Pastel Demo at Plainfield Art League by Barbara Lipkin

In May, I was invited to do a demonstration of pastel technique at the Plainfield Art League. I prepared for it by doing a drawing first, and then an underpainting using oils on Wallis sanded paper. Here are some pix -

You can see that I did a thumbnail sketch, followed by a pencil drawing on the paper. Then I painted in, very loosely, an oil underpainting, using opposite (complementary) colors.

Plainfield Art League - ARTWORKS

July 12, 2009

By DENISE M. BARAN-UNLAND For The Herald News

The Plainfield Art League is moving beyond the confines of its gallery to bring high-quality art programs and exhibits to the surroundings communities.

At the same time, the group is offering an ever-changing flow of exhibits at its gallery to spur more involvement.

"By encouraging our artists to set up these high-quality public exhibits, I think we are starting to see a visible art community," said Sheryl Jones, president of the Plainfield Art League (PAL). "This has the potential to draw people into our community from a large geographical area."

From July to September, the league has scheduled several events and invites art lovers of all ages to attend.

For instance, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, PAL will resurrect the "Art in the Garden" show at The Fields on Caton Farm, 1850 Caton Farm Road, Crest Hill. Artists from Plainfield and the surrounding suburbs will sell their works in many mediums (drawings, glass, mixed media, paintings, photography, pottery and sculpture) in the landscaping company's display gardens. The Fields' annual day lily sale will occur, too.

Added to the ambience from 1 to 4 p.m., instrumentalists will perform live, acoustic music.

"This is a small show that gives artists who normally don't participate in the big shows (an opportunity) to showcase their work," Jones said. "Our artists love that show because the setting is beautiful and we make it very artist friendly. Parking for the artists is nearby and they receive help setting up."

Beginning July 13, PAL will begin a new exhibit at the Plainfield Township Building, 1025 E. Lockport Road in Plainfield. This exhibit, Jones said, is part of a new, ongoing project to showcase eight to 10 artists for three months at a time. That building is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m.

At the PAL gallery and school in downtown Plainfield, 24114 W. Chicago St., members participate in two-months- long themed exhibits.

The summer-related exhibit, "Sizzling," begins July 18 with an artist reception from noon to 5 p.m. That exhibit runs through Sept. 9.

Beginning July 13, PAL gallery hours are from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

Another outdoor show is slated from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1. A small group of artists will display their work, as well as paint or draw on-site, at Ida's Garden Paradise/Dahl Landscaping, 14960 W. 159th St., Lockport. Admission and parking are free.

On Sept. 5, PAL will host an Art at the Park event at the Village Green in Plainfield.

The group is working with Plainfield School District's art teachers to set up a student art exhibit at the Art in the Park exhibit, too. Jones said the goal is to continue to grow the relationship that began with a 40-piece exhibit in the district's administration building.

Such community art shows are now feasible because financial assistance from the Village of Plainfield and partly because membership is at an all-time high, Jones said. She said 75 artists currently belong to the Plainfield Art League.

"We have maintained a high level of activity in the past year," Jones said. "We are definitely breaking out. We have some exceptionally talented artists in our community, and as we get out there more, we will make them more visible to the public. From there, the quality of the art we produce here can only go up."

For more information, contact the Plainfield Art League at 815-436-4351, send an e-mail to info@plainfieldartleague.com or visit www.plainfieldartleague.com.

June 18 'Sizzling' art exhibit reception at the Plainfield Art League

The Plainfield Art League will host "Sizzling," a collection of member artwork. There will be an opening reception from noon to 5 p.m. July 18. The exhibit runs through Sept. 9. Gallery is located at 24114 W. Chicago St., Plainfield. Hours are Fridays, 7 to 8 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and other times by appointment. For more information, call 815-436-4351 or visit www.plainfieldartleague.org.

PAL Board Meeting held April 1, 2009

Springfest Volunteers/Planning:   Springfest and the Plainfield High School Senor Art Exhibit occurs over the weekend of May 15-17.   Installation of  Student Exhibit will be Thursday May 14th.   On Saturday and Sunday, 5/16 and 5/17, PAL will have a tent opposite the kids' rides in the park on Des Plaines Street.  Volunteers will be needed for face painting.   Christine Kohn will manage the face painting.  A PAL general brochure will be created and produced for hand out at the tent and at the gallery.  

