April 19, 2011
Hello Friends!
I have been working hard on my “Art and Soul Tour 2011”. I’ve been busy planning shows, having meetings with great new charities and projects that I’ve been working on across the country. I’ve also been working on the idea to shoot a documentary while I travel this summer the Project is called Art Expert: Everyone is an expert when it comes to art.
I am attaching the treatment and would love for you to have a look. I have been thinking about this idea for years; my history and passion for art and traveling keep bringing me back to this idea. This summer is the perfect time for me to do this project! I have the perfect traveling buddy, Mickell Smith, who has knowledge of the film industry. I have abandoned my fears of creating such a project and replaced those fears with the confidence and good humor of my own personal history of art. Creating it, creating spaces for others to create it and selling it.
So, I have come up with a budget of $28,000 for this film. The budget covers gas leaving Utah and traveling South then East, then back West and on up the West Coast. This covers the filming in 23 different cities, film equipment, lodging and food.
Never having raised money for a project like this has been a little intimidating to me until the past few weeks. Last week, when I was with my cousin and my step mom, I was reminded of my past art shows and that I have found the encouragement, support and interest in my artwork before. That’s when I thought of this website, Kickstarter, where projects like mine are funded all the time. Feeling less intimidated, I then came up with the idea that it is not impossible for me to do this myself. I, like the artists on Kickstarter, would love to give out art goodies for any donations made to this project and I am attaching the goodie list! You can donate as little as $25 to as much as you would like … and lucky for you I work in many different mediums. Each donation will be honored with a generous piece, or several pieces of art relating to this project depending on how much you would like to donate. This project is like a month long virtual art show. My fund raising cut off date is May 20th, this is 3 weeks before my first show in Sedona AZ . If you are interested in being a part of this project I will just need a return e-mail with the dollar amount you would like to donate or a phone call if you want to talk about it further. I will not need the donation from you until after May 20th. If I am not close to my goal by that time then I will have to make some changes, like cutting out some locations, not eating, sleeping in parking lots and then seeing if I can make it work. On the 20th, if I am close to my goal, I will send out a letter regarding how the trip is shaping up and the different payment options.
If you would like to make a business donation I will create for you some amazing business art, link your business to my website as a sponsor and maybe even paint your name on my car, or tattoo it on my arm … But that will cost you!
All in all, this project will be educational, provide incredible market research for the art world and good humor for all!
If you are not interested in this project, but you know someone that might be, please pass it on. You just never know until you try!
Lot’s of LOVE! Ashley
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Project: Art Expert – Everyone is an expert when it comes to Art ©
This project follows artist Ashley Bennett-Stoddard as she tours across America’s small and high-end artists’ communities. While touring her own work, Ashley will be stopping along the way to visit up and coming artists, small town co-ops, galleries that feature only the masters, galleries that feature installments, street art, sand carvings in beach walls, and cornfields. While traveling, Ashley will be asking the questions; how and why does art talk to each person? and What makes art, art?
There is energy between the artist and the viewer; art has its own language that speaks to people on a level so deep that not even the viewer can explain why they feel the way they do. What is hoped for is that these impromptu interviews may spark a dialogue that will encourage the average person to become less intimidated by the art that surrounds them. Furthermore, there is an additional dynamic in the art world that consists of the gallery, the art, and the sales people; the energy of which can kill or magnify the energy of the artwork. To demonstrate this, Ashley and company will be visiting towns where she will show her work, and while prepping for the show, Ashley will travel to random and willing galleries to invite individuals off the street into a gallery to candidly give their opinion of the work on display. On top of this, Ashley will talk with the gallery owner or director regarding the sales and marketing side of the art world, and, if possible, talk with the artists showing their work to complete the circle of creation. Ultimately, the beauty is in creating and the love of the creative.
Often, the word art is used in lofty terms and people feel uncomfortable broaching the subject, claiming that they don’t know anything about art or that they are not artists. However, everyone feels something about the art that they see. This project is about the education of art in a very unintimidating way, to bring exposure of great art across the states in a very spontaneous and giving way. This filming project is meant to be organic, unscripted, and spontaneous. The dialog with participants is honest and real, and the message given is that there is no bad art. Each person’s feelings toward art is right, and a fun dialogue about the art world will be had. Gallery gems that may have been overlooked before will be given the opportunity to be seen: a voice other than the cliché of the tortured artist and the arrogant art dealer will be heard even though a few of the cliché will probably be ran into along the way!
