Hobble the arts and you hobble innovation

"The creative scientist needs an artistic imagination." From Psychology Today http://blogs.psychologytoday.com:80/blog/imagine-that/200902/a-missing-piece-in-the-economic-stimulus-hobbling-arts-hobbles-innovation As the economy stumbles, the first things to get cut at the national, state, and local levels are the arts. The first thing that goes in our school curricula are the arts. Arts, common wisdom tells us, are luxuries we can do without in times of crisis. Or can we? Let's see what happens when we start throwing out all the science and technology that the arts have made possible. You may be shocked to find that you'll have to do without your cell phone or PDA…. …The fact is that the arts foster innovation. We've just published a study that shows that almost all Nobel laureates in the sciences actively engage in arts as adults. They are twenty-five times as likely as the average scientist to sing, dance, or act; seventeen times as likely to be a visual artist; twelve times more likely to write poetry and literature; eight times more likely to do woodworking or some other craft; four times as likely to be a musician; and twice as likely to be a photographer. Many connect their art to their scientific ability with some riff on Nobel prizewinning physicist Max Planck words: "The creative scientist needs an artistic imagination." Bottom line: Successful scientists and inventors are artistic people. Hobble the arts and you hobble innovation. It's a lesson our legislators need to learn. So feel free to cut and paste this column into a letter to your senators and congressmen, as well as your school representatives, or simply send them a link to this column. One way or another, if we as a society wish to cultivate creativity, the arts MUST be part of the equation!

I first found this great article by reading Alyson B Stanfield’s great Art Biz Blog

http://www.artbizblog.com/2009/03/artistinventors

All the Best,

Michael Orwick

Orwick Arts LLC

http://www.michaelorwick.com/

http://michaelorwick.blogspot.com/ And if you're into social networking, I'd love for you to follow me on Twitter and friend me on Facebook.Follow me on Twitter --> http://twitter.com/mikeorwick Friend me on Facebook --> http://www.facebook.com/srch.php#/profile.php?id=519196660&hiq=michael%2CorwickConnect with me on LinkedIn --> http://www.linkedin.com/pub/3/9b7/74bBe sure to leave a comment and let me knowyou stopped in

Painting demo at freed gallery Saturday, March 21st 2009

Micheal Orwick Paints at the Freed Opening his month long solo show Saturday, March 21st 2009 Michael Orwick, painting his stories as an "inspired expressionist", will open a show of his impressive work at the Freed Gallery in Lincoln City with a demonstration of painting on location. On Saturday, March 21st painting from 1 to 5 Orwick will paint on location at the gallery, engaging the observers in conversation and demonstrating technique as he works. http://www.freedgallery.com/ The Freed Gallery - 6119 SW Hwy 101, Lincoln City, OR 97367 Additional Information: 541-994-5600 E-Mail: info@freedgallery.com Midway through his college career, Michael took a short sabbatical from his business classes at the University of Oregon. He moved to Australia where he filled up sketch pads with drawings and small paintings. Michael said “the thought of returning to business classes never crossed my mind”. Michael majored in Illustration at Pacific Northwest College of Art and began his professional art career as an animator, moving quickly into illustration where he enjoyed bringing the ideas of others to life. His fine art paintings are narrative in scope and open to interpretation by those who view them. “I love creating art that invites you to wander into the painting and weave your own story." Some new paintings:

