Plainfield Art League

Monday, March 16, 2009

ARTWORKS Gerardo Valerio Trigueros

March 15, 2009

By DENISE M. BARAN-UNLAND For The Herald News

Imagine the time it would take to paint the hair of 15 lions, strand by strand?

Yet it is time happily spent for Gerardo Valerio Trigueros, winner of multinational honors and awards during his 38-year career. He says he uses his paintbrushes to fight for the preservation of ecology, especially endangered wildlife.

"I work 12 to 18 hours a day and that is still not enough time for me to finish projects," Trigueros said. "I will need another two lives for me to finish the projects in my brain."

On March 28 and 29, Trigueros will host a two-day painting workshop at the Plainfield Art League. There, he will provide his students "recipes" for creating whatever subject matter they desire.

"I don't see myself as a teacher or a professor or a master. I'm a helper," Trigueros said. "Through my experiences I help my students develop many things that they had only dreamed to do. I think it's important for everybody to find their own subject."

Last summer, Trigueros won Best Painting at the Joliet Festival of the Arts.

Trigueros' interest in wildlife was fostered by his grandfather, Dr. Manuel Valerio, biologist, entomologist and naturalistic studies professor, who often sent the young Trigueros and Trigueros' father into the Costa Rican rainforest to collect specimens for his studies.

Then, at age 9, Trigueros officially became recognized as an artist when he won a contest with his drawing of Costa Rican ex-president Jesus Jimenez.

Later, at the University of Costa Rica, Trigueros excelled in art, including drawing, painting, sculpture, xylography (wood engraving) and engraving. He graduated with a bachelor's degree.

"I decided to paint animals in their environment and all my colleagues told me that I would die of starvation," Trigueros said. "At that time, no one in my country talked about the environment. Many times when I was starving I thought about quitting, but through the years I began to understand the passion I had for the work. It's a matter of love and of patience."

Trigueros creates artwork in two styles -- hyperrealistic and abstract -- and employs a variety of mediums to accomplish it. He paints in acrylic, oil and watercolor. He also creates sculpted pieces and pencil drawings and works in pastel.

His paintings are exhibited in the Costa Rican presidential palace and in government collections.

Others are on permanent exhibition at the Ministry of Education, Nature and Energy, Justice and Grace and in the collections of the National Bank of Costa Rica and University for Peace.

For more information, visit www.gerardovaleriotrigueros.com.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Chroma painting event at Plainfield Art League April 15, 2009

Atelier Interactive Professional Artists' Acrylics offer a truly unique and different acrylic formulation. In 2003, by rethinking the typical acrylic formulation methods, Jim Cobb - Artist, Educator and Paintmaker - designed an acrylic paint so revolutionary it now has a patent pending.

With Atelier Interactive Professional Artists' Acrylics, the artist controls the open time. Work can be done wet-in-wet by adding more moisture with a fine mist spray. Work can be done wet-over-dry by simply not adding moisture. One acrylic paint offers it all . . . . the benefit of a longer open time, and the convenience of rapid drying!

You can experience Atelier Interactive yourself and discover how it can transform your painting process. Be inspired by the ability to double your techniques!

A Chroma artist will introduce the product, speak to its features and benefits, and then get the attendees to begin painting. The Chroma artist facilitating the event will be available for questions and comment. This event is designed to be interactive and fun - giving us the opportunity to introduce the product and get people excited. Support materials include presentation boards and printed collateral. Chroma will supply the paint and mediums necessary. The attendees will supply their own surfaces, brushes, and associated materials.

Summary

Event Type: Workshop
Brands Used: Atelier Interactive.
Painting Styles: Landscape, Portrait, Still Life, Abstract, Nature.
Painting Mediums: Acrylic.
When: from 15-Apr-2009 to 15-Apr-2009, 6:00pm / 9:00pm
Where: Plainfield Art League, 24114 W Chicago St, Plainfield, Illinois 60544 across from the Village Green Park in downtown Plainfield
WEST of Rt 59, not east like it shows on some maps
Price: $0.00
Open to the public

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Herald News - Plainfield Briefs: Painting workshop

March 12, 2009

From Submitted Reports

PLAINFIELD -- Artist Gerardo Valerio Trigueros will host a two-day painting workshop at the Plainfield Art League, 24114 W. Chicago St.

