FIGUREWORKS

Posted on November 10, 2014 by mariasaracino

poster-figureworks-onlineNovember 18th is opening night for the fifth annual Figureworks Awards Show. Figureworks aims to provide an opportunity to celebrate visual art of the human form. The organization puts the spotlight on artists, their works and the life models. This year they had a record number of entries, 142 submissions from 82 artists. Of those, 62 artworks by 43 artists made it through the jurying process and will be part of the exhibit. I’m thrilled that both of my sculptures made it through – they are “Lest We Forget” and “Coffee Break Generations”.

IMG_9095“Lest We Forget” was inspired by the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. The story was featured in the June issue of Reader’s Digest and inspired me to create this piece as a tribute to mark the anniversary, but also to honour the bravery of the Canadian soliders who landed on Juno Beach that day. The salute represents the acknowledgement of one soldier to the other, but also us, as civilians, acknowledging the sacrifice and bravery of those who served our country and protected the freedom we sometimes take for granted.

 

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“Coffee Break Generations” goes in a different direction and is a statement on the differences between generations in something as simple as enjoying a cup of coffee. Personally I love relaxing with a newspaper and a steaming cup of coffee, but with all the technology available today, it’s not uncommon for some people to multi-task even their relaxation time. At best I find this annoying, at it’s worst it can be rude. But what I find sad about technology is that we are losing the personal contact, the pleasure of conversation without distractions, eye contact, body language and the art of social interaction.

FigureWorks 2014 promises to be the best show yet. If you live in Ottawa or close by, I encourage you to see the show in person, if not, please check it out at http://www.figureworks.org once the show opens.  The vernissage is Tuesday, November 18th from 6 to 10pm. Free admission and refreshments . . .  you are all invited!

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A Teacher’s Impact

Posted on November 2, 2014 by mariasaracino

Today I taught a small group of women how to sculpt an ornament in polymer clay. It was a beginner class, but the students marvelled at what they were able to create. Tonight, as I look back at the day’s events and try to think of ways to make the workshop more interesting, I began to think about a teacher that made an impact on me and how, without knowing it, she made me believe I was an artist.

I don’t remember her name anymore, but I remember her face. There are only a few non-traumatic memories that stand out in my mind before age 7, but I remember this one vividly. We had just come back from summer holidays and the teacher asked us to draw a picture about something we did that summer. I was a shy dark haired girl in a classroom filled with mostly blondes and red heads. My parents didn’t speak english very well and we were one of only two or three Italian families that lived in the Glebe at the time. My brother and I had to deal with the taunts and name calling every day. But that day . . . as I drew a picture of my family, my aunts and uncles and my cousins enjoying a picnic on a grassy hill, the teacher came up behind me and gasped. That’s the first time I hImage121eard the word “perspective”. I had drawn my parents at the front and the rest of the family layered behind, progressively smaller as they played up on the hill. I don’t think my art abilities were prodigy worth, but my teacher gushed, and that day, she bestowed upon me the title of “class artist”. That day changed how I felt about going to school, but more importantly it changed how I felt about myself. From grade one all the way to high school, that title stuck. Looking back, I believe a very kind teacher found a way to boost a self-conscious child’s confidence at the exact moment it was needed. Without knowing it, she also helped me find my passion and my career path.

She’s not the only one, I’ve been lucky to have a few teachers who have made an impact on me. From Mrs. Peloso who had me do colouring pages for her kindergarden class, Sister Rosemary who put me in charge of posters and chalk board art, Sister at Holy Rosary for recruiting me for lunch time painting sessions, Mrs. Pilon and my current mentors and artist friends who share their knowledge and passion. I thank them all and I hope I can always make a difference in helping others find their inner artist.
A big hug to two special teachers who are making a difference in kids lives today . . .  Candice and Sarah!

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People’s Choice Award

Posted on October 23, 2014 by mariasaracino

_biz7648-v2On Wednesday, October 22nd, I received the AOE Arts Council’s “People’s Choice” Award for my sculpture “The Selfie”. What was particularly rewarding about this honour is that the public got to vote on their favourite piece. There was no online voting, the only way to vote was in person, at the exhibit. This award is a huge thrill for me and I’m very proud of the attention this particular piece has received. It has really hit a chord with the struggles of our aging population to stay current with today’s technology.

Entering art competitions is often met with mixed emotions from artists. It requires some work in the application process and staying organized and up-to-date with your resume, but there is also the fear factor in putting yourself out there to be criticized or be judged. I know this from first hand experience. I struggled with taking that next step, moving into the fine art world and competing. My goal has always been to become a professional full-time artist and I believe competition is helping to realize this goal. The benefits of competition far outweigh any negative aspects, as a matter of fact, in hindsight, the negative experiences were probably the most educational.

