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INSIDE LEGACY

From the Director

From the Editor

FEATURED ARTIST

Pat Jeffers

Signatures

Balancing Business

Book Review and Releases

Carol Santora:The Color of Cows”

Word Catalyst Magazine-Suzie Seerey-Lester

Legends of the Hunt-John Seerey-Lester

Tourist News-Carol Santora

A Sacred Source-A Portrait of the Ganges-David Rankin

Pastel Notes, Overview of the Soft Pastel Medium-Carol Santora

Featured Article

Susan Fox

Applause-Members in the News

Starving Artist‟s Recipe

On the Home Front

SKB Legacy News

ISSUE #13-FALL 2009

FROM THE DIRECTOR-PAM DEAN CABLE RavenSable@aol.com

In this issue, please enjoy the success of many of our SKB family. As you can see, they are busy in many

amazing ways including writing books, hosting TV shows ,and traveling the world for conservation.

Informative articles may guide you to a new look in your signature, or entice you to try pastels. It‟s always

great to get to know one of our artists better. This issue, we feature Pat Jeffers. Try the „starving artist‟ recipe

then send us one of your own for a future issue.

Please remember us when you have something you would like to share whether it‟s art-related or not.

Send your news and photos to our editor, Nancy Foureman, link below.

Remember to write and just say “Howdy”.

FROM THE EDITOR-NANCY FOUREMAN E-mail: foureman@embarqmail.com

As fall becomes a memory and winter makes its preliminary announcements we

can reflect on our accomplishments and challenges this past quarter. In September

we gathered in Dubois WY for our 8th

annual workshop/art conference. In many

ways, the challenges of a bad economy made this event even more important that

usual. Connecting to other artists for support, information and study bolstered

everyone‟s spirits. Laughter, friendship, inspiring classes, and first-class cuisine

recharged batteries

SKB has brought to all of us involved, insight and inspiration, each year

renewing our profession with new ideas and examples of excellence. Once again

an opportunity is being offered to all of us to exhibit what we have learned and

how we see the world around us through composition, color, and knowledge of a

very special subject-the subject of flowers. Blossom II is once again being

prepared to showcase the work of artists that excel in various media, styles, and

schools of expression.

“I can not paint a flower…but maybe in terms of paint color, I can convey to

you my experience of the flower or the experience that makes the flower of

significance to me at that particular time.”

…………..Georgia O‟Keefe

American, born 1887

Handsome Boy

320-260508 Hand-dyed reed and vine rattan, hand-braided fabric, coir, mule deer antler 17"ht, 14" dia.

FEATURED ARTIST

PAT JEFFERS

Unlike those many artists who can remember coloring or drawing at an early age, Pat Jeffers grew up with

virtually no exposure to the arts. She should never have considered herself creative or artistic. She was a career

woman in the field of higher education, and as Associate Director of Continuing Education at Radford University

in Radford, VA, she developed a program for adult learners returning to college to complete a baccalaureate

degree.

“In 1989 after marrying her husband Jack, a fine art

photographer, they began attending some art shows with his

photography. In April 1990 while at such a show in Greensboro, NC,

Pat met a wicker basket maker who was demonstrating the process.

As she remembers it, “I was bored. It was a Friday and attendance

was low. Watching Jerry Maxey work asking some questions started

off being just something to do. But by the end of the day something

else had happened. When I went back to the motel with Jack, I told

him I was going to quit my job at the university and become a basket

maker—this from a person with no art background who had never

even tried to make a basket in her life! Bless my husband; he didn‟t

laugh and he didn‟t try to change my mind.”

Desert Window

That was April and in June, Pat did indeed quit her job. She‟d spent

the last two days of that show gleaning as much information as she

could, went home, ordered some supplies and a book and taught herself

to weave. Now in her 20th

year as an award-winning basket maker she‟s

found that artistic side that was just waiting to come forward.

