Cameras!

So how many cameras does one family need?  Well a few years ago, Bryan thought our 4 MB Canon needed a day or two off.  We bought it back when 4 MB was a respectable storage amount and it just wasn't pulling its weight anymore.  Bryan reasoned 'pretty convincingly' that if we had a nice new Canon SLR we could take our own photos of his work and save lots of money on image photography.  I said okay and he went out and bought it.  Finally, we had the ultimate camera of our dreams.  Then last year, Bryan announced that we needed to get a Panasonic Lumix with a Leica lens.  I didn't know what any of that meant but I was pretty sure we didn't need another camera.  Bryan had to explain it to me.  It turns out that our 'dream' camera, although it took great photos of his work, was just too big for him to haul around when he went out painting.  "Plus," Bryan said, "the Panasonic camera has GREAT color....".... Well, I wasn't going to be the one to argue against great color.  We ended up adding the smaller camera to our collection.  A year in, I have to admit it was a nice choice.  It is portable, light, and easy enough for a child to use...which explains these photos I found on our camera the other day.  (notice the great color)

Perhaps our budding photographer needs his own camera to add to the family collection.

Bryan's show at Elliott Fouts Gallery

So we are pretty excited about Bryan's upcoming show at Elliott Fouts Gallery in Sacramento on September 10.  I am especially excited because all 31 of the paintings in the show have been hanging around our house since they were completed in June.  We don't have a big house in the first place but it seems especially cramped with 31 paintings awaiting their gallery debut.  I've attached a link to the catalog preview of some of these little (and not so little) beauties.  Enjoy!
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/September-2011--Bryan-Mark-Taylor--From-The-City-To-The-Coast-.html?soid=1102092773643&aid=6kjWLnvsY2U
Also, if you will be in the Sacramento area on the Saturday the 10th we would love to see you at the opening.  It begins at 6:00 pm.

Gala Events

In our family we have a lot of conversations about 'gallery behavior'. My kids generally know about not touching paintings and not running around a gallery.  In the future, we will be including a few lessons on 'gala behavior'. Here are a few family photos in case you couldn't make it to the Telluride Gala.

I like to call this one "No Alcohol Beyond this Point"

I hope you notice Josh Been's lovely triptych on the wall..

...and the artists: Greg Barnes, Bryan Mark Taylor, Josh Been and I can't remember the other guy but I'll ask Bryan and get back to you.  It appears a good time was had by all.

Telluride Time Out

We are all up in Telluride for the Plein Air Painting Festival and for the past few days, Bryan has been painting like crazy.  I have been doing my part by trying to keep parenting requests to a minimum.  It is great to come along on these little adventures but I also recognize too much family stress could lead to a lack of artistic focus for Bryan.  The last two days are a great example.

Last night, Bryan was at the artist's orientation and I decided to do laundry.  I put in the wash (over in the 200 building) and fed the kids dinner.  Then I gathered everyone together to go out and put the laundry in the dryer.  I grabbed the dryer sheets, quarters, and kids and ran out the door.  I forgot the key and our hotel charges a $50 lock-out fee.  I found a nice man and used his cell phone to text Bryan and tell him his presence (and key was needed asap).  Being the fabulous guy he is at juggling all his work and family roles, he showed up to let us in 15 min later.  I planned on doing better next time.



Today, I took the kids fishing at a local pond.  I figured we would stay out of Bryan's hair for a few hours and he could log in some good painting time.  The only problem was...my son actually caught something.  Although we are typically a catch-and-release family, today a little rainbow trout swallowed the hook.  We did what we could but he was not releasable.  As this was an excellent opportunity to teach the kids about respecting animals and eating what you take...I called Bryan...to come clean the fish.  He was in the middle of a painting but said he would come in about an hour.  He was there in 40 min...

There's always tomorrow.

Crazy Daze

Things have been quite busy around the Taylor household recently.  At the beginning of June, we received a visit from the Mother-In-Law of the Artist.  Fabulous to have her...and a great way to mix up normal 'boring' life.  During this un-boring time, Bryan was also completing all of the work (30 pieces) for his one-man-show at Elliott Fouts Gallery in September.  They are printing a catalog of the show and needed his work by the beginning of July.  (The only problem was that Bryan was heading to Colorado for his Telluride/Aspen/Crested Butte/Easton, MD tour on June 23.) 

So June 22 was the big day for lots of paintings all over the living room for the final critique and touch-ups.  Then it was photo time.  Bryan personally photographs his work in our state-of-the-art photography studio with all the best lighting.  Here he is doing his thing.

Where Have all the Paper Towels Gone?

