a great cause and it’s in New Orleans, so all the more reason to go! I am honored to be included amongst such great artists, some of which are from my own area. My painting “Kerry” from my 2005/2006 series will be up for auction. It is an acrylic on canvas, framed, and total size dimensions are 16″w x 13″h (view more of my work at www.AmyGuidry.com). The event will be held at Stage 3, Secondline Stages in New Orleans this Saturday, February 5th from 8-11pm. So if you are out and about for the artwalk, stop by afterwards. Tickets are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/146659.
Artists featured in the auction include: Wayne Amedee, Luis Cruz Azaceta, Kathleen Banton, Mark Bercier, Tim Best, Brice Bischoff, Jessica Bizer, Ralph Bourque, Hannah Chalew, Stephen Collier, Beth Dary, Luke Dubois, Aubrey Edwards, Lin Emery, Amy Guidry, Brian Guidry, Sally Heller, Chris Jahncke, Dick Johnson, Rachel Jones, Krista Jurisich, Les Lawrence, Charles Lovell, Sophie Lvoff, Carolyn McAdams, Natalie McLaurin, Michael Pajon, Francis X. Pavy, Mary Jane Parker, Stephanie Patton, Anastasia Pelias, Emily Sartor, Kate Samworth, Karoline Schleh, Regina Scully, Elizabeth Shannon, Dan Tague, Steven Tetters, Michel Varisco, and Monica Zeringue
"The Red Dress" by Amy Guidry; Private Collection; (c) Amy Guidry 2011
Another “New Realm” painting has found a new home! This piece is titled “The Red Dress” and is a spotlight piece, so to speak, based on a larger painting, “Dawning.” This is another 5″ x 5″ painting from my “New Realm” series. The series is my own modern interpretation of fairytales in which the woman in the story is the heroine, not the victim. The red dress seen in this painting, as well as in “Dawning,” was inspired by a fashion shoot in Vogue magazine depicting a model in a childlike pose, wearing a red babydoll dress. This imagery further perpetuates the idea of women as fragile, young, naive, in need of protection. It’s the perfect concept to include in my series empowering women. To view the “New Realm” series, as well as larger images, visit my website at this direct link: www.AmyGuidry.com.
