Trick or Treat, September Promotions, Upcoming Shows, and More!

During the months of September and October, I’ll have a few fun things happening in the shop. I currently have a promo running on Halloween (witchy) prints, and will soon be adding a couple more promotions and items (hopefully this week!)

Stay tuned to the calendar of events for upcoming show and class schedules! October and November open the show season for Christmas in the Country and a couple other Artisan Markets. I’ll let you know which shows I’ll be attending, and where to look for me next!

Our next painting class on Friday the 13th (at the Schoolhouse) is nearly sold out! I think there’s 3 seats left…so contact me ASAP if you’re thinking of signing up. It might be the last class before Halloween, so get into the Fall spirit and join us for a fun night of painting!

I have a few ideas for October exclusives….they’ll be announced VERY SOON.

Last, but not least, I’ll be updating (creating) a FAQ / more detailed “about” page this month…so you’ll be able to keep connected with what I’m doing and have a clearer understanding about how I run my studio! Message me with any questions you have about my work or my shop policies, and I’d be happy to answer them.

***please remember, my private studio accepts visitors by APPOINTMENT ONLY. I love that people are interested in seeing my work in person…but my studio is also my home, so please contact me to arrange a visit by calling, e-mailing, or messaging me on one of my social accounts before you show up!

Home Gallery Walls, Mixing and Matching

Sometimes you have to have a mini installation of the work that’s driving you...
Here’s a look at some of my work in (maybe) a different layout than you’re used to seeing. When I’m inspired to create, I don’t limit myself to a singular media or signature application. I paint a piece to match the inspiration motivating me. Even though these are different media, different surfaces, and varying subject matter, I think you can tell they are still from the same hand. I love the variety, and I find that I never get bored looking at a painting because it can get new life just by pairing its installation with a different piece. How do you like to show off your art? Would you try a mix and match gallery wall to show off your collection?

People's Choice Award Winner - Jay and Mona Kang Art Show and Sale

Honored to have received the ‘People’s Choice’ award for my painting Fishing In Summer, at the Jay and Mona Kang Art Show and Sale, benefiting the Barber National Institute! Thank you to all who voted, and to everyone who supported the show. This piece is still available for purchase. Fishing In Summer 20x24 inches, watercolor on cradled panel, $850.

Fishing In Summer, 20x24 inches, original watercolor on cradled panel, People’s Choice - The Jay and Mona Kang Art Show and Sale (April 2019)

CLARITY Show Opening, Reception, and Gratitude

Gratitude!!! A huge thank you to all who attended the artists’ reception for Jody Neugebauer and myself last month at Stonewall Gallery! The gallery curators did a tremendous job installing the pieces and finding the perfect space to hang each painting—the entire gallery was covered! I am filled with gratitude to finally have seen and met so many who have long supported my work and came out for the event. The roads were clear, the parking lot was full, and the Gallery was buzzing with happy people enjoying the show. I hope I was able to chat with everyone that wanted to speak with me, and I’m so happy that there were so many kind words exchanged. If you didn’t get to come yesterday for the opening, there is still plenty of time to check out the show....or feel free to revisit if you’ve seen it already! The Campbell Pottery Store is open 7 days a week for the Christmas season! My show, CLARITY, is up and ready for viewing (and buying!) until December 9th. Thank you again! More photos to come!

CLARITY, corner view of the installation

I still can’t believe I created all of these paintings this past year! I feel like I have grown so much as an artist, and have expanded my style to embrace more abstract and expressive techniques...a practice which has only served to improve my more realistic (impressionist) and natural work. Thank you to those who supported my work by purchasing pieces! I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them! For those who haven’t seen the show yet (or if you want to visit again) the show is open through December 9th. Although some have been claimed, there are still several of my favorite paintings available to purchase—just in time for holiday gifting! Please consider supporting local artists in your community this gifting season! Your support and patronage is a special gift to our art community, in addition to the beautiful work you are then able to share with friends and loved ones (or yourself!) I still have even MORE photos to look through, and will post them throughout the week, but in the meantime, stop by the gallery

Rock Out Erie causing an avalanche!

Painting for fun is relaxation for me. So when I find I need to unwind and let my creativity flow freely without the constraints of a project- art is where I turn. (yes, I do other things as well)

I like to doodle and think and create. 

Enter Rock Out Erie- the local viral phenom that has everybody painting and looking and hiding Rocks! It is a pay it forward make you feel good social event the area has needed for some time. Everyone can take part and have fun. Young and old, skilled and newbies, it doesn't really matter.

I thought I would do a few as a way to share my art and perhaps make more people aware of who I am and what I do. 

SO... I started with these:

Can't get enough Flamingo? Order one of my fine art prints from my shop here

These were found right away! So I painted more: 

People were starting to really get into finding these, what a blast! So... I made more

Geckos, lizards, newts whatever you choose to call them, I just have fun with them!

So by now, people were asking about more clues where to find them- I helped a little. And thought how about something else to paint? So.....

The Flamingoes were an even bigger hit!

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And here we are with the latest installment. I will try to leave you some clues

Can't wait to get your hands on one of these? Who will be able to find them?

Clue Mania- Good Luck and please support local artists like me! I will be hiding these over the next couple days starting Monday July 24th. 

1. Gobble Gobble

2. it is Pleasant here

3. Back to School Old Style

4. Watchful Eye over the Lake

5. Reading is Fundamental

6. A healthy jar

7. That's Sweet

8.Stevie Nicks song

9. You know there will be one here, naturally!

10. Where the old slide used to be

Easing into Summer

Summer is so brief in our neck of the woods you just don't want to waste a moment. Anticipating all the traditional family goings on and adding a few more (and sadly, probably not having everyone present when they used to be such a fixture) So to me , I am reminded that on this memorial day weekend, of the countless men and women that fought and insured that we can indeed enjoy our summers - and all seasons. Without their commitment it would be all moot. 

Poppies have long been known to commemorate the fallen. I love to paint them:

poppies in progress- watercolor on canvas

close up detail

Don't let summer slip on by, savor every last morsel!

Usable Art

Very hard at work in the studio this week as I am preparing a selection of items that I would refer to as usable art. Not all people feel the immediate need to appropriate an original piece of art but still very much appreciate it. So coming up with items that can be useful in some way, and yet reflect my artistic style, well, that's what I am after. Not trying to reinvent the wheel but sometimes opening people up to the idea they can own something artful and unique albeit a "something that gives a functional purpose". In my mind, this gives a person permission to start exploring my art and who knows, somewhere down the line they might just be eventual buyers of my originals. 

Here is an example of what I mean: 

Here we have the common coffee or tea mug that has now become a way for someone to appreciate my artwork every time they take a sip. Check the link to my etsy shop below

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrianPayneArt?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Ahh fresh canvas!

There is something really appealing about that fresh space, blank canvas, or new sheet of paper. Aside from the traditional staring at that blank page and becoming paralyzed, beyond there is that sense of adventure, that anything IS possible. I CAN, I WILL!  because I MUST! So join me with a new page turned onto this crisp virgin web site and along the way as it becomes worn, filled in, coffee stained and comfortable, perhaps we can become acquaintances that speak the universal language of art. Peace!