Live An Artful Life

A Solid Creative Future

liveanartfullife — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:59:58 +0000

Like those that venture into space or those that sift through old bones. I myself have recently taken both directions of artistic exploration in a balanced pursuit of where we are today and where we might be tomorrow. My findings are that of a solid creative future.

A few months ago I was asked to join the advisory board of the Loudoun Education Foundation, whose mission is to provide resources to foster and promote programs to strengthen the Loudoun County school system. Along with programs and grants, LEF has created a $500. art achievement award, given to a student in conjunction with an annual student art show held in March at The Art Institute of Washington-Dulles. This was also my second year as lead judge and keynote speaker.

This year’s show of over 100 works of art, surpassed the 2011 show by a fair amount and the creativeness, execution and accomplishment exhibited an abundance of raw talent. But it was not only these factors that made my glimpse at the future bright, it was the broad creative applications I found in the student work. Certainly there were those whose direction would be fine art, but others exemplified more commercial applications such as advertising, illustration, animation and even fabric design, with enthusiastic ability. Here are photos of some of top winners of this show.

It seemed no sooner than this dose of student creative expression was over, I was plunged head first into my decade’s worth of judging The Congressional Art Competition, which is also done annually – though optionally, in each Congressional district throughout the United States. The Best In Show hangs in the US Capital for one year. I judge for the district of Congressman Frank Wolf and this year’s 270 plus entrants, far surpassed last year’s event by nearly 100 pieces. This show is more categorized in terms of awards than that of the LEF show, though both cover painting, drawing, mix media, computer generated, collage, prints and photography. But the CAC show honors 1st, 2nd & 3rd for each category and some honorable mention awards as well. Whew!

Again, talent was abundant, but I should also mention a realization of brilliant signs of maturity in that which was presented at both shows. Yes, there are those who happily and justifiably act their age, but there are also a growing number that seem to truthfully feel that which they create, can be narrative and important. This is all relevant to our society and how we think, act and react as a people. That which is on the mind of our youth, determines our future and becomes evident in present day. It’s a bit like looking at the health of a rain forest to determine the heath of the planet. I will say this though, there are several pieces of art I have seen through this experience that really make me feel great about art and our future.

After these two high school events, I also attended the dedication celebration of the art for Winchester Medical Center. With over 500 pieces of art placed in the hospital’s newly completed expansion, including six by your’s truly, there was a significant donation by Project Hope of mostly pre teen children’s art from China. I was delighted to see bright, colorful and especially joyful paintings which were not all that reminiscent of my earlier days representing classically trained Beijing artists while at Greenwich Workshop. Those paintings – examples of massive talent, were mostly dark and felt suppressed. Those artists told me once, there are two ways to paint a revolution. You can paint a war or paint the way you would like the world to be. I saw both back then, but thankfully only joy in the innocent, present day paintings by these youthful artists.

In another peek at the past – my archeological dig so to speak, I was recently invited to The National Sporting Library & Museum’s new exhibit “Scraps: British Sporting Drawings from the Paul Mellon collection. The evening, which featured remarks by a youthful, yet quite knowledgable, Corey Piper – Curatorial Associate for the Mellon Collections, offered two floors of anything but what I would call scraps. “Gems” more fitting, the series of Henry Alken drawings offers a lot to many – be it your love of sporting art, the Mellon’s vast contribution to the world of art, the narrative, the humorous and plenty more. But to the art enthusiast, especially the student of art, it delivers potent examples of the simplicity of telling a good story.

This enchanting show guides you through wonderful examples of the essentialness of the line. Whereas every even quarter inch of line is completely useful. This minimalist approach, by the way, is not rationing, where the artist and the viewer must do without. Instead, it puts exactly the amount on your plate which you can comfortably digest. There is a huge difference and all artists can learn from it. Where efficiency – speaks in an economic tongue, essential – speaks of specific abundance and that is what this show delivers.

One of my favorites – there are many, is “Four Hounds Resting” – the 1878 pastel and sketch by Scottish artist Archibald Thorburn. Obviously beginning with pencil, Thorburn’s masterful composition holds the eye even with the use of a waking hound’s tongue. Go see for yourself.

This past and present look through hundreds of works of art in only a month’s time, shows inspiring promise for an artistically blessed future. One which I’m happy to be part of.

