STUDIO INK. Mar 2021, Vol. 1, No. 2

studio ink.

THE NEW ARTS ZINE FROM THE ART STUDIO, INC.

MARCH 2021 VOL. 1, NO. 02

inside INK ON INC 4 POP UP GALLERY 6 FOMO 7 STYLE FILES 8 M.I.S.T. 9 MAIN GALLERY 10 PICTORIAL MUSCLE 12 COLORING PAGE 13 ESSENTIAL SEQUENTIAL 14 YOUR HOROSCOPE 16 THOUGHTCRIME 18 ‘SUP? 19

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INK@artstudio.org

COVER: “Life Wheel” by Sirena LaBurn STUDIO INK is a magazine produced and published by The Art Studio, Inc. only made possible with contributions from sponsors, donors, and volunteers.

Founded in 1983, The Art Studio, Inc. is devoted to: providing opportunities for interaction between the public and the Southeast Texas community of artists; furnishing affordable studio space to originating artists of every medium; promoting cultural growth and diversity of all art forms in Southeast Texas; and providing art educational opportunities to everyone, of every age, regardless of income level, race, national origin, sex or religion.

The Art Studio, Inc. 720 Franklin St. Beaumont, TX 77701 409.838-5393 www.artstudio.org

REGULAR HOURS: Tues-Sat, 12 to 5 PM 2

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ink on inc.

by G re g Bu s c e m e, S r.

Executive Director of The Art Studio, Inc.

Art is an activity that every child and most adults enjoy. I always liked using glue, tape and paper to create moderately interesting products for mom to gush over when I came home from school. It wasn’t great but it was better than doing mathematics. We all see art and the process of making art as some window to our lives, a reflection of our taste and a challenge to our skills and imagination. I would like to present another view of Art and what it means to our lives in a more serious and dramatic way.

Studying the lives of artists, there is always a pervasive sense that they don’t simply like art but have a deep need for it. It serves to complete them in some way and gives them stability and sense of purpose. Even more than that, it is an almost addictive quality to the driving need to produce work, like Matisse, lying on his deathbed putting cutouts on his ceiling. I have fantasies of my lifeless body found elbow deep in a barrel of clay, my last sculpture drying, half finished, on the table in my studio. There is something to that passion that is more than just enjoyment but rather life-giving sustenance that completes the artist more than any other solace that we can imagine.

In times of crisis such as what we experience with Covid, hurricanes, deep freezes, family loss or other tragic events, physical or mental, that befall us in our personal life, people need some form of healing after these events. In my experience as a teacher, clay classes increase after a cataclysm, small or large (or the movie Ghost). There is no accident that we need to escape the disruption to feel we have some control of our lives, and small 4

photo

by John

Fulbright

accomplishments are victories that give a path out of the crisis we are experiencing.

Art is a relief from the PTSDs of our lives. Not just a feel-good band-aid, but a real and enduring assistance in climbing out of our dark places into the light of healing. Physical activities like boating, meditation, yoga, running, sports, etc. affects our sense of wellbeing, however, the arts, and especially ceramics, have the unique ability to engage the individual in the creative process with physical activity and mental acrobatics to produce a physical expression of the feelings we are having in a solid real object. The artist’s mind can create a manifestation of the demons or angels in our soul and, in so doing, encapsulates their emotions in an object of art.

The therapeutic effects are easily evident if not measurable.

Art has a place in the redemption of someone’s sense of self, their renewal of hope and their return to some form of normality. Yes, enjoyable, but more than that it is the piece of the puzzle that completes us. The food that nourishes us to be human again.

5

in

the

pop-up:

Artistic harmony d e f i n e s creative couple by

Stephan

Malick

Continuing the success of its pop-up show program, artists Albert and Amy Faggard will be spotlighted for March 4 - 20 in the TASI sales gallery with “Eclectic Interpretations.” The exhibition will lead off with a virtual event March 4, in conjunction with First Thursday, and to observe COVID guidelines for public gatherings.

