Concours d'Elegance 2010

What an exciting day Saturday was.  Mind you, I am not all that much of a big auto fanatic other than for transportation and hauling. Go figure, I drive a truck.  But, Saturday actually proved to be an exciting day.  Looking at all those cars, trucks, boats & cycles brought back such great memories of years past.  Camping trips as a kid with an old falcon with a matching trailer, the two restored Model A's my dad drove us around in the rumble seat, the mustang convertable I drove through High School until Dad realized how valuable it was... still in the family, too...

Car club trips, gathering at a friends or family homes to admire the new vehicle, yeah I even remember someone with an Edsel! Family members attempting to restore an old Chris Craft, succeeding later in life with a historic motorcycle... guess you really don't have to be a classic car fanatic to really enjoy a classic car show.  I certainly did and on so many different levels.

This year too brought out 11 outstanding Plein Aire Artists that painted throughout the facility during the show.  They had soo much to chose from, some focused on a single scene throughout the day, while others would sketch or paint a while, then move on to another area and more opportunities.  They were all enjoying the crowds as much as the crowds seem to enjoy them. Lots of questions, commendations and a few sales as well.  You can see their biographies below..

Again this year, Ironstone's Volunteer Team came through for the Concours Foundation with flying colors. All prompt, friendly and more than helpful to all the guests attending this year.  I can't say enough in praise for this wonderful and fun group of people.  Why, one of our volunteer couples were even Best of Class winners with their flashy looking classic jag.  Very hot & sleek looking machine that one! Kudos to them all!

A great thank you to Michele's wonderful son for taking all those great photos and Artist Sonny Sorensen!

Artists painting on site Saturday...a Must see!

I must say, having such great plein aire artists painting on site for the Concours d'Elegance Saturday is such a joy and long time coming.  This is the first year artists have been invited to participate. I was able to hang completed paintings in the Galleria that will be on display through Tuesday, October 5th. So do take the time to come by and check out some spectacular paintings!  I have listed each artists biography to the right. So do take a look and see who all is joining us... love to see you here. The Concours is such a great charity event too!

Plein Aire Painters at Ironstone this Saturday!

The Ironstone Concours d'Elegance has added a new treat this year.  Eleven Plain Aire artists will be on site all day Saturday, Sept. 25th. painting the elegant classic autos, motorcycles, boats, 50's tear drop trailers, Shady Ladies in costume as well as the 4-H projects and animals.  This marks the first year artists have been invited on site during the event itself.  Long time coming if you ask me! 

Friday, we will be hanging representative art from the participant painters in the Ironstone Gallerias where they will remain on display for the following week.  These pieces will be available for sale as well, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Foundation's great works with the California 4-H scholarship foundation, the FFA scholarship fund and the California State Fair Scholarship fund.  All great causes to support our young people.

I will post a little slide show of pieces as images come available.  One sample here,

"Road Dreams" by Suzanne D'Arcy, is just one of many fantastic paintings you will see not only completed, but, works in progress by artists Vienna Watkins-Colodzin, Vickie Chew, Suzanne D'Arcy, Kathleen Dunphy, Dee Helzer, Rick Ingraham, Ray Mesgarzadeh, Tony Pooler, Sunny Sorensen, Henrietta Sparkman and Irene Taylor.  I will post bios as they come in...

Come on out to the Concours Saturday, meet the artists and see how they put these pieces together. 

Watching the creative process is always such a joy.  What the artists sees that catches our eyes is always fascinating as the imagry grows out of the canvas...

Come see for yourself... gates open at 10:00 AM till 4:00 PM.  Cost is $20.00 per person or $35.00 per family.  Plenty of food & beverage concessions as well as great food at the Ironstone Tasting Room Deli. 

Stop by the Museum and say Hi!  This is also the last weekend for the WWII exhibit, if you haven't seen it yet!

Artists Patricia Cherry & Carol Goff represented at Ironstone Gallerias

Artists Patricia Cherry and Carol Goff are currently displaying original paintings in Ironstone's Gallerias.  Complete Bios are located at the lower section of this Blog along with slideshow of works on display.  Do come and take a look at these beautiful paintings. With a wide range of subject matter and completely different styles, Cherry & Goff present a wonderful window to all tastes in art.  Now through September 22nd.

@IronstoneMuseum while we were waiting for @ShaneDwight playi... on Twitpic

Shane Dwight Concert at IRonstone, July 3rd....

http://twitpic.com/23803b

Artists, Chris Barhnart & Nanette Oleson on exhibit through Aug. 11

Artists Chris Barnhart and Nanette Oleson are on exhibit at Ironstone through August 11th. Check  out the biography and slideshow below ...

"Pissarro in the Field"

The second of the two Spalt Guitars is named       "Pissarro in the Field". Breathtaking piece, in the words of Artist Paul Schmidt...

"Lucien Pissarro, son of Camile Pissarro - well known French impressionst painter often called the "father of impressionism" began as a painter but during the 1880's became enthusiastic about woodcuts and wood engravings. (Embedded in the redwood burl of this outstanding electric guitar) this five - color woodcut from 1897 (catalogued in Fern - #92) was entitled variously "In the Field" or "Gold Cloud". The poetry of this astounding print spoken through its language of colours and composition thrilled me immediately upon viewing it.  The gold was reminiscent of Tiffany, and the muted glow was consistent with so many of the other works of art l'd selected. Mango, koa, walnut, redwood burl, poplar, and Macassar ebony (bridge) comprise the woods selected to enliven this instrument, along with the silver, pearl, abalone, Catalin knobs and bone switch. The son-gold yellow orange pickups mirror the character of the lithograph, which weds golds, greens, blues, yellows and browns to form its disposition.  The pearl inlay shaped into gynkgo leaves-inspired-kites sweeps through the body and into the neck for a graceful and strident theme that compliments the stirring quietude of the art.  Bountiful, bold, gentle, and startling in its beauty."

Electrifying Electric Guitars!

"Mucha Summer" by Michael Spalt

Wow, all I can say about this incredable piece of art. I am not a guitar player, but you don't have to be to appreciate these beauties, two of which are here on display in Ironstone's Heritage Museum for an undisclosed period of time.

One of 13 from Michael's "The Nouveau Series Guitars", "Mucha Summer" focuses on the original Mucha "Summer" lithograph which is suspended over gold-leaf and festooned with pearl. This guitar features mother-of-pearl and abalone cat tails flowing through the figured Brazilian rosewood. A stylized dragonfly lights on the Indian rosewood pahntom soundhole with its translucent wings revealing the abalone cat-tail stem beneath.  The glass exhibits a moonlit soft rainbow of strong orange, purple, blue, green, pink, yellow, amber - all luminescent huse floating over the gold-leaf, inspired by the lithograph both in actual colour and mood of the peaceful-warmed summer moment. The earthiness of the Brazilian rosewood is reflected in the colour of the bridge pickup while the water motil is captured by the glass and the blue neck pickup.  The Catalin knobs and resin switch are set in myrtle burl neighboring the Macassar ebony bridge.

These are must see to believe masterpieces.. and the sound spectacular as well!