Over the past 400 years, if you happened to be good at making giant sculptures of generals on horseback pointing or waving swords, Argentina had a job for you. This country has the highest percentage by population of these items. Nowadays there's less sword waving, but they still put their dead generals in flowery monuments next to rich people. Maybe the Argentines have a love affair with death; they seldom remember birthdays, but death-days are big events. School children are encouraged to commit their generals' last words to memory.

These days the Argentines charge Americans $100 to get into their country. Why they charge Canadians only $75 is beyond me.

In Buenos Aires at the Museo de Bellas Artes there's a terrific show of 19th and 20th Century Italian artists--from Antonio Mancini to Amedeo Modigliani. Unfortunately there's no catalogue, but the show is exemplary of the renewed popularity of some relative unknowns who could really paint. Not many remember Mancini, for example, but none other than John Singer Sargent at one time declared him "the greatest living painter."

Antonio Mancini (1852-1930) was born in Rome, showed early ability and studied under the best available in Naples. He specialized in oils and pastels of street children, clowns, acrobats, etc., and often worked in a broad, impasto-laden style with intelligent use of light and surface moisture. He was soon accepted into the Paris Salon. Mancini suffered a severe mental breakdown and depression in midlife, became destitute and was supported by friends and former patrons. In later life he brightened up, as did his palette, and he once again out-dazzled his contemporaries. We've put a panel of Mancini's work at the top of the current clickback.

The Italian show, together with a marvelous modern show at the Palais de Glace, mostly featuring young Argentine women artists, is a good top-up before going plein air in Patagonia. It's good to humble yourself by knowing just how good other people can get. And noticing the good people, too--the Argentines are friendly and jolly. Funnily, they may charge you to get into their country, but they don't charge you to get into their art museums.

Best regards,

Robert

PS: "The way to understand painting is to go and look at it. And if out of a million visitors there is even one to whom art means something, that is enough to justify museums." (Pierre-Auguste Renoir)

Esoterica: If a brilliantly good artist happens to live just down the street, his top-up of your efforts may be harder to take. That's why it's good to check out dead artists. The dead guy won't let you take him to dinner or tell you, "There's something wrong with that mouth," as several of our subscribers did with my painting of Mel, but he can show you stroke by stroke how things might be. Cruising your eyes over someone else's work in silence and with respect may be the next best thing to struggling on your own. Art museums help artists realize they're never truly alone.
Robert Genn has given ARTAZINE permission to post from his twice-weekly newsletter. For more of his artistic insights, visit his blog at www.painterspost.com.

 Mt.Lassen Art Show - Call to Artists!!!

Call to schedule open mike and front porch stage. Displays and performance by youth areencouraged.

Please join this free, public celebration of the Arts featuring , national and local artists.

Ample space in beautiful Scharsch Meadow is available to set up displays of your work on afirst come first serve basis   no fees…no fuss.

All media accepted including displays of outside sculpture. Artists handle their own sales. No Fees, no fuss.

Contact Howard“Luke” Lucas 474-33991 or email pleinaire3@aol.com.

Local accommodations and camping lists are available.

Come and enjoy this down homecountry celebration of the arts.

Dan Frost - Guitar Instructor

Dan offers guitar instruction at Herreid's Music in Redding, Ca
2148 Market Street
Redding, CA 

Born into a family of musicians, Dan Frost began playing the guitar seriously around age 10, learning chords and entering talent contests.  After seeing the movie, "Crossroads" (which featured the renowned guitarist, Steve Vai), Dan left the theater thoroughly inspired, and vowed to dedicate his life to the guitar.  At 16, he studied for two years as a protégé of William Hollingsworth, another famous guitarist, clinician & teacher at many Southern California music institutes.  At 17, Dan became a publisher with BMI, on Elephant Trunk Music, his family's publishing entity.  At 18, Dan studied under Howie Bently, an instructor at the Atlanta Institute of Music, concentrating on progressive rock & blues.

With a band his father founded, appropriately named "Frost", he has toured the South East, the South, and all over the West Coast; gotten airplay at over three hundred radio stations, and sold several thousand CDs.  Dan has even toured the Netherlands with a popular Dutch band called "Crossband".

With this current project, DFC, Dan strives to convey both the intellectual and the soulful aspects of music, drawing from as many styles as he can, and selectively blending them to create his own signature sound as a soloist and singer-songwriter.  Dan also teaches guitar lessons in the Redding, California area where he currently resides.  His influences include: Steve Vai; Joe Satriani; Lita Ford; Stevie Ray Vaughn; Eric Johnson; Nuno Bettencourt; Angus Young; and many other players who Dan feels have put forth their own true voice through their music.