Both have a vision of what they like to create, and that makes a balance between their work and their relationship. The show will demonstrate their individual visions and talent.

The exhibit is intended to showcase their individual styles. Amy’s aesthetic is more abstract, she said, and Albert said he fancies a variety of styles, but tends toward realistic works.

“I don’t like sticking to one style,” Albert said.

“I like to paint a variety of work and whatever strikes my fancy. Most of my work is realistic.

You know, a duck looks like a duck. I’ve been blessed in the past. I’ve had a lot of clients that liked that kind of stuff, but I also have an Impressionist or Surrealistic side also.”

Amy said everyday life provides inspiration for her paintings, and has for most of her life.

“I’ve mostly been concentrating on painting things around my environment, there’s a lot of subject matter that people don’t really think about right in your backyard,” she said. “I mean,

I’ve got hanging plants, flowers on the kitchen table, drapery, bed sheets, linens.

“But, the way I’ve been making them more exciting and adding more drama to them, I’ve been painting them larger than they’re supposed to be — larger than life.

And I’ve been trying to use a lot of lights and darks, and trying to add more drama to my work and enlarging the scale.”

Amy said she hopes that this exaggeration creates a mood and draws somebody to the work.

The pair speak with passion and pride about making art and said the pop-up show will combine a mixture of works — some recent, others that are part of their collection of works that they have both been adding to over time.

The couple said they enjoy looking at each other’s work and can have an easy conversation about what each of them is working on. The appreciation and admiration they have for one another doesn’t rest on competition, but respect.

“It’s not about being better than each other,” he said. “It’s just when we work together as partners we really do enjoy it. I think the fun part of it is, we have different styles in different audiences a lot of the time, but we work together on everything.

Harmony is what comes across in their creativity and relationship. The couple said they feed off each other’s ideas and passion for making art.

“Eclectic Interprepretations” can be viewed in person at TASI’s sales gallery at 720 Franklin in downtown Beaumont, or online at artstudio.org and their Facebook page.

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FOMO

stor y a n d ph oto

by Michelle Cate Beaumont Farmers Market (BFM)

If you have never been to the Beaumont Farmers Market on College near Dowlen, then we are not sure what rock you have been hiding under. It’s ok though; the farmers and makers there aren’t as judgy as I am. Every Saturday from 8-11 AM, almost all year long, they are there for Southeast Texans. Even if you are a picky eater, you will find something to suit your fancy. They have veggies, fruit, grass-fed beef, honey, breads, eggs, plants, ceramics, soaps and jams.

For those of you who have more worldly cravings there is even locally made Indian food by “Quick N Ezee Indian Food.” Their cilantro chutney is like “Clockwork Orange” for your tastebuds. It’s intensely fresh and spicy flavor just won’t stop!

The friendly vendor “Quick N Ezee Indian F o o d .” a t t h e B e a u m o n t F a r m e r s M a r k e t

On top of all that, the folks you will run into at BFM are some of the most incredibly cool folks you could ever hope to meet.

Beaumont Municipal Athletic Complex Address: 6525 College St, Beaumont, TX 77707 Hours: Closed Sunday through Friday, Open 8-11AM Saturdays

Beaumont Antiques Warehouse (BAW) Junk Days BAW Junk Days have been going on once a month for a few years now. Originating in a warehouse tucked away on Orange St. near Old Town, Ms. Barbara’s BAW has recently moved to the downtown side of Calder into an old furniture store, and the feeling is GOOOOD! In the main building there is a menagerie of sweet items from chairs to decor to plates and radios.