Ancient Silhouettes

12x24 oils canvas

Stricken with Light

18x24 oils on Panel

Share shade upon us 12x24 oils on canvas

Escape

8x16 oils on panel

Golden Again

12x24 oiols on panel

When Day is Done

16x20 oils on panel

All the Best,

Michael Orwick

Orwick Arts LLC

www.MichealOrwick.com

http://michaelorwick.blogspot.com/

Why Paint Landscapes, why paint in Plein air

Why do you paint so many landscapes as opposed to cityscapes or portraits? Painting landscapes has to do with comfort and reverence. I feel comfortable in nature, as if I belong. I can sit or lie down and just be still. I can breathe and take it all in with feelings of gratitude, or I can poke around, explore and learn without feeling nosy. I always feel like a slightly unwelcome guest in the city, where a sigh of relief is maybe muttered by the collective whole each time I leave. Over the last few years, my appreciation for landscape painting has increased exponentially. It’s not just that I get paid to paint, but that I get rewarded to go out and seek and admire fantastically beautiful places. Many of us have watched the sun set. I, too, love to do that. But my work also grants me permission to sit and stare at trees, flowers, rocks, and water in all their forms and moods. With or without my easel and brushes, I watch as the light shifts, the winds blow, and the morning becomes day, and the day becomes night. When I do this in the city, I may well be considered a little crazy. I like people, I really do, and I’ve enjoyed painting portraits. But I feel that a good landscape is like a portrait which shows emotion and past experiences. I often have the feeling of looking at an old oak and feeling like I’m gazing upon a wizened old man-heavy from experience, shaped by personal strength and perseverance. A small sapling can have so much grace as it reaches and searches out the sun with the spirited energy of a young child. I love watching nature change throughout the days and seasons, whereas it often seems as though many of man’s creations vainly struggle to stay the same, as if trying to defy time. In contrast to human constructions, all of nature, even rocks, proudly displays the effects of time and weather, conveying a life lived and being lived in accordance with the natural order. When a landscape painting is going well, it is not so much about the end image for me; it is about being in the painting, being with the painting. I often get lost in my work, losing a sense of time and specific place. Landscape painting is like meditation. While painting nature, I sense calmness, a type of Zen, and the action becomes a prayer of gratitude. I can only hope that the people who see my work share in some of the feelings I get from painting them.

All the Best,

Michael Orwick

Orwick Arts LLC

http://www.michealorwick.com/

http://michaelorwick.blogspot.com/ And if you're into social networking, I'd love for you to follow me on Twitter and friend me on Facebook.

Follow me on Twitter --> http://twitter.com/mikeorwick

Friend me on Facebook --> http://www.facebook.com/srch.php#/profile.php?id=519196660&hiq=michael%2Corwick

Encouraging Others to Be Brilliant

Why You Should Think About

Encouraging Others to Be Brilliant
Post written by Leo Babauta.

http://zenhabits.net/2009/02/why-you-should-think-about-encouraging-others-to-be-brilliant/
cute greeting cards

This is a great article, but the part that I wanted to share was the final few paragraphs.

As a teacher it made me think and question some of the ways I share the lessons I have learned.

Am I honest with my pupils or gaurded? Do I build them up and encourage them as much as I should be. If you have time please read the full article, it is short and I would love to hear your thoughts.

...many people seem to have a problem with this concept. They tear people down, block them, hoard the goods for themselves, and are jealous of the success of others. We need to break free of this jealousy and meanness. We need to learn to be happy for others, and what’s more, to count their success as our success and feel proud of the contribution we’ve made in helping others make a difference.
So go out in this world and create — make something brilliant, whether it be a piece of art or a book or music or a wonderful new invention or a world-changing business or whatever it is you do in the world.
But go beyond that. Teach others to be brilliant and make a difference. Encourage them to create, support them, give them a boost, help them succeed. And teach them to do the same with still other people.
The world will thank you for it. And even if you never receive thanks, know in your heart that you’ve done some good, that you’ve lit your light in this world that will last beyond your mortal years, that will continue to grow and burn brightly long after your dust has returned to dust and blown away in the wind.

All the Best,

Michael Orwick

Orwick Arts LLC

http://www.michealorwick.com/

http://michaelorwick.blogspot.com/

And if you're into social networking, I'd love for you to follow me on Twitter and friend me on Facebook.

Follow me on Twitter --> http://twitter.com/mikeorwick
Friend me on Facebook -->

http://www.facebook.com/srch.php#/profile.php?id=519196660&hiq=michael%2Corwick

Connect with me on LinkedIn --> http://www.linkedin.com/pub/3/9b7/74b

Be sure to leave a comment and let me knowyou stopped in

fun paintings

Elizabeth Gilbert On Genius and Creativity

Interesting perspective on the creative process. Let me know what you think.....

Jeff White and Michael Orwick in a new show featuring

Soul stirring beauty from contemporary masters of atmosphere Jeff White and Michael Orwick at Cole Gallery in Edmonds.

