Art in Unique Places
There are all kinds of unique spaces that need art. For me, one of those places is a government constituency office. And that just happens to be where you can find my work! For the last two months I have had two of my abstracted landscape paintings gracing the political scene.
Art doesn’t just belong in a gallery.
Up on display until June 4, 2016, these paintings have been welcoming guests, politicians and the community at the constituency office of the Honourable Richard Feehan.
“Roll Down in Dream” by Alexis Marie Chute, 2012, acrylic and paper on canvas, 4×3 feet
To visit the constituency office:
Edmonton-Rutherford,
Constituency Office of Honourable Richard Feehan
308 Saddleback Road, Edmonton AB T6J 4R7
(PH) 780.414.1311
“Valley of Gold” by Alexis Marie Chute, 2012, acrylic and paper on canvas, 4×3 feet
*** Both of these paintings are for sale, so if you’re interested, contact me.
To see more of my paintings, please click here.
Something unique about these paintings is how they were made – and with what materials. I painted on unprimed canvas, which allowed lovely saturation of the colours into the fabric. At the same time as I painted with acrylic paint, I also collaged with paper and used the acrylic gel as another layer in the work.
When I am painting, I work intuitively and follow my creative instincts. It is a process of passion and freedom.
I have so enjoyed getting to know the folks that work at this office and am curious what they will choose to hang on their walls next. I commend their vision to display original art in their office and to work with local artists. We need more of this in our culture. Forget the mass printed IKEA prints. There are an incredible number of creative people making work that is captivating and communicates deeply with viewers.
Where are unique places you have shown your artwork?
Where is your dream exhibition space?
As always, thanks for reading!
Happy art-making everyone!
– Alexis Marie Chute
New Paintings at the AR&S Gallery
New Alexis Marie Chute Abstract Paintings at the AR&S Gallery at the Art Gallery of Alberta
I have 5 new colourful abstract paintings at the AR&S Gallery at the Art Gallery of Alberta. Up to a few weeks ago, all my art they had in stock was either sold or rented. The painting series they represent are bold, colourful and energetic. I’m looking forward to my new work, created in 2015, finding happy homes in professional and private locations.
Here are the new paintings:
“Fold” 2015
72″ x 60″
Acrylic on canvas
© Alexis Marie Chute
“Expanse” 2015
16″ x 20″
Acrylic on canvas
© Alexis Marie Chute
“Earth” 2015
16″ x 20″
Acrylic on canvas
© Alexis Marie Chute
“Happy” 2015
24″ x 36″
Acrylic on canvas
© Alexis Marie Chute
“Easy Going” 2015
24″ x 36″
Acrylic on canvas
© Alexis Marie Chute
To view all my work at the AR&S Gallery at the Art Gallery of Alberta, please click here.
Continue Painting to Silence your Inner Doubt
At the beginning of July, I shared “Inspiring Quotes for Artists” with helpful words by famous artists, writers and designers. For the next few months I will be writing a creative reflection based on each of the eleven quotes.
I hope you find the reflections helpful – and please comment below with your own ideas, inspirations and revelations from the quotes.
Today, we begin with quote #1:
Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced”
– Vincent Van Gogh
Reflection:
The hardest part of any endeavor is just getting started.
When I was facing artistic block (the visual artist’s version of writer’s block) when I was in art school, I received one of the best pieces of advice:
PAINT SOMETHING UGLY.
That was it. Paint an ugly painting!
Painting an ugly painting has many benefits:
- It gets you started
- It removes expectations that the artwork should be aesthetically pleasing
- It allows you to have fun
- It opens your mind to be free and wander as you create
- You can explore techniques outside your comfort zone
- And, it sets the bar so low so that when you do set out to make your next painting, you feel proud of the progress from that first messy experiment
It is easy to let self-doubt, insecurities, and fear get in the way of making the artwork you were born to create. An important part of the artist’s job is calming the inner-self, nurturing the creative spirit inside of you, and being uninhibited as you work.
What do you do to break free from artist’s block?
Have you ever tried making an ugly painting?
How do you nurture and protect your creative-self?
Best wishes to you as you make your art!
– Alexis Marie
A Visit to the Art Gallery of Alberta
I love visiting art galleries. It is one of my favorite things to do. Typically, I either leave inspired or disappointed, sometimes neutral. I use the word ‘inspired’ when I’ve seen some truly interesting work that revs me up to get into my own studio, regardless of whether the artwork I saw was paintings, sculpture, photography or instillation art, – or – ‘disappointed’ because I failed to connect with the curator’s vision or the work simply didn’t speak to me.
Claude Tousignant, “Gong” 1966, acrylic on canvas, The Double Bind: Conversations Between Modernism and Postmodernism
Art is so personal. It’s okay to love it – just like it’s okay to hate it. Different art forms/artists/concepts/etc. speak to different people, each in their own unique way.