Downtown Beaumont Junk Days - Every 1st weekend Trade Days Beaumont Antique Warehouse (BAW) Resale and Interiors Address: 1096 Calder St, Beaumont, TX 77701 Hours: Open 10AM-5PM Monday through Saturday, 12PM-4PM Sunday Phone: (786) 209-9712 7

s

t

y

l

e

f

i

l

e

s

by Marjorie Grace BMT artist and musician beautywithgrace@gmail.com Do not be confused by his quiet demeanor or elegant style - Nathan Yellow Jones has a bitch-slap hand. The more you examine his art and his appearance, the more it makes sense. This man is not here to play.

Whether through his sensual paintings, his intricate collage portraits, or his timeless yet eclectic manner of dress, this gentleman artist leaves a lasting impression.

What various things inspire your personal style? How would you describe it?

I would say my style is tailored and curated.

I’m primarily inspired by basic things such as my mood, where I’m going, what the weather will be like, and what fits. I may have a favorite shirt or pair of pants in mind and go from there.

What would you tell someone who wants to develop their own style?

Look around and find the pieces that speak to you. Start with a few nice basics. From there, you can mix and match and create different looks. Don’t be afraid of color and definitely play with patterns! Most of all, be comfortable and confident in whatever you decide.

For more info on Nathan’s art and how to purchase his work, please contact the artist at: nathanyellowjonesart@gmail.com Read Grace’s FULL interview with Nathan Yellow-Jones online at www.artstudio.org

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M.I.S.T.

(made in southeast texas)

Aimed Dance’s “The.Arena” s t o r y

b y

photos by

K i n z a

Lynn Lane

Aimed Dance is a performance arts nonprofit organization that provides the community with the opportunity to be exposed to dance as a fine art. The company does this through educational programming, live performances and a professional network. The collective offers resources to young dancers to reach their dreams through providing supplies and scholarships.

Aimed Dance’s, The Arena, was an intense experience of five rounds that start with human struggle and ends with coming together. The show opened with all of the 2021 company dancers entering the arena heated and ready to fight. A beautiful mess of people aggressively bucking up to each other but never coming in contact.

It was like a brawl with no winners, just a release of hostile energy with a line being drawn across the arena splitting it into two sides. Round two is Lamaar Reed depicting an internal struggle. He is fighting himself, convulsing and reaching for something but his mind is holding him back. His round ends with him on the floor exhausted, panting with the battle being over. Round three is Haley White’s fight with self

perception. She dances around the arena drawing attention to physical attributes as if she isn’t satisfied with her vessel. Spotlights turn on and off highlighting her body and gestures towards herself. Round four comes back to the line drawn down the arena. Kalee Irwin, Mia Paul, Aaron McClendon and Sarah Vicery enter the arena from opposite sides.

The music is so loud with the hustle and bustle of instruments, and you can hear the repetition of “Get outta town” muddled in the noise. They sit in chairs facing each other so close, this line arguing with their dance.

At some points they do cross to the other side as if they have won at convincing the other. Round five is a coming together of Tyler Rooney and Rachel Curtis. The whole performance they are in sync and do not come out of contact with each other. The Arena was theirs and there was no struggle between the two. This last round allowed the viewers to release the breath we were all holding in.

Read Kinza’s interview with Aimed Dance founder Amy Elizabeth at www.artstudio.org

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LaBurn, Mullins to explore ‘Powers’ of visual storytelling

by Andy Coughlan

push stories forward,” Mullins said. “And it changes as time goes by.”

LaBurn and Mullins will present an exhibition of their titled “Powers at Play,” March 6-27, at The Art When Sirena LaBurn and Nathan work, Mullins met at the Studio School in Studio, Inc. New York, they shared more than an The pair met in 2012 where they were both students. affinity for paint — they shared an The Studio School features interconnected spaces interest in stories and mythologies. and Mullins said the artists could visit each other’s LaBurn, a native of Nederland, studios.

