art gallery of alberta – Alexis Marie Chute Productions

New Paintings at the AR&S Gallery

August 21, 2015/0 Comments/in Art Update, Exhibitions, Gallery Representation, Painting, The Life of an Artist /by Alexis Marie Chute

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.

A Visit to the Art Gallery of Alberta

August 4, 2015/0 Comments/in Art Inspirations, Exhibitions, Mixed Media, Painting, Sculpture, The Life of an Artist /by Alexis Marie Chute

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

Art on the Block Photos, Art Gallery of Alberta

May 29, 2015/0 Comments/in Art Inspirations, Exhibitions, Fundraising, Gallery Openings, Painting, The Life of an Artist /by Alexis Marie Chute

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

May 5, 2015/0 Comments/in Art Update, Exhibitions, Fundraising, Gallery Openings, Gallery Representation, Painting, The Life of an Artist /by Alexis Marie Chute

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

April 14, 2015/0 Comments/in Art Update, Exhibitions, Fundraising, Gallery Openings, Gallery Representation, Painting /by Alexis Marie Chute

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!

Summer Art-Making

September 9, 2014/0 Comments/in Art Inspirations, Art Update, Reflections, The Life of an Artist /by Alexis Marie Chute

What creative fun did you have over the summer?

I find the summer to be a sporadic and dysfunctional season for my art making practice. That’s not to say it isn’t a productive time, I’m always prolific it seems; but that I am a little all over the place as I balance travel, family time and my hours in the studio. Yet, through the experimentation and creative play during the warm months of June, July and August, I always have a lot of fun with my art.

I started making pen drawings of people, which became felt drawings, eventually morphing into paintings. These were quirky surprises that began as simple doodles. When I make art, I love sitting back and seeing where my subconscious will take me.

Also during the summer I painted for my The Quiet Rebuild series. (Yes, there are three manifestations of The Quiet Rebuild: the sculptures, the portraits and the paintings.) The paintings in this series are represented by the Art Gallery of Alberta in their Art Rental and Sales program.

This is only a smidge of what I have been up to over the summer, my favorite season. I’m inspired by the vibrant colours of summer and its humidity and playfulness. It’s no wonder my work reflects the flirtatious fun of those sultry months. Yet, now that we are firmly planted in September, I am loving the return to routine it inevitably brings.

Kids in Art Galleries

May 6, 2014/2 Comments/in Art Inspirations, Exhibitions /by Alexis Marie Chute

I’ve encountered some pretty frustrating situations when visiting art galleries with my kids. I’ve been stalked by security guards who glare at my children, been hassled because of my stroller (it’s small, I promise), and been booted out over a lollipop.

Seriously people, our children need to be in art galleries from a young age. It is so important.

I have always brought my kids into art settings. They are loud and run around but they feel comfortable there. We stop and look at artwork for twenty seconds before moving onto a new piece. The attention span is short but their memories will be long.

My four year old daughter has actually made many observant comments about the artwork she sees. And she is not afraid to speak her mind and tell me when she thinks something is ugly. I love this. Sometimes we adults get stuck in trying to be polite or thinking art must be viewed and understood a certain way. Kids don’t get stuck in these sticky issues.

My kids are always laughing, smiling and having a great time in art galleries; I think they are fueled by the colours, images, shapes and open space. Of course they want to touch everything, heck so do I, but I’ve taught them to be respectful and if they misbehave they know they’ll be carried or put in the stroller.

As a mom I love it when art galleries have areas for kids. Our regulars, the Art Gallery of Alberta and the Phoenix Art Museum, have child friendly and interactive areas. The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, another favorite of mine, does something brilliant. When my husband and I visited there with our kids last summer, they gave my kids a pencil and a little stack of paper taped together like a book. My kids felt honoured. My daughter in particular was sketching the entire visit.

I believe art is such an integral component of a healthy culture – and family. It’s tougher to make an art lover out of a resistant adult, but a child – they are wide open, curious and creative. I encourage art galleries to welcome children with open arms. If you are scared kids will break something, put the work on higher plinths – but do not discourage children from visiting and please do not make parents feel anxious with their kids in your space. And parents; please expose your children to as much art as possible, it is one of the greatest teaching opportunities you can give them.

Here are some photos from my family’s recent visit to the Art Gallery of Alberta.