Competitions can motivate artists to work harder , competing makes you think about goals and which direction to take next. Locally it helps the artist’s work become better known in the community, but winning isn’t everything. Simply getting accepted into a juried local, national or international show helps the artist to become more widely known, acquire patrons, and get into galleries. Competitions don’t define the artist but they demand that we look for ways to grow. They are a chance to meet other artists, make friends, network and learn from other artist’s experiences. Naturally, there are highs and lows. With the lows we re-evaluate, try again or if necessary, go in a different direction. As artists, we study, learn, work and change in our attempts to reach our goal. When we stay the same, we don’t grow.

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Sunday Afternoon Workshops

Posted on October 10, 2014 by mariasaracino

IMG_2453Here’s something fun to do in November if you live in the Ottawa area. I’m offering three Sunday Afternoon Workshops just in time for Christmas. The classes are suitable for all levels, even beginners, and for ages 10 and older. This is a great introduction to working with polymer clay and you’ll get all the basics you’ll need to explore this medium on your own after the class. All supplies are included. Another option is to hold your own home party workshop, invite at least 5 people and I’ll come to your place!

Find the artist inside you and be creative!

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The Witches of All Hallowed Eve

Posted on October 1, 2014 by mariasaracino

Image010The first day of October starts the season of sweaters, brisk evenings, cranking up the fireplace and celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving. But it’s also a month of planning for my second favorite holiday, Halloween. When my kids were little, the excitement of planning the perfect costumes consumed us and we spent weeks working on them. We loved getting dressed up and becoming someone else for at least one evening.
Although the kids came up with something different every year, for the most part I stuck with the witch costume. There’s something mystical about witches Image011and befanas that draws me to the character. Their aged faces, the shoes and stockings, the magic and mystery and then there is the fear – that sense that you could be drawn into something sinister. So it goes without saying that I would explore this theme in some of my sculptures. IMG_4197Here are a few of the witches I’ve created over the years IMG_7117including the most recent – “Witch Flight” a hanging piece that will welcome my friends at the door when they come over for a Witches Tea Party later this month. Happy October!

Here I am with one of my witchy friends.

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About Sculpture . . . Short Version

Posted on September 23, 2014 by mariasaracino

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Sculpture has been central in religious devotion in many cultures.IMG_6726 The western tradition of sculpture began in Ancient Greece. There are two basic kinds of sculpture – free standing such as statues, and the various types of relief which are attached to a background surface. Relief is classified by the degree of projection from the background and is referred to as low bas-relief or high relief. This horse is an example of a bas-relief sculpture I did on a limestone background.

Modern and contemporary art have added a number of non-traditional forms of sculpture, including imgres-1sound sculpture, light sculpture as in this photo on the left, environmental art, kinetic involving aspects of physical motion, land art and site specific art. Sculpture is an important form of public art so you often see it in parks and public locations. A collection of sculpture in a garden setting can be called a sculptural garden.

f-XqZfaTMJGHB2fazq8tdtGg7drvqvGIdEcDjQ1jQycThe materials used in sculpture are diverse, changing throughout history. The classic materials, with outstanding durability are metal, especially bronze, stone and pottery. This is a bronze sculpture by Canadian artist Sid Treml. In addition to the classic materials a vast number of other materials have been used including my medium of polymer clay.

images-14Through history, decorative sculpture on buildings was considered a trade. My father was a stone sculptor and apprenticed in a small town in Italy. He started by carving water and oil vessels out of blocks of stone. Eventually he moved on to sculpt cemetery monuments, measuring and mapping out the figure on marble before chipping away to reveal the figure. When he immigrated to Canada this skill was mostly replaced by machinery and he moved on to another trade that would feed his family.

imgres-2Women sculptors took longer to appear than women painters and were less prominent until the 20th century. A very well known sculpture by French-American sculptor Louise Bourgeois is on display in front of the National Gallery of Canada. The spider sculpture “Maman” stands 30′ high by 33′ wide.

1466284_803797015228_276276234_nThis is a very condensed version of the history of sculpture, but it takes you to me. Here I am carving my niche in the world of sculpture with a relatively new medium and a new outlook. I hope you continue to follow my blogs and my work.

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You Are Invited!

Posted on September 8, 2014 by mariasaracino

Dimensions InvitationThursday evening, September 11th, is the opening reception for “DIMENSIONS”, the annual sculpture exhibit hosted by the NCNS (National Capital Network of Sculptors). It takes place at St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts located at 310 St. Patrick Street in Ottawa, Ontario between 6 and 9pm. Twenty-four artists will be showcasing over sixty works of art in every sculptural medium you can think of – ceramics, soapstone and hydrostone, bronze and steel, glass and wood and of course I’ll be there too! I’ll be showing three IMG_7099polymer clay sculptures, “Another Birthday”, “Ice Fishing” and my newest piece “Bus Stop”. I hope you will drop by and enjoy a glass of wine and appetizers while taking a look around.

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Some people are a little intimidated by the idea of an art exhibit or vernissage, but it can be such a fun experience if you open yourself up. Let’s start with the word “Vernissage” – it just means preview or opening day of an exhibition of art. The French term refers to “varnishing day” when artists literally, varnish, or touch up their work before the art is displayed to the public.