Texas, and Mullins, who hails from “I think that’s how we really came together, being Clarksdale, Mississippi, see their able to look at and think about the world in ways that paintings as part of the human meant a lot to both of us,” he said. narrative. work features Texas imagery that examines “It’s the idea of just trying to engage LaBurn’s perceptions people have of the state — images with the potential of all that’s come the before you,” LaBurn said. “That makes of ranching and cowboys and wide-open plains. me feel like I’m a part of a continuum “I’ve traveled a lot, and when people would ask of story makers. That makes me feel me where I was from, and I would say, ‘Texas,’ human.”

I could just see the look on their faces. A lot of Western movies take place in Texas, there’s “What humans do is tell stories, is the the myth of Texas associated with the imagery.”

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Although Southeast Texas is more swamp than wideopen landscape, LaBurn said she knew people assumed she was from a dry, ranching community, so for her graduate studies she decided to start to understand that.

LaBurn interned at The Stark Museum of Art in Orange, Texas, which specializes in Western art.

“That gave me a good background,” she said. “And I just started watching all these Western movies and starting to wonder, why is this? When I’m making paintings that feel connected to Texas, I just feel like I’m trying to use that type of imagery but not in a noncliche way — in a fresh way that feels personal and more connected to me rather than some type of Western it necessarily sticks with Southern myths, but definitely my American mythology.” interest in myth came from growing up there.”

Mullins said he recognizes people have equally strong Mullins’ work is characterized by vivid colors, which give the perceptions of Mississippi. paintings a magical quality.

“I think (they) discount you a little bit, because the South and Mississippi is usually at the bottom of the rankings,” he said. “It’s easy to dismiss.

I grew up in Clarksdale, which is where the crossroads of (highways) 61 and 49 are, (where) Robert Johnson sells his soul to the devil at the crossroads,” he said.

“There’s a lot of storytelling and mythologizing of these characters. A lot of my work deals with mythology and iconography. I don’t think

“That the color isn’t naturalistic is certainly a choice,” he said.

“It’s a way to clue the viewer that this isn’t real life, that this is extra-normal territory, which is where myth lives. I think paintings are a way to access a sort of magical world, that they exist in some other sort of reality. And you’re putting it out there and hoping that it affects people in an extra-normal way.”

LaBurn’s images are colorful and textured, the result of adding layer upon layer until the image reveals itself.

“How it happens is, I usually make 10 failed paintings underneath that one painting,” she said. “It just gets that thick, incidentally. A painting I just finished that has like a cactus on it, I think I’ve had that panel for over three years, then I finally found the painting — it was meant to be there.”

“Powers At Play” is on view at The Art Studio, Inc. March 6 through 27 during regular hours or virtually at www.artstudio.org and on social media

Left: Top:

“Birth Of Venus” by Nathan Mullins 11 “Jubilee“ by Sirena LaBurn

A longer version of this story can be found online:

12

color me beautiful

by Michelle Cate (originally drawn in 2002)

pictorial (opposite page)

muscle b y La n e e Te s c h

“Proactive, I used to be defensive about it, but in the end, I realized it’s exactly right.

It’s what we’re trying to do- to provoke thought and discussion and, you know, shake people up to start thinking about things in a different way.” -Yorgos Lanthimos I believe the unmitigated personality and values of any filmmaker can be displayed in the art they produce for the world’s consumption, and because of this it is my purpose to create in the highest capacity.

These stills are taken from “All is Quiet” (2019) Director: Tyler Hargraves Camera Operator: Shane Brown W a t c h “ A l l I s Q u i e t ” o n Yo u T u b e : 13

essential

sequential

by Tom Veillon

14

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your march horoscope

by TYLER POWER!

ARIES saucy and

Your

Venus

lovey-dovey

TARUS

season

dances

starts

into

your

energy,

March

sign.

20th,

Capitalize

particularly

through

exactly

one

day

on

the

feel

good

end

of

the

before

the

vibes month.

March 21 will be your lucky day this month- around 6:30 in the evening,

to be precise. A burst of creativity, a phone call bearing good news, an unlikely friend made in an unlikely place- all are possible in this Mercury/Uranus transit window.