The cost is $250; $50 will go to the art league. Spots must be reserved by Sunday. The balance is due the first day of the workshop.

For more information, call 815-436-4351.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

March 2009 Board Meeting Minutes

The Board of Directors meeting was attended by directors Mike Bessler, Cheryl Carman, Joe Hadamik, Sheryl Jones, Chairman, Tina Storey, Treasurer, and Christine Kohn, Secretary and by Jane Scheutz, a PAL member with experience with exhibiting work of individual artists.

Nominating Committee As required by PAL bylaws, a nominating committee was appointed to select of slate of officers and directors to announced to members at the April demo night. Christine Kohn and Tina Storey will serve on the committee.

Review of application and agreement for Featured Artist Exhibit. Proposed draft s of an application for individual artist s exhibits and the agreement to be signed by the featured artist were circulated to the board members prior to the meeting. Comments and changes were discussed including the following:

1. Title changed from" Individual" to "Featured" artist exhibit to allow for two members to share the allotted exhibit space for an exhibit month if the artists request it.

2. Members may exhibit once per year, unless there is no one on the waiting list for a desired month, in which case a member may have a second featured artist exhibit within the year.

3. Key deposit changed to $25. Fees for prime and non-prime months were confirmed.

4. Featured Artists may donate a portion of the proceeds of sales from his or her Featured Artist Exhibit and, if that is the intent , the featured artist is encouraged to advertise that intention by a sign displayed as part of the exhibit. Artists' donations of a percentage of exhibit proceeds will be acknowledged in the PAL Newsletter.

5. Featured Artist Exhibits will be announced at March demo and opened for applications for the remainder of 2009, with the first Featured Artist Exhibit beginning April 4, 2009. In case more than one artist requests the same month, names will be drawn from a hat to determine the featured artist for that month.

Copies of the revised application and agreement are attached.

Miscellaneous Items.

1. Clock near from door has been replaced. A bulletin board to be mounted over the water cooler will be donated and the monthly calendar of events will be posted.

2. Exhibit judges will continue to be recruited as they have been in the past. There will be only one judge per exhibit. Judges are not paid a fee.

3. The coming Renaissance exhibit will be judged by Gary Schirmer and awards will be made at the March 21 Exhibit Reception .

4. As decided at February meeting, the Exhibit Entry Form has been updated.

5. A list of March announcements was circulated for comments before being published.

Discussion of Credit Card / Paypal Use

The possible acceptance of credit cards for payment of membership dues and to sign up for classes and workshops was discussed. Further discussion will be had pending research into questions.

1. For PayPal, the cost is 3.4% of total or roughly $2 per transaction. There are no monthly fees regardless of usage. (No Paypal account is necessary in order to use any credit card.)

2. Determine how to handle the $2 transaction fee. Investigate how Illinois handles: a "handling fee"?

3. Develop forms for members to pay online for PAL membership and class registrations (for submitting personal info and payment options).

4. Work out procedures for instructors to accept credit cards for class registrations.

5. Need bank account information for PayPal to pay PAL.

6. If payment made on line, figure out how to indicate what payment is for (since payment is made on line and the registrations are sent by mail).

7. Determine how to let instructors know that payment has been received.

PAL Booth at Mayslake Art Fair (Oak Brook) July 25-26 As discussed at the February meeting, each Art League will be allowed to set up one booth free of charge. A brief discussion of the possible uses of such a booth included having members' work on display To proceed we need volunteers to manage this as a project and one person to manage the volunteers. As none of the board members are available to manage the project, a final announcement and call for volunteers will be made at the March 11 demo night.

Submitted by

Christine Kohn, Secretary

March 8, 2009

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Artists show off Best of the Best

March 5, 2009

By DENISE M. BARAN-UNLAND For The Herald News

Twenty Plainfield Art League members selected what they consider to be their best pieces for the first Best of the Best exhibit.

The exhibit, which features a variety of mediums including oil, watercolor and colored pencil, will be available for viewing through March 11 at the Plainfield Art League and Gallery.

Although the league regularly features member shows that are open to the public, this show is also the prelude to the Alliance of Fine Arts Best of the Best Show, which opens Sept. 19 at the Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook.

Because each of the 14 leagues that comprise the alliance can only submit 10 pieces of art to the show, PAL president Sheryl Jones said having their own show is a fun way to narrow down those selections.

