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Local
Focus
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 The art of
the matter
Television
ads touting starving artists’ sales of "sofa-sized"
paintings notwithstanding, most art dealers don’t suggest purchasing
works of art by the yard.
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 Painting
with glass
Jim Sanders didn’t start out as a
glass artist. In fact, "artist" is his third incarnation. Sanders began his
working life as a forest ranger, working for the Wisconsin State
Department of Natural Resources. Some years later, he and his wife ran
their own interior design business in Waukesha. When his wife died in
1993, Sanders was at loose ends. "I traveled a lot and did
volunteer work at my church," he says.
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 Art in flux
Artists
know that inspiration can strike anytime, anywhere. For Shorewood resident May
Klisch,
inspiration — and just the right encouragement — happened while
waiting for breakfast at Jean Pierre with her husband and daughters.
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Turning a
dream into reality
"Wanting to be an artist when you
grow up is like wanting to be a cowboy," says Angel Troyer. But
if you wish hard enough, dreams do come true. Troyer is helping to
make both her dreams and those of her students a reality.
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Exposed
exhibit
Milwaukee Downtown recently let loose five
talented photographers on the city of Milwaukee. The result? A
stunning black-and-white photography exhibit, "Snapshots:
Downtown Exposed."
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The world
was her inspiration
Artist Francesca Reinke is an
illustrious example of what great things can come from simply a word
or two of encouragement. Although Reinke had drawn as a child, she
believed that her sister was a better artist. So she put away her art
supplies until she met Owen Gromme’s daughter, Ann.
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Neon art
Milwaukee Art Museum chief curator Joseph Ketner II was familiar
with neon artist Bruce Nauman’s provocative and contemporary work
even before joining the museum in the spring of last year. The two
worked together while Ketner served as director of Mildred Lane Kemper
Art Museum at Washington University.
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Uniting art
The Milwaukee Gay Arts Center’s aim
is to promote gay-relevant visual and performing arts, says Paul
Masterson, the director. But the Walker’s Point center is not
exclusive to the gay and lesbian population, adds the former curator
of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center Gallery.
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Art insider
As
the old saying goes, you always remember your first time. It’s a
truth that applies to virtually anything momentous in life — your
first car, your first job, your first date — and your first piece of
art.
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The
psychology of art
When art patrons call on Jill Schwartz
to create a personal masterpiece for them, they know that they can
expect creativity, talent and more than just a little magic.
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'Real' art
Many people react to artist Mark Sijan’s lifelike sculptures with
confusion — some can’t believe they’re not real. Some viewers
just enjoy being able to study the human body. "It’s not often
we’re able to stare at someone that long," says Sijan.
"Maybe if you’re standing behind someone in an elevator or your
spouse or children ..."
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Studies in
contrast
An art show last fall at Robert
Guenther Studio in Milwaukee featured two artists. One worked in
brightly colored, lushly detailed oil paint, concentrating on flowers.
One drew people with oil pastels, using spare lines and blocks of
muted color.
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No ordinary
art
It’s commonly believed that trends
begin on the coasts and work their way to Milwaukee months, even years
later. A collaboration between several Milwaukee institutions might be
just the project that bucks that trend.
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Portrait of
an artist
We lead many lives," Thomas Pelham
Curtis explains, racing through his history. A bachelor’s degree in architecture
from Harvard under Bauhaus mainstay Walter Gropius. Advanced degrees
in drawing at Washington’s Corcoran Institute, and oil painting at
Cardinal Stritch.
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Authentic
art or fantastic forgery
As
I write this column, there’s an item up for sale on a top online
auction site whose title reads: "Fabulous auction painting,
signed Claude Monet, over 100 years old." The starting bid is
$15,000. It isn’t until you get to the fine print that the seller
suggests that, despite the signature, the work was undoubtedly done by
someone other than Monet.
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Art
acquisition
Art
acquisition begins not with your dollars, but with your eyes and mind.
Looking at art is the most important thing you can do when you decide
to acquire a new piece. During your search process, you will
find that certain factors will influence your decision. Some people
approach art acquisition from a decorative standpoint. They are
looking for something that will look good in a specific part of their
home.
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