GEMINI

Mars makes its way through your sign this month, bringing energy and

passion back into focus. Beware of the combination of your airy nature and the planet of fire though- too much energy given to the wrong projects could easily leave you burnt out.

CANCER against

Another

you,

dear

month

Cancer!

without

Only

the

the

forces

waxing

of

moon

the will

cosmos grace

working

your

sign

towards the end of the month, so now is the time to test your will and see just what you are capable of in what is essentially a cosmic vacuum.

LEO you it

Your the

if

you

VIRGO

ruling

strength have

planet

and

to-

continues

energy

you’ll

of

see

the

the

its

trek

sign.

fruits

of

through

Grit

your

your

Taurus, teeth

efforts

lending

and

soon

bear

enough.

Mercury in Aquarius lends you some airy energy through the sixteenth,

when it enters Pisces. This is a time to focus on the emotional, the creative, and the divine. Let go of your tendency to be uptight and go with the flow.

LIBRA the some

Sun

On in

worthy

SCORPIO

the

Aries.

25th, This

plans-

your

will maybe

ruling

be

a

planet

party

including

day, calling

Venus

will

plain

and

in

overlap simple.

Friday

the

with Make 26th.

You’ll finally get some much needed rest Scorpio, so take it whenever

you can. Don’t mistake laziness for self-care though, you can still capitalize on Pluto’s Taurus energy and Mars’ Gemini energy to get a few things done for yourself.

16

SAGITTARIUS

Jupiter

in

airy

Aquarius

may

lend

itself

to

some

uncertainty, but you are no stranger to the unexpected! Maybe now’s a good time to get in on the Wall Street Bets fun (we hear DOGE coin is a good buy.)

CAPRICORN

Like Virgos, you will benefit from Mercury’s transit in Aquarius,

but for you, now is not the time to have your head in the clouds. Go after what you’ve been wanting lately before the 16th, lest you miss out on the extra celestial boost.

AQUARIUS

Your season may be over, but you still have Jupiter and Saturn

hanging out in your sign for a while. Take it easy until the 21st- when the transit between your ruling planet Uranus and Mercury make anything possible.

PISCES time

has

Your come

dear Pisces, and it is officially your birthday until the 20th. Party it up, your ruling planet Neptune is chilling in your sign with you

for

quite

a

while, lending to some

seriously

i n s i g h t f u l m o m e n t s .

artwork by Julia Rodriguez 17

THOUGHTCRIME Submit typed works to: INK@ARTSTUDIO.ORG

NECESSITY

A Brown Ford LTD Parked in the Woods The floorboard is filled with empty Schlitz cans It’s your brand You’re nothing if not loyal You are sunk into the front seat The torn leather creaks when you move A warm one is between your legs The windows are rolled down Flies are buzzing around your head Mosquitos are lighting on the sleeve of your longsleeved denim shirt It’s 92 in the shade out here You’re parked in a thicket off of highway 105 LTD stands for Limited It’s your last waking thought As you nod off in the stifling heat Pine trees and massive oaks canopy above you Dinosaurs slogged through this swamp Millions of years ago The carbon dioxide in the air was six times higher then Unbreathable, for humans The carbon dioxide is rising again Nature is simply defending itself The traces of the Jurassic beasts are long gone Everything disappears into this muck Nothing is saved for posterity Not even you Someday you will transform into another kind of matter But, for now, you doze by the side of the road LTD stands for Limited

Cardinals come to feast but never to drink, never to bathe.

The neighbor’s dog barks at an inflatable pool that has no pump.

Unbroken gladiolus rise singularly in sad pots.

Radish, chard, tomato, and carrot peek from unprepared ground.

Figures on a narrow porch doze in a dappled sunset.