We’re back!

liveanartfullife — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:22:41 +0000

The blog is back! Well, it never really went away, sadly I did. I can’t make any excuses, but there were reasons. First, I began writing my monthly newspaper article again called The Artist’s Perspective and second, I became the Artist in Residence of Creighton Farms Country Club, where my first task had me creating enough paintings to be display throughout most of the main floor of the new clubhouse. An undertaking, to be sure, but behind me now.

David Southworth & Tom Neel in the lobby at Creighton Farms

I am excited to get started again though and I will also use the blog to share my newspaper articles with you. I think it will be a good fit. So, let’s begin again and Linda and I hope you will enjoy our creative world of – Live An Artful Life.

“4 WOMEN PAINT” and many watch.

On Saturday, April 21st., an enthusiastic crowd joined us at Live An Artful Life for our show “4 Women Paint”. The idea came to me one morning as Linda and I were exercising. Often we brain storm during that time or talking while having breakfast. In any event, Linda ran with it and we built on the concept from there.

The event was filled with art lovers and artistic novices, who came to watch professional artists Trisha Adams, Elaine Elinsky, Christine Lashley, Libby Stevens, all paint from life – with a twist.

Libby Stevens, Christine Lashley, Elaine Elinsky & Trisha Adams painting

With one large floral arrangement placed in the gallery’s atrium, the concept had each of the four talented artists surrounding it, as each painted a still life. Not only were the onlookers able to see four different artist’s interpretations of the same subject matter, at least three different mediums – oil, acrylic and pastel, were also used. This really allowed everyone watch the individual processes of each artist develop towards a completed work of art.

Trisha Adams painting with an interested on looker

It was a wonderful opportunity for questions and answers which were abundant by the audience and the artists, as the four worked away at each of their paintings. It was a joy to see so many of artistic types in the group being mentored on the spot. This was a fun event for all that joined us and we are happy to say it will become an annual event.

Libby Stevens working on her pastel painting

Christine Lashley roughing in

Elaine Elinsky working the background

The show, which runs through May 13th, also has at least four paintings available by each artist and rounding out the theme as a superb added bonus, Delaplane Cellars joined in with a pairing of four delicious wines.

Lashley finished painting on left and Stevens finished pastel on right

Artist Studio Visit

liveanartfullife — Sun, 08 May 2011 13:42:39 +0000

Last week I had the opportunity to visit with Sean Brown, one of our jewelry artists, in his studio in Colorado. Sean creates some of the most fun, intricate and whimsical pins and pendants for us at the gallery. It was very interesting learn more about his process and creativity.

Sean Brown & Linda Neel

He doesn’t use any molds in the creation of his ceramic works. Each piece is cut individually by hand. Then he paints and fires them multiple times to get the results he desires. As I looked through each piece, I could see little nuances that made each one unique and each little original gems.

We talked a lot about how he decides what subject to create. For example, I asked him why he creates more cats than dogs. The simple answer is, he noticed that dog lovers tend more to love one breed, while cats lovers tend to love all kinds of cats, making them easier to collect. This made it easy for him to create multiple cats as pins and pendants. That said, he still does his best to create dogs too and in fact, Sean does commissions which could include your dog. We just send him a photo of your dog or cat, horse or bird for that matter. Oh, the possibilities!

He showed me a piece that he is currently working on that will have a large leopard print fat cat in the center with three of his famous birds on the cat’s back titled “Three’s Company”. It will be matted and framed similar to the others we have in the gallery. I, of course, asked if we could have it in the gallery so it will be here in about a month. I can’t wait to get it on the wall.

He also showed me some new earrings that are just marvelous with birds and beads. Those will be coming too. Then he let me see the new patterns he is working on. As you might be able to tell, I loved everything he is doing. The most fun was of course being able to pick each new piece for the gallery…and you! Here’s a taste of what I came home with. Enjoy, Linda

Butterfly pin in new pattern

Bird Swing Pendant

Watering Can Pin

Tom Neel Show “The Land That I love”

liveanartfullife — Fri, 06 May 2011 02:51:48 +0000

Wow, spring blew right past us, but it’s been and continues to be – beautiful! I’ve been busy with commissions and finishing my show “The Land That I love” which will open Saturday May 14th at Live An Artful Life. For me the show we’ll feature paintings of my passion for this area I called home. I suppose people already see this in my work. I use more color than most, but from being here so long, I wanted this show to be of a more personal side of life in the Piedmont … the emotional connection.

