Summer Experiments and Recycling
“Four Score,” 11 x 14, mixed media on panel with metal frame.
Last month I reported on some initial experiments with monoprinting and “cold wax.” Now I have to add to my list the “recycling” of old paintings. This really isn’t new, now and then I look at the storage racks and wonder if all my old paintings are really worth keeping—the canvases are durable and a few coats of white gesso would give me a new surface, no charge. And now and then I have reused an older canvas, sometimes with much better results, sometimes just wondering how many times I can recycle the same canvas. This summer, looking at my studio budget, I decided to be more cut-throat and make recycling at least 2 canvases per month a serious goal.
One of the challenges to recycling for me and other mixed media artists is the lack of a smooth surface to repaint. My canvases often have cardboard, bubble wrap, thick paper, and other materials in addition to paint—and my “permanent” adhesives are just that—permanent. Often I can’t just pull off that cardboard, plastic or whatever. The challenge then is to make some use of that material the second time around. I’ve had several false starts with old canvases in the past month but I did come up with “Midwest Winter at 10,000 Feet” (see below). Corrugated cardboard as well as thick blobs of paint easily poked through two coats of white gesso (the cheap thick paint often used to prime canvas). What would it look like if I just lightly brushed black on top, revealing all the crags and crannies and textures of the original? Ah hah, every year I submit two works to the Black and White show at the Hallberg Center for the Arts (Wyoming, MN). Essentially the exhibit is limited to works in varying tones of white, black and gray. I added more paint (pure white, “unbleached titanium” which is a very warm white, shades of gray, black), highlighted the textures of the original painting, and have my first of two submissions ready. As for the second one… A down side of recycling, especially with existing textures, is that if it didn’t work the first time, it might not work well the second time, especially when limiting the palette to shades of white, black and gray. My second submission might involve a new canvas.
“Midwest Winter at 10,000 Feet”, 24 x 24, acrylic and newsprint on recycled canvas.
I also have continued my experiments seeking an alternative to oil/cold wax that was acrylic-friendly. I had an old jar of “Regular Matte Gel”, an acrylic material that looks like very soft white wax or Brylcream. And a “little dab” seems to work with acrylic paint and collage papers much like true cold wax and oil paint, and it dries totally clear. I tried this out on a couple small wood panels and I think this might be way to go to obtain “oil and cold wax” effects with acrylic paint. (See “Four Score” above). In the next few weeks I hope to take the plunge and try out these materials on a larger panel. And maybe on a “resurfaced” old painting!
August Second Saturday – Finding Inspiration With Live Music! I mentioned last month that the August 9 Second Saturday at Casket Arts would include a special “live” demo in Studio 218. A repeat of a session from two years ago, my open studio day will include an “improvisation” with my friend Bobb Fantauzzo. Bobb is a musical magician with wooden flutes, and the plan is for Bobb to wander around my studio seeking inspiration from the paintings to create—in the moment—some new music. Meanwhile, I will be listening to Bobb and starting a painting inspired by what I hear. Last time, I actually completed a 36 x 36 painting by the end of about 45 minutes (see “Phantazzo”, which sold last month). I sent the painting image to Bobb and he then created another piece of new music. It was fun, we had a few observers, too. We decided it was time to do it again! Open Studios start at 11 am and run til 4 pm. Bobb will join me around 2:30 if you want to stop by and check out our progress! You can also see some of my new experiments mentioned above. August is usually slow but other studios will be open—you can always count on a few on second floor! Casket Arts, 681 17th Av NE, Minneapolis.
“Phantazzo” , 36 x 36 acrylic on canvas (sold).
