Blog :: Melanie Parke & Richard Kooyman

Melanie Parke Summer Classes at The Old Art Building Leland, Michigan

mprk — Mon, 10 May 2010 19:11:40 +0000

Melanie Parke will be teaching two classes this summer through the Old Art Building in Leland.

Gouache: Color and Form, July 13, 2010 10am - 4pm

Introducing gouache to all skill levels. Like watercolor, gouache is water based, has a
wide range of transparency and allows easy transport and clean up. Unlike watercolor
however, it offers greater body for layering, opacity and brilliance. This intensive one day
course will draw upon observation in and out of the studio. Stressing shape, form and
color investigation- we will spend the afternoon doing exercises focused on loose,
expressive and fresh discoveries. Come prepared to experiment with design and
abstraction.
Instruction is centered toward personal direction. A variety of approaches will be
demonstrated, informal critiques and discussions of traditional to contemporary genres
will be available. Class limit 13.
$125

Drawing as Experience July 15, 2010 10am - 4pm

Strategies in rigorous visual practices to develop informed, ambitious and disciplined
seeing is the focus of this one day intensive workshop, open to all skill levels. Exploring
how the language of line and shape convey the fundamental nature of form will serve as
a catalyst in experiencing personal and aesthetic meaning. We will work from nature both
inside and outside, in sketchbooks and on large paper. The emphasis will be on
immediacy, personal memory, engaging trust between hand and eye response, and
generating a rich vocabulary of mark making. Instruction is centered toward personal
direction. A variety of approaches will be demonstrated, informal critiques and
discussions of traditional to contemporary genres will be available. Class limit 13.
$125

To register visit www.oldartbuilding.com

Melanie Parke at Emily Amy Gallery Atlanta

mprk — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:19:59 +0000

Melanie Parke will be in the first exhibition of the new year at the Emily Amy Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia.
The exhibition,"The Feminine in Abstract Painting: New works by Cora Cohen, Melanie Parke, Kiki Slaughter, and Margie Stewart' features four women abstract painters. Gallery owner Emily Amy says this about the exhibition,…"Although the "feminine" can no longer be defined as a strictly female trait, artwork is often seen as inherently feminine or masculine in nature. By delving into the oeuvres of four female abstract painters from different regions, backgrounds, and generations the notion of the "feminine" will be simultaneously challenged and embraced. By exploring the style and context of each artists' work in relation to qualities that are often associated with femininity (such as sensuality and sensitivity) the consideration of a "feminine" in abstract painting will manifest itself."

The exhibition runs February 12 - March 19 , 2010 and you can meet Melanie Parke at the opening reception Friday February 12 7pm- 10pm. For more information about the show go to www.emilyamygallery

September Maine Residency

mprk — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 14:17:12 +0000

Melanie Parke and Richard Kooyman were awarded a residency this September at the Heliker-Lahotan Residency Program on Great Cranberry Island, Maine. Great Cranberry Island is the largest of a group of five islands and sits off the southern shore of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Parke.

In the 1950s, artists John Heliker, called Jack, and Robert LaHotan purchased a 19th-century ship-captain’s house on Great Cranberry Island, Maine, off Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park.
The 19th-century boatsheds and outbuildings were converted over the years to studios, and both artists spent many of the most productive years of their lives regularly painting in Cranberry in the summers and teaching and painting in New York during the winters. Robert LaHotan spent the last two years of his life realizing his vision of turning the property into a residency program for artists on Cranberry. In 2003, the buildings passed to the Heliker-LaHotan Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit New York foundation, which administers the property and the estates of the artists.

"This is a great opportunity to do some concentrated work, away from the phone", says Kooyman. " We were very fortunate to both be accepted and already each of us has some special projects we have been wanting to work on that will do out on the island".

To learn more about the foundations residency program or Cranberry Island visit …www.heliker-lahotan.org

10th Annual Summer Exhibition

mprk — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:59:11 +0000

This year marks the 10th year that Melanie Parke and Richard Kooyman have been hosting a Summer Exhibition of new work at the Old Art Building in Leland, Michigan.
This years exhibition will included new oil on canvas and works on paper from both Parke and Kooyman.
Melanie Parke will be showing landscapes of the Leelanau County Peninsula and beautifully abstracted interior still lifes. Parke will also show her gouache on paper work including her "Morning Poem" series of small intimate line work and color shapes that she works on in the quite morning hours in her studio.
Richard Kooyman will be showing large and small landscapes of Northern Michigan and a new series of paintings based on tree canopies as seen from below. The whirling shapes of color border on the abstract but remain grounded in the experience of being in nature and taking the time to look in unconventional ways.
The 10th Annual Summer Exhibition will be August 7, 8, 9, 2009 at the Old Art Building on Main Street in Leland, Michigan. There will be an Opening Reception from 5-8pm on August 7th. Hours for Saturday and Sunday are 10- 5pm. If you are unable to attended but would like to arrange a preview of the show please call 231-889-6134 or email info@parkekooyman.com

"Poetry in Paint" at Tvedten Fine Art

mprk — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:50:01 +0000

Richard Kooyman Evening Shore 15" x 30" o/c 2009

"Poetry in Paint" will be the theme of an exhibition of new paintings by Melanie Parke and Richard Kooyman at Tvedten Fine Art in Harbor Springs, Michigan. The opening reception will be Thursday, July 2nd from 5:30 -8pm at 284 E. Third Street in Harbor Springs. The summer show runs July 2- July 8.