"Layers of the Piedmont"

The Piedmont often becomes draped in cool, low land morning fog as seen below in “Low Land Fog”. This depicts one of my favorite Piedmont moods. Also shown is “Roadside Splendor” depicting poppies. These are now a past splendor as they used to grace the west side of Middleburg, VA. It is scenes like this though that have made my life here abundant. Please join us for the show also featuring the live jazz we are known for and now tasting the fine wines of Philip Carter Winery of Hume, VA.

Fire and Light

liveanartfullife — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 15:02:17 +0000

Wow, I’m looking back on my last blog entry and say, “Where did March go?” Oh well, spring is here! We have been PROJECT and PRODUCT busy here at Live An Artful Live. My upcoming show has kept me at the easel, except for Linda’s recent time away with her mentor Kerr Grabowski – think silk and dye. Her blog entry to follow.

In the meantime we are excited about new products from Fire & Light. F&L is a California based company specializing in radiant colored glass tableware and the like. Deeper in their roots is the fact that the glass they use is all recycled clear glass to which they add nine wonderful colors, to comprise an endless array of mix and match combinations for dinner and salad plates, bowls, goblets, platters, and more.

Goblets

Colors include cobalt, copper, celery, citrus (yellow), olive (deeper green), plum (deep), lavender, aqua and twilight (deep smoke). The photo to the right is missing olive and twilight.

Place settings are endless and fun! It’s also so collectable and even one piece makes a great gift. For glass it’s durable too and best of all it’s made in the USA!

It’s not recommended for use in the microwave, but it is dishwasher safe.

Think Color!

Think color! Color and as important, transparent color makes this product come alive! You can go complimentary color, monotones, seasonal, you want it, it delivers.

As you stack layers of colors you get more colors and all of this adds to the eye appeal of your favorite dishes served.

The four place setting seen here to the left, gives great examples of F&L’s flexibility with color.

Candle Holders and Tealights!

Fire & Light doesn’t end with tableware, it begins there and moves on with several other goodies such as those seen in the photo to the left including vases, jewelry caches and decorative pieces. By the way, please note that the green candle seen in the photo is by Rick Faulkner. Rick’s candles come in as many or more colors than F & L’s palette and are a wonderful compliment to a setting. They are dripless and burn for hours too!

So, there you have it! Hope to see you soon and always remember we have Live Jazz and wine on second Saturdays of each month … next one is April 9th. best, Tom and Linda

Canvas Technology

liveanartfullife — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 02:56:15 +0000

For those of you who paint and even for those of you who do not, but collect art or purchase my art; this entry is about canvas and some new technology available and that I’m happy to be using. For years artists have been painting on just about anything they could get their hands on. Most of the “old masters” were poor and certainly others have followed in their footsteps! ( – ; Thankfully not me!

Materials were also hard to come by back in the old days and by comparison, artists today live in the lap of luxury. There’s no shortage of top notch materials at our disposal and as this entry will point out, there’s new things coming along all the time.

Over the years, artist “supports” (what artists paint on) for oil paintings have included mostly wood and cloth or canvas in a variety of quality and production methods, but I think it’s safe to say that stretched canvas is best known. Still well known, especially in recent decades, has been a canvas wrapped wood panel and or a resin wood panel often known as Masonite (R). All artists are trying to accomplish just a few things in their choice; to find something they like painting on and then either something that is cost effective or of quality. The last two often don’t mix. My paintings are expensive and so I’m looking for quality. That is to mean, I want it to way out last me! Unfortunately, not all artists feel this way.

Quickly covering resin wood panels first. They’ve been used for years and used properly they work quite well. Properly means a good quality panel, not the junk that is a light tan color and especially where one side is rough with a screen impression on it. Even students should avoid this low grade contractor backing wood. The dark tempered panels, sanded well and then gesso primed with at least two to three coats, will hold up fine. Pros – strong, puncture proof and great for detail work as the surface has no real tooth and is smooth. Also not as likely to encounter paint cracking like stretched canvas over the years. Cons – can get heavy, no tooth and it’s not a sprung surface like stretched canvas, so it feels different.

