A Year of Art in our Collections

It's a year this month since I began the Artist as Collector Series on this blog.  It is a great way to learn about new artists and see what inspires everyone. Personally, I am passionate about art. I love making it, being around it, and connecting with other artists and art lovers (if you are reading this, then count yourself among them.)  My home is filled with art- my own, friends', and work I have picked up in my travels, near and far.

Frida and milagros in Pegge Hopper's kitchen

This series is one way to share this passion, introduce people (myself included) to new art and new artists and see why and what makes someone want to have a piece of someone's work in their home or collection.

Many of the artists I knew and several I met through Alyson Stanfield's blog and workshops. Some were introduced by a guest blogger who wrote about a piece in their collection and then that artist became a guest blogger.  It's a great way to Pay it Forward, and a lot of fun along the way- kind of like Art Tag- and the best part, everyone wins!

Many of the selected pieces have been the work of teachers or mentors. Other's a student of theirs, or the work of a family member. A few have never met the artist whose work they wrote about but nonethless, felt a kinship.

The work has been purchased, traded, gifted or found. All are treasures.

I guess that's the point of all this... living with art inspires us, makes us feel happy, connected, joyful, and can reminds us of what it possible.

©2012StanSmokler 

So if you have not contributed yet, please join in... and if you have, thank you for being a part of this.

Artist as Collector with much Aloha

Pegge Hopper is this week's featured Artist as Collector. Her home on the island of Oahu is a work of art in and of itself.  Pegge's eye, touch and design sensibility is present throughout.

Pegge's lanai

Studio shot- great light, open space
(be still my heart)

She also is incredibly supportive of other artists and their work-exhibiting their work in her gallery as well as in her home. When I was up at her house the other day while in Honolulu I asked her to pick a piece for my Artist as Collector series. She immediately selected this small encaustic painting by Alan Leitner another artist living and professor at Leeward Community College in Hawaii. She told me that she bought this piece from a show that he had at The Pegge Hopper Gallery because "I just loved it!"

Peace Sign
©2012AlanLeitner
Encaustic on board

This larger encaustic painting by
Hawaii artist Nadine Ferraro
is another favorite of Pegge's hanging
in her Oahu home.

I had to take a shot of these shoes on display in Pegge's home.
She said that she bought them at Savers Thrift Store in Honolulu
and added the ribbon

One of Pegge's cloudscapes hanging in her stairwell

Esther Shimazu ceramic figure on Pegge's fireplace.

Collection of old bottles in her kitchen.
They were found in the earth below the site of the old
Chinese Herb Shop that Pegge bought, renovated and is now
The Pegge Hopper Gallery

And Pegge's collection of heart milagros next to
Frida

Returned early yesterday from a wonderful Hawaiian vacation. Having spent time in the water, surfing, kayaking, snorkeling and swimming, as well as time with dear friends,  Pegge among them, brings me back to the HOT weather of PA with gratitude and inspiration.

Mahalo Nui Loa....

Grateful for Paradise on my Walls- Artist as Collector #6

Gratitude is a part of my daily practice.  For people, for places, for experiences and the ability to express my self and connect to others through my art is such a gift.

Our extended Ohana
Pegge's granddaughter Natalie, Griffin, Pegge's grandaughter Elly, Nate

In her recent post as a guest blogger here, Karen F. Rose wrote about having a piece from her friend and mentor Mary Hatch.

Like Karen, I worked for another artist managing the Pegge Hopper Gallery in Honolulu for many years. 

Surrounded by Pegge's beautiful paintings and drawings, I learned so much from Pegge about a committed art practice and managing a business.  Pegge and I continue to be dear friends and our families are still a part of each other's lives as well.  On a recent "big" birthday Pegge graciously and generously gifted me a painting of my choice.  This painting is a cherished part of my collection. Pegge's draughtsmanship, sense of color and design inspire me daily and the painting is a reminder of our friendship and one of my favorite places on earth.

What inspiration do you draw from your walls?

Back home and ready to work...

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind of travel first to Hawaii, then West Virginia and Rehobeth Beach. It was great stepping into my former life in Hawaii with friends in Honolulu and on the North Shore. Went there to celebrate my dear friend and former employer Pegge Hopper's birthday and for my teacher and Dept. Chair of Printmaking at University of Hawaii, Allyn Bromley's retrospective opening at The Contemporary Museum http://www.tcmhi.org/cal_exhibits.htm. Two incredible women, whose work as artists http://www.peggehopper.com/and vibrant members of the art community in Hawaii is far reaching. They both at ages 75 and 82 respectively, look incredible as well!

Now back home, my Koi Pond Series is hung at Empowered Yoga Studio in Newark,DE and am getting ready for the reception next Saturday, July 17, 5:30 - 8:30 pm.

Also, continue to work on my nets for my installation at Fashion Center's 38th St. window... boys go to camp next week and I am looking forward to a block of time to be with the work and put it all together.

Parting Shots of Summer...

Back to school, a cool late summer night and transition from the days of summer to fall, school and getting back into a routine.

In addition to my intensive and powerful week at Pura Vida in Costa Rica, I had an opportunity to study with a gifted and powerful sculptor, blacksmith, and teacher, Pamela Wallace at the Women's Studio Workshop in Rosendale, NY. Here are shots from my week with 5 other artists from NY, NJ, MA, and VT. It was a week of lots of great information from Pamela about soldering, and welding, with Chris Petrone, Studio Manager of WSW working with us in the papermaking aspect of the week.Now to put what I have learned into place back in my studio.

I was out clipping the wire from our Invisible Fence flags to use in some sculptures. (always the Hunter and Gatherer!) Which brings me to the new addition to our family... Dini (as in Houdini) da Wahine Dight! Dini is our Black Lab Mix that was rescued from a local shelter then fostered by Tree Tops Rescue in Landenberg, PA. Check them out - to find a wonderful pet of your own! We are all in love! http://www.treetopsrescue.org/

Oh... and another new addition to our home is my birthday gift from my dear friend and renowned artist- Pegge Hopper. I was surrounded by Pegge's beautiful paintings during my years in Hawaii when I managed her art gallery in Honolulu. Now one of her paintings graces our home and I continue to be amazed by her sense of color, design and draftsmanship... Pegge has truly been a mentor and friend for many years and I continue to "hear her voice" in my head as I work in my studio in PA (which is WAY TOO FAR from Hawaii for this wahine! http://www.peggehopper.com/