Art News & Discussion Page

This page is for the "free-form" posting and discussion of all things related to the visual arts world - FALC and beyond. For example: If you know of an art exhibit that members should not miss or a art supplies vendor that provides great service and prices this is the place to post it.

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Spectacular Bequest

Today's WSJ Leisure & Arts Page focuses on the Chester Dale Collection now on exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. The paintings span the years 1919 to the 1950's. Please read the article by Karen Wilkin. Better yet drive up to DC, and experience the exhibit for yourself.

While in the Personal Journal section, you won't want to miss the article about the Magnes Museum giving away its entire collection of Jewish art. The front page features watercolor print dresses: How a Painting Becomes a Dress. Now why didn't I think of that?

Submitted 5.19.10 by Carol Baxter

Art's New Winners and Losers

Hello Fellow Artists,

Run to your nearest newsstand or library and pick up today's Wall Street Journal. Go to the Weekend Journal section where you will find the latest news about the art auctions: who's HOT, and who's NOT. The WSJ has news about the art world almost every. It has vital information to help you stay in touch.

Submitted 05.14.10

Carol O. Baxter

Did You Know?

The Butler Institute, Youngstown OH, is the first museum of American Art. The original structure, dedicated in 1919, is a McKim, Meade, and White architectural masterpiece listed on the National Register of Historic places. The museum's mission is to preserve and collect works of art in all media created by citizens of our country. The institute's holdings now exceed 20,000 individual works, and the Butler is known worldwide as "America's Museum." You can take a virtual tour by going to http://butlerart.com. "Snap the Whip" by Winslow Homer, is the centerpiece of the museum's nineteenth century holdings.

Submitted content from the web site.

Carol O. Baxter 04.18.2010

Photography Changes Everything

For those of you interested in learning more about photography and its history, there are programs available to you through the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian Institution Photography Initiative has a web site where you will find a wealth of information, and it is interactive. The following link, http://photography.si.edu/ will take you to the opening page. Photography Changes Everything is the theme. Just visit click! to get started. I viewed the Timothy O'Sullivan exhibit at the American Art Museum when in Washington DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival and Parade. There are several new art, history, and educational exhibits that will interest many of you. The trip to DC is worth your time. Carol O. Baxter 04.11.10

Varnishing a Painting: I know it's a joy to get to this stage, when the painting is finished. You wait the appropriate amount of time for the painting to dry, 6-8 mos., some say 1 year for oil, and now you are ready to apply the varnish. I prefer the spray can. But lately, I am running into the problem of "spots" on my painting. I bought a new can and that also left some spots. I've been thinking of trying the paint on varnish, but hesitate. Can someone advise me on this? Ellie Fisch (12-08-08)

October 19, 2009. OK, I looked into this as much as I can and this is what I learned so far. Items purchased. Bottle of gloss finish dammar varnish, 500 ml size, small can of odorless turpenoid, small jar of distilled turpentine for oil color. Other items: a couple of clean empty glass jars, a couple clean empty cans from soup or tuna, a couple of heavy plastic dishes saved from fast foods, etc. for mixing. A couple of good soft bristle brushes about 1 1/2 to 2 inches wide. And a qt. heavy plastic drinking cup for hot water.

The varnish bottle was warmed by sitting it in the hot water for a few minutes. I poured some varnish into a mixing dish adding about a teaspoon or so of distilled turpentine, to make the thick varnish spreadable. By the way, the painting has to be completed dried and this can take from 6 mos. to a year if the paint is thick. Otherwise, your painting will smear. Brush with even strokes across your painting. Be aware that sometimes a bristle will stick on the painting and has to be removed immediately. I use an exacto knife. Put on at least 2 or more light coats, or what you think it needs. Keep the brushes only for varnishing. I have used spray matte finish varnishes, and while it protects, my personal preference is the brush on varnish. It brings out the colors.