"Last January we only had 39 members and we're up to over 60 now," Jones said. "Each member was asked to pick their very favorite piece of art for our show and each member could only enter one piece. Members can vote on their 10 favorite pieces."

Although every member had the opportunity to submit artwork for the PAL show, some, such as some of the students at PAL art classes, chose not to do so. One member who did not participate was Jones herself.

Jones usually does glass work, she said, and has just recently started painting. "I just don't feel I'm ready to exhibit yet," she said.

Nevertheless, the artists represented in this show are a mixture of professional artists accustomed to regularly exhibiting and artists who only occasionally publicly display their work, Jones noted.

This show is a means for the public to see the array of artistic talent that exists in the community.

"I'm astonished at the high caliber of art we're getting," Jones said. "The number of high-quality artists and entries has increased with every exhibit. If you have children, this is a great opportunity to introduce them to art in an accessible way."

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

2/4/09 Board of Directors Meeting Plainfield Art League

The Board of Directors meeting was attended by Mike Bessler, Cheryl Carman, Joe Hadamik, Sheryl Jones, Chairman, Tina Storey, Treasurer, and Christine Kohn, Secretary.

COMING EVENTS were discussed and information updated or confirmed for the following:

Artist's Swap Event Christine Kohn will organize and draft a communication piece to be circulated to members for a date to be determined. The swap will be for members only, and will include only art related items (art supplies and materials, books, videos, frames etc.).

Art drop-off for the AFA High School Senior's scholarship competition will be Feb 19 from 1pm to 9pm. Entry forms have been circulated. So far, only response has been from PNHS.

Gerardo Valerio Workshop The workshop has been rescheduled for March 28th and 29th. The fee for the two day workshop with be $250. The workshop will be added to the Class Schedule on the PAL website. Press releases have been handled.

Feb 21 - "RU in the Know" Workshop hosted by the AFA; group discount available. Registration encouraged. Sponsorships still available with opportunity to promote artist specific businesses.

Fundraising activities and community events were discussed to determine whether to participate: including St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 8); Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo (March 28); Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo (March 7); Eggstraordinary window painting (April 4 paint date for April 11 event); Springfest (May 15, 16,17) and Plainfield Fest (July 17, 18, 19).

It was decided that PAL would not participate in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, nor either of the business expos, based on costs and little potential benefit to PAL. Preliminary plans were made to participate in Eggstraordinary window painting, Springfest and Plainfield Fest.

Eggstraordinary window painting will be managed by Sheryl Jones. The "Adventures in Art" class will not meet on paint day (April 4), although the students will be encouraged to participate in painting windows. The art class will meet the following Saturday (April 11) during the Eggstraordinary event.

Springfest (May 15, 16, 17)

Registration fee for NFP's is $25; to participate NFP's may hand out literature, but must host one game or event that can also be a fundraiser. Face painting was suggested as a possible activity (Christine Kohn to price face paints.) Sheryl and Tina will survey contacts for appropriate price to charge. Volunteers will be needed for Friday, 5/15 in the gallery for student AP show opening (1), and for Saturday and Sunday (4 to face paint and 1 for gallery).

Note: Student AP show will be running concurrently in the Gallery. Installation will be May 14. Opening for students and parents will be May 15. Cupcakes and coffee to be served.

Plainfield Fest (July 17, 18, 19)

Registration fee and NFP participation rules same deal as Springfest. Face painting may again be the activity if successful at Springfest. Other suggested activities were tatoos (Oriental Trading Company a possible source), henna art, making coffee filter butterflies.

Art Show at Mayslake Peabody Estate (Oak Brook) (July 25, 26)

Each Art League will be allowed to set up one booth free of charge. A brief discussion of the possible uses of such a booth included having members' work on display (with exhibiting members present); exhibit Best of the Best selections; permit members to exhibit for a fee payable to PAL. To proceed we need volunteers to manage this as a project.

UPDATES ON PRIOR MATTERS

Funding: the Village of Plainfield is working on its budget now; an update on the Village's plan for continued funding of non-profit organizations is expected after the Village's budget meeting on 2/5/09.

Sponsor's Email: a draft proposal for ads to appear in PAL's newsletter was presented by Joe Hadamik. The PAL Newsletter will include a Sponsor's Page which will raise funds by charging fees for ads to appear for one year in a bi-monthly or possibly monthly newsletter. After discussion, the following price structure was decided for an annual fee: full page $1000;

1/2 page ad $500; 1/4 page ad $250; 1/8 page ad $100.

