the Painting Activist

“You never know what you’re missing until it’s gone.”  I’m a believer in this adage.   For example, I never realized how convenient it was to show up to a studio class in college and a model was there waiting for us.  It’s a little trickier when you’re on your own, or it was until I moved to a big city.

I’m a little hesitant to keep looking for things to do in London because I’m afraid my creative ADD will run wild.  Wednesday night drop-in figure drawing class, check.  Daily art museum guided tours, check.  Free exhibition lectures, check.  It’s like having all of the resources of a college student with a city-wide campus.

15″x30″ oil on canvas, SOLD
See all artwork available for sale.

So this is square one in a new city.  I’ve always thought of myself as travel savvy, but I was humbled last night by missing a social art event due to my inability to navigate my way from my borough to a theathre in the city center.  Apparently I’m only as travel savvy as a my smart phone makes me, which I’m without at the moment.

It’s almost overwhelming to take in all of the options in a city as big and rich in culture as London.  My paints arrived yesterday so we’ll see how the sights translate on canvas.  I’m pleased with this first piece of a pub in Soho just as people were leaving their offices.  Happy hour is taken very seriously here.

15″x45″ oil on canvas
Email me at ashley.cecil at gmail.com for purchasing inquiries.
A donation from sold painting will be made to Art In The Market.

The move is underway!

Before departing I had to paint Findlay Market, one of my favorite places in my last city of residence, Cincinnati.  This is also the last painting remaining from my entire body of work to date, which is hard to believe since I’ve created hundreds of paintings over the last few years (thank you for patronage).

I’m eager to create and share new work inspired from abroad.  Now I just need my art supplies to arrive off the boat.

8″x10″ oil on canvas, SOLD.
See all artwork available for sale.

I love that my website attracts requests for touching commission requests such as the one below:

Ashley,

The better part of last year I spent in surgery, chemo or having double radiation for cancers. So far I am in remission and doing very well.  One of the many wonderful caregivers with a daunting task is a trainer for Fitsteps For Life, a free program designed to make us chemo and radiation patients get out of bed and work out and not allowing us to become bedridden.  The program that I am enrolled in is hosted by the generosity of Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.

Our wonderful trainer lost her young mother recently to cancer. Her mother lived and died at home in Jacksonville, Texas. Hours before she passed on, she told her family of a bird that had started inhabiting her garden and for them to understand that things in this life are not as they seem. The bird was there that day and the family got a look at the bird, the Painted Bunting. She told her family that when she left them, there would be two. She died several hours later and as the family wandered into the garden, there were two of these beautiful birds on a branch in their mother’s garden.

Needless to say, the bird is now a huge symbol in the lives of that family. As a gesture of profound gratitude for this caregivers service to me and many others I would like to have you paint a small oil of this beautiful bird that she may receive anonymously for Christmas.

I assure you there is no better way to feel good about your work.  I was incredibly honored to paint this colorful bird for my client and mail it to the recipient.  How’s that for holiday cheer?

I’m crossing the pond for good (or a few years at least). London shall be my new home as of January 2010 and none of my finished paintings are coming with me.  That’s great for you, because I’m selling everything at prices I haven’t listed since college.  That’s hard to stomach, but it’s working because there aren’t many left.

About 10 paintings are still available.  You can click here to see the PDF of my remaining inventory (disclaimer: I may not be able to keep the list updated immediately as things sell, so have patience). Please keep in mind that these prices do not include shipping.  If you’re in Louisville or Cincinnati (or somewhere in the drivable vicinity), we can arrange a face-to-face delivery.

So, got any London tips or people you want to introduce me to?

36″ x 60″ oil on canvas, SOLD.
See all artwork available for sale.

For 114 years, the Wildlife Conversation Society has endeavored to preserve wildlife and wildlife habitats around the world through science, wildlife park management, environmental conservation and education.

Their earliest accomplishment was helping the American bison population recoup in the Western Plains.  Today, they manage about 500 conservation projects in over 60 countries and more than 200 million acres of protected lands around the world, employing more than 200 scientists.  WCS also manages the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, which includes five New York City “living institutions.” These parks reach 4 million visitors each year and assist in educating millions of schoolchildren in science and conservation issues.

Here’s a comical video example of what park visitors would find at one of the New York City zoos.

The WCS website is equipped with templates for wildlife supporters to use in writing their congressman/woman about conservation issues.  You can also donate online to support their “commitment to protect 25 percent of the world’s biodiversity.”  That’s no small undertaking, for which I’m certain your contribution is greatly appreciated.

Ps- Take a look at another animal welfare group, Paw-Talk, that graciously republished this post.  Thanks for helping to spread the word.

24″x30″ oil on canvas, SOLD
See all artwork available for sale.

While dropping off this portrait to my client (Gill Holland of the Green Building) I discovered a connection between the portrait and another project Gill has involved me in.  It turns out the children’s book I have been asked to contribute another piece of artwork to is dedicated to the subject of this portrait, his daughter Cora.

The book, “Louisville Counts! A Children’s Counting & Art Book,” is a project that assembled 22 artists to create unique, child-friendly pieces of art to accompany 22 pieces of Louisville trivia. Each piece corresponds with a specific number, from 0-21, encouraging the reader to count their way through the book using everything from Muth’s Candies to baseball bats to Olmsted parks and even disco balls.

All 22 pieces will be on display September 4th - 25th at the Green Building Gallery and sold in a silent auction that runs for the duration of the show. All proceeds from all sales of the book, as well as the gallery’s share of the sales of the corresponding artworks, go directly to Art Sparks Interactive Gallery, the children’s gallery at The Speed Art Museum.

Participating artists include: Chris Radtke, Nico Jorcino, Jacob Heustis, Cynthia Reynolds, Natasha Sud, Monica Mahoney, Gibbs Rounsavall, Bryce Hudson, Amanda Bishop, J.B. Wilson, McKinley Moore, Julius Friedman, Lloyd Kelly, Russel Hulsey, Billy Hertz, Letitia Quesenberry, Thea Lura, Sarah Lyon, Valerie Fuchs, Skylar Smith, and Stephen Irwin.

I’ll be at the opening reception on Friday, September 4th, which is a First Friday Trolley Hop (for you wine moochers out there).  I hope to see you there.

11″ x 14″ oil on masonite board.
Email me at ashley.cecil at gmail.com for purchasing inquiries.
A donation from sold painting will be made to the Women’s Second Chance Scholarship Fund.

Gallery caption:

Project Women (now the Family Scholar House) provides housing to single mothers who are experiencing homelessness and supports them in obtaining a baccalaureate degree, thereby enabling them to break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their children.

Although Aaliyah coming into this world is the best thing that ever happened to Stephanie, being a committed single mother left her unable to give adequate attention to her own needs, specifically her education.  Without her college degree, Stephanie knew finding employment that would afford them stable, sufficient income was not a reality.  Project Women has provided them with housing and given Stephanie the support she needs to pursue her degree full-time.

Stephanie’s quote in the painting:

I began to believe that this was a blessing designed specifically for me.  I am now in an environment that understands the importance of education and does everything possible to help keep me on track while I pursue my dreams.