Carmella Jarvi is finalist for McColl Award

I am excited to share that I am a finalist for the McColl Award.  This is the first time it has been offered to individuals, so the fact that I am competing with local arts organizations and still made the final round is admirable!   (More details about the award are at the end.)

I am proposing to do a new large scale body of abstract, water inspired paintings as well as explore water through art, memory, science, etc.  This past summer when I was an Affiliate Artist at McColl Center for Visual Art, I started this new series of abstract water paintings and I also began to think about art as a public process.  

                                              (Detail of one of these new abstract water paintings.) 

Although I have been awarded some artist's grants, I have also heard "no" many, many times.  I would not have applied for something like this probably... but I was encouraged by a couple of individuals who know me and my work.  The pivotal moment for me was in the information session when they asked "what is your dream project?"  

Well, as a self employed artist for five years in a tough economy, my "dreams" in a way have been getting smaller.  So, I stepped back and thought about my passions:  Painting, water and sharing with others.  My dream project would be getting funding for a new body of abstract, water inspired paintings (unlike my safer, collected series of women in water) and to explore water with many others in this community.

So, I dreamed, wrote, networked, brainstormed and edited more hours than I care to admit.  And, finally, submitted the initial application.  To my delight, I am now a finalist for a prestigious McColl Award!  (I will share more about this as I continue the process.) 

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McColl Award Overview: The McColl Award was established in 2001 by the Arts & Science Council (ASC) to honor the significant role played by Hugh McColl Jr. and his wife Jane in advancing arts, science and history in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. This program augments the Arts & Science Council’s commitment to the creative process, and preserves the legacy of Hugh and Jane McColl. 

Award Purpose: The purpose of the McColl Award is to invest in the creation of an original work. Through this award, the Arts & Science Council seeks to:

• Commission new creative works
• Inspire creative thinking in the presentation of creative product. Areas could include a unique approach to presenting programming or scientific/historical research projects resulting in exhibitions and/or publications.
• Increase awareness, recognize excellence and build a greater appreciation for the creative process among the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.

 

Carmella Jarvi, Artist: Painting a Woman in Water - Part 1 by Carmella Jarvi : Pastel Painting

This is not a brand new video... but I am just learning to use more tools and wanted to post.  This clip is from a DVD that Cheap Joe's Art Stuff (through their Artist Palette Productions division) created.

It is for sale through Cheap Joe's as well as other vendors.  Check out the Title "link" to see purchasing details.  (It's not yet available for downloadable streaming, but they are currently working to bring this choice to the market!)

This is the final completed painting that you see me beginning here on the YouTube clip.  (Notice you hardly see the original reddish pastel surface.)

                                    (Patience too, pastel on board.  24x18".  Private collection.)

Painting water & people bring up good memories

Painting water and people bring up good memories.  This is a new painting... someone gave me a photo of their grandmother at the beach.

Since I also spent many hours at the South Carolina beaches growing up... also many of those times with my own grandmother... it ended up being quite a fun piece.

I have not painted the ocean in many years, but honestly really enjoyed the freedom.

So, here it is in a few stages:  The top one is detail of almost completed painting.  (I might add a touch of something else...)

(This is almost final stage... notice the shoulder is fixed and I brought out light in hand, neck and some other colors in water...)

                          (Earlier "roughed in" stage... getting motion, light/dark)


(This is a 12x9" Richeson Premium Pastel Board-originally reddish color-that had a previous pastel on it.  I rinsed off most of the previous painting... but had some cool 'ghost' markings remain-like the turquoise in her shorts.  I used mostly Unison Soft Pastels, but added a little Sennelier metallic soft pastel too!)