Book Review: Classic Sketchbook: Botanicals by Valerie Baines

I was sent a copy of this book by a publisher for a book review.  

Although I can't draw to save my life, I love art and appreciate it greatly.  When I was sent this book, I was in awe of the techniques in the book.  I appreciated the artists greatly.  What talent and master in the art craft.

Learning your craft by studying masterworks is an age-old practice among artists-including those with a love of botanical art.  This is a must have book for those who don't have access to a museum filled with botanical masterworks nearby.  This book brings the masterworks to you.

Classic Sketchbook: Botanicals* is a must have for those who appreciate art and nature.  The book is a draw-in book that shows you how by taking a close look at the details of great floral paintings.  Valerie Baines, the author, coaches readers to try the techniques with the help of her suggestions.

Printed on quality uncoated stock and suited for drawing and watercolor, each spread will consist of two working parts.  The left-hand page features a close-up for a drawing or painting by a noted artist from the 19th century or earlier.  The right-hand page is for drawing, with Baines' brief coaching tips, observations, and a demonstrative sketch.  

I would highly recommend this book for artists who loves flowers and plants and those who also appreciate art.

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Interview with Lynn Colwell in embracing different art mediums

Lynn Colwell considers herself a Jill of all artistic trades, meaning, she's tried them all.   Right now she's enamored of watercolor collage, mixed media and photography.   The results of her enthusiastic embrace of these mediums is shared here.

Faten Abdallah(FA): What does art mean to you?

Lynn Colwell (LC): Art is one of those words that cannot be encapsulated in a simple definition. In my view, art can be anything and everything. For instance, just this morning, a friend sent a picture of a blade of grass under an electron microscope. If that incredible picture isn’t art, I don’t know

 what is. Whether human made or taken from nature, the unifying element (again, for me personally) is that art helps me experience something, feel…something. Whether art is “great” or “mediocre,” I cannot judge. Whether I understand it is less important than that I react to it in some way, that it makes me think or change.  When I go out for a walk, I appreciate grass. But I don’t think about it as art. Yet, when I see a photograph of emerald grass spread like a carpet before the setting sun, or six blades of grass in black and white arranged just so, I do see art.

If I were classically trained, or had attended art school I’m sure I would have a much more sophisticated answer, but there you have it!

FA: What inspired you to be an artist?

LC: I’ve always been an artist although I never called myself one until recently. The reason is that I was one of those kids who was told in school, “You don’t have artistic talent. Choose something else to focus on.” Unfortunately, I believed that teacher and art for me, in the meaning of learning to draw or paint was squelched. But I’ve always been creative and tried many different artistic adventures from sewing to jewelry to scrapbooking and batik. But it wasn’t until a year and a half ago when I signed up for a one-year series of classes called, Lifebook, that I found that I can draw and paint and I feel now able to call myself an artist.

 

FA: What kinds of work have you done?  What was your most favorite? Why?

LC: My favorite is always what I’m doing this moment. While some people might consider me a dilettante (If you are like me and have scrolled through several dozen careers and hobbies, check out the book, Renaissance Soul, and you’ll discover you are normal), and I admit I have a short attention span and have absolutely no desire to be the best at anything (that may be un-American), I love the new and live in the moment. What I did in the past matters not a whit to me. Neither does what I may achieve in the future. What matters is this moment because it’s all I have.

Right now I’m immersed in learning and experimenting painting faces, especially women. I’m excited to wake up each day and jump into a new piece. I rarely know when I begin, where I will end up. Being process oriented, I drift to another sphere when I am working. No music, no other noise, just me and the paper and about a million dollar’s worth of supplies. (I’m exaggerating but not by much.) I was a writer for many years, so combining writing with art is something I’m very much enjoying right now. Sometimes I write the quotes myself and other times, I take others’ words. But in either case, I tend toward the uplifting because that is what keeps me going.

 

FA: What do you want the world to see when viewing your art?

LC: Such a deep question! Each piece I paint is unique. As I said, I don’t usually plan them in advance, so I am never certain how they will turn out. When a piece really connects with people for any reason, it’s thrilling for me, even though I don’t set out to make that happen. Honestly, I do art for the sake of doing it, because it excites me and the process is so darn much fun. Because I rarely have a goal in mind when I start out, I can never fail. If I’m not particularly pleased with a piece or if it doesn’t “go” on my Facebook page, I abandon it and hope that someone will find it for whom it will have meaning.

