Sample of play and fun with the Stroke of Genius Game. Our juror has difficulty with what direction a plane should be drawn and then ends up with the boot! Who knew "Transportation" could be this much fun!

Sample of play and fun with the Stroke of Genius Game. Our juror has difficulty with what direction a plane should be drawn and then ends up with the boot! Who knew "Transportation" could be this much fun!

A few months back I applied for Junction City Arts Council’s Premier Artist Search 2009. It was the type of contest that, like every other art contest… subjective. It is healthy to occasionally subject yourself to criticism as an artist and my hope was for the minor entry fee to get feedback from professionals with fresh eyes. I was successful in that endeavor but it has put me in a quandary for the last few days because I received the coveted feedback. Let me start a out telling you what I received.

Three art professionals were asked to critique the work. Two are unidentified and one gracefully put her critique on letterhead. There were 4 categories for the judges to respond to: Professionalism and technical skills, Originality, Clarity of Style and Overall presentation. Each with a scale of 1 to 5 – making it possible for a high score of 20.

The first unnamed juror was extremely lean on their comments… Nothing on Professionalism?? On Creativity “I have seen similar work before.” (I am really wondering if they haven’t see MY work before.)  On Clarity of Style “I see two styles in this body of work & I believe the florals show stronger.” Then Overall: “I see the floral as a much stronger form for marketability. Finally, overall score given 12.5  (Ok so I see their point, did wonder where they had seen bald headed yellow nudes in ....Kansas.... though… Maybe just concentrated on the florals. Overall, I am dissatisfied with my feedback from the juror… Money wasted here?)....

The second unnamed juror was a bit more insightful. Score marked hand written on top “10” --- oops! “As the artist points out in her statement, the images presented reflect at least three distinct series. While all three have their virtues, the problem is that they are too distinct – so much so that it is hard to see the imprint of one artist on the total body of work. I prefer the simplicity and material usage in the “Kansas Wildflower” series. They are unpretentiously presented, beautifully colored and skillfully rendered. Other than the entire body of work being figurative and brightly colored, it’s hard to discern obvious or even subtle connections. While it isn’t necessarily a weakness to work in such seemingly disparate series, it does make it hard for the viewer to fairly assess or even find the underlying aesthetic of the artist. Some work appears too illustrative, perhaps even appropriate for a children’s book. (Clear concise, constructive. But I’m still wondering if my Tarot series or my nudes are for children’s books, maybe it’s just a right mind type of thing.)....

Finally the last critique… worth the entry fee… This one was an identified local gallery owner.

Professionalism and Technical Skills: 4

Comments: Michelle appears to be a really good commercial artist. She has a strong grasp of style, form and function. I am not sure I buy her philosophy, but I am happy to see a strong point of view. In viewing her collectors, I see a list of people that I also respect and have shared as clients through the years. It makes me believe that there is more to Michelle than we are seeing here.

Originality: 4

Comments: Her work is a little trite. I think I would like to see her open herself up to more risk taking. She has a good sense of color and use of color in juxtaposition to design. She pulls both components off seamlessly.

Clarity of Style: 5

Comments: Very clear style and direction; almost too commercial. I would advise her to stay away from the floral work. It has been overdone and there are people that do it much better than she does. If she was in my artist stable I would push her to experiment more with color and form and strive for cutting edge subject matter…. Oh the last sentence, I so much want clarity on that statement.....

Overall: 5

Comments: The talent is there. She is a very good artist. But, I would push her to let go of herself and express the miracle that may be inside her. I believe that there is much more she can be doing that may surprise even her… Good News! Overall this critique filled with thoughtful criticism definitely made it worth the fee. ....

Oh, the quandary…. Florals or no Florals but cutting edge subject matter. Ahhh, I must remember where I am and that these professionals also live where I do and if I was successful and receiving comment from a professional from the east or west coast… I am sure that my critiques would have a completely different feel, not to mention if I ask my neighbor for her opinion.

But my biggest and most haunting statement was “cutting edge subject matter” Surely it’s more than throwing some stuff together and calling it Steve…. I live in ....Kansas...., in the center of the Bible Belt, this is where my current market is. For the most part, as artists our work is a reflection of our inner being, the environment we live in and our various skills.

