Elena De La Ville

Beginning of a fresh, new year!

2012-01-02T16:57:00.000-05:00


Sunset through my window on the last day of 2011

It is the first day of the year, sohappy that 2011 is gone,
needless to say last year was not my favorite ;>)


Window at the C"a de Zan, at thr Ringling Museum

So looking ahead:
I will be part of theCreators and Collector tour in early March… This is put together by the FineArt Society of Sarasota and is always a treat, and is quite an honor as I getto catch up with many of my local collectors and meet new ones.
So, in thespirit of ‘planning’ I need to spend a good portion of my time in the studio.
Iam now working on a series of ‘Totems’ that are 6 feet high.
Here is a link to last yearsshow;

http://www.fineartssarasota.com/

Railing at the C'a de Zan

I will be teaching DigitalPhotography 1 and 2 @ Ringling College of Art and a 1-week encaustic workshop scheduledfor in March. This workshop is already full.

I have also scheduled a beginningEncaustic workshop in Jan and an advanced one in Feb. in my studio. Email me toget particulars.

Looking ot on the bay from the C'a de Zan

I hope that 2012 brings youhappiness and progress in your goals.

My best to all!

Last 2 weeks!

2011-12-18T11:14:00.001-05:00

Only 2 more weeks to see‘WOMEN AND WAX” show at the Art Center Sarasota…

If you have not seen it… youare missing one of the best art exhibits in Sarasota!

Encaustic,meaning: "to burn in", dates back to 5th Century BC. Used as acontemporary medium it is a versatile method of painting with a beeswaxbased paint kept molten on a heated palette, Wax is a luscious medium, worked in layers, translucent and sensual.

What people are saying:

" ...Congratulations, these works are extraordinary: loved the way that they shine!”

“thank you forbring these encaustic artists to Sarasota”!

ArtCenter Sarasota

707N Tamiami Trail

9413652032

OpenTues through Saturday 10am to 4pm


Joanne Mattera Diamond Life # 9

Diana González Gandolfi
HIDDEN LINEAGE

Karen Freedman
Ruche 0399

December 12th

2011-12-13T14:37:00.001-05:00

Taken at Art Basel, sorry, do not have artist name.

Life changing experiences are a call to make yourself whole.

I am in the process of juggling time in the studio, time for teaching and time for myself..

I realize that the time in the studio needs to take center stage in these 2 coming months.

I have been invited to be part of this years:

CREATORS AND COLLECTORS TOUR

in late March.

So, I have not had much time for updating the

blog and/or redoing my web page,

but, promise: that is next on the list!

FEAR NO ART!

2011-11-18T14:38:00.001-05:00

My friend and wonderful artist, Catherine Nash, is seeking funding for an exiting new venture: A project on Contemporary Paper and Encaustic, an e-publication surveying international artists who integrate paper and encaustic in innovative and inspiring works.You can see her work in the Women and Wax show at the Art Center Sarasota and also at USA Projects... just follow the link below. Please help her continue her work and make this publication into a rich resource!

Thank you!

Contemporary Paper and Encaustic: International Trends by Catherine Nash
United States Artists - www.unitedstatesartists.org

She says:

"My focus is to present artworks that push the boundaries of paper and encaustic while simultaneously creating a relevant contribution to the contemporary art world."

WOW! National Show of Encaustic Work

2011-09-21T07:10:00.000-04:00

WOW! Women & Wax will feature the leading artists inthe field who are dedicated to the innovation of contemporary art and ideas.Artists from around the country were chosen for their innovative andcontemporary use of the Encaustic medium. The exhibit provides a platform fordialogue and education, while increasing the understanding and appreciation ofencaustic art.

Encaustic is oneof the oldest forms of painting wherein beeswax, resin and pigment are layeredand then fused to produce a luminous surface that both captures and transformslight. These artists melt, layer, scrape, and sculpt to createtheir individual vision in wax.

