New Website and A New Blog

Well it's time to step up my game! 

I am working on the redesign of my website, SGTurner Art.  Since it is connected with Word Press, I decided to go ahead and create a new blog as well - one just for my artwork, its called "Exploring Layers".  CLICK HERE to visit.

I will continue to use this blog but for posts of a more personal nature. So in the future come here for the fun, family and friends side of my life, and the other one for my art!

MAKE YOUR MARK! A Childrens' Art Program

Last month during National Arts in Education Week, sponsored by Americans for the Arts, I had the pleasure to work with area children! I visited SoRo Child Care, owned by Nicole Crever; Rome Jervis Library with Miss Alanna; Mrs. Tien's class at Rome Catholic School; and the Treehouse Reading and Art Center, owned by Dr. Joanna Robertson.


I love to create my art lessons around a book title. As it was also International Dot Day that week, for this session I chose the book, The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds. This story is all about a little girl named Vashti who doesn't think she has any artistic talent. But after her art teacher asks her to make a mark, just one dot, she learns that she does have what it takes to be an artist.

At each of the venues I visited we read the book together. After the story all the children gathered around a big white canvas. Each child was asked to choose an object from my stash. Each of these items could be used to make marks on the canvas.

Next they chose their color, then paint was applied to their tool.  Finally, we let them loose! 

Each one tried a few different mark making tools and different colors. Did they ever have fun!

At the end each session the children saw they had created one large canvas full of colorful marks. They thought that was the end of it. Until, I came back the next day with the finished painting! I had uncovered the words I had placed on the blank canvas.

The results?  Each one was different, and each a work of art!

It was a busy week for me but I enjoyed every minute of it! Here's a glimpse -





If you would like to have me visit your classroom, daycare or scout trip, e-mail me and schedule a visit. The first session is FREE!

Hamilton: Weekly Visit

On today's agenda was another visit to Hamilton to help out at the Hamilton Center for the Arts/Broad Street Gallery. I've been volunteering there for a couple weeks now - my own internship of sorts. 

It's about an hour drive, but the scenery is so beautiful it doesn't seem like that long of a ride. Mel went along with me today because the gallery owner, Kathy, needed some help moving a few things to the basement. 

We arrived a few minutes early so I decided to walk around the corner and snap a photo. As we drove into town, I had seen a banner hanging on the side of a building announcing a Native American Festival*. 

As usually happens with me, one photo led to many, many  others!     

 

And as we walked, Mel even got in the act, suggesting things to snap a photo of ...  







Look at this, he said...

And this... 

I thought the changing of the marquee was sorta cool -

Next to the movie theatre ma cool boutique called STEPH. The smell of leather drew me in.  I met Mary who was tending the store. We chatted and I found out she has a son, James, who is a landscape photographer. I ended up giving her my card. I am hoping to be able to share her son's work with my OOAK Artisan readers soon.

(PS. They had great clothes, perfect to wear to an art opening. I plan to return when I do NOT have a chaperone with me!) 

When I finally stopped running my mouth it was time to get to the gallery.  I took a gazillion photos and I'm going to be sharing more in future posts. 

Before I sign off today, I want to share some gorgeous shots I took of the walls in the basement of the  gallery... you KNOW how I feel about texture and especially architectural texture! I'm working hard to get you hooked as well. Until next time, enjoy the view!  

 * For more info on the Native American Festival 

visit https://goo.gl/AfMiFd 

On the Road :: Stage 1 Gallery, Albany NY

I'm back with another episode of "On the Road"  This time we travelled to Albany NY to attend the Upstate Artists Guild Member Art Show!

As many communities do, Albany holds a First Friday event. They have a nice lineup of events including visits to galleries and shops, great restaurants plus a wine bar. There are even after-events, like swing dancing! If you like you can ride the free shuttle bus! CLICK here for this month's happenings.

We took the one and a half hour trip down to attend the opening reception of the  Upstate Artists Guild’s member art show at Stage 1 Gallery .   46 N Swan St. Albany NY Stage 1 Gallery, located on North Swan Street, is owned by the Albany Barn; they sponsor First Friday events and generously hosted the UAG art show in their gallery.

I am a new member of UAG and this was my first show in the Albany area. I brought down two of my recent abstracts to include in the member show.  "The Eyes Have It"  (2017) by Shelley Graham Turner 20x20 mixed media on Canvas You’ve seen “The Eyes Have It”. I entered it into Munson-Williams-Proctor’s annual Sidewalk Art Show last month. Since it won an award I figured I should show it in the Albany area as well.

"State of the ARTist" (2017) by Shelley Graham Turner 12x12 acrylic on canvas  My second piece, “State of the ARTist”.   Both works are available. I am also working on offering prints. Contact me directly if you are interested in either piece.