You don’t have to understand art intellectually to appreciate it. You just have to let the artwork speak to you and your life experiences and respond accordingly. It might stir a memory or an emotional feeling. Make you sad or happy, joyful or peaceful. Perhaps you can imagine the characters lives and situations, or simply appreciate the aesthetic value, craftsmanship or techniques used.

Meet the Artists! Introduce yourself and ask questions. This is how an artist gages the public’s response to their work. An artist spends a lot of time alone in their studios so these experiences can often re-energize and validate their life’s work. You’ll meet some award winning artists like Cairn Cunnane, metal artist featured on the poster above, who was just awarded a public art installation at Bingham Park in Ottawa and Rosemary Breault-Landry whose work is on display at the Parliament buildings.

Meet other people – ask and listen to other people’s interpretations of the art work – it might give you another surprising perspective. Most artists don’t mind if you want to take some pictures, but as a courtesy, be sure to ask first. What do you wear to a “Vernissage”? Dressy casual, office wear or cocktail is the standard, but wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be standing around.

Bring someone with you. It’s a great night out with a friend or date night with your significant other . . . and it’s free!

 

 

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This Artist’s Studio

Posted on August 25, 2014 by mariasaracino

Leonardo da Vinci once said, “An artist’s studio should be a small space because small rooms discipline the mind and large ones distract it.” An interesting concept, but does it necessarily hold true centuries later?

My studio is a bright roomIMG_6949 in my basement that is packed floor to ceiling with a smorgasbord of photos, clippings, fabrics, patterns, clay, wood and sculptures in various stages of completion. A large table in the centre of the room serves as my work surface, but when inspiration is high, there is often so much on the table that my actual work surface is a 12″ x 12″ corner. I like to be able to see, reach, touch and use what I need as I need it. Whatever is left, or rejected ends up on the floor, so more often than not, my studio is a mess. When those manic moments of inspiration hit, I don’t want to take the time to put things away, I want to create. When those manic episodes subside I tidy up, or my patient husband grumbles something about fire hazards as he clears a path around the room. Here are some pictures of my studio after it has been cleaned up.

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I’ve found that the more space I have the more I spread myself out horizontally, and I lose sight of my mission. That’s why my compact room serves me well – I’ve organized myself so that each corner, each shelf and cabinet holds what I need, when I need it and within reach. Organized chaos, but efficient and productive.

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Art Kudos International Art Exhibit

Posted on August 15, 2014 by mariasaracino

IMG_8318I am thrilled and honoured that my sculpture “The News” was selected for the 2014 Art Kudos International Exhibit, a one year online exhibit.

Celebrating their 10th anniversary, Art Kudos is an annual international juried competition that serves to recognize and honour excellence in the Visual Arts. Artists who are selected as finalists benefit from world-wide exposure in an online-only exhibition.

_D3_3462This year over 1,200 entries were received from 39 countries. From these entries 156 artists were selected as finalists for the 2014 Art Kudos International Juried Competition and Exhibit. The selections were made by awards judge, Graeme Reid. With twenty years of experience in arts management/curatorial work, Graeme Reid is currently Director of Collections & Exhibitions at the Museum of Wisconsin Art. Mr. Reid has curated over 120 exhibitions and has worked on the development and installation of institutional collections. The countries represented in the show include Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan, Phillipines, Puerto Rico, Samoa, Slovenia, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA.

You can see the full exhibit at http://www.artkudos.com, but you can see the actual sculpture at the Orange Art Gallery, 291 City Centre Drive in Ottawa or on their website at http://www.orangeartgallery.ca

After a period of one year, the show will be archived for future viewing along with previous Art Kudos exhibitions at www.artkudos.com/archived_exhibitions.html.

 

 

 

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Do You See What I See?

Posted on August 10, 2014 by mariasaracino

Every artist tries to convey a message through their work. Sometimes it takes a little work on the audience’s part to figure out what the artist is trying to say or the feelings they are trying to project. I remember taking my 8 year old niece to the National Gallery and playing a game where she had to guess either the name of the piece or tell me how it made it her feel. There was a modern art installation that showed a very large thick rope curled and squiggled on the floor over a very large area . . . her interpretation . . .  this one makes me feel shaky! She was right!

_D3_3489Last week I got one of the best compliments and interpretations of my work, from a fellow artist and member of the National Capital Network of Sculptors (NCNS), Kathy Bergquist. She saw what I was trying to capture and she put it in words perfectly. Kathy wrote: “I saw your pieces at Orange and they were wonderful! I was particularly fond of “Gossip in the Park”. What struck me about the Gossip piece is how perfectly you capture a universal human behaviour, but also how the incredible details situate it in a specific time and place. _D3_3493 _D3_3494The way you dress your pieces tells the viewer so much about who these people are, where they live, their social status, and about individual personality. Very cool. ”

Enjoy art!

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