artist – Page 3 – Alexis Marie Chute

Summer Art-Making

September 9, 2014/0 Comments/in Art Inspirations, Art Update, Reflections, The Life of an Artist /by Alexis Marie Chute

What creative fun did you have over the summer?

I find the summer to be a sporadic and dysfunctional season for my art making practice. That’s not to say it isn’t a productive time, I’m always prolific it seems; but that I am a little all over the place as I balance travel, family time and my hours in the studio. Yet, through the experimentation and creative play during the warm months of June, July and August, I always have a lot of fun with my art.

I started making pen drawings of people, which became felt drawings, eventually morphing into paintings. These were quirky surprises that began as simple doodles. When I make art, I love sitting back and seeing where my subconscious will take me.

Also during the summer I painted for my The Quiet Rebuild series. (Yes, there are three manifestations of The Quiet Rebuild: the sculptures, the portraits and the paintings.) The paintings in this series are represented by the Art Gallery of Alberta in their Art Rental and Sales program.

This is only a smidge of what I have been up to over the summer, my favorite season. I’m inspired by the vibrant colours of summer and its humidity and playfulness. It’s no wonder my work reflects the flirtatious fun of those sultry months. Yet, now that we are firmly planted in September, I am loving the return to routine it inevitably brings.

Alex Colville Retrospective at the Art Gallery of Ontario

September 2, 2014/0 Comments/in Art Inspirations, Exhibitions, Painting, Reflections, The Life of an Artist /by Alexis Marie Chute

The woman with the strong arms holding binoculars up to her eyes, the man behind her reclining and obscured…

I will never forget that image. The first time I saw it I was in my BFA undergrad studies at the University of Alberta. The lecture theater was darkened and I sat on a wooden folding chair as the art history professor projected the image, “To Prince Edward Island” by Alex Colville as large as the wall. I never imagined seeing “To Prince Edward Island” in person; that thought never occurred to me back then. When I was in Toronto for work recently, I snuck in a visit to the Art Gallery of Ontario and was pleasantly surprised to find a retrospective of Colville’s work.

The smooth manner Colville painted skin tone, his stylized approach to form and the way his characters seem to float in their environments; the artwork is captivating and timeless.

When Alex Colville died in July of 2013 at 92 years old, it was the loss of a great career artist. He worked at his paintings for more than seventy years, a similar length as his marriage to his wife Rhoda. Their love story can be seen on many of Colville’s canvases. I found it so compelling, and romantic, that the artist used his wife as a muse and painted her at every stage of her life, doing simple every day things. Colville also painted her, and himself, near the end of their lives, their bodies obviously changed from the youthful images found in early paintings like “To Prince Edward Island.”

There is something magical about seeing famous art in person. It is mesmerizing and surreal. I cherish these opportunities to lean in close to witness first hand every brushstroke, each tiny detail. Colville’s fine details seem to vibrate on the canvas, the surface work of the paint so skillfully applied I imagine the artist being a patient man with a steady hand.

The retrospective was inspiring. It runs from August 23, 2014 to January 4, 2015 at the AGO. If you have the chance, I strongly recommend seeing it.

Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5T 1G4
Call 1-877-225-4246 or 416-979-6648

NOTE: There was an additional $5 fee to access the Colville Retrospective on top of the gallery entrance cost.

What you see is not always what you get at the Art Institute Chicago

July 22, 2014/0 Comments/in Art Inspirations, Mixed Media, Reflections /by Alexis Marie Chute

I recently visited Chicago to speak at a conference about the healing properties of visual art. Of course spending hours in the renowned Art Institute of Chicago was top on my list once the conference was over. I will write more about my visit to the Art Institute in next week’s post, but for now I want to share a fun moment I had while perusing the different galleries within the museum.

This one particular artwork caught my eye. It was brightly coloured and stood out because of its texture. It looked like used chewing gum stuck together on a surface and the overall effect had a pixilated appearance. My first reaction was to walk up to it so my nose was a foot away and inspect.

“What is that? I don’t think its gum but what… Hmm…” I said to my husband.

I took a step back. And another step. Then my eyes grew wide.

“There’s a face in there!” I said loudly in the joy of discovery. Some other art patrons leaned back as well and then nodded.

It turns out the artwork is called, “Woman with Halo and Sceptre,” (1972) and the strange textural effect is created through acrylic, cotton and Rhoplex on canvas. Rhoplex is an acrylic emulsion for sealing the work.

What I find so interesting with this piece is that the material choice beckoned me closer and closer, to become intimate with the shapes and textures. At the same time, while standing so close the image of the woman was impossible to decipher, thus allowing for the aha moment later on.

I love aha moments.

