Eye Candy Visual Arts Newsletter

April, 2011

2011-04-03T21:33:00.004-05:00

I'm sorry to say that I'm going to have to shut down this blog. Between my "regular" job, my visual arts business, the local group I run (Abita Artists,) & all of my online social media outlets, something's got to give. I appreciate those few who have kept up with my dealings here, but this blog just doesn't garner sufficient attention for the time I've spent on it.
All of the information I've posted here is always available on my facebook page. I know that some people really don't like facebook, but my followers there far outweigh those here.
I also often post my art-related information to my personal blog, The Dreaming Tree. If you enjoy my work, I also post quite a few photos there, as well.
There's also always my webpage, Eye Candy Visual Arts.

Thank you all kindly and I apologize. Feel free to drop me a comment if you have any questions or concerns. My best to you all, always.

March, 2011 (Updated)

2011-03-01T00:01:00.002-06:00

What's New

~ Awards
~ Photo in Video
~ Art in Collection
~ Donations
~ Upcoming Exhibits
~ New Outlet
~ Book Available
~ Photo Giveaway Winner
~ New Paintings

My "Sunset through Live Oaks" photo took 1st Place (photography,) at last month's Art for Madisonville Members' Show. My "American Alligator" photo (at right,) recently won 2nd Place in a Slidell Photography Club contest (and will go on to a larger, regional competition.)
My "Sunset at Lake Pontchartrain" photo was featured in Gary Graves' "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" music video. The photo comes in at the beginning (0:12,) and the end (3:33.) Thanks to Gary and producer, Laura Tabor-Huerta for the opportunity. Due to the submission of the video to a contest, it will not be available for public viewing until March 6th. Please check back after that date to have a look.
My "Sunset at Cedar Bay" painting was recently accepted into the City of Port Colborne's permanent art collection, where it hangs on the 3rd floor of City Hall.
I prepared 5 photo donations and sent them along for WYES' Art Collection Twelve fundraiser. If you live in the New Orleans area, be sure to tune in, enjoy lots of wonderful art & perhaps bid on some works!
I will be "Artist of the Month" at Bayou Barber in Covington, LA for the month of April. I will likely hold a reception on Apr. 9th and will update this post (and my facebook page,) with the information once final decisions are made. (UPDATE; My host had to push my display back due to unforeseen circumstances. I will post the new information as soon as I have it.)
I will also be submitting works for Lacombe Art Guild's Spring Show in the lobby of the Louisiana Medical Center and Heart Hospital. Apr. 2, 6-9pm; Reception/awards. The exhibit will also be open Apr. 3, noon-5pm.
Some of my work is now available directly through Dawn Marie's Cafe in Abita Springs, LA.
The "Crude Haiku; Oil Poems" book (featuring my Great Egret photo on the cover,) is now available for sale (by donation.) Sales benefit the Louisiana Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program. Visit the New Orleans Haiku Society blog for more information.
Congratulations to Jan.'s free 8x10" photo winner, Fleet J. Ott!

New Paintings

I completed 2 paintings in February. Gone Fishin', a 10x8" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas (currently hanging at Dawn Marie's Cafe--see above,) and an homage to NASA's Space Shuttle program;

Farewell
12x24" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Owner, Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

February, 2011

2011-02-01T00:01:00.001-06:00

What's New

~ Contest Finalist
~ Book Cover
~ Artist of the Month
~ Art for Madisonville Show
~ Logo
~ Photo Giveaway Winner
~ New Painting

My "Fog at the Bridge" photo (at right) recently made the finals of an online competition. (Update; I didn't win, but am glad to have made the finals, regardless.)
My Great Egret photo was published on the cover of "Crude Haiku," a book put together by the members of the New Orleans Haiku Society to generate proceeds for Gulf Coast oil spill recovery. I'll post ordering info here as soon as I have it.
For the month of February I am "Artist of the Month" at the Universalist Unitarian Church in Lacombe, LA.
Art for Madisonville is holding a show of members' works Feb. 19-20 at Madisonville City Hall. I'll be sitting with the show from 2-4pm on the 20th.
I recently completed designing a logo for author Rick Moore.
Congratulations to Jan.'s free 8x10" photo winner, Paul Ponticell!