It is important to meet your market and I fail to do that locally with all of my series except my florals so they are here to stay for the time being. But, I love my other pieces as well. I completely understand that the majority of my local market will not appreciate them and may not even understand them. These scream at me time to time to be created so then to stay sane I must oblige. In order to finance my work with sales and until my market expands beyond the ..Midwest.. my work will continue down a few different paths. I don’t believe I am the only artist in history with this quandary.  

I guess what I need to walk away with is the realization that as an artist we are in a regular flux of growth and expansion. Maybe I do need to let go of myself and just let it flow. I am sure in time my work will merge into something that may surprise even me. Who knows where these thoughts may lead… sounds like a new adventure.

I just wish I knew what “cutting edge subject matter” is exactly… Where is Picasso when you want to ask him a question? LOL  If you know the answer please enlighten me… I need to know!

I am not sure why I chose to paint these Pale Poppy Mallows at this time. Maybe I needed a break from my Echinacea. I remember photographing this set. I took several pictures trying to get the right angle and lighting to capture their character. They are grouped in protection but still hold their own personality. This set makes me think of the closeness of my family of three and individual growth that is safely nurtured in our home. This trio of Pale Poppy Mallows is presented with a blue-green background.

For additonal details go to My Website

Before I get to the exhibit announcement... here is a little interesting story about this show.

A couple of weeks ago, I assisted my friend and mentor, Barbara Waterman Peters layout her new self-published book "Baci." We spent a few hours creating an awsome little book of essays, poems and art about her demon cat on a program called "Book Smart" provided for self publishing ..b.com. It was a fun project! I recommend the book as well!

After finishing the book, I showed Barbara the Feminine Desert book that I had been dinking with in Book Smart for the last few months. I don't know why it had gotten stuffed to the "later" box but it only had a few changes to be ready for publishing. She advised me strongly to get that book finished and out on the web as soon as possible.

Ok, I'll admit, it the project remained where it was (I'll blame it on the Holidays taking up time...) until, Thursday evening... It is now up online Feminine Desert: Paintumentary What spurred such action? Well... I was asked to exhibit the entire series!

And wait there is so much more to the story!

I was contacted on Thursday by Christine from Sun Resort Tanning and Fitness looking to exhibit artwork in her business. I was recommended through a local arts promotion and grant organization called Arts Connect Topeka. As I was replying to her email and suggesting my Feminine Desert Series for her location I decided that I should pull the pieces down from the attic where they are stored to inspect them. They really needed to be looked at before I made a commitment

After sending the email off, I crawled toward the back of attic I noticed that the recently stored Christmas boxes were WET! In near panic I tossed those boxes to the left and right. There was a leak in our roof dangerously close to my art storage area. I called to my husband and he quickly assisted me in bringing every piece of art in the area down for further investigation. I can't express my relief, the boxes that the pieces had been stored in did get damp but the framed artwork was relatively unscathed!

It's wild how events come together serendipitously! We discovered a leak in the roof early enough it did little damage to the roof, my artwork was saved from destruction, I finished my Feminine Desert book as recommended, and I got a new exhibit! All from one simple email inquiry.... can I say it... WOW!

So, Now about the show

Sun Resort Tanning and Fitness presents Feminine Desert: Paintumentary by local Artist Michelle Leivan.

The exhibit will open on January 2, 2009 during the First Friday Art Walk 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Sun Resort Tanning and Fitness at the 1301 Gage location in Topeka, Kansas and will run through the month of February.

The imagery, commentary and call to action that Feminine Desert presents is for young women to find love within rather than seeking approval from others. The message encourages the seeking of inner beauty which will only enhance the great looks the customers reap through Sun Resort Tanning and Fitness' services.

About the Series: "Feminine Desert: Paintumentary" is a series of paintings and prose based on the perception duality many young women present to the world. The conflict of the independence they believe they portray versus the true co-dependency they actually exhibit to the world, a contradiction they are too often unable to recognize.Each piece is dominated by abstract human figures. The pallet used allows expression of the human form in a multicultural, non-ethnic specific tone, capturing the universal aspect of humanity. Notable the use of color creates a striking contrast to the expected outcome in portraiture.

Michelle Leivan has also self-published her second book featuring the entire Feminine Desert series with paintings and prose available online through her website link "Books" at http://www.michelleleivan.com/.