Surprises are good in art; they keep the viewer from getting lazy, maintain a visual dialogue and stimulate creative logic.

What you see is not always what you get – sometimes it’s more.

Once I stepped back from the artwork and saw the woman, I could no longer approach the piece without seeing her. My mind had assimilated the colorful acrylic cotton balls and made sense of it. Still, I loved the early observations where my eyes searched for meaning. And it was wildly satisfying when I found it.

Find out more about this artwork by Joe Zucker.

Want an Invite to The Quiet Rebuild?

August 20, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Artist in Residence, Gallery Openings /by Alexis Marie Chute

Do you want a personal invite to my solo exhibition entitled The Quiet Rebuild at Harcourt House Gallery and Artist Run Centre? I’d love to have you there! Please email me your address and wait by the mailbox! The countdown is on. Only two months till The Quiet Rebuild opens.

Art lovers, mark your calendars. Opening reception: October 24^th. The exhibition runs until November 24, 2013.

Summer Artist in Residence Update

August 13, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Artist in Residence, Gallery Openings /by Alexis Marie Chute

Summer? What summer? Oh, do you mean the heat wave that is passing through my art studio in the Harcourt House Annex? Ah, that summer. Yes, it’s true. I’ve been spending countless hours at work, despite the nice weather, as my solo exhibition in Harcourt’s main space is quickly approaching. It’s just over two months away. TWO months! I can hardly believe it.

It seems like only yesterday that I walked into the white walled space and set down roots in the gallery community. Now, I am completely out of wall space. I feel like my work has taken on a life of its own and has grown in depth and breadth. It’s a good time.

I am finishing sculptures, paintings, mixed media 2D work, no wait 3D work… it can’t decide what it is! I am presently embarking on a photographic component to my work as well, incorporating images of our local Edmonton construction that we all love so much. Plus photographs of people will also begin in just two days! (A huge thank you to all my lovely volunteers who have opened up about their struggles and what it has taken for them to rebuild their life.)

All the artwork speaks to this one large message: the human heart can endure much and rebuild itself after hardship. Side note, the rebuild process is never easy and always creates something altogether new. I call my work, “The Quiet Rebuild.”

Mark your calendars for “The Quiet Rebuild”!

Thursday, October 24, 2013 – Opening Reception & artist talk

Visit the exhibition in the Harcourt House gallery from October 24 to Novemeber 24, 2013.

Artist in Residence Meet and Greet Today

June 20, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Artist in Residence, Gallery Openings, Photography Update /by Alexis Marie Chute

After you enjoy Harcourt House’s members exhibition, Kinetic, and gobble up a delicious burger on the lawn in front of the gallery, come find me in the Annex building for the Artist in Residence meet and greet. I will be giving a poetry reading and doing a woodworking demo.

One of my wood sculptures that incorporates Jenga and pieces of wood I cut into a whimsical structure.

See you tonight!

Click here for the address and more details.

Here are some of my Artist in Residence updates:

December 2012 Update

New Work, Residency and the Groove

March in the Studio, AIR Update

Artist in Residence interview on Shaw TV

Save the date: Kinetic Exhibition at Harcourt House

June 11, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Artist in Residence, Fundraising, Gallery Openings /by Alexis Marie Chute

The 25^th anniversary of Harcourt House Gallery and Artist Run Centre in Edmonton will be celebrated with another stellar event, the annual Member’s Exhibition. As a part of the Works Art and Design Festival, the theme and title of the show is Kinetic.

This event doubles as a fundraiser for the gallery and I encourage all to come out and lend support to an amazing local organization. I will be selling my new (never before seen) work to support Harcourt and their impressive list of programs.

As the Artist in Residence at Harcourt House, I will be opening my studio, giving a poetry reading and demonstrating the woodworking techniques I have developed in my current body of work entitled, “The Quiet Rebuild.” It is going to be an exciting opening and exhibition!

Save the date! Here are the details:

Kinetic Exhibition, June 13 – July 5, 2013

Opening reception: Thursday, June 20^th from 6-10pm

Harcourt House Gallery

10215-112 Street

My open studio, poetry reading and demo:

Harcourt House Annex

(Yellow metal building on the corner)

10211-112 Street

Northlands Award for Emerging Artist, Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts

April 2, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Update, Artist in Residence, Awards /by Alexis Marie Chute

On Monday, April 29, 2013 the Mayor’s Celebration of Arts kicks off its 26^th year recognizing stars of the Edmonton arts community and its partnerships with local businesses. It is an exciting event – one of which I am honoured to be a part. I have been nominated for the Northlands Award for an Emerging Artist. My category is by far the largest with fourteen artists in the running, including myself.

