My next challenge - Going Forward: What's Up!

My next challenge - Going Forward: What's Up!: What's Up! Well since January 2012, I have had an extraordinary turn of events both in the art world and in my private life. In early ...

What's Up!

What's Up! Well since January 2012, I have had an extraordinary turn of events both in the art world and in my private life. In early January I finished 90% re- construction of my studio. With that there was success in creating a mood, an atmosphere, a place that gives me the opportunity to flourish in my art. At the same time I was able to sell some of my abstract art at the Winnipeg Art Gallery here in Winnipeg. As well, I had done a couple of art commissions that created a stir of emotion in me to create more of my abstract art for up-coming art events this year and into next year, 2013. While in my studio I was able create some 14 pieces of very interesting abstracts in multimedia and continue this creative out pour of art work as I write this blog. That's a great feeling for any artist to be in a creative groove. As I move forward in the creative state of mind through art, I end up stumbling into uncharted waters in my private life. After going for my annual checkup with my physician, which is always a process of re-evaluating one's self emotionally and physically. I found myself in a position that required me to have a Mole on my back removed. Later in the week a call from my physician indicated that the labs research indicated that the mole was Malignant Melanoma that he had removed. Now my physician by law has to make an appointment with Cancer Care to have what is called an Over-sizing excision take place where the the mole had first been removed. With this precaution that Cancer Care does, I had to have 2 1/2 inches long x 3/4 inches deep x 3/4 inches in width removed from around the mole incision. So now I was again in an another extraordinary life situation, that played with my emotions, my time my daily functions, I tried to stay positive and did more in my research for my art, I sometimes stumbled through my day emotionally, but kept on teaching my evening classes, even this would some how keep my mind from wondering. Well 3 weeks later the news from my physician was positive, No Cancer! It was now end of June and took more than a few days to get back to the studio and re focus, but some how the mind and body fuse together and the creative juices started to flow again. In June and July, after some interesting conversations on Linkedin.com with a friend, artist and owner of Brooke D. Butler Fine Art in Midlothian, VA. We had negotiated and I was pleased to agree with a professional person like Brooke D. Butler Fine Art to represent me and my art. Extraordinary circumstances some times bring people together at their most critical time in your life to help you as a person move forward. I believe that this year has again been extraordinary. I try to have goals that I reach for each year in my private life as well as my art career and through the Grace of the good Lord I have been able to succeed. Clyde D. Finlay

Would you like to collect my art ?

It's been awhile since I've wrote on my Blog, but it's time for those who do read this blog, to read and re-read the title of this piece. Would you like to collect my art, in fact would you collect another artists work?

I question all those wonderful people that buy art! Do you like or love art? Or are you Just collecting copies of other artists work from those Big Box Outlets? You know what I mean! Is the art that good?
Yes, money is scarce, but wouldn't you rather have something you can really talk about? Something special? Something a affordable? I suggest looking for the many talented artists you are close to in your area. Your art is with the artist that will give you a fair price for both of you. The real price is in the love of the art piece that moves you!

If the art you buy or collect is from an artist that does really sell original prints or their original art to you, then you have certainly bought a wonderful piece, a moment in your life that you can reflect on, as well as the many who are in your life. How beautiful it must be to have a conversation about the original art or print that you have purchased with the artist, a family member or even a friend. To have touched your culture, even history which brings on joy, memories, emotion of all kinds in your life, whether it is from the past, present or a look into the future.

This is not to say you should be swayed in any way to go out and buy or collect art right now. But, it is to say, what are the differences with how we experience the true meaning of collecting real art.


Clyde D.Finlay

First Fridays in the Exchange Distrct in Winnipeg, Manitoba

On Friday November 4th I decided to take in a self tour of First Fridays in the Exchange District. As an artist and an advocate of the Exchange District I wanted to explore the many studio's and artists displaying there new works of art. The great opportunity about visiting these artist's is the abundance of art in various styles, mediums, and prices. For collectors, friends,other artists and Winnipegers to not only see some terrific art, but meet the artists in their studio. It surprising to see the eclectic styles and make up of the studio space. Many of the studio's in the exchange are with 2 or more artists sharing their space. This collaborative approach stills inspiration and a creative community in the Exchange District.
I was able to visit artists Marlene A.Campbell (marlene.campbell@mts.net) and Gaetanne S. Sylvester (gaetsyl@mts.net)at 70 Arthur Street. Both these women have been on the art scene for more that 30 years each. These two talented artists bring beautiful and intriguing art in Ceramics, with Print making.
In the same location, but different floor, are creative artists Nora Korbinsky (www.norakorbinsky.com) and Peter Graham (www.petercgraham.blogspot.com). Both use very different styles in the visual work. Painting and print making are the mediums of choice.
Louise Kollinger (www.lkollinger@gmail.com)and Michael Joyal (www.leadvita.blog.com) are also two artists who are located at 70 Arthur Street.

