Crushed dream

NOVEMBER 1st NUTTALL ART STUDIO WILL BE CLOSING ITS DOORS. One week from tomorrow will be the last day NUTTALL ART STUDIO will be open. It wasn't an easy decision, but there just hasn't been enough business to bring in monthly rent in the last few months, and there's not enough interest by the community. For 3 years I've struggled to keep this studio open, with MANY near-closings. But I look around the studio and I built it. I MADE that studio. Each piece of artwork on the walls was carefully placed, as well as carefully created. I turned a small office space and an ignored storage room into what it is today. And next week, it reverts back to a small office space and a storage room next door. I've had alot of help keeping the studio open this long, but I get tired of asking for help. I don't want to be that guy. People keep asking me what I'll do when the studio closes. Grieve. I'm constantly looking for a job, and now it's just that much more important to find one. I've been looking for 4 years and applied dozens of times to many companies, but I never get a call back or if I do, I don't get hired. Any projects I haven't finished for paying clients I will finish at home. I cannot conduct a business from my domicile, however, due to rules and regulations of the apartment complex owners. The artwork in the studio will be put in a storage unit and lessons will no longer be offered. I think that answers all the questions people have asked since I've had to face this reality. Oh, except that I don't see myself working on art after paid projects are finished. If you would like to buy artwork you've seen in the studio, contact me ASAP. If you would like to show your support of what I do, please attend ART de COMBAT 8 on Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 at Enchante` Gallery on Refinery Rd. in West Branch, Michigan. You can view the event on the Facebook event page HERE or on the Enchante` Gallery website HERE . It costs $20 to enter the event,and from there you vote for your favorite artwork being created on the spot, and eat and drink ALL you WANT!

If I don't try, I'll never know, right?

Well, I hadn't planned on doing the recent Art de Combat at Enchante Gallery, but the morning of I decided to give it a try. If I won 2nd or 1st I can pay on the studio rent,and if I got 3rd I can at least get the entry fee back and a slick 20 in my wallet. I didn't enter the combat until 10 after 5pm (started at 5)and didn't choose a subject until almost 5:30. I gave up and drew Clint Eastwood from "Pale Rider". I was done in a little over an hour, so I walked around for a couple minutes and started on a drawing of Jim Morrison (still not done, though). The Eastwood was bid on in the silent auction, but the Morrison is available and in my studio.
Oh, and I did not place.

Cast your Vote, but not until Saturday!

I want it clear that I don't give a shit about politics & I don't bitch & moan about changes & the way of the American Politician, because I don't care. BUT I do care about artists who put hard-earned money up to compete in art battles against other artists. I don't have said money so I might not be competing, but I still think you should check out ART de COMBAT this Saturday at the Enchante' Gallery in West Branch, Michigan.

Here's how it works: YOU get to the gallery and pay $20 at the door and get a ticket. You then proceed further and look at the artwork the artists are making (they have 3 hours to begin and finish a piece of artwork). You then decide which piece of art you like the most and write down the number the artist was given and drop your ticket into the designated ballot box. You then can enjoy the food and/or drinks available (pop, water, coffee, beer, booze) at no extra charge. Once you pay that $20 at the door you can eat and drink yourself stupid. Or you can watch the artists, mingle and/or wait to hear the results of the voting. Or you can leave whenever you'd like.
I may not be competing, as I have not had enough business to afford the entry fee for artists. But that doesn't mean I don't believe in these events to encourage the general public to get involved in the arts! You can watch an artist create artwork in front of you! And you can help that artist win money that can help their career or their family! AND there's a Silent Auction during and after the combat where you get a chance to bid on your favorite artwork being created. This piece, for example, was sold for only $40 at an art battle. Bad for me, but great for the highest bidder.

How do you know?

Ok, here's a question and I'd like your opinion. I'll get to the question in a moment.
What makes artwork gallery worthy? Is it quality or subject matter, or both or neither? I have a big problem with celebrities who feel the need to express themselves beyond their comfort zones by presenting themselves as artists (painters, ceramicists, etc). Now, some are quite good and some even went to school for art but chose another career path. Others, however, seem as though they have this "I'm (celebrity name) and I draw perty pictures. LOOK AT THEM and tell me I'm good" kind of feel to them (to me, at least). They are not very good, though but still get attention and even gallery exhibits because of who they are. Bob Dylan recently unveiled an exhibit of his artwork (where I don't remember) and got international attention for it. I saw only 2 of his pieces, and they were good. I like them. But are they gallery worthy? How is his art different from artwork hanging at Enchante Gallery in West Branch, other than the name attached? The work doesn't stand out to me like you'd expect of an internationally published exhibit. BUT, I could be wrong, and I'm sure I am, but why aren't the artists displayed in Enchante Gallery getting such attention?
What work is gallery-worthy?
What piece is better? This one

Or this one?

What about this one

Compared to this one?


Are any of these gallery art? Why or why not? PLEASE give me your opinion!!

Look what I did!!

So, I competed in the Art de Combat 4 at Enchante Gallery on March 27th. I did not place, but I'm quite happy with the painting I did. It started out BAD, but about a half hour before the competition ended (a 3 hour battle, a 3 hour battle), I was done, so the oil painting only took about 2 1/2 hours to do. I was in the mood to paint a redhead and I'd chosen images of Ann Margret and Maureen O'Hara, but went with Mrs. Margret. The piece sold in the silent auction.

