Deb LaFogg Docherty Announces Book Signing Event and Shares Tips for Artists Applying to Juried Shows

Since The Rickie Report first wrote about Deb LaFogg Docherty in September, 2011, she has been busy painting, entering, and winning awards at juried shows around the country.  Deb is just back from being a featured artist at Art Basel’s “Endangered” Exhibit.  In addition, Deb illustrated a children’s book, “Rosie’s Song” and served as a judge for the Friends of Loxahatchee Art Show!  In this article you will find information about Deb’s book-signings, shows, demos and some important tips from an art show judge’s point of view.

 

 

Deb LaFogg Docherty

 

 

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Deb LaFogg Docherty is an artist who believes in sharing her insights with others.  The Rickie Report stresses the importance of networking with other artists and Deb not only does that, she acts as a mentor as well.  

 

"Waiting for Mom"

“Waiting for Mom”

 

Recently she was chosen to judge the Loxahatchee Art Show and we asked her to share her thoughts.   “The Loxahatchee show was the first time I judged a show. It was more difficult then I thought it would be, since normally I’m one of the artists in the show”, she said.

 

"Under Mom's Watchful Eye"

“Under Mom’s Watchful Eye”

 

The Rickie Report asked what Deb observed as she examined each entry.    First, Deb referred to the rules of the application.  “This is what I was looking for:  Was it a place in the Loxahatchee Refuge and if not, could it be found there?  Next, what caught my eye?  What made the painting stand out from the rest?  Then I got down to the technique, lighting, composition and color, the same principles I base my work”.

 

"Palmettos in Warm Light"

“Palmettos in Warm Light”

 

She goes on to explain, “Most of all, I wanted the artists that were selected for prizes to know why they were chosen. So, at the Awards Ceremony I spoke about each winner’s painting.  It’s very difficult to judge a show. It is even harder when talented artists you know submit their work. No matter what you do, you feel like your going to offend someone.  I tried to remain neutral and stick to the criteria I had set for myself before I saw the entries”.

 

 

 

"Captured Gaze"

“Captured Gaze”

Deb’s Important Tips and Things to keep in mind when entering in a show:

 

  • What is the theme of the show?
  • Make sure it’s framed properly
  • Meet the entry deadline and rules to enter

 

“Giving these tips to artists that want to get into competitions and juried shows… that’s tough because no matter what you decide to enter you are not always going to get in. I can attest to that. Always enter your best work because it is a reflection on you. But more importantly never give up!  And yes, I would be willing to jury more shows” Deb reveals.

 

 


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“Rosie’s Song” is Now Available!

 

 

"Rosie's Song" Book Cover

“Rosie’s Song” Book Cover

 

“Rosie’s Song” is appropriate for children aged 3-8 years old. “When Rosie the sea star’s roving brothers get caught out in a storm, she fears they are lost forever. Filled with determination and worry, she sets out on her own adventure to find them and almost gets lost herself – before ending back right where she began, in the loving embrace of her family. Rosie’s Song tells a story of family love, wrapped up with a quiet message of ocean conservation and courage. Rosie’s Song is a beautifully illustrated, full-color children’s picture book”.  There are a total of 48 including cover and double truck in Pastels.  Deb LaFogg illustrated the book and Mary Kate Leming is the author.  A second book in the works.

 

Book events:

Family Fun Fest

Join us from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Family Fun Fest  at Delray Beach Center for the Arts at Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave.   Meet author Mary Kate Leming of Ocean Ridge and illustrator Deborah LaFogg Docherty of Boynton Beach. This is a free event.

 

 

Sandoway House

 

Parents and children are invited to a story reading and book signing at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21st  at  Sandoway House Nature Center, 142 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach.     The regular $4 museum admission will apply.   Meet the creators of Rosie’s Song following the 10:30 a.m. shark feeding.

 

You can also purchase Rosie’s Song   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0991055608

or contact Deb LaFogg Docherty or Mary Kate Leming.    Total cost with Tax: $20.00

 

 

Deb’s Upcoming Shows and Demos:

 

 

SOLO Show at the Tropical Audubon’s Doc Thompson House    January 6 – Feb 3, 2014   South Miami, FL