An unheeded lawn still needs to be cut Arthur Martinson I went far away to fulfill a dream. It was magical and mundane, lonely, and sweaty. Everything I thought I wanted was right in front of me but there was invisible glass. Awareness of the choices you have made, the walls you have built.

What do you want?

What do I want?

I want everything and nothing simultaneously. The impossibility of my dreams has never surprised you. You tell me I am never satisfied. The truth stings like alcohol on my open wound. I am an open wound waiting to be hurt.

Chuck Russell

Ophelia

I Drive up a Mountain in Sonoma, Texas I drive up a mountain in third gear to stop atop Sonoma, Texas.

I open the car door to invite the sounds of rushing silence.

A familiar wind, once thought lost, breezes through my vehicles cabin.

The familiar pecking of birds on trees once muffled, now free.

The leaves rustle those still attached and waiting to fall.

Peacocks out back with blue blazing feathers and deep concerned iris’s search the floor for crumbs.

They become the silence too, embracing the familiar and the natural mundane.

We all marvel at the absence of sound.

The world can awaken unapproached by man’s intervention.

I needed a hat so I bought one, sin that it costs more than a tour of the caverns.

A mile and a half of discovery is cheaper than a 100% cotton hat and T-shirt.

But that’s fine, the silence is free.

Raul Martin IV 18

‘ S U P ?

an incomplete events listing March 4-20 “Eclectic Interpretations” exhibition by Albert & Amy Faggard in TASI

pop-up gallery (available to view online and in person) www.artstudio.org March 6-27 “Powers At Play” exhibition by Sirena LaBurn and Nathan Mullins in TASI

main gallery (available to view online and in person) www.artstudio.org March 12 Classic Movie Nights “Ratatouille” at Jefferson Theatre beaumonteventstx.com March 13 - May 23 “Conjure” exhibition by Delita Martin at Art Museum of Southeast Texas www.amset.org March 19 Classic Movie Nights “A Fistful Of Dollars” at Jefferson Theatre beaumonteventstx.com

March 21 Drag Brunch at Vautrout’s Cajun Cuisine

facebook.com DragQueenGames March 26 Classic Movie Nights “Goldfinger” at Jefferson Theatre beaumonteventstx.com March 27 “Broadway Divas” concert by Symphony of Southeast Texas

at Julie Rodgers Theater www.sost.org on view until March 19 “The Drawing Experience” at Stark Museum (available to

view online and in person) www.starkmuseum.org on view until March 31 “Art Of Emergency Care” exhibit at The Fire Museum of Texas facebook.com firemuseumtx on view until April 3 “TIME PASSES SLOWLY (When You’re Lost in a Dream):

highlights from the permanent collection at Dishman Art Museum fineartscomm.lamar.edu dishman-art-museum

UPCOMING CLASSES AT TASI

Stained Glass One-Day Worshops

Instructor: James Allen King

- Saturday March 6 10am - 5pm (lunch break at 12:30) - Saturday March 20 10am - 5pm (lunch break at 12:30)

This workshop is great for adults of any skill level! You will be learning hands-on by making a stained glass piece in colors of your choosing from a selection of prepared patterns. Students will take home their completed work of art at the end of the day! $125 per student, per class Contact 409-838-5393 or info@artstudio.org to sign up for either one or both sessions Follow The Art Studio, Inc. on Facebook for the latest news about upcoming Life Dawing Sessions, Clay Handbuilding, and Printmaking Classes!

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W W W. A RT ST U D I O.O R G

THE ART STUDIO, INC. 720 FRANKLIN ST. BEAUMONT, TX 77701

Remainder of the TASI exhibition season: March 4 - Albert & Amy Faggard March 6 - Sirena LaBurn & Nathan Mullins April 1 - Kelli LeBeouef, Johana Mercer April 3 - TASIMJAE (juror Lynn Castle) May 6 - Cissie Owen May 8 - The Alternative Show June 3 - Gabriel Sellers June 5 - Dario Bucheli

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