My recent visit to the Art Gallery of Alberta was a mix. The Jack Bush exhibit was fascinating and I learned so much. I’m eager to find a biography of Bush’s life. If anyone has read a good one, please let me know! The Modern/Postmodern show was a bit confusing. The description to differentiate the successive artistic periods was excellent, but I was hoping the visuals exhibited would bring the words to life. Unfortunately, the gallery room was a bit sparse.
Jack Bush
May 30 – August 23, 2015
The Double Bind: Conversations Between Modernism and Postmodernism
May 2 – September 13, 2015
If you make it out to any of the Art Gallery of Alberta shows, let me know what you think!
Have you seen any interesting exhibits lately?
Here are some photos from the visit:
Jack Bush exhibit at the Art Gallery of Alberta
The Double Bind: Conversations Between Modernism and Postmodernism
Sculpture by Barbara Hepworth, The Double Bind: Conversations Between Modernism and Post Modernism, Art Gallery of Alberta
Brian Jungen, “Companion” 2013, steel, deer hide, Audi fenders, freezer
Inspiring Quotes for Artists
Here are eleven quotes by great minds on the topic of creativity. These words encourage me and I hope they do the same for you. Below you will find the list, but over the next few months I will take each one of these quotes and write a little reflection on life as an artist inspired by the quote. I’m looking forward to it already! For now, just soak up the words:
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced” – Vincent Van Gogh
“Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it” – Salvador Dali
“Curiosity about life in all of its aspects, I think, is still the secret of great creative people” – Leo Burnett
“You can’t wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club” – Jack London
“Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last, you create what you will” – George Bernard Shaw
“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try” – Dr. Seuss
“Creativity is more than just being different. Anybody can plan weird; that’s easy. What’s hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity” – Charles Mingus
“Creativity comes from a conflict of ideas” – Donatella Versace
“Don’t think. Thinking is the enemy of creativity. It’s self-conscious, and anything self-conscious is lousy. You can’t try to do things. You simply must do things” – Ray Bradbury
“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, the just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while” – Steve Jobs
“You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not’?” – George Bernard Shaw
Art on the Block Photos, Art Gallery of Alberta
The Art Gallery of Alberta knows how to put on a fun party. Their fundraiser this year was no exception. Here are a few pictures from Art on the Block at the Art Gallery of Alberta.
Alexis Marie & Aaron Chute, image copyright Alexis Marie Chute
“Blue Flow” acrylic painting copyright Alexis Marie Chute
Mayor Don Iveson & Alexis Marie Chute, image copyright Alexis Marie Chute
Aaron Chute at the silent auction, copyright Alexis Marie Chute
Art on the Block, Art Gallery of Alberta, copyright Alexis Marie Chute
Support the Art Gallery of Alberta at Art on the Block
The annual fundraiser for the Art Gallery of Alberta is three days away! Do you have your tickets to Art on the Block? If not, click here to purchase. The event looks wildly entertaining this year, with a theme of outbidding your friends. There is so much awesome artwork. Check out the fundraiser website by clicking here to preview the show. Aaron and I will be there. If you can make it, come and say hello.
Art on the Block 2015
Friday, May 8, 7-10pm
2 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
Tickets: $135 (A portion of the price is eligible for a charitable tax receipt via the CRA)
7pm – Reception and the start of the silent auction
9pm – First block closes
10pm – Final block closes
10:30pm – Auction item pick-up begins
The event includes music, cocktails, and gourmet bites from Zinc restaurant.
Check out the painting I donated to the fundraiser. Come and bid!
Art is part of who I am, the AR&S Gallery at the AGA represent my work and I am happy to support them right back! That’s why I donated one of my paintings for the event.
Art on the Block coming soon at the Art Gallery of Alberta
I love the taglines for this year’s Art on the Block fundraiser for the Art Gallery of Alberta:
AND
“Show no mercy in the name of art.”
The idea is to bid a lot and often and compete with other art lovers for prized artwork. All the proceeds go towards funding the educational programs and exhibitions at the gallery.
Art is part of who I am, the AR&S Gallery at the AGA represent my work and I am happy to support them right back! That’s why I donated one of my paintings for the event. Check it out:
Make sure to mark your calendars and purchase tickets to Art on the Block. It will be a silent auction and fundraising gala like no other.
Art on the Block 2015
Friday, May 8, 7-10pm
2 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton
Tickets: $135 (A portion of the price is eligible for a charitable tax receipt via the CRA)
7pm – Reception and the start of the silent auction
9pm – First block closes
10pm – Final block closes
10:30pm – Auction item pick-up begins
The event includes music, cocktails, and gourmet bites from Zinc restaurant.
Check out all the artists that have donated artwork to the fundraiser on the Art on the Block website. This is a great way to plan your bids and get excited for the event. I look forward to seeing you there!