Tres Folium by Michael Orwick 30x40 oils on canvas Cole Gallery

http://www.colegallery.net/title.php?ititlenum=2070

Beginning February 17th, Cole Gallery in Edmonds will feature the work of two of the northwest’s finest painters, Jeff White and Michael Orwick in a new show featuring moody, historic landscapes of the great Northwest. Collected nationally by art patrons, including Clint Eastwood, White’s majestic images are reminiscent of the Hudson School of great American painters with rolling skies and atmospheric vistas taken from the dramatic Columbia Gorge and surrounding rivers and valleys. He states: “Within nature there are forceful, intelligent elements that coexist beside and in spite of humanity. They can not be reasoned with or controlled and have always survived and outlived mankind. Throughout life’s journey, we encounter rivers, valleys, shadows, daybreaks, storms and beautiful clearings. We face horizons that move us from calm serenity to turbulent storms ourselves. My paintings reflect these moments as expressed by nature. I attempt to convey the resonance between these internal and external forces, as the journey of one passing through time. I focus on capturing color, shapes and moods of the land and sky.”

Walk in the Woods by Michael Orwick oils on Panel 11x14 Cole Gallery. Pacific Northwest hike on a Forest trail. Landscape painting in dark blue, purple and green, with bright yellow and orange glow coming from the setting sun thru the evergreen trees.

http://michaelorwick.com/works/266216

Michael Orwick’s oils have an Art Deco influence which contributes to the historic mood of the show. Best know for creating what he calls “Inspired Expressionism,” Orwick’s paintings have a narrative quality, inviting the rare chance to go back and explore a special place that fuels the imagination. In his enigmatic vision, the artist captures a bygone era of memories and mystery. He states: “There is a reason we are drawn toward beauty, it is the language of God and nature. To me there is nothing more provocative than beauty, it inspires deep reflection and motivates me to create. I mix from a primary color palette, painting wet into wet and with layers, to both reveal and hide what lies behind; in this way I entice you into the painting. I love it when people share the feeling and stories my paintings evoked. It is my sincere wish that you will want to revisit these beautiful locations and painterly stories again and again.” Cole Gallery will feature the work of Jeff White and Michael Orwick from February 17th – March 15th. Meet and greet the artists at the Edmonds Art Walk and enjoy refreshments and desserts Thursday, February 19th 5:00pm – 8:30pm.

Path of Poppies by Michael Orwick oils on Panel 11x14

Landscape Painting, Cole Gallery A dark green tree sits along a dirt path which cuts between a field of orange California poppies on top of a rolling hill.Yellow and light orange clouds pass lightly behind across purple mountains

http://michaelorwick.com/works/266218

http://www.colegallery.net/searchresults.php?artistId=1104&page=25&start=1

Contact: Denise Cole

Phone: 425-697-2787

E-mail: colegallery@gmail.com

All the best,

Michael Orwick

http://www.michaelorwick.com/

my work in American Art Collector Magazine

I want to thank all my new and established collectors and friends who have come forward in the last few months to make 2008 an amazingly fantastic year. We sold over 28 paintings in the final couple months of the year and your support means very much to me and my family. The Fact that in financially difficult times so many of you have fallen in love with and believed in my art enough to give them new homes has not been taken lightly. 2009 is going to be another great year, as I continue to learn and to push the potential of my paintings to bring a little added beauty and serenity into the world. I look forward to seeing many of you again at my shows this year and to making many new friends also. So please stay in touch, and as always let me know what you think of the paintings and the directions I'm taking them in.

Look for the painting "Still Beauty" in the upcoming American Art Collector magazine in the Savvy Collector's Preview Guide to Upcoming Shows in Conjunction with my February show with Jeff White at Cole Gallery in Edmonds Washington.

Cole Gallery (425) 697-2787

Collector's Bonus:

here is a preview of many of the new landscape paintings for that show.

