An Occasion For The Arts

2011 Award Winning Artists

Administrator — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:08:01 +0000

Each year, An Occasion For the Arts presents cash awards totaling $3,000 for exceptional artists. Congratulations to our 2011 Winning Artists.

2011 Best Watercolor / Print Making – Jan Ford

Administrator — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 19:03:24 +0000

Born to the serene life of a small Ohio farm surrounded by beautiful flowers and bountiful gardens, Jan Ford recounts her youth through lyrical re-creations of those familiar subjects. Jan’s array of artwork includes still life filled with flowers, antiques and lace; each one invokes different musical moods as the floral forms conduct their own song. In the same melodic way, Jan paints a variety of other subjects such as local farmers’ markets, a lone crab basket, or a fragile bird’s nest.

” The creative world of the arts has always been an integral part of my life. As a child on a small Mid-western farm, I found beauty in the simplest of things – the fruits and vegetables from the gardens, corn from the fields, and flowers that filled the back yard…If I have a goal … it would be that my work speaks to you, the viewer, that instinctively you understand and most of all, it gives you joy.”

Jan Ford, Watercolor Artist
Manassas, Virginia
http://janfordart.com/

2011 Best Photography – Leo Charette

Administrator — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:52:09 +0000

Six years ago, Leo and his wife Carolyn unveiled his photography for the first time on a cobblestone street in the center of Williamsburg, Virginia. Since then, his work has been displayed and received accolades at art shows across the country in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, New York, Indiana, Maryland and in Virginia.

“The familiar items in our life are the foundations of my photography: a glass, a feather, or dusty chalk. My still life images usually start with an intriguing discovery about a common subject. I notice the way it bends light, or I see an interesting pattern or the radiance of color in late afternoon light. At that moment, a door is ajar to a new discovery about this thing.

Balance, shape, lines, refractions, patterns and color harmony intrigue me… When I display a still life image, I want folks to experience a moment that sparks their imagination, as though they were viewing this very familiar thing for the very first time.”

His process involves sound, basic principles of composition and light. Images are captured with a high-resolution DSLR camera in RAW format using the best quality lenses, then carefully developed in the proper color space and white balance to insure print accuracy. Once processed, he prints, mattes and frames his photos in limited editions using archival ink and paper to insure print longevity.

Leo Charette, Photographer
Williamsburg VA
http://www.leocharette.com

2011 Best Jewelry – Joan Michlin and Skip Ennis

Administrator — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:38:55 +0000

Joan Michlin and Skip Ennis, a husband-wife team have been working together since meeting in Art School in 1976. Working in precious metals since 1980, they have been on the cutting edge of the Art Jewelry scene ever since, with work in several museum collections as well as numerous galleries and private collections. All aspects of the design and execution are done as a team.

In addition to receiving “best in show” at An Occasion for the Arts” their artistic creations have won them recognition in other prestigious art shows throughout the country and from their donation of jewelry and funds to charitable arts groups and the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Race for the Cure.

“As artists, we channel our experiences and interaction with our environment into our own iconography and jewelry. We try to express our fascination with light, energy, and powerful form by using natures finest elements to produce a collection of jewelry that sings with the same excitement we feel. Such diverse themes as architecture, the Art Deco movement, Nature in her myriad forms, and flight are continually explored on the sketchbook page. Study models are developed , gemstones are selected, and after much thought and care, the final design is created. The utmost care is employed in every phase of the jewelry making process, and is reflected in the workmanship and materials of each piece. ”

The Art Boxes depicted are Sterling silver boxes between 3 and 4 inches tall , and feature our jewelry designs which wrap around and embellish the tops . Top elements are generally stickpins, and the wraparound elements are bracelets or necklaces. On some designs, a single earring will appear as a decorative element on the exterior of the box, with the other earring hiding inside. Collectors are encouraged to “think outside the Box” , and enjoy wearing the pieces out, then hanging them back up for display as an art object.”

The jewelry elements consist of 14K and 22K gold, diamonds, Boulder Opals, Lapis, numerous colored semi precious and exotic gems, and pearls. Some boxes also feature hand-carved onyx, lapis, lazuli sugilite, and other carved stone as architectural elements . The techniques include casting , construction, fabrication, and carving.

“EMPRESS” Art Box: Sterling silver, 14K, onyx, diamonds. Stickpin (top) and wraparound bracelet may be detached and worn. Cast, constructed, and carved.

” FASCINATION” Art Box: Sterling Silver,14K and 22K Golds, Boulder. Opals, aquamarines. Cast/constructed/fabricated. Pendant (top), and Brooch (front) may both be detached and worn.

JOAN MICHLIN / SKIP ENNIS
Fine Art Jewelry
Gaithersburg MD
http://www.joanmichlin.com
Blog: http://joanmichlin.blogspot.com/
www.facebook.com/joanmichlin

2011 Best Ceramics – Judd Jarvis

Administrator — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:10:58 +0000

Judd Jarvis’ current work is created using the potter’s wheel, hand building, simple hump-molds, and various combinations of all of these processes. The work is fired in a salt kiln he built on his property. The salt firing interacts with his forms and surface decorations in interesting and visually exciting ways.