Committee Chairs:   Along with PAL officers, more committee chairs are needed to insure PAL growth and leadership.  These include:

    Program planning (primarily lining up demo artists)
    Managing classes and instructors (recruiting, scheduling, communicating with Promotions Chair)
    PAL has received requests for classes in pastels, life drawing, and children's drawing classes.
    Promotions and communications
    Fund raising and sponsorship
        
Nominating Committee presented a slate of proposed officers and directors for the 2009-2010 year.  The Executive Board slate of officers is Sheryl Jones - President, Christine Kohn - Secretary, Mike Bessler-Treasurer.  The office of Vice President is open.   Continuing board members are Cheryl Carman  (Hospitality), Joe Hadamik  (Artist at Large), Mike Bessler  (Webmaster), and Tina Storey (Exhibits).  Board nominees are Al Tampa, Barb Tampa, and Leif Rogers.
    
A proposal for Handling Institutional Memberships  (where several individuals are members of the member institution) was discussed.  It was decided that rather than set a new membership fee for institutions in general, PAL will offer teachers from Plainfield's District 202 annual memberships at  the  Student Rate of $20.

Credit Card / Paypal Use: PAL now accepts credit cards for payment of membership dues and to sign up for classes and workshops and can be paid online on PAL's website.   The issues that were addressed included: (1) calculation of the PayPal transaction fees; (2) approving the forms for members to pay online for PAL membership and for class registrations; (3) procedure for instructors to accept completed credit card information forms to register for classes; (4) method to advise instructors of paid registrations for classes.

AFA Art Show Booth:  July 25-26 event at the Peabody Estate will be entered only with volunteers to manage booth.  Appeals for volunteers will be made at monthly meetings.  

Ottawa Art League Request to exchange and post information regarding art events and opportunities was approved.  Both PAL and OAL will post links to the other's websites.  After discussion, it was decided that links to other AFA member art leagues would be posted.

Volunteer Hours of service requirement for members.  After discussion a resolution was adopted.  Resolved, that PAL members are expected to volunteer a total of 6 hours of service to PAL over a year's membership.  Note of the requirement will be added to Membership Application and Renewal that "members are expected to volunteer for a total of 6 hours over the membership year.  Board membership satisfies the requirement."   

A Gallery Clean Up Day will be organized for April 18 to add to wall hanging system, stabilize shelf units, and do general cleaning.

Email "Subscribers"  who have attended classes but are not members should have right to "unsubscribe."  A note will be added to class registration forms to accept or decline email notices from PAL.

Fundraiser Proposal for a plein aire "Paint Out" in September or October 2009.  Sunday of the Labor Day weekend was discussed as a possible event day with the Village Park across from the gallery as the site.  To reserve the park for the day, the event would be run in conjunction with the Plainfield Park District.

The Plainfield Art League and Plainfield Township Joint Press Release

JOINT PRESS RELEASE

 

The Plainfield Art League and Plainfield Township are proud to announce that the work of eight members of the Plainfield Art League is currently on exhibit at the Plainfield Township building located at 22525 W. Lockport Road in Plainfield. 

 

The exhibit is comprised of 30 works including pottery, photography and paintings done in watercolor and oil.  All of the pieces are available for sale.

 

"The quality of the artwork is outstanding.  There is so much talent right here in Plainfield Township," said Township Administrative Assistant Monika McMillen.

 

The exhibit will be up through the end of May.  At the end of May, new art pieces will be hung throughout the Township's administrative offices.  We encourage you to come visit the Township building during our normal business hours of 8am to 4pm to take a look at this fine art.

 

For more information on the exhibit or the Plainfield Art League, please contact:

 

Sheryl Jones

President, Plainfield Art League

815-436-4351

 

OR

 

Monika McMillen

Administrative Assistant, Plainfield Township

815-436-8308

(Note: Photos of the artwork on exhibit are available from Sheryl or Monika upon request.)

 
--
Plainfield Art League
815-436-4351
info@plainfieldartleague.org
www.plainfieldartleague.org
24114 W Chicago St
Plainfield, IL 60544

ARTWORKS Gerardo Valerio Trigueros

March 15, 2009

By DENISE M. BARAN-UNLAND For The Herald News

Imagine the time it would take to paint the hair of 15 lions, strand by strand?

