Artist R.L. Gibson

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Artist R.L. Gibson

Category: Artist R.L. Gibson

DESIGNS: The Dark Slide

Posted on by R.L. Gibson

Progress continues…

Thanks to Zumiez (Sevierville) & Headquarters Skateshop (Knoxville), I have decks for The Dark Slide project sponsored by the Dubuque Area Arts Collective. They are in the midst of being sanded, primed & gesso’d. But, in the meantime, I finished the initial designs, left to right — London Calling, México Floración & Miami Reclining. (continues below)

Designs by Artist R.L. Gibson for The Dark Slide exhibit in Dubuque, Iowa!

These designs are meant to be a study in iconography and how it connects us to times & places entirely personal.  The London Eye, an umbrella and bowler hat, sugar skulls, flowers & mattress ticking, Deco-era waves, a bikini & seaweed.

Safe, but personal –the psychology of iconography.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

BEFORE: The Dark Slide

Posted on by R.L. Gibson

How excited am I?

My decks have arrived.  Special thanks goes out to Zumiez (Sevierville, TN) & Headquarters Skateshop (Knoxville, TN) for hooking me up with decks for my new project for The Dark Slide sponsored by the Dubuque Area Arts Collective. (continues below)

Skate Decks for The Dark Slide project by Artist R.L. Gibson sponsored by Dubuque Area Arts Collective!

The next step is to get them sanded, primed & gesso’d for illustration transfers.  I kind of hate to sand them down because they already look pretty rad even in their current state.  But, I just gotta.  In addition to being a great art project for me, it is also a benefit for a new skatepark in Dubuque, Iowa.

Stay tuned for updates on
The Dark Slide project!

♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦

Site Consults.

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Learn more about getting a Website Consultation from RL Gibson from the Arts and Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville! How do YOU look?

I am thrilled to be back for another round of Professional Development Seminars over the next few months at The Emporium Center on behalf of the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville (KAA).  As a regular juror and artist consultant, I see A LOT of artists’ websites.  Most of them are adequate, but only about 10% of them truly represent artists the way they want to be perceived by jurors, gallerists & buyers.  It is my hope that some of you will take advantage of “Website Consultations for Individual Artists” on November 18, 2015.  Here’s what KAA has to say about it…

“The Arts & Culture Alliance is pleased to present a professional development opportunity for artists and other creative people at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville.  How is your website doing?  Consider this the artist’s version of a parent/teacher conference and get helpful feedback and suggestions for improving your website. Book a consultation and review with R.L. Gibson, artist & Editor of artandartdeadlines.com, a quirky, art-themed site offering FREE resources to artists.  She will analyze your website in advance, compile a written analysis and then meet with you individually at a scheduled time on November 18, 2015.

Fees are on a sliding scale: $25 (15-minutes), $45 (30 minutes) & $85 (60 minutes*). The length of time scheduled will determine the length & detail of the written report and depth of detail in the suggested improvements. *Full hour consultations may offer the opportunity to make on-the-spot changes.  Written reports are only available if your spot is reserved by November 9th.  To reserve your spot today or for more information, please contact Suzanne at 865-523-7543 or sc@knoxalliance.com.”

Please visit the
Arts & Culture Alliance site
for add’l information!

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Composition.

Posted on by R.L. Gibson

Here’s a glimpse of a side project I shot for Pat K. Thomas from Seen My Marbles. (continues below)

Paper purses created by Pat K Thomas --photo by Artist RL Gibson

Pat is one of the uber-talented artists at the Cliff Dwellers Gallery in Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community in Gatlinburg, TN.  Are YOU interested in an opportunity to take classes from Pat on marbling paper or silk?  Or even making these fantastic paper purses?

Then be sure to follow Seen My Marbles on Facebook!

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Cosel & Hellia.

Posted on by R.L. Gibson

Earlier this Summer…

I was approached by author Annette E. Neumann about illustrating her upcoming book, Songs of the North Series: Short Stories inspired by history of Northern Europe. Because these are stories lost, I thought a minimalist, silhouetted approach with intricate patterned detail offered plenty of space for the reader to fill in the gaps of place and time that make stories feel personal. (continues below)

"Cosel on Horseback" & "Hellia at Campfire"--illustrations by Artist R.L. Gibson

This book in the series is slated to contain four stories.  I have finished 6 illustrations for the first story, “Pestilence”, and I thought I would share a little sneak preview.  The book will be published in trade-size format 6″ x 9″, but the  original illustrations are 12″ x 18″.  Prints may be available once the book is released.  I am excited to tackle the additional illustrations.

