Hi-Fructose: "The Great West Coast Migration" PangeaSeed Benefit Art Tour feature
More good press this week- I had a nice surprise this morning when I discovered my painting for “The Great West Coast Migration” traveling exhibit is featured on Hi-Fructose. Over 100 artists have come together to support PangeaSeed’s conservation and preservation efforts for sharks and oceans in Japan and beyond. The exhibit will travel to galleries along the West Coast starting this Friday (the 13th- eek!) at Roq la Rue in Seattle. For the tour schedule and to check out some of the featured works (including my own!) visit this direct link: http://hifructose.com/2012/07/04/the-great-west-coast-migration-pangeaseed-benefit-art-tour/.
"Spring" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 5" x 5"; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2009
I just realized that I’ve been slacking a bit and did exactly what I would tell other artists not to do. I forgot to get photos of a few paintings. They were in an exhibit almost immediately after being finished, hence the mistake. Though I’ve had plenty of time since then to rectify it…. One is now sold, which at least if I need a photo of it I can get one from the buyer, but that is not always the case, therefore it’s important to always document. The good news is I do have a photo of the other painting that sold- Spring. Both paintings are acrylic on canvas, 5″ x 5″ each, and from my New Realm series, which you can see the larger paintings in the series here: www.amyguidry.com/beginning.html.
I get so many questions about my work ranging from simple to philosophical, so today I thought I’d post about one of the more fun ones. Sort of a Where’s Waldo post. So some of you have asked about the models I’ve used in my paintings, which have always been varied from series to series. However, there is one model that has been used for almost every body of work. If you’ve been following my work since the early days, you probably know the answer to this. Aside from using my own face, the next cheap and readily available model I know is my husband. Depending on the painting, some are an exact resemblance, some take artistic license, and some don’t even feature his face (i.e. Everything’s Coming Up Roses). So here are some of the paintings he has appeared in some form or another:
“Zachary” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 26″w x 22″h; (c) Amy Guidry 2005; Collection of The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
“United Isolation” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 48″ w x 36″h; (c) Amy Guidry 2007; Private Collection
“Everything’s Coming Up Roses” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 40″w x 30″h; (c) Amy Guidry 2015; Collection of The City of Slidell
“Burden to Bear” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 11″w x 14″h; (c) Amy Guidry 2010; Private Collection
“Vulnerable” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 24″w x 12″h; (c) Amy Guidry 2011
“Zachary II” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 30″w x 24″h; (c) Amy Guidry 2005
“Synergy” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 8″w x 10″h; (c) Amy Guidry 2011; Available through The Shop Gallery, New Orleans
As you may recall, I posted earlier that I would be the juror for the Eye of the Beholder XXVI competition at the Lafayette Art Association. I made my selections for the awards (note: you’ll have to wait until the reception to know the results- my lips are sealed) and upon writing my juror’s statement, I thought it might be helpful to those that enter or even attend such events to know what it is like from the other side. First, I am an artist- I am usually the one submitting my work for judgement, be it a juried exhibition, an exhibition proposal to a gallery, or a portfolio review. I’ve always had some semblance of what it must be like for a juror to sort through hundreds of entries, having to make tough calls, and break hearts. Given the fact that I am an artist and know firsthand what it is like to be on the receiving end, I know how significant my choices are to the artists involved. In some ways I think it may be harder for artists to serve as jurors simply because we know what it is like to subject ourselves to these critiques. Some of the artists were complete beginners up against established artists. Nevertheless, I remained as objective as possible and looked at each piece as an individual. It was not easy given there were many strong works. There were even significant works that did not receive an award.
After I made my selections, I felt good about the variety of work, in which my eclectic taste came in handy for once. I would have loved to give everyone an award for their efforts and to acknowledge the merits of their work but at the same time, I wouldn’t want to diminish the awards for those pieces I felt were particularly strong. It is a tough call, and I can say from experience that there are many factors involved in judging a show, some of which are completely out of the artist’s hands and are nothing against the work itself. Sometimes the only difference between an award-winner and a non-award winning piece is an emotional response. That doesn’t mean the work isn’t any good- it’s my response, therefore it will be different from person to person.
In the end, I hope that the artists know that they have all contributed to make a great exhibit. I also hope that they continue to challenge themselves as well as aim for more exhibits and competitions. And the take-away here is just because a piece isn’t selected doesn’t mean it should be taken out of rotation. If it’s a work that you are fond of, keep submitting it for other opportunities.
If you would like to see the results and show your support for the artists, please attend the awards reception on August 19th from 4:30-6pm at the Lafayette Art Association on 1008 E. St. Mary Blvd.
“One” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 6″x 6″; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2012
Finally finished! I’ve just completed my painting for The Great West Coast Migration traveling exhibition. The title is One and it is an acrylic on canvas, 6″ x 6.” The exhibition is organized by PangeaSeed and will benefit sharks and oceans in Japan and abroad. Given that so many sharks are killed for their fins (a delicacy in Japan and China), this cause was of particular interest to me not only as an artist but as a vegan as well. People often think of sharks as vicious predators, (thanks, Media!) when in fact, they do not seek out humans and only a small percentage of shark attacks occur each year. I wanted to focus on them as being part of this world and just as significant as the rest of us. I combined the human faces with the shark body to illustrate them as one, or equals. The shark body floats in the air, in keeping with many of my other paintings, but also mimicking the hunted, hanging sharks I so often see. Such a simple title- One– and such a simple concept, yet we still struggle to see our planet as something to share rather than dominate.