I began showing my artistic basketry at art shows in major cities in

the East and in the Ohio valley in 1990. While still living in Virginia, I

realized that I could go beyond traditional techniques and basket forms

to a woven expression of that region‟s landscape and heritage. As an

artist, that realization offered exciting possibilities to put my

imagination to work. Since moving West I have stretched further on

that artistic path. Now as I weave I seek to share my passion for the

West: the undulating, vast expanse of land, the bold splashes of

wildflowers against the muted backdrop of the desert, the solitude and

the ever-present sage-twisted, rugged symbol of the struggle for life in

the high plains.

One highlight in my career was learning that I was the recipient of

the coveted Wyoming Arts Council Visual Arts Fellowship Award for

2002. The judges who selected my work noted not only its fine

craftsmanship, but also its internal artistic cohesiveness. They indicated

that it was the work of a mature artist with a clearly developed voice, or

style. In March, 2004, ART TALK magazine featured me in an article

as an “Artist Worth Watching”.

We are artists...

a fine art photographer,

a weaver and painter.

In the graceful elegance of a black and white photograph, in the colors and flow of artistic baskets and

sculptures, we share with you our perceptions of the world around us.

CONTINUED- PAT JEFFERS

Hand-dyed reed and vine rattan, hand-

braided fabric, coir, mule deer antler

17"ht, 14" dia.

200-490905 Hand-dyed reed and natural reed, sea grass cord 19"ht, 18" dia.

460-030106 Hand-dyed reed, hand-braided fabric, sea grass cord, and mule deer antler 20"ht, 20" w, 20" deep

Pat Jeffers...Artistic Basketry and Fiber Sculptures

Recent News and Representation: Pat's newest gallery is the

Toklat Gallery in Basalt, CO (near Aspen). She was one of the

featured artists at a gala event on June 16 celebrating the

gallery's 60th anniversary. www.toklatgallery.com

A new sculpture by Pat--San-Sui 1--was part of a group show

at Galleries West in Jackson WY during June. The show is

entitled "New Beginnings" and it truly is a new beginning for

Pat as the sculpture is the first that she has not only woven,

but also on which she has done an oriental-style landscape

painting. The second in the San-Sui series is on display at

Toklat Gallery.

You can also follow Pat's work on Facebook.

Pat's work can be seen at:

Galleries West in Jackson, WY

Toklat Gallery in Basalt, CO

Tierra Montana Gallery in Las Cruces, NM

www.jeffersfineart.com

B

B

B

B

Have you given much thought to your signature? Signatures say so much about the character of a

painter. It is usually the last thing a painters does to signify that this work of art is finished and is

approved by the artist. It has come to my attention several times that the comments I get most often

about my painting at an exhibition are about my signature. Maybe it is due to the lack of words to

express how they feel about my painting; but often I get the sense that the observer can read

something about me in how I have signed my name. Wrestling with capital letters occupied my

signature for several years; the “F” seems too blocky and awkward for a work of art, not much

rhythm. It seemed to be too high on the line and the “N” was of no help in creating the desired sway.

Finally it came to me; don’t use capital letters, only then did I achieve a signature that was

comfortable and expressed the right attitude.

The signatures below are samples of the many styles possible in creating just the right look an

artist wants at the bottom, at the side, at the top of the painting. Well, it seems there is another

decision to be made before the work of art is truly finished. Perhaps letters are not what you want;

will a symbol work? Orientals use a stamp called a “chop”. Usually created by someone else in

honor of the artist.

Letters that are very straight and precise may be accurate for one signature; however, another set

of letters may call for flourishes that are extreme.

Work on your signature until it says just the right thing about you.

SIGNATURES

H O M E R

chop

BALANCING BUSINESS

AND THE CREATIVE NEED Photo and Text-Nancy Foureman

Have you ever enjoyed a movie or laughed at a joke when nobody else really got it? By

the same token, it can be disheartening when you invest vast amounts of creative energy

and time into a piece of artwork that you are truly proud of, and the public replies

with……..silence. Maybe you‟ll get a shoulder shrug, a raised brow or a disingenuous

compliment. Mediocre admiration (or lack thereof) doesn‟t allow an artist to continue his or

her business efforts from a financial standpoint. If no one buys the work the artist still has to

pay the bills.

