"Artspace Summer Arts Classes with McRay"

COLLAGE CREATIONS *New Class*

(rising 7th-10th grade)
In this class you will create your own unique collage artwork, utilizing painted papers, photographic reproductions, photos, scraps of fabric, elements from magazines, paint, and more. Through collage techniques you will experience a truly unique way of approaching your art, whether creating representational or non-representational works.
Instructor: Eric McRay

ABSTRACT PAINTING

Tuesdays, July 28, August 4, August 11

6 - 9pm each day

Add unique abstract paintings to your portfolio to show your versatility as a young artist!Exploration and creativity is the focus of this fun class! You will be introduced to the many possibilities of acrylic paints, gels, and texturing medium. Our focus will be experimenting and exploring various modern art styles including Cubism, Geometric Abstraction, Abstract Expressionism, and Contemporary Abstraction. Discover the missing links to becoming a better non-representational painter.
Instructor: Eric McRay

Cost: $135 ($125 members)Some supplies will be provided. Supply list will be provided upon registration.

Click here: Artspace Education Youth Summer Arts Program

http://mcraystudios.com/

"McRay, VAE, Longview & Mary Phillips High School Students Create Mural on the History of City Market"

Students from Mary E. Phillips High School and Longview School worked with Raleigh artist Eric McRay to create a mural as part of VAE's educational outreach program. The mural is based on the history of the City Market neighborhood and installed near Zydeco & Big Ed's in City Market. Special thanks to the Exchange Project sponsors: North Carolina Arts Council, United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County, City of Raleigh Arts Commission, Askew Taylor Paints & Art Supplies, Mary E. Phillips High School & Longview School. Special thanks to Adam Peele, Scott Renk, Robin Foster, Angela Parks, & Eric McRay for all of your hard work. Special thanks to Dave Greway, Derek Toomes & Ben Young for all of your hard work installing the mural.

"New Arrivals: Coastals & Sceneries"

"Windswept II"

acrylic on canvas

16x20

"Scallops"

acrylic on canvas

20x16

"Cottonfield in Eastern, NC"
acrylic on canvas
3ox40


"Sky's the Limit"
acrylic on canvas
18x36


"Let's Go to the Beach"
acrylic on canvas
20x30


"Hay Along 95"
acrylic on canvas
20x30


"Bridge & Reflection"
acrylic on canvas
24x24


"Backyard Hoops"
acrylic on canvas
20x16


"Seafood Market"
acrylic on canvas
24x36

http://mcraystudios.com/gallery.htm

"How to Get Unstuck. Dealing with Creative Blocks"

This post is especially dedicated to the sweat dripping, hands wringing, nail biting, and eye tearing budding artists. Likewise, here is insight for the sleepy eyed old dog that refuses to learn new tricks.

If you ever asked, "how to get unstuck?” Well friends, this is how to deal with your creative blocks...

1. Turn off your television.

2. Set aside special time daily or weekly to create your art.

3. Set aside a special designated place to work, i.e. garage, attic, a drawing table, a place in your garden with a great view or any place where you can escape.

4. Get rid of idle web surfing. Make the Internet a tool, not an addictive drug.

5. Don't allow family, friends, associates and enemies to pull you away from making your art.

6. Find music that inspires you. "I love jazz!"

7. You must be willing to change your style. If you've been a plein-aire painter since Jacob was a pup, try something new. Paint an abstract or photo-realistic piece.

8. Find a mentor or coach.

9. Humble yourself. Follow the leadership of your mentor/coach.

10. Try a new medium. If you traditionally work in watercolor, try oils. You're a painter, but ceramics always fascinated you. Give ceramics a try.

11. Don't fear change. Read "Who Moved My Cheese."

12. Pray about it, and then get to work. God isn't going to paint the canvas for you. "Faith without works is dead."

13. Read art history.

14. Keep art journals containing your ideas, concepts, and sketches.

15. Don't allow the cost of art materials to justify not making art. There are student grade and low cost art supplies available. Also, if you sell your art pieces, you'll regain your initial investment.

