Karen Macek:  The Proof's in the Painting

Carol Otto Cole

You asked, and we listened. By popular request, the LAA is bringing back its own masterful Karen Macek on October 15  to continue our exciting line of speakers in what promises to be a gangbuster 2019-2020 season. Anyone who saw her "Point of View: Take 2" show in September at the Plantation Club will be left with an indelible impression of shimmering tides and luminous sunsets,  characteristic of our area but made memorable by Macek's undeniably unique painting style.

 Macek, an artist/designer who works in oil, acrylic and computer graphics, spent 30 years in the garment industry.  Now a full time painter and traveler, she draws ample inspiration from her local and exotic surroundings.  She's busier than ever, and as she says, her most exciting endeavor is "the process of painting... this conversation between my brush, canvas and paints continues to explore the nuances of expression and challenge. Simply put, I love to paint!"

The proof lies in the painting, where her passion is undeniable. Some of her paintings are layered glazes applied with a rag brush, some a mixture of oil and cold wax applied with a palette knife, and others are sweeping brush strokes. When we meet, she will generously share her expertise in the cold wax painting technique and invite participation and questions from the audience. For painters, this is an interesting take on a technique sure to entice you out of all of your comfort zones. 

A drawer and painter from childhood,  Macek's credentials as an art professional, activist, organizer and charitable donor make her well qualified to speak on behalf of her art. As one of the Twelve artists of the Landings Golf Courses Ladies Comfort Stations, Macek originated "Color x Twelve", as an exhibit venue to continue to promote those artists' talents, all while Chairing two of our recent and prestigious Spring Art Shows. "Sentinel" (pictured) is a 12" x 12" oil, but her themes are so varied in their subject matter and media that only seeing her paintings in person can introduce the Macek neophyte to her vast appeal.  Paintings may also be seen on on her website, karenmacekart.com for a visual treat not expressable in 500 words. 

 

 All artists and art lovers are invited to join in this interactive evening with Karen Macek. Make new friends, nibble munchies and sip wine. Fire away with questions! She can handle it!  We welcome you in joining the LAA at the Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, October 15 at 7 p.m, or 6:30 to munch and mingle ($3 guest fee). For information about LAA, visit www.landingsart.com or contact Daryl Nicholson, Membership Chair at darylnicholson@me.com. 

 

Artist of the Month - October

The Landings Art Association

Announces its

October 2019 Art Exhibit

featuring the works of

Patty Frothingham and Cyndi Pollack

LAA Plantation Gallery

October 3 - November 5

Opening Reception Thursday, October 3, 2019

5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

The Landings Art Association invites you to join Artists of the Month Patty Frothingham and Cyndi Pollack at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3rd for a reception in The Plantation Club Gallery. Come support these fine artists and help them celebrate the opening of their new show. 

Photographer Patty Frothingham moved to The Landings sixteen years ago from Morristown, NJ. Having previously lived in Andover, Massachusetts for 25 years, however, she considers herself a New Englander. When her children were young, this mother of four - and now grandmother of eight - started her "Cottage Industry" which she called "The Whimsical Brush." Using acrylics, she painted belts, headbands, keychains, needlepoint canvases, wood stove gloves, and Lucite picture frames, all of which were special orders. As the years went by, Patty's growing volunteer commitments caused her to put this very productive and enjoyable venture aside.  Always happy when creatively occupied, she spent time making and selling cut and pierced lamp shades and fashioning pins from beautiful postage stamps.

Patty's interest in photography dates back to her unofficial role as the "family chronicler, "taking pictures" to capture every event, noteworthy and otherwise, for years. Her transition to serious photographer began with life at The Landings. Inspired by the beauty of her surroundings and blessed with the time to develop her skills, Patty has become an accomplished nature photographer. Self-taught, she shoots with a Nikon D7500 digital camera, capturing beautiful images of the birds, landscapes and gorgeous scenery unique to Skidway Island and other Low Country areas. 

According to Patty, "Nature is what I love. For years I concentrated on photographing large birds. I love the drama of those images. Recently, however, I've been focusing on smaller birds. They can be much more difficult to capture - they're elusive and quick - but it's incredibly rewarding when you get a great shot." 

