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Art at Kit & Ace Edmonton

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I am so proud to be one of the first artists featured in the brand new Kit & Ace clothing store on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. My image, “Walk to Remember” was handpicked by Kit & Ace and greeted customers as the store officially opened its doors early this November. Rumor has it there is already in an interested buyer.

Kit & Ace are not only about clothing; they actually seek out and spur on community involvement, especially among the artsy. Kudos to them!

My fine art photograph featured at Kit & Ace comes from the series, “Unfulfilled Precognition,” which is an artistic documentary on personal hardship and resiliency. Click here to see more images from “Unfulfilled Precognition.”

“Walk to Remember” will live in the store until early 2015. If you visit Kit & Ace, snap a selfie with my art and I’ll share it on Twitter (@_Alexis_Marie) and Facebook.

 

Visit Kit & Ace:

Whyte Ave Studio – Edmonton

10428 82 Avenue, Edmonton AB, Canada T6E 2A2

Hours

Monday to Wednesday  11am – 7pm

Thursay to Saturday  11am – 8pm

Sunday  12pm – 5pm

I currently have a large exhibition of “Unfulfilled Precognition.” Read here for details.

The RBC Painting Competition 2014 – The Results According to my Four Year Old

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A big congrats to Tiziana La Melia of Vancouver, British Columbia for winning the 2014 RBC Painting Competition with her art, “Hanging on to the Part,” (oil on panel, 42×25 inches)!

I loved receiving a copy of all the finalists in the competition catalogue. We are a seriously creative and talented country here in Canada! I had my favorites and my daughter, Hannah, had her own. That’s the beauty of art, right? The eye of the beholder…

Before the winner was announced, I flipped through the catalogue of finalists with Hannah, who is a buoyant and outspoken four-year-old. I asked her to give me her first response to each piece. I asked her, “Do you like it?” – And she was candid and insightful with her own preferences. One thing was sure, my mini-me knew exactly what she liked and had a strong reaction to the paintings.

I share my daughter’s reactions here not to upset anyone or poke fun, but as the honest and often humorous reactions as a child. Sometimes the art world can be so stuffy and we all need to chill out and enjoy the craziness of it all every once and a while.

I am not including the pictures of each artist’s work out of respect, but please visit the RBC Painting Competition website so you can follow along with the images as Hannah makes her declarations.

 

Here is what Hannah said:

Of 2013 national winner, Colleen Heslin’s “Almost Young, Wild and Free”

Hannah said: “I don’t like these parts,” as she gestures to the whole thing.

Of 2013 honourable mention winner, Neil Harrison’s “Knowledge”

Hannah said: “I like it. It looks like something a cowboy wears.”

2012 honourable mention winner, Colin Dorward, painted, “Labyrinthineon”

Hannah said: “It looks cool!”

 

From this year’s cream of the crop:

Ashleigh Bartlett of Calgary AB, “Ballet Duo”

Hannah said: “It looks cool.”

Carly Butler, Halifax NS, “Hurricane”

Hannah said: “I like it. It looks like a canyon. It looks like a piece of paper.”

Jennifer Carvalho, Toronto ON, “Landscape (pink)”

Hannah said: “I like it because it looks like outside.”

Wallis Cheung, Toronto ON, “Cut Corners”

Hannah said: “I don’t like it.” (Me: “Why don’t you like it?”) “Because I don’t like it.”

Teto Elsiddique, Halifax NS, “7 of 6”

Hannah said: “I like pink. I don’t like that colour,” she pointed to the rest of the image.

Karine Frechette, Montreal QC, “Cyclone”

Hannah said, “Yes, I like it! She made it, Mom,” she said excitedly as she pointed to the picture of Karine. “It looks cool.”

James Gardner, Toronto ON, “Fixed Rock”

Hannah said: “I like it because it has cool colouring.”

