Lynda Smith Touart

Semmesonian

2011-11-25T22:21:00.002-06:00

The ever-tireless Mary Rodning (far left) once again got up an exhibition for the Semmes Library gallery, a.k.a. the Semmesonian, the annual Artists of Semmes show. I'm on the far right.
Thanks, Mary!

Show's Up - Woot!

2011-09-02T08:02:00.007-05:00

Thanks to Rich's ahead-of-time R&D organizational skills, it only took two hours to hang the show. That left time for sushi lunch at Samurai J, almost next door. Zach and Gigi are SO nice! Zach is going out of his way to promote the arts.

I think the reception on the 9th will be fun. And if you can't come then, but would like to, there will be a repeat on October 14th, with a few changes to the work.

Maybe now I'll have time to actually create some art.

It's SHOW TIME (Almost)

2011-08-25T11:45:00.005-05:00

My exhibition at Edward Jones is almost here. Am I ready? No. But I will be. Just have to pick up some framing at Southern Art & Framing, pick up some work here and there, pack the car, hang the work (thank the gods for Rich's major help with all that!). Then all that's left is to show up for the reception(s).

So here are the facts:

My show is entitled Ars Gratia Artis.
Located at Edward Jones Financial, 159 Dauphin Street, across from Bienville Square.
It will run from September 5 to October 31, 2011.
The receptions will be during the LoDa ArtWalks, September 9th and October 14th.
From 6 - 8 p.m., both times.

Come see! And bring your friends, especially those with money!

Also, something new: I've produced a book of some of my work for the occasion. Some new and some old favorites. Check it out: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2416103

And last but more fun, Rich has made a promotional video. Nice geek to be married to!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRiMubnH75Y&feature=youtu.be

Piling On

2011-07-29T21:19:00.005-05:00

Never ceases to amaze me how things come up all at once, and then there's nothing for a while. Right now is one of those all at once times. Maybe it's the new normal.

There are two back to back - overlapping even - Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society shows. One opened last Sunday at the Mobile Museum of Art. It's the Shared Expressions exhibition and I found it quite good: http://www.mobilemuseumofart.com/index.php?sector=3&view=2 Go by and take a look.

Next Monday is the take-in for the WGAS exhibition at the Eastern Shore Arts Center in Fairhope. All I had to do was get two pieces scanned and framed. Calagaz let me down on the scans. They had trouble with the scanner, so they photographed them. If I wanted them photographed, I could have got Rich to do it. Not only that, but they looked really bad: distorted, crooked, and unevenly lit. They should have told me they were going to do that. When I asked for a do-over, they said their scanner wasn't meant for that kind of work. Maybe not but I have been having that done there for years, and except for an occasional line that needed to be Shopped out or some such, it had never been a problem. In the event, I did get Rich to photograph them, and that was much better than what they had done.

So then I framed the first of the drawings - colored pencil. Turns out that the mat I'd had cut was wrong - my fault - but happily it was too big, so I was able to fix that. The next day I started on the second one and broke the glass. This morning I went to the hardware store (Ace on Moffat Road, if you're following along in your program) and got them to cut a piece of Plexiglas for me. Fine. Except when I tried to put the frame together, it was about 1/8 of an inch too long!!! Another trip back to Ace, ("OK if I cut it a little shorter than 30 inches, just to be sure?" NOOOOOOO!!) a looooong wait whilst he tried to re-cut the first piece, then gave up and cut a new one. Finally they are both framed and ready. When I win the Lottery, I'm never framing anything myself again.

Now I am working on a scrapbook for WGAS, which I'd like to have presentable by the opening on August 5. How do I get into these things? Oh, right, I volunteered.

My own show(s) are coming up at Edward Jones on Dauphin Street in September and October (instead of October only, as I originally thought - but that's good, right?).

And I will be at the Gulf for 2 weeks right before that - barring hurricanes. I hope to relax there, stare at the water, draw, read, photograph, and relax. It deserves to be mentioned twice. Unfortunately I will be gone for the first 2 weeks of classes at the College of Medicine, where I work. So I would expect there to be a load of work for me upon return.

On the other hand, two quail sauntered by our window this afternoon, so that makes up for most everything.

Lake Louise Comes to Mind

2011-03-19T06:30:00.003-05:00

Lake Louise was mentioned by a FaceBook friend today. Made me think about how lovely it is there, and I went looking for a photo to post. This is a view from across the valley on Mt. Whitehorn. See the hotel there in the lower right, on the edge of the lake? I know, I know, it's also a tourist trap, but once you get any distance at all from the hotel on the trails, it's just so beautiful. I'm glad we did as much hiking as we did back in the day; got to see lots of out-of-the-way spots that the tour buses never go to.

