Iowa Artist

'First Thursday's Art Exhibit Featuring Drake Students Jill & Jazmine'

2010-08-04T11:03:00.000-07:00

'First Thursday's Art Exhibit Featuring Drake Students Jill & Jazmine'

Artwork by Laura Travnicek

2010-06-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

Laura Travnicek - Art Exhibit June 3rd

2010-06-02T07:51:00.000-07:00

Laura Travnicek Exhibit At The Great Frame Up!

The first week of the month is always exciting for us at The Great Frame Up, because that’s when we bring out the talent and proudly host our artist’s exhibit. It’s all about unique and talented visions of our local artists. This Month we are pleased to exhibit work from painter:

Laura Travnicek

Laura is a Des Moines area artist with a unique vision. Her work and study looks at society’s need for categorizing and grouping people, and how these social hierarchical arrangements become fundamental to our lives. This keen interest in social class brought her to a series of images called “First Ladies.” An evocative concept, these works of first ladies, the most exclusive of clubs, and in Laura’s words provides “…an enriching experience to study and paint each first lady's portrait and learn the unique history behind each woman. Individually, they are fascinating women, but together, as a set, these ladies make up the elite group of women….” The colors used in ‘First Ladies’ captivate and provide a cohesiveness in the grouping, while also striking a unique and true view of each portrait. Laura has a great love of color, and knows that the perfect color pallet makes an image speak loud and clear. The power of the artist!

Laura’s art education degree and artistic vision are inseparable, and she also is the director of a nonprofit art concern called NaCl Art Company – an art and mentoring program serving children in the Des Moines area. For more information on this, or questions about Laura’s work, contact her at lauratravnicek@gmail.com.

See the power of the artist Thursday June 3rd at the Great Frame Up, and see why we’re proud to host Laura’s work for our June Exhibit. Stop by from 5:00 to 8:00. And if you have any question please contact us. The Great Frame Up is not just about custom framing and personal service: we also provide an important opportunity to see new and important work from local artists!

Social Media - Why?

2010-04-20T11:08:00.001-07:00

I just attended an very informative early morning meeting hosted by tech guru Mike Sansone.

He shared lots of good tips. Which I've decide to share with the Iowa Artist to assist them in promoting their artwork.

Tip of #1 - It's okay not to be perfect. Just share some good useful information. The truth hurts. You will get left behind. Blogging is a way to connect with friends, family, new customers and reconnect with existing ones. Don't fight it. The train is moving just get on board, go along for the ride and see where it takes you.

More tips coming soon!

Keeping Things Real! - Real Creative & Colorful!

2009-05-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

Life is too short to sweat the small stuff and at the end of the day we find out that it's all small stuff. So just look around and enjoy the colors that are around us, yellow= sunshine, green=grass, blue=sky . . . yeah there are sooo many colors

Splash spatter!!! Explosions on canvas in color are wonderful to enjoy.

Right now The Great Frame Up is featuring the artwork of Bill Gordon. He uses wonderful colors, oranges, greens, reds, blues, purple - his motto is the more color the better!

His canvases are very large and some medium size about 36x36. www.billgordonart.com

Brighten Up A Gray Day With Colorful Art & Art-wearables

2008-10-17T12:02:00.000-07:00

The skies are gray and it's a bit nippy in the air; fall is on us today. I've had my second cup of hot chocolate and it was very tasty with whipped cream on top. On this gray day, I was glad to see local artist Renee Mak. She is a treat to anyone she meets. Her colorful artwork and designs are featured in the gallery in the back display window.

She has just launched her new company MoTaMat! The Art & Design Company. She is now offering artwear, classes, workshops & mixed media art on canvas to brighten up any home or office decor. http://www.motamat.etsy.com/

Fun, Flirty and Fabulous - Artwork on Canvas and Art-wearables!

Christine Mullane - Dynamic & Colorful Art!

2008-10-16T11:23:00.000-07:00

Last week we had a great event in West GlenTown Center called Martini Fest. Over 700 peolple attended and it was great fun! At The Great Frame Up we were honored to feature the colorful artwork of Christine Mullane. She has several drink prints framed and available that would make great gifts.

She is a talented artist and a good friend, I hope you'll get the opprotunity to visit her website at http://www.artdive.com/ and come by the gallery to see her artwork.

Enjoy the sun and the fall colors!

Thankful Day

2008-10-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

Today - I'm very thankful. I had a business breakfast meeting this morning at Hamiliton's Funeral home. I know not the first place you think about having a breakfast meeting at 7:30am. However, I was pleasantly impressed with the facility. I couldn't help notice the garden outside with all of the metal artwork of children chasing butterflys. Well, they have an annual tribute to the small little ones that have gone to heaven and it is a very touching tribute where they give the metal artwork to the families after a memorial service.

Consequently, this got me thinking this morning early in the rain as to why I'm so very thankful. So often as adults and busy people with lots of tasks on our plates to complete each day, we forget about the little things. We forget that if we are no longer children and still living life . . .that in itself is a blessing. Today is a day to be thankful and for those of you who have lost young little ones - my prayers go out to you and your families.

Molly Free - Artist with a Visual Elegance

2008-06-21T15:17:00.000-07:00

Hope He Brings Back the Car - SOLD

Molly Free's - June 5th Art Exhibit was a wonderful success with rave reviews from guests, family and friends.

She prides herself on connecting all of us with the natural environment. Plus her children are very cute!

Congratulations Molly!

Several of her colorful originals are still available.

Series from Hasan

2008-06-21T15:00:00.001-07:00

Hasan will be the featured artist in September. Several originals and prints of his artwork are available at The Great Frame Up in West Des Moines, Iowa.

In My Backyard

Gray Garden

More New Images from Hasan

2008-06-21T14:57:00.000-07:00

Incredible New Artist - Featured - Hasan Tosunbedegovic

2008-06-21T14:52:00.000-07:00

Iowa Artist Directory

2008-04-25T15:57:00.000-07:00

Below is a resource for some of the visual artist in Iowa.

http://roster.iowaartscouncil.org/

May 1st Art Exhibit - Allison Hall

2008-04-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars - May 1st for "First Thursdays on the Avenue" - featuring artwork by Allison Hall a local artist with loads of talent! Reception Thursday 5:30-8:30pm.

Refreshments served.

http://www.allisonhallart.com/

In The Begining

2008-04-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

I've avoided blogging for over a year now. But here goes it. . . What changed my mind?

Reading more articles on how blogging can help grow your business.

Reading some of the post from the "Central Iowa Bloggers" - Okay, hey I can do that.

Sherry Borzo with dsmbuzz. She was very positive and encouraging at our wonderfully informal meeting at B&B Restaurant and Bar last evening. So I thought, I'd be brave and go for it. http://www.dsmbuzz.com/ Thanks Sherry.

The sun is shinning - Spring is finally here! Yeah.

My passion is helping artist and small businesses. I look forward to sharing some of the great Iowa artist with those who read this blog.