Barbara Kampe Art

Cool Show coming up

2011-07-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

Yikes! The Cool Show is only 5 days away. See you there, Booth 57.

Getting Ready for Artistic Tastings

2011-06-01T12:45:00.000-07:00

"Egads, Where's Adam?" - all boxed up and ready to take to Artistic Tastings this Friday.

Artist's Market - March 27 & 28

2011-03-24T13:10:00.001-07:00

Getting ready for the Artist Market at Leepa Rattner Museum this weekend.

Going to Illinois

2011-02-11T06:13:00.000-08:00

Tu jest przyjemny widok was juried in to the 23rd Annual Women's Works Exhibit at the Old Court House Arts Center in Woodstock, Illinois, March 3 - May 1.

Road trip to Ft. Myers

2011-02-11T05:51:00.000-08:00

Spent the week in Ft. Myers checking out the art scene - strolled through the art galleries during 1st Friday, visited friends at Art Fest, and spent a day at the Edison Ford Winter Estates sketching (photo).

Sketchbook Project Completed!

2011-01-20T17:45:00.001-08:00

My Sketchbook is complete and has been submitted for the show tour. What is the result of this adventure?

Loved being back north –friends, cornfields, red barns, rolling prairies, snow falling, nighttime arriving early, wearing 5 layers of clothes to keep warm, cooking lots of food just to warm up the house and body.

Still don’t know which or where I’d be home by now. Want them both!!!

But wait – I’ve always loved the mountains and the deserts of the West. It would be great to live on a ranch, ride a horse across the open lands. Hmmm, maybe it’s time to head west and I’d be home by now.

Heading Home?

2010-12-18T10:50:00.000-08:00

I signed up to participate in The Sketchbook Project, a national art endeavor. I chose to sketch the topic: “you'd be home by now.” However, I wasn't sure which Home I was contemplating – my current Home in Florida or the Home of my past.
So when billions of people head south for the winter, I got in my van and drove 1,330.48 miles north in search of the Home I'd be at by now.
It was exhilarating to see the flat lands of the prairie with red barns, silver silos, Canadian geese and Deeres in the cornfields. I did feel that I had come home. AND the first few days were almost Floridian – unseasonabily warm with bright blue sunshiney skies.
I spent the first week or so meandering through the local conservation area, a 3,000 acre park comprised of former farmlands where my friend and I used to pick wild black raspberries every July. I would set up my easel overlooking the vast expanse of prairie, bogs, and kames or down by the creek. However, I spent the time just staring at the beauty of the lands and didn’t get much paint on the canvas.
Then the November weather did an about face – blowing winds brought dismal grey skies with snow flurries forecasted, and the land became a frozen tundra. I loved it! Made one want sit front of the fireplace and eat massive bowls of chili or drink hot chocolate.
It’s now December. Six inches of white fluffy snow have hit the ground, the temps are dipping below 20 degrees, not including the wind chill, and I still haven’t put paint on canvas yet. That’s because I either have my nose pressed to the window like a 4 year old watching snowflakes fall from the sky or making my umpteenth pot of chili. And I still haven’t figured out which “home I’d be at by now.”

Last Round - 60" x 36"

2010-07-21T17:48:00.000-07:00

Inspiration for a picture can come at any time, any place – from sitting at a red light to sitting in front of the TV. I never know when and what is going to sideswipe me with a little voice screaming, “must paint that image in head NOW.”
However, I do have a favorite place to conjure up all sorts of visual inspiration - an aisle seat at Ruth Eckerd Hall listening to the Florida Orchestra. It’s live, it’s vivid, it’s here and now- violin bows frantically attacking strings, an oboe crying in the night, or my favorite (see previous blog post) a cowbell peeking up from the percussionist row, a drum stick hovering over it, to be whacked at the exact moment in the score. Ahhh, heaven.
I sit quietly in my seat sketching head-busting visualizations in my tiny notebook. (In actuality, I really want to stand in the back row, slopping paint on large canvases to the music.) When the concert is over, I go home refreshed, renewed, and ready for the week ahead with new inspiration.
Most of the time, I don’t review my orchestra sketches: It’s over, done, move on to something else – oh, a reflection shows up in a painting down the road. But this picture begged to be painted. I pounded nails into my backyard fence, hung a 5’x3’ canvas; dragged brushes, paints, water out into the heat and humidity and started slopping on the acrylics. My neighbors must have thought I was nuts.
The result was this image. Title: “Golijov Last Round; Law & Order-Wm. Running …. Through Central Park” Now it’s your turn to visualize what it all means.
And maybe you’ll see me this upcoming season. I’ll be on the aisle hovering over a sketch book. That is unless they let me stand in the back row with paints, brushes, canvas, and of course, a drop cloth. Or maybe the Florida Orchestra needs a professional cow bell player – then I’ll be in percussionist row with a cowbell and drum stick in hand.