In order to understand the project it’s important to understand the artist behind it. Ashley Bennett Stoddard does not have a piece of paper to prove that she is an expert in art, what she has is experience. Ashley grew up in the art world and will never leave it. She is the daughter of the world famous sculptor, Bob Bennett, and the niece of his twin brother who is also world renowned. Ashley was raised surrounded by her father’s artwork. He had a bronze foundry in their basement in Tahoe City during the 70’s, providing work to Sunnyside in Tahoe City, CA, the Hiatt Regency in San Francisco and a gallery outside of Carmel. During her youth her father’s small business grew into 12 galleries across the country – the family would travel to check on each gallery. Each gallery sold only Bennett Sculptures. Bob Bennett also took his daughter to private collector shows and art festivals across the U.S. that showed his art. The journeys installed in Ashley a sense of adventure along with an idea that artists can step out of their comfort zone and increase their creative force. Bob Bennett also raised Ashley with a strong work ethic, she worked in the foundry starting at a young age and was taught all aspects of the business. Ashley’s father was magic to her. He taught her to draw every day, to observe and take in her environment and that there is beauty and inspiration everywhere.
When Ashley was old enough to go out into the world on her own, she went to San Francisco to attend the Academy of Art. She found that a formal education was surrounded by arrogance, and ego. Art was supposed to be a challenge, enriching and enjoyed. Ashley had already learned so much, that she found the drama and tortured artist idea to be a waste of her time and energy. At this point Ashley left school and headed to Carmel to run the family gallery. She was then surrounded by her contemporaries and learning the art of sales. Her evenings were spent in the courtyard painting with artists from neighboring galleries and her mornings were spent at the beach being inspired by her surroundings. The community was quiet, rich with color, great people and great food. This was the perfect place to nurture the creative.
At the age of twenty-three Ashley opened her own gallery in Placerville, CA. She renovated the upstairs of an old theatre into twenty-three working studios and a gallery. Ashley started the 3rd Saturday Art Walk and hosted a new show every month, with a new theme. The artists taught classes and consisted of every type of medium. Although Ashley gave the gallery to the artists and moved on, she is happy to be able to say that the gallery is still running and going strong!
After Ashley’s father passed away she once again became a part of the family gallery. She has organized shows and run the gallery in the past, but at this time helps from a distance as she lives in Utah. Since her move to Utah, Ashley has taught herself to design and create jewelry and continues to sculpt and paint. Her creations have been produced for different charities and she has had showings in Park City, UT, Eden, UT, Ogden, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. Last summer, however, Ashley packed up a trailer and hit the road with her family. She created her own tour by having 10 shows in 11 weeks and the proceeds of the shows were donated to chosen charities. Ashley is hoping to put this documentary together with the tour that she has planned for this summer, so that she is able to share what she loves so much about Art, Artists, and this beautiful country that we live in.
Ashley plans on bringing a traveling companion with her- what’s a road trip without a friend? Her companion for this trip is Mickell Smith. Mickell was not raised in the rich art world that Ashley was, but still found art surrounded her. Her grandfather, Neil Mellor, is a painter and wood carver. His artwork is his hobby and he has won many awards for his work. Mickell was also inundated with the performing arts – an aunt, Julie Maughan, was a professional ice skater that traveled the world, then a costume designer and now a fashion designer. Mickell spent many nights drawing her own fashion designs with her aunt and learning how the pieces were put together.
The moments she spent behind the stage and under the bright lights with her aunt were the ones that stuck with her the most. Mickell spent most of her childhood on the stage (albeit a small one), either dancing or acting. She was accepted in the SF Academy of Art for Film and AMDA in NY for acting. However, life had different plans for her. Mickell ended up traveling and living in multiple National Parks. She then moved to the same town of Eden, that Ashley now lives in. Mickell became an Event Director for a Ski Resort - organizing small and large events, hiring bands and eventually working with the film industry. She then left the ski resort to work primarily on a large motion picture, write her own movie script and is still working in the film industry as a location representative. Mickell’s creativity comes out in multiple mediums and finds that she is drawn to the artist circle; friends with painters, wood carvers, dancers, photographers and musicians. Mickell brings her camera and location savvy, her ability to organize and coordinate a multiple state tour and general good sense of humor to the project. Mickell is excited to help her amazingly talented friend on this endeavor.
