Penny

Gertrude (Wyss) Sluterbeck was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1915 and received art
training at South Side High School. She took numerous classes and workshops, practiced her art throughout her life and especially enjoyed working in pastels and colored pencils. Gertrude won many awards and exhibited her work throughout various locations within West Central Ohio and Eastern Indiana. Her late husband, Garland was a musician and hairdresser and they had two children, Kay and Val. The family moved to Van Wert, Ohio, in 1960 and joined the Van Wert County Art Club.

The Back Porch

2008-09 Fall/Winter Edition - 139

Who says you cant do what you love twice? Little boys spend their entire childhood dreaming of what they want to be when they grow up. From firemen and policemen to soldiers and doctors, the entire world is open to their fantasies. But at the top of almost every male childs list there is one special achievement that stands out, being a racecar driver. The speed, the thrill, the excitement of the screaming crowd, and the mounting climax to that glorious finish that leaves you breathless and ready for more.

Mario

TOM BUTTERS

Living his dreams through art

Tom Butters was a part of the thrill and excitement known as the motor sport world for over forty years as an advertising copywriter and a corporate communications manager. He and his wife, Mary Anne, both held a national racing license and were race drivers. Tom created campaigns for Fiat, Ford, Lotus, Alfa Romeo, Pirelli, Budweiser Racing and other well-known racing names. He worked in Indianapolis, New York and St. Louis, coming back to Indianapolis in 1982.
140 - The Art-to-Art Palette - Back Porch Section - 2008-09 Fall/Winter Edition

 Although fascinated by the racing world, Tom never intended for his life to head in that direction. Ever since a toddler, his instinct was to draw. At age 13 he began taking professional watercolor

Capt Tuck 2
lessons. After graduation, he attended Indiana University in Bloomington where Studio Art was his major. This is where Tom found his ambitions and interests beginning to sprout in different directions. He leaned toward copywriting and advertising in the sports world and of course, becoming a racecar driver. Freelancing political cartoons for elections, racing cartoons for the Indy 500 and producing a few holiday cards was a sideline of Butters, but he never really looked at art as any type of passion. If someone asked, he would paint a picture but his heart just wasnt in it. When Toms activity in the racing world began to slow down, his wife coaxed him to begin painting more and to enter juried competitions. His very first entry at Minnetrista, located along the White River in East Central Indiana, won him the best painting award for their Open Spaces show. Tom was almost ashamed of the honor, not feeling worthy because he really hadnt put anything into it. April 2007 was the turning point in Tom Butters creative life. Still being prodded by his wife to expand on his painting, he signed up and attended his first plein aire workshop in New Harmony, Indiana, taught by Ken Auster, a west coast impressionist and

I am happy being in my studio, I am happy with the improvement that I see in my work and am happy that I do not experience a dearth of ideas or lack of interest in painting. says Tom of his second
career. Today Tom is busy painting racecars, comic pop, plein aire, representational, landscapes, just about anything and everything. He has four to five pictures going at one time, both acrylics and oils and he cant wait to get to his studio to

former surfer. It was during this workshop that Tom saw what he had been lacking all along. Auster explained to him that his reluctance and artists block was due to making the creative process too complicated and hard to get that first stroke on canvas. Once Butters relaxed and began seeing everything around him as art, he took off, racing. Tom set up his studio during that April in a converted attached garage of their 170-year old homestead where Mary Anne had grown up as a child. Located on a dead end road, surrounded by trees, creeks and fields, life, was and is, quite a bit different than the hubbub of the racetrack where he had previously spent so much of his time.

