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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
