I’m excited to announce a new feature on my work! Morgan King of Visionary Artistry Mag did a feature, very thorough at that, on my art. There’s a mix of paintings featured including some of my most recent work from my “In Our Veins” series. To read the article, visit this link: http://visionaryartistrymag.com/2011/07/amy-guidry-inspired-by-nature/.
At last, I have finally finished another painting from the “In Our Veins” series. I’m always looking for ways to improve, no matter how big or small, so I really focused on the textures in this piece. Though you can’t really tell here, so be sure to go to my website for a better look, in addition to a zoom-in feature (the magnifying glass icon on the top right)- www.AmyGuidry.com/sequence.html. The title is “Sequence” and it is an acrylic on canvas, 6″ wide by 12″ high.
Much of this series, as stated in my artist statement (which is posted on my website), deals with the life cycle so the title is in reference to that process. Both life and death are represented, new life- plants, animals- are seen building upon each other, one leading to the next, which is also why I opted for a long, vertical composition. The animals I chose follow, for the most part, a hierarchy of sorts as seen in nature. Though it may be odd for a vegan to discuss this, but the animals depicted follow each other in the food chain (side note- as a vegan, I realize this is a fact of life, however I have a choice when it comes to what I eat). The roses were an almost subconscious choice at first, but seemed appropriate for the piece given that we use roses to celebrate life as well as to honor those that have passed.
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.
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.
I’ve received more good news recently- my work was selected for inclusion in the 54th Annual Exhibition of Contemporary Art at the VACI (Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution). The juror for the exhibit is Jim Kempner of the Jim Kempner Gallery in New York City. My painting “Renewal” from my New Realm series was selected and it is an acrylic on canvas, 48″ wide by 24″ high. The exhibition will take place in the Strohl Art Center of the Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York. There will be an opening reception held on Sunday, June 26th from 3-5pm. The exhibit will remain on display through July 14, 2011.
To view more of my work, visit my website at www.AmyGuidry.com.
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
The group exhibition at Gallery 549 featuring some of my latest paintings is coming down this week. I have a few photos to share from the opening reception and there are even more on my (newly redesigned!) website at this direct link- www.amyguidry.com/events.html (Go to the album at the top left). So now I am gearing up for my next show which will be in Austin at Wally Workman Gallery. More details on that closer to time. In the meantime, check out the photos!
Sorry for the delayed post! I’ve had a lot going on as of late, some of which I would like to announce right now. I recently did an interview for Pop Culture Radio with Chris Wakefield. The interview is now online and has a bit of something for everyone whether you are an artist, a collector, or just an admirer of art. You can listen to the entire interview at this link: http://popcultureradio.net/radio-interview/amy-guidry/.
Also, for some even bigger news and I do mean big- if you’ve been following along you know of this several months long undertaking- my website makeover is finished and the results are now online! The overall design is a bit different (new and improved!) and there are some new added features. For one, the images are now large. And I mean large! Many of them have a zoom-in feature as well. While you are there, be sure to sign up for my e-newsletter. You can also now sign up for my quarterly postcard which features one of my latest paintings on the front and a quick list of exhibits on the back. Many people just like to collect the postcards for the paintings since they also get my newsletter. Sign up for one or for both, they’re all free. Check it out at www.AmyGuidry.com.
This weekend (April 9th) is the Second Saturday Artwalk in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana. Galleries and business will be open after hours for this free event, officially starting at 6pm and ending at 8pm-ish. BTW, I will have work at Gallery 549 for the annual Spring Group Exhibition, so if you are in the area, be sure to check it out.
Acadiana Center for the Arts– 101 W. Vermilion St. / 337-233-7060
Main Gallery: Francis X. Pavy: Currents and Flows – now through May 7
Side Gallery: Brett Chigoy: When the Preditor has Defined our Dreams as Prey– now through May 7
Cajun Spice– 535 Jefferson St / 337-232-3061 – Cliff Broussard
Galerie Eclaireuse– 535 ½ Jefferson St. / 337-234-5492 – Melissa Bonin
Gallery 549– 549 Jefferson St. / 337-593-0796 – Spring Group Exhibition
Galerie Lafayette at The Lafayette Public Library- 538 Jefferson St. / 337-261-5775 – William H. Parr
Gallery R (at The Russo Group)- 116 E. Congress St. / 337-769-1530 – Katherine LeMoine
Sans Souci Gallery– 219 E. Vermilion St. / 337-266-7999 – Louisiana Crafts Guild- Fait a la Main
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.
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.