WE'VE MOVED: OVAC Blog

Hello faithful OVAC blog readers - We would like to announce that we are moving our blog, all posts old and new, to our new website.

The new website is great, and the blog is even better than  before! Because the blog is on our website, we can tag blog posts to our programs and they will appear on those pages. 

OVAC's new blog!

For instance, if you go to the page for Tulsa Art Studio Tour, you can see the most recent blog posts related to the Tour.

Our first blog post that is unique to our new website re-caps Momentum OKC 2014 - we hope you swing by to take a look!

See you on the new site!

Abstracted Landscapes: Tulsa Art Studio Tour Artist Libby Williams

This post is part of our series on Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's Tulsa Art Studio Tour 2014. A self-guided tour, the Tulsa Art Studio Tour showcases the talent of artists who live and work in Tulsa.Today we are featuring Tour artist Libby Williams.

Libby grew up in Kansas City and has also studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia and Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York. Libby Williams will be completing a Master of Fine Art degree in Painting from the University of Tulsa in May 2014.

Tour Artist Libby William's studio inside the Zarrow Center

Williams makes landscape paintings from direct observation in order to discover more sophisticated structures and compositions generated from her head in the studio. Her painting process is a dialogue between invented abstraction and perceptual observation."This back and forth practice allows both methods to inform the other and develop an approach to painting that walks the line between invention and observation," says Williams

Tour Artist Libby Williams at work.

Her studio schedule changes with the seasons. "In the spring and fall I like to do more plein air," said Williams of her practice.  Her works explore color and connections through compositions. She likes the way her paintings fit together like a puzzle. "Recently my favorite piece is an oil painting called Owen Park (Porch View). I like it because it was made completely from observation but has taken on some unusual abstract structures that I try to put in my invented work," noted Williams

Meet & see the working studio of Williams along with 13 other artists on April 12-13, noon until 5 pm on the Tulsa Art Studio Tour. For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit www.TulsaArtStudioTour.org.

Mashups and Monsters: Tulsa Art Studio Tour Artist Kyle Blair

This post is part of our series on Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's Tulsa Art Studio Tour 2014. A self-guided tour, the Tulsa Art Studio Tour showcases the talent of artists who live and work in Tulsa.Today we are featuring Tour artist Kyle Blair.

Kyle Blair was born and raised in the central valley of California, and has spent his entire life learning to draw. He loves 80’s movies, rock-n-roll, The Muppets, and granola bars.

Though he doesn't feel the primary purpose of all art is to make people happy, Blair channels his sense of humor and fun through his work.

Tour Artist Kyle Blair in his studio

His involvement with an illustrator collective, JEB Kennedy Collective, has been a great 

influence on his work. Though he is primarily an illustrator, he works with printmaking as it "is a nice compliment, a hands on way to translate [my] work," he said of his technique.

He has been drawing since age 3, and draws like he doesn't have a choice. He always has a sketchbook handy to write down his next idea. "I believe an artist is only ever as good as his or her next art piece." said Blair.

work by Tour Artist Kyle Blair

As for the Studio Tour, he is very interested in becoming more involved in the Tulsa art community. "I'm looking forward to collaborating and connecting with artists and others who might come through my studio," Blair added.

Meet & see the working studio of Blair along with 13 other artists on April 12-13, noon until 5 pm on the Tulsa Art Studio Tour. For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit www.TulsaArtStudioTour.org.

Inventing Creatures: Tulsa Art Studio Tour Artist Taryn Singleton

This post is part of our series on Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's Tulsa Art Studio Tour 2014. A self-guided tour, the Tulsa Art Studio Tour showcases the talent of artists who live and work in Tulsa.Today we are featuring Tour artist Taryn Singleton

Artist Taryn Singleton has always been interested in fabric and patterns, especially patterns that depict elements of nature. Having a grandmother who taught home-economics, and coming from a theater-set-building background, Singleton has a keen interest in craft art, and originally wanted to be a fashion designer.

work by Taryn Singleton

"[My grandmother] taught me to sew when I was six or seven years old and I’ve been really fascinated with fabrics and patterns ever since. Especially... the way a fabric designer will condense something like a flower bush down to two leaves, a stem, and a pod," she stated.

Blurring the boundaries between plants and animals she creates her own creatures that embody both. "My main concern is to create new life," pointed out Singleton.

 

Tour Artist Taryn Singleton in her studio

Singleton creates her work using painting, printmaking, fabric, and collage, with patterns and materials that are both made and found. Of this, Singleton said, "I try to experiment and be playful using found art and taking risks."

Meet & see the working studio of Singleton along with 13 other artists on April 12-13, noon until 5 pm on the Tulsa Art Studio Tour. For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit www.TulsaArtStudioTour.org.