The exhibition will begin this summer at the following galleries:
Seattle – Roq la Rue Gallery- July 13-15
Portland – Grass Hut Co.- July 20-22
San Francisco – Spoke Art Gallery- July 27-28
Los Angeles – LeBasse Project- August 2-4
Costa Mesa – The Artery- August 10-12
San Diego – Space 4 Art- August 17-19
"Symbiotic" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 11"w x 14"h; (c) Amy Guidry 2012
Quick post today- lots going on and I’ll have plenty to share on here later so be on the lookout. The 3-person exhibition that I currently have at Barrister’s Gallery in New Orleans recently received a great write-up in the Gambit Weekly. Eric Bookhardt attended our exhibit, “Visions of the Unnatural World,” and gave us a positive review which you can check out here: www.bestofneworleans.com/blogofneworleans/archives/2012/05/15/review-new-works-at-barristers-gallery. The show is currently up through June 2nd.
Design by PangeaSeed Creative Director - Aaron Glasson (Rah Akaishi)
I have recently been invited to participate in The Great West Coast Migration, a touring art exhibition, organized by PangeaSeed in an effort to benefit sharks and oceans in Japan and beyond. According to PangeaSeed, “We are very excited to showcase a robust fund-raising art collection featuring works contributed by more than 100 internationally renowned artists, graphic designers, filmmakers and photographers. Almost all of our globally-based artist friends will be premiering their works for the first time ever in the United States. Also a percentage of the proceeds from the summer exhibitions will also help in aiding the startup of PangeaSeed’s inaugural west coast chapter whose mission and efforts will help further fundraising to keep sharks afloat on the west coast and around the world.”
The exhibition tour will take place at the following:
Seattle – Roq la Rue Gallery- July 13-15
Portland – Grass Hut Co.- July 20-22
San Francisco – Spoke Art Gallery- July 27-28
Los Angeles – LeBasse Project- August 2-4
Costa Mesa – The Artery- August 10-12
San Diego – Space 4 Art- August 17-19
Participating artists include: Dave Kinsey, Mike Stilkey, Brad Klausen, Yoram Benz, Skinner, Gale Hart, Shark Toof, Bwana Spoons, Craig Tapecat McCudden, Bigfoot, Danny Miller, Rah Akaishi, Justin Lovato, Lindsey Carr, Serge Gay Jr., Brett Amory, Robert Bowen, Ryan Maguire, MCA, Mario Wagner, John Fellows, Ronzo, Sylvia Ji, Toshikazu Nozaka, Michael Alm, Lindsey Way, Remo Camerota, Cometdebris (Koji Harmon), Gargamel, Blunt Graffix (Matt Dye), Samuel Rodriguez, Aaron De La Cruz, Ben Tour, Linnea Strid, Crajes, Becky and Louise, Max Dalton, Olek, Caitlin Hackett, Derek Nobbs, Jeni Yang, Scott Belcastro, Yoh Nagao, Joshua Petker, Flick Ford, Lisa Congdon, Josie Morway, Luciano Scherer, Scott Hove, Tati Suarez, Tugboat Printers, Victor Castillo, Peap Tarr, Meg Adamson, SHERYO, Aidan Monahan, The Yok, Spencer Keeton Cunningham, Cinzah Merkins, Nao Harada, Sage Vaughn, Adam Wallacavage, Erik Otto, Mr. Jango, P Williams, Morgan Slade, Jasper Wong, Flavien Demarigny, Laura Ball, Courtney Mattison, La Pandilla, Sam Rulz, Casey Grey, Greg Simkins, Jim Phillips, Nathan Spoor, Kid Creature, Ransom and Mitchell, Cupco (Luke Temby), Kelly Allen, Sean Tuttle, Amy Guidry, Kozyndan, Rhys Cooper, John Stuart Berger, Bruce Gossett, Sandra Cappelletti, Michael King, Carbon, Kim Scott, Ashley Suzanne Taylor, Mika Tenekoon, Pascal Lecocq, APAK, Asher Jay, Trip Airways, Kaoru Sakai, Jim Mazza, Winnie McDonald, Rob Mack, Jeremy Pruitt, Rick Rietveld, Ben Brough, Caspian de Looze, Nathan Paul Gibbs, Thaddeus Strode, Paul Kaiju, Le Merde, Vexta, Kool Kid Kreyola, Foerdl Scheichenost
I’ll be posting my finished piece for the exhibit here (and the links below) so be on the lookout.
Bizarre Beyond Belief- Amy Guidry In Our Veins feature
My work was recently featured on Bizarre Beyond Belief, a site that is “dedicated to the brilliant, beautiful and bizarre.” Several works from my latest series In Our Veins are featured. Check it out here: http://bizarrebeyondbelief.com/2012/04/27/amy-guidry-in-our-veins/.
The latest edition of Vegan Mainstream’s VStream Zine is now available. I am honored to be a part of their feature on Vegan Professionals. I’ve also had the opportunity to learn about many other vegan companies and services as a result. The issue is about change, whether it pertains to ourselves or changing the world, so many of the professionals, myself included, relate our stories of change through our business. With my artwork, I hope to have a positive impact and create change starting with my viewers, and hopefully-maybe-if-I’m-lucky that has a chain reaction. If you would like to read my story, as well as the many other stories, recipes, and articles featured, you can order a download here (as well as get a sneak peek): www.veganmainstream.com/vstream-magazine-ebook-book-guide-zine-vegans.