Curatedby: Elena De La Ville


At the Art Center Sarasota

Invitedartists:

Binnie Birstein

Neverne Covington

Karen Freedman

Diana González Gandolfi

Joanne Mattera

Laura Moriarty

Nancy Natale

Catherine Nash

Jane Allen Nodine

OpeningReception: November 3^rd

Showruns: Novemver 3 – December 31 - 2011

Art Center Sarasota:707 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL34236-4050
(941) 365-2032

Shirin Neshat

2011-08-08T15:14:00.001-04:00


Woman of Allah@ Shirin Neshat

I have always loved Shirin's photographs of Iranian women.. I posted about her film:
"Women without Men" in an earlier post:
http://elenadelaville.blogspot.com/2009/12/seen-at-cisneros-fontanal-art.html

Here are some more:

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SHIRIN NESHAT:

In an Interesting interview conduted several years ago by John Lekay of Heyoka magazine:

"Is one of your intentions to investigate or subvert stereotypes? "

Shirin says: " In regard to your point, my interest in the subject of women is partially due to the fact that as a woman I feel closer and more sympathetic toward their situation living under oppressive societies. But also, because I believe in Islamic societies such as in Iran, by studying the predicament of the women, one could learn about the overall ideological structure of the political system that rules the country. "

http://heyokamagazine.com/HEYOKA.4.FOTOS.ShirinNeshat.htm


I Am it's Secret, 1993

You can see more here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOjqX4rgS9c

Images of the week

2011-07-20T12:30:00.000-04:00

I am still teaching every morning, but will soon ( by this friday) have full time for the studio till September!
Reentering back from the encaustic conference and P town was a bit rough, but cannot stop thinking about what a great conference it was and how we as a group have grown and blossomed.!
Thanks again to Joanne Mattera and Cherie Mittenthal.

Encaustic Conference

2011-06-09T15:49:00.001-04:00

Just finished teaching a wonderful 2-day workshop on Photography and Encaustic at Castle Hill Center for the Arts in Truro, Mass.

I have been in Provincetown, MA for the last week attending the 5^th International Encaustic Conference, and it has been an incredible experience! The whole event makes me aware of the many talented and wonderful artists embrace this medium…

I am so happy to be part of this group!..

here are a few images and will be posting more…

The Moors


Province Lands


Cake presented to Director Joanne Mattera for her incredible vision and work

She was totally surprised and really touched!

Joanne Mattera and Jane Allen Nodine

To top it off, we held a drum circle last night to celebrate.

Almost forgot!

This was a good write up in the local paper:
http://www.provincetown.com/fine_provincetown_art_craft/gallery_dealer_photo/_/18474/

Notes from Land's End: Going Global, Provincetown Style: By Laura Shabott June 6th, 2011

Artists from 35 U.S. States and 6 countries (Brazil, Spain, UK, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand) gathered at the Provincetown Inn this past weekend to immerse themselves in the medium of encaustic wax. Joanne Mattera, Founder and Director of The Encaustic Conference, says, “Having this festival in collaboration with Castle Hill is a match made in heaven.” Provincetown opens it arms world-wide and says, “Come stay, work, create and play.”
Kobalt Gallery Curator Francine D’ Olimpio selected works that encompassed a wide range of composition and content. One standout is “Bee Habitat” by Venezuelan Elena De La Ville, a piece using fabric, rust and beeswax. “The sculptural form even attracts bees”, said the artist/bee-keeper. "Over 120 participants are also attending post conference workshops at Castle Hill", says Cherie Mittenthal, their Executive Director. “Joanne and I worked very hard to make this the most exciting conference ever.” Brava, ladies.

Stories embedded in Wax

2011-05-15T17:45:00.000-04:00

De La Ville, Torso, Feathers, 2011

Narrative in Wax

Wax can be used as glue, as a transparent layer and also as a mask. I will introduce the work of several contemporary artists that use Narrative Collage as expression, focusing on the story-telling element in their work.

Join me for my talk at the 5th International Encaustic Conference on Sunday June 5th at 3 pm.

Encaustic Conference

2011-05-12T06:05:00.000-04:00

Just finished a 1-day brush up workshop for 3 students, last one before I head up north. We had fun, they produced very interesting work and wanted to come again tomorrow ;>0)

I am getting ready for my trip to Boston and Cape Cod for the 5th Encaustic Conference. It is this time of the year again!

