Sue Schooner.   “Soliloquies of Place”  Acrylic on canvas. 

Sue Schooner’s boldly colorful abstractions suggest landscapes, joyful play, and an appreciation of wide open spaces. Her gestural acrylic paintings reflect the many travels, memories, hikes, and experiences of a passionate and energetic life.

Sue Schooner became a painter after a successful career as an automotive executive. In this “second life,” she has discovered a love of painting and exuberant expression. Schooner studies with Nancy Wolfe, and her paintings are exhibited at the Pierre Paul Gallery and the Womens Center. She has an MBA from Harvard University.

She is also the Executive Director of Girls Group, a nonprofit organization which empowers high school girls. Girls Group provides the tools for young women to achieve emotional and economic security, by graduating from high school and becoming first generation college students. Girls Group provides year-round programming and mentoring to develop character, leadership, self-confidence and social consciousness, including the desire and ability to mentor others. Please check out www.GirlsGroup.org

Sue Schooner can be contacted at Sue@GirlsGroup.org

From Fish Eye View. Oil.

Lulu Zheng, one of the artists participating in The ART of LOCAL: Local ART. Local FOOD. Local MUSIC.  

Lulu Zheng’s story:

“Although my major in college was medicine, I have had a natural passion in art. I have continued to receive art training and participated in many art activities and shows. In recent years, I have focused on my water series of art works, since water is my muse. I received professional swim training from elementary school to college. Over the years, swimming has become an important part of my life, and I have developed a true feeling for it – synergistic movement of muscles, interacting and flowing with water. And over the years, water has been my friend; it relaxes my body, soothes my mind and now inspires my paintings. When I paint my water related paintings, I feel like I am in the water – so relaxed, free and flowing.”

To view more of Lulu Zheng’s artwork, review her website. 

Splash. Oil. 

ART FRIDAYS: WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO SUPPORT THE ARTS TODAY?

There is a lot happening in the art scene in Ann Arbor today…

1. opening exhibit reception at Le Pop Gallery for Machines of Loving Grace 

[—Check out local A2 artist Rob Todd’s work]

2. opening exhibit reception at The Gallery Project for Spatial Shift

[—Check out local A2 artist Colin Raymond’s work]

3. U of M Art Museum has a thought-provoking exhibit, Fluxus and The Essential Questions of Life.

4. Ann Arbor Art Center, Inherent State

5. And, of course there is always a play or musical by UMS happening at the Power Center or Hill Auditorium. Love.

[—Today the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is playing at Hill Auditorium.]

[Photo: Los Angeles, CA Artist Mike Stilkey]

Have you noticed art displayed in nontraditional spaces? Art is not simply in the museum anymore. It has permeated our lives. Art has become a part of the ambience of any restaurant, coffee house, bar, or office space. It’s not enough to simply run your business. You have to create a vibe, an experience, a theme for your space, and this is being done through art and design. 

Have you read A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink? His thesis statement explains that it is not enough to provide a product, but a well-designed experience.

“Experience is the most important part of living, and the exchange of ideas and human contact is all life really is. Space and objects can encourage increased experiences or distract from our experiences.”

Art enhances almost any experience. It enhances your life. 

[Being] Consistent, persistent and brave. These are how most dreams are achieved. If you do one thing each day to reach for your goal…

For the month of March, two goals:

1. Start the campaign on Kickstarter for an Artist collaborative project space.  

2. Start Free Art Fridays. (#FAF) In Ann Arbor. OR

2a. Art Fridays! Do something to support the arts on Fridays. Attend a gallery or museum opening. Buy a photograph. Blog about your favorite artist. Post. Share. Donate $ to your favorite cause/artist/art space. Whatever inspires you.

Can we do it? I guess we’ll see…

Ideas? Get involved? YES! Email popupa2@gmail[.]com

Calling all creatives, artists, film makers, musicians, art lovers, art appreciators, art funders, art supporters, Ann Arborites…the art scene needs you!

I have a dream for a project space in Ann Arbor that fosters creativity. New ideas. New innovations. A place where artists have a studio space to make their masterpieces, where musicians have a place to practice, where innovative film media can be shown and talked about, where photographers can develop their photos, where performance art can be performed, where ideas can be discussed. An artist collaborative.

Together we can shake up the art scene in Ann Arbor. It needs a revolution. They are already doing this in New York, Washington DC, Seattle, Chicago. I went to DC and visited an art space. I saw the artist making her art and was able to talk to her while she was painting and then buy a piece. How incredible. How innovative.

A typical visit to a museum or gallery: you walk around the space and view the exhibit.  Did it change you? Did you feel something? Did you talk about it? Was it thought provoking? It’s rare. Most times when I attend an exhibit at a museum, no one is talking, no one is sharing. Let’s get some ideas flowing. Let’s start a revolution. Let’s start an artist collaborative. In Ann Arbor. 

Here’s where you come in: We need funders and people who are passionate about this idea. Did you know that Kickstarter is funding more art projects than the National Endowment for the Arts? How crazy is that? It means that people and communities are taking the responsibility for creating culture in their own hands. We can do it, Ann Arbor.  Do you want to be involved?

Get in touch. Email popupa2@gmail[.]com. 

**P.S. I know you are out there. How many people have I talked to in the past months where this same sentiment has been expressed to me? I’m writing this post for you. Let’s all work together and make it a reality. 

Often I talk with people who are interested in art, and want to have a chic, well-designed living space, but don’t own any artwork. They either don’t have the means to invest in art or would become bored quickly with a few pieces. On the other end of the spectrum, artists have artwork sitting in their studios waiting for that next gallery show. 

Solution?  Let’s team up! Art lover + Artist + Pop Up A2.

How it works: Each month you are provided with new, curated art for your living space by local artists. Delivered. Installed. Your own pop-up art exhibit. 

It would be a way to engage with artists, experience a variety of artwork and beautify your living space with minimal expense.

If interested as an art lover, an artist or have ideas email: popupa2@gmail[.]com 

The M Den. Color print. 

Lulu Zheng, one of the artists participating in ART + VINTAGE POP-UP EXHIBITION on February 16, 2012.

Lulu Zheng’s story:

“Although my major in college was medicine, I have had a natural passion in art. I have continued to receive art training and participated in many art activities and shows. In recent years, I have focused on my water series of art works, since water is my muse. I received professional swim training from elementary school to college. Over the years, swimming has become an important part of my life, and I have developed a true feeling for it – synergistic movement of muscles, interacting and flowing with water. And over the years, water has been my friend; it relaxes my body, soothes my mind and now inspires my paintings. When I paint my water related paintings, I feel like I am in the water – so relaxed, free and flowing.”

Young Dream, Oil.

To view more of Lulu Zheng’s artwork, review the website.