From dramatic images of eagles, great horned owls and herons, to charming black bellied whistling ducks and dolphins, the breadth of images Patty has assembled for this

show is impressive. Not to be missed are her glorious photographs of a Night-Blooming Cereus, an unusual flower that blooms just once a year for a single night.

When Patty began selling her photography, her images were available primarily as notecards, which are still very popular. In more recent years, she has expanded her business using the gallery wrap method for printing her photographs on fine canvas. Unlike many photographers today, Patty does not use any editing programs or enhancement tools. As she describes it, "The challenge is to get the photo right, straight out of the camera. I also take pleasure in taking a good photo and providing a nice piece of art for people." 

This wonderful photographer is also an avid golfer and a dedicated volunteer. Patty has been very involved at St. Peter's on two steering committees, first for the Antique Show and currently for the Market at 3 West Ridge. She is a 7-term LWGA board member who has contributed her efforts to numerous charitable golf tournaments. She sits on the House Committee for the Landings Club, sings in a barbershop singing group that entertains people in nursing homes, and she has been a board member for the Telfair Art Guild.

If you would like to purchase any of Patty's photography, please contact her at 912-220-6373 or pbfroth@gmail.com. 

Cyndi Pollack is an artist and interior designer who moved to The Landings in 2008. She began making jewelry fifteen years ago, taking classes in beading and wire wrapping. Then seven years ago, she discovered polymer clay and fell in love with the medium. "I took a few classes in polymer clay and got hooked! It's like being a kid again," she says. "Polymer clay is a medium that you can do so much with. You can texture your pieces with laces, bark or anything that has an interesting pattern. You can make all kinds of shapes, and the clay accepts different surface treatments from oil and acrylic paints to powders.''

She now combines her passions for polymer clay and beading into unique works of wearable art. She also incorporates the clay into her mixed media canvases and vessels. Cyndi describes her style as organic and a little Boho chic. She leans toward colorful pieces, using nature as her inspiration. 

Cyndi's necklaces, earrings and bracelets are made of clay which the artist has sculpted, colored, beaded and baked. The results are award-winning pieces made with Swarovski crystals and seed beads; a sculpted necklace bedecked with beads and flowers; a bird in flight. She also creates custom pieces for her clients, and sells her art at local craft fairs and art shows.

If you would like to purchase any of Cyndi's jewelry, please contact her at 912-344-7337 or cyndipollack82@gmail.com.

Don't miss the Opening Reception 

Thursday, October 3 from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

(Public Welcome/Refreshments Available)

***********************************

 The LAA/Sound View Wealth Advisors 

MEMBERS' GALLERY

at The Plantation Club

Coming up this month...

Intake will take place at Plantation between 9AM and 11AM on Wednesday, October 2nd. Please remember to pick up your artwork from September even if you are not bringing in a new piece.

Congratulations to Vicky Collett, the 1 st Place winner of the LAA/Sound View Artist's Award for September and Diane Gannon, Honorable Mention winner!

Looking ahead...

Coming in November - NAME THAT TUNE!!!

All 2-D artists are asked to name their artwork after a popular song from the 50's, 60's or 70's. To be eligible for a 1 st place ribbon and $100 prize in November, remember to name your piece after a song that was popular during these 3 decades! The artwork itself does not have to conform to a certain theme.

Remember...Oversized artwork (larger than 30"x30" framed) is accepted with a prior reservation on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum size for oversized art is 36" LONG X 36" WIDE. This includes the frame. Contact Marie Tomlinson at  inkstresse@gmail.com to reserve a spot. For all other artwork, the maximum size remains at 30" X 30" framed (with hanging wire) and, as usual, NO reservation is required.

For further information, please contact our LAA/Sound View Gallery at Plantation Coordinator, Marie Tomlinson, at inkstresse@gmail.com.

  landingsartassociation.com.  

Membership level options for 2020:

The  $45 individual membership

 for one year offers 3 great benefits: meetings with prominent guest speakers, email newsletters, and basic (Merrill Lynch & Plantation) gallery privileges. 

*Solo exhibitions require volunteer commitments and special shows may require a fee.

The  $25 individual art appreciator membership

 allows access to meetings with prominent guest speakers and email newsletters, but no gallery privileges.  

Renew before the holidays and avoid the $10.00 late fee after December 31.

LAA is run entirely by volunteers ~ Say YES when asked!