Collectors, admirers laud local photo show

Fine art photographer Bill Voight's dual art shows--Tiger Cruise: USS Nimitz, which chronicles his week-long stay aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier, and Just Between Us: Stories of Form & Figure, which debuts a decade of Bill's work studying and photographing the female form (yes, nudes)--will hang now through August 3 at Black Iris Gallery in Spooner, WI.

The Nimitz show hangs along the ramp in the lower level of the Black Iris building, while the Form & Figure show hangs separately in Suite # 1, just off the upper vesituble on the street level.

Bill's artist reception was this past Saturday, and as you can see from the photo at left, Bill looks very happy! Attendance was strong and sales were good. Bill's softcover Nimitz book nearly sold out (we have 1 left), and he had to replenish his selection of fine art greeting cards before the show even opened because they were selling so well!

We have only 6 hardcover, coffee-table quality Nimitz books left. At $74.95 each, they make an excellent, thoughtful gift for the photographer, Navy sailor, or aviator in your life.

Members of the Northern Lights Camera Club (NLCC) attended the show in full force. Bill happens to be one of only two photographers in the club who shoots film, not digital, photography, and he is the only photographer in the area who develops his prints in his own darkroom.

If you missed Bill's reception with our spicy bruschetta, mouth- cooling cucumber bites, and plenty of fine wine to go with the fine art, that's okay! You can still see Bill's beautiful, elegant photographs at Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing on Hwy 63 in Spooner. Free parking on Oak Street.

Our summer hours are Mon - Sat, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm. Appointments are welcome on Sundays.

While art is our passion, framing is also our passion and our main business. Please remember Black Iris Gallery for your framing and matting needs. We offer Framing for a Lifetime.

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely, JoAnn
Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing
JoAnn@BlackIrisFraming.com

Carole's Watercolor Class a Success!

Hello, Art Lovers!

As I type this, Carole A. Burval (shown left, green shirt) is teaching a watercolor class in the hallway just outside my gallery door. Students have come from as far away as Hudson to take Carole's class, and I've heard nothing but positive feedback!

Carole's teaching style is patience mixed with humor and a lot of technique. She shares tips and advice from her many years as a professional painter and teacher, so you don't have to learn the hard way. Carole also asks about your goals for your work, and then she helps you get there. Carole is a sparkling diamond in Spooner's local art scene--we're so lucky to have her here.

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As you may already know, Carole's specialty is transparent watercolor painting. While I don't know everything there is to know about this challenging technique, I do know that what Carole does with thin layers of watercolor paint is absolutely amazing. She can use just one tube of paint (that's just one color--see above left for an example) to create an entire scene with all its moods, textures, shadows, details, and emotions. By changing the value and tone of the pigment (by using more or less water), Carole's works come alive.

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Please come visit us TONIGHT, 6 - 8 PM, for Carole's Artist Reception here at Black Iris Gallery (Hwy 63, Spooner, WI). We'll have food, wine, and fabulous fine art, plus you'll get to meet Carole and her very handsome husband.

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If you've always wanted to learn watercolor painting in a workshop setting rather than from "how-to" books, Carole Burval's classes are an excellent choice. To take a class from Carole, please contact her at her Web site or call 847-840-7731 (that's her cell #, which is the best way to reach her). She can let you know her upcoming schedule.

And now I have a question for you, Dear Readers! Are there other workshops you'd like to take? Are you interested in oil painting, black and white photography, or weaving? What about glass work, metalwork, or wood carving? Do you want to learn how to capture people's faces in charicature drawings? I have several artists who are interested in teaching classes, but most don't have room for group sessions in their home studios.

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To help them and you, I am coordinating an art class schedule for the remainder of 2009...so let us know what medium you're interested in. Please respond by posting a comment, below.

Thanks!

Artfully,

JoAnn

Left: Layer, shadow, & Light Lesson

Heartwood Fine Arts Show Coming Soon!

Hello, Art Lovers!

The 3rd Annual Heartwood Fine Arts Show is just one day this year--on Saturday, November 1, 2008, from 10 am - 4 pm. For more details and photos of special features, please visit the Black Iris homepage.

As sponsor of the Heartwood Fine Arts Show, I want to invite you personally to attend this amazing show. This year we have 20 of the finest fine artists from WI and MN in the show. You will find hand-made jewelry, original hanging art, limited edition prints, sculpture, photography and even a live performance by RoboBird & The Peeps--a must see event offered by David DeMattia of Sleeping Dragon Studio!

Above: David DeMattia & RoboBird

The best part? All booths are staffed by the artists themselves, and many will demonstrate their skills and talents during the Heartwood Fine Arts Show. Attend, ask questions, learn, and buy directly from the artists.

For families, you'll want to visit Rachel Murphy's booth--she's a famous caricature artist who will capture your true essence in minutes. She specializes in line drawings with or without color.

Left: Rachel Murphy,
Self-Caricature

The Heartwood Fine Arts Show is an excellent venue for finding unique, quality, hand-made gifts at reasonable prices. See you at the Show!

Click here for driving directions

See you there,

JoAnn at Black Iris Custom Framing

Show Sponsor