Thursday, December 4, 2014

OF CANADA GEESE AND FREEZING TEMPERATURES

Panorama Oldman River, Lethbridge, Alberta - January 2008
Living in a much more temperate climate now, I often reminisce about my 40+ years in Canada, regaling my friends with tales of bone shattering winter temperatures of days gone by. These tales, I hasten to add, are not from the safe spot beside a warm fireplace, looking out the window at a frozen landscape and occasional trips to the convenience store for a pack of smokes and then wiping icicles off my mustache. No, I actually worked mostly outdoors at the most extreme and inclement weather conditions imaginable. While Lethbridge and the Region of Southern Alberta does not reach the extreme coldest temperatures recorded in Canada, I remember many a wintry day reaching -35 C  where we considered it a relief when it improved to only -25 C. I worked for Canadian Pacific Rail, and at temperatures below approximately -25 C rubber gaskets and trainline hoses became hard as steel. While not the coldest spot in Alberta (actually, in the north of the province Fort Vermillion holds the record at -60.6 C) we were one of the windiest cities in Canada, and the combination of cold temperatures with higher than average wind would result in extreme windchill factors. Check this Windchill Chart for details.
Rising Fog, Oldman River, Lethbridge, Alberta - January 2008
Most of the work I did at CP Rail was outdoors, either repairing rail cars or inspecting trains. As a Health & Safety Representative I had to continuously monitor conditions for safe work conditions in such cold environments. Proper protective clothing is essential, both for work and for play outdoors. I found, while not inexpensive, Canada Goose down garments provided the best insulation against the cold. 
Canada Geese, Oldman River - January 2008
But not all goose down is created equal. The best down with the highest fill rating comes from mature geese, as opposed to lower fill ratings of immature geese. Learn more about this here: Down Fill Power Ratings: The Low Down on Goose Down. It also depends on the area where these geese live throughout the year. While migrating geese are a familiar sight in Canada late Fall, there are those, such as the ones pictured above, that would not venture any further south than our region in Southern Alberta, often braving the extreme cold temperatures and windchill associated with it (considered non-migratory geese). The down these birds develop is particularly valuable! A rather expensive, but great quality label is Canada Goose Down. Check out also Down and Feather Quality, particularly the section critical of live plucking (it should be stressed that this is not a practice in Canada).
Well insulated - Canada Geese
 All photos were taken on one cold winter morning (aproximately 9 AM), January 21st 2008 at the Oldman River, Indian Battle Park, Lethbridge, Alberta. According to the weather history, it was rather "balmy" that day, with the recorded low of only -23 C.
More information about Canada Geese can be found in this Canadian Government pamphlet:
Canada Geese - Canadian Wildlife Service 

Near Oldman River, with High Level Bridge, Lethbridge, Alberta
A different chapter of my Canadian History would be a Christmas visit to Fort Smith, NWT in the early nineties. A experience I may write about some other time. Suffice it to say in comparison, Lethbridge seemed rather 'tropical'. 

Visionary Artist of the Month December 2014 - ANGERER DER ÄLTERE

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Our Artist for the month of December 2014 is
ANGERER DER ÄLTERE

ANGERER DER ÄLTERE

ANGERER DER ÄLTERE
The Trojan Horse
Please click the image above to visit his gallery page.

Monday, November 3, 2014

LEO PLAW - Visionary Artist of the Month November 2014

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Our Artist for the month of November 2014 is
LEO PLAW

LEO PLAW

LEO PLAW
Soulstream
Please click the image above to visit his gallery page.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

WOLFGANG HUTTER PASSED AWAY


This is very sad -another Icon of the Fantastic Realists is gone. This would have gone largely unnoticed (what a shame, actually) were it not for Sigrid Nepelius posting in her German language webzine Phantastisch. A quick websearch reveals that there is nothing at all, other than this article on Phantastisch. The papers didn't notice, and neither the english nor the german wikipedia articles had been updated.
ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THIS ARTICLE:
The Phantasten Community mourns one of its greats. The Viennese painter and graphic artist Wolfgang Hutter (13 December 1928) passed away on September 26, 2014. Hutter was a founding member of the Art Club and one of the main representatives of the famous Vienna School of Fantastic Realism. His magical canvasses are worked out to the smallest detail and reveal his sensitive handwriting. Hutter's art encompasses also tapestries and mosaics such as the mosaic floor in the Theater an der Wien. For three decades, Wolfgang Hutter worked as a professor at the Vienna University of Applied Arts. In 1977 he received the Prize of the City of Vienna for Visual Arts, and 2011 he was honored with the Golden Medal for Service to the City of Vienna. Let's hope that the death of Wolfgang Hutter is no longer ignored in the public media. Such a large and internationally important Austrian artist and his family should in any case be granted the final tribute in the form of an honoring obituary. Many thanks to Gerhard Habarta without whom the sad news of the death of Wolfgang Hutter and this little obituary would not exist.