Where Nuttall Art will be

In the next few months, I will be a part of a few different events-

-Saturday, Mar 27- Art de Combat 4, Enchante Gallery, West Branch, Michigan 4-8
-Thursday, April 29- Blast The Blues, Dean Arbour Ford, West Branch, Michigan
-Saturday, April 17- Downtown West Branch Art & Wine Walk, West Branch, Michigan
-Thursday, April 8 ,Ogemaw County Community&Business Expo (representing West Branch Artist Pool) Ogemaw Heights High School, West Branch, MI 4-8
June 12- South Higgins Art Festival, South Higgins Lake Park, Michigan

Another combat coming...

This is a video made by Josh Jurgess of the Art de Combat II, an art battle hosted by Enchante Gallery. This was the first one I participated in. Coming soon will be Art de Combat 4, which I will most likely be competing in again. It's a very fun experience, creating artwork in a 3 hour time frame against other artists. There are cash prizes and a silent auction afterwards of the artwork created that day/night. Take a gander

Kids and Combat

Well, tomorrow is Saturday, Oct. 17, my little boy's 3rd birthday. It's ALSO my daughter's and older son's last soccer games for the year, my wife's Girl Scout meeting (she's a Brownie troop leader) and the Art de Combat 3 at Enchante Gallery.
I'm still not sure what to do for the battle, although I'm NOT worried. I just have to figure out what medium to work with that allows a finished project in the 3 hour time frame, and the subject I'll be portraying. It's between Jack Nicholson, Popeye(from the live action movie), get a live model, or Curly from the 3 Stooges.
Last time I didn't decide on medium or subject until the starter gun went off. I used charcoal to create a Sean Connery drawing. I don't really want to repeat the medium, but who knows?

New updates

Here's an update:
Alot of brainstorming for the documentary. Hit a few walls in getting gallery attention, but that's nothing new. I don't have any new projects so there's no money coming in. Right now I've got a recurring ailment that's kicking my butt. I started on a Jack Nicholson drawing. It's a more detailed rendering, like the old days. I've gotten into a bit of a lull of drawing or painting quickly to get things done for events or keep prices down for clients. I've come to miss the articulate photo rendering that I've prided myself on.
Once I get some money around, I will be entering the Art de Combat 3 at the Enchante Gallery in West Branch, Michigan on Saturday, October 17th from 4-7pm. $20 at the door to get in, but you get to vote, drink and eat all you want.
I'm planning on doing a series of Popeye drawings and paintings, as well as Nicholson.
The West Branch Artist Pool exhibit will be up until October 15th at Kirtland Community College in Roscommon. The reception went well. Alot of positive feedback.
I think that's all for now. Chest pains are kicking in.

Artin' around...

The photo is of me at the Art de Combat II, and behind me is my Uncle Bern Nuttall, whom I haven't seen in 25 years before Memorial Day last week. He came up just for the combat. Thanks again, Uncle Bern.
Here's a link to video of the Art de Combat II

Josh Jurgess filmed footage of the Art de Combat II at Enchante Gallery in West Branch, Michigan on May 30th. Thanks, Josh.

This was my first art battle, but I've grown very accustomed to drawing or painting in public, answering questions and talking to viewers. I actually enjoy it quite a bit. I didn't really feel any pressure after the first half hour. Like any project, I never know how it's going to go until I start. Starting is the worst part for me, because I need to figure out where to start. In this case, I didn't know what medium to do. I saw alot of painters competing, so I left the paints in the car. It wasn't until the starter shotgun (yes, you read right) that I opened up the charcoals and started. I went with a Sean Connery portrait, since he's a very recognizable, and fantastic, actor. If I'd felt confident I could finish the piece in the 3 hours, I would have done an oil pastel of a kilted Connery, ya know, for the ladies...

I want to thank those of you who came to the event, even if you didn't vote for me! The next combat at Enchante will be in October.

Art de Combat in my sights

I just signed on to compete at the ART de COMBAT at the Enchante Gallery in West Branch, Michigan on Saturday, May 30 from 4-7.
Here's the premise: artists come in, set up and at 4pm they begin creating a piece of artwork for the next three hours. During this time, the "audience" wanders around, watching the artists, ask questions and vote for their favorite piece. Also during this time, drinks and food are provided (beer, hors' d ouvres, wine, etc) for viewers and artists. At 7 pm the artists stop and the ballots are counted. There is also an auction for the artwork that's been created at the event. There's a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner. Part of the auction proceeds of the evening goes to charity, I do believe, and the other part to the artists whose pieces are bought. This is the second art battle at Enchante, but the first I've ever participated in.
Now, here's where it gets interesting, at least for me. I don't know what I'm going to do! So, I'm asking people to give me suggestions (remember that I am, for the most part, a portrait artist). So if someone suggests Jack Nicholson, and you like that idea, let me know and the idea with the most 'votes' has a better chance of getting done. OR I can do a drawing or painting of a live model. If you come to the event, and want to be my model, let me know. Then you or someone you bring with you can bid on the artwork. Or if you want a portrait of someone, bring them to the Art de Combat and they can sit for me for 3 hours (breaks are acceptable, of course). You can e-mail me at jasonnuttall@yahoo.com to give me your suggestions, or mention it on my Facebook or my MySpace. I will post a link to Enchante once my internet connection works right.