“Renewal” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 48″w x 24″h; (c) Amy Guidry 2013
I recently received some exciting news that my work has been selected for the Fifth Annual National Figurative Drawing and Painting Exhibition at the Lore Degenstein Gallery of Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. The exhibition opening and awards ceremony will take place October 19th from 7-9pm. The show will remain up through December 6th.
I’m just now getting around to posting photos from the opening reception of the 15th International Open. My painting Fleeting was selected for the exhibit at Woman Made Gallery by guest juror Linda Warren of Linda Warren Gallery, also in Chicago. Here are a few of the photos from opening night- more are on my website at www.amyguidry.com/events.html. The good news is there is still time to see it since the show is up now through April 26th.
Artist Scott Hamilton's (Artboy68) miniature portrait of me
I found out yesterday that artist Scott Hamilton (aka Artboy68) had completed a miniature portrait of me as part of his project to complete 100 portraits in 20 weeks. Not only does it look like me, but it’s only 2 3/8 inches square! I work small, but not that small! And he did this just by using my Gravatar image (which you can see just about everywhere on this site). Amazing… Perhaps he works under a microscope? I’ve included a screen grab but be sure to check out the portrait (it’s #75) as well as the rest of his work here: http://artboy68project.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/75-amyguidryartist/. BTW, he already has plenty of subjects to reach 100, however, you can still enter to win a larger acrylic painting as number 100!
"Release" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 36"w x 48"h; (c) Copyright Amy Guidry 2008
Another painting from my New Realm series has found a new home. The painting is titled Release and was done in 2008. It is an acrylic on canvas, 36″ wide by 48″ high. This is a popular painting from the series and one of the more substantially sized ones. The new owners were particularly moved by this piece and likewise, I was moved by the significance this painting had for them. I won’t go into any details here because it is a personal story and will remain so. However, it just goes to show that it truly does not matter if you are not an artist or an art historian in order to appreciate art. I would never deny someone their feelings towards a piece because those feelings are based on personal experiences and memories that I know nothing about. Sure, I have my own thoughts, feelings, and reasons behind my paintings, but that doesn’t make them any more “legit” than those of others. The same could be said for books, poetry, music, movies, and so on. I was truly touched by what these new collectors had to say, and appreciated that they shared something so personal with me. Their story has actually added to my own story behind the work. I enjoy telling stories through my art, but I love to hear the stories that others have to tell as well.
"Zachary" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; Collection of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
I’m excited to announce that my painting “Zachary” will be in the upcoming “Portraits and Their Stories” exhibition at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. “Zachary” is part of the museum’s collection and will be amongst the many other portraits in their collection (including Grant Wood of “American Gothic” fame) as well as some pieces on loan. “Zachary” was one of my portrait series paintings done during 2005-2006 (which you can view a few of on my Facebook Fan Page). The exhibition will be up September 24th, 2011 through January 15, 2012- ample opportunity for those of you in the Midwest to see my work in person. For more information on the exhibit visit the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art website at this direct link.
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
"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.
Upon the start of the Surreal Salon exhibit at the Baton Rouge Gallery Center for Contemporary Art, my painting “Complacent” has sold. The exhibit will be up through the 28th of January, so if you haven’t seen this piece in person, now is your last chance. It’s fairly large- 48″ across by 24″ high, so there’s a lot that can’t be captured in a jpeg on the internet. This painting was an image that came to me, but I sketched it out and waited to use it later when the time was right. It fit perfectly with the social commentary series I was working on at that time.
Also of note, Robin Miller’s recent article in The Advocate (the Baton Rouge, LA newspaper) about the Surreal Salon. My painting was also featured with the article, so I was happy to find that out as well. You can read it under the Press Section of my website at http://www.amyguidry.com/press.html.
Whew! I’ve been busy… sorry for the delayed posting. As you may already know, I have a show coming up at the Oak Street Gallery in Hammond, LA this month. That entailed a trip with a U-Haul to get all of my work over there. Lots of big canvases that wouldn’t fit in my Jeep. In addition to my usual painting, I also did a portrait commission and my hand is starting to feel it! But I think the results paid off, so that makes it a little easier to endure. This is a painting of “Maggie”- I’ve met her before but I’m sure she doesn’t remember that. Anyway, I got a little crazy with the background and took on something much bigger than I anticipated. I do like the way the bricks turned out, though. No pain, no gain, right? Is that applicable here? I also played with the color scheme a little for an almost monochromatic feel. She was already wearing pink but I toned down the hot pink-ness in her shirt and applied more pinks and peaches to the bricks. Oh, and it’s an 11″ x 14″ acrylic on canvas!
I will be painting Maggie’s sister soon, so I will post that once I have it finished. In the meantime, check out my website for some more news in my Press section! http://www.AmyGuidry.com
"Mike" by Amy Guidry; SOLD; Copyright Amy Guidry 2009
I try to post as much as possible on here, but sometimes I slack off a bit when I’m really busy. Case in point. So while trying to catch up on recent news, I realized that I didn’t even post the last two paintings I sold. Sales are always good news, so that’s worth sharing. I sold two portraits that I had done awhile back. They were some of the first paintings I had done when I decided to paint professionally and make a career out of my art. I was especially glad since that series has dwindled down to not quite enough to have for a whole show, yet too many to have sitting in storage. And they didn’t exactly fit with my recent series, either. So now they have new homes, and I am very happy about that.
Both paintings are the same size, 30″ tall by 24″ wide. A “medium” size that I do, depending on your definition of medium. (I know some artists think 4 or 5 feet is “medium” sized…)
"Craig" by Amy Guidry; SOLD; Copyright Amy Guidry 2009
And they are both framed, so that actually adds an 1 1/2″ in each direction. The painting, “Mike,” is of a friend I met through my husband. The painting, “Craig,” is of my brother (you may recall seeing his picture in previous posts). The “Craig” painting is actually the first portrait I did for this series.
