The Kling Gallery, Wine & Décor located in Stuart, FL announces the month of August’s Featured Guest Artist, Mimi McCallum. Mimi will show her new abstract work (cold wax and oil) in this exhibit, “New Directions”. This medium gives a beautiful translucent look, interesting textures, and beautiful color blends.  It can be carved into and scraped away to reveal  mystery. The public is invited to a Free Opening Reception on Friday, August 24th.  Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, the wonderful wine boutique and meet the artists!  The Rickie Report shares the details and some sneak peeks.  In addition to wall art, browse the hand made furniture, home accessories, and the wine bar!

723 Colorado Plaza  Stuart, FL 34994

Colorado Plaza on the corner of Colorado and Kindred

772-678-6949    www.klinggallerystuart.com

Original Paintings

Napa- Style Tasting Room

Custom Furniture 

Home Decor

MEET   MIMI  McCALLUM

Opening Reception:

Friday, August 24th

5 – 7 PM  

Exhibit runs through September

MEET   THE   ARTIST:

“Self Portrait” by Mimi McCallum

After years of creating visually recognizable imagery Mimi McCallum has taken a new direction!  Her new path is taking her into the world of abstract.  The pieces are painted with cold wax medium and oil paint.  Oil pastels, graphite oil sticks and other medium find their way into the mix.  Mimi’s brushes have been laid aside, as the paint is applied to canvas or cradled board with an assortment of tools: squeezes, spatulas, knives, rollers, printing implements, anything is in the game!

“Get Crackin” by Mimi McCallum

This luscious medium can be layered and layered, carved into and scraped away creating interesting textures and fascinating color blends.  The paintings have a history that is revealed and interwoven into the final image. Her one requirement is that the painting will stand compositionally from any direction, so it may be hung and viewed in personal preference.   Mimi’s paintings are intuitive and spontaneous with no initial plan.  Her “New Directions” take her on the creative journey, and she invites us along with her!

  “In The Park” by Mimi McCallum

Mimi received her Master of Art Education from Florida International University in Miami, her BA from Montana State in Bozeman MT.  She completed the Florida art certification from FSU in Tampa. Mimi attended Anchorage West High, where her father was an FBI agent.  She is married with two children and two grandchildren.

“Untitled” by Mimi McCallum

Mimi puts her talent to work in her studio in Jensen Beach, FL, and exhibits throughout Florida and the Bahamas.  She tells The Rickie Report, “Through my art I aspire to capture moments in time that relate to memories that touch our hearts. I aspire to create images of objects, places and figures with pleasing shapes and energetic color.”  Mimi’s new work was recently exhibited at Art Synergy 2018.

www.klinggallerystuart.com

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

The Rickie Report is pleased to share artwork by a community-based artist, Brigitte Balbinot.  Her style is abstract with wonderful textural marks.  Read this article to learn more about Brigitte and her paintings.

Brigitte Balbinot

Brigitte Balbinot was born in Lausanne, Switzerland.  As a child, she  traveled extensively with her family to various places in Europe and Asia and even lived for a time in Africa. These childhood experiences have contributed to define her as an Artist.

 

Self-taught, she used to draw and sketch as a child and began painting on board panels with the recurrent theme of space and far away galaxies which fascinated her. Her passion for science still comes into play today as she loves to experiment with new techniques and mediums to further develop her artistry.

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At age 22, during a visit at the Pompidou museum in Paris where she participated in a guided tour of Salvador Dali’s collection, she was particularly moved by “The Persistence of Memory”, painted in 1931, in which these melting watches rest in an eerily calm landscape. In this other dimension, time is of no relevance. Inspired by the significance of Dali’s message, she felt inspired and compelled to create larger artworks that convey self-reflection and inspiration.

 

 

Today, she divides her time between her two studios located in South Florida and the province of Quebec. That way, she says, she has the best of both worlds and can feel a different kind of vibration depending on the location and the season.

Prior to 2010, Brigitte focused on drawing, painting, modeling and photography.  For the next two years, she gave a great deal of attention to her painting, experimenting with new mediums and techniques.  In 2011, Brigitte starting painting with oils, alkyds, waxes and resin.  Her work became progressively larger.   

 

Brigitte was part of the  Group Exhibit and the Art of Wine in Palm Beach Gardens, Fl in 2012,  Group Exhibit at Agora Gallery in New York City;  Group Exhibit at Art Fusion in Miami; All year exhibit at Artists Association of Jupiter, FL Coop; All year exhibit at private studio in Miami and Montreal; Solo exhibit at Artists Association of Jupiter, Fl – Fall 2012; Group exhibit at the Lighthouse Museum of Jupiter, Fl; Group exhibit at Glass, Clay, Metal and Stone Gallery in Lake Worth, Fl; Online Group Exhibit – Elements of Art: Texture – Still Point Gallery, Brunswick, ME; 2013  Exhibit at “L’Espace Contemporain” in Montreal, CA and  All year exhibit at private studio in Miami and Montreal.

She tells The Rickie Report, “When I begin a new painting, I try to let go of the intellectual side and the ego, the part of us that allows for judgment and egotistic behaviors, and channel the inspiration that may be brought by humanity in its organized as well as in its chaotic state. Art to me is a link that connects each and every one of us. With each of my creations, I try to create work that represents the depth of life that brings the viewer to not necessarily think but wonder, question and feel. I aim for an emotional rather than an intellectual response to the work I create. Trying to capture the very thing that connects us all is mystical, but is the essence of life itself. A combination of silence, meditation and music are a part of my creating process. It helps me either calm or energize the energy within to achieve balance.”

Noting that her paintings are large, for the most part, Brigitte tells our readers, ” I usually start with basic concept of color visualization, basic shapes’ structure, which I would refer to as “organized energy”. I favor the use of oil paints, resins, waxes and alkyds as to speed up the long process of drying. I generally work on several pieces at a time for that very same reason. The tools I use can be anything from pallet knives, to brushes, spatulas, sanders and even q-tips. The motions can range from rough and energized to really detailed and soft.”

Working on such large pieces  as well as numerous canvases at the same time, Balbinot points out, ” It may take days, weeks and sometimes months for a painting to be completed. I know my work is done when after several passes I can look at it and feel that it needs nothing more from me to be alive.”

The Rickie Report is pleased to bring Brigitte’s art and creativity to our readers.  In addition to her original paintings, Brigitte offers limited edition prints and cards of her meaningful images.  Look for information about future shows, exhibits and awards from this wonderful artist!  For more information  www.brigittebalbinot.com/works    contact:  Brigitte Balbinot   561.324.8744  brigittebalbinot@me.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