2 AM Whistles

2010-07-09T18:52:00.001-07:00

I met a famous quoter a few weeks back – in fact, this man’s quote is so great that it’s printed in the local paper a couple of times a month. It’s not every day I get to personally meet someone whose quote I identify with so much that I had to include it on my website. Most of the best quotes are usually from old dead guys. But this gentleman is alive and well and writes for the St. Petersburg Times –Ernest Hooper.
I heard him give a brilliant speech, and I thought I’d better get in the queue to shake his hand to tell him. After what seemed an endlessly long time waiting in line because everyone else had the same idea, it was my turn. I shook his hand, said well done, and added that I also love the sound of the train whistle at 2 am. He looked at me with a grin of awareness. I nodded in understanding and quietly strolled away with the grateful knowledge that there is at least one other person who understands the meaning of 2 am whistles.
As I strolled outside to my parked car, I remembered my years as a kid listening to the trains during the hot summer nights when I couldn’t sleep. No air conditioning, no breeze, spending what seemed like endless hours of turning the pillow over for its cooler side. And yes, the world was still spinning, we were okay, and the whistles would finally lull me to sleep.

22nd Annual Cool Show

2010-07-09T18:06:00.000-07:00

July 17th & 18, 10 am to 5 pm at the St. Petersburg's Coiseum. Hope to see you there! Click here for more info

30 Minutes from Kelli's House

2010-02-06T08:34:00.000-08:00

Major frustration had set in. For the past month, I’ve been laboriously trying to paint a picture that I NEEDED for an upcoming show. Half of my time was spent slopping paint on canvas, then washing it all off (thank goodness for acrylics), and the other half was spent avoiding it under any circumstances.

This week, I was perusing a friend’s Facebook photos. There amongst the 2,483 photos of her life in Idaho was an image I have had in my head for decades, that she titled “30 minutes from my house.” I quickly emailed her to ask if I could use it (don’t want to stomp on her copyright infringement). Fortunately, she was home also attempting to paint something and gave permission. So I grabbed the shot, grabbed the damn canvas I was trying paint, started slopping paint on top of it. Viola! in 30 minutes this is what emerged. To quote Buddy from Night Court: “I feel so much better now.”

As a side note, my Idahoan friend asked how long it took to paint it. I told her: “Kid, all my life . . . all my life.”

Moral of my story: paint what you have to not what you must

Martinis and Matisse -Update

2010-01-18T17:47:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: A wonderful evening was had - fine art, scrumptious food, tantalizing conversations. But none of the blue martinis that I was so looking forward to - however, the pink ones were very, very good.

PRE UPDATE: Looking forward to the blue martinis with lighted swizzle sticks at the upcoming Martinis and Matisse, a terrific fundraiser for the Clearwater Free Clinic.

Going Home, Field Trip Over

2010-01-14T16:40:00.000-08:00

Yeehaw!! Not only was one of my images of Chicago accepted in Dunedin Fine Art Center's new exhibition landfall, contemporary landscapes, but it was used in their invitation and in their website's Event page announcement. Hope to see you at the opening Friday night, January 15th!
Also seeThe Big City for additional images.

Do They Still Play the Blues in Chicago?

2009-12-23T12:05:00.001-08:00

It was a Chicago day in Florida – dark grey skies, all day drizzle, and miserably cold. A large pot of chili was simmering on the stove, a Wrigley Field cam was streaming live on the computer’s desktop, and Steve Goodman asking if “they still play the blues in Chicago” was coming from the stereo. Thoughts transported me to younger days of sitting behind third base, enjoying hot dogs, peanuts, and an occasional beer during a warm summer afternoon.

But the pouring rain on my studio roof brought me back to reality. It was way too cold and wet to take the dog for a walk and the chili wasn’t ready to eat yet, so out came the paints, brushes, canvas and this resulting image.

4 out 5 plein air artists wear hats even in the shade

2009-09-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

Last Friday morning, a few of the Studio Waltz Plein Air artists lined up in the shade of Gregory's Salon, Dunedin, to paint the town. Four out of the 5 artists in their smartly styled bonnets were prepared for the blazing sun to reach over the top of the building at high noon. However, neither hats nor sunscreen was necessary - when the first beam of sunshine hit the outstretched toes, easels were immediately packed up, and the group retired to the shade and air conditioning of a local eatery.

The group will be back again this Friday, September 25, at the same location. Stop by, say hello - coffee and donuts are always appreciated. (Pictured Barbara, Jenna, Jana, Lynn, Eva)

It was a dark and stormy night

2009-09-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

A few of the Studio Waltz Plein Air Artists attempted to capture Dunedin's downtown scene during its 2nd Friday Art/Wine Walk. After a stroll around the area to find the perfect spot (and a few glasses of wine for one artist), French easels were set up and the painting proceeded. Within minutes, storm clouds started swirling around us like a pack of hungry coyotes running the Pinellas trail. But we persevered - quickly throwing the paint on canvas to create the foundation before the heavens opened up. In addition, Linda Renc, Calligrapher and Chief Meterologist from the Painted Fish Gallery was monitoring live radar on the internet to give us a 2 minute warning if needed. And it was needed - she came running from her shop to advise us that in her professional meteorological opinion "a big one is going to hit us." With her words of warning ringing in our ears and the sight of a long black shelf cloud rapidly beading down on us, we quickly packed up and sped to her store just as the buckets started falling. Needless to say, the night was still young so we retired to the local saloon for some nourishment and a pint or two. But we will return to paint - weather permitting! (Photos of Jenna, Don & Liz)