Racing is a terrifically aesthetic experience: sound, smells, color, organization, balance, motion and harmony. Its hard to distance myself from a race enough to dispassionately paint cars on the track. Yes, you can have more than
one love, more than one passion and the talented capacity to conquer them all. As Tom Butters says, After forty some years of

begin each day. Recently awarded Best of Show in the annual exhibition at the Richmond Art Museum in Richmond, Indiana. He is also a featured artist at the Art Bank, 811 Massachusetts Avenue in Indianapolis, Indiana. The raceway is much more than painting scenes of cars dueling in a pack on the track to Butters. He explains that Monza is a view of that famous racetrack as seen over the drivers shoulders and Roadster Afternoon emphasizes the afternoon shadows on a racetrack, their shapes and contrasts; the cars more or less incidental.

And yes, he still enjoys a good race. Stop off at his pit stop and tune your eyes to more works at: www.tombuttersart.com.

hibernation (in art), I am still a work in progress, but since Ive come late to the party I need to make up lost time.

I Miss You So

The Art-to-Art Palette - Back Porch Section - 2008-09 Fall/Winter Edition - 141

Wooden double doors open into a black chamber lit with sconces of scarabs, and ankhs and after a 90 second introduction, one travels into another chamber greeted by the statue of King Tutankhamun, found hidden under a staircase near his tomb. This is the beginning of a wonderfully orchestrated collection by the Dallas Museum of Art in partnership with National Geographic, Arts and Exhibitions International and AEG Exhibitions, with cooperation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. As one travels through the various chambers, one is led on a journey through the history of Ancient Egypt and the heritage that made Tutenkhamun the young Pharaoh King. The chambers encompass secrets and answers as visitors encounter bowls that held perfume, and model boats that portray a pharaoh as a sphinx trampling the enemy. Statues of gods, goddesses, and beliefs of a people from long ago also incorporate the spaces of these chambers. Most noticeably is the beautiful gold sarcophagus of Tjuya, reportedly the great grandmother of the young Pharaoh. Further into the chambers of history, the actual film footage of the discovery of KV62, tomb of King Tutenkhamun, greets viewers, reminding them of the excitement that will soon come to pass. Actual pictures of the find adorn the wall, as various golden treasures that Howard Carver uncovered lie in protective glass cases for all eyes to behold. Here King Tutenkhamun reigns as Head of State, Commander in Chief and High Priest to every God. The last stop on this journey is the final burial chamber. In the center of a stone outer coffin lies the body of the king in projected form. The projection peels away layer upon layer starting with the kings sarcophagus and ending with the skeleton. Gold and jeweled treasures buried with him stand displayed on the four corners reminding a visitor of Henry Carvers reaction, As my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, and goldeverywhere glint of gold. This exhibition will be at the Dallas Museum of Art through May 2009. Proceeds generated from the world tour are being used to help preserve Egypts treasures, including the construction of a new museum in Cairo where antiquities will be housed. For more information on this review by the Palettes Colleen Ayala, travel by your fingers via www.dallasmuseumof art.org or by land.

Tut is in Dallas

When cold weather keeps the kids indoors, here are a few simple art projects ages 3 to 9 will have fun making.

Easy art projects for kids

APPLE TREE PRINT Youll need 18 x 24 white construction paper, a kitchen sponge torn into 1 inch x 2 inch irregular pieces, tempera paint (red, green, gold and brown), paint brush, dishes to hold paint, and a small apple cut in half lengthwise leaving the stem on one piece. With the brush and brown paint, paint a tree trunk with extended branches. Dip the pieces of sponge into green and gold paint and dab leaf shapes onto the branches. Dip the cut edge of the apple into the red paint, and print apples among the leaves and branches. EGG CARTON PRINTING Youll need the flat lid from a foam egg carton, construction paper, pencil or ballpoint pen, brayer, water-based ink or tempera paint, a tray to pour the ink into, and newspapers. Cut off the edges of the egg carton lid so you have a flat rectangle. Using the blunt pencil or ballpoint pen, draw a design on the surface. Press hard to etch the line into the lid. Use the brayer to ink the surface of the lid. Lay the paper over the inked piece, and rub the paper firmly to make it pick up the inked design. Re-ink the design piece and print again, as many times as you wish. CRUSHED FOIL SCULPTURE Youll need aluminum foil, newspapers, and a cardboard square about 12 x 12 inches. You can make foil sculptures in several ways. One is to model a sculpture out of crushed newspaper shapes and then cover it with aluminum foil. Another is to use the crushed aluminum foil as an armature (base) and cover it with papier-mch. Or you can use the aluminum foil alone to create interesting abstract or realistic shapes. When you start working with the foil, begin with a piece about 9 x 12 inches. Crush it, pull it apart, crumple it and model it like clay. Tear off small pieces and push them back into the surface. Use a pencil point to push in texture and details. You wont be able to do a lot of fine detail, but you can create the outer contour of the object. Once youre satisfied with the shape, smooth the surface and cover it with more foil. Use a hot glue gun to glue the sculpture to a base of foilcovered cardboard.