New Painting
Autumn Path
24x12" acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas
(Inspired by the photo, above.)
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Owner, Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

January, 2011

2011-01-01T00:01:00.003-06:00

What's New

~ Award
~ TNC Feature
~ New Store/Feature
~ Updated Inventory
~ Legal Victory
~ Photo Giveaway Winner

In early December, my Pied-Billed Grebe photo (at right,) won 3rd Place (photography) in Slidell Art League's "Christmas in the Depot" show and my Barred Owl was featured as "Daily Nature Photo" on The Nature Conservancy's website. I also brought some fresh inventory to Phil's Grill in Hammond, LA.
A few weeks back I created an online store, where my images can be ordered in a variety of formats. On Xmas day my Space Mermaids poster was featured among "Today's Best."
I'm also pleased to report my default, legal victory against a former, local "businessman" who sold 2 of my paintings and didn't pay me. I was not displeased to learn soon afterward that he'd been arrested for some kind of altercation at his former location (at which point outstanding warrants came into play.)
Congratulations to Dec.'s free 8x10" photo winner, Freak Smack!

New Paintings

I've been working a fair amount on a new painting (which has morphed through many phases,) of an autumn forest. I hope to be finished soon. Here's a shot of some details;
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Owner, Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

December, 2010

2010-12-01T00:01:00.003-06:00

What's New

~ Madisonville Marketplace Winter Show
~ Xmas in the Depot show
~ Auction to Benefit LSTMMRP
~ Caught By Our Eyes Online Photo Magazine
~ Abita Artists Public Party
~ Slideshow
~ New Camera
~ 8x10" Photo Sale
~ Monthly Photo Giveaway Winner

5 of my paintings are still in the Madisonville Marketplace Winter Show. The show ends Jan. 3, 2011, so make sure you stop by for a look while shopping for the holidays!
I'll also have a couple of photos at Slidell Art League's "Christmas in the Depot" show, running from Dec. 3 'til Jan. 6th. The opening reception and awards ceremony is Dec. 3rd from 7-9pm at the Slidell Art League Gallery and Gift Shop.
My works are also still on display at the HRAC "Fine & Functional 4" show (see last month's newsletter for details.)
My Supernova abstract was accepted into an art auction to benefit the Louisiana Sea Turtle and Marine Mammal Rescue Program (50% of the sale price goes to the LSTMMRP--please help me spread the word!)
After having a couple of images awarded "photo of the week," last month I was invited to write for the Caught By Our Eyes online photography magazine. I was glad to accept and have focused so far on bringing reputable photography contests to the attention of our readers.
In other news, at the last Abita Artists meeting we decided to open our holiday party this year to the public (ages 21+ only, please.) It will be Dec. 17th, from 7pm 'til ? Admission will be a dish to share for our potluck dinner. BYOB. The party will be at the 9th St. Gallery in Abita Springs, where we hold our monthly meetings. Hope to see you there!
I found a new, 18 megapixel Canon EOS Rebel T2i (aka 550D) body for a good price online, so my husband was kind enough to buy it for me. It's scheduled to arrive any day now and I wait with baited breath!
The 8x10" photos on the "Shop Now" tab of my Facebook page are currently 40% off! Pop over for a look--they make great gifts! (Note; gift certificates are also available. Feel free to e-mail me for more info.)
Congratulations to this month's winner of a free 8x10" photo, timethief!

New Paintings

With all of the shows and other plans I've had going on, I haven't had time to complete a painting since last month. I am currently working on another forest scene, however, as well as considering the subject matter for a larger work to start in the near future. In the meantime, please enjoy a slideshow I recently put together;

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Owner, Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

November, 2010

2010-11-01T00:01:00.009-05:00

What's New

~ Foggy Morning and an Award
~ Arts Evening
~ Fine and Functional 4
~ 2 Interviews
~ Rhinobooks
~ Music Video
~ Monthly Photo Giveaway Winner
~ 2 New Paintings