“I make functional pottery…I love making pots that people either use on a daily basis or just like to look at. Both aspects serve a function, the enrichment of people’s lives. The trepidation comes out of the internal conflict of my nature. New and old, control and spontaneity, introverted yet seeking connection with the outside, all are wrapped in my work and my working life. These issues are in my work but not in a way that is readily accessible by the viewer. It is always in my mind while I work.”

Here, Marlene Jack, the ceramics judge, awards Judd Jenkins the Best in Show for Ceramics

Judd Jarvis
Jarvis Ceramics
Roadafton VA
http://www.jarvisceramics.com

2011 Best Painting – Karen Eide

Administrator — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:59:27 +0000

Karen Eide is an award-winning artist whose richly textured encaustic and mixed media paintings are shown in national exhibitions and festivals. Several times a year she offers encaustic painting workshops, independently and through The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. VMFA selected her to participate in their Statewide Artist Workshop Program for the past four years, teaching and lecturing about the ancient technique of encaustic painting at art centers, schools and museums throughout Virginia.

“My work draws from an iconography of flora and fauna in which I present a quiet and contemplative visual view of the rural world. My affinity with nature and the environment has always been the recurrent thread that runs throughout my work. My hope is that my paintings express the essence of my connection to nature— with all its frailty, its humor, joy, and beauty. I have strong concerns over environmental disruption, destruction and extinction and in my work you will see the wildlife observe the world with their watchful, inescapable eyes— from a center of quiet, calm and hope. I reflect on ideas surrounding longing and loss, fertility, balance, growth, renewal and solitude. The bird imagery I use in my work is there, not only, because I find them pretty and intriguing creatures but I see them as INDICATORS—messengers of our planet’s health and well-being .”

“The encaustic paint I use is a combination of beeswax, pigment and a sap resin (damar) and is applied in a molten state. I work off of 200º pancake griddles where I melt and mix the solid blocks of paint. I then apply the paint to a rigid panel – usually a hardwood plywood such as birch or maple. Because it combines well with so many other mediums, I often incorporate oil paint, pastels, charcoal, hand-drawn collage elements and ink into it. The wax dries quickly I can add layer upon layer without waiting. Between the layers of wax I use a heat gun across the surface to get the layers to adhere well to one another. The word “encaustic” is a Greek word that literally means to burn in – using the heat gun is the burning in part of the process.”

“I love changing scale and work anywhere from 4″ x 4″ to 5′ x 5′ plus. Every year the Charles Taylor Art Center in Hampton, Virginia has a wonderful invitational Small Works Show that I am lucky to be part of. This year, instead of a small painting I did cut paper imagery on 4 x 4 x 2? maple blocks and then varnished. Imagery is on both sides – Night & Day. If you live in the Hampton Roads area it is well worth the trip to see this show which runs through Dec 4th – so many wonderful artists – in miniature!”

Karen Eide http://kareneide.com/

http://www.kareneide.com/blog/

2011 Best 3D / Mixed Media – Tamara Lee-Little

Administrator — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 17:13:23 +0000

Tamara was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland , and currently resides in Williamsburg, Virginia. She is a self-taught fiber based, mixed media artist who is know for blurring the lines between the cultures. Her influences are African, Native American and Asian artifacts. The foundation of her pieces always starts with some form of fiber such as wild grass, bamboo, handmade paper or fabric.

Tamara gathers her own materials from the earth as often as she can, and mixes them with modern products. She thinks of her work as a synthesis of cultures past, and her own times as a woman, mother and artist. Tamara is a working studio artist in Newport News, Virginia.

The featured piece is titled “Kings Robe”. The bottom portion is woven wild grass and reed. The top portion is woven handmade paper and inlaid fabric and paper. Additional materials applied acrylics, jel media and wood stain.

Lee Little Collection
Historic Hilton Village
Newport News,VA
http://www.leelittlecollection.com

The Art of Wine and Beer

Administrator — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:28:11 +0000

The Blue Talon Bistro and The Trellis Restaurant have joined together offering a two day event to coincide with the two day An Occasion for the Arts

An Occasion for Beer – Saturday 11:00a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

An Occasion for Wine – Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 4:oo pm

Enjoy this outdoor celebration of great wines, beers and casual bistro food behind The Blue Talon Bistro off Prince George Street.. Sample beverages, munch on great casual fare and then browse through the exhibits through out the day! Details and ticket purchases on line

Henry Street Stage

Administrator — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:33:38 +0000

The New Henry Street Stage is located between Berret’s and Season’s Restaurants. After visiting the Artist Exhibits and Youth Art Activities. Come, listen to your favorite groups while enjoying indoor and outdoor dining at

Season’s Restaurant and Tavern or
Berret’s Seafood Restaurant and Tap House Grill.

Over 170 Juried Visual Artists

Administrator — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:10:00 +0000

Exhibitor booths in Merchant’s Square, along North Boundary and Prince George Street offer an excellent selection of art. The show features painters, print makers, sculptors, jewelers, photographers and other artisans of fine crafts. Exhibitors are selected from a pool of applicants for this juried art show. List of Exhibitors