OVAC's Tulsa Art Studio Tour

I took the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's self-guided Tulsa Art Studio Tour on Sunday and was, of course, so inspired by the creative spaces in which some of our local artists work.

First on my tour was a nondescript building at 1104 S. Voctor Ave. in which large-scale photographer David Varmecky works.

It turns out, though you'd never know it, there are actually seven artists with studios in this building. Here's Varmecky's:

Varmecky finished his MFA at the University of Tulsa in 2005 and is looking for a teaching position at a university somewhere. He spends time working in his studio every day.

Although he wasn't on the itinerary, artist Steve Rosser, who's attending TU for his MFA in printmaking, opened his studio to folks on the tour.

Rosser has painted professionally for 25 years and worked in art galleries for 20. While he earns his MFA, he continues to create and also teaches a class at TCC called Pro Practice, which instructs students on how to deal with galleries and other business aspects of art.

On the door to Rosser's studio was taped a Gustave Flaubert quote that I really liked: "Be regular and orderly in your life so that you can be violent and original in your work."

Next on my tour was Kristal Tomshany's studio, a small shed behind her Midtown home. Tomshany is a painter and mixed media artist whose studio was packed when I visited.

Here, Tomshany is explaining the circumstances by which she found the bird that is the subject of the painting below. You can see the work in stages: a photograph of the bird, a sketch and then the finished product. Unfortunately, I came in on the story midway through and am unable to relate it to you here.


As as aside, I thought this was cute:


Following that, I made my to photographer and installation artist Glenn Herbert Davis' studio at 3837 W. 21st St. I had plans to visit the studios of at least three more artists, but, unfortunately, on the way to Davis' studio my son fell asleep, cutting our trip short.

See?


Davis' studio looks less like an artist's habitat and more like a wood shop. He creates his installations from found soft wood, usually reclaimed from discarded packing palettes. His work is often functional, even if the function is a completely made up one, specific to that work.

His office furniture is almost all reclaimed, augmented and built by the artist.

When he's finished with a work, he disassembles it and uses whatever he can salvage on other projects. He's also a professor at TU. Here, the artist and his muses:

(I made that part about the muses up. I have no idea if that's true or not.)

I truly enjoyed my time with these artists and sincerely appreciate their willingness to open their studios up to the public for two days. I wish I could have seen all the studios. If you didn't visit at least one, you missed out. And while I wouldn't recommend knocking on any of these artists' doors just to see if you can pop in for a bit, I would urge you to take the tour next year. You will not leave uninspired.

Tonight

Hit the kickoff for OVAC's Art Studio Tour at Framemaker Gallery first (see below for details), then visit Loose Leaf Co. for a look at new work by Ruth Ann Borum.

There are about a million and a half things going on next week, and I'll start posting about them very soon.

See ya'll tonight!

OVAC Art Studio Tour coming!

(OK, so I realize that lately I've been blatantly plagiarizing every artist and organization in Tulsa to get content for this blog, but it's all I've had time for. Original writing coming soon, I promise.)

Tulsa Art Studio Tour

The Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition’s upcoming Tulsa Art Studio Tour will open the studio doors of 11 Tulsa artists in 9 studios. Visitors can get a glimpse into the creative process and see art in action April 4-5 from noon until 5 p.m each day.

For art lovers, such access to the inner workings of artists is a rare opportunity to see the other side of the canvas. Visitors will have the chance to talk with artists, view and buy artwork, and see art being made. The tour is self-guided and presented by the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition.

The artists range from photographers and painters to ceramicists and metalsmiths, representing a variety of stages in their art careers. Tour artists include:
• Kevin Byrne, ceramics
• Lynn Clark, painting
• Glenn Herbert Davis, photography and installation
• Chris Owens, painting and mixed media
• Mary Russell, painting
• Cindy Swanson, mosaics
• Kristal Tomshany, painting and mixed media
• Steadman and Peggy Upham, painting and metalsmith
• David Varmecky, photography
• Craig Wood, ceramics

A kick-off celebration and exhibit will be held at the Frame Maker Art Gallery at 6201 E 61st St, on Friday, March 27 from 5-8 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, and guests will have a chance to see examples of artwork from artists on the tour, meet the artists, and purchase tour tickets. This exhibit runs from March 17 – April 11.

Tickets to the tour include a map and are $5 in advance and $10 at the door. Tickets will be available online here, or by phone at (405) 232-6991, or at any of the Tour studios the days of the Tour.