FA: You paint individuals and then encourage the buyer to donate to a humanitarian cause.  Why?

LC: I greet each day with gratitude and joy. I have been given so much in my life, I want to find as many ways as possible to give back. But I’m no Mother Teresa. I have always tried to find ways to combine my strengths and talents with the urge to give. About half way through last year’s painting classes, I realized I was building up a horde of paintings. Most people in the classes put everything into book at the end of the year. But I don’t need more stuff, even things I’ve made. I want to give, not keep. I started thinking about how I could continue to paint and stop feeling guilty for accumulating all the work. I knew I didn’t want to get into selling it. Way too much work and for what? I’m incredibly fortunate that I don’t need the money right now. It took me about a half hour to come up with the idea to give everything away through my Facebook page in exchange for a donation to a non-profit. This has turned out to be the perfect solution: I get to make as much art as I want; buyers get a piece they want; and non-profits get donations. I pay the costs of envelopes and mailing. I do have an online “shop,” but only because people say they want prints of my work. I add very little to the cost of printing because as I said, I don’t want the hassle of a business. One of the best things about my doing this is that several other artists have followed my lead and are giving away their work in the same way. Love that!

FA: What are some of the organizations people have donated to?

 

LC: In terms of this project, it is the buyers who donate. Some of the non-profits are: various hospices, organization that places service dogs for veterans, AIDS organizations, programs for the homeless, conservation and sustainability organizations, health organizations like cancer prevention, food banks, schools, organizations that help women, educational orgs, and organizations that help refugees.

FA: Is there a specific cause you would like our readers to be aware of?

LC: Right now, the two where I’m focusing my giving are the International Rescue Committee which does incredible work (including resettlement in the U.S.) with refugees around the world. Secondly, Give Directly, which transfers cash to households in developing countries via mobile phone-linked payment services. It targets extremely low-income households and has proven to be a lifesaving mechanism where there is no middle man/woman between those in need and the giver. The person in need gets to decide the best use of the money. It’s a simple, and in my opinion, brilliant concept and it works.

 I’d like to encourage anyone reading this who might like to participate in my venture, to “friend” me on Facebook so you will have the opportunity to join the fun. And if you’re an artist, maybe you’ll try my routine. That would be terrific!

Check Out The Art Scene At The North Shore Festival of Art

Amy and Lindsey Q and A

Free and open to the public, the 28th Annual North Shore Festival of Art will showcase the work juried artists from across the country in a variety of mediums, specializing in painting, photography, ceramics, glass, jewelry, sculpture, furniture, and more.

In addition to the incredible artwork available for purchase, attendees will be able to interact with artists through demonstrations and booth chats. There also is the opportunity to partake in interactive art experiences, including Art Bingo for kids.

Festival goers will also enjoy tasty local fare from Westfield Old Orchard restaurants, including Uncle Julio's, Maggiano's Shake Shack,and Blaze Pizza. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Skokie Chamber of Commerce.
  Browse and Buy from amazing talented artists including:

Joy Bauer

Peter Rujuwa

Randy Polk

Lea Alboher

Larry Kanfer

Delphine pontvieux

 

Dana Reed

Janusz Guz

This year at the festivals Amdur Productions has started a new charity initiative called the Green Ribbon Project. The project connects the festival with an important cause and aims to stimulate art buying at the festival.  Participating artists put a green ribbon on a piece of their choice in their booth and when the piece is sold the artist agrees to give 10% of the proceeds to the American Cancer Society, which is the dedicated charity for the North Shore Festival of Art. The North Shore Festival of Art is Located 

Westfield Old Orchard 4999 Old Orchard Center Skokie, Illinois 60077

Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.Free Admission & Parking
 
For more information please visit:North Shore Festival of ArtNorth Shore Festival of Art Facebook

Feature Friday: Meet Toma Clark Haines

Toma Clark Haines is The Antiques Diva® – Chief Executive Diva of The Antiques Diva® & Co European Tours – Europe’s largest antiques touring and sourcing company.  As an American who has lived abroad nearly 15 years, it has been said Clark Haines is conquering countries faster than Napoleon.  Working with a team of 18+ locally-based agents, The Antiques Diva® & Co offers customized antique buying tours in 8 countries (and counting) working with both the public as well as the trade.  Her favorite part of her job is stocking clients antique stores and creating new trends in home fashions. 

