Thursday, June 6, 2013

Attainable Artists: THE BIG EASEL Preview Part II

When the Big Easel began, the event was about paintings. Over time, other categories were introduced to the event and have done very well. But at the end of the day, the word easel is in the name of the event and the majority of participants are painters. Every year, I am asked to pre-select some favorites that I know are going to be at The Big Easel. This year I have selected 15 pieces by 11 artists that I think are fantastic. I have also selected favorites in all categories over the last few months on The Big Easel Facebook page which you can see here. And in yesterday's preview, I selected some personal favorites in other categories represented at The Big Easel including works on paper paintings.

SOOOO, for now.....enjoy these pieces as a preview of Saturday's event...and if you are in Louisiana on Saturday, be in Lafayette at THE BIG EASEL! And, as always, if you need more info on any piece I feature, just let me know.




KELLI KAUFMAN
Lafayette, LA
COASTAL MOODS II
Oil and Wax on Wood Panel
24" x 24"
$ 1,000.00




LUE SVENDSON
Lafayette, LA
BEACH SUNSET
Oil on Board, framed
11" x 14"
$ 675.00




HOPE HEBERT
Lafayette, LA
OCEAN BREEZE I
Acrylic on Canvas
11" x 14"
$ 175.00


HOPE HEBERT
Lafayette, LA
OCEAN BREEZE II
Acrylic on Canvas
11" x 14"

$ 175.00




JOY GARDNER
Mobile, AL
represented by VIEW GALLERY, Ridgeland, MS
WOODS UNDER LILAC SKY
OIl on Canvas
24" x 30"
$ 800.00



KELLI KAUFMAN
Lafayette, LA
COASTAL EDGE
Oil/Wax on Canvas
12" x 12"
$ 250.00



MELISSA PAYNE BAKER
Atlanta, GA
represented by VIEW GALLERY, Ridgeland, MS
PIECES OF SERENITY
Acrylic on Canvas
36" x 36"
$ 2,000.00




JACOB BROUSSARD
Lafayette, LA
THE FLOOD**
Acrylic on Board
36"  x 48"
$ 1,050.00

**In 1927, there was a flood in Lafayette Parish. Many people gathered near Abbeville where tents were pitched for the evacuees. This image depicts the Cajun people entertaining themselves with dance and music during the evacuation.



MARK RABALAIS
Lafayette, LA
ORANGE YOU GOIN' TO STAY....
Oil and Oil Pastels on Unprimed Canvas on Wood
48" x 30"
$ 850.00




JOHN CLAYTON
Provincetown, MA
represented by Lue Svendson/Svendson Studios
KEY WEST MARINA
Oil on Panel, framed
9" x 12"
$ 535.00




ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY SIMON
Lafayette, LA
WINTER POND
Acrylic on Board
20" x 20"
$ 275.00




CANDACE GREER
Lafayette, LA
represented by VIEW GALLERY, Ridgeland, MS
BLUESY BOAT
Oil/Wax/Charcoal on Canvas
16" x 20"
$ 550.00



MELISSA PAYNE BAKER
Atlanta, GA
represented by VIEW GALLERY, Ridgeland, MS
NEST
Acrylic on Canvas
8" x 8"
$ 285.00


JILL TAUZIN BROUSSARD
Lafayette, LA
EDGE
Acrylic on
8" x 8"
$ 165.00



ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY SIMON
Lafayette, LA
PALE PONDS
10x20
Mixed Media on Canvas
$ 100.00


AND, kudos to artist MARK RABALAIS for the fantastic painting for the 2013 poster!
And a huge thank you to our sponsors whose logos appear on the posters. The Village of River Ranch, Infiniti of Lafayette, River Ranch Institute, Impressions PDM, Event Rental, Event Restroom, and City Club at River Ranch, we thank you all for your support of the arts!

