Dissonance and Dignity at ORUUC: Painting and Jazz

The flurries come and go today on the hill in Petros, Tennessee. Winter is trying to hold on, but the daffodils outside my kitchen window attest to the nearness of spring. Today was a busy day. My wife, Carol, and a friend, Bob,  and I drove two van loads of paintings to the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church in preparation for tomorrow’s Sunday service. The service will blend the work of  jazz musicians with my paintings.  This will be a first for me and I am really excited to see how things evolve.

 

 

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Bill Capshaw and Rickey Beene: proud artists at opening show on July 7, 2012

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Pics to share

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MEN’S WORK

This is the title of my recent show at the Art Center in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The exhibit runs through July and up to August 12 and features 37 of my new paintings and work from two other artists, Bill Capshaw and Chico Osten. The opening reception on July 7th was a pretty exciting deal. I’d say there were 80 to 100 people there- lots of friends,family, and fellow Morgan Countians. I was really glad to see so many turn out to take a look and share some delicious refreshments. When it was my turn to welcome guests I shared two of my poems and dedicated this show to my mom and dad who taught me how to live and thrive here in this Appalachian community. This love and respect for the ordinary people, the “Salt of the Earth”, forms the core of my artistic work. By the way, there’s a comment book in the gallery and I just can’t wait to read the words left there. SO- Friends, near and far, old and new, those yet-to-be-made, do stop by  the Oak Ridge Art Center when you can.

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january 28, 2012

The wheel of the year has turned again, and I am painting almost every day even though I’ve been somewhat ill for a few days.  I’m working on some smaller pieces at the present time – 16 x 24 inches or 24 x 24 inches. Also I am trying to use more pigment and mediums to get different finishes in the paints. The pictures are similar to my larger ones in that they are still all people from Petros or nearby.  In the next couple of days I will attempt to get some new photos of pieces I am working on.

Winter has never really come this year, just a few cold days- not much though.  We have had little work to do at the nursery ( my day job) so I’ve been able to paint three or four days a week.  Blessings do come in unusual ways!

Lately I have been studying painters from the Fauves, a group of painters who lived in Paris around 1900-1920. They were called ” The Wild Men” because of their use of color. It is their use of color that really intrigues me! Although Matisse is probably the best known of this group, personally I’ve been more interested in the works of Henri Manguin, Albert Marquet, and Kees Van Dongen.

I plan to get back to some ink work, but it just hasn’t happened yet. I already have some basic drawings, but they remain unworked with ink.

I hope in 2012 to become a more persistent communicator through this blog.  I also want to post more of the works in process.

All the best to each of you from the BEAR!

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Coming show at the Emporium in downtown Knoxville

Lonzo, my muse and friend, gathers in the meager potato harvest after a long season's labor.

 On June 3rd, I will be opening a show at the Emporium in downtown Knoxville, titled ” Expressions and Impressions.” I will exhibiting with another artist, Maya Simonson. Here’s what the Arts Alliance has to say about us:

Rickey A. Beene of Petros showcases acrylic paintings of the faces of the community with whom he has lived and worked during his lifetime; Maya Simonson of Morristown displays watercolor paintings of children that reflect a feeling of playfulness, naiveté, and ignorance within the characters and their surroundings. These artists’ works combine to create an insightful and colorful exhibition about the everyday joys and struggles of people of all ages.

It should be a great show. The reception will be held on June 3rd from 7-9:00 pm. I look forward to seeing some of you there.

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Getting prepared

Winter is a good chance to get in the studio and look at all the work I’ve done over the last year. This last month I spent a weekend taking photos of all my recent work. This spring I am opening a new web store for more people to check out my art, and if they feel inclined, purchase my work.

The painting behind me is of a young girl in downtown Petros. The photo from which it developed was taken this fall at the gas station cafe downtown.

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Self-portrait

Self-portrait, black and white

Every now and then, it’s nice to take some time to reflect. I have spent the last couple of weeks cutting wood, preparing for winter. My art deepens in the same way that the seasons shift and change. Around my house, the leaves become brilliant ribbons of yellow and red. Then they drop to the ground. I can sense I am shedding old skin, preparing to encounter new life in my art. What a magnificent season!

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Petros revisited

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Renaissance Man

We went to the Renaissance Man/Woman of the Year Competition today, held at the Chattanooga Open Air Market located at the First Tennessee Pavilion. It was a hot, hot day. Carol (my wife) and I met lots of local people, art lovers and artists, who had gathered in the attempt to raise money for a charity called the SISKIN Foundation that works with children with disabilities. We also met a wonderful couple who run a local restaurant called The Yellow Spot. They were kind enough to share with us a free, delicious lunch of peach yerba mate tea and sandwiches (delicious!). We didn’t win the contest, but we did have a great day visiting the city.

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