Demo:   Briney Breezes Art Society – Jan 7, 2014

Delray Art League Show   January 11-12, 2014  Veterans Park  Delray Beach, FL

Wellington Fine Art Festival – January 25-26,2014 Wellington, FL

 Pigeon Key Art Festival – February 8-9,2014  Marathon, FL

 Demo:  Wellington Art Society – Feb 12, 2014    Wellington Community Center

Artigras – February 15-17, 2014  Jupiter, FL

 Delray Art League Show  – February 22-23   Old School Square  Delray Beach, FL

Sarasota Wildlife Festival – March 1-2, 2014  Sarasota, FL

Delray Art League Show   March 8-9 , 2014    Veterans Park   Delray Beach, FL

Demo:  Palm City Art Society – March 12, 2014

Delray Art League Show  March 22-23, 2014   Old School Square   Delray Beach, FL

Delray Art League Show  March 29-30, 2014   Old School Square   Delray Beach, FL

Delray Art League Show  April 12-13, 2014   Veterans Park   Delray Beach, FL

Delray Affair – April 25-27,2014  Delray Beach, FL

Ding Darling SOLO  Show – January 2015 Naples FL

 

For more information please contact:

 

Deborah LaFogg Docherty, AFC, MC, PSA
Wildlife Artist
Please visit to see or purchase prints of her most recent works:
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/deb-lafoggdocherty.html

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291

Art in The Gardens Brings Artists and Creativity to Downtown at the Gardens! Meet Sarah LaPierre!

It’s that time of year!  Stop by Art in The Gardens and see some wonderful art and meet the artists!  This free, two-day event is sponsored by the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce which also produces The ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival. It takes place at Downtown at the Gardens in Palm Beach Gardens.  Besides the art, there are plenty of family-fun activities and grown-up spots as well.  This Rickie Report is featuring artist Sarah LaPierre.  For more details about this Nov. 2nd -3rd event read this article!

 

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8th ANNUAL

ART IN THE GARDENS

DOWNTOWN AT THE GARDENS

NOVEMBER 2-3, 2013

11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

FREE  and  OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Art in the Gardens, presented by Downtown at the Gardens, is a free two-day event which showcases over 70 regional artists and includes family-friendly entertainment with live music, plenty of kids activities and delicious food from Downtown restaurants.
Sarah LaPierre's "Paradise"

Sarah LaPierre’s “Paradise”

The event takes place on Saturday, November 2 and Sunday, November 3  from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. on both days.  Downtown at the Gardens is located at   11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue   Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410.    Admission is free to Art in the Gardens and complimentary parking is available onsite.
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Art in the Gardens is produced by the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce which also produces The ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival. The Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization whose nearly 800 members represent all aspects of business and industry. Their continuing mission is to be the unified voice of business driving sustainable growth and prosperity. The Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce focuses on the development and retention of businesses, taking an active role in business, providing meaningful member services and improving the quality of life for all residents in their community.

Sarah LaPierre Bio send

 Sarah tells The Rickie Report, “Art making is a process and a style of living that I treasure like a member of my own family. It has always had a strong presence in my life and has become ingrained in who I am as a person. I create art because the act itself brings me happiness and fulfillment. Sharing that happiness with others through my painting is likewise an incentive to create.”

Sarah LaPierre's "Jupiter Light"

Sarah LaPierre’s “Jupiter Light”

 

 I give unique qualities to my art by using a palette knife and heavy full-bodied acrylic paints, which create the thick texture and the vibrant uplifting colors that are characteristics of my work. I am inspired by everyday life and by the beautiful sceneries throughout my home state of Florida. My late father, artist Joseph LaPierre remains the strongest influence in my work.”

 

Sarah LaPierre's "Surf Shack"

Sarah LaPierre’s “Surf Shack”

Downtown at the Gardens is among the most visited destinations in Palm Beach County averaging well over 150,000 visitors per month. Downtown appeals to the broadest demographic of any retail center in the area combining a Whole Foods Market, a 16 screen Cobb Theatres and dozens of restaurant and retail options. Additionally, no other venue in the Palm Beaches caters to families like Downtown. With numerous retail, dining and entertainment options tailored specifically to moms, dads and kids – Downtown at the Gardens is your Destination for shopping, dining and entertainment.
Sarah LaPierre's "Cloud Beach"

Sarah LaPierre’s “Cloud Beach”

For additional information on Art in the Gardens or ArtiGras, visit www.artigras.org or contact the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce at (561) 746-7111.   For more information about Sarah LaPierre’s artwork, please visit:    Facebook.com/SarahLapierreArt

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291

Learn to Paint or Perfect Your Painting Skills with Award-Winning Artist, Nancy Tilles!

You’ve seen Nancy Tille’s award-winning artwork in many juried exhibits and shows throughout the area.  NOW you can take classes with her!    The Rickie Report urges you to do something for YOURSELF –  sign up for a class and unleash your inner artist!  The City of Palm Beach Gardens is offering these classes for adults.  This talented artist is offering classes from beginners to advanced levels.  More details are in this article.