Outworks Studio had artists Karen Wardle and Susan Birdwise displaying landscape paintings in Oil and Encaustic. See more information at Outworks on Face book or on Google.

These are but a few of the artists that I met in their studios that evening. With some studios that prepared food, some light beverages, I found the evening to be very enjoyable with conversation and the opportunity to see varieties of skill and talent in the art that these artists who choose to bring to Winnipegers. For a pleasant evening out, this self tour is a great way to learn more about the art community and the artists who have a great passion to share their world of art.

For more information on First Fridays go to : firstfridayswinnipeg@hotmail.com

Clyde D. Finlay
http://www.imagineartbyclydedfinlay.com.

Having a Great Opportunity

While being apart of the Linkedin site as a member,it has brought new and exciting opportunities to my art world. I am pleased to say that my wish for many years has been granted through my marketing and the opportunity in meeting Gallery Director, Sharon March of ArtView Gallery in Chatham , NY.

I have always wanted to have my art work go to New York. A chance to let the art world see my art and what better place than in Chatham, NY to have my art seen with a international viewing audience. With patience on my part, my wait for someone in the art world like Sharon March with her expertise and experience has given me this fantastic opportunity.

ArtView Gallery will have a group show with six different approaches to contemporary art by six creative artists,they are; Susan Woods, Thomas Witte, Jeremy Foster Fell, Jeff Britton, CC Arshagra and Clyde D. Finlay. The title, "Art Ensemble" at ArtView Gallery, 14th Main Street, Chatham, NY, starts on September 6th to November 11, 2011, Opening Reception on September 17th from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

It gives me great pleasure to send my abstract oil painting, "Blind Gestures" to ArtView Gallery.

With this great opportunity this September at ArtView Gallery, I am proud to have my art work represented by ArtView Gallery and with my pursuit, to have my art recognized around the world.

I bring more exciting news and opportunities to my readers, that here in Winnipeg for next fall. I have been chosen to have a solo show at Great West Life Insurance Company for the fall of 2012. Here I will be able to create many new abstracts paintings , as well as representational landscapes that will astound my viewers with color and composition.

I am very happy for these opportunities and look forward to the future for the opportunity to create and share my art with the rest of the world.

My next challenge - Going Forward: Without looking I found a Pearl in my Oyster.

My next challenge - Going Forward: Without looking I found a Pearl in my Oyster.: "While I spoke of my new challenges in art in an earlier blog on June 17th, 2011, I found myself with an opportunity to look for a Pearl in a..."

Without looking I found a Pearl in my Oyster.

While I spoke of my new challenges in art in an earlier blog on June 17th, 2011, I found myself with an opportunity to look for a Pearl in a ocean of Oysters. In other words an opportunity to start creating more art with the passion and emotion I felt while in my studio and again create enough art to have a solo show in 2012. Floundering about with my thoughts, I wondered about this obstacle ahead, where was my next venue going to be?

Within weeks of my departure from Outworks Gallery I found my Pearl in an Oyster, through friends, family, colleges and the art community. I was inspired by them to see and have optimism about the when, where and how this pearl will appear. As in a saying that I have heard so many times throughout my life," When a door or window is being closed, another is being opened".

Well a door has opened and I am proud to say that my destination for my next solo show will be at Great West Life in Winnipeg in the fall of 2012. While riding this wonderful wave, I am lucky enough to have another opportunity to show two of my abstract paintings in a group show at ArtView Gallery in New York this fall. Today, I am given another pearl.

How wonderful it is to have the belief from others that I will achieve through these powerful challenges and obstacles that come before me.

In my ocean of Oysters I've been fortunate to be given numerous Pearls.


" Imagine Art",captures the experience of passion, a rhapsody of intrigue in art.

Clyde D. Finlay