Dan can be reached at Herreid Music 530-243-7283 or by e-mail at danfrost103@yahoo.com

2012

Summer Dance and Theatre Intensive

July 2 - 20, 2012

Classes for adults and kids in:

Classical ballet, modern dance, tap, jazz, hip-hop, acting for stage and film, dance for musical theatre, voice, Camp Broadway and more!

1726 Market Street
Redding, CA 96001

530-245-1019
register online at www.rcmtc.org
ask about ongoing classes! 

Yesterday, Pat Weekley of Clovis, New Mexico wrote, "I've been a member of our art league in this conservative community for years. Our last art auction was held in a beautiful 'arty' situation--we had perfect weather, good local publicity and practically no attendance. We offered wine, cheese and other goodies so that all attending could be satisfied. There was a lot of interest in the wine. A group sat in the back and made frequent trips to the wine and offered us no bids. Our paintings went for rock bottom or received no bids at all. Several of my paintings went for less than the cost of framing. I've heard it said that if one wants 'good' art then it's necessary to go to 'real' galleries in Santa Fe, Taos or Albuquerque. What can we do that we have not done in the past to raise the realization that there is good art available right here in Clovis?"

Thanks, Pat. I often feel a touch of sadness when I see the earnestness of artists in sales venues in out-of-the-way places. Sometimes I see the work of really excellent artists and try to help them or make recommendations as best I can. I call these folks "flowers blooming in a desert."

But as you know, New Mexico is the place where you can see some of the best art in the USA. Shooting from the hip, I'd say if you want to make sales in New Mexico, you have to have really top quality art. It could be the competition.

Further, I suspect that most of the locals in Clovis have other priorities than the collecting of art. You might try busing people in. You'd round them up on Canyon Road in Santa Fe. Sure, some of your local wine-drinkers and cheese-eaters (great cheese made in Clovis, by the way) will throw peanuts at you to "give you encouragement," but if it were me I'd rather be kicked in the head by a heifer. Fact is, even if you had a flying saucer over from Roswell you'd probably get only a bunch of saucer-eyed non-art-lovers.

I'm guessing, but I think the way to raise the realization that there is good art in Clovis is to make better art. Make it so damned good that collectors drive out Hi-way 60 in their Caddies and Lincolns. Let them bring their own wine and cheese.

Best regards,

Robert

PS: "Good merchandise, even hidden, finds buyers." (Plautus)

Esoterica: I'm sure many of our readers will tell us in the clickbacks and live comments about systems that bring people into these sorts of events. Further, there are probably systems, short of forced public lobotomies, that might encourage cattlemen and ranchers to become enthusiastic art buyers. We'd sure like to hear about those, too. But it's going to be an encounter of the fourth kind--about four percent of the population are making art, and two percent are buying it

Robert Genn has given ARTAZINE permission to post from his twice-weekly newsletter. For more of his artistic insights, visit his blog at www.painterspost.com.

Beverly painted for 13 years with her mentor,  Richard McKinley from Medford, OR. She is currently in mentoring program under Albert Handell, one of the first artists inducted into the Pastel Hall of Fame. She “enjoys my students and look forward to the development of a long friendship” and feels “each person brings a unique persona to the class”.  Students have the freedom to edit the studied work and make it their own.

“Inside every human being lies a talent, words, mechanic, painting… my objective is to refine that artistic talent and to show that person that they can create from the heart, beyond duplication of a picture.” – Bev Dearman.

What a beginning painter can expect in Bev’s classes:

Oil painting (for the beginner)
day 1 – make charts for color mixing oils, and understanding color wheel
day 2 or 3 – value studies –student will paint the first painting in monochromatic
- setting lights and dark values in monochromatic fashion to depict landscape or floral image from student’s own photo or instructor collection
day 4 – student is ready to paint from a color photo of their choice
Mondays and Tuesdays 9am – 12pm, 1pm – 4pm

Pastel painting  (for the beginner)
day 1 – hands on, student will pick photograph of their own, and supports from instructor
day 2/3 – value studies – student will paint the first painting in monochromatic
day 4 – student is ready to paint from a color photograph of their choice

Mondays and Tuesdays 9am – 12pm, 1pm - 4pm

Bev teaches beginners to experienced artists. Classes are on-going with the student painting from their own selected photos and at their own pace. No rush and no pressure! Just relax and enjoy the process of learning.