I've never been tempted to paint/draw anything from there. (Except a drawing of rocks, once.) The paintings of the area that I have seen never measure up.

Mardi Gras!

2011-03-08T14:58:00.003-06:00

The carnival season has been building up for a while now, ending tonight. It's easy to get in the spirit, even if you aren't a hardcore participant. Our Girls' Night Out group met before a parade at the Bicycle Shop (uummmmmm suuuuushi) and then watched the Stripers in front of the Garage. On that Friday our friends the McKinneys hosted our monthly supper club group, so we could attend the Daphne parade. And finally (for me) Joe Cain Sunday was a day of walking from party to party in the Oakleigh district, watching Cain's Merry Widows arrive, eating and drinking my way through the day. Though I'm off work today, that's usually it for my Mardi Gras. I like to end with the "People's" parade.

Just learned on NPR that it all started because way back when people had to eat up all the things they weren't allowed to eat during Lent. Otherwise it would all spoil. Now it all makes sense!

Now I can dial it back till ArtWalk, this Friday night. Join me!

The more I do...

2011-02-03T11:26:00.000-06:00

...the less time I seem to find to write about it.

Cirque du Soleil tonight!

Missing Painting - Have you seen it?

2011-01-09T12:01:00.005-06:00

With the untimely death of Leila Hollowell, came the closing of Gallery 54. The artists have been gathering to retrieve their work. All of mine have come home except this one. It's an acrylic on canvas (yes, canvas), approximately 3 x 4 feet. I would pick this time to neglect to record the exact size.

Leila had a record of my leaving it with her, but that's all anyone can find. Her brother and sister are trying to get everyone's work back to them, but of course, they are not familiar with Leila's records. (If you can call them that. ;-)

Anyway, I'm just posting this on the off chance that someone sees it and can let me know...

DepARTmental

2011-01-08T09:18:00.010-06:00

One more opening done. I do so look forward to these, and even more so to when they are over and I can relax - for a couple of days. We really appreciated all the people who were able to come to the opening. We knew we would be competing with quite a number of choices for things to do in the area, since it was a Friday night, but that's a good problem to have.

I regret that we didn't take a DepARTmental group photo! Surprising we didn't think of that. Of course, I find it surprising that this group of artists with no formal organization were able to pull this off reasonably smoothly. The artists are Walter Beckham, Mike Carmichael, Frank Vogtner, Laura Worsham, and me.

The work was impressive, the food and drink was quite attractive, and the crowd was a good size for the occasion and venue. Whew.

The show will be up till February 25th, so come by & have a look. The library is free and open to the public.
Library information is:
http://library.southalabama.edu/index.html

Also see:
http://walterbeckhamphotography.blogspot.com/
http://www.linden.1x.com/gallery
http://www.lauraworsham.com/main.html
And of course:
http://lyndatouart.com/

Now the only remaining obligation for the near future is the WGAS opening on the 14th at MAC. But happily other people have done ALL the work on that!

Sad News

2010-12-25T06:12:00.002-06:00

Leila Hollowell, the long-time owner of Gallery 54 has died, at the age of 62. She had a long battle with cancer. Leila will be missed by all of the art community. She was always there for art and for artists. No word yet on arrangements.

http://blog.al.com/live/2010/12/leila_hollowell.html

Hit the Ground Running Part Deux

2010-12-25T05:52:00.006-06:00

On January 4, The Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society will hang a show at the Mobile Arts Council, so at lunch I will be taking my work down there. Hopefully I won't have to do anything else, as it is in the capable hands of JoAnn Brandt and Denise Inge, not to mention Charlie Smoke and Bob Burnett of MAC. Schlepping again! That should be an interesting show, as it is the first one I can recall where we have had a theme: "Mobile Bay and Delta". I am excited to see how people respond to that. The opening reception will be on the 14th, during ArtWalk. Be sure to stop by.

(Above: "Merde de Mer", color pencil on paper)

And what else? Well at my day job I have a rather complicated drawing for which the deadline is looming. At only part time hours, such projects can fall rapidly behind, especially since the holidays come right in the middle. (Not that I'm complaining about that!) Also I'm scheduled to give a presentation on the 10th about using a particular tutorial system. Also, right after the first of the year, I'm to get with the webmistress for the College of Medicine to learn how to use their new web system so we can get our web page up at long last. That's been going on for a long time, for which I'm not responsible, but starting with that meeting, I will be.