Waking early one morning last month, I was happy to see thick fog rolling in. A subsequent walk with my camera produced quite a few effective shots, including the one shown here at right, which was picked as Photo of the Week at the Caught By Our Eyes online forum.
I also recently received my placement for Arts Evening. As with the past 2 years, I'm glad to report that I'll be at Postal Plus; 155 Robert St. in Slidell, LA. Hope to see you there--it's always a great time!
I was also accepted into the Fine and Functional 4 show at the Hammond Regional Arts Center. The opening reception is Nov. 12, from 6-8pm. The show runs through Dec. 18.
I recently had 2 more interviews published online. Last month's interview on Whopple turned into a jumping off point for another interview (in 2 parts,) on the "Erik's Choice" blog. Here are links to part I and part II. I also have another interview up, this time on the Support Local Arts Magazine site.
In generosity news, after submitting my information for a free bio listing via Rhinobooks, they were kind enough to contact me to tell me they loved my work so much they wanted to offer me free representation in their online gallery (where my works are numbers 71-75.)
I also donated Sunset at Fontainebleau III towards a music video being produced by Laura Tabor-Huerta for Gary Graves' song about Hurricane Katrina, "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea." Again, I'll provide the link to the video once it goes live.
Congratulations to the winner of this month's free 8x10" photo, Terri Lloyd!

New Paintings

Still dealing with legalities and emotions surrounding the theft of my proceeds at Potter Greenthumb's, I've been finding it difficult to motivate myself to paint. Regardless, I still wanted to produce at least something, so I produced a couple of abstracts; Primaries and Primaries II (shown here at left.) Both are acrylic and salt on gallery-wrapped canvas. Primaries is 48x36", Primaries II is 40x30".
I do have a couple of ideas for paintings that are more in my usual style and I hope to start working in that direction again soon.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Owner, Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

October, 2010

2010-10-01T00:01:00.007-05:00

What's New

~ Free Photo Contest
~ BLAC Fall Show
~ Donations; TNC and NAMI St. Tammany
~ Abita Artists Fall Show
~ Interviews on Whopple and Art of Day
~ New Painting; Louisiana Iris

My stint as "Artist of the Month" at Mandeville City Hall went well. Thanks to Nancy Clark for hosting me again. Towards the end of September I was also pleased to participate in Bayou Lacombe Art Center's Fall Show, where I received many great comments on my "Sunset through Live Oaks" photo (shown above.)
To "give back" to those who support me, last month I implemented my free photo contest (see blurb immediately below the header of this page for details.) I'm glad to announce the first winner, Steve Malley!
In non-profit news, I donated my "Ironwood Leaves in Fall" photo to NAMI St. Tammany for their "Frame of Mind" fundraiser. I also donated the bulk of my photos of the Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve to The Nature Conservancy (which runs the site,) for use in publications, websites and presentations. I'm glad to support these two, worthy causes.
Currently I'm in the middle of curating a Fall Art Show for the group I founded and run, Abita Artists. The show will run from Oct. 8-30 at the Madisonville Marketplace, with an opening reception on Oct. 8th from 6-8pm. This event is free, refreshments will be served and our members will be on hand to meet, greet and talk about our work. Hope to see you there!
I've recently been featured on both Art of Day and Whopple. Thanks to James and Anne Marie for the opportunity!

New Painting

I completed a painting in September (shown at left); Louisiana Iris, 24x18" acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Owner, Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

September, 2010

2010-09-01T10:45:00.000-05:00

What's New

~ "Artist of the Month" display
~ Contest entry published
~ Storefront on Facebook
~ Impending Abita Artists show
~ Interview in the Times-Picayune

My art and photography display at the Causeway Branch of the St. Tammany Parish Library went well. For the month of September I am "Artist of the Month" at Mandeville City Hall (click the link for map,) with my works displayed in their lobby.
In other news, although I'd made the finals for the Julia Margaret Cameron Award, I didn't end up winning. The administrators have asked permission to reproduce my image in the impending book of the show, nonetheless. Information on ordering will be provided when I have it.
I added an online storefront to my Facebook page, where 8x10" prints of various photos can be ordered directly.
Lately I'm busy curating a Fall show for the group I run, Abita Artists. I was also interviewed by the Times-Picayune about the group. The article ran in the Covington Picayune section of the Aug. 22nd issue, under "Abita Town Talk."
Although I am currently working on 2 paintings, I was unable to complete either of them this month, due to all of my other, recent, artistic commitments. I did get out for a couple of short hikes, at least.