Yet it is time happily spent for Gerardo Valerio Trigueros, winner of multinational honors and awards during his 38-year career. He says he uses his paintbrushes to fight for the preservation of ecology, especially endangered wildlife.

» Click to enlarge image

Costa Rican native Gerardo Valerio Trigueros will host a two-day painting workshop at the Plainfield Art League March 28 and 29.

(Courtesy photo)

RELATED STORIES

• Online: Trigueros' Web site

"I work 12 to 18 hours a day and that is still not enough time for me to finish projects," Trigueros said. "I will need another two lives for me to finish the projects in my brain."

On March 28 and 29, Trigueros will host a two-day painting workshop at the Plainfield Art League. There, he will provide his students "recipes" for creating whatever subject matter they desire.

"I don't see myself as a teacher or a professor or a master. I'm a helper," Trigueros said. "Through my experiences I help my students develop many things that they had only dreamed to do. I think it's important for everybody to find their own subject."

Last summer, Trigueros won Best Painting at the Joliet Festival of the Arts.

Trigueros' interest in wildlife was fostered by his grandfather, Dr. Manuel Valerio, biologist, entomologist and naturalistic studies professor, who often sent the young Trigueros and Trigueros' father into the Costa Rican rainforest to collect specimens for his studies.

Then, at age 9, Trigueros officially became recognized as an artist when he won a contest with his drawing of Costa Rican ex-president Jesus Jimenez.

Later, at the University of Costa Rica, Trigueros excelled in art, including drawing, painting, sculpture, xylography (wood engraving) and engraving. He graduated with a bachelor's degree.

"I decided to paint animals in their environment and all my colleagues told me that I would die of starvation," Trigueros said. "At that time, no one in my country talked about the environment. Many times when I was starving I thought about quitting, but through the years I began to understand the passion I had for the work. It's a matter of love and of patience."

Trigueros creates artwork in two styles -- hyperrealistic and abstract -- and employs a variety of mediums to accomplish it. He paints in acrylic, oil and watercolor. He also creates sculpted pieces and pencil drawings and works in pastel.

His paintings are exhibited in the Costa Rican presidential palace and in government collections.

Others are on permanent exhibition at the Ministry of Education, Nature and Energy, Justice and Grace and in the collections of the National Bank of Costa Rica and University for Peace.

For more information, visit www.gerardovaleriotrigueros.com.

Chroma painting event at Plainfield Art League April 15, 2009

Atelier Interactive Professional Artists' Acrylics offer a truly unique and different acrylic formulation.  In 2003, by rethinking the typical acrylic formulation methods, Jim Cobb - Artist, Educator and Paintmaker - designed an acrylic paint so revolutionary it now has a patent pending.

With Atelier Interactive Professional Artists' Acrylics, the artist controls the open time. Work can be done wet-in-wet by adding more moisture with a fine mist spray. Work can be done wet-over-dry by simply not adding moisture. One acrylic paint offers it all . . . . the benefit of a longer open time, and the convenience of rapid drying!

You can experience Atelier Interactive yourself and discover how it can transform your painting process. Be inspired by the ability to double your techniques!

A Chroma artist will introduce the product, speak to its features and benefits, and then get the attendees to begin painting. The Chroma artist facilitating the event will be available for questions and comment. This event is designed to be interactive and fun - giving us the opportunity to introduce the product and get people excited. Support materials include presentation boards and printed collateral. Chroma will supply the paint and mediums necessary. The attendees will supply their own surfaces, brushes, and associated materials.

Summary

• Event Type: Workshop
• Brands Used: Atelier Interactive.
• Painting Styles: Landscape, Portrait, Still Life, Abstract, Nature.
• Painting Mediums: Acrylic.
• When: from 15-Apr-2009 to 15-Apr-2009, 6:00pm / 9:00pm
• Where: Plainfield Art League, 24114 W Chicago St, Plainfield, Illinois 60544 across from the Village Green Park in downtown Plainfield
• WEST of Rt 59, not east like it shows on some maps
• Price: $0.00
• Open to the public