Stay tuned for add’l information about
the book release & print availability!

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Chastity: The Mermaid

Posted on by R.L. Gibson

SECOND CHANCES

The image of Chastity: The Mermaid from my Psychomachia series has resonated with viewers over & over.  It was the first piece of that series to sell, and prints have been a best-sellers.  This series reinterprets the Seven Deadly Sins & the Seven Holy Virtues as sideshow “freaks” from the circuses & fairs of yesteryear–nature’s artwork, if you will.   (continues below)

Chastity the Mermaid by RL Gibson
Chastity: The Mermaid by Artist R.L. Gibson, 24″ x 24″ Xerography on Canvas

I sought to honor the sideshow freak as the masque form of the very best and very worst of humanity, regardless of individual morality.  This work is wrapped in a celebration of the possibilities of digital media & rejects the pervasive sort of embarrassment of digital alteration in photography.  The use of square canvases in Psychomachia is meant to echo the pixel of which all digital images are comprised.

The collector that purchased this piece has been kind enough over the years to loan it back to me so that it could be shown several more times after the purchase.  Due to an odd twist of fate, this piece is available for purchase again.

If you are interested in owning
Chastity: The Mermaid,
please contact me via Facebook or email.

The pieces is currently located in Gatlinburg, TN; however, I am happy to ship the work as well.

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Postponed.

Posted on by R.L. Gibson

Ice storm in KnoxvilleBETTER SAFE…

Due to the expected sub-zero temperatures and current treacherous road conditions, the Knoxville Arts & Culture Alliance has postponed the “How to Price Your Art” workshop scheduled for Wednesday, February 18.  The Alliance will be in touch about rescheduling. If you have already paid, you’ll have the option for a refund or a credit toward the rescheduled date.  We appreciate your understanding!

Be safe & stay warm…

Pricing Seminar

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Cut Throat & Heart Breaker by Artist R.L. Gibson
RESERVE A SPOT
today…

The Arts & Culture Alliance (Knoxville, TN) is pleased to present a professional development seminar for artists and other creative people at the Emporium Center in downtown Knoxville.  Join us on Wednesday, February 18th at noon as we welcome R.L. Gibson, artist and Editor of ArtAndArtDeadlines.com, a quirky, art-themed blog offering FREE resources to artists.  She will talk about how beginning artists can learn to price their work competitively while helping the more experienced artist avoid the most common pitfalls of emotional pricing.

Having a hard time selling your work?

 

Let’s figure out why – together. The presentation is free for members of the Arts & Culture Alliance and $5 for non-members.  Please register in advance via PayPal, by phone at 865-523-7543, or by e-mail to sc@knoxalliance.com. *Note: This is a high-attendance presentation.  Make your reservation today!

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Choices.

Posted on by R.L. Gibson

BECAUSE YOU ASKED..

So many of you have asked me about my preference in colored gesso.  I have pretty standard preferences in gel medium (Liquitex) and acrylic paint (Golden).  I find that an art supply is usually popular for a reason.  But occasionally, I find favorites by accident. (continues below)

First coat of gesso, Carmine by Holbein

I’ve spent years contemplating the addition of color and texture to my xerography, but all experiments have failed to impress.  Xerography, by my method, is tricky and inflexible.  Holbein to the rescue.  Lots of the big name manufacturers offer white, black & gray gesso.  But the 22 colors offered by Holbein make my heart sing (non-affiliate link). Did I mention that the packaging helps you squeeze out every last drop and makes mixing a dream? LOVE.  Carmine is my favorite.  I’ve added my first coats of gesso in prep for transfer…then paint.

Stay tuned…

♥

Experiments Continue.

Posted on by R.L. Gibson

MORE COLOR

I have spent a lot of years working with an absence of color.  Black & white photography has and continues to be the cornerstone of my work.  In 2014, I opened Do I Know You with every piece featuring hand-drawn background patterns to that same b&w photography.  But, as I continue to move toward a new series, Better Than Figs, I can seem unable to avoid color. (continues below)

Transfer experiments from Artist R.L. Gibson!

I’ve been experimenting with both color and b&w photography on both white and colored gesso (examples above).  I’ve also been testing out other transfer mediums.  In the end, colored gesso will likely find a place in my work.

Stay tuned!