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!