The Inspiration: As young women I watched my sister-in-laws struggle with co-dependency issues. I believe many young women, including myself, at some point in our lives have a tendency to please others and are eager for self sacrifice and believe we are happy if the people in our lives are happy with us.

My in-laws and I spent many evenings in long discussions about their relationship choices and their desire to define themselves through other's eyes. I ached to witness their lives filled with disappointment and tough affairs of the heart. I sought relief and turned to my art to sort out my own anguish I began painting the series.

One evening I was nearly done with the current twenty pieces and I had another long night talking about relationship disillusionment with one of these young women. During the drive home I mulled over the long debates. I found my inspiration to complete the series. As soon as I got home, in a flurry of creativity wrote all of the accompanying prose for this series. What developed was an intricate intertwining of imagery, prose and use of anagram within each title to create a message which mimics the complexity of co-dependency. I hope that the message will encourage women of all ages to find love within and discover their inner freedom and beauty.

For more information about Michelle Leivan and to view the series online with prose please go to The Originals link at http://www.michelleleivan.com/.

For more information about Sun Resort Tanning and Fitness please contact Christine Hogan, Business Development, 785-783-8666 http://www.sunresorts.net/, christy@sunresorts.net

In the last couple of weeks I was asked to be the Art Director of the Aaron Douglas Art Fair. It's a wonderful community event here in Topeka. In the last couple of days it has come to my attention that many artists do not have a booth and some are intimidated to make one.

I designed my booth years ago and it has served me well. If you have simple construction skills, such as being able build and stretch a canvas, you can build a booth. I have made a PDF that explains my design which is compact and easy to construct from common materials at the lumber yard.

My booth design is a simple Plastic Lattice Design the final size of the lattice work is a 3 sided 8' x 8' lattice frame. With basic construction skills you should be able to create it in an afternoon. Some advantages of this design are: the lattice work allows for breeze to flow through on hot summer days. When used with the 10'x10' gazebo (typical space allowed at art fairs) your artwork is inside enough that if you have a light rain it will be somewhat protected.

If you are interested in building this style of booth here is the PDF link.Simple Art Booth Design. This is the exact design I used to build my own art booth so I know it works and is sturdy enough to hold medium to light weight artwork. It has lasted years even though I store it outside exposed to the weather. I accept no liability on construction or design. You build at your own risk.

I thought I'd share on this blog a very personal and emotionally charged series of paintings. The following several posts will involve this series but here is some background on the pieces. These pieces are older than the flower series I am currently working on, but I thought you would enjoy these too.

"Celestial Correspondence" by artist Michelle Leivan, is a series of paintings which are a product of a spiritual search spurred by the war in Iraq. This work documents her reactions to the complex social and emotional environments of the absence of her husband, Captain Lenard (Chuck) Leivan of the 2/130 FA, who recently returned from a 12 month deployment in Baghdad. Michelle's abstract nudes capture the private conflict and attitudes that women face with an abrupt and undesired separation.

Pride opposed by desire, Michelle refused to be crushed during this separation, a refuge was found in documentation of her private struggle through painting. Within the subtle essence of facial expression and gesture, Michelle invites you to find the empathy and understanding of a soldier's wife's inner voyage during this time of great national importance.

I just got confirmation for a new one person show!

Location: New City Cafe (Gage Center, Topeka)

Event Dates: 10/1/2008 - 10/31/2008

Reception: 10/1/2008 • 4:30 - 6:00

New City Cafe

4005 SW Gage Center Drive Topeka, KS 66604-1831

Phone: 785.271.8646

Michelle Leivan unveils new paintings in the"Celestial Correspondence" Series which are dominated by abstract female nudes inspired by the complex social and emotional soul searching which developed during the deployment of her husband. This two part series completed during two Iraqi tours documents the artist's inner dialogue and is a celebration to the long anticipated return of her husband later in the month.

Leivan's enduring subject is the female form with a subversive twist on the classic nude. Stripping the figure of the culturally significant cues of beauty, she dares the viewer to find the subtle essence of facial expression and gesture. Michelle's unexpected pallet provides a multicultural, non-ethnic specific tone which captures the universal aspects of femininity.

Also for the adventurous at heart... WINE TASTINGS First Wednesday October from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. Come taste four different wines for only $10.