This project follows artist Ashley Bennett-Stoddard as she tours across America’s small and high-end artists’ communities. While touring her own work, Ashley will be stopping along the way to visit up and coming artists, small town co-ops, galleries that feature only the masters, galleries that feature installments, street art, sand carvings in beach walls, and cornfields. While traveling, Ashley will be asking the questions; how and why does art talk to each person? and What makes art, art?
There is energy between the artist and the viewer; art has its own language that speaks to people on a level so deep that not even the viewer can explain why they feel the way they do. What is hoped for is that these impromptu interviews may spark a dialogue that will encourage the average person to become less intimidated by the art that surrounds them. Furthermore, there is an additional dynamic in the art world that consists of the gallery, the art, and the sales people; the energy of which can kill or magnify the energy of the artwork. To demonstrate this, Ashley and company will be visiting towns where she will show her work, and while prepping for the show, Ashley will travel to random and willing galleries to invite individuals off the street into a gallery to candidly give their opinion of the work on display. On top of this, Ashley will talk with the gallery owner or director regarding the sales and marketing side of the art world, and, if possible, talk with the artists showing their work to complete the circle of creation. Ultimately, the beauty is in creating and the love of the creative.
Often, the word art is used in lofty terms and people feel uncomfortable broaching the subject, claiming that they don’t know anything about art or that they are not artists. However, everyone feels something about the art that they see. This project is about the education of art in a very unintimidating way, to bring exposure of great art across the states in a very spontaneous and giving way. This filming project is meant to be organic, unscripted, and spontaneous. The dialog with participants is honest and real, and the message given is that there is no bad art. Each person’s feelings toward art is right, and a fun dialogue about the art world will be had. Gallery gems that may have been overlooked before will be given the opportunity to be seen: a voice other than the cliché of the tortured artist and the arrogant art dealer will be heard even though a few of the cliché will probably be ran into along the way!
In order to understand the project it’s important to understand the artist behind it. Ashley Bennett Stoddard does not have a piece of paper to prove that she is an expert in art, what she has is experience. Ashley grew up in the art world and will never leave it. She is the daughter of the world famous sculptor, Bob Bennett, and the niece of his twin brother who is also world renowned. Ashley was raised surrounded by her father’s artwork. He had a bronze foundry in their basement in Tahoe City during the 70’s, providing work to Sunnyside in Tahoe City, CA, the Hiatt Regency in San Francisco and a gallery outside of Carmel. During her youth her father’s small business grew into 12 galleries across the country – the family would travel to check on each gallery. Each gallery sold only Bennett Sculptures. Bob Bennett also took his daughter to private collector shows and art festivals across the U.S. that showed his art. The journeys installed in Ashley a sense of adventure along with an idea that artists can step out of their comfort zone and increase their creative force. Bob Bennett also raised Ashley with a strong work ethic, she worked in the foundry starting at a young age and was taught all aspects of the business. Ashley’s father was magic to her. He taught her to draw every day, to observe and take in her environment and that there is beauty and inspiration everywhere.
When Ashley was old enough to go out into the world on her own, she went to San Francisco to attend the Academy of Art. She found that a formal education was surrounded by arrogance, and ego. Art was supposed to be a challenge, enriching and enjoyed. Ashley had already learned so much, that she found the drama and tortured artist idea to be a waste of her time and energy. At this point Ashley left school and headed to Carmel to run the family gallery. She was then surrounded by her contemporaries and learning the art of sales. Her evenings were spent in the courtyard painting with artists from neighboring galleries and her mornings were spent at the beach being inspired by her surroundings. The community was quiet, rich with color, great people and great food. This was the perfect place to nurture the creative.
At the age of twenty-three Ashley opened her own gallery in Placerville, CA. She renovated the upstairs of an old theatre into twenty-three working studios and a gallery. Ashley started the 3rd Saturday Art Walk and hosted a new show every month, with a new theme. The artists taught classes and consisted of every type of medium. Although Ashley gave the gallery to the artists and moved on, she is happy to be able to say that the gallery is still running and going strong!
After Ashley’s father passed away she once again became a part of the family gallery. She has organized shows and run the gallery in the past, but at this time helps from a distance as she lives in Utah. Since her move to Utah, Ashley has taught herself to design and create jewelry and continues to sculpt and paint. Her creations have been produced for different charities and she has had showings in Park City, UT, Eden, UT, Ogden, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. Last summer, however, Ashley packed up a trailer and hit the road with her family. She created her own tour by having 10 shows in 11 weeks and the proceeds of the shows were donated to chosen charities. Ashley is hoping to put this documentary together with the tour that she has planned for this summer, so that she is able to share what she loves so much about Art, Artists, and this beautiful country that we live in.