And then there's the potentially fun stuff like our Girls' Night Out group that is planning to meet at Michael's downtown on the 5th for one of his wonderful dinners. And we mustn't forget my birthday on the 6th!

Hit the Ground Running

2010-12-24T19:45:00.003-06:00

When I return from the Christmas holiday on the 3rd of January, I will have to really get on with things. On that day I will be hanging my work for the ETS show at the USA library. Starting in 1991, I was working for the USA College of Medicine as a medical illustrator. Laid-off in 2003, I was able to return in 2009, when Frank Vogtner retired (Thought you would NEVER leave! ;-)

dep·ART·men·tal (dip-ˌärt-'men-təl)

adjective: Of or pertaining to the staff, past or present, of the Department of Learning Resources/Media Production Services/Educational Technologies and Services at the USA College of Medicine, 1973-2011

usage: Everyone in this exhibition is or was a depARTmental employee.

The Department of Educational Technologies and Services began along with the USA College of Medicine, as a way to support medical education in all media. Over the years the department (under various names and incarnations) attracted a number of artists interested in a “day job”.

The relationship between the department and the artists was one of mutual benefit. Through the department and the College of Medicine the artists were given the opportunities to hone skills and gain exposure, as well as training on new methods and equipment. The artists reciprocated by creatively applying their skills to the often unique and challenging problems encountered in medical education and research. The impressive contribution in this equation was the creativity these employees demonstrated, not only in their artwork, but in everything they did. The work they accomplished while in the employment of the College of Medicine continues to have a lasting positive impact on students, faculty, and consequently the community at large. This exhibition showcases five of these artists with examples of their personal work in photography, painting, drawing, and mixed media: Walter Beckham, Mike Carmichael, Lynda Smith Touart, Frank Vogtner, and Laura Worsham.

In recent years rapidly advancing technologies have significantly changed the make-up of the department, its mission, and the type of work that goes on. However, the new solutions have brought with them a new set of problems. There is still a challenge for the employees that fill these new positions to be creative - to be artists.

It promises to be a fun show. The reception is January 7th, from 5-7 pm. Please come by if you can!

http://medschoolwatercooler.blogspot.com/2010/12/usa-library-hosts-departmental-art.html

Art Abounds

2010-11-14T04:27:00.004-06:00

First, the Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society of Mobile held their opening reception on the 12th at the USA Library Gallery. This exhibition is dedicated to the late Lee Hoffman, and the Best of Show, awarded to Ben Shamback, was given in his name.

The funniest award though, was the much-coveted Members' Choice, awarded by a vote from the membership.
For the first time (as far as anyone can remember) we had a three-way tie for that award: Bill Morris, Karen McGahagin, and me!

The show (which will be up through December 17th) was 99% a product of our 1st Vice President, Joanne Brandt, a whirlwind of organization and drive. We are all grateful to her and her volunteers for her hard work, and also to Kaye Hoffman, who graciously donated the Best of Show Award. Several members of the Hoffman family attended the opening.

THEN, the very next night was the monthly LoDa ArtWalk, which has grown so big that I didn't have a prayer of seeing every venue in which I was interested. For one thing, two of the ones I wanted not to miss were at the far ends of the area, Kangal Gallery where Michael Smith was having his first-ever show of his photographs, and, at the other end, Blue Velvet Studio's Nudes in November show, where I had a couple of drawings. That gallery is always a trip (in every sense of the word).

In between several friends were exhibiting: Bill Morris, Walter Beckham, Bertice McPherson, Mary Elizabeth Kimbrough, Ardith Goodwin, and others. And other galleries were worth a look, of course. There were poetry readings, films, historical recreations, and live music - all of which I was forced to skip. One of the reasons we go to ArtWalk, is, naturally, to see friends, but I don't see "everybody" the way I used to! Maybe we should plan to meet at a time and place. Naw. Artists. We'd never get it right.

2010-10-16T07:32:00.001-05:00

Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society of Mobile Fall Exhibition in honor of Lee Hoffman

The Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society of Mobile invites everyone to view their Fall Exhibition, at the University of South Alabama Library, third floor gallery, dedicated this year to the memory of the late Lee M. Hoffman. Lee was a key member of the Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society of Mobile from 1974, until his death in March of this year. He also served as president of the organization. The Best of Show Award, graciously donated by Kaye Hoffman, will be awarded in Lee’s name at the reception.

Lee was a widely loved and respected member of the Mobile area art community. He taught art at Spring Hill College in Mobile from 1963-68, before beginning teaching at the University of South Alabama, from where he retired in 1999. He was a major influence on many of his students both during and after these years. Along with his wife, Kaye, he accompanied students in the University of South Alabama's Paris Studies Program for several years.