142 - The Art-to-Art Palette - Back Porch Section - 2008-09 Fall/Winter Edition

To enrich lives through modern art.

The Akron Art Museum has continued to enrich the lives of those in Northeast Ohio and beyond through modern art. Its nationally recognized collection was documented through the publication of collection catalogues. Three acquisitions endowments were created to ensure the collection's future growth. A greatly enlarged general endowment provided increased, more stable funding, allowing the staff to undertake ambitious programs and exhibitions with national and even international impact. In 2007, its eighty-fifth year, the museum more than tripled in size with the opening of the new John S. and James L. Knight Building, which adjoins the 1899 building. Spanning three centuries, like the museum's collection, together they symbolize the museum's dual role as preserver of the past and herald of the future.
OneSouthHighAkron,Ohio44308 www.AkronArtMuseum.org 3303769185mail@AkronArtMuseum.org

The Art-to-Art Palette - Back Porch Section - 2008-09 Fall/Winter Edition - 143

A life size studio

The Forest of Fontainebleau

Located about 35 miles southeast of Paris, the Fontainebleau was a favorite hunting ground of the kings, a royal domain until the Revolution. The royalty of that time demanded their hunting exploits be immortalized by the French painters of the time. The Fontainebleau attracted the elite of the Romantic movement - (JeanBaptiste-Camille Corot (1796 -1875), Theodore Rousseau (1812-1867), Jean-Francois Millet (1814-1875), Claude Monet 1840-1926), Gustav Le Gray (1820-1884, and Eugene Cuvelier (1837-1900) and soon became a vast studio where painters could search out all the pieces and fragments of rocks, trees, foliage and have a close-up and continuous dialogue with nature. As early as 1830 the paths of hundreds of artists, engravers, photographers crossed in the forest as did their artistic explorations. There was camaraderie among the
The Forest of Fontainebleau by Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot 1834

The Forest of Fontainebleau Exhibit at the Musee d Orsay in Paris, France was on display in May 2007, one of the exhibits my daughter and I chose to view on our trip to Paris. As we viewed the exciting works of the many famous artists, I couldnt help wish for this exhibit to find its way to the United States. The good news was the Forest of Fontainebleau was exhibited this year in Washington D.C. and then went Houston, Texas.
painters who were all there to observe and learn about nature and get a closeup view in which to transcribe and recreate this picturesque landscape. The exhibit was displayed in 11 rooms of the Musee dOrsay. One of the paintings that I particularly liked was painted by the famous painter JeanFrancois Millet, The Wood Sawyers (1848). I have a copy of Millets painting The Gleaners hanging in my family room. I love his use of blue the same blue used in the head scarf of one of the gleaners is used in the trousers of The Wood Sawyers. As you view the paintings, you begin to see the styles of the artists, the colors they use, shading, and the shapes you soon begin to recognize the artist work even before you look at the nameplates very much like you do of artists today. The Fontainebleau was a place of infinite landscapes. For many, it was an escape to solitude and silence, so necessary to any works of observation and analysis. Going deep into the forest to accurately capture its luxuriant vegetation, dramatic framings, and views at ground level, all emphasized the feeling of power

