Posts Tagged: art exhibit
“FREE: Pathways Toward Freedom” Opens Today
FREE: Pathways Toward Freedom
My solo show “FREE: Pathways Toward Freedom” opened today in the Main Gallery at the Ankeny Art Center 1520 SW Ordnance Road Ankeny, IA, 50023. The show is open October 3 through November 29, 2017. The gallery is free and open to the public Tues-Fri 9am-1pm, Thursday 4pm-7pm, Saturday 9am-Noon.
Over 100 pieces of original art from my studio in a variety of sizes and colors are featured in the show. If you are interested in a specific piece, please let me know or feel free to speak with the gallery staff.
We’d love to have you join us for the Opening Reception on Thursday, Oct. 12 from 5-7 pm. There will be refreshments for all!
In “FREE: Pathways Toward Freedom” Central Iowa artist Melynda Van Zee uses spiral imagery to express the deep inner work necessary to finding equilibrium and energy to pursue a creative life. The spiral is one of the most commonly found design forms in nature and is symbolic of growth and transformation. From the galaxies to DNA to our fingertips, spirals are prevalent in natural formations and are one of the most efficient ways for something to grow. For the past ten years, she has used her painting process as a method of internal excavating to discover her path.
SKETCHBOOK. AN EXHIBITION OF ARTISTS BOOKS
My sketchbook is a part of “SKETCHBOOK. An exhibition of artist’s books” at the 33 Contemporary Gallery in the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago. The exhibit opens tomorrow on Sept. 15 and runs through October 14, 2017. My sketchbook with the hand painted turquoise green and gold cover (middle sketchbook pictured below) includes a selection of random sketches, art journal pages and color studies created over the past three years. Keeping a sketchbook is such an integral part of my creative process, but I rarely share them. My sketchbook is the “behind the scenes” place where so many of my paintings and other creative activities are generated.
SKETCHBOOK, NXT Level Projects, 33 Contemporary Chicago, IL
“FREE: Pathways Toward Freedom” Opening Reception October 12
“FREE: Pathways Toward Freedom“, a solo show by Melynda Van Zee, will be open October 3 through November 29, 2017 at the Main Gallery of the Ankeny Art Center 1520 SW Ordnance Road Ankeny, IA 50023. Please join us for the Opening Reception on Thursday, Oct. 12 from 5-7 pm. The gallery is free and open to the public Tuesday-Friday 9am-1pm, Thursday 4pm-7pm, Saturday 9am-Noon.
In “FREE: Pathways Toward Freedom” Central Iowa artist Melynda Van Zee uses spiral imagery to express the deep inner work necessary to finding equilibrium and energy to pursue a creative life. The spiral is one of the most commonly found design forms in nature and is symbolic of growth and transformation. From the galaxies to DNA to our fingertips, spirals are prevalent in natural formations and are one of the most efficient ways for something to grow. For the past ten years she has used her painting process as a method of internal excavating to discover her path.
New Year and New Art “Unraveled”
“Unraveled”
Detail of first painting of 2017
48 x 36
Acrylic on Canvas
Melynda Van Zee © 2017
Dear Creative Heart,
This new year has brought the first large painting of the year “Unraveled”, the beginning of a new body of work, local art exhibits and an “art show application season” in full swing. It is hard to believe we are already a month and a half into the new year.
“Unraveled”
Detail of first painting of 2017
48 x 36
Acrylic on Canvas
Melynda Van Zee © 2017
Hard at work in my Downstairs Studio
Winter days in the studio are finding me adding a layer of gesso (white undercoat layer) to canvases, designing and laying down the line work for new pieces and applying to 2017 art shows.
As you can see…canvases are spread out everywhere this time of year…
Melynda Van Zee Art exhibit at Edgewater Retirement Community in West Des Moines, IA.
I’ve also been enjoying sharing my work in some local art exhibits over the winter months. I’ve shared my artwork in a retirement community, an art center members show and a coffee shop. It is one of the best joys of being an artist to share work in places where people congregate as a community for fellowship, healing, growth and conversation.
“My Everything” by Melynda Van Zee Ankeny Art Center Ankeny, IA
There are many different responses we can choose when facing the multitude of changes, transitions, fears, and unrest that we have been dealt as a nation. One of the things I have decided to do is to choose creating and sharing art- focusing anew on creating beauty, joy, vibrant color, hope, and community.
“Emerging Through” by Melynda Van Zee
Ankeny Art Center Ankeny, IA
I’ve decided…
- to commit to picking up my brush again
- to commit to expressing my own creativity
- to commit to growth that comes from reflecting deep within
- to commit again to inspiring those around me to express the fullness their artistic creativity
With Passion,
Melynda
“Spheres of Completion” by Melynda Van Zee Ankeny Art Center Ankeny, IA