The Vienna School of Fantastic Realism

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Creating Custom Books for the Holidays


Creating Custom Books for the Holidays?
Blurb's Book Making Boot Camp Makes It Easy!

(sponsored post) - here are some examples from  fellow artists:
It could be just me, but I think it's much easier to learn how to do something by watching a video (even if it's a short one). For instance, making your own custom book seems like it would be really complicated, but then you watch a video walking you through it and it becomes pretty understandable. Here's a quick video from Blurb (less than 3 minutes) that quickly walks you through publishing your own book using their BookSmart tool — sort of a book making boot camp. Save 20% on photobooks which is great news if you're thinking ahead to the holidays and making a gift to send. Special offer for new customers only. Save 25% on photobooks… even better for those of you who are new to Blurb books. Just don't wait because these deals end October 31st.


Take advantage of these offers by using the respective promo code at the check-out.

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Valid: through 10/31
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Note: please be advised that I am a affiliate of  Blurb  and will earn a commission on orders. This commission is paid by  Blurb  and does not affect the earnings of the book authors.

Friday, September 19, 2014

International Surrealism Now to Inaugurate the Palace of Lousã, a Historic 18th Century Building, Oct. 11, 2014

The next edition of the International Surrealism Now 
will be hosted in the Palacio da Lousã, a historic, 18th century building.
Oct. 11, 2014


International Surrealism Now is a project by the surrealist painter Santiago Ribeiro, who has dedicated himself to promoting the surrealism of the 21st century, through exhibitions worldwide.

"International Surrealism Now" began in 2010 in Coimbra, when Santiago Ribeiro conceived a major exhibition organized by Bissaya Barreto Foundation. This event has been in Conímbriga celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Monographic Museum (the second most visited museum in Portugal). The show has also been in Paris with the support of GAPP - Art Gallery Portugal Presente and Liba WS, organized once again by the Bissaya Barreto Foundation and Santiago Ribeiro, and in Madrid with the support of Yamal Din. After that it went to Dallas with the support of the American surrealist artist Shahla Rosa.

Lately, it has been presented at the medieval Castle of Paço da Ega, organized by Rede de Bibliotecas and House Mayor of Condeixa-a-Nova and at gallery Vieira Portuense located in the center of the city of Porto, Portugal's second-largest city.

At present, "International Surrealism Now" includes artists from 28 countries: Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Spain, USA, Philippines, France, Holland, Indonesia, England, Iran, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine and Vietnam.

The exhibition consists of a variety of artworks including drawing, painting, photography, digital art and sculpture.

Artists:  Agim Meta, Ana Neamu, Anna Plavinskaya, Andrew Baines, Asier Guerrero Rico ( Dio ), Brigid Marlin, Daila Lupo, Dan Neamu, Daniel Hanequand, Daniele Gori, Edgar Invoker, Egill Eibsen, Erik Heyninck, Ettore Aldo Del Vigo, Farhad Jafari, France Garrido, Francisco Urbano, Gromyko Semper, Héctor Pineda, Hugues Gillet, Isabel Meyrelles, Keith Wigdor, Leo Plaw, Liba WS, Lubomír Štícha, Ludgero Rolo, Lv Shang, Maciej Hoffman, Magi Calhoun, Maria Aristova, Martina Hoffman, Mehriban Efendi, Naiker Roman, Nazareno Stanislau, Octavian Florescu, Oleg korolev, Olga Spiegel, Otto Rapp, Paula Rosa, Pedro Diaz Cartes, Rudolf Boelee, Santiago Ribeiro, Sergey Tyukanov, Shahla Rosa, Shoji Tanaka, Shan Zhulan, Sio Shisio, Slavko Krunic, Sônia Mena Barreto, Steve Smith, Svetlana Kislyachenko, Tatomir Pitariu, Ton Haring, Victor Lages, Vu Huyen Thuong, Yamal Din, Yuri Tsvetaev e Zoran Velimanovic.

