Friday Finds: Bloomington never ceases to amaze me

Bloomington never ceases to amaze me. I’m always coming across creative people, wondrous programs and abundant resources on almost any topic.

This week I stumbled upon an annual book sale I had never heard of but plan to visit next week. The Indiana University Art History Association will offer gently used fine arts and non-fine arts books at bargain basement prices April 27 and 28. The sale will be in the lobby of the Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Arts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Proceeds will benefit the Art History Association.

This afternoon in the same neighborhood three professors will discuss Andy Warhol in a program called “Genius, Charlatan or Something in Between.”  History of Art professor Dawna Schuld, Journalism professor Claude Cookman and Alex Doty, professor of Communications and Culture/Gender Studies, will examine the impact of Warhol’s art on their respective fields. Meet in the Special Exhibitions Gallery of the IU Art Museum at 3 p.m. for this FREE one-hour Art-Side Chat.

Friday Finds: Paintouts everywhere

A little warm weather, some budding trees and paintouts are popping up everywhere. Here are possibilities for next three weekends:

1. Sketchcrawl No. 31 is Saturday, April 16. Go anywhere. Paint. Submit jpg of artwork to http://www.sketchcrawl.com/2011/04/ww-sketchcrawl-31/. It's that easy.
2. Wildflower artist Betty Wagoner will lead a T.C. Steele Art Trek Saturday, April 23, at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site, which is located between Bloomington and Nashville. Bring a sketchbook and your choice of drawing medium. Betty says it's an easy two-hour walk that will allow you to see the beauty that inspired T.C. Steele a hundred years ago.
3. The Bloomington Watercolor Society will paint together at McCormick's Creek arched stone bridge on Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you want to go in a group, e-mail nancy.davismetz@gmail.com.

Get your paintout bag packed so you'll be ready to go when the muse calls. Here's a handy checklist:

Traveling light:

• sketchbook
• paint (in weekly pillbox container for portability)
• palette
• pencil
• kneaded eraser
• 2 brushes (1 flat/1 round)
• water and container
• tissue pack

Painting add-ons

• paper/painting board/tape OR watercolor block
• easel
• spray bottle
• digital camera
• small trash bag

Comfort add-ons

• lawn chair or camp stool
• lunch
• drinking water
• hat with brim
• insect repellent
• sunscreen
• handiwipes
• cell phone

Friday Finds: Heads up to give you head start

Mineral Springs Hotel, Paoli, Ind. (Photo by Dan Davis)

I'm posting this week's Friday Finds a little early because you might need a "heads up" to take advantage of the information.

Paoli's spring art show
Delta Chapter of Tri Kappa sponsors an annual art show at the historic Mineral Springs Hotel on the Paoli Square. Tomorrow is the delivery date, but you should call Mary Limp at 812-723-3030 to let her know you want to enter. You are allowed two entries in each of the three categories: Oils or Acrylics, Watercolors, and Drawings (pencil, ink, charcoal, pastels, etc). You will need to drop off the work at the hotel Friday, April 8, between 5:30 and 8 p.m. Pick up is on Sunday, April 17, between 1 and 3 p.m. The show has cash awards of $75, $50, $25 and $10 in each category.

Inspiration at the IUAM
Who doesn't need an occasional quick injection of inspiration? Get yours in a one-hour exhibition at the IU Art Museum Friday at 3 p.m. The program features urban documentary photographs by Weegee, Brassai, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Doisneau, Andre Kertesz, Robert Frank and Gerry Winogrand. The program is free and you do not need to pre-register. Space is limited, however. Meet at the museum's third floor office.

Friday Finds: A little R-E-S-P-E-C-T

R-E-S-P-E-C-T
One of my favorite blogs is Alyson B Stanfield's ArtBizBlog. Yesterday's post, "7ways to establish that your art has value," included this advice: "Don't ever belittle your art. Don't talk disparingly about what you have created. Don't point out the flaws. Don't reveal how easy it was to make." Now that's good advice. I don't know whether it's insecurity, false modesty or an attempt to lower expectations, but I hear such comments all the time. Let's vow now to respect our work. For more of Alyson Stanfield's tips go to
http://www.artbizblog.com/2011/03/art-has-value.html.

Gallery North on the Square
First Friday in Bloomington means good art and good eats in good galleries in downtown Bloomington. If you're going tonight, make sure you visit Gallery North and take in Rose McCay's exhibit of orb photography.