We Got Mail

2009-09-12T10:10:00.000-07:00

2 amazing things happened. The first is that the Studio Waltz Plein Air Artists received a letter addressed to the group!
To let you know, we're a very informal bunch (and I use that term loosely) of artists that paint outdoors no matter the weather conditions, unless it's too hot, too cold, too snowy, too sleety, or there's torrential downpours.
Studio Waltz was developed 17 years ago to give non-artistic folks the opportunity to visit local artists' studios to see how they do what they do. A great idea!
Well, about 3 years ago I wanted to be included in the group, but couldn't let a horde of strangers tromp through my messy, dust-bunnied, pet-infested house to view my studio. So I weaseled myself into the Studio Waltz group as a plein air artist - what better way - the outdoors is the plein air artist's studio! They agreed, and every year I corral a few plein airers to participate. And now this plein air group of Studio Waltz has officially been legitimized, because we got a letter in the mail!
Which is the 2nd part of the amazing thing that happened. If you look closely at the address, it's to: Plein Air Artists, Main St and Pinellas Trail. There is no mailbox at this intersection and the USPS has never heard of us. But the wonderful resourceful mailman that travels this route through the heat, the cold, the snow, the sleet, the torrential downpours to deliver the mail found our little bunch of plein air artists! And we thank him/her for the delivery.

The Pictures Were Hung on the Wall with Care

2009-09-10T18:45:00.000-07:00

Yea, the pictures are up on the wall! 5 plein air artists are showing their work at Kellys for Just About Anything in conjunction with the upcoming Studio Waltz in October. Thanks to fellow artist Jenna Star Friedman and Dan Carlson of Kellys for their excellent hanging ability and to Susan for the supervising of the project. (Of course, all the art is for sale.)

Also, a few of us will be participating in Dunedin's 2nd Friday on the 11th. We'll be slopping paint on canvas near Gregory's Hair Salon, Main Street & the Trail. So stop by, say hello, and bring a refreshment to share.

Walking Around the Island

2009-09-10T09:41:00.000-07:00

A fun little commission from a picture.

A plea for more cowbell

2009-09-02T09:36:00.000-07:00

This is today's Mr. Boffo cartoon. As a professional cowbell player, need I say more?

2009-07-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

I had a pleasant surprise when the new fall catalog for the Dunedin Fine Art Center arrived in the mail. They used one of my pics for sale in their gift shop on their cover. (upper left side) A bigger image may be viewed in the Plein Air Gallery.

2 More in the Series

2009-07-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

No trains playing in the yards today

Tu jest przygemny widok

12 dollar and 95 cent view

2009-07-29T17:52:00.000-07:00

This image is one of a series done painting under Joan Duff Bohrer's guidance. I had a great time and learned alot. As a lark, I entered it in the PAVA Membership Show and came home with a ribbon! Another image is on the Exhibition page.

Times Square Thanksgiving 2008

2009-06-27T10:42:00.000-07:00

This little watercolor pencil and ink sketch was done in NYC when I was fortunate enough to join the Awesome Original Second Time Arounders Mar ching Band in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.
I mentioned to a friend that one of my life's "no should have's" before I die is travel to NYC to see the City's sights and the Parade. She asked if I would like to be in the parade. My first thought was "Bonus, that's even better!" So I weaseled my way into the band and became First Chair Cowbell Player.
After getting 10 minutes of sleep in 36 hours, I marched 3+ miles to the crowds roaring "MORE COWBELL." It couldn't have been a better time had in the Big Apple for me, my family, friends, and the band. As a side note, I never did get to see the parade.
And I'm still working on my long list of "no should have's," which includes seeing the Boston Pops play on the 4th of July. Does anyone know if they need a cowbell player?

Setting up a blog

2009-02-27T11:21:00.000-08:00

Many, many friends, family members, and fellow artists told me to get an internet presence. They said having a blog would be great. This would be easy. Ha!

I enlisted the help of friend and fellow artist, Denis Gaston,
to show me how to set this blog up. After I bribed him with a fine home cooked meal (and my friends know how well I can cook) and a couple of glasses of Fish Eye Pinot Grigio 2007, he gave me a one-hour tutorial on blogging, booted out the door, and left me to my own devices with 2 pages of scribbled notes that I cannot decipher.

But here it is. Yes, this is an artist's blog, and it's very boring - white background, a few words in colored text. But it took me a gazillion hours to get this far, and I'm tired. So off for a nap before I tackle the rest of it.

Please come back to watch the progress - maybe. . .

B