Still Beauty

11x14 oils on canvas

http://michaelorwick.com/works/258173

Bathed in Golden Light

15x30 oils on canvas

http://michaelorwick.com/works/258500

Gather Clouds in Your Branches

8x16 oils on canvas

http://michaelorwick.com/works/258502

Reflect the Light

16x20 oils on panel

http://michaelorwick.com/works/259439

The Willow Listens 8x10 oils on panel

http://michaelorwick.com/works/259431

Summer's Serenade

8x10 oils on panel

http://michaelorwick.com/works/259434

Time to Spare

6x12 oils on canvas

http://michaelorwick.com/works/259430

Leaves rustling

24x30

http://michaelorwick.com/works/259417

All the best,

Michael Orwick Orwick Arts http://michaelorwick.blogspot.com/

http://www.michaelorwick.com/

My art hints at a story and then invites you to finish the narrative. My style has been called Inspired Expressionism, which combines impressionistic brush strokes and a touch of realism to create the atmosphere and lighting woven into my work. The easiest way to see my work is at http://www.michaelorwick.com/

"I thought I was rich having good art,"

All Paintings Shown are painted by Michael Orwick www.michaelorwick.com and are available from Cole Gallery http://www.colegallery.net/index.php 107 5th Ave SEdmonds, WA 98020 Phone: (425) 697-2787Fax: (425) 672-4986 info@colegallery.net

Ordinary folks assembled extraordinary art collection "You don't have to be a Rockefeller to collect art." "I thought I was rich having good art," said Mr. Vogel To build their collection, the Vogels purchased small pieces created by relatively unknown artists. "They really bought what they liked, and they weren't so concerned about market value," said Sarah Urist Green, assistant curator of contemporary art for the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

…the Vogels' story holds a lesson for anyone interested in collecting art -- regardless of budget constraints.

"If you go out and you dedicate yourself to getting to know what's happening with young artists and emerging artists and what's happening in your community, I think opportunities can present themselves," said Green.

To read more of the article http://www.indystar.com/article/20081221/LIVING19/812210317/1275/LIVING19

"Dorothy and Herb talk about how much they enjoyed living with this art, and thinking about it," Green said. Despite their vast collection, the Vogel's weren't wealthy when they started buying art in the 1960s. They purchased pieces from emerging artists, which allowed them to amass such a large collection. Since then, many of those artists have become renowned.

50 artworks, 50 states Dorothy and Herbert Vogel's gift to the IMA is part of a plan to distribute 2,500 pieces http://www.indystar.com/article/20081221/LIVING19/812210329

Collecting Priceless Art, Just for the Love of It "I thought I was rich having good art," said Mr. Vogel, who delights in showing up at openings exuberantly "clashed," as he puts it, in plaid pants and a houndstooth overcoat. "We never bought anything because we thought it was important. We bought things we liked. It's not about price. It's about feeling."

Mrs. Vogel says: "How do you put a price on something, or someone, that is close to you?"

The story of the Vogels is like a fairy tale," said Mr. Tuttle, who is represented in their collection more than 350 times over. "Maybe people don't want to figure out the fairy tale." In this fairy tale, he says, the so-called postal clerk happens to have "a pedigree that goes back to the Abstract Expressionists."

…The curator says it is impossible to estimate the monetary value of the collection. Some of the artists represented, like Mr. Tuttle, Mr. LeWitt and Mr. Mangold, now sell their work for tens of thousands of dollars.

Money did have something to do with the Vogels' choosing the National Gallery. "They've never sold a painting," Mr. Vogel said. "And admission is free." http://query.nytimes.com/

All the best,

Michael Orwick Orwick Arts http://michaelorwick.blogspot.com/http://www.michaelorwick.com/ My art hints at a story and then invites you to finish the narrative. My style has been called Inspired Expressionism, which combines impressionistic brush strokes and a touch of realism to create the atmosphere and lighting woven into my work. The easiest way to see my work is at http://www.michaelorwick.com/

The Whimsical side of Orwick Arts

The Whimsical images and Illustrations Slideshow.