Fantastical Dialogue: Tulsa Art Studio Tour Artist Megan Curtis

This post is part of our series on Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's Tulsa Art Studio Tour 2014. A self-guided tour, the Tulsa Art Studio Tour showcases the talent of artists who live and work in Tulsa.Today we are featuring Tour artist Megan Curtis.

Megan Curtis was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and received her degree in Studio art at Oklahoma State University. Curtis works in watercolor and oil. Her work is based on biblical narratives and children's fairytales, with a focus on the women in these stories. "The concept/idea behind the piece is the most important aspect in my work," said Curtis.

Tour artist Megan Curtis

By juxtaposing whimsical fantasy with harsh reality, her ultimate goal is to stir emotional contradictions within the viewer. "By using religious iconography and symbols from fairy tales I can construct images that are familiar yet unsettling," added Curtis.

inside the studio of Megan Curtis

She studied abroad in Japan, and learned Sumi-e painting, and likes that in Sumi-e, there is an exploration of negative space, line, and rhythm. "Artwork can be a tool to communicate without having to directly talk with me, so that the art speaks for me instead," she noted "Painting allows me to have a dialogue with myself and the viewers in a way that no other medium allows."

Meet & see the working studio of Curtis along with 13 other artists on April 12-13, noon until 5 pm on the Tulsa Art Studio Tour. For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit www.TulsaArtStudioTour.org. 

Rituals and Games: Tulsa Art Studio Tour Artist John Bryant

This post is part of our series on Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's Tulsa Art Studio Tour 2014. A self-guided tour, the Tulsa Art Studio Tour showcases the talent of artists who live and work in Tulsa.Today we are featuring Tour artist John Bryant.

John Bryant grew up in Texas and therefore considers himself a Texan. "Like many other Texans I wasn’t actually born there, but it’s where I grew up so it feels like home, even if I don’t live there anymore," said Bryant of his Texas experience, "In many ways it’s more fun to be a Texan away from home than it is to live there and endure the blistering heat while being devoured by fire ants."

Tour Artist John Bryant

He attended the University of Tulsa and graduated with an undergraduate degree in printmaking. He then worked as a teacher both here in the United States as well as Japan. He returned to Oklahoma to and is working on his master’s degree at the University of Tulsa.

John Bryant's Studio at the Zarrow Center

He was attracted to printmaking because the end product is "not necessarily precious, it can be repeated, prints can be given away, they can also be incorporated into other art forms," said Bryant.  "I am currently working with cardboard, collaged materials, and screen printing," he added.

Bryant work concerns symbols and rituals. He has a secret language of symbols in his work, and through his art, he is trying to put together a puzzle. Art is how Bryant translates his thoughts into the physical world. "I have a problem with not really being satisfied with anything I make," noted Bryant, "Fortunately, this keeps me busy trying to be better."

Meet & see the working studio of Bryant along with 13 other artists on April 12-13, noon until 5 pm on the Tulsa Art Studio Tour. For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit www.TulsaArtStudioTour.org. 

Courage to Create: Tulsa Art Studio Tour Artist Chuck Tomlins

This post is part of our series on Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's Tulsa Art Studio Tour 2014. A self-guided tour, the Tulsa Art Studio Tour showcases the talent of artists who live and work in Tulsa.Today we are featuring Tour artist Chuck Tomlins.

Artist Chuck Tomlins graduated from Ohio State University in 1966 with his Masters of Fine Arts, and has been an instructor and professor at the University of Tulsa since then. Tomlins teaches studio arts for non-majors, as well as a writing seminar on the creative process. 

Though he has formal adult training, he started in the studio at a young age, and recalls his grade school offering drama, music and art. Of his early experiences in art, Tomlins said "The creative process is vital in all disciplines, and exposure to the creative process at an early age provides the 'courage to create.'"

the studio of Chuck Tomlins

Tomlins considers himself an “intermedia” artist, bringing all different types of artistic media together: sculpture, drawing, performance, etc. Tomlins has used Performance Art as a method of examination, preservation, and celebration of a people's heritage. 

Tour Artist Chuck Tomlins in his studio

He works in the studio when he is not teaching, and keeps a sketchbook like a diary. He learned from his instructor to keep a schedule and be in the studio working so that you can be there when inspiration comes. "Inspiration is not on a schedule – it will happen when it happens," said Tomlins.

Tomlins advocates for art education for all ages, and wants to spread his interest in arts to the public.

Meet & see the working studio of Gordon along with 13 other artists on April 12-13, noon until 5 pm on the Tulsa Art Studio Tour. For more info, or to purchase tickets, visit www.TulsaArtStudioTour.org.