 

Learn to Paint

or

Perfect your Painting Skills

Thrive on the company of other artists and enjoy exchanging creative thoughts and ideas!

Palm Beach Gardens Painting Class

Palm Beach Gardens Painting Class

 

The City of Palm Beach Gardens offers adult painting lessons taught by award winning artist, Nancy Tilles.  Jump right into painting with this class.  No matter what your level is, you can become a better artist. Do away with your fear of color mixing.  Nancy makes painting fun and exciting! 
 

Begin November 5th or 6th

 

  • Classes are taught once a week on Tuesday and/or Wednesday mornings
  • 9:30 am – 12:30 pm.
  • Session runs for a 7 weeks
  • Class size is limited
  • Individualized instruction is offered 

 

 

 Beginners through advanced painters are welcome!

 
 
Location: Palm Beach Gardens Recreations Center  4404 Burns Road  Palm Beach Gardens, FL
                           
Instructor:  Nancy Tilles
Sign-Up:  See website for cost and details:
 
To register for classes call 561-630-1100.  
 
Twin Water Lilies

“Twin Water Lilies” by Nancy Tilles

Nancy tells The Rickie Report, “As a professional artist, I have been showing, selling and teaching painting to adults in my studio for the past 10 years.  I am now offering classes through Palm Beach Gardens Recreation Center on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30 am.”

If you have never taken an art class and would like to how to paint, why don’t you give it a try!  You will be pleasantly surprised at what you can accomplish. If you are already a practicing artist you will have the chance to make your drawings and paintings more accurate and more exciting.    
"Fantastic Journey" by Nancy Tilles

“Fantastic Journey” by Nancy Tilles

Nancy shares, “I have met wonderful artists, from all over the world. Many have become my good friends. Some of the artists that I have taught were quite accomplished and others were beginners. Now quite a few have blossomed to become serious professional artists, showing and selling their paintings, winning awards and publishing their work.”

   

About the artist:

Nancy Tilles is an award winning artist, well known for her paintings of sea life, portraits of people and flowers. Her paintings are joyful expressions brought to life through color and form.  Influenced by living in South Florida for over 30 years, her images often reflect a tropical theme, rich in color. 

 

 

Nancy enjoys exhibiting her work at art festivals where she can meet people and exchange ideas. She has appeared in festivals throughout Florida including Artigras, Sunfest, Naples Art Fair, and Jupiter Art Fest by the Sea and has been the featured artist at both the Jupiter Art Fest and Artsfest in Stuart.

 

"Cliffs of Moher" by Nancy Tilles

“Cliffs of Moher” by Nancy Tilles

Originally from New York, Nancy earned her BFA from the University of Miami in 1977.  She currently resides in Palm Beach Gardens and spends her time working on commissions and teaching adults who are interested in perfecting their painting skills or learning how to paint for the first time. 

 

To view the more of the artist’s paintings visit:   http://www.nancytilles.com

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291

 

Using Copper as His Canvas, Jim McCann Shares Artistry of Nature

The Rickie Report received a phone call from Jim McCann who wondered if we might be interested in seeing his art work.  We sent a reporter and photographer to meet Jim and Donna but had no idea from his description, what a treasure was waiting to be seen! At our urging, Jim applied to ArtiGras as an “Emerging Artist” and he was accepted!  The Rickie Report wants to celebrate Jim’s artistry and knows you will be astonished at what he is making! Stop by his booth at ArtiGras and consider how many places in your home, one of his copper torch and ink paintings belong.

 

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ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival

February 16-18

Abacoa Town Center,  Jupiter, FL

Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 6 pm

Monday 10 am – 4 pm

A former welding instructor, Jim has developed his own technique to create amazing art pieces on copper.  Having no formal art training, he used to draw Spanish Galleons and comics from “Mad Magazine” as a child.  Now he makes the copper look like the wood of those great ships, using his self-developed chemical and torch techniques.  The combinations of wood grains and patinas are limitless.  And wait until you see the stone effect he’s developed!  What a dramatic back splash in a kitchen his work would make.

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Jim is drawn to nature and is exacting when he creates a Piper or a Loggerhead.   The prismatic blues and reds jump from the copper as the sunshine changes the colorations.  Jim sometimes hand engraves areas to give even more richness to the patinas.  Right now he uses his own kitchen but is purchasing a pizza oven so he can work in larger sizes.