When this Global Tastemaker is not taking some of the top names in the design industry on buying tours, Clark Haines is also a freelance travel and design writer, an international public speaker and a social media guru.   She is a champagne connoisseur, a vintage Chanel addict and her hobbies include driving fast cars and gourmet cooking.  Traveling extensively for work, she divides her time between her home in Berlin, Germany and each of her companies tour countries as well as quarterly visits to the USA.  Her long-term goals include expanding her company into Asia.  Her greatest challenge in life is remembering when she wakes each day whether to greet the day with a Buogiorno, Bonjour, Guten Tag or simply Good Day.  

 Meet Toma Clark Haines, The Antiques Diva.

Faten Abdallah (FA): What inspired you to go into antiques?

Toma Clark Haines (TCH):If I think about my life history, antiques and travel were always intertwined in my mind. My mother was a third generation American. Her grandparents moved over from England and my whole life I grew up hearing stories of far-away places and long-ago times.  The past was always a part of my present.  As a child we ate with the silverware my grandparents carried over on the boat when they moved to America.   I have always been a traveler – whether in my mind or in reality.  I’ve traveled in more than 45 countries – and to me antiques are another way of traveling.  They transport you.  Antiques transport you to other times, other places and give glimpses into other lives. They tell a story - they’re more than decor -  they take you on adventure to someplace less ordinary.  That’s the intent behind the tours my company The Antiques Diva & Co offers….  We are the largest antiques touring company in Europe - offering one on one customized buying tours to both tourists as well as the trade in 8 countries - France, Belgium, England, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden.  Our goal is to give our clients an opportunity to culturally cruise a country through antiques - the pieces one buys on tour give glimpses into what life is like inside those villa windows and Parisian apartments making their adventure part of a greater story.

FA: What makes antiques unique and valuable?

TCH: There are several rules of thought when it comes to what makes antiques valuable.  Die Hards will tell you - “In order to be antique it must be 100 years old.” Working internationally customs officials often accept “Almost Antiques”  (those items that are 75 to 99 years old) as an “antique” when it comes to import and export restrictions.  And the antique trends as of late are bringing Vintage into the modern day.  Technically - to be vintage an item should be from the 1940’s, 50’s or 60’s - but 1970’s and 80’s ceramics and furniture are ruling the market at the moment.  When it comes to what makes antiques unique and valuable - I’d say exactly what I told myself on my 40th birthday…. “Age Doesn’t Matter.”  Whether it’s a piece from the 1760’s, the 1860’s or the 1960’s - quality counts - how well it’s constructed, the lines, especially anything hand-made or limited edition add value, but decorative appeal counts most of all in todays market place.   People today buy based upon an asthetic - it’s less about pedigree and more about style.  While there are millions of fabulous antique value guide books giving estimates on antiques - my opinion - the value of an antique - especially in those decorative pieces - is entirely subjective.  The right price for an antique is what they buyer would be willing to pay - and working internationally - I know that price changes by country and/or region.  Value changes according to country and their taste preferences - in France long lives the Louis'… Gilt-wood still demands top euro.  Meanwhile in Holland where the Dutch like clean lines and interiors anything Rococo is practically given away.  A Louis XV style console in France that might sale for 1500E in the Netherlands might sell for 500E and then… bring that same item to America and the vendors will multiply their purchase prices by a mark up of 3 to 5 times their cost.  So if you ask me… The real value in antiques comes down to Love Sweet Love.   If you buy what you love you’ll never regret your purchases and it will always keep it’s value.

FA: What's the most interesting antique you have found, purchased or sold?

