Large Fruit Tart

Large Fruit Tart, acrylic, 11"x14", framed. © B Sistak Baur

The colors of the bright fruits beckoned me to do this painting. They are so distinctive and placed so beautifully. I found the inspiration for this piece in a bountiful French bakery where color and presentation are paramount.

Each fruit piece is individually sculpted with impasto acrylic paint using painting knives. They are shaped directly on the painting support so they are applied in the layers and allowed to dry before going on. The exception are the berries which are created separate from the painting, dried and later placed on the painting.

French Apple Tart

French Apple Tart, acrylic, 11"x14",  © B Sistak Baur

Circles in circles is what inspired me to do this painting. The curves of the apple slices are layered one upon one another and become a larger curve. This, in turn, is contained within the surrounding curve of the pie crust.

Pieces of raw painting canvas were cut into the shape of apple slices, arranged in the painted pie crust and adhered to the painting support. Color was added with acrylic paint. Then berries were dropped on top.
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Guava Cheese Tart I

Guava Cheese Tart I, acrylic, 11"x14", framed, $400. © B Sistak Baur

I was fascinated by the way the strawberry-colored decoration blended with the creamy cheese filling. I was inspired to find a way to duplicate it.

Mixing acrylic paint and very loose medium created a syrup-like consistency that was appropriate for the task.
--Barb
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Iced Cake with Chocolate Sprinkles

Iced Cake with Chocolate Sprinkles, acrylic, 9"x12", framed, $300. © B Sistak Baur

I have painted this cake before but always in a different color (I often change the color of what I paint). I finally decided to do this little cake portrait in its actual hue.

Acrylic paint is mixed with heavy medium to achieve icing consistency. After it is “spread,” paint chips are sprinkled for the chocolate decoration.

15 Unforgettable Life-Lessons Learned in the Art Fair Business

I purchased my very first display panels spring 2008 from Connie, an art fair doyenne. She is so gracious and she asked me to "report in" on my first year in the art fair business. So, here it goes – "The Unforgettable Life-Lessons I Learned During My First Art Fair Season". Ahem –

1. How when I saw the truck fully loaded with panels, chairs, the tent, tubs of equipment and a few paintings thrown in on top of it all, is when I truly grasped the concept of "overhead."

2. How you shouldn't make the 500-artist show your first show. By yourself. Far away from home. ( I didn't mean to, but I was "blown out" of my first, first show.)

3. What is feels like to be trapped under a blown-over tent and debris during a micro-burst. (Or, when someone tells you to take the artwork off the walls because a storm is coming, leave immediately.)

4. How easy is it to get a "free" charge card merchant account (and then find out how much it really costs you).

5. How heavy those weights really are. (And, I still don't have enough of them.)

6. That 6 feet 7 inches is truly out of reach. (Even on my toes, no matter how hard I stretch.)

7. How little sleep you can get and still put up a display and talk to customers. (Note to self: don't try that again.)

8. What a hard, 16-hour day really feels like. (It ain't like the office!)

9. How April, May, June and ½ of July were a nightmare. (But how during the second half of July, August and Sept, I felt like a pro.)

10. The shock I felt when other artists started asking ME for advice (They must have mistaken my "finally, I know how to put this thing up in less than 3 hours" look for "seasoned.")

11. How gratified I felt when the local museum purchased a painting. (It was the only sale that day but what a good one!)

12. How my fear of talking to people who came into my booth morphed into a steady sales prattle. (I don't know how many customers I scared away!)

13. How (inwardly) irked I am when people comment to me, "how relaxing you must find painting." (Yeah, right.)

14. How it feels to be not "just" an artist, but, rather, an art business entrepreneur.

15. Most unforgettable are the people that helped along the way. A very special thank you to Kathy Eaton, who been an inspiration to me and a tremendous friend and wealth of knowledge. She has gone so far out of her way to point me in the right direction, subtly let me know when I am being an idiot and has given me great advice and insights. And, of course, my husband, who -- I can't believe it -- actually fixes mangled display panels, builds shelves for the art truck and encourages me to keep going.

I hope to see and meet many of you over the summer!

Marble Chocolate Cake

Marble Chocolate Cake, acrylic, 11 x 14, with black contemporary frame. $400 ©B. Sistak Baur

Marble Chocolate Cake, reflects its name in many ways. You can see the white and chocolate in the cake itself. The marbling is reflected on the plate it sits on. A marbling technique is on the top surface of the cake. Finally, marbled ribbons of "chocolate" create a cake topping. This chocolate ribbon was created separately from the painting and placed there. It actually stands out from the surface (see picture below). It is drizzled with "white icing" to finish the effect. I have included close ups.

Art-Throb™ -- Freeark Gallery

Art-Throb is the term I use to describe a great place, usually a little out-of-the-way, to enjoy an art experience. The Riverside Art Center houses the Freeark Gallery, an intimate venue that features area artists. Committed to the community, it recently completed a show of artwork, Opinion Pieces, by Ruth Freeark (yes, the gallery's namesake). That followed an exhibition of work by Riverside resident John Muntean, chemist/sculptor. His work is called Magic Angle Sculpture. Exhibits rotate on a regular basis so you can stop by often and find new adventures. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 1 pm to 5 pm and is located at 32 E. Quincy Rd., Riverside. The annual Riverside Art Center members show is being shown until Jan. 8, 2009, where a wide variety of work is on display. An open house is Friday evening, Dec 5, 2008.