Creating a beautiful piece of art that others feel passionately about can be a daunting

task. Sculptors must find what beauty is to them and then portray it in a form, size, gesture

and texture that inspires and touches others as well. There is a delicate balance of what

artists express in their work and what the collector desires. There are sculptors who will

start out saying they‟ll make what they want regardless of whether people like it or buy it. I

understand this heartfelt (et naïve) creative drive, but I also know that it must be tempered

to a certain extent.

Before the artistic puritans get too distraught, let me explain. If my first inclination is to

sculpt a scene of lions attacking a herd, there are a few things I should consider first.

Violence usually doesn‟t sell well in art. So, I would stay true to my original theme, but I‟d

temper it with marketing in mind. Instead of a pride of lions attacking wildebeests, I‟d

sculpt a pride in tall grass approaching some unseen prey. This still offers a story but lacks

the details that could turn off potential buyers, hence, balance is achieved. There is always

an artist that goes out on a limb and is successful, even wins huge awards. Consider if this

is the everyday sale, weigh what is important to you.

A painting of four daughters, most of which are

in the dark has been published in so many art books,

I can‟t count. Make sure you are as good as John

Singer Sargent, before making the decision to put

your client‟s children in the dark. Perhaps that one

piece you are making for competition will fill your

need to be rebellious and then ask your client what

he would prefer. Conversation with a client will

almost always reveal where they will put their

money.

This painting is exhibited in the Museum of Fine

Art, Boston MA and is now proudly flanked by the

very vases in this painting. It is a grand display and

the proud possession of the museum.

The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit

John Singer Sargent 1882

Oil on Canvas

87 x 87

Museum of Fine Art-Boston MA

Kennebunk, ME - Everyone has different associations with cows,

but does anyone really see the cow? Santora Fine Art is pleased to

announce the release of their first fine art publication: „Carol

Santora: The Color of Cows‟. Santora‟s catalog celebrates cows; it‟s

an explosion of color and an impressive collection of forty pastel

paintings selected from Santora‟s extensive cow-painting portfolio.

The full color, soft cover catalog is priced at only $19.95 plus

shipping, measures 7"x7" and is printed in the USA on premium

glossy paper.

Some of the cattle breeds included are the famous Oreo cookie Belted

Galloways, plus Holsteins, Herefords, Scottish Highlanders, Black

Angus, Jerseys and Guernseys.

The official launch of the book was held in conjunction with the 17th

Annual Open Farm Day, July 26th

. The fine art catalog is available at

Santora Fine Art, 23 Fletcher St, Kennebunk, and through Santora‟s

website: www.carolsantora.com. A preview of the book is also

available online. Contact Carol at 207-985-2830 for a personalized

copy!

“Carol Santora: The Color of Cows”

COVER

Carol Santora

23 Fletcher Street

Kennebunk, ME 04-43

207-985-2830

Santora@carolsantora.com

Tastes Awful

PASTEL

“I shut my eyes in order to see.”…….Eugene-Henri-Paul Gauguin

\

JOHN and SUZIE

SEEREY-LESTER

.

Vol. 3 No 2 2009

Now John Seerey-Lester has taken another temporary step back in time to the early

1900s to capture the golden age of the White Hunter and the heritage of hunting in

North America and Africa.Seerey-Lester’s images have a mysterious,

mystical appeal, directly related to his ability to paint the unusual.