All the best,

Michael Orwick Orwick Arts http://michaelorwick.blogspot.com/

http://www.michaelorwick.com/

Talent

Talent by Keith Bond http://www.keithbond.com Today's guest author is artist, Keith Bond. I first saw this great article on Clint Watson's Fine Art Views. This article has been edited and published with the author's permission. Dear Subscriber, The most recent Southwest Art Magazine (December '08) honors 20 legendary western artists. Each of these artists is 70 years old or older, and each has been at the top of the western art scene for decades. They are gifted, successful, and influential artists. (Among the list are several that I have admired for years: James Reynolds, Richard Schmid, David Leffel, Kenneth Riley, and Howard Terpning.) As I read the interviews, I was intrigued by the similarity of the answers to many of the questions. One particular theme caught my attention. Each artist interviewed expressed this same idea in his or her own words. To summarize: 'Art is not easy. It is extremely difficult. It takes a lot of time, effort, practice, etc. Many people think it comes easily or naturally.' This sparked several ideas and thoughts in my mind. I will share only a few of my thoughts. I agree with each of the artists' assertion that creating art is extremely difficult and requires a tremendous amount of work, practice, determination, etc. However, included in the list of attributes an artist has is also talent. Some shy away from using that word, because it implies success without work. On the contrary, work is essential to the development of talents. Clark Hulings stated it well, "Most of us artists have a gift. But a gift is an inclination and some small ability to do something along with a great deal of application and hard work." Interestingly, I often hear people talk about someone who plays an instrument well or who excels at sports. There is usually a comment made about how much practice and time was devoted to achieve such a high level of skill. Yet those same people making those comments see an artist's work and say something to the effect of, "What talent you have!" In reality, there is no difference between the musician, the athlete, or the visual artist. Each has a great gift or 'talent'. However, each must also perspire. Each must practice long and hard. Each is never satisfied with mediocrity. To attain greatness each must push the limits, train, learn, practice, fail often, but get back up and learn from the failures. There are frequent successes, but there is also the realization that there is still much more to learn. A huge component is the unrelenting desire to become the best. It is a passion, almost an obsession. Being an artist (or musician, athlete, etc.) comes with a price, but it is gratifying. I do not pretend to know the magical recipe of how many parts talent, how much determination, nor how many dashes of luck is required for an artist to succeed. As for me, I intend to work as hard as I can to ensure that I reach my fullest potential. I want to find out how much talent is still in its infancy, waiting to be nurtured. I also hope that luck favors me along the way. Thanks again to Keith Bond All the best, Michael Orwick Orwick Arts http://michaelorwick.blogspot.com/ http://www.michaelorwick.com/

Hope, 52 Plus 48 equals 100

This is from my good friends at Duirwaigh Gallery.

The same great folks that brought the wonderful knock At The Door film and book to the world to help raise money for the make a wish foundation ( a project I was fortunate enough to have my art a part of).

http://www.duirwaighgallery.com/inspiration_duirwaighfilms_entry.php?section=84

Dear friends, a new film is on the horizon. a little project about saving our country, our planet, our selves through hope, tolerance and inclusion: www.duirwaigh.com/hope.mov if it blesses you, please forward to anyone and everyone you feel could use a blessing. a note: it's image-laden, so please give it a few moments to load!

brightly woven, angi

Real Men Paint En Plein Air. Plus a few new paintings for Cole Gallery

From American Artist Magazine by Allison Malafronte Nothing proves a plein air painter’s prowess like surviving a hard-core painting session battling the elements of nature. The young, talented California artists Jeremy Lipking and Tony Pro learned this the hard and—as you will see from the video below—hilarious way when they set out to record an instructional plein air-painting session that instead turned into a showdown with a seriously perturbed Mother Nature.

for all of this article and to see a great video of Jeremy and Tony in the Sierras.

http://forums.myamericanartist.com/blogs/pleinair/archive/2008/11/13/real-men-paint-en-plein-air.aspx

to see more of Jeremy's videos http://blip.tv/file/1431968

4 of the new paintings for Cole gallerie's small works show

Sun's Breath (turqouis sky and field with treees) 11x14 unframed size

Cole Gallery

info@colegallery.net http://www.colegallery.net 107 5th Ave S Edmonds, WA 98020 Phone: (425) 697-2787 Fax: (425) 672-4986

4. Snow's Shawl (sunset cool blue snow) 8x10 unframed size

Shrouded (Purple fog) 8x10 unframed size

Breaking through (Aspen Trees in foggy landscape) 11x14 unframed size