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NEWSLETTER

MARCH 2023

To view the Full Newsletter with color photographs, become a Member. 

Kirk Larsen Will Demonstrate a Composition with Multiple Figures in Oil

 

March 23rd, Recreation Center, Clinton Martin Park

 

The Art League welcomes a demonstration by Kirk Larsen, one of Long Island’s most popular demonstrators of realist fine art. Kirk is renowned for his entertaining and informative demonstrations. We are thrilled to have him back for a sure-fire great evening of oil painting.  

 

“When painting, I have the feeling that all is right with the world. Those that have my art on their walls, say it has the same effect...” – Kirk Larsen

 

Kirk Larsen has been passionate about drawing and painting since early childhood. His work ranges from oil painting "en Plein Air" to all genres of studio work, live music, event paintings and all forms of sculpture. Kirk has been recognized with over 180 awards for painting in oils, acrylic, watercolors, gouache, drawing, colored pencil, mixed media, pen & ink, photography and sculpture - for portraits, still life, landscapes and abstraction. Plein Air competition events. He writes “I enjoy the camaraderie, competition and creativity of Plein Air events. They inspire me to expand as an artist.”

Kirk has had over 63 solo shows and a multitude of juried art shows. His work is in museums and private collections across the USA and in England, Ireland, Russia, Germany, Netherlands, Estonia, China and Curacao.  

Kirk Larsen is an avid sailor, sailing in classic, modern and one design yacht racing. His art is featured in the Mystic Seaport Museum of America and the Sea Exhibition, “Modern Masterpiece – 30 Years of the Museum Purchase Award”. His painting, "Skimmer vs. IVRE" was included in a 22-month, 8 museum, national tour as part of the American Society of Marine Artists, "Contemporary American Marine Art" show. 

Larsen is a former Professor at the Parsons New School University, School of Strategic Design and Management.  He was an associate at The School of Fashion Design, and a film and television actor. He is a motivational speaker, a musician, a gourmet cook and an award winning writer of short stories, screenplays, essays and poetry.  In 2015, he was nominated for Poet Laureate of Nassau County. 

 

 

President’s Message

 

As we approach spring, I look forward to seeing the buds appear on the bushes and trees. The daffodils are about ready to bloom on my front lawn. This is the time I start to think about painting outside in my favorite places, Old Westbury Gardens and Planting Field Arboretum. 

 

I’m looking forward to seeing you come out of hibernation and join our group in painting outside. We always have interesting places to go and wonderful people to meet. Long Island has many amazing places to paint and discover. Beautiful parks and waterways abound. 

 

For over 15 years, ALNC has sponsored a Plein Air Painting Group that meets regularly from spring into fall. There are a few outdoor painting events thrown in. The schedule for the season will be posted on our website in April. Are you interested in painting outdoors, in beautiful settings with fellow artists? Let Suzanne McVetty (smcvetty@aol.com) know and she will give you pointers on what you will need and what to expect. Suzanne will add you to the group email for the more up-to-date information as well. 

 

 

Jessica Henry Gray’s Landscape in Oils, a Demonstration Review

 

Our month of February demonstrator, Jessica Henry Gray, took us through a start to finish oil landscape in just under 2 hours.

 

Jessica is an enthusiastic Plein Air painter. Her landscape of two small boats in an inlet in Ireland, was based on observations she made in the field and a photograph of the scene so we could see the reference from which she was painting.  She explained her approach to composition. She begins by drawing the large shapes and cautioned us against getting bogged down in too much detail at this point.

 

Along the way Jessica provided us with an in-depth commentary on her materials and techniques. She spoke about the thinking behind the choices she made in color and composition.

 

It was a thrill to see the painting taking shape as we watched on our computer screens. Jessica was lively and attentive to questions. She demonstrated a superb command of her craft. Her passion for painting, and teaching art, made for a very pleasant and informative evening of fine art.

 

ALNC Spring Membership Exhibition

ALNCers, join your friends at our Spring Membership Exhibition reception this Saturday at the Jericho Library, 2-4pm. Snacks will be served!

 

March 1-31, 2023

Jericho Public Library, jericholibrary.org

1 Merry Lane, Jericho, NY 11753, 516-935-6790

 

Please read the following carefully for due dates and instructions.

Receiving: Wednesday, March 1st from 10-11:30 am at the Jericho Library
Awards and reception: Saturday, March 4th, 2-4pm
Removal: Thursday, March 31st 10am-12noon

 

IMPORTANT It is vitally important to be mindful of receiving and removal dates and times. Exhibition volunteers cannot stay overtime to accommodate late arrivals. The Library does not offer storage facilities for work not collected at removal time, and exhibition volunteers cannot take responsibility for uncollected work.

Under no circumstance can artwork be removed from the show prior to formal removal schedule.

ALNC Spring Workshop with Howard Rose

 

The Art League welcomes back Howard Rose as our Spring workshop instructor. Howard will instruct a workshop entitled Small House Paintings: Working in Large Shapes. Howard is a longtime friend of ALNC, having served as a resource in painting knowledge and inspiration, membership meeting demonstrations, and workshop teachings.

 

Howard teaches oil painting classes in multiple venues on Long Island, including the Art League of Long Island and National Art League. He offers classes at his studio in Syosset, Long Island. Howard’s workshop offerings include Color Mixing, iPhone Photography, Logical Perspective and an intensive Calligraphy and Penmanship course.

 

April 1, 2023
Shelter Rock Library, 165 Searingtown Road, Albertson 11507

10:00am to 3:30pm
Mediums: Oil and Acrylic
Bring your lunch. We will provide coffee.
$80 ALNC and SAL members.
Non-members $100. The non-members fee includes an ALNC Associate membership which includes receipt of the ALNC Newsletter and the privilege of exhibiting in our Barnes Gallery shows.

 

To register visit the ALNC Website workshop page, https://www.artleagueofnassaucounty.org/workshops

 

Suburban Art League

 

Call to Artists: Suburban Art League at Oyster Bay Historical Society. Themed Summer Exhibit “Preserving Our Past, Protecting Our Future.” 

 

One entry, $25 fee.

 

For more information and prospectus, visit https://www.suburbanartleague.com/art-exhibitions.html 

 

Online or mail in registration available.

 

This is a SAL sponsored event. Please email suburbanartleague@gmail.com with your questions.

 

 

Capitol Steps

 

By Suzanne McVetty  

As the weather was a lovely early Spring, I spent a few days visiting museums in Washington, DC, and walking over 10,000 steps each day! The highlight and main reason for going to our nation’s capital was to view the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum where craft and decorative art is displayed from the Museum's collection. While not a craft-person myself, I have become very interested in the various crafts, their history, and the artists who work in those mediums.

 

My interest stems from stumbling onto the Peabody Award-winning PBS series, Craft in America*, now at its 29th episode, beginning in 2007.  Their mission is, “to document and advance original handcrafted work through programs in all media, accessible to all. We are dedicated to the exploration, preservation and celebration of craft, the work of the hand, and their impact on our nation’s cultural heritage.”  In each episode, 4 artists who work in different mediums are highlighted—jewelry, ceramics, quilting, woodworking, glass making, and so on. To watch the crafts people at work, to learn how they came to be artists, who influenced them, and how they work, is thrilling. I come away from each episode in awe and totally inspired to create my own art.

 

When walking through the Renwick Gallery, I saw a number of artists’ works that I knew from Craft in America. It was like visiting with old friends, “Oh, I know that artist,” I thought. Many were craft people whose work, I saw for the first time that day, each one a master in their field. If you cannot visit the Renwick Gallery, try to see an episode or two of Craft in America. An artist is an artist no matter their medium, and these are the best in their field.

*The episodes can be seen using PBS Passport, a streaming service with a nominal monthly fee.

Member News

 

Tim Savage will be offering in-person courses in drawing and watercolor painting this spring through Great Neck Community Education. He is offering an online class in watercolors through the school as well. The online class meets for two hours Tuesday mornings. Call the school at 516-441-4949 or email Tim at timothysavage1@mac.com for more information.

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