Wildlife Art Magazine

March/April 2008 - "Great Art - It's All in the Family

Suzie Seerey-Lester was the featured artist in Word Catalyst Magazine-September Issue 2009

To view the magazine click on: www.wordcatalystmagazine.com

John Seerey-Lester

Wild Visions, Inc.

www.Seerey-Lester.com

(941)484-6164

THE ART OF CAROL SANTORA, PSA

Expressionist Animal Painter ~ Capturing the spirit of animals in pastel

“Did Somebody Say Hay”

DAVID RANKIN

Flag Expedition Finding inspiration from our peers

The Sacred Source-A Portrait of the Ganges

David Rankin reports directly from the Headwaters of the Ganges River

A Sacred Source-A Portrait of the Ganges

Purpose: To create a body of artwork that captures beauty and ecological complexity of the Garhwal

and Kumaon Himalayas with an emphasis on documenting the ecological and conservation

challenges facing the Ganges River system.

http:/natureartists.com/flagexpeditions/home.asp?ExpeditionID=2

Carol‟s pastel painting of “Did

Somebody Say Hay“was chosen for

the cover of TOURIST NEWS.

Congratulations! Carol

PASTEL NOTES

OVERVIEW OF THE SOFT PASTEL MEDIUM

Carol Santora, PSA

Carol Santora, PSA, is an expressionist animal painter, capturing the spirit of animals in soft pastel.

To see her work, visit her website: www.carolsantora.com

Kinds of Pastels

The softness or hardness of a pastel is determined by the amount of binder used, the

hardness of the pigment, and the pressure applied in making the stick. The term ‘soft pastel' includes hard, medium and soft pastel sticks.

Hard pastels contain more gum binder and are usually used to begin a painting, especially on sanded papers

(more next issue!). The most common brands are Prismacolor NuPastel (96 colors) and Faber-Castell

Polychromos (120 colors). I started out with a large set of each, and now I buy the individual colors I use

most often. Hard pastels are less expensive and the sanded pastel paper doesn‟t use them up as quickly as

they do the softer pastels. Hard pastels can be used to blend areas where soft pastels have been applied.

They can also be used as a drawing tool. Sharpen them with sandpaper or a knife to create a fine point. Hard

pastel doesn't fill up the tooth of the paper as readily as the softer sticks do either.

My Faber-Castell Polychromos hard pastels My NuPastels

Soft pastels are buttery and creamy and create lush passages of color. Softer pastels have less binder and

more pigment than hard pastels, and are used to create a painterly style. They can blend more easily and

cover large areas very quickly. Soft pastels get used up more rapidly. The softer the pastel, the more

expensive and fragile it is. Before buying a large set of soft pastels, try the individual sticks of different

pastel brands. You will gravitate toward some brands more than others. My favorite soft pastel brands are

Unison (398 colors) and Terry Ludwig (430 colors), with Sennelier (525 colors), Schmincke (400 colors),

and a few select colors of Mount Vision (350 colors) and medium-soft Art

Here are 2 of the 5 bins I use for my soft

pastels. I have them in rice, which helps

keep them clean. They are unwrapped

and broken in half right after I buy them.

They are sorted by the 10-value grey

scale and 2 values are put into each of the

5 containers. Numbers 1+2 are the

lightest. Pictured are 3+4 and 5+6.

Continued-Judy Hartke

Spectrum (154 colors). It‟s the color I need that often dictates the brand I choose. For example, I love

Ludwig „Sunset Colors‟ and „Intense Darks‟ and Art Spectrum „Warm Lights‟.

Pastel pencils are hard pastels encased in wood, and are ideal for intricate work requiring fine lines. They

are great for scribbling, cross-hatching and feathering. I do have a set of Conté (48 colors) pastel pencils,

but I only use them to sign my work! CarbOthello pastel pencils are one of the softer pencil lines as well

as the Faber-Castell Pitt line both with 60 colors.

Pan Pastels are the newest innovation in pastel painting. They are an artist quality brand of soft pastel,

packed in a pan like a powder compact, rather than formed into a stick. A variety of shaped sponge

brushes are necessary to layer and blend them. They are available in 60 colors.

Carol Santora, PSA, is an expressionist animal painter, capturing the spirit of animals in soft pastel. To

see her work, please visit her website: www.carolsantora.com

Next time we‟ll examine Pastel Surfaces.