Turkey tail fungus at Northlake Nature Center in Mandeville, LA.
The bronze frog (above,) is also from this outing.
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Owner, Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

August, 2010

2010-08-01T13:48:00.002-05:00

What’s New

~ Upcoming Event; Display at Causeway Library
~ New Book and Book Cover
~ New Painting; "Misty Autumn Morning"

I set've prepared for my display at the Causeway branch of the St. Tammany Parish Library in Mandeville, LA. My works will be in the main display case through the month of August. I am scheduled as "Artist of the Month" at Mandeville City Hall for September.
I'm currently gathering required materials to register for Arts Evening in Slidell (coming up in November,) and plans to approach the curator of "A Work of Art" gallery (in Madisonville, LA,) regarding a future "Abita Artists" show.

New Works

I recently self-published a photo book, "Eye Candy; Scenes from the American South," which will soon also be available through the St. Tammany Parish Library system. I also designed the cover for my husband's recent e-book for Kindle, "Killing Trail."
I completed an 18x24" painting in July, based on a smaller study done in 2008; "Misty Autumn Morning" (see below.) It's available (along with a few other works,) at Potter Greenthumb's in Abita Springs (across the street from the Abita Brew Pub.)

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Owner, Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

July, 2010

2010-07-01T14:12:00.001-05:00

What’s New

~ Upcoming Event; Display at Causeway Library
~ New Book; "Anthology of Friends" Vol. 8
~ New Paintings; “Wood Ducks" and "Mississippi Queen"

I'll be displaying some of her paintings and photos at the Causeway Branch of the St. Tammany Parish Library during the month of August. I was also invited to show her work at Mandeville City Hall as their "Artist of the Month" for September.

I was also recently invited to submit works for Volume 8 of Ovation TV's "Anthology of Friends; An Original Collection."

New Works
Lana completed 2 new 18x24” acrylic paintings in June; “Wood Ducks” and “Mississippi Queen” (shown here and available at Potter Greenthumb's in Abita Springs.)

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

June, 2010

2010-06-01T14:19:00.000-05:00

What’s New

~ New Outlets; "Nadeau" and "Potter Greenthumb's"
~ Upcoming Events; "Out of the Blue" & the Lacombe Crab Festival Art Walk
~ New Paintings; Crowned Crane and Dancing Cranes

In addition to the 9th Street Gallery in Abita Springs and Phil's Grill in Hammond, Lana’s works are now also available at Nadeau furniture store in New Orleans (2726 Magazine St.) and at Potter Greenthumb's (the new chocolate & flower shop in Abita Springs, LA.) Her "Alligator Mississipiensis" photo (featured in last month's newsletter,) was recently printed on the front page of the St. Tammany News.

Lana will be participating in the "Out of the Blue" show at the Slidell Art League Gallery, June 25-30. She'll also have works in the Bayou Lacombe Art Center display at this year's Lacombe Crab Festival Art Walk, June 26-27. She will be sitting with the display (in the air conditioned John Davis Park Community Center,) when it opens on the 26th.
(Update; BLAC cancelled the Crab Fest Art Walk.)

Lana continues to get out with her cameras as much as she can before Summer's stifling heat and humidity settle in. During a recent outing to Northlake Nature Center she took some photos of a yellow-bellied water snake, a female wood duck, a yellow-crowned night heron and a young alligator, among other things. She's also prepared for the impending heat, however, supplied with canvases, brushes and some ideas for new paintings in her "birds on white" series.

After discovering the hard way that the deviantART website isn't free from computer virus issues, Lana deleted her account there and purchased a new computer. Unfortunately her old graphics program doesn't work on the new computer, so she's investigating new options on that front.

New Works
Lana completed 2 acrylic paintings in May; "Crowned Crane", one of her "birds on white" series (available at Nadeau,) and the sumi-e inspired "Dancing Cranes" (seen here at right and available at Potter Greenthumb's.)

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

May, 2010

2010-05-01T14:45:00.001-05:00

What’s New

~ Photo Ops
~ Gallery Show
~ New Painting; “Northern Harrier”

Lana spent much of April recovering from her pneumonia and taking advantage of the nice weather to get out with her cameras. A swamp tour and a visit to Fontainebleau State Park provided her with some lovely alligator shots. She also got some shots of hawks outside of her home and at Northlake Nature Center (where she also took numerous pictures of turtles, fish, local flora, etc.)