On Exhibit
“Kaleidoscope III” at the Burl Gallery, St Paul, through August 9. Closing this coming weekend! This is the third installment of four for 2025. Using a rather vague theme, Burl Gallery’s juried exhibition series presents 65-70 works from primarily Twin Cities artists in all genres. My 30 x 30 mixed media work “Defiance” is included in this show. Located across Prince Street from CHS Field, the Burl is open Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 4 pm. 308 Prince Street, St Paul; https://burlartgallery.org
10th Annual “In. Art” Show and Competition, Hallberg Center for the Arts (Wyoming Creative Artists Community), July 17-August 16; opening reception July 17, 5-7 pm. The jurors smiled on my submission this year, and I am happy to have “Tipping Point” included in this annual exhibit. There will also be judging for monetary awards, taking place on August 14 followed by an awards ceremony. And finally, an Artists Talk with the award winners and judges will be held at 3 pm, August 16. 5521 E. Viking Blvd, Wyoming, MN. Open 2-8 pm, Tuesday-Saturday. http://wyomingcreativearts.org
Burl Art 4 All Silent Auction/Community Celebration, August 16, 5-8 pm (program at 6 pm). The Burl Gallery in St. Paul’s Lowertown is a nonprofit community gallery offering juried exhibitions throughout the year. As a nonprofit, the gallery needs to raise funds to survive—thus this second annual silent auction of original artwork from area artists. Artists are invited to submit work and, if sold, donate a voluntary portion of the sales to the gallery. For the silent auction, opening bids of 60% retail price are requested, with a “buy it now” option of 125%. My 24 x 30 acrylic painting “Pepin” is included in the auction. A fun evening and opportunity to purchase original art and support the local arts community. 308 Prince Street E., St Paul; www.burlartgallery.org
Other Exhibits
Minnesota State Fair. Annually at the end of July, artists across the Twin Cities and well beyond commiserate about their fate entering the State Fair Fine Arts Competition. Probably the most competitive juried show in the state, the Fine Arts Competition accepts about 10% of approximately 2500-3000 submissions in 8 categories each year. Category One includes oil and acrylic as well as mixed media, making it a huge category relative to the rest of the fine arts. Each year, most of us get the rejection email. It’s almost a sacred ritual. And for many of us, this presents a golden opportunity to exhibit in a “Reject Show.” The Doug Flanders Gallery in Edina hosts any work that was rejected, and will no doubt display some of the finest art you will find this year. I am awaiting results of my reject submission to a juried show at the Burl Gallery, which opens August 23rd. I know, I have an opportunity to be rejected twice. Meanwhile you can enjoy the accepted works at the Fine Arts Building on the fairgrounds during the fair, with a special preview night (free admission) on Tuesday, August 19, 7-8:30pm. You can also purchase a ticket to attend the “First Glance” reception earlier (5 pm): msffoundation.org or by calling (651) 288-4323. The Fine Arts building is located at Cosgrove and Randall Streets on the east side of the Fairgrounds (public parking nearby and on-street). Exhibition open throughout the fair.
Walker Art Center: “This Must Be the Place” (through April 2029). Again the Walker has put together an interesting assortment of works from the Permanent Collection, many which have not been seen for a number of years. Remember Franz Marc’s “Blue Horses?” This exhibit is on for a long time, and it is well worth multiple visits to absorb it all and repeatedly enjoy some old or new favorites.
“Glacial Decoy” through April 2026. This is a physically small exhibit with a lot to see. “Glacial Decoy” was a collaboration between choreographer Trisha Brown and visual artist Robert Rauschenberg, a Walker project premiering here (at Children’s Theater) in 1979. Well known as an eclectic painter and photographer, Rauschenberg also designed costumes and sets for dance. The exhibit includes videos of the premiere performance and of a subsequent performance with totally different sets and costumes; there is an oversized slide show of all of the photographs (many are photo collages) Rauschenberg used for the backdrops, as well as a display of his costumes. If you are not already familiar with Rauschenberg, you will be. Walker Art Center, open Wednesday-Sunday, 725 Vineland Place, Minneapolis; https://walkerart.org/
Summer usually is winding down in August although in the local art world, it seems there are yet a few weekends of community art fairs, a number of exhibition deadlines for fall shows, etc. I will be at my studio most of August , so it’s a good time to schedule a visit to talk about a commission, view my new (and older) work, or just have an overdue chat! Text me or email me to set a time! Of course, just come on Second Saturday August 9!!
Andrea
612-501-8812
andreacanterartworks@gmail.com
Andrea Canter
Artist and Owner
andreacanterartworks.com
Andrea Canter Artworks
The Casket Arts Building
681 17th Ave NE, Studio 218
Minneapolis, MN 55413