Snow in the Field

PASTEL

Carol Strock-Wasson

Morning Light

PASTEL

Carol Strock-Wasson

CONTINUED-PASTEL NOTES

Cows in the Pasture

PASTEL

Carol Strock-Wasson

WILDLIFE ARTIST MORT SOLBERG WINS MAJOR ART AWARDS

Mort E. Solberg became the second recipient of the prestigious Robert Kuhn Award at the

recent National Museum of Wildlife Art‟s Western Visions Exhibition in Jackson Hole,

Wyoming. “Who‟s the Boss” has received the Kuhn Award. The award was created in 2008 in

memory of Bob Kuhn, a legendary wildlife artist known as “the Dean of Wildlife Artists”.

Solberg was honored for his acrylic on canvas painting of an angry badger.

Mort also recently won a 2009 Award of Excellence from the Society of Animal Artists for his

watercolor/acrylic, Visit to the Fox Den. The piece started simply as a painting demonstration, but

it began to tell a story, until it evolved into a visual tale of a “lady of the lake” protectively

watching over foxes as men with lanterns approached.

The awards are the latest in a long list of honors for Solberg, who has been painting for more

than 40 years. In 2007, he was awarded a lifetime Masters Membership in The Society of

Master Impressionists. In 2005, competing with thousands of artists, he won the coveted “Arts

for the Parks‟ competition. Solberg is a Signature Member of the American Watercolor Society.

His work is represented in many collections including the National Gallery of Art, National

Academy of Design, Dunnigan Museum of Art and Wildlife Experience Museum.

Mort Solberg has taken the "Robert Kuhn" Award

Western Visions Exhibition

National Wildlife Art Museum in Jackson Hole, WY

Badger

9x12 Acrylic/canvas

Who‟s the Boss

Badger

9 x 12

Acrylic on canvas

MORT SOLBERG

Mort has received the

ROBERT KUHN AWARD

Western Visions Exhibition

National Wildlife Art Museum

Jackson Wyoming

w.

FEATURE ARTICLE

SUSAN FOX

AFC FLAG EXPEDITION MEETS ALL GOALS. WHEW!

It's been an eventful couple of months. My Artists for Conservation (AFC) Flag Expedition to Mongolia was a success in every way. I was able to live blog when I was back in Ulaanbaatar between trip legs and I know that many of you enjoyed following my journey. August was spent categorizing the over 3000 images that I shot and generally getting caught up on things like the garden. As you will see below, I've been on the road again and don't seem to be having any trouble keeping busy.

There is always a little uncertainty when going into the field to observe wild animals and no guarantees. I was somewhat nervous heading for Mongolia. What if I didn't see any argali? That concern was laid to rest the very first morning at Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve with two sightings. The first, which has ended up being a small contribution to argali research, included taking the first known photographs of an argali crossing a river. The second sighting was a group of 14 rams in great morning light. I had excellent multiple sightings of argali at Baga Gazriin Chuluu Nature Reserve, and also observed and photographed Siberian ibex and cinereous vultures at both locations. At Gun-Galuut I saw two of three pairs of endangered white-napped cranes and also the more common demoiselle cranes, along with a couple of bird species I haven't identified yet. There were also many wildflowers in bloom, including native species like dandelion.

If you want to read about my whole Flag Expedition from the beginning http://foxstudio.wordpress.com/category/mongolia-2009-afc-flag-expedition/page/4

I traveled to two major animal art show openings in September. First up was the Society of Animal Artists "Art and the Animal", which debuted at the Rolling Hills Wildlife Experience in Salina, Kansas.

It was very gratifying to have my painting in the same room with work by artists I have long admired like Robert Bateman, and Guy Coholeach.

Three weeks later I was off to the Artists for Conservation show at the Hiram B Lauvelt Art Museum in Oradell, New Jersey. I attended as a Flag Expedition recipient.

Susan Fox/Fox Studio <sfox@foxstudio.biz

www:foxstudio.biz

On July 30th, Susan Fox

returned from her expedition

to Mongolia to study the

endangered Argali (sheep).