No matter who wins, I am thrilled that our city has an event that celebrates artists and artist-friendly businesses. I believe the wonderful talent in our city needs recognition and encouragement. We are a creative group without doubt!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my nominator: Harcourt House and specifically the amazing Derek Brooks. The support of Harcourt House is an artist’s dream and every day of my residency I am immensely thankful for the organization’s belief and support of me and my work. There is no hesitation when I say that Harcourt House has played a pivotal role in my artistic development. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Please attend this exciting event with me!

Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts

Winspear Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

7:00pm, Monday, April 29, 2013

Purchase tickets at the Winspear.

I’d like to celebrate everyone nominated in my category!

Northlands Award for an Emerging Artist

100 mile house nominated by Al Chapman

Patrick Arès-Pilon nominated by Mile Zero Dance

Giselle Boehm nominated by March Music Inc & The School of Song

Justin Brunelle nominated by Parkland Films

Alexis Marie Chute nominated by Harcourt House

Giselle Denis nominated by Lisa Evangelos

Dave Luxton nominated by Kids Up Front Foundation Edmonton

Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail nominated by Natasha Deen

Jessy Mossop nominated by Rob Tanner

Omar Mouallem nominated by Lisa Baroldi, Director/Vision Holder, Progress Unlimited

Jason Lee Norman nominated by Lamya Asiff

Mary Pinkoski nominated by Leila Sidi

Erin Elizabeth Ross nominated by Michael Dub

Sean Sonego nominated by Witold L. Gutter

Good luck and see you at the Mayor’s Celebration of the Arts!

March in the Studio, Artist in Residence Update

March 24, 2013/0 Comments/in Art Inspirations, Art Update, Artist in Residence /by Alexis Marie Chute

Artwork and photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute

Being the Artist in Residence at Harcourt House has allowed me to find my footing within my current body of art and take off running. The time and space they have provided me to develop my creative work is one of the greatest gifts an artist can receive. The people who work at Harcourt House are pretty amazing too!

Truly the time has flown by and with the close of March I tick off my fifth month at the gallery. Five months! On one hand I feel like, ‘Where has the time gone?’ but on the other I am amazed at the gift of time itself.

Art and photography copyright Alexis Marie Chute

What exactly do I spend my time on you ask? Answer: lots of hard work and creative play.

I approach my artwork through experimentation with my chosen materials (wood, glue, yarn, acrylic paint…) while holding my concept loosely in my head (and my heart) to see where it all takes me.

For those of you new to my blog, the greater meaning behind my work is the idea of rebuilding ones life after hardship. My method is very akin to my materials and process themselves; I am experimenting using art to heal.

Art and photograph copyright Alexis Marie Chute

The images in this post are some of my very recent work. I began using Jenga pieces in some of my compositions and found this consumerist approach a fun twist while drawing on the concept of the game itself; build as high as you can until your structure falls over. When it does, which is always the case, you laugh and build again learning from your mistakes and constructing your tower even higher the next time.

I love a comment from Brand on my last Harcourt House Residency update. He said my work reminded him of photographic pixels. That notion blows me a way – I LOVE IT! It totally jives with the photographer in me. I am percolating ideas of how to incorporate that concept into my work and am excited about it.

As always, I LOVE company at my studio so please come for a visit! I purposefully have lots of seating so come talk art, life or whatever is on your mind. Contact me to find a time that works.

New Work, Residency and the Groove

February 21, 2013/4 Comments/in Art Update, Artist in Residence /by Alexis Marie Chute

As February stretches onwards, I marvel that I am over a quarter of the way into my residency at Harcourt House Gallery and Artist Run Centre. To say time flies is an understatement; time tornados by! Yet, I make sure to slow myself to appreciate every precious moment of it.

I wanted to share some of my new work that has been my labor of love since November 2012. Really, I have too much to share here and will soon create a new category on my website in the portfolio section. Stay tuned.

Copyright Alexis Marie Chute

I have been working with wood, both sculpturally and on flat surfaces. Currently I am holding my breath waiting on a big order of cut wooden pieces to arrive – then I will be feverishly creating even more unique “city-like” designs (so I’ve been told they resemble by visitors to my studio). The long wait would be negated if anyone reading this is skilled with a _________ (insert word here that names a wood cutting tool with the precision to cut very small squares) – if you or someone you know is able to give me a hand, please get in touch!

At first I wasn’t quite sure how my paintings relate to my wood creations but when the Harcourt House Executive Director, Derek Brooks, popped in one day and explained to me the correlation – I finally got it. It’s true, apparently, that artists can be too close to their own work to notice connections sometimes.

I am in the groove working in my studio. It’s a romance with my materials and I am constantly exploring new ways of creating with them – truly a fun time.

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