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ENDANGERED: Art4Apes Call For Entries Continues As We Celebrate Bud Root-Michels, Virtual Artist In Residence For July
ENDANGERED Art4Apes Fine Art & Photography Contest encourages those artists and photographers who are committed to and focused on using their talent to support wildlife and the environment. Artists and Photographers ages 9 and up are encouraged to apply to this exhibition. The Virtual Artist in Residence Program is awarded monthly to the artist or photographer who has submitted 3 or more entries to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest 2020. The Rickie Report introduces Bud Root-Michels, the July, 2020 Virtual Artist-In-Residence and more details of how to apply. Artists are urged to apply before the September 30, 2020 deadline to be part of this exhibition!
ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest
VIRTUAL ARTIST In RESIDENCE
July, 2020
We are delighted to introduce you to
BUD ROOT-MICHELS
Multitalented artist, traveler, conservationist and dreamer
“I touched the face of Mother Nature while keeping my hand intact.”
“I Will Always Have Your Back” Charcoal, Sumi Ink, Acrylic, Sculpted Bas-Relief background and 23K Gold Leaf.
© 2020 Bud Root-Michels. All Rights Reserved.
We present here a taster of Bud’s work. To see more visit https://budrootmichels.com
“I believe that the natural landscape is the fingerprint of God”
© 2020 Bud Root-Michels. All Rights Reserved.
Bud Root-Michels – In His Own Words
Since my youth in Michigan and Colorado and subsequent travels, I have filled my senses with the rawness, beauty and power of our natural world. I was always outdoors near water and in woods. My first eleven years in Alaska, I lived in the wilderness where I raised my children. I touched the face of Mother Nature while keeping my hand intact. I learned to abide by nature’s rules or suffer the consequences.
“Scratching Post” Charcoal, Sumi Ink, 23K Gold Leaf
© 2020 Bud Root-Michels. All Rights Reserved.
My fascination, respect and understanding of wild animal and bird behavior deepened. I observed how each species acts within its family group, and has predictable behavior with other species because they, too, abide by nature’s rules.
“A Key Moment” Charcoal, Sumi Ink, 23K Gold Leaf
© 2020 Bud Root-Michels. All Rights Reserved.
I am deeply saddened so many magnificent species are endangered and die prematurely on our watch. This moved me to paint rare blue herons, egrets, tigers, jaguars, leopards, and eagles, followed by a series of polar bears, snow leopards, cheetahs, and hummingbirds with their protective goddesses.
“River Crossing” Charcoal, Sumi Ink, Acrylic, 23K Gold Leaf
© 2020 Bud Root-Michels. All Rights Reserved.
As a lifelong artist my work evolves and yet contains elements I discovered 40 years ago. I used to be rigorous about working with one medium at a time; be it gouache, acrylic, oil, ink, scratchboard, watercolor or colored pencils. Currently I explore mixed mediums pushing each to and occasionally over the limit. Removing this restriction gifts me with new knowledge, deep creative joy, freedom and ease.
“Nectar of Gold” Acrylic, Sumi Ink, Sculpted Bas-Relief
© 2020 Bud Root-Michels. All Rights Reserved.
In Japan I was exposed to Sumi Calligraphy and the subtle colors used by Japanese artists. I was intrigued then and now by the harmony of their minimalism. In Italy and France I saw the reflective beauty of gold leaf in early icons and medieval paintings and the charcoal and terracotta under painting of the Renaissance painters.
In my latest Southwest Series I use graphite, or Sumi ink and charcoal, and 23K gold leaf on a sculpted background to celebrate the energetic habits of wild mustangs, elks, swans, Arabian horses, bobcats, coyote, deer, egrets, red tailed hawks, owls, quail, ravens, raccoons and wolves.
“Water’s Edge” Charcoal, Sumi Ink, Acrylic, 23K Gold Leaf
© 2020 Bud Root-Michels. All Rights Reserved.
Bud’s Inspiration
Animals and conservation are important to me for several reasons, I have lived in Alaska, in the past, for over 22 years. Eleven of those years, I lived in the wilderness. I got to observe wild animals in their natural habitat. I got to see the changes of seasons happen before my eyes; Long summers with 24 hours of sunshine. Being “dog tired” at 4am because I forgot to go to bed. Short crisp Fall days happened with a rapidly decreasing sun each successive day. Rain and snow flurries putting a real urgency in having everything necessary done before you were wintered in. If you were not prepared for winter, you would not be allowed to see another spring (Mother Nature’s Rule).
Winter was a quiet time except for the sound of some trees “cracking” when their sap froze.
“Discovery” Graphite, Sumi Ink and 23K Gold Leaf
© 2020 Bud Root-Michels. All Rights Reserved.
A mournful howl of a hungry wolf. Coyotes verbally keeping in touch with their hunting parties. Howling winds and blizzards. Everything was bathed in indigo blue.
I got to live as a free human animal. I got to build a shelter, store food, raise offspring, defend my turf. It was good to be at the top of earth’s food chain.
All living creatures require our respect, for their being here, and having their place here, and it is our responsibility “as top dog Humans” to care for and to be an advocate at all times for them.
“Red Tailed Hawk” Charcoal, Graphite, 23K Gold Leaf
© 2020 Bud Root-Michels. All Rights Reserved.
Why Enter the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest?
In 2016 I was included in Art4Apes group show that was held in Miami FL. My wife and I spent a very lovely Basel week at the daily Gallery functions that were provided for the artists’ continuing education on doing the business side of their art.