LINKS

APPLAUSE- MEMBERS IN NEWS

HEINER HERTLING

APRIL KNOX

www.aprilknox.com

“Jury Prize of Distinction”

2009 Hoosier Salon Annual Exhibit

April was awarded the “Award of Excellence” at the Indiana

Heritage Arts Exhibition in Nashville, Indiana.

April is showing at Art Link in Fort Wayne during

October in their national juried show.

Beekeeper

Heiner was recently nominated for an Emmy as best TV host. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!

"Drei Kamaradin Pelicans" edition of 15

also available in life size 20"x20"x12"

Heiner is known for his good humor, charming German

accent, and free flowing painting style, but have you seen his

sculptures and video touring his studio.

Check out his website: www.heinerhertling.com

Heiner Hertling, the host of the television show "Your Brush with Nature" and author of the book

"Your Brush with Nature", is a very talented multi-media artist and sculptor. Creating art in variety of

media has become one of his trademarks. His talents encompass carefully rendered watercolor

paintings, plein-air paintings, and loose impressionistic oils, small and life-sized sculptures.

Heiner exhibits his work regularly in the prestigious Society of Animal Artist. He was honored by

being chosen as Artist of the Year at the SouthEastern Wildlife Exposition.

Thursday September 11th 2008 6 - 8 PM

LINKS ~~www.thecollectivegallery.com Visit us at our new location 109 S. College Ave • Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 • (970) 224-1231

~~www.paintsleeves.com Metro Associates Inc. 800-343-4423

~~www.paintamerica.org

~~www.artbusinessnews.com

~~Check out the California Desert Museum –Bakersfield, CA

Little known and a great place to be close and quiet with the animals in their native habitat.

ON THE HOME FRONT

STARVING ARTIST’S RECIPE

“Minted Rice”

Utamaro, Japanese 1753-1806

Kitchen Scene

Woodblock Print

“Rice cooked in chicken broth

flavored with mint and orange.”

1 ½ cups Uncle Ben‟s white rice

½ cup finely chopped onion

4 tablespoons butter

6 tablespoons grated orange rind

Salt and pepper

2 ¾ cups chicken broth

1 cup orange juice

1 teaspoon fresh mint, minced or ½ teaspoon dried

mint

½ cup pignolia nuts

Sauté chopped onion in butter, stir in raw rice,

grated orange rind, salt and pepper./ Combine with

remaining ingredients, except pignolia nuts, and

pour into ovenproof casserole. Cook uncovered in

325 degree oven for 1 hour./ Add nuts in last 10

minutes of cooking./ If rice is not done at end of

hour, increase heat to 375 degrees,, cover casserole,

and cook an additional 5-10 minutes. Serves 6

$65,000 in cash awards $25,000 for Best of Show

A national museum tour

David J. Wagner-curator

I‟m looking forward to receiving your entries. We are going digital this time, but you may also enter snail-mail.

Prospectus available at:

www.susankblackfoundation.org,

www.susankblackfoundation.com

www.blossomartcompetition.com

or email a request to me.

Special thanks to our inspiring workshop instructors: John Seerey-Lester, Nancy Foureman, Lee Cable,

Mort Solberg, Heiner Hertling, David Rankin, Jeanne Mackenzie, . Our teen mentor program: Wanda Mumm,

& Mark Kelso. Business strategists: Bob Koenke, Chris Rogers, Les Mumm, Suzy Seerey-Lester. Standing

ovation to our cooks who also happen to be awesome artists, Janene Grende, Connie Spurgeon and staff – we

are now either all on diets or feeling guilty because we haven‟t started one. Huge applause for all the many

volunteers who manned the registration tables and helped with the auction. Couldn‟t do it without you. To Pat

Jeffers for seeing to it we had art supplies again this year, and to Ann Wernicke for developing our SKB product

line and handling sales. What a team!!!

The big news is the launch of Blossom II ~ Art of Flowers.

Coming on the heels of the overwhelming success of Blossom I~Art of Flowers

we are all charged up to offer again this opportunity for artists all over the world.