144 - The Art-to-Art Palette - Back Porch Section - 2008-09 Fall/Winter Edition

emanating from this place where so many artists took their materials until the beginning of the 20th century. Many artists starting out in their careers were attracted there because of what they heard or read about the presence of great established artists. Some chose to live nearby some were content to spend a couple of days there. The Fontainebleau was considered as the real school of contemporary landscape. The years 1875 to 1880 saw a great influx of artists and had become an essential part in a painters development. Picasso came to stay in Fontainebleau in May 1921, very much full of the memories of Italy. He completed some of his masterpieces there, including Trois Femmes a la fontaine (Three Women at the Fountain), along with many sketches, drawings, and studies including the minuscule Nu assis sur un rocher (Nude seated on a rock). He also painted there many of his rare landscapes. In 1880, David Croal Thompson published a book entitled: The Barbizon School of Painters, bringing together the biographies of the Fontainebleau working artists. So why did he name his book The Barbizon School of Painters? Barbizon was a little village that had been Gustav Le Gray 1855 established over some time with the Ganne Inn, almost like a branch of the Ecole de Rome where the painters gathered and shared friendships, stories and fellowship. In 1867, an exhibition at the Hotel Siron had already brought together the Barbizonian painters who were aware of being part of a group, but whose only real link was the fact that they had all worked in the Forest of Fontainebleau. Why Barbizon and not Fontainebleau? Clearly we should see, in this choice, the victory of the real village; opening its doors to rustic, plebeian, French painters from all over the town, the seat of kings, patrons of refined art, and foreigners. Meanwhile the forest would develop its own reputation to La Hutte du Charbonnier by Theodore Rousseau 1850 become a living, open -air museum. Thanks goes to the artists who organized themselves from 1850 onwards, and those who obtained protected status for the forest in 1861, making it the first protected natural site in the world. I can assure you the exhibit changed my view of foliage, trees, rock, etc., and it even changed the way I paint them.

The Wood Sawyers by Jean-Francois Millet 1848

Three Women at the Fountain by Pablo Picasso

By Joan Crawford-Barnes

Le Pave de Chailly by Claude Monet 1856

The Art-to-Art Palette - Back Porch Section - 2008-09 Fall/Winter Edition - 145

Effects: Jodi Hattery, first place; Eugene McQuillan, second place. Miscellaneous: John Zielinski of Toledo, Ohio first place; Jodi Hattery, second place. The John Flagg Youth Awards went to: Dakotah Hollis of St. Marys, Ohio first place and second place in black and white; Kylee Mongold of Van Wert, first place in color; Chloee Gamble of Ohio City, Ohio second place in color. Honorable Mention was given to: Deborah Kania of Warren, Michigan; Steve Ganger of Greenville, Ohio; Bill Heinemeier; Carole Elchert of Findlay, Ohio; Micki Evans of Toledo, Ohio; Howard Weiler of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Denise McQuillan; Alice Schneider; Greg Gamble of Ohio City; Cindy Larschneid of Lima, Ohio; Brian J. Lee of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Layce Watson; Shirley Hollis of Wapakoneta, Ohio; Bill Christie; Bill Sorensen of Lima, Ohio; Kylee Mongold; and Mary Jo Knoch of Wapakoneta, Ohio. For information call 419-238-6837 or toll free 888-238-3837; e-mail ; or visit www.vanwert.com/wassenberg.

SOME OF THE AWARD WINNERS are from the left: (seated) Kylee Mongold, Dick Rohr, Layce Watson; (second row) John Zielinski, Alice Schneider, Judy Ingleman, Maria Miller; (back row) Jodi Hattery, Jon Ingleman, Bill Christie.

DAKOTAH HOLLIS
shown below with his winning photo.

And the winners are . . .