 I buy a lot of paper towels.  For business purposes, I keep our family paper towel purchases separate from Bryan's business paper towels.  That way, no unauthorized personal use of business goods occurs.  Theoretically, this should work perfectly.  Bryan's 24 pack of towels is neatly and conveniently stacked in his studio closet...ready when he needs them.  My rolls are stored in the garage and I keep one in the kitchen.  The other day I got a fresh 'personal' roll out and put it on the kitchen counter.  Then I went off to take care of whatever 'mom' stuff I was doing.  A while later I needed a paper towel.  I went to the kitchen and my 'personal' roll was gone.  Worried I was losing my mind, I looked everywhere for the new roll.  I asked the kids if they had seen it.  Nothing!  Bryan wouldn't have taken it because he has his own paper towels, right?  Wrong.  When you need paper towels, the ones on the kitchen counter are much more convenient than the ones piled up on the floor of the studio closet.  Especially when 5 paintings, a frame and a tripod are leaning against said closet door.  I removed these obstacles and pulled out a 'business' roll for Bryan.  Then I took my half used 'personal' roll back to the kitchen. 

I'll be billing him for his 'personal' use.

Carmel Plein Air and the People's Choice

Our kids spend a lot of time at art shows.  Being 'kids of the artist' is a tough job.  They are good for a while but soon the novelty wears off and it is ice cream time.  Before the breakdown comes, we like to walk around and talk about what we like about the art.  Last year at the Carmel Show, this led to a tantrum by our four-year-old son who fell if love with Brian Blood's prize winning lighthouse piece.  I had asked hypothetically "which piece would you like if we were getting a painting?"  (In retrospect, this was not the best choice of wording for a preschooler...)  After seeing Brian Blood's painting our son absolutely HAD to have the piece and was devastated when his parents would not enter the bidding war to purchase it.  (I know...what kind of parents are we...obviously inexperienced ones....we ask our child what painting he wants to get and then won't get it for him.)

This year at the show I was a bit more careful with my wording.  We focused on what we liked IN each painting instead of which painting we wanted.  Additionally, the kids were thrilled to be able to vote on their favorite painting with a People's Choice ballot.  We walked around and my son had almost settled on Randy Sexton's farm painting (because it had a tractor in it) for his choice.  (Incidentally, there were no lighthouses painted this year)  However, my daughter noticed a painting by Hiu Lai Chong of the Pacific Grove Natural History Museum.  The building has a huge whale sculpture out in front of it and that whale was the selling point for my daughter.  Then my son decided he liked the whale too.  (During the Maui Plein Air Festival in February we went on a whale watching excursion and have been fascinated by them ever since.)  So Hiu Lai Chong received two votes from the Taylor family. (I was too busy keeping the crew together, I didn't get to vote myself.)   Sorry Dad.   

What it takes to get to the Carmel Art Festival

We wanted to make sure we took everything we would need for the Carmel Art Festival.  Bryan packed 6 panels (even though you can only turn in two paintings and replace with 2 others if they sell-it is good to be prepared) and 5 frames.  He packed all his paint gear (tripod, painting backpack, pochade box, etc) and all his electronic gear (cameras, gps, power cords, laptop, etc).  I packed warm clothes for the kids (in case it was cold) and cool clothes for the kids (in case it was hot).  I did the same for Bryan and for me.  I packed the stroller in case we went anywhere the the kids didn't want to walk.  We packed up a huge pile of art books (from the last post) and art dvd's to return to a friend in Carmel.  We packed snacks and books and hats and diapers.  We  squeezed all our gear and kids and carseats into our tiny Mazda Protege and took off for the two hour trip.  It seemed like we took everything in the house....

except our overnight kit and toiletries

Art Books ....Everywhere

Bryan loves art books.  Every birthday, Father's day, and anniversary gift request is the same: art books.  We already have what I consider to be a beautiful and comprehensive collection of art books.  Doesn't matter.  There are still so many art books we don't have.  Take this pile for example:



We do not yet own any of these beauties but a kind fellow artist is allowing Bryan to borrow them for a few days.  That is the way to do art books.  Share the love.  By the way, I have included a top shot of the stack in case any of you readers happen to appreciate art books as much as my husband does.

 

 Does anybody have a favorite art book to recommend?  Father's Day is coming up and I'd love some gift ideas.

Why?

The art world is very interesting.  I have a lot to say about it.  So why not start a blog?

Also, being the wife of an artist is a fascinating thing.  What other job finds a person critiquing paintings, traveling to shows, creating newsletters, redesigning websites (stay tuned for that one) AND keeping the kids out of the oil paint.  Come along for the ride.  Carmel Plein Air Festival is this weekend.  Stop by and say hi if you are in the area.