I am a presenter and will be giving a talk on Narrative in Wax on Sunday at 3 pm. I will also be teaching a post conference workshop on Photography and Encaustic on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 7th and 8th, at Castle Hill Center for the Arts.

My work has been selected Beeline show at the Kobalt Gallery in Provincetown. It opens on June 3rd and coincides with the encaustic conference.

Spring in Florida

2011-04-06T10:38:00.002-04:00

In my painting studio I have been working in a new direction that involves steel, fabric and raw comb wax made into “Cocoons” that will be hung in close proximity to my hives in Old Myakka. These will become living habitats for my bees and I will document the process via photography and video. They will then be exhibited, (part 2) as bee-modified habitats.

Each piece hangs from a wire and moves and turns slowly in the air. It is a motion and time continuum.

Open Studio

2011-03-08T15:20:00.000-05:00

My new gallery is almost ready.

I want to invite you to share the beginning of

The Gallery@ Bay Road!!!

I am holding my first open studio evening this Saturday from 5 to 8 pm. Please drop by before, after or during your evening events and feel free to invite your interested friends.

I will have art in my gallery, in the upstairs studio and in the courtyard facing the water with a fantastic sunset and welcoming courtyard. Not to mention the exiting new and older pieces in encaustic, birch, metal and paper.

I have both original, small works and prints available.

I need to make space for the next series of work!

If you cannot make it on Saturday, my gallery will be open by appointment.

Please come by!

Conference, workshops and new venture!

2011-01-27T12:12:00.002-05:00

I have been gearing up for the best encaustic conference ever in the world: The 5th International Encaustic Conference in early June. Artists from around the globe will be descending on Cape Cod for a week of learning, reconnecting and sharing our passion for the medium.

Joanne Mattera and Cherie Mittenthal, Executive Director at Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill, have joined forces to hold this important event in the contemporary art world:

From the website

http://encausticconference.blogspot.com/

I will be presenting a talk on Sunday, June 5, from 3:00—4:00:
Narratives in the Wax: in which I will show and discuss the work of several artists who use storytelling and narrative as an integral part of their work.

I will also be teaching a 2-day workshop:
Photo and Encaustic,
June 7 & 8, Tuesday & Wednesday
9 – 4 pm
2 Sessions at Castle Hill

“This is an opportunity to study with a master of mixed media who incorporates photography into her own work. In this workshop you will learn how to incorporate photographs into encaustic paintings and to transfer photographic images onto a wax surface. You will learn mounting techniques to secure paper substrates or photographs, textural techniques such as stencils, and surface techniques such as encaustic pouring. Proper tools and safety procedures will be discussed.”

Thank you who have enrolled and I am looking forward to meeting all of you!

Also: Ongoing small and private encaustic workshops are held in my Sarasota studio:

Next dates:
Feb 17 and 18
March: 17 and 18
April: 21 and 22
Email me if interested.

In my spare time, ))…I have also started a new venture: Recycled Relics, in conjunction with Pat Gormley, we proudly transform discarded material into contemporary, unique and functional wearable art.

We create functional pieces and accessories made of recycled inner tubes, bottle caps, copper, silver and steel, sewn into belts, bags, clothing and body adornments. The forged steel buckles and clasps are made from repurposed found materials.

We forge, we sew, we design and create each individual piece.

visit us at:
http://recycledreclics.blogspot.com/

Working on the marketing aspects of it now…
so many things, so much fun!

Miami news

2010-12-06T21:17:00.000-05:00

Just came back from the Miami Art Fairs… What a treat.!!!
Great art, artists, good friends and lots of energy, Cortaditos and empanadas…
I met with people that I had not seen in over 30 years and made some incredible new friends.
Visited with one of my favorite artists that I have been following for a number of years : Evelyn Valdirio. Her work is luminous, (oils and resin, sometimes) , political and fascinating to look at..

http://www.evelynvaldirio.com/html/english.html
Take a look

Some images of the trip:
Wonderful found surfaces:

Wonderful instalation at the Rubell Collection:

And.. one of the best signs I encountered:

I will be at the Art Center Sarasota sale on Saturday 11th with new art pieces and a new fun line of forged
metals buckles and rubber belts.. Come by!