Out of over 300 photographs entered by area photographers, 201 were selected by jurors for display for the Wassenberg Art Center of Van Wert, Ohios 31st Annual October Photography Exhibit. Winning the Charles Wassenberg Best of Show awards were, for black and white, Alice Schneider of Lima, Ohio and for color, Bill Christie of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Van Wert County Foundation Award went to Dr. Jon Ingleman of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Two awards, each with color and black and white divisions, are for best work by an active Wassenberg Camera Club Member. The Wilbur Hartman Awards were won by Layce Watson of Van Wert (black and white) and Jodi Hattery of Van Wert (color). The Katy Mounts Awards went to Richard Rohr of Cridersville. Ohio (black and white) and Maria Miller of Payne, Ohio (color). Wassenberg Art Center awards are presented in each category, as follows. Portraits: Jim Gabbard of Fort Wayne, Indiana first place; Bill Heinemeier of Lima, Ohio second place. Landscape: Judith Ingleman of Fort Wayne, Indiana first place; Dr. Jon Ingleman, second place. Still Life: Denise McQuillan of Fort Wayne, Indiana first place; Eugene McQuillan, second place. Plants: Jim Gabbard, first place; George Mundell of Fort Wayne, Indiana second place. Animals: Layce Watson, first place; Dr. Jon Ingleman, second place. Architecture: Denise McQuillan, first place; Alice Schneider, second place. Sports/ photojournalism: Carl Hartup of Fort Wayne, Indiana first place; Maria Miller, second place. Nighttime: Dr. Jon Ingleman, first place; Don Gagnon of Fort Wayne, Indiana second place. Special

146 - The Art-to-Art Palette - Back Porch Section - 2008-09 Fall/Winter Edition

New leader of education picked for Arts Place

Mrs. Heidi Steinke Meade has been selected for Arts Places Director of Education. As the Center Director for Arts Places Collective Center in St. Marys, Ohio, her responsibilities have expanded to include the coordination of the Innovations and Arts in the Parks programs for centers. Arts in the Parks is a summer art program for students aged seven and older located in communities throughout Jay, Adams and Blackford Counties in Indiana, and Mercer and Auglaize Counties in Ohio. Innovations is a program of visual arts and dance workshops and classes for adults and students held at Arts Place centers in Portland and St. Marys. Meade is a native of St. Marys, Ohio. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning and a Masters Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Notre Dame. She previously served as adjunct faculty at the University of Notre Dame, Wright State University Lake Campus and Edison State Community College.

Muncie site of art award celebration

The City of Muncie as host of the 2009 Indiana Governors Arts Awards. I am confident the City of Muncie will make the 2009 Governors Arts Awards program an outstanding celebration of the arts in our state, said Governor Daniels. This marks only the second time in 35 years for the event to be hosted in a city other than Indianapolis. It is an honor for the City of Muncie to be selected for the enviable position of being the host site of the 2009 Governors Arts Awards, said Muncie Mayor Sharon McShurley. Muncie has a vibrant cultural community and this award will enable us not only to expand our artistic horizons but also allows us to showcase Muncie to approximately 500 art enthusiasts from around the state and beyond. W The 2009 Governors Arts Awards program will be presented next fall.

Nelson chooses winners for show

Artwork by 40 artists exhibiting in Artlinks 7th Regional Exhibition was judged by Patricia Nelson, Professor of Art, Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. Nelson selected three artists who were each presented with a check for $500 by gallery director, Deb Washler . The three Indiana winners were Andrew Lemmon of Kendallville, Wendi Norton of Goshen, and Joshua Witten of Fort Wayne. Nelson also recognized three outstanding artists with Honorable Mentions: Alexander Jones of Winona Lake, Vicki Sievers of Leo and Susan T. Suraci of Fort Wayne.

The Art-to-Art Palette - Back Porch Section - 2008-09 Fall/Winter Edition - 147

What If? What if you were me? What if you were born into my family? What if your eyes would see what my eyes have seen? Or what if I was you? What if I was born in your family? What if my eyes would see what your eyes have seen? Then perhapsI would understand you and you would understand me!

Peace on Earth

Artwork by Diane Overmyer 2008