Date:
11 October 2014

Location:
Palace of Lousã.
Rua Viscondessa do Espinhal 3200-257
Lousã, Coimbra,
Portugal

Main Telephone: +351-239990800
Main Fax: +351-239990801

General Email: info@palaciodalousa.com


The Palácio da Lousã is an emblazoned building of the XVIII century. Formerly the Palace of Viscondessa do Espinhal, it is classified as Historical Heritage. Located in Lousã's historical center, renowned entry point of the Schist Villages Route, the Hotel offers a warm atmosphere with stunning views of the Lousã Mountains. The Hotel surroundings invite you to enjoy nature. You can observe wild game (deers and wild boars) in their natural habitat and visit a set of secular buildings, such as the medieval Arouce Castle, the wells of the Real Neveiro, where ice was stored in the winter to be later sent to the King's cellar in Lisbon, and the Chapel of our Lady of Sorrows, up on the mountain. 

Contact the promoter:

mobile - (+351) 964485027



SOURCE International Surrealism Now

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

International Surrealism Now - the video


INTERNATIONAL SURREALISM NOW - THE ARTISTS
a video by Steve Smith



A slideshow of the artists exhibiting in the International Surrealism Now exhibitions.


 International Surrealism Now is a project by the surrealist painter Santiago Ribeiro, who has dedicated himself to promoting the surrealism of the 21st century, through exhibitions worldwide.

The “International Surrealism Now” began in 2010 in Coimbra, when Santiago Ribeiro conceived a major exhibition organized by Bissaya Barreto Foundation. an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Monographic Museum in Conímbriga, Portugal.

The show has also been in Paris with the support of GAPP – Art Gallery Portugal Presente and Liba WS, organized once again by the Bissaya Barreto Foundation and Santiago Ribeiro, and in Madrid with the support of Yamal Din. After that it went to Dallas with the support of the american surrealist artist Shahla Rosa.

The exhibition has been presented at the medieval Castle of Paço da Ega, organized by Rede de Bibliotecas and House Mayor of Condeixa-a-Nova and at gallery Vieira Portuesense located in the center of the city of Porto.

At present, the “International Surrealism Now” includes artists from 28 countries: Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Spain, USA, Philippines, France, Holland, Indonesia, England, Iran, Iceland , Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Vietnam.

The exhibition consists of members from Santiago's "International Surrealism Now" and members from several fantastic/visionary groups such as Otto Rapp's Visionary Art Network, Liba Waring Stambollion's Dreams and Divinities, and Brigid Marlin's Society for the Art of the Imagination.

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Saturday, August 16, 2014

Blurb Book Promotions

I posted this on our private network.
It may be of interest to the general public that reads my blogs here.
However, be advised that the offer to promote your books is open only to Visionary Artists that are members of my network.
I can assure you that Blurb is tested and true - so feel free to follow the links and start your own publishing!

I just started promoting books published by our members on Blurb via the community blog on the Visionary Art Exhibition site. These blog entries are then shared on facebook, twitter, tumblr,  google+ and stumbleupon. They can also be shared on other social networks.
The first entries were:
 
If you are self-publishing on blub, contact me with a link to your book(s) and I will blog about it also. Several other books are in queue already and will be published at intervals.
If you are interersted in self-publishing on blurb, just follow this link for more information - it has coupon codes for discounts: 25% off of first purchases for new customers
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Please be advised that I am a associate of blurb and receive a small comission should your book sell via my links through the blogs and social network postings. This does not reduce your own profit, but comes from blurb's profit margin. So it is a win-win situation. We both get paid if your book sells!
 
you could even sell your book on Amazon - find out more here:
and don't forget: if you publish on blurb, or have already published, let me know and send me the link, so I can further promote your book(s)!

To repeat; the offer to promote your books through my blogs is only open to members of my Visionary Art network.

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Porto, Portugal Surrealism Now International Gallery Vieira Porto

August 9th to September 6th 2014
INTERNATIONAL SURREALISM NOW


Surrealism Now International is a project of the surrealist painter Santiago Ribeiro, who has dedicated himself to promoting the surrealism of the century, through exhibitions worldwide.


The International Surrealism began in Now Coimbra in 2010 at the Santiago Ribeiro prepared a major exhibition organized by Bissaya Barreto Foundation. This event has been in Conímbriga at 50. Anniversary of the Museu de Conimbriga (second most visited museum Portugal ). Made then a roaming through Paris with the support of GAPP -. Portugal Art Gallery and Liba WS, organized once again by Bissaya Barreto Foundation and Santiago Ribeiro, and with the support of Madrid Yamal Din After that, went to Dallas with the support of the North American surrealist artist Shahla Rosa.
Lately outlined in Medieval Castle Palace of Ega, organized by the Network of Libraries and town hall Condeixa-a-Nova .