ENCAUSTIC SHOW

2010-11-01T22:36:00.000-04:00

If you are near Lexington, Virginia...

come and see this show!

The invite:

curated by Christine Rooney...

I HAVE MOVED!

Beautiful waterfront studio in Sarasota.

Here is a small glimpse from my window:

And, of course: the ever present sunsets!

New workshops coming up:

Art Center Sarasota: Beeswax Collage on Dec 13th.

Ongoing private workshops, every Thursday...

... email me if interested

Life as Art= Art & LIfe

2010-09-09T21:43:00.001-04:00

Being an artist is really about being in the moment.
How many times have we encountered blocks and have turned

them into possibilities???

My trip to Penland School of Crafts, Asheville and the NC mountains was

an eye-opening and expansive time: art, creativity, beauty.

Full of thoughts and planning;

Forged metals, photography, daguerreotypes, beautiful mountains

and incredible people!

Thank you!

Too much fun this summer...

2010-07-25T14:19:00.001-04:00

Riding, paddling and waiting for family...

On the way to Tampa for Art Show

New pieces in the making:

Fabric, Steel and wax!

And another view:

At the farm we have over 20 new chicks!!! Yikes!

The horses are back!

Encaustic Artist at the Hermitage Artist Retreat

2010-05-20T11:57:00.002-04:00

TheFlorida Gulf at Sunset

Taken from the Hermitage website

Yesterday, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet up with artist and Hermitage Fellow, Barbara Ellman. She is here in beautiful Manasota key for her final days of residency at the Hermitage Artist retreat, just south of Sarasota.

I was invited by friend and artist Elizabeth Van Riper to meet Barbara, who also works in Encaustic. She has produced an extensive body of work which include many Public Art projects in NY. We had dinner with Barbara and Mimi Herman, a writer who is also in residency at the Hermitage.

We had a wonderful time talking and sharing stories and getting to know one another as we enjoyed the views and sounds of the Florida Gulf sunset from the outside deck.

We had an incredible treat of a reading of poems by Mimi as we enjoyed our dessert and then a visit to Barbara’s studio to see her latest work. It is so much fun to meet fellow encaustic artists and talk shop!

Thank you all for a memorable and inspiring evening.

Barbara Ellman

Barbara and Elizabeth Van Riper

New piece influenced by the glorious Florida light and color.

Works in progress.

April news/ End of semester

2010-04-13T19:01:00.002-04:00

FULL MOON OVER MYAKKA

The semester is drawing to an end.
I have had an incredible teaching experience teaching Darkroom technique and alternative processes.

I am so proud of my students! We have gone from developing B&W film to fine art printing and toning.

I am part of the WILD MYAKKA Show, a gathering of wonderful Florida artists still on view at the

Art Center Sarasota. These are 2 of my sold pieces.

MYAKKA LONGWING

ONE OF MY PIECES FOR THE WILD MYAKKA SHOW

PHOTOGRAPHY/TRANSFER/WAX

RIVER OTTERS

PHOTOGRAPHY/ENCAUSTIC/TRANSFER/WAX

I will be traveling to Martha’s Vineyard where I will be teaching a Beeswax Collage Workshop at Featherstone and then on to one of my favorite places...

the 4th Annual Encaustic Conference @

Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, MA

Back in the darkroom and loving it!

2010-02-24T12:44:00.000-05:00

There is a mystery and a sense of awe every time I work on a silver gelatin print.
Playing with cyanotypes, fabric and wax!

Images of the week

2010-01-22T19:29:00.000-05:00

Life keeps on changing in positive ways....

Life is full..

I am enjoying teaching and creating art.
My 1st year photo students are going into the darkroom for the 1st time and it still amazes me ( and them!) to watch the power of a black tone coming out of a totally white surface.
Blows everybody’s mind.
Photography does mean: painting with light!

I am working on several shows coming up. Will let you know very soon.

Here are some images from of my week:

Barack: the main man

Red...Next in command

Paddling at the Rye Preserve

Chief and friends

CD Cover

Photo/Encaustic

Camille and Anais in Trentino, Italy.

