ARTIST PROFILE - SHAYNE HULL

Kentucky tends to be a conservative state when it comes to buying art. In my experience appraising art collections, most people who live here prefer realistic images painted with traditional techniques.

Although it could be said that artist Shayne Hull paints in a traditional manner, the portraits he creates are often witty, full of color, and although they are fairly realistic, they tend toward a more folk art tradition.

Hull recieved his B.A. at Corpus Christi State University in Texas in 1985 and he received his M.A. from The Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. In Louisville, his works can often be found at Swanson Reed Gallery in Louisville.

Mr. Hull takes commissions for both people and pets. He charges $750 for a 16" X 16" portrait or $2,400 for a 36" X 48". You can visit his website here to view more of his pieces.

ELECTRICITY IN ART

You don't know what you have 'till its gone.

I miss electricity. As I sit in a coffee shop 4 1/2 days after my electricity went out (due to Ike) I have been thinking about the way artists have explored the subject of electricity in art.

My immediate thought was local artist Ying Kit Chan. I was first exposed to this artist's work when I was a graduate student at U of L. One afternoon, taking a break from writing my thesis in the Bridwell Art Library, I wandered across the hall and discovered charcoal drawings the size of Mack trucks hanging on the walls. The drawings were depictions of telephone lines as seen from the ground, looking up. The dark lines against the white background created in such a large format was overwhelming, threatening, and thrilling. Artists have the job of exploring subjects in ways that average people don't think about them. Today, as I look at Ying Kit Chan's work I wonder if he was exploring the power electricity has over our lives. Because of my current lack of power, I know I am looking at his pieces in a different way than the first day that I saw them. Right now they are evil towers keeping me from hot coffee in the morning and the season premiere of my favorite television show.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Ying Kit Chan was born in Hong Kong in 1953 and moved to the United States in 1979. He received his B.F.A. from the University of Oklahoma in 1981 and his M.F.A. from the University of Cincinnati in 1983. Currently, he is a Professor of Fine Arts and Head of Studio Programs at the Allen R. Hit Art Institute at the University of Louisville.

ABOUT THE DRAWING ABOVE

"Industrial Site"

Charcoal on Paper

42" X 84"

1992

Victoria & Albert Purchase Jagger's Lips

On September 2, The Victoria and Albert Museum announced the purchase of the original artwork depicting the famous "lips" logo of the Rolling Stones.

Frontman Mick Jagger's lips originally inspired artist John Pasche in 1969 when the band approached the Royal College of Art in London after Decca Records could not provide a design that suited them. The lips sold at auction for $92, 500 in the United States.

Victoria Broakes, head of exhibitions, V&A Theatre and Performance Collections, said: "The Rolling Stones' Tongue is one of the first examples of a group using branding and it has become arguably the world's most famous rock logo

ANTIQUES LEGEND DIES

Ralph Kovel, a leader in the antiques world died on August 28 after a short illness. Kovel and his wife Terry are known nation-wide as antiques experts and as the duo who produced over 90 books relating to art and antiques, including price guides and reference books. In fact, it was the Kovels who first had the idea to publish a pottery guide which listed pieces by factory markings instead of by country of origin. Long before the Antiques Roadshow, the Kovels were educating the public on art, antiques, and the market. The Kovels had a nationally syndicated newspaper column and produced television shows about antiques on HGTV, the Discovery Channel, and Public Television.

If you are not familiar with the Kovels or their guides you should be. For a small fee, you can subscribe to their website here (which has price guides, articles about antiques, collecting, buying, and selling) or you can purchase one of their many price guides or reference books here.

CARL CHRISTIAN BRENNER AUCTION

In the 19th century anyone who was anyone in Kentucky owned a Carl C. Brenner painting. Brenner was a native of Germany but moved to Louisville in 1853 to begin a career as a sign painter. By 1871 he was painting landscapes and soon became known for his depictions of Beech Trees in Kentucky.

Up for auction on September 6 is this Brenner painting at Brunk auctions is Asheville, NC:

The best market for Brenner's paintings is in Kentucky so, if you are interested, you may be able to get a good deal. In recent years, interest in Brenner's work has been increasing. $2000 is the opening bid with an estimate of $4000-$8000.

Click here for more information or to bid

"(Kentucky, 1838-1888), "Boulder Canon, Colorado", original label verso with title, size and "No. 2", signed lower left "Carl C. Brenner/1882", oil on canvas, 30-1/8 x 25 in.; modern gilt wood and composition frame. Original stretcher and tacking edge, craquelure, slight stretcher marks, light grime, backed with plywood by artist but not laid down. Provenance: The Estate of the Late John Boone, Owensboro, Kentucky"

ILLEGIBLE SIGNATURES & OTHER MARKINGS

Sometimes I go into a home and look at a painting only to find I can not read the signature. Other times, the signature is no more than a symbol or initials. In those cases (which are pretty common, quite frankly) I turn to the signature books. In the case of sculpture, the foundry name is often found on the base. In the case of both paintings and sculpture, the name of the company that supplied the materials (such as the canvas, paper etc.) might be located somewhere on the piece. Other names that might be on the piece include the owner's name or a gallery's name.

Always be aware that if an artist signature is on the piece it doesn't make it authentic. Find out as much as you can about the way the artist signed his/her pieces but also look at the piece and see if it "looks right." If there is a catalogue raisonne (a book of every known piece by the artist) get a copy of it and look up your piece. In other words, although the signature is important, it is not the final word when it comes to researching the maker of your artworks.

SIGNATURE BOOKS & OTHER RESEARCH SOURCES

Castagno, John, ed. American Artists: Signatures and Monograms, 1800–1989. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1990.
Castagno, John, ed. Artists as Illustrators: An International Directory with Signatures and Monograms 1800 to the Present. Metuchen, N.J.: Scarecrow Press, 1990.
Falk, Peter Hastings, ed. Dictionary of Signatures and Monograms of American Artists. Madison, Conn.: Sound View Press, 1988.
Jackson, Radway, ed. The Visual Index of Artists' Signatures and Monograms. London: Cromwell Editions, 1991.

Edge, Michael S. Directory of Art Bronze Foundries. Springfield, Ore.: Artesia Press, 1990.
Katlan, Alexander W. American Artists' Materials Suppliers Directory Nineteenth Century: New York 1810–1899; Boston 1823–1877. Park Ridge, N.J.: Noyes Press, 1987.
Katlan, Alexander W. American Artist's Materials: A Guide to Stretchers, Panels, Millboards, and Stencil Marks. Madison, Conn.: Soundview Press, 1992.

LAUNCHINGS AT THE LVAA

Julie Leidner, Oil on Canvas

Tonight is the opening of Launchings at the Louisville Visual Art Association. Launchings is an exhibit which highlights the works of several artists who have recently completed their B.A. and are now in graduate school or are working in their studios.

Last night I had a sneak peak of the show and there are many interesting pieces for sale. Especially interesting were the wood block prints of Sarah Hall and the oil paintings of Julie Leidner. Ms. Hall has submitted two books of wood block prints which illustrate an epic poem or story while Ms. Leidner uses "traditional painting techniques to interrupt digital movie images. "

You don't need an invitation to attend...you just need to show up. Prices start at the reasonable level of $125. If you are a new collector, this would be a great place to start.

For more information visit the LVAA website here.
The LVAA is located on River Road at the water tower. For directions, click here.
Water Tower Hours:

Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm
Saturday CLOSED
Sunday 12:00-4:00pm