For those that want the tooth of canvas, the idea has been to glue and wrap canvas around a wood panel. It works just fine. Cheap ones in the store are most often cotton canvas wrapped around a hard paper board. These are student grade and something I wouldn’t personally use. Additionally though, I also have avoided the canvas wrapped wood panel as well, but if I did choose this, I personally would only use linen canvas wrapped over a high grade birch ply. Most panels I’ve seen artists use, unfortunately have often been on a cheaper Laun or MDF wood. Again, a no, no for me. This is junk even to a carpenter, much less an artist. Pros – Much like Masonite, but canvas has tooth.

So, this brings us to stretched canvas. Canvas is a broad term for a generally heavy woven fabrics. For our purposes we can split canvas into two families – cotton and linen. Both cellulose fibers, cotton comes from the cotton plant and linen comes from the flax plant – hemp is another example, but not really used for art canvas.

Pros for cotton are cost, it is easy to stretch and it generally stays tight. Cons would be the reason it is easy to stretch is because the fibers are for the most part short, although modern production methods are helping in that area. The fibers themselves are not nearly as strong or as long as linen. Linen is without question superior and also better resists mold and time, but its main cons are cost as it is – especially depending on grade, way more expensive. It’s harder to stretch and it’s temperamental to temp and moister change. The net result can be it becoming loose on the stretcher bars and or even cockling (getting small waves).

This all leads us to the technology of canvas, the title of this entry. Signature Canvas of Kansas City, KS. has come up with not one, but two inventive solutions to the main problems with linen and one of them is now my personal choice. The first is is a patented built in stretcher frame tightening system which they call “Keyless Frame”. Keys being a small wedge of wood tapped into the corners of the stretchers to tighten the canvas. The first photo shows their Keyless Frame.

Keyless Frame

Note my middle and index fingers pointing to two screws. With this system, if the canvas should loosen at anytime, all you need to do depending on which side or multiple sides you wish to re-stretch, is loosen the top lock screws (shown by my left finger) and then turn the other screw (finger on the right) clockwise. It a simple process that works great.

Pros – to this system are avoiding the standard staple removal and re-stetching, saving time and effort. Cons – are that the system of parts and such make the canvas unit fairly heavy and as with standard re-stretching which makes the canvas contract in size, this system slightly expands it, which may make it not fit in the rabbit of your frame. In my experiments, I will note, that the expansion was minimal, but I have found at least one canvas that would no loner fit in it’s frame. Overall though, with proper planning, I think it’s a good system and at least Signature has made a grand effort to remedy a known problem.

Their next product also takes care of this too and is a good fix, blending a few established systems.

Three Supports

In the next photos, you’ll see three 18X24 supports, the top two are linen and the bottom one is a gessoed Masonite panel. The top canvas is on stretchers and uses Signature’s keyless system. The linen canvas under it is now my system of choice, their canvas panel.

This is linen or available in cotton canvas, applied to a gator foam panel. So, instead of a heavier cheap plywood wood with acid, you have a lightweight stable, acid free panel.

In my investigation with Signature about the product for my own use, I found among many tests they ran on this product, they submerged in water over a weekend and it came out as it went in. That’s not a likely outcome using plywood. Pros – in my opinion – everything. Cons – it’s non traditional. Now I should mention, like any panel, it would resist being punctured, something a stretched canvas would not, but unlike a wood panel, this panel could be dented if hit or placed against something. It’s pretty sturdy stuff, but I guess with the right malice or mistake, it could happen and I gave some thought as to how it could be repaired.

What I came up with was if a dent was to happen, I would repair it in one of two ways. Small, I would force an awl or some tool through the back and push the foam (and canvas) back out. Larger, I would then carefully remove a square of the foam directly behind the dent and replace the dented foam with a new undented piece. I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it as (knock on wood) I’ve thankfully never had any artwork damaged.

The Backside

It is worth noting too, that Signature’s foam panel product is not completely original. The technology was created years ago and made available mostly to the conservation trade with Arches watercolor paper mounted on both sides.