End of the year BUZZ

2009-12-30T15:40:00.000-05:00

I have been working on new territory for the last 3 months, exploring sculptural and 3-D forms in new materials.

It has been an incredible learning experience as well as a way of seeing and working the medium in a different and more tactile way: metal, rust, fabric and wax.

I have met 2 talented sculptors who have given me the chance to explore working with the big tools: plasma cutters, sand blasters, grinders, brazing and soldering tools.
What fun!

On Steel

Vessel #1

Detail Vessel #1

Vessel # 2

Virginia sandblasting

Ryland and me

Seen at the Cisneros Fontanal Art Foundation... Striking!!

2009-12-09T08:19:00.000-05:00

Shirin Neshat (born March 26, 1957 in Qazvin, Iran) is a contemporary visual artist who lives in New York. She is known primarily for her work in film, video and photography.

Shirin Neshat's first feature film Women without Men award Silver Lion at 66th (2009) Venice Film Festival in Italy. Women without Men chronicles the lives of four women from different walks of life against the backdrop of Irans foreign-backed CIA coup in 1953

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtYZKYgbjNU

Miami/ Art Basel/ Art

2009-12-08T21:00:00.002-05:00

I went to the brunch at the Cisneros Fontanal Art Foundation. (CIFO) flowing champagne… wonderful art, food and good music.

Just made my reservations for next year!.

Alirio Gutierrez, designer and Evelyn Valdirio, artist

Atomic Bazaar

2009-11-20T21:54:00.001-05:00

Getting ready for the Atomic Bazaar on Sunday December 13th.

What a show!

It is Fun, Edgy, Contemporary and full of scrumptious crafts, art and people!

Put it in your calendar!

Check it out!

Atomic Holiday Bazaar celebrates its fourth Sunday show on December 13, 2009, Noon- 6 p.m., All Ages Show, $5 Admission, Children 12 and under get in free. Atomic Holiday Bazaar's Sunday craft show features over 80 crafters who create amusing handmade DIY crafts. Holiday shopping offerings include handbags, t-shirts, jewelry, body products, home décor, baby items, plushies, a smidge of art and even canned goods. This is not your granny's craft show!

http://www.atomicholidaybazaar.com/

Thoughts on a Saturday morning

2009-10-23T08:57:00.003-04:00

The light breaks, it bends, it moves

Reflections become opened doors

My hands in continuous circles

Each finger tracing a path

In circles and lines of unbroken dreams

Fluidity surrounds me

Rhythmic breathing

Salt

water

sun

air

I am

Working in the studio, taking inventory this week.

Here are some new pieces available.

Torso/ Earth

Torso/ Sea

Torso/Water

"Art is never necessary. It is merely indispensable." -

2009-09-08T13:49:00.053-04:00

Michael Kimmelman New York Times

Vessel No # 1

Vessel No #2

Circles

Transparency # 1

Transparency # 2

As I now settle back in Old Myakka, enjoying the end of the summer, my thoughts turn to the wonderful changing weather, the start of a new semester at Ringling, teaching private workshops and creating new work in the studio.
So far, this summer has taken me on a new and more sculptural way of working. The small, hands on encaustic books have also found way onto the hanging vessels inscribed with words and meaning which now float from the ceiling. The studio has become, once again, a “teller of tales”

I will be teaching Digital Photography, Macro photography, Collage and Encaustic courses, both basic and advanced. I am also getting together a roster of small, one-day workshops designed to help artists with the business of art. They will focus on many aspects of the art application processes: Working on presentation materials, Zapp applications, Image making, how to photograph your artwork, parameters for submitting, Photoshop image enhancement and written statements. I will also introduce a workshop on understanding and learning to use networking sites.

Please write me if you are interested as I am putting together the roster right now.

A visit to the Boca Raton Museum of Art

2009-08-23T16:47:00.006-04:00

This week I had the wonderful opportunity to finally visit the Boca Raton Museum of Art.

The 58th All Florida Annual show is still up until the 30th of the month and I met up with Kelli Bodle of the curatorial staff who showed me around this spectacular show.

I loved the architecture and light.