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Attainable Artists-THE BIG EASEL Preview, Part 1

In 2005, artist Hope Hebert and Karen Daigle of River Ranch organized an art display component of Rhythms on the River, a concert series at River Ranch in Lafayette, LA. That year, only twelve artists presented their work but the outpouring of support from the community made it clear that a separate art event would be successful. A year later THE BIG EASEL was born. Each year the event grew.

In 2009, Hope Hebert asked me to become the Chair of THE BIG EASEL. I had no idea when I got involved that, because of The Big Easel, my career as an art agent and rep would grow. THE BIG EASEL became my "baby" and over the last few years, with the help of a great committee, the event has become a destination for art collectors. A juried one day only art show featuring 60 plus artists in one place, the event gives great artists and galleries a place to show their work and gain exposure to nearly a thousand people in a mere seven hours. The success of THE BIG EASEL is pretty incredible, especially in a town the size of Lafayette. 

Come rain or come shine, the 2013 Big Easel will take place this Saturday, June 8th, from 9 am - 4 pm at Town Square at River Ranch in Lafayette. If you are anywhere in the state of Louisiana, THE BIG EASEL will be worth the drive for you to see work by artists from Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and Massachusetts. From paintings to photography to ceramics to jewelry to metal to wood, all mediums and categories are covered by the some pretty incredible artists.

In this preview, I have selected pieces in the Works on Paper, Photography, Jewelry, Pottery/Porcelain, Wood, and Sculpture categories. Remember, this is only work by twelve artists which is only 20% of the number artists participating in THE BIG EASEL.

Tomorrow I will present 15 paintings on canvas and panel.

For now, enjoy these selections!



DAN SPILLER, JR.
Lafayette, LA
COASTAL MARSH 01
Pastel on Board, framed
18" x 32"
$ 2,000.00




LAURENCE YOUNG
Provincetown, MA
SEATED
Mixed Media on Paper, Matted
18" x 24"
$ 275.00




LINDA MONCLA
Lafayette, LA
THE POINT
Watercolor on Paper, framed
19.5" x 15.5"
$ 350.00



ERIC SVENDSON
Lafayette, LA
DIVING PELICAN
Photograph on Canvas
20" x 30"
$ 289.00



KERRY GRIECHEN
Lafayette, LA
CURVES & RAYS
Digital Photograph on Metallic Paper
21" x 27" framed
$ 250.00



 KATHERINE PREJEAN
Lafayette, LA
EDGE OF LIFE
Fine Silver Pendant on Silver Chain
$ 175.00



JANET ULLRICH-THERIOT
Lafayette, LA

MALACHITE LEAF NECKLACE titled 'EVERLASTING' 
Pendant consisting of sterling silver cast of a water oak leaf with green malachite as stone setting in sterling silver.
 Hangs on handmade sterling silver 12gauge wire necklace.
$ 150.00




ERIN GESSER
New Iberia, LA
STERLING SILVER CUFF with BLUE TOPAZ STONE
$ 275.00




SUSAN CHIQUELIN
Lafayette, LA
BABY BIRD VASE
Glazed Porcelain
7" tall
$ 30.00



JO FAULK
New Iberia, LA
BOTTLE
wheel thrown and hand built elements; mid-range stoneware; electric fired
13 1/2" h. x 5 1/2 d
$ 95.00



KENNY GREIG
New Iberia, LA
CHEF BLOCK CUTTING BOARDS
mahogany, cherry, German Beech, white oak, maple, black walnut, and purple heart woods
price range $ 25 - $ 75 depending on size


KENNY GREIG
New Iberia, LA
SINKER CYPRESS TRAYS
price range $ 25- $ 55 depending on size




VIRGINIA WOODS
Lafayette, LA
STYX
Hand Forged Metal
6"  x 9" x 6"
$ 350.00

THE BIG EASEL cannot happen without the support of our generous sponsors. A HUGE thank you to:

THE VILLAGE OF RIVER RANCH

INFINITI OF LAFAYETTE

RIVER RANCH INSTITUTE

IMPRESSIONS PDM

EVENT RENTAL

EVENT RESTROOM

CITY CLUB at RIVER RANCH