The International Surrealism Now account at the moment with artists from 28 countries: Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Spain, USA, Philippines, France, Holland, Indonesia, England, Iran, Iceland, Italy , Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, Vietnam.
The exhibition consists of works with drawing, painting, photography, digital art and sculpture.
Artists:
Agim Meta, Ana Neamu, Anna Plavinskaya, Andrew Baines, Asier Guerrero Rico, Daila Lupo, Dan Neamu, Daniel Hanequand, Daniele Gori, Edgar Invoker, Egill Eibsen, Erik Heyninck, Ettore Aldo Del Vigo, Farhad Jafari, France Garrido, Francisco Urbano , Gromyko Semper, Héctor Pineda, Hugues Gillet, Isabel Meyrelles, Keith Wigdor, Leo Plaw, Liba WS, Lubomír Štícha, Ludger Roll, Lv Shang, Maciej Hoffman, Magi Calhoun, Maria Aristova, Martina Hoffman, Mehriban Efendi, Naiker Roman Nazarene Stanislaus, Octavian Florescu, Oleg Korolev, Olga Spiegel, Otto Rapp, Paula Rosa, Pedro Diaz Cartes, Rudolf Boelee, Santiago Ribeiro, Sergey Tyukanov, Shahla Rosa, Shoji Tanaka, Shan Zhulan, Sio Shisio, Slavko Krunic, Sonia Mena Barreto, Steve Smith, Svetlana Kislyachenko, Tatomir Pitariu, Ton Haring, Victor Lages, Vu Huyen Thuong, Yamal Din, Yuri Tsvetaev and Zoran Velimanovic.

Date: August 9, 2014
Local: Gallery Vieira Porto,
Largo Lóios 50, 4050-338 Port, Portugal .
(+351) 22 200 5156
Schedule: 09:00 to 19:00 hours
blog: http://surrealismnownagaleriavieiraportuense.blogspot.pt/ - site: http://www.galeriavieiraportuense.com/




Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Swiss Artist HR Giger died yesterday at age 74

The renowned Swiss artist H.R. Giger has died at the age of 74, as a result of injuries sustained in a fall. Giger, who passed away in a Zurich hospital, was most famous for the alien monster he created for the movie of the same name.
The terrifying creature and sets he created for Ridley Scott’s film earned him an Oscar for special effects in 1980. In the art world, Giger is appreciated for his wide body of work in the fantastic realism and surrealistic genres.
...............READ MORE


HR Giger was a frequent visitor in Vienna, the birthplace of the Vienna School of Fantastic Realism and the home of his friend and mentor Ernst Fuchs. Such an occasion happened at the Exhibition at the Kunsthaus Wien - it may have been the last time they saw each other.
Professor Ernst Fuchs was invited as the special guest speaker to say some words about Giger and his artwork. He is known to have greatly influenced HR Giger. Both are close and long standing friends and are known to greatly admire each other’s vast catalogue of works. (from the blog by Fantastic Visions)

He also met occasionally with Vienna based artists such as 
Peter Gric and HR Giger - photo courtesy Peter Gric

Peter Gric, Christian Flora and HR Giger - photo courtesy Peter Gric

Peter Gric, HR Giger and Hanno Karlhuber - photo courtesy Peter Gric

Peter Gric and HR Giger - photo courtesy Peter Gric





More about HR Giger, with additional links (including his official website)  can be found at the VISIONARY ART GALLERY


















_____________________________________________________________________


Thanks Peter Gric for the use of your archived photos - some of which had never been published before.



Friday, April 18, 2014

Exhibition Dominique DESORGES in Japan

INVITATION

Dominique DESORGES
Vous prie de bien vouloir honorer de votre présence le vernissage de l'exposition qui aura lieu
DIMANCHE 4  MAI  2014

de 17H00  à 20H00

2F GALERIE TOKYO KOTSUKAIKAN 
2-10-1. Yurakucho.Chiyoda-ku.
TOKYO 100-0006 JAPON

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Dominique DESORGES
Exposera avec les artistes Japonais de l'IFAA
Du
  4 au 10 MAI 2014
東京交通会館
2F GALERIE TOKYO KOTSUKAIKAN 
2-10-1. Yurakucho.Chiyoda-ku.
TOKYO 100-0006 JAPON

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Artists Resale Right

Of particular interest to Artists in Europe - what are

ARTISTS RESALE RIGHTS ?

Artists Resale Right in Europe started in February 2006. Under a European law called the Artist's Resale Right you may be entitled to some of the money when one of your paintings is resold. So, what's the catch, besides it not always being easy to know when you're paintings are resold? 
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Did anyone have had practical experience with this?
French -  le droit de suite (the resale right)


Efforts in Canada to get similar legislation - presentation by CARFAC:



WEBSITE: