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Celebration of Artists

Jean Canavan Watercolor Artist

An award winning artist, Jean derives inspiration from her observation of daily life. Her watercolor still life and landscapes reflect transitions of light and shadow, and express a sense of memory of time and place. Jean’s works can be found in private and public collections and galleries throughout Michigan. She belongs to multiple painters’ guilds and we are thrilled to have a couple of her paintings in the studio.

Rentschler Farm in Saline, often inspires local artists to capture images from this historic site. The sunflowers that burst on to the scene during Michigan summers, invited Jean to paint, en plein air, one of Michigan’s favorite flowers. Look closely at Jean’s piece titled Sunflower, and take in the complex details of the petals or “rays” that inspired its name.

Inspired by a walk through San Francisco’s China Town, Jean just had to paint the colorful and festive lanterns that hung everywhere. February 1, begins the Chinese New Year; this is a great opportunity to stop by the gallery and see Jean’s painting titled, Sky Lanterns 2. Jean captures the intricate but delicate beauty of traditional Chinese paper lanterns. Jean was awarded best of show and sold her piece titled Sky Lanterns 1, at the Northville Arthouse Watermedia Show.

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Celebration of Artists

Dennis Gordon Artist & Printmaker

Join us at Whitepine Studios on Saturday morning, January 29th from 10-11:30 am and meet local printmaking artist Dennis Gordon.

Dennis is an award winning artist that creates beautiful limited edition prints from original wood carvings. The photographic process has been part of printmaking for over 50 years, prevalent in photo etching, photo lithography and photo silk screening. Woodcuts are the main exception to this process, although methods of carving have expanded, using tools such as the dremel. Laser etching of wood and other materials has been commonplace in the craft and marketing industry for many years, but generally, the material that is being etched is the end product.

Dennis has been exploring ways to make a wood etching function as a woodcut for printmaking. It has taken him hundreds of hours to learn software applications and experimenting to achieve exciting results. Along with the woodcut image, he works on background imanges that may be abstract or semi-representational, and applies rolled on ink reliefs. The woodcut images begin with a photograph he has taken or from one of his drawings or paintings. While some prints remain black and white, Dennis adds color to others. The process starts with printing the woodcut in black ink. Then a sheet of printmaking paper is laid over this print to help determine where he will apply color. The color is applied to a blank piece of printmaking paper, and then the woodcut is inked up and printed on top of that.

Whitepine Studios and Dennis will be giving away, to our first 50 visitors to the studio, a limited edition “mini woodcut” (retail value $45, one per household).

Dennis will also have materials and supplies to show how he makes his woodcut prints. He will also offer a 5×7 mini woodcut of the same image, to give to anyone who purchases any of his artwork in the studio.

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Celebration of Artists

Nancy Murray Watercolor Artist

Nancy Murray is a watercolor artist displaying her beautiful works in the Scenes of Michigan, Winter Exhibition.

Nancy has been painting and perfecting her craft for over 15 years. She is inspired by the natural world and her landscape paintings are masterfully created en plein air. Nancy is a member of several guilds and her work can be found in permanent collections and venues throughout Michigan.

Nancy captures the magnificence of nature in her Matthaei Botanicals Garden painting. Her palette of soothing greens, dotted with the soft colors of spring time flowers, entices the viewer to take a walk along the path and enjoy the natural landscape.

Macaws are not native to Michigan, but in 2011 a couple of these breath taking birds made their way to the Detroit Zoo. Nancy was inspired to paint this vibrantly colored bird and brilliantly captures its regal nature.

Nancy has several other original watercolors that capture images of places and flora found throughout her travels in Michigan. Nancy always finds herself with her art supplies nearby; at any moment she might feel inspired to stop and paint.

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Celebration of Artists

Linda Klenczar Pastel Artist

We are thrilled to have award-winning pastel artist, Linda Klenczar’s work in the gallery as part of the Scenes of Michigan Winter Exhibition.

Linda graduated from MSU and has studied with nationally known professional pastel artists for over two decades to perfect her craft and develop her style. She is a member of multiple guilds and her work can be seen in galleries and shows throughout Michigan.