Status with instructors' W-9's and issuance of 1099's: The Board unanimously approved the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that all instructors of classes or workshops conducted on behalf of Plainfield Art League must submit a complete and signed W-9 (or W-8 for foreign instructors) before a class will be scheduled beginning January 2009.

Exhibit Art Not Picked Up: following review of prior discussions on the problem of artists not picking up exhibited art work on the pickup date or within a reasonable time afterwards, the Board unanimously approved the following resolution:

RESOLVED, that the following policy is adopted and shall be noted on all exhibit forms: "Artwork that is not picked up within10 days of the designated pickup date will become the property of Plainfield Art League and may be disposed of at PAL's discretion."

NEW BUSINESS

Individual Member Exhibits: The possibility of individual members exhibiting and selling their work was discussed. Two areas in the gallery could be made available at a relatively small cost. Schedules, fees to be charged, and the responsibilities of the artist and PAL were suggested. Tina Storey and Christine Kohn will begin drafting forms for these exhibits which we may be ready to begin March or April, 2009. Although handling exhibit times will be first come first served, the first schedule will be determined by some fair method like drawing names and months from a hat.

Open House for Exhibits: A member brought up the idea of holding an Open House for the opening a each new exhibit. Members could come and bring guests to show off their artwork. Plainfield TVcould be invited. New volunteers to manage this would be needed.

OTHER BUSINESS

Prices for Artwork: Although PAL does not sell artwork, artists will be contacted on request of an interested buyer. Beginning with the March exhibit, space to enter the price of each piece will be provided on the exhibit entry form, on the card identifying the work in the exhibit, and on the exhibit log.

Expanding Exhibit Area: The price of purchasing moulding to increase the wall exhibit space was discussed and tabled pending outcome of Village's budgeting decisions.

Cleaning and Organizing Studio: Volunteers will be recruited to clean and organize.

Lighting: An electrician provided by the landlord will be working on removing the fans and installing new fixtures to improve the overhead lighting.

Submitted by:

Christine Kohn, Secretary

February 9, 2009

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

December 10 - Demonstration by Gerardo Valerio

Mr. Valerio's Artist Profile

Getting an early start at only 9 years old, Gerardo won an art contest in his school with his painting of a past Costa Rican President. He developed an early interest in the rich flora and fauna of his rainforest homeland. Having an eminent biologist grandfather helped Gerardo gain intimate knowledge of the many species of plants and animals in his country, Costa Rica, and the world at large. The artist completed his University degree with studies concentrating in painting, drawing and sculpture skills. As years progressed, he perfected these skills in what is known as the hyper-realistic shcool of painting.

What is hyperrealism - from Louis K. Meisel, published in New York in 1980 - from Photorealsim

The hyperrealist style focuses much more of its emphasis on details and the subjects. Hyperreal paintings and sculptures are not strict interpretations of photographs, nor are they literal illustrations of a particular scene or subject. Instead, they utilize additional, often subtle, pictorial elements to create the illusion of a reality which in fact either does not exist or cannot be seen by the human eye. Furthermore, they may incorporate emotional, social, cultural and political thematic elements as an extension of the painted visual illusion; a distinct departure from the older and considerably more literal school of Photorealism

With his expertise in both physiology and representation of light, Gerardo has become known as a modern pioneer in this style, bringing him acclaim both in his country and in the greater American hemisphere.

Gerardo's paintings permanently hang in the Presidential Palace, museums and public buildings of Costa Rica. He won the First Latin American Duck Stamp Competiton, with the commemorative issued in 1992. He was chosen to represent his homeland at the Ibero-American Embassy Art Exhibition at the State Street Gallery of Robert Morris College last fall in Chicago. He has had several one man art shows in Northern Illinois in the past year.

In February of 2008 Gerardo presented an exhibit at the National Gallery in Costa Rica. After which he was awarded an honorable mention at the Municipal Art League of Chicago, Bienniel Competition. This last summer brought

him more awards; the best of painting at the Catigny Art Festival, the best of painting at the Joliet Masters Art Festival, and the best of show at the Lincolnshire Art Show.

In addition to his teaching schedule, he continues to garner major commissions on a local and international scale.