$20 / 3-hours group lessons
$25 2-hour private lessons.

Classes are held at Bevie’s Fine Art Studio and Gallery in Redding, CA

Bevies Fine Art Studio and Gallery
3404 Bechelli Lane, Suite C
Redding, CA 96002
530-355-3927
www.beviesfinearts.com

Sioux City Art Center's ArtSplash 2012 - Sioux City , Iowa
DEADLINE: 5/10/2012
Jury Fee: $25.00
Event Dates: 9/1/2012 - 9/2/2012
ArtSplash cordially invites you to apply to be one of up to 100 exhibitors at our 2012 festival of the arts. ArtSplash enjoys an attendance of 35,000 visitors in the beautiful Grandview Park, home of the historic bandshell! A celebration of the visual and performing arts, the three-day event gives patrons the unique opportunity to meet and purchase art from exhibiting artists. Our goal is to provide the tri-state area with a family-centered arts adventure of exceptional quality. Proceeds from ArtSplash help the Art Center Association of Sioux City fund education and exhibition programs at the Sioux City Art Center.

Colorado Artfest at Castle Rock 2012 - Castle Rock, Colorado
DEADLINE: 5/10/2012
Jury Fee: $35.00
Event Dates: 9/8/2012 - 9/9/2012
You are invited to apply to exhibit your artwork at the 23rd Annual Colorado Artfest at Castle Rock. Situated midway between Denver and Colorado Springs, Castle Rock offers artists and patrons a well-organized, quality show. ArtFest is known among artists as one of the most charming locations for booth set-up and successful art sales. Approximately 25,000 participants over 2 days will enjoy over 180 artists from all over the country, continual live main stage entertainment, strolling entertainment and a Children’s Imagination Zone. We feature a top local brewing company, Rockyard Brewing Co., in addition to a variety of food vendors.

Downtown Art Annual...Kansas City Art Fair (Kansas City, MO.) 5th Annual May 2012 - Kansas City, Missouri
DEADLINE: 5/11/2012
Jury Fee: $25.00
Event Dates: 5/18/2012 - 5/20/2012
Our most exciting and ambitious project ever! Howard Alan Events is excited to bring back our best summer show, The District Art Annual at the new Power & Light District. This covers 9 city blocks of retail, entertainment, and residential district located in the heart of Downtown Kansas City. The district is the cornerstone of a massive 2 billion dollar urban renaissance, which includes major new attractions, such as a performing arts venue, arena, convention center and 10,000 high end urban lofts. The district is the largest and most exciting new development in the mid west.

Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival 9th Annual May 2012 - Sarasota, Florida
DEADLINE: 5/11/2012
Jury Fee: $15.00
Event Dates: 5/19/2012 - 5/20/2012
Show is currently closed to clothing-applications will be accepted for Wait List Only.

This late springtime craft festival boasts more than 100 of America's best crafters. Sarasota's charming Main Street comes alive with the buzz of crafters and patrons over the weekend.

Helper Arts and Music Festival 2012 - Helper, Utah
DEADLINE: 5/11/2012
Jury Fee: $25.00
Event Dates: 8/17/2012 - 8/19/2012
Helper Arts and Music Festival In its 18th year featuring live non-stop music, demonstrations and performances. Set in a historic mining community of Helper, Utah located two hours south of Salt Lake City. The event includes painting, sculpture and playwright competitions, youth exhibition, Artist Marketplace, custom car show and mining museum.

New Events

Art and Wine Festival at Main Street Square 2012 - Rapid City, South Dakota
OPEN DATE: 4/30/2012
DEADLINE: 5/31/2012
Jury Fee: $10.00
Event Dates: 6/23/2012 - 6/24/2012
Main Street Square is a year-round open space in the city center of Rapid City that opened in October 2011. During the summer, the space is a green space with an interactive fountain. In the winter, the green space is transformed into an ice skating rink.

Public events are planned in the space year-round, and the space is available for private rental, with several weddings and reunions planned for 2012. Positioned in the city center, Main Street Square is surrounded by historical Downtown Rapid City and its specialty shops, restaurants and art galleries.