In addition to Phil’s Grill in Hammond, her work is now on display at the 9th St. Gallery in Abita Springs. She will be adding more to that display in the coming weeks.

Another one of Lana’s photos has been chosen to grace the cover of the upcoming "Alternatives" magazine.

New Works
Lana completed a new 18x24” acrylic painting; “Northern Harrier” (shown below.) She’s currently considering what to paint next.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

April, 2010

2010-04-01T14:51:00.001-05:00

What’s New

~ Awards and Honors
~ deviantART Account
~ Painting; Great Blue Heron

Lana was very busy through March, but much of her hard work paid off. She won 3rd Place awards at Slidell Art League’s Quest for Fire show for her “Sun through Live Oaks” photo and her “Life on Mars” acrylic painting. She also won 3rd Place in the Ovation TV community Yearning for Spring contest with her “Spring Forest” painting. Her previous Best in Show winner, “Gyrfalcon,” sold at the Bayou Lacombe Art Center Art at the Refuge show. On April 2nd she was notified that her blog, "The Dreaming Tree,” has been listed among “The Best 47 Photo Blogs on the Web” and that another of her photos will be featured on the cover of the upcoming “Alternatives” magazine. Lana also recently signed up at the deviantART website, where many of her works are available in a wide variety of formats.
Unfortunately Lana came down with pneumonia toward the end of March, so she’s planning on as much rest and recuperation as she can get in April.
Her work is still showing at Phil’s Grill in Hammond, the new “A Work of Art” gallery in Madisonville until Apr. 9th, the Jazz & Heritage Gallery in New Orleans until Apr. 10th and the Slidell Art League gallery until Apr. 16th.

New Works
Since her “Great Blue Heron” painting seems to be missing, she painted a new version of it (shown at left,) this time larger at 20x16”. She’s also currently working on an 18x24” painting of a Northern harrier, based on a photo she took at Fontainebleau State Park.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

March, 2010

2010-03-01T12:06:00.002-06:00

What’s New
~ Awards; Best in Show and 3rd Place
~ New Works; “Gyrfalcon” and the Eye Candy Visual Arts website
~ Numerous Upcoming Events

Lana was delighted to hear that she won 2 awards in the North Shore Square “Art @ the Mall” exhibit in Slidell, Louisiana. Her new painting, “Gyrfalcon,” won Best in Show and her “Winter Sun in the Oaks” photo won 3rd place.

New Works
Lana completed a 20x16” acrylic painting in February; “Gyrfalcon” (shown here.) For ease of navigation, she also consolidated her art and photo blogs into a single website, “Eye Candy Visual Arts.” Everything about her artistic pursuits can be seen there; her works, artist statement, awards, past and upcoming exhibitions, etc.

Lana will be participating in numerous events in March, including another Art for Madisonville Members’ Exhibit (this time hosted by “A Work of Art” gallery,) Femme Fest (in New Orleans,) an Art for Madisonville outdoor art market (along the Tchefuncte River,) Abita Artists Open Studio (in conjunction with the Whole Town Garage Sale,) and the Abita Springs Trailhead Art and Music Festival. Details on all of these events are listed on the new Eye Candy Visual Arts website. She’s also considering participating in Slidell Art League’s “Quest for Fire” show and Bayou Lacombe Art Center’s “Art at the Refuge” at the Big Branch NWR Visitor’s Center. Details will be added to the website as they become available.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

February, 2010

2010-02-01T12:17:00.003-06:00

What’s New
~ Photos at the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum
~ Event; Art For Madisonville Member’s Exhibit
~ Deal with Northlake Nature Center
~ Upcoming art plans
~ New Painting; “Spring Forest”

Lana currently has matted & bagged photos for sale at the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum. 25% of all sales benefit the Museum, so you can support a local artist and an institution at the same time. Framed photos are still available at Phil’s Grill in Hammond, LA. Through PHILanthropy, 10% of those sales goes to support arts programs in local schools.
Later this month, Lana will be participating in the Art for Madisonville Members’ Exhibit at Madisonville City Hall.
Lana recently reached an agreement with Northlake Nature Center in Mandeville, LA, wherein they’ll be updating their site with her photos and using them in future promotional materials.
Lana made plans to be in an Open Studio day and was also recently accepted into the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s “Femme Fest” art show. These events will be in March and details will be included in next month’s newsletter.