16. Be disciplined and work faithfully. Eventually, you'll get excited and have lots of fun.

17. Have fun making art. If you look at it like a "job," you'll treat it like a job. You'll quit.

18. Fall in love with making art. No one should have to force you to do what you love.

19. Study children as they make art. They don't have too many rules. Kids are free spirits.

20. Don't be lazy. Most artists are lazy, so get up and get to work.

21. Don't allow your tattoos, piercings, colorful hair, drug usage, odd clothes and artist's lifestyle to represent you more than the art you create. Once again, get to work!

22. Find a favorite artist and copy their style. I promise you, you'll never be another Picasso, Rembrandt, or Norman Rockwell, but you'll be a better artist when it's all said and done.

23. Work in series, for example, Degas's ballerinas, Monet's haystacks, and Andy Warhol's Campbell Soup Cans.

24. Visit museums, galleries, and art studios to gain inspiration.

25. Stop making excuses. "My cat had puppies." "If I had a studio like McRay, I'd paint." "One day when the world is at peace, I'll start drawing again." I know my examples are silly, but not far from the truth. I've heard excuses very close to those.


I hope this helps, McRay

"Creative Blocks?"

I've been asked many times, "Do you get creative blocks"? My response, is “no”. I may not have enough materials to produce all the ideas I have for art. For example, studio rent and taxes may be due. Oh and the babies need new shoes. All of a sudden, buying high dollar arches watercolor paper isn’t a priority.

Sometimes, I may be too emotionally and physically tired to work. I’m blessed with two precious children, but I must frankly say, “Small kids have more energy than I could have ever imagined”. Last year was wonderfully exuberate and painfully weighty. In 2008, my only sister, Shirley passed away. Sometimes the challenges of life bring me down. Yet, in the midst of my weariness, I find some way to express myself through my art.

Regardless of the circumstances, ideas abound. I believe there is no single correct pictorial solution. Unlike most painters who have a single style, I have a range of style and imagery through which I work. Jazz musicians, the southern landscape, female nudes, steaming coffee, and the black experience are depicted through expressionist, cubist, abstract, neo-impressionist styles. Openness and exploration rather than a dedication to a particular style best characterize these works. I use pictorial discernment which enables me to go from paintings with a lot of splash and spontaneity to images with a sense of organization and reason. Themes and variations on themes are used to empty myself of ideas and images.

The attempt to embrace a Picassoesque spirit keeps me on the road to reinvention. My various styles are not exclusive phases in an evolutionary process but options from which I select according to my expressive goals. For example, a jazz musician is painted stylistically different than a low country salt marsh. The emotions, sensuality, and concepts are disparate. Thus, the use of a new style is exercised. “I think great artists are constantly challenging themselves and changing in search of greater truth – look at Picasso and Matisse.” So, I press forth to faithfully continue to produce my paintings, drawings and collages. I refuse to use excuses not to work, but find ways to overcome the obstacles that hinder productivity.

"Smashing Success in Beaufort!"

This fall I was the guest and featured artist of the Fundraising Party of the Beaufort Historical Association. Saturday night at the home of Doug and Carolyn Brady on Front Street in Beaufort, sponsors of this year's event viewed and purchased several of my paintings. Proceeds benefited the ongoing educational and restoration projects at the Beaufort Historic Site. I was honored to participate in such a classy and grandiose event.

Likewise, I provided the Fall Party chairman, Ann Sloan, with a commissioned painting of Beaufort's St. Paul's Episcopal Church where her daughter was recently married. "Eric is a very talented and passionate artist," says Ann. I can frankly say Ann Sloan is a gracious, generous, and elegant lady, and it was a pleasure working with her. She helped make my BHA experience a delight.

My overall experience fell in line with my personal goals of stately luxury and professional prestige. Sponsors invested in my paintings and the BHA. The events were well attended. My family enjoyed themselves. I had a ball! Being in Beaufort was a smashing success!

"McRay Kids visit North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores"

This is how you mix business and pleasure. When I wasn't dressed up and hobnobbing with the hobnobbers as the Beaufort Historical Association Fall Fundraiser's featured artist, I carried my little darlings, Erica and Ethan, to the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

Genesis 1:21 states, "And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good."

Sharing this experience with my children was wondrous! I know those of you who have children understand the magic in their little eyes and the warmth in your heart when sharing these precious moments. They are truly priceless.

Enjoy, Eric McRay