Ufuk Gueray, Winnipeg MB, “Market” – 2014 HONOURABLE MENTION

Hannah said: “Yes, I like it because that side looks cool,” as she pointed to the circle of colour.

Tiziana La Melia, Vancouver BC, “Hanging on to the part” – 2014 WINNER!

Hannah said: “I don’t like it because it looks upside down.”

Nicholas Lachance, Montreal QC, “index no. 3 The book of Empathy” – 2014 HONOURABLE MENTION

Hannah said: “No, I don’t like it because it looks dark, it’s just two colours.”

Gavin Lynch, Ottawa ON, “Before the Fire (2014 version)”

Hannah said: “I don’t like it because the trees have owies because they cut them down. The trees are poor because they got cut down.”

Megan McCabe, Toronto ON, “Wading”

Hannah said: “I like it because it looks like it has water skies.”

Laura Piasta, Vancouver BC, “Bog Breath”

Hannah said: “I don’t like it because I don’t like it.”

Robert Taite, Winnipeg MB, “Untitled Work from Always Somewhere Else”

Hannah said: “I like it. Yes, because it looks kinda funny, it makes me laugh, funny pictures.”

Elysanne Tremblay, Montreal QC, “Salut bonhomme, salut bonhomme”

Hannah said: “I don’t like it because it doesn’t look cool.”

 

There you go! The RBC Painting Competition finalists according to a four-year-old!

 

 

Current Exhibitions of Unfulfilled Precognition and The Quiet Rebuild

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This is a busy season in so many ways! Right now, I have two exhibitions mounted; one in Red Deer and one in Edmonton. Here is some info about the two shows:

The Quiet Rebuild

This exhibit features nine large scale photographs of individuals rebuilding their life after challenging circumstances. They are pictures amongst natural wood and manufactured pieces along with an object donated to represent their struggle. The photographs are moving and contemplative. They are the first images in an ongoing series representing the resiliency of the human spirit.

Solo Exhibition: “The Quiet Rebuild” – Mezzanine Gallery

October 15 – December 14, 2014

Opening reception: TBD

Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, 10230-111 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, CAN

Click here to see more images from The Quiet Rebuild.

Unfulfilled Precognition

The photographs in this series were captured in the time leading up to and following my son’s death moments after his birth. The images are named to represent the extraordinary capacity for a mother to envision the life of her child, even before the baby is born, and how those dreams linger uninhabited once death interferes. The images are intimate and soulful, and are a unique bridge between documentary and fine art photography.

Solo Exhibition: “Unfulfilled Precognition” – Kiwanis Gallery

October 21 – November 23, 2014

Opening reception: November 7, 2014, 6:30-8:30pm

Gallery located in the Red Deer Public Library, 4818-49 Street, Red Deer, Alberta, CAN

Click here to see more images from Unfulfilled Precognition.

 

Visit Exhibits and Events to see info about upcoming shows and artist talks.

Women’s Art Museum Society of Canada – Sharing Her Experience Anthology

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I received a lovely surprise in the mail last week from WAM Society (Women’s Art Museum Society of Canada). It was Volume 1, Issue 1 of their S.H.E. anthology, “Sharing Her Experience.”

I have two articles in the art publication:

“Art and the Canadian Landscape” – This piece is about the impact of natural cycles on artistic production, specifically for Canadians and more specifically for female artists.

– And –

“Her Threads: The Artistic Practice of Alexis Marie Chute” – In this piece I share about my process of thinking about my work, my approach to making art and how I order my creative space.

It is an honour to be included in WAM Society’s anthology!

 

One on One Art Coaching for Marketing Success

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Are you an aspiring artist but get stuck with the next steps after you’ve created your work? You’re not the only one. Many artists are unfamiliar with how to get their work out into the world and effectively market themselves.