New Works
Inspired by the coldest weather her area’s seen in decades, Lana completed a new 12x24” acrylic paintings in January; “Spring Forest” (shown below.) Still unable to raise her left hand sufficiently to paint (due to the shoulder surgery,) the background of this work was done with her right hand. Fortunately her recovery is proceeding better than expected, and she was able to finish the piece normally.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy on Facebook

January, 2010

2010-01-01T12:25:00.005-06:00

What’s New
~ Replacement camera
~ New colored pencils
~ Shoulder surgery
~ New Paintings; “Supernova” and “Alienation”

For the holidays, Lana treated herself to a used Canon PowerShot A570IS digital camera, to replace her old one, which died unexpectedly back in August. Although she hasn’t had the opportunity, she’s greatly looking forward to getting out again with it and taking new pictures around St. Tammany Parish.
She also received a Prismacolor colored pencil set as a gift. Pencil drawings make up the bulk of her artistic beginnings and this gift has inspired her to return to those roots.
In other news, in mid-December Lana underwent long-needed surgery to repair the torn rotator cuff and damaged cartilage of her left shoulder. Although this has put her creative pursuits on hold for the time being, she’s on the way to recovery and is currently kicking around ideas for future paintings, photos and drawings.

New Works
Lana completed two abstract paintings before her surgery; "Alienation" and "Supernova" (shown above.) The latter includes iridescent paints and salt deposits, both of which catch and reflect light. It was also left outside briefly during a rare, recent snow, to further blend the pigments and salt in the painting.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

December, 2009

2009-12-01T12:33:00.006-06:00

What’s New
~ Current Display; Phil’s Grill
~ New Book
~ Holiday Sale
~ New Paintings; “Louisiana Heron II,” “Morning on the Bayou” and “Life on Mars”

Lana had a great time at Arts Evening last month; meeting people, getting feedback and making sales. She accepted an invitation recently to fill more of the dining room at Phil’s Grill (in Hammond) with her photography. 10% of all sales there go to art programs at local schools. She also accepted an invitation to submit works for the Ovation TV community Holiday Edition of “Anthology of Friends,” as well as an invitation to donate work toward a private project to benefit needy children.

With shoulder surgery coming up in a couple of weeks, she’s currently having a huge sale on most of her paintings and photography. Many works are available for $45 or less, including ground shipping in the continental U.S.
(Note; the sale is currently over.)

New Works
Lana completed 3 new acrylic paintings since our last mailing; “Louisiana Heron II,” “Morning on the Bayou” (shown below,) and “Life on Mars” (seen above.) At 40”x30”, the latter is her largest work on canvas to date.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

November, 2009

2009-11-01T12:45:00.002-06:00

What’s New
~ Current and Upcoming Displays; Phil’s Grill and Arts Evening
~ New Paintings; “Summer Forest,” “K12” and “Louisiana Heron”
~ Cooler Weather Means New Photos

Lana’s works are now available at Phil’s Grill in Hammond, LA. She was also invited to have a featured showing of her photography there (details TBA.) On Nov. 7th she’ll be participating in Slidell’s Arts Evening. Like last year, she’ll be displaying and selling her works at Postal Plus at 155 Robert St. in Olde Towne Slidell. She’s also contacted the folks in charge of the Abita Springs Water Festival about showing and selling her works there.
Unfortunately Lana’s entry didn’t win Superstation WGN’s “My America” photo contest. However, with cooler weather, she’s delighted once again to be getting out and taking more pictures.

New Works
Lana completed 2 new acrylic paintings in October; “Summer Forest,” “K12” and “Louisiana Heron” (detail shown at right.) She’s also taken numerous photos locally as well as at the Louisiana Book Festival in Baton Rouge (where her husband was a featured author.)