Ashley plans on bringing a traveling companion with her- what’s a road trip without a friend? Her companion for this trip is Mickell Smith. Mickell was not raised in the rich art world that Ashley was, but still found art surrounded her. Her grandfather, Neil Mellor, is a painter and wood carver. His artwork is his hobby and he has won many awards for his work. Mickell was also inundated with the performing arts – an aunt, Julie Maughan, was a professional ice skater that traveled the world, then a costume designer and now a fashion designer. Mickell spent many nights drawing her own fashion designs with her aunt and learning how the pieces were put together.
The moments she spent behind the stage and under the bright lights with her aunt were the ones that stuck with her the most. Mickell spent most of her childhood on the stage (albeit a small one), either dancing or acting. She was accepted in the SF Academy of Art for Film and AMDA in NY for acting. However, life had different plans for her. Mickell ended up traveling and living in multiple National Parks. She then moved to the same town of Eden, that Ashley now lives in. Mickell became an Event Director for a Ski Resort - organizing small and large events, hiring bands and eventually working with the film industry. She then left the ski resort to work primarily on a large motion picture, write her own movie script and is still working in the film industry as a location representative. Mickell’s creativity comes out in multiple mediums and finds that she is drawn to the artist circle; friends with painters, wood carvers, dancers, photographers and musicians. Mickell brings her camera and location savvy, her ability to organize and coordinate a multiple state tour and general good sense of humor to the project. Mickell is excited to help her amazingly talented friend on this endeavor.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Busy Elf
This week I truly feel like a busy little elf. I love this time of the year! I have 4 new pendants that will arrive on Friday in time to show at this cute boutique in Eden that my friend D'Arcy owns called "Chic Style" finally taking the time to work on my packaging and filling orders for my amazing charities that I work with.
I am feeling so blessed today! I got up early this morning and went to work out at 6:30 with a friend of mine. It has been months since I have done this. My head is clear, and running with all kinds of great idea's. (This will come in handy when I am working on my one of a kind pieces today). I then watched the sun rise over snowbasin it is truly beautiful here in Eden Utah, the snow covered mountains and the glassy lake freezing over, it's not hard to find inspiration, it's finding the time to execute all of my idea's well.
I am attaching the model photo's of two of my new pendants. The one that kinda looks like the sun and the moon is titled "Balance" it is my interpretation of the second chakra. The second chakra the symbol of the unconscious. This symbol has personal meaning to me, I am the kind of person who subconsciously store's a lot of emotion in my body and it seems that the hard things in life for me to process I put in my ovaries. (second chakra) I have had all kinds of trouble with them in the past three years and I honestly believe a lot of that has been stress, we all put our stress somewhere. So for me this is a symbol that I have created for myself to be "Balanced" and a little more conscious. The other pendant that I am posting today is titled "Love" to me I can not imagine a life where I am not giving love to the world. To my husband, my children,my friends my family, to people, and animals. I am a deeply loving person, and am lucky to be surrounded by an amazing family, community, and friends. I feel the love from all of these people and from God everyday. I can't help but share it. That is what this pendant is. She is sharing her "Love" for life.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Home in Eden
Well I did not do a very good job with the blog this summer. The tour was too crazy with the whole set up, tear down, drive, sell art, play with kids, visit family and friends. It was so great, just hard to keep on top of writing. We arrived back in Eden UT at the end of August. I have been busy creating all kinds of things paintings, jewelry, and sculpture. Above are some of the small paintings I created for the art walk in Ogden last month at my friend Alison Benjamin's gallery.
I was lucky enough to go to CA this fall and work under my aunt MK Shannon. I admire her so much I aspire to be GREAT like her someday! I have been so blessed and so lucky to be able to have had the chance to learn from all of my family, they are all so talented! Hopefully I will finish some sculpture soon and be able to post some photo's. When I am creating I feel close to them even tho my dad has passed and the rest of the family is in California.