Melanie Parke Talk at Becky Thatcher Designs-Leland

mprk — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:59:03 +0000

Melanie Parke Single Peonie gouache on paper 16" x 20"

Melanie Parke will give an artists talk at a opening/reception for the exhibition called "Works on Paper" June 26th, 5-9pm at Becky Thatcher Designs in Leland, Michigan. The exhibition will showcase Parke's use of gouache on paper and will included NW Michigan Landscapes along with new pieces the artists calls 'Morning Poems'. For more information visit …www.Becky Thatcher Designs.com-Leland or call 231-256-2229.

Richard Kooyman Summer Workshop

mprk — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:28:21 +0000

Richard Kooyman Summer Class
Gouache/ The Poetry of Paint
June 15,16,17 - 10:00-4:00 $300
Old Art Building, Leland

There are a few spots left for Richard Kooyman's Summer Gouache class at the Old Art Building in Leland, Michigan. Working on location in Leland this class will emphasize working poetically using gouache, a opaque watercolor. The class will focus on the poetic aspects of the paint and how to best use it to capture the essence of the landscape. Available to both beginners and advanced students the class will include discussion about art, being an artist and historical references. Each day we will start with discussing what makes the landscape in front of us unique and how an artist best uses the landscape motif poetically as opposed to literally . We will stress working rapidly and making many attempts as opposed to working all day on one painting.
To enroll contact Judy Livingston at the Old Art Building at 231-256-2131 • eMail: info@oldartbuilding.com • www.oldartbuilding.com

A complete material list is located here-material list

Claudia in Chief this Sunday May 31st

mprk — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:07:18 +0000

This coming Sunday, May 31st at 4 pm Melanie Parke's 100 year old store front studio will host a house concert with singer/musician Claudia Schmidt. Claudia has recorded fourteen albums of mostly original songs, exploring folk, blues, and jazz idioms featuring her acclaimed 12 string guitar and mountain dulcimer playing. She can weave the elements of music and stage into a program so unified and full of life that one critic has described a Claudia Schmidt concert as "….a lot like falling in love. You never know what's going to happen next, chances are it's going to be wonderful, every moment is burned into your memory, and you know you'll never be the same again."

Please feel free to bring wine, beer or a homemade dish to share.
Suggested donation $15 at the door

May 31st- 4pm
7325 Chief Road
Kaleva, Michigan

Melanie Parke Residency Classes

mprk — Fri, 15 May 2009 12:57:32 +0000

Classes as part of Melanie Parke's 2009 Ann Hall Artist in Residence through the Old Art Building in Leland, MI are filling fast. Registration is required and can be made through the Old Art Building … …Old Art Building, Leland, MI. Space is limited for the following events…

June 25th
Drawing Workshop 10 am to 4 pm at OAB Thursday limited to 13
Free

Drawing as Experience- Developing a sensitivity to seeing is the focus of this one day intensive workshop. We will explore the language of line and its ability to convey the fundamental nature of form in a personal and meaningful way. We will work from nature inside and outside, weather permitting, in sketchbooks and on large single sheets of paper. The emphasis will be on immediacy, working quickly and loosely, engaging trust between hand and eye coordination, and generating a rich vocabulary of mark making. Limit 13

July 9th
10 am to 3 pm for Demonstration in Oil & gouache. Paint and draw at the Old Art Building all day in any medium – All welcome.
Free

Bring any materials you wish and enjoy an informal day of painting with Artist in Residence, Melanie Parke. Melanie will do demonstrations in both oil on canvas and gouache on paper, developing works throughout the afternoon.
Come watch the paintings in process as they evolve and work alongside the artist in residence to get feedback on your own work.

July 10th
Professional Practice Discussions and Private Critiques – one day with half hour sign up slots, limited to 12.
Free

Do you have questions about how to take your paintings to the next level? Or how to present yourself more professionally? These critiques will cover many subjects from painting to professionalism, on a very personal level. These discussions will revolve around topics considered important for working artsists who critically consider their work and for those who feel they need a jolt to their practice. Bring the materials you wish to discuss, 5-10 pieces of artwork for a personal critique, your portfolio to discuss your professional path, or any number of questions about how to examine and further your vision. Melanie will be your personal creative life coach in creativity for 25 minutes.

Summer Art Classes in Leland, MI

mprk — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:35:28 +0000

Both Melanie Parke and Richard Kooyman will be again teaching a summer class through the Old Art BUilding in Leland, MI. Registration is now taking place and you can register by contacting Judy Livingston, Director at …the Old Art Building or you can call 231-256-2131

A Drawing Marathon with Melanie Parke
July 13, 14, 15 2009 10am - 4 pm $300
The Old Art Building , Leland, MI

Vigorous exploration of mark making, line quality and the play on visual form and space is the emphasis of this very athletic drawing workshop. We will investigate and expand the very notion of what drawing can be, pushing through standard methods to reach raw ideas and fresh perception. Participants are encouraged to break through the limits of their habits and to take sweeping risks. We will work from abundant florals inside and the gardens outside to convey a lively and rich vocabulary in texture, line and shape, through the use of charcoal, pencil, ink and gouache. The fast paced exercises will excellerate your ability to see with new eyes and refuel your excitement for untried possibilities.

Richard Kooyman Summer Class
Gouache/ The Poetry of Paint
June 15,16,17 - 10:00-4:00 $300
Old Art Building, Leland

Working on location in Leland this class will emphasize working poetically using gouache, a opaque watercolor. This class will focus on the poetic aspects of the paint and paper and how to best use it to capture the essence of the landscape. Available to both beginners and advanced students the class will include discussion about art, being an artist and historical references. Each day we will start with discussing what makes the landscape in front of us unique and how an artist best captures the feeling of place poetically as opposed to literally . We will stress working rapidly and making many attempts as opposed to working all day on one painting.

A complete material list is located here-material list