Beyond my e-mails with UAG Vice President, Rebecca Schoonmaker, I had never met any of the UAG members. I wish we could have stayed longer because I know I would have enjoyed  hanging out afterwards with them. They are a VERY talented bunch. Here is just a selection of their work -    "Pretty Broken Flowers" by Rebecca Schoonmaker "the more you give the more you have" by Thomasa Nielsen "Loki" by Margo Singer "Matching Pink" by Timothy Reidy "The New Plague" by Matt Ramsey "Imperfection Study 1" by Tom Corrado "Night Sweats" by Ward Capeci "Angel II" by Valarie Wolf "Darkness" by Christoph Speenburgh "Forest Formal" by Gary Masline

The show is on exhibit until September 21st so if you get a chance to go by the gallery, GO! I promise it will be well worth the trip!

On the Road :: Skaneateles, NY

This past week I met up with my good friend, Betsy. She was visiting New York State and had a free morning!

A Study in Black and White Mark Making CONTINUES

Last week I shared with my readers the story behind my study in black and white mark making. Like my favorite artist, Franz Kline, I love large gestural marks, especially simple black on white. Unfortunately for me, they aren’t as easy to execute as they might look. It seems I am too much in my own head and I need to loosen up. I did a bit of research and I found a possible solution. It seems if I practice making larger, looser strokes I will build muscle memory. According to Wikipedia, “…when a movement is repeated over time, a long-term muscle memory is created for that task, eventually allowing it to be performed without conscious effort.” So I began a study in black and white mark making.

After working at it about two weeks I have seen an improvement. In addition, I now have a good supply of interesting marks on watercolor paper. I've decided to add layers of color to a few of them. I am loving the results.

The one I am sharing with you today started as just four marks of black india ink. At first I just added a bit of watery acrylic paint.

After looking at it for a couple more days I decided to try making marks using some highlighters I had laying around.  It went through a few different stages before I was completely happy with it. A bit of distressing happened here... More black ink, graphite and marker. Finally I decided to add a few more colors, and a bit more white. I finished it by adding some random marks using my favorite art supply, Neocolor II water-soluble wax oil pastels by Caran d’Ache. I love the look of their strokes over paint.

Here is the finished piece. "Ombi-oynce" (2017) © SGTurner Art As always I love to share a few detail photos as well. (I love how they look together!)

Prints of "Ombi-onyce" detail photos

                           You can see my daily updates on Instagram 

CLICK HERE to follow me!

Prints and some originals in this series are available for purchase.

Contact me if you are interested - sales@sgturnerart.com

On the Road :: Michigan - Part Three

Recently I travelled to Holland, Michigan to visit with my best friend from high school, Ellen. Wherever I go I am always on the lookout for art and this trip was no exception. As usual I took a zillion photos! I decided I'd shared my visit with you. This is part three, the final installation.

A Study in Black and White Mark Making Begins

Back in the beginning of this year I began my search to find my own painting style. I spent many hours on Pinterest, introducing myself to all styles of art. I found I was drawn to abstract art, especially that of artists from the Abstract Expressionism movement.

Support the Arts by Supporting An Artist

Have you ever wanted to make a difference in a young artist's life?

#DYICAD 2017 Challenge: Week Three

I'm back again with week 3 of the #dyicad 2017 challenge.

The challenge is for 61 days. This year I am doing it along with my fellow artist and friend, Jenn Engle of Mixed Media Jenn! 


You can follow along daily on either my Instagram or my Facebook page.





Here's a summary of week one, days 15 through 21:

             

 Made a CHANGE in my process:

As I work on my ICAD challenge I am finding I love some of the pieces so much I want to frame/sell them. So from now on I'm just either going to lay quotes down for the photo, or attach each digitally to the photo. ALSO, some days I find I want to work a bit bigger. I started with small index cards, went to larger - now I have been working on 8x10 paper. The goal of the challenge for me is to just do something small each day. So I'm just rewriting the rules (it's kinda my MO #rebel)... Live with it people! Lol! I am also cutting up all of them and keeping the individual words in a baggie for future use. (Because I really need to hoard just one more thing here!)

Remember, you can play too!

Just jump right in and remember to tag #dyicad2017.

#DYICAD 2017 Challenge: Week Two

I'm back again with week 2 of the #dyicad 2017 challenge.

The challenge is for 61 days. This year I am doing it along with my fellow artist and friend, Jenn Engle of Mixed Media Jenn! 



You can follow along daily on either my Instagram or my Facebook page.

Here's a summary of week one, days 8 through 14:

                             

     

Remember, you can play too! Just jump right in and remember to tag #dyicad2017.