The inclusion of my oil painting “Great Egret” was a real honor for me. Because of being included in ENDANGERED Art4Apes show, my fine art career has flourished more and more each year since then. I now have three quality art galleries representing my work. In the past two years they have sold 23 paintings between them.
“Bosque Great Egret” Oil on canvas.
© 2020 Bud Root-Michels. All Rights Reserved.
This year I have entered the 2020 art4apes contest. I hope to be able to give back now.
If you are serious about being a professional artist I recommend that you enter this contest.
Having been chosen to exhibit in 2016, finally gave gallery owners validity in my work because
“I was invited to show at Basel Week”.
“I Saw You First” Charcoal, Sumi Ink with 23K Gold Leaf
© 2020 Bud Root-Michels. All Rights Reserved.
How Can Artists Help?
Why do we have Threatened and Endangered species?
Habitat loss? Changing climate? Exploitation?
These are mainly “Top dog human” causes.
We all have some special talent or abilities to be responsible, good tenants of this Earth and to our fellow roommates.
I am an artist. This is the talent I was given and nurtured. I am capable of producing images that are worth 1000 words now. I choose to do my part (as a good roommate) to show many of our planet’s diverse creatures, in their free state of being, so that maybe those that see my images will get the picture on what it needs to be, not what it is right now.
“Misty Morning” Charcoal, Sumi Ink with 23K Gold Leaf
© 2020 Bud Root-Michels. All Rights Reserved.
See more of Bud’s work at: https://budrootmichels.com
8th annual ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest
Enter Now!
https://www.juriedartservices.com/index.php?content=event_info&event_id=1661
Deadline for submission 30th September, 2020.
Details: https://www.Art4Apes.com Questions? Lindsey@Art4Apes.com
This global, juried, online art contest focuses attention on the plight of endangered/threatened species/habitats. The challenge is to interpret or reflect ENDANGERED through either
- Celebration of the beauty of endangered or threatened species/habitats
- Illustration of the threats facing endangered species/habitats
Categories for Entry:
Fine Art (including sculpture, jewelry and wearable art)
Fine Art Photography (digital manipulation accepted)
Young Artists (birthdays on or after October 1st, 2001). (We will accept individual or class/group entries.)
We are sorry, but we cannot accept video or film entries in the contest.
Each entry of a single image must be accompanied by a donation of $25 USD that goes directly to the Center for Great Apes http://www.CenterForGreatApes.org.
Young Artists enter one image accompanied by a donation of $5 USD. There is no limit on the number of entries that may be made.
Cash prizes totaling $3,250 will be awarded in both Fine Art and Fine Art Photography categories.
Cash prizes totaling $500 USD will be awarded in the Young Artists Contest.
Prizewinners plus an invited selection of entries of significant merit will be offered places in the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Exhibition.
PLEASE READ THE SECTION BELOW
Covid-19 Impact on Exhibition
Planning an exhibition in the Covid-19 era presents significant issues. We hope for the best but must consider that resurgence of the virus could force last-minute cancellation or strict social distancing severely limiting visitor numbers. We will make a decision mid-summer as to whether the real-life exhibition will take place.
The Juried Contest to determine the winners of our $7,000 in prize money will go ahead, closing date 30th September.
We are developing an exciting virtual exhibition to run regardless of the Covid-19 situation. This exhibition will run from November 1 to December 31, 2020. Jury scores (and fit with the theme) will determine the top placed pieces that will get the best positioning. We will be able to feature 100 pieces in the virtual 2-month show rather than the 50 we can accommodate in the real-life show. Another great plus is that we will be able to feature EVERY entry as we will reserve an additional 25 places for a “rolling exhibition” so every piece will be featured for at least 5-7 days.
All pieces may be offered for sale (or not depending on preference) and we will be including links to artist websites and bios as well as full details on the piece.
We are planning interesting online events to run during the exhibition.
This will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the work of all entrants to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest.
Please note: Entries made after May 31st are not refundable should the physical exhibition not take place. Entries made before May 31st will be refunded providing the artist notifies Lindsey@art4apes by June 30th.
Questions? Lindsey@Art4Apes.com
VIRTUAL ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAM
Art4Apes wants to encourage those artists and photographers who are committed to and focused on using their talent to support wildlife and the environment. This program is designed to showcase their work and support their communication with audiences who appreciate their message.
The Virtual Artist in Residence Program is awarded monthly to the artist (or photographer) who has submitted 3 or more entries to the ENDANGERED Fine Art & Photography Contest 2020 and has been selected by the Curatorial Committee as best interpreting the aims of the Contest.
The successful Artist will be featured and promoted by Art4Apes for one month and will receive the following opportunities:
- Weekly social media posts featuring your artwork
- You will be featured in our monthly newsletter
- We will design an eflyer for you to send out to clients and contacts
- We will set up a dedicated page for you on the Art4Apes website
- You will have the opportunity to craft a personal message about your art and commitment to wildlife and the environment.
- We will include your full bio and artist statement
- We will include a virtual gallery of up to 10 pieces of your work
- We will issue news updates featuring your current work, exhibitions, awards, direction of new work etc.
- We will feature your work in an article in The Rickie Report – South Florida’s most influential online arts report.
- We will offer up to 5 pieces of work for sale on our online website (price to include a 30% donation to the Center for Great Apes.
We regret that we cannot offer this to Young Artists at the moment.
Artists can only be featured once a year.
Questions? Lindsey@Art4Apes.com
Enter Now!
https://www.juriedartservices.com/index.php?content=event_info&event_id=1661
Deadline for submission 30th September, 2020.
For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact:
Rickie Leiter, Publisher
Rickie@therickiereport.com 561-537-0291
17019 SW Sapri Way Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
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