I had the benefit of growing up in an entrepreneurial family full of professionals that instilled in me the business focus in any venture. I paired this knowledge with my long experience as a professional artist and my love of helping others. When I coach artists, I offer advice and guidance in these areas:

  • Writing an effective artist statement
  • Applying for exhibitions (and where to find them in the first place)
  • Building a social network platform
  • Applying for funding
  • Photographing your work
  • Applying for Artist Residencies
  • Professional practices for artists
  • Blogging about your work

There are so many creative ways to get your work out of your studio and onto gallery and client walls. It is doable. Attitude and knowledge are key. Having someone to answer your questions will prove invaluable and will help propel you to achieving your goals.

To read more about my art coaching, please click here. Or email me at info@alexismariechute.com

Commission an Original Painting

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There is nothing like commissioning an original painting to stimulate the visual environment of your home or workplace.

I strongly encourage individuals and corporations to commission original art for three reasons:

  • The perfect size.

When I receive a commission, I view the space where the artwork will live before I get started. I discuss the size with my clients and make recommendations of how to best utilize the space with the goal of creating a statement piece. Then, I create artwork perfectly fitted like a tailored suit. There is no grumbling over a pre-made piece of art that is too large or too small or the wrong orientation. Commissions fit just right.

  • The perfect colour palette.

I take my cues for the colour palette from my clients and their environments. I listen to my client’s preferences and we brainstorm together as I ask guided questions. I look at the wall colour and consider whether the furniture is maple or birch, and what the space is used for. My client’s and I hash out a plan of what will both blend in and also pop out of the space. It is a fun collaborative process at this stage.

  • The perfect conversation starter.

Imagine having company over to your home or welcoming business associates into your boardroom. If the walls are bare, they will forget the room once they leave it – but if the artwork catches their eye, you may strike up an engaging conversation. Where did you get that art? Oh, it’s a commission, that’s interesting. So you worked with the artist to pick the size and colours? Was she the eccentric artistic type? Oh really, down to earth and easy to work with. Nice. I really like this section over here. Oh yeah, now that you mention it, I do see a face in those abstract drips. Boy, is that ever cool!

You may have heard that owning a one of a kind, original artwork is an investment. This is true, but it is also a fun process to be a part of; influencing the creation of something which had its inception in you. The outcome of a commission will never be exactly as you imagine during the conception stage, but that is one of the thrills of the process. The result at the end will be a surprise but one with a story that will make your artwork even more meaningful.  

To get more information about commissioning an original, please click here. Or email me at info@alexismariechute.com

Summer Art-Making

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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.

Alex Colville Retrospective at the Art Gallery of Ontario

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The woman with the strong arms holding binoculars up to her eyes, the man behind her reclining and obscured…

I will never forget that image. The first time I saw it I was in my BFA undergrad studies at the University of Alberta. The lecture theater was darkened and I sat on a wooden folding chair as the art history professor projected the image, “To Prince Edward Island” by Alex Colville as large as the wall. I never imagined seeing “To Prince Edward Island” in person; that thought never occurred to me back then. When I was in Toronto for work recently, I snuck in a visit to the Art Gallery of Ontario and was pleasantly surprised to find a retrospective of Colville’s work.


 ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO ALEXIS MARIE CHUTE

The smooth manner Colville painted skin tone, his stylized approach to form and the way his characters seem to float in their environments; the artwork is captivating and timeless.

ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO ALEX COLVILLE ALEXIS MARIE CHUTE PAINTING AND DETAIL

When Alex Colville died in July of 2013 at 92 years old, it was the loss of a great career artist. He worked at his paintings for more than seventy years, a similar length as his marriage to his wife Rhoda. Their love story can be seen on many of Colville’s canvases. I found it so compelling, and romantic, that the artist used his wife as a muse and painted her at every stage of her life, doing simple every day things. Colville also painted her, and himself, near the end of their lives, their bodies obviously changed from the youthful images found in early paintings like “To Prince Edward Island.”

ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO ALEX COLVILLE ALEXIS MARIE CHUTE QUOTE AND WIFE

There is something magical about seeing famous art in person. It is mesmerizing and surreal. I cherish these opportunities to lean in close to witness first hand every brushstroke, each tiny detail. Colville’s fine details seem to vibrate on the canvas, the surface work of the paint so skillfully applied I imagine the artist being a patient man with a steady hand.

ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO ALEX COLVILLE ALEXIS MARIE CHUTE PAINTINGS

The retrospective was inspiring. It runs from August 23, 2014 to January 4, 2015 at the AGO. If you have the chance, I strongly recommend seeing it.

Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5T 1G4
Call 1-877-225-4246 or 416-979-6648

ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO DUNDAS WEST ALEXIS MARIE CHUTE

NOTE: There was an additional $5 fee to access the Colville Retrospective on top of the gallery entrance cost. 

Healing by the Creative Arts

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Through making my art, I discovered art therapy in a natural, organic way. No one told me to try it to help me heal. I wasn’t recommended a set of exercises to do in order to find myself. I just sat down in my studio with a pile of small woodcuts and got started without any direction or even conscious intent. The first wood sculpture I made I named The Quiet Rebuild and it was the beginning of that larger body of work.

Since then I have looked into the theory of art therapy and find it very stimulating and thoughtful for me in my professional art practice. In one of the semesters of my MFA I took an art therapy class as an interdisciplinary option and found it deepened my perspectives on art and healing. It gave me a new dimension in making, reflecting on and contextualizing my work. Since then the wood sculptures in The Quiet Rebuild grew to incorporate portraits of real people sharing their stories of resilience.

Now I am honoured to teach about the restorative potential of creativity. I offer two workshops: 

Healing through Visual Art

Healing through the Written Word

This summer and fall I will be presenting these workshops in Chicago Illinois, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Sherwood Park Alberta and San Antonio Texas. If you are interested in having one or both of these presentations at your conference, event or association, please email me at info@alexismariechute.com

I strongly believe that art must say something that matters. Within my work, I wrestle with the ideas of loss, struggle and survival. You can read more about my approach in my Artist Statement.

What you see is not always what you get at the Art Institute Chicago

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I recently visited Chicago to speak at a conference about the healing properties of visual art. Of course spending hours in the renowned Art Institute of Chicago was top on my list once the conference was over. I will write more about my visit to the Art Institute in next week’s post, but for now I want to share a fun moment I had while perusing the different galleries within the museum.

This one particular artwork caught my eye. It was brightly coloured and stood out because of its texture. It looked like used chewing gum stuck together on a surface and the overall effect had a pixilated appearance. My first reaction was to walk up to it so my nose was a foot away and inspect.

“What is that? I don’t think its gum but what… Hmm…” I said to my husband.

I took a step back. And another step. Then my eyes grew wide.

Alexis Marie Chute Art Institute Chicago 02 Art Blog

“There’s a face in there!” I said loudly in the joy of discovery. Some other art patrons leaned back as well and then nodded.

It turns out the artwork is called, “Woman with Halo and Sceptre,” (1972) and the strange textural effect is created through acrylic, cotton and Rhoplex on canvas. Rhoplex is an acrylic emulsion for sealing the work.

What I find so interesting with this piece is that the material choice beckoned me closer and closer, to become intimate with the shapes and textures. At the same time, while standing so close the image of the woman was impossible to decipher, thus allowing for the aha moment later on.

I love aha moments.

Surprises are good in art; they keep the viewer from getting lazy, maintain a visual dialogue and stimulate creative logic.

What you see is not always what you get – sometimes it’s more.

Alexis Marie Chute Art Institute Chicago 01 Art Blog

Once I stepped back from the artwork and saw the woman, I could no longer approach the piece without seeing her. My mind had assimilated the colorful acrylic cotton balls and made sense of it. Still, I loved the early observations where my eyes searched for meaning. And it was wildly satisfying when I found it.

Alexis Marie Chute Art Institute Chicago 03 Art Blog

 

Find out more about this artwork by Joe Zucker.