Here are some images from that day:

aaa

Main room with my friend, Jean Blakburn's piece on the far left.

Jean Blackburn, Myakka series # 113

My 2 pieces,

The Road Traveled and We are Burning.

Photo Encaustic

22" x 22"

Other artists I liked:

Miles Loventhall

The Wall 2007

Paper Resin on aged steel

41" x53""x4"

Jeff Olsen

Everglades Restoration
Digital Photograph
24" x 29"

The New Queen has arrived!

2009-08-14T14:02:00.021-04:00

It has been a bee kind of week. I am now an official certified beekeeper and it was suggested by the bee inspector to re-queen one of my hives. I mailed ordered a Cordoban Queen and she arrived this morning.I inserted the small cage she came in to the bottom hive and let her worker bees smell her and get know her through her pheromones. Then they will liberate her by eating the candy that seals her cage.

She will then take her mating flight and then get busy laying eggs..

The smoker:

Smoking the hive before we open it.

A top frame:
I hope to see the moment when she is cut loose by her bees
and she takes that first mating flight.
Will keep vigil for the next few days! I will keep you informed.

Montserrat College of Art

2009-08-12T21:31:00.004-04:00

What a great experience and great Encaustic Conference!..
Here is a link to one of my pieces shown:

http://www.montserrat.edu/galleries/public-programs/index.php?featured_id=71

Les Petit Poussins

2009-07-15T11:27:00.009-04:00

Les Petit PoussinsNight & Day

The Studio

Canopy

This is what I have been up to this week,
working in the studio, enjoying the land.

Encaustic on Paper

2009-07-13T10:55:00.006-04:00

Landscape I

I am ecstatic about being back painting in the studio
I will be posting some of work that I have created in this last year.
Contact me if interested.

About Time

Portfolio Sampling

2009-07-12T15:38:00.020-04:00

Red Tide
Encaustic on paper

I am back in the studio after more than a month in traveling in Europe, Boston and Beverly, Ma for the 3rd National Encaustic Conference, where I was a speaker and included in the Beauty and Opposites Show at Gallery 301.

I have been teaching the Teen Studios at Ringling College of Art.
Now that that is finished I can finally work uninterrupted in the studio. More to come

Towers
Encaustic on paper

July 1st, 2009

2009-07-01T21:19:00.011-04:00

My first blog just faded into cyberspace, so,. I have started this one in hopes
to recover my last postings.

I was recently honored with the Director's Award at the 3rd National Encaustic
Conference for my piece: TERRORIST......What an honor!

.

Honorable Mention at the 58th Annual All Florida Juried Competition and Exhibition for my piece:
WE ARE BURNING
Boca Raton Museum of Art through August 30th

Elena De La Ville

Beginning of a fresh, new year!

Last 2 weeks!

December 12th

WOW! National Show of Encaustic Work

Invitedartists:

Binnie Birstein

OpeningReception: November 3rd

Showruns: Novemver 3 – December 31 - 2011

Shirin Neshat

Images of the week

Encaustic Conference

Almost forgot!

Notes from Land's End: Going Global, Provincetown Style: By Laura Shabott June 6th, 2011

Stories embedded in Wax

Encaustic Conference

Spring in Florida

Open Studio

Conference, workshops and new venture!

Miami news

ENCAUSTIC SHOW

Life as Art= Art & LIfe

Too much fun this summer...

Encaustic Artist at the Hermitage Artist Retreat

April news/ End of semester

Back in the darkroom and loving it!

Images of the week

End of the year BUZZ

Seen at the Cisneros Fontanal Art Foundation... Striking!!

Miami/ Art Basel/ Art

Atomic Bazaar

Thoughts on a Saturday morning

"Art is never necessary. It is merely indispensable." -

A visit to the Boca Raton Museum of Art

The New Queen has arrived!

Montserrat College of Art

Les Petit Poussins

Encaustic on Paper

Portfolio Sampling

July 1st, 2009

My first blog just faded into cyberspace, so,. I have started this one in hopesto recover my last postings.

OpeningReception: November 3^rd

My first blog just faded into cyberspace, so,. I have started this one in hopes
to recover my last postings.