Arizona Fine Art EXPO - 9th Annual 2013 - North Scottsdale, Arizona
OPEN DATE: 4/30/2012
DEADLINE: 5/15/2012
Jury Fee: $35.00
Event Dates: 1/10/2013 - 3/24/2013
Thunderbird Artists proudly presents the 9th Annual Arizona Fine Art EXPO. This 10 week event, nestled in the most affluent, upscale area of Scottsdale/Carefree (located 5 miles south of Carefree and 5 miles north of Loop 101) is the perfect platform for artists to create and sell their work.

Patrons love watching artists work in studios, purchasing or commissioning artwork, eating at the café, wandering the artists’ marketplace and 2-acre sculpture garden, attending garden parties and other special events.

The Arizona Fine Art EXPO has two-thirds artists returning, therefore, the jury is an on-going process until the remaining studios fill. Limited space available. American Style Magazine readers voted Scottsdale as 5th place (mid-size city category) for “Best Art Destination” in the country.

Southwest Arts Festival® 2013 - Indio, California
OPEN DATE: 5/1/2012
DEADLINE: 8/30/2012
Jury Fee: $45.00
Event Dates: 1/25/2013 - 1/29/2013
You are invited to apply for the Southwest Arts Festival® presented by the Indio Chamber of Commerce in Indio California! Featuring over 250 acclaimed artists showing traditional, contemporary and abstract fine works of art and quality crafts, the festival is a major, internationally recognized cultural event and was attended by over 10,000 people in 2012.

As an invited artist you will enjoy one of the most exciting and hospitable festivals anywhere. Because we make a special effort to connect patrons with our artists, we require that all artists, regardless of weather, be present every day of the festival. Festival hours are 10 am to 5 pm each day.

We provide easy check-in and check-out procedures with safe and secure access to festival grounds for set-up and breakdown. We allow advance set-up for artists with special requirements (very large art requiring the use of cranes, forklifts, etc., or artists with special needs.). Artist parking is free. Disabled artist parking is also available.

Tempe Festival of the Arts - Fall 2012 - Tempe, Arizona
OPEN DATE: 5/1/2012
DEADLINE: 6/30/2012
Jury Fee: $35.00
Event Dates: 11/30/2012 - 12/2/2012
Scheduled for November 30-December 2, 2012, the Fall Tempe Festival of the Arts is among the oldest, largest, and best-loved traditions in the Desert Southwest. Held over a 3-day weekend, more than 225,000 visitors shop from the Valley’s best selection of fine art and craft, from as many as 400 artists who come from throughout North America. The Festival occurs in a festive street fair atmosphere in the Mill Avenue District of downtown Tempe, Arizona.

This juried show does not admit buy-sell artists, and promotes original art with all artists on site to engage visitors. The event is held semi-annually, taking advantage of the “snow bird” high season in Arizona. Fully one third of the Festival’s visitors are escaping the winter blues and come from outside Phoenix and outside Arizona, shopping for the perfect one-of-a-kind gift.

It’s fun for the whole family, too, with live entertainment, Kids Innovation Station where children make art they can take home free, the Arizona Wine Festival and The Art of Beer. The Fall Tempe Festival of the Arts offers a wide variety of amenities for artists including hospitality carts, booth sitting services, a large-art delivery assistance program, and a 24-hour security patrol.

Tempe Festival of the Arts - Spring 2013 - Tempe, Arizona
OPEN DATE: 5/1/2012
DEADLINE: 10/1/2012
Jury Fee: $35.00
Event Dates: 4/5/2013 - 4/7/2013
Scheduled for April 5 - 7, 2013, the Spring Tempe Festival of the Arts is among the oldest, largest, and best-loved traditions in the Desert Southwest. Held over a 3-day weekend, more than 225,000 visitors shop from the Valley’s best selection of fine art and craft, from more than 400 artists who come from throughtout North America. The Festival occurs in a festive street fair atmosphere in the Mill Avenue District of downtown Tempe, Arizona.

This juried show does not admit buy-sell artists, and promotes original art with all artists on site to engage visitors. The event is held semi-annually, taking advantage of the “snow bird” high season in Arizona. Fully one third of the Festival’s visitors are escaping the winter blues and come from outside Phoenix and outside Arizona, shopping for the perfect one-of-a-kind gift.

It’s fun for the whole family, too, with live entertainment, Kids Innovation Station where children make art they can take home free, the Arizona Wine Festival and The Art of Beer. The Spring Tempe Festival of the Arts offers a wide variety of amenities for artists including hospitality carts, booth sitting services, a large-art delivery assistance program, and a 24-hour security patrol.