Lee was known to virtually everyone in the arts in this locale due to his enthusiastic support of all art activities and organizations. He was a Plein Air enthusiast, and his on-location paintings of this area are highly prized. He was an Associate Member of the American Watercolor Society, where he won a number of awards, and had work selected for the traveling exhibitions. He is represented in many collections, both here and elsewhere.

This exhibition serves as a showcase of the artwork for members of the Society, and our judge this year is Diane St. Germaine of Slidell, Louisiana (signature member of the Louisiana Watercolor Society). The exhibition at the library will run from November 5, through December 17, 2010. The library is free and open to the public. The reception is Thursday, November 11, from 6-8:30 p.m., in Room 181, on the first floor. The location of the library is 5901 USA Drive North, Mobile, AL 36688-0002. Call the library at 251-460-7028, or go to http://www.southalabama.edu/univlib/info/hours.html to check on directions, hours of operation, and holiday closings.

New One

2010-09-13T16:50:00.001-05:00

Acrylic on, wait-for-it, canvas. Been a while.

ArtWalk!

2010-09-12T11:52:00.004-05:00

Winners of the2010 annual Arts Awards from the Mobile Arts Council:
Wanda Sullivan - Artist, Herndon Inge - Patron, Creola Ruffin - Organization (Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz), Jane Shaw (seated) - Educator, and Rick Bradfield - Business (The Blind Mule).

All worthy, of course, but I'm especially pleased about Jane Shaw from whom I, and many Mobile artists and art lovers took lessons. She instilled in each of us a love for art that will never fade. She was an early member of the Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society of Mobile,one of three people who began Cathedral Square Gallery, and still painting in her 80's.

Hooray for all of you!

Held Over

2010-09-09T15:08:00.001-05:00

My show will be at Edward Jones for another month (through September), so come take a look. They will be open for ArtWalk on the 10th.

Lynda's Exhibit: "Untitled"

2010-07-28T15:59:00.004-05:00

Mobile has a new-ish venue for art exhibits: Edward Jones Financial, 159 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama. I'll have the walls for the month of August. They'll be open for ArtWalk on the 13th, 6-9 p.m., and all regular business hours: 8-5 M-F.

Come by & have a look.

Say hello.

Buy something.

Get on the list to exhibit there.

New One

2010-07-20T12:13:00.001-05:00

This one is acrylic on 300# paper,
24 x 30",
The Deeps.

We Made the Paper

2010-05-23T08:41:00.001-05:00

http://blog.al.com/entertainment-press-register/2010/05/texture_x_3_usa_library_presen.html

WGAS @ ESAC

2010-05-12T10:14:00.011-05:00

The Watercolor & Graphic Arts Society of Mobile is holding a juried exhibition at the Eastern Shore Art Center, through June 30, 2010. It is a very good show IMHO. Allan Butt's Best of Show is especially impressive.

Above is my entry "Clip Art", which was awarded the Bea Tucker Memorial Award. Even better, this was one of those occasions when the judge gave remarks about her choices. This is from mine:

"...has a very strong design pattern. The artist found an everyday simple object and gave it importance by using it in a dynamic design. Pen and Ink is a medium that uses value to its fullest extent. I found this drawing to be so simple and at the same time so complex that it kept my eyes wandering through the pattern in twists and turns. The placement of the darks in the drawing gives it a graceful and fluid movement both up close and at a distance. The pinnacle of the design was the one clamp that leaves the border and gives the piece freedom. This is a very nice piece of work indeed."

She gets me!

Allow Me to Assist You

2010-05-08T16:13:00.003-05:00

Some may be in doubt about how to get to the USA Main Library, where we are having our 3-person exhibition during May and June. If so, perhaps this map will help.

Don't forget that the reception is on May 20, 5-7 p.m.

Three Take on Texture

2010-04-22T19:12:00.007-05:00

Yuko Jordan, Teri Odell, and I will be having an exhibition in the USA Main Library 3rd floor gallery from May 4 to June 30. The reception will be on May 20 (Thursday) from 5 - 7 p.m.
Come see Yuko's pottery, Teri's pine straw basketry, and my paintings and drawings.

The library is free and open to the public.

About the gallery

Gallery hours

Click on the announcement to get it big enough to read!

Lee Hoffman

2010-03-25T18:25:00.002-05:00

Lee Hoffman, beloved painting instructor at USA died this morning. It is a great loss to the world and to the art world in particular.

Revisiting

2010-02-07T18:29:00.003-06:00

Just saw a drawing displayed in my friends' home. Wow! They did a great job! Sets it off to perfection: "Kayro's Magic"