For what ever reason this product, known as I remember as Tycore, was discontinued, but I know it work well. I first saw it used by the master watercolorist, Peter Sculthorpe whose paintings on this product were stable, unwarped and magnificent at 4 by 8 FEET! I believe Peter shared with me that he bought up all he could find when it was discontinued and that’s close to 20 years ago, but guess what? Signature makes their panel available with Arches too! Watercolorists be in joy! Imagine no warping. Yippy! Signature Canvas can be easily found online by just adding .com Tell em, I sent ya! Happy painting, Tom Neel

Happy Valentine’s Day – Sweetie!

liveanartfullife — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 02:22:48 +0000

Well we have the upcoming day of hugs and kisses. We’ve been busy and to you who come visit the blog with regularity, my apologies for letting the better part of a month slip by. Where does the time go?

The gallery is getting spruced up for our first jazz weekend of 2011. First up this Saturday the 12th is Brain Litz, a new gig for him and new vibes for us. This will be a little different with a bit of Brazilian flavor for romance! As some of you know, the jazz connection was with our friend Shane who is soon moving to Banner Elk, NC. and if we are lucky, we will sneak him in one more time in March before he heads south.

Okay, back to romance (guys) … (ladies, get your men to read this), nothing says Valentine’s Day like chocolate and nothing says Chocolate like Wanders! Sweets for the Sweetie! Then there’s romance and candles can set the mood. Or as the cows say moooooood. Yep, a silly joke, sorry for that. We have great candles that are long burn and drip free, in a bunch of great colors, tall and short and SA-WEET!

We have friends, he – (of him and her), makes it an evening ritual of walking around their home at cocktail time and lighting the many candles they have. I have to tell you, it is so cool. A little music and wow, instant relaxation. It really sets the mood.

Now this next thing isn’t really about Valentine’s Day, but it is about evening mood. We have added an expanded line of Fire & Light glass. It is beautiful, it is colorful, it can be mixed and matched, it is made recycled glass, it is MADE IN AMERICA and perhaps best of all, it is very reasonably priced. Think entertaining, better yet, think festive party!

Come join us for jazz! Best, Tom & Linda

Rest and Relaxation

liveanartfullife — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 20:17:29 +0000

Back from vacation and feeling good! Feeling good is one of the best wellness compasses we all can have. Most of us may not have a feeling of bliss every moment of everyday, but the goal is to have an overall feeling of goodness. As an artist and for the artful life type, it helps to place your vision on something different and to truly let your mind be at play – like my buddy here, following our friend’s boat.

I love photography too, as a creative tool it gives me instant results and gratification in being artful.

As the sun sets on this time away, we’ve returned feeling good, but it’s important to note, you don’t always have to get away to enjoy a little R&R. You just need to focus on something different or better yet, not focus on anything at all.

Meditation and or visualization came be a mini vacation in you mind and a stay-cation can be a mini vacation without really going anywhere, but allowing yourself to do something you don’t normally give yourself the time to do.

As it is, it’s a necessary ingredient in the Live An Artful Life strategy. Enjoy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

liveanartfullife — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 22:25:27 +0000

As 2010 draws to a close and I’ve not had a moment to write, Linda and I just wanted to say, Happy New Year! 2011 promises to be more creative than ever and more blog entries to come.

This is the season of resolutions. I’m not a big believer in resolutions or the act of resolving just for new years sake. It means you are starting off your new year with a flaw, something broken that needs fixing and while we all could find something wrong, I think the better strategy is to enter the new year celebrating something right. Something you’ve got going for you. Accentuate the positives and the other stuff will fall into place. That will really make for a happy new year! Enjoy, Tom and Linda

Ho,Ho,Handmade!

liveanartfullife — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 19:55:32 +0000

You know, in Santa’s factory at the North Pole, everything is handmade by passionate artisan elves! Well, the same can be said for all the goodies you’ll find at Live An Artful Life Gallery, here in The Plains, VA.! Furthermore, none of our elves live in China, they live right here in the USA. ( – :

santa and friends

Truthfully, Christmas is a special time of the year and giving a handmade gift shows the ultimate thoughtfulness. So Linda and I would like to invite you to visit Live An Artful Life if you have not and if it’s been awhile, please trust, our elves have been up to their same standards of high quality and workmanship and have new things for you to see!

Bless you! Tom and Linda

warm scarves

handmade with passion