Loggerhead Turtle for Shower Ceiling

Loggerhead Turtle for Shower Ceiling

Walking around his yard, filled with different species of palm treees, a wild male peacock announced itself and then appeared.  It was easy to see where Jim gets his inspiration for color and detail.   His loggerhead turtle is almost finished and ready to be placed on the ceiling of his shower.  He pointed out his plans for a mermaid sitting on some rocks for over the tub and will eventually decide between one of two different fish designs for over the sink.

JimMcCann

Jim’s workshop is filled with potential projects.  And he keeps a small space for his reference library.  His work is precise and drawn to scale, whether he is working on a bird or a fish.  The rain did not deter from his work, though we would have seen more brilliance of color on a sunnier day.

JimMcCann3

The Rickie Report is honored to continue to advise Jim on the next steps to further his hobby.  To contact Jim, call:  561-313-9296.  For more information about ArtiGras: www.artigras.org

 

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291

Lazaro Ruda, Emerging Artist Shares Underwater Splendors at ArtiGras

ArtiGras  Fine Arts Festival is always a highlight event for art lovers.  The Rickie Report is proud to have mentored a large number of the “Emerging Artists” for the 2013 show!  The Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce produces a top-notch juried show, which is presented with the help of Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center.  This is truly a community-wide effort, which involves hundreds of volunteers.  Here is an introduction to one of the “emerging artists”, Lazaro Ruda.

 

 

 

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ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival

February 16-18

Abacoa Town Center,  Jupiter, FL

Saturday & Sunday 10 am – 6 pm

Monday 10 am – 4 pm

Out of the hundreds of artists who are juried into ArtiGras, the organizers recognize eleven artists who have never been involved in a juried show of this type.  These “Emerging Artists” are taken under the ArtiGras’ wings and nurtured to enable them to participate in future events with a base of understanding and experience.

 

The eleven “Emerging Artists” include:

  • John Cooksey
  • Jim Maddox (Eydylhands Studio)
  • Edward Grates
  • Taylor Loughlin
  • Christopher Thomas (C. Thomas Photography)
  • Lazara Ruda (The Living Sea)
  • Brent Hoosac
  • Shelly Cox (Norma Cockwell)
  • Irene Jalowayski (Smashing Glass)
  • Jim McCann (Copper Canvas)
  • Joan Hendelman (Hendel Jewelry)

 

The Rickie Report urges you to take the time to visit each of their booths, see their work and talk to them about what they do and how they do it!  Remember, when you buy an item from an “emerging artist” you can  say  you knew them before they became famous!

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Raised in south Florida, Lazaro Ruda has been around the ocean his entire life. Through the span of over thirty years he has watched his ocean world slowly change due to human impact. With the thought that people only protect what they love, he took up the challenge of learning to photograph underwater in order to bring the ocean’s splendors to the eyes of a worldwide audience. Through his web site, TheLivingSea.com, he shares his love and passion for our ocean planet in the hopes that others will understand, cherish and protect our natural world.
An American Alligator underwater photograph
Laz Ruda’s Artist Statement begins, “Ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau wrote, “People protect what they love.”  These simple words form the foundation of why I photograph the nature of our oceans.  I use my photography and my ocean experiences to bring to light what to many is an alien world.”

His experiences as a scuba diver enhance his understanding and vision of what he wants to share via his camera.  He tells The Rickie Report, “My photography entails decades of experience as a scuba diver.  Before holding an underwater camera in my hand, it is important that I feel completely comfortable in this unique environment for my own safety and, just as important, the well-being of the creatures I photograph”.

Male Seahorse Giving Birth in Wild

Male Seahorse Giving Birth in Wild

Working underwater has its constraints regarding technical equipment.  Laz shares, “Underwater photography does not give me the liberties of using zoom lenses.  I must approach an animal well beyond its comfort zone to capture its image.  Having an intimate knowledge of the creature, it’s environment, and an enormous amount of patience is required.  Some of my photographs have taken hours to capture.  Many have taken years to perfect.”

Queen angelfish in Palm Beach, Florida
When he is asked why he chooses to work underwater, Laz is quite straightforward in sharing his philosophy. “In my decades of exploring the oceans, I have encountered untold damage to this delicate environment caused by our every day actions. I have also seen our oceans improve when ordinary citizens have cared enough to make a difference.  My hope is that my images and stories will help you understand our amazing ocean planet a little better and my passion and admiration for the natural world becomes your own.”
For more information about ArtiGras: www.artigras.org

For coverage of your events, to place an advertisement, or speak to Rickie about appearing in The Rickie Report, contact The Rickie Report at:

Rickie Leiter, Publisher

The Rickie Report

P.O.Box 33423

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33420

Rickie@therickiereport.com

561-537-0291