Linda’s work is a collection of both city and country landscapes. Her piece titled Main Street, is bursting with vibrant colors and embodies the dynamic Ann Arbor downtown space. The Dagwood Diner opened on St. Patrick’s Day in 1949, and was later named The Fleetwood Diner in 1971 by its new owner. It was the first sidewalk cafe in the city of Ann Arbor. Linda’s piece titled, Fast Food Icon, is celebration of this iconic downtown Ann Arbor gathering place.Family farms dot the landscape of small towns and countrysides across Michigan. Linda’s piece titled Nostalgia, captures the essence of these scenic rural family farms; this farm can be found in Manchester, MI.

Stop by the gallery and enjoy the vibrant palette of Linda’s gorgeous pieces. Gallery is open Tues-Friday 10 – 5 pm and by appointment.

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Celebration of Artists

Rose Bradley Watercolor Artist

We are thrilled to announce the opening of the “Scenes of Michigan”, Winter Art Exhibition. All new watercolor, oil, pastels, and woodcuts, by a variety of local artists are now being exhibited and are for sale in the gallery.

Meet this week’s featured artist, Rose Bradley. Rose is a life-long Michigander who has been painting her light-filled watercolors for over 20 years. Her work can be seen in shows throughout the State. She is a member of multiple local painter’s guilds.

We are thrilled to have two of Rose’s watercolors titled, “Snowbirds” and “Gulls Aflutter”.

Snowbirds – The Dark Eyed Junco enjoys Michigan winters. Michiganders will often see these birds at their feeders in a beautiful backdrop of snow.

Gulls Aflutter – Herring Gulls can be found all throughout the Great Lakes. Rose captures the graceful dance of these birds on a sandy Lake Michigan beach.

Relax, Renew, Refocus

How can the meditative practices of Art and Sound create a space for you to unwind, refocus, and become an integral part of your journey to good health in 2022.

What are the benefits of Sound and Art:

Sound – Relaxation and meditative states have been shown to increase the threshold for emotional response. Like other kinds of meditation, Sound Therapy can help us be more internally aware and more present in the moment allowing us to connect with our surroundings.

Art – Self-expression through art can relieve stress and boost overall happiness in other aspects of our lives. It stimulates thought as one draws on their own emotions. The sense of sight and touch are stimulated and active in the creative process.

Join Whitepine Studios and 7 Notes Natural Health on Saturday, January 22 for an evening of Art and Sound!

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Celebration of Artists

Featured Artist

Kaili Dence is Whitepine Studios Creative Director. Kaili  was born in Utah but Saline has been her home for the past 18 years. She began drawing and painting at an early age and always knew she would be an artist. The focus on technique demonstrated in classical art led her to develop a realistic style in her work. She often gains inspiration from the natural beauty she observes in nature, people and animals both large and small. She earned a BFA, with a concentration in painting and drawing, from the University of Michigan and studied figure drawing and fresco painting at SACI College of Art and Design in Florence, Italy. Some of her favorite mediums are oil and watercolor paint, colored pencils and charcoal. She loves sharing her passion for the arts, exploring new mediums and styles and helping her students grow as artists and creative thinkers.

Kaili’s animal portrait series is created with charcoal on toned paper. She uses colored pencil to selectively highlight her pieces. Kaili shares “I love working with charcoal as it allows me to create with the precision that defines my animal compositions. This medium allows me to explore a range of values and mark making.

Kaili can be commissioned for pet portraits in this medium or in oil.

Husky
Cougar – SOLD
Eagle Owl
Wolverine Go Blue – SOLD

               

Categories
Celebration of Artists

Art as an Investment?

Why Invest in Original Art.  Is it Worth It?

Have you ever fallen in love with a piece of artwork at a gallery and wondered why the piece is so expensive? Here’s why original art is absolutely worth the higher cost. 

Artists are influenced by the the local culture and colors of the region. The art they create will often reflect the region in which they live. Their artwork is one of a kind, made by the hand of the artist. You will not find it in another home or gallery. There is a connection to the artistic process and the artist’s inspiration. The original expresses the colors the artist chose versus a print where the original colors may be compromised. You can observe the brushwork and textures and subtleties not visible on a print. The original gives you the full visual experience that the artist labored over for many hours. Your purchase supports the arts. Artists need you to observe, interact, and buy their work so they can continue to produce magnificent art. 

Stop by the gallery and see the beautiful work of local artists. Let’s support our local art community!

Opening Art Exhibition – Saline Painters Guild