TCH: 1  in 5 queries coming into our company at the moment by clients seeking European Buying Tours are architectural salvage tour requests - antique dealers, architects, interior designers, developers, hoteliers and restaurateurs are all dying to source architectural pieces to use in projects. - these could be doors, mantles, windows, flooring, roof and flooring tiles, stairwells, bricks, etc.  The most interesting antique I’ve ever helped a client buy was a Neo Gothic Cathedral Ceiling coming out of a church in Maastricht - the client was searching for a painting ceiling she could use in the renovation of her home and this piece was perfect.  For 16K not only did it go into her own home - she (a designer) was also able to use parts of the piece in numerous clients homes as well!

FA: Advice on finding the best purchase prices for antiques.  What about those who would like to sell some of their pieces?

TCH: We’ve all heard the expression… “It’s Not What You Know… It’s Who You Know.”  When buying antiques as with most things in life… getting the best price comes down to relationships.  If you find a vendor whose style of inventory you love develop a relationship with them.  They may not have that exact item you’re looking for right now… but if you like their vibe/ their look then you can entrust them to search for inventory of your behalf.  The more you buy from one vendor inevitably the better of price you get from that vendor when you buy multiple items.  And returning customers are always given priority in pricing.  Be memorable. Chat with the vendor.  Most antique dealers are in this business because they love what they do - and if they know  you love what they do - they’ll appreciate you appreciating them! When you return to their store - remind them what you bought from them and why you love it.  My grandmother always said, “You can catch more flies with honey.” When buying Be Nice. (Heck, regardless of what you’re doing in life… Be Nice… Life’s Too Short For Anything Else!).  Some of the worse advice I’ve ever heard on antiquing is “point out the faults of what’s wrong with piece.”… Don’t do this! First of all - it’s not nice - and doesn’t endear you to vendors.  Second of all… that 18th C Spanish Console is Scratched??! Oh No! The vendor might need to RAISE THE PRICE THEN - You’re paying extra for that PATINA.  Antiques aren’t perfect - just as when we age we get wrinkles and gray hair…. that’s what happens with antiques and those signs of a life-well-lived are often what creates the patina that raises the price not decreases it!  Last but not least - always - always - always - ask for a discount.  If you don’t ask.. You dont receive.  The polite way to ask for a discount (if you dont feel comfortable negotiating) is to say “Is that your best price?” It’s easy, direct and to the point - if the vendor has room in their profit margin it puts them in control of choosing what discount to give you.  And… sometimes you’ll be surprised. Once I was going to offer a vendor 40Euro for an item marked 50E - but when I asked their best price they responded 30E! 

FA: What should someone look for when purchasing an antique?

TCH: When you buy antiques ask as much information as possible.  Find out the age, the material, where it was made, how it was originally used, who would have used it.  Ask where the vendor found the item - who they bought it from - gather as many details as possible about the story of the piece. Also google your purchases…. the internet is an amazing wealth of information on antiques!

FA: What have you learned about yourself as you made a career switch?

TCH: While today clients and readers know me as The Antiques Diva (R) - Chief Executive Diva of Europe’s largest antiques touring (and sourcing) company - I haven’t always been a diva! In a past life I worked in marketing and advertising working with clients such as Dunkin Donuts, Target, McDonalds, and Pearl Vision. This background has been fundamental in the growth of my company as I  knew how to market my services. I’ve always thought of myself as a creative person - and never gave myself enough credit as a business woman.  But what I learned about myself through starting my own company was that I actually enjoyed the process of running a business - making strategic decisions about the direction the company would take and implementing them.  I’ve also learned in running a company - that it’s not all about me - it’s about my team.  While I’m the face of the company - our business could not operate without the body.  I have a team of 18 people who work with me and while we operate as a whole - I’ve learned that I shouldn’t micro-manage them as in order for them to operate at their peak performance they needed to have ownership in their roles.  I’ve learned I dont have to do it all myself. Just because I can do something - doesn’t mean I have to do it.  I’ve learned to trust others, ask for help and listen to others as getting outside opinions has been instrumental to my companies success…. And last but not least… I’ve learned to Trust My Instincts.  Just because you ask for advice - it doesn’t mean you have to take it.  As an entrepreneur you have to be both wise enough to ask for advice and strong enough to trust your instincts on whats right for your company.

To Book an Antiques Diva European Buying Tour visit www.antiquesdiva.com or email toma@antiquesdiva.com