Let's see if I can train myself to write on this blog so that next year on my tour it will be habit.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Art and Soul
We hit the road may 29th 2010 finally on the road at about 3 in the afternoon. We drove to until late in the night crashing out in the camper at a rest stop. My whole family so excited but no one as excited as I. As a girl being on the road and seeing different places is what we did. My dad was a sculpture owning his own foundry and 12 galleries exposed us as children to all kinds of places, and all kinds of people, and all kinds of art. I have in some way been involved in art my whole life! About 5 years ago I was at the height of my career as a painter, selling every painting I would make.......this was also the height of me birthing children. Having a hard time balancing it all I created less and ended a lot of my gallery relationships. I never stopped all the way I just could not find a way to meet all the demands. I choose to focus on my children more while they were small, only in the back of my mind I kept hearing all of the women that I had had conversations with at the galleries over the years saying "I used to paint, but then I had kids" this was not going to be me.
I have found that I have made a lot of choices as a wife and a mother based on the ideas of the all American normal family. I have struggled so hard to fit in this mold, being a free spirit, and it was not until recently that I have come to terms with the fact that I may not be traditional but I am authentic. I love my husband and I love my children with all my heart and now it is time to fill the soul. Filling my soul means seeing people that I love who have been a part of my life at some point and not loosing touch. Supporting who they are through art and their causes. Having my children meet people we have not seen for years. Meeting new people. Creating what ever kind of art I want wherever I want, creating a unique venue for each stop. Being in the elements, and enjoying them, The city, the ocean, the mountains, desert! Reading books. Drawing. As time has gone on and our world changes I have replaced some of the things I love most in life by monetary pressure, keeping up with the Jones, stressing out, and signing my kids up for every activity under the sun. Part of the soul part of this trip is simplicity. Relationships.
So, the first leg of this trip was perfect! We had two shows at "Alchemy" in San Diego this restaurant is owned by some of my favorite people in the world. Ron Tryano, and Matt and Jeff Thomas. My husband has known these guys forever, and I have known them since high school. They are the salt of the earth. They are creative, and kind, and they run an awesome business. Their food is amazing, and they support a lot of local causes. The one that amazed me the most is that they teach some cooking classes to the local school kids at The Albert Einstein academy. The kids also get a education on the way a restaurant works. How great is that!
Our first two shows were great! The first one was put together by our friend Brenda Hovis and her sister in law Christa supporting Autism Speaks here in San Diego. Christa's son is autistic. It was sponsored by ESN construction here in San Diego. I created a pendant and some paintings for the event. We had a great turn out, sold lots of pendants and the autism painting that I created for this event and some prints. Most importantly creating awareness and conversation, and supporting this awesome family in their journey. Alchemy also donated 10% of the dinner sales that night to the cause. Over all the sense on community was alive.
After the show we were able to sit down and have dinner with our friends Ron, Matt and Megan, Kate, and bonus was Jeff Thomas an amazing artist and one of the owners, Todd williams joining us who created the awesome sculpture in the restaurant and Our friends Matt and Kristina Shepards who live in Placerville.
On Sunday we closed the show with supporting The Natural Birth Pro's here in San Diego. I went to the restaurant early in the day to hang out during the brunch, and spend time with my friend Ron. So happy I did I Sold a painting to some ladies having brunch. The title of the painting was "Mother and Daughter" one of the ladies had just lost her mother and she said this was a painting that reminder her so much of her mother not just because of the title but because of the style. This is why I create :)
The natural birth group arrive around 3. This cause was put together by my friend Viraja I have known Viraja since high school. One of my Best friends ever. The ladies involved in this group were amazing and passionate about their cause. I enjoyed getting to know them. We enjoy a man playing a sitar and sold some pendants. I finished the day having dinner with Viraja and catching up. It has been way to long. It was awesome to see her as a mother, and have my children meet her. She runs an amazing business here in San Diego called Transformational Touch. She is very active in a super healthy life style and I am inspired by her passion for life.
While we were here in San Diego we stayed in Carlsbad at Anna and Roberts house. The trailer has been an issue it has live in 3 locations in the past week. It has only been lived in 3 days out of the 10 we have been gone. Our kids have had a ball at Anna and Roberts they live close to the beach, and have a swimming pool. They also live close to Brenda. We have swam everyday! Had many meals at Brenda's, enjoyed time with her husband and kids, and the Shepards. Gone to the botanical gardens, and surfed. Now we are off to camp, then off to the Sandusky's in Long Beach! (Our Cousin's) We are going to have a house party art show. There will be a Winery from Santa Barbara pouring wines, and all kinds of new people to meet! I LOVE IT!
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