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

October, 2009

2009-10-01T12:59:00.003-05:00

What’s New
~ Current Displays; STAA’s member gallery and SAL’s "A Change of Seasons" show
~ Upcoming Displays; BLAC Fall Show, ARTober Fest
~ New Paintings; “Love Rain Down,” “421,” “Sandhill Crane” “Afternoon Woods II” and “Brold”
~ Photo on front page of St. Tammany News
~ Superstation WGN "My America" Photo Contest Finals

Lana’s works are still on display at the St. Tammany Art Association Member’s Gallery and now at Slidell Art League’s “A Change of Seasons” juried show (until Oct. 13.) She will also have works at Bayou Lacombe Art Center’s fall show at the Heart Hospital on Sept. 26-27. After that, the Abita Artists group that she founded will hold their first show, “ARTober Fest,” at the Abita Springs Trailhead Museum on Oct. 9-11. A “meet the artists” reception will be held on Oct. 11.
Her “Juvenile Bald Eagle” photo was featured on the front page of the St. Tammany News on Aug. 21.
Final voting for Superstation WGN’s “My America” photo contest has begun. She hopes "Bayou at Northlake" ends up in the top three, to help replace her recently deceased camera.

New Works
Lana completed 4 new acrylic paintings in the past month; “Love Rain Down,” “421” (shown at left,) “Sandhill Crane,” “Afternoon Woods II” and “Brold.” Despite the untimely death of one of her cameras, she also got some photos of an alligator (among other things,) during a recent hike at Northlake Nature Center.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

September, 2009

2009-09-01T13:13:00.000-05:00

What’s New
~ Current and Upcoming Displays
~ Photo Contests; Superstation WGN's "My America" and MSNBC's "It's a Snap"
~ New Paintings; “Autumn Hillside,” "Down Louisiana Way" and "Bob Ross Lives
~ Photos in St. Tammany News

Lana’s paintings are still on display at the St. Tammany Art Association’s Member’s Gallery in Covington, Louisiana. She will have works in Slidell Art League's "Change of Seasons" show (opening Sept. 11th,) and in Bayou Lacombe Art Center's "Fall for Art," Sept. 26th and 27th at the heart hospital in Lacombe, LA.
Lana’s "Bayou at Northlake" photo won "Photo of the Week" in Superstation WGN's "My America" contest and proceeds to the finals. Voting begins Sept. 2nd. Her "Golden Orb Weaver" photo made it to the finals of MSNBC's "It's a Snap" contest, but did not win.
The St. Tammany News published two more of her photos on their front page; "Frog in the Birdhouse" and "Flowers in the Sand."

New Works
Lana completed a 24x12" acrylic painting on gallery-wrapped canvas; “Autumn Hillside” (shown above.) Some of the leaves, both in the trees and on the ground, are done in metallic gold paint, which reflect light. She also completed an 11x14" piece called "Down Louisiana Way" that features local themes and a 10x8" landscape done in acrylic on canvas board called "Bob Ross Lives." All can be seen on her website (see below.)

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita
Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook

August, 2009

2009-08-01T13:28:00.000-05:00

What’s New
~ Current Displays
~ Books Available
~ Abita Artists Show
~ New Paintings; “October,” Primary Curves” and “Secondary Swirls”

Lana’s works are currently on display at the St. Tammany Art Association’s Member’s Gallery (paintings,) in Covington, Louisiana and the Causeway Branch of the St. Tammany Parish Library (paintings, photos and sculpture,) in Mandeville, Louisiana. The Causeway display will run through the end of August. In November, Lana will also be displaying paintings and photography at Slidell’s Arts Evening.
Lana’s entries in the “Generation Fig Tree ’09” online art show are now available in the book of the show. Her paintings and photos have also been published in Ovation TV’s “Anthology of Friends; An Original Collection” volumes 3, 4 and 5. Detail from her “Sunrise at the Falls” painting was featured on the July 1 cover of Alternatives magazine.
“Abita Artists” are planning a show, aiming for this coming October. Details yet to be announced.

New Works
Lana completed 3 new 8x10” acrylic paintings in July; “Primary Curves,” “Secondary Swirls” and “October” (shown above.) The trees are done in metallic gold paint, which reflect light.
She also set up two new blogs, focusing solely on her visual arts; “Eye Candy; The Art of Lana Gramlich” and “Eye Candy; The Photography of Lana Gramlich.”
(Note; The blogs have since been abandoned in favor of a website--address below.)

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this newsletter, please feel free to share it with friends!

Lana Gramlich
Founder/Leader, Abita Artists
Eye Candy Visual Arts
Eye Candy Visual Arts on Facebook