Grant Winner of the Hemphill Family Foundation

After a few attempts at grant writing, I finally was able to develop the skills to win one! It has tank me four years of developing the skill to be able to put into words the abstract concepts, and to do a strong budget.

Anyone who can write about art in a professional way, You ARE MY HERO!!!

Newburyport Art (NAA) is thrilled to announce two winners

of the Art Adventure Grant! Since 2016, each grant has been generously funded by the Hemphill Family Foundation. This grant enables artist applicants to explore aspects of their artistic practice and professional development through experiences such as travel, educational classes, learning opportunities, and more! This year was NAA’s largest applicant pool to date, with 29 submissions. The winners were selected by a committee who considered the strength and cohesiveness of the portfolio, the artist’s thoughtful consideration and planning, and personal investment in the greater idea of an art adventure. Last Saturday, Mary Francis, Trustee of the Hemphill Family Foundation and NAA Artist Member, presented the awards to the winners.

Congratulations to Rebecca Klementovich,

winner of the 2024 Art Adventure Grant! In her grant application, Rebecca writes: “Painting a bog in the National forest located in North Conway En Plein Air would be an immersive and challenging experience that engages both the physical and emotional…En Plein Air painting in a bog offers a chance to truly connect with nature and capture its beauty on canvas…The finished paintings will be a unique collection that reflects not just the scene itself, but also the experience of being there.

Eva Hesse and Material Breakdown

I recently fell in love with Eva Hesse’s work. She was a trailblazer in using unconventional materials like latex, fiberglass, and plastics in sculpture. This contrasted with the dominant Minimalist movement that was happening during her time. Hesse’s work moved away from using the industrial materials in a cold and calculated way. Her work brought a sense of process, vulnerability, and organic form to sculpture.

After watching Eva Hesse’s documentary I saw how her materials in her sculptures began to break down. Her beautiful work was falling apart. Here are some reasons why using sustainable art supplies can be important for the longevity of your artwork: I plan on using paint and materials that will last.

1. Material Breakdown: Traditional art supplies often contain harsh chemicals or materials that can break down over time. For example, some paints can yellow or become brittle, while papers made with low-quality wood pulp can become acidic and cause the artwork to deteriorate. Sustainable art supplies, on the other hand, are often made with natural materials or recycled content that are less likely to degrade as quickly. This means your artwork is more likely to stay vibrant and well-preserved for future generations.

2. Avoiding Lightfastness Issues: Lightfastness refers to a pigment's ability to resist fading over time when exposed to light. Some traditional pigments, especially cheaper ones, are not very lightfast and can fade significantly over the years. Sustainable art supplies often focus on using high-quality, lightfast pigments. This ensures your artwork retains its original colors and doesn't become washed out over time.

Using sustainable art supplies can help your artwork resist the natural breakdown of materials and fading from light exposure, allowing it to be enjoyed for years to come.

What are Vertical Landscape Paintings?

A vertical painting simply refers to a painting that has a greater height than width. How rare it i
. In the vast amount of landscape paintings, a vertical painting is a more modern expression of the landscape. No doubt, they are hard to paint because the artist has to rearrange the composition in a totally new direction. The usual art rules do not apply, to which the artist must step up in creativity.

Here are some reasons why a collector might choose a vertical format for a landscape:

• Highlight towering elements: Vertical landscapes are ideal for showing tall features like mountains, waterfalls, trees, or skyscrapers that reach up towards the sky. The vertical format draws the viewer's eye upwards, emphasizing the expanssiveness of these elements.

• Focus on a specific view: A vertical format can be used to frame a secluded scene, like a path winding through a forest or a dramatic trees close-up.

• Creative composition: Some collectors may choose a vertical format for a more unique composition, breaking away from the traditional wide-horizon view of landscapes.