New Paintings from the coast of New Hampshire

For the story click the link below-
http://mvarametalandpaint.com/site/2013/07/09/new-paintings-from-the-coast-of-new-hampshire/

MoHu Events - October Art Events in the Capital Region

1. SAGE College, Schacht Fine Arts Center TI, Division St. Troy NY

-Art Show runs October 1 to Oct 19, 2012- Free and Open to the Public.
-Oct 9th 6pm- Open Gallery with Artist in attendance, in conjunction with MoHu Campus events.
-War of the Worlds, showing - $10 Adults, $8 students and seniors.
Further information - 518-244-4505                  www/sage.edu/theatre

2. Ballard Road Art Studio and Gallery

Open for the MoHu events throughout the tour dates and by appointment.

-Gallery displaying functional and Aesthetic sculpture and paint of artist miChelle Vara with 40 year portfolio of diverse clients throughout the country.
Http://www.michellevara.com      518-587-8706

 

What do Steve Jobs, Tom Cruise, Lewis Carroll, Steven Spielberg and Leonardo daVinci have in common?

I met Serena Kovalosky years ago at the winter carnival in Whitehall NY. Where I drove my team of North American Spotted Draft Horses as the hay ride entertainment. We had lovely conversation  and come to find we use the same photographer Jim McLaughlin. Years later she now published and article interviewing me on dyslexia art and life.

So here goes-

__________________________________________________________

#103 – While not all Artists are dyslexic, the Artist Mind is the portal through which dyslexics experience their world.

A vivid imagination. An appreciation for color, tone, texture and form. Exceptionally visual and highly innovative. These are some of the characteristics of an Artist. They also represent the positive side of dyslexia.

I met miChelle M. Vara many years ago and, being a fellow artist, our conversation quickly turned to the subjects of art and the creative process. Vara works in a variety of mediums, from sculptural work in metal to paintings and murals, to airbrush commissions, faux-finishes and installations. She is a whirlwind of creative energy.

Our paths crossed again recently as a result of this blog, and as I researched her work and background, I discovered she is severely dyslexic.

Vara has what’s known as “crossed optic lobe”, where incoming information goes to the opposite side of the brain, and is therefore received upside-down and backwards. “I think in pictures,” says Vara. “I remember people, events and ideas as if they were photographed. I also remember feelings, emotions, textures, lighting,…..but no words. I connect very differently from everyone else.”

At a young age, miChelle Vara’s father placed her in a Montessori school system. “I was considered an extreme case,” says Vara. “It took a very long time for me to develop verbal and reading skills. Had I been left to a parent who was not understanding and caring, I would have been labelled as retarded. I would not have blossomed in a public school system, even though my IQ is actually well above average, because I am unable to take regular tests.”

"Neon Flames" by miChelle Vara

How has art figured into her life? “I’ve been an artist from Day One,”answers Vara. “Thankfully. I grew up in an environment that embraced my differences, feeding my imagination. But don’t let me kid you, my path has not always been easy. I still received enormous pressure from the outside world – people would call me stupid, make fun of me. I got picked on terribly by adults as well as children.”

“Art is my refuge,” she continues, “and any uncomfortable situation would send me into creation mode. My best friends were a thoroughbred horse named Socks and a dog named Cherice. I am thankful I have always had the ease of art and the love of animal friends and I think all handicapped children should have a pet and a safe place to escape.”

I ask Vara if art helped her with her understanding of how her mind works.

“No,” Vara replies. “My mind works because of my art.”

“Art is where I feel safe and at home. I am driven on a soul level to create, which is why I feel a compulsion to be in that creative state continually, making visual statements and conversations. My art is my life – it’s all very metaphorical.”

“I draw daily,” she continues. “My life is one artistic picture after another – it is nothing more than visual accounts of time. I create sculptural work because I often feel compelled to create an idea/statement of dimension that is not only ascetically pleasing but structurally sound. I often don’t have time to get all my ideas and thoughts into a physical object, so I may come back to it years later.”

Over the past 30+ years, miChelle Vara’s artwork has won numerous awards, and she regularly receives commissions from museums, corporations, individuals and municipal clients. The artist recently created a large-scale sculpture especially for the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY, using the museum’s logo as her inspiration for the fascinating work entitled, “The Guide”.

Vara wants to make one thing perfectly clear. “Please understand that I do not see dyslexia as a handicap to who I am and what my work is,” she says. “It is my greatest birth gift. “

Life is what you make it. miChelle Vara knows how to make the best of her life, and she has the artwork to prove it.

- SerenaK    http://www.artfulvagabond.com/artists-and-dyslexia-day-103/

Satisfied customers keep coming back to Ballard Road Art Studio

In the more than 30 years of running an art studio it has been my pleasure to enhance many clients ideas through metal and paint. But this couple, repeat clients are my most recent tickle or prize. When they picked up the airbrush painted, ford truck tailgate,  up she cried that night she e-mailed me to say-

“I just wanted to thank you again for the most BEAUTIFUL tail gate EVER!!!!!!! I LOVE IT SO MUCH..... I never in a million years thought it would be soooo beautiful. I know your work is amazing,...but this was way over the top. I love it so much it was simply breath taking,..literally.. I was so shocked of how beautiful. You are one amazing artist MICHELLE- thank you,- thank you, thank you --GOD BLESS!”  SHARON

Flaming Airbrush on a Honda Gold Wing Trike

http://mvarametalandpaint.com/site/blog/


This job for me was wonderful and the clients were the best. We enjoyed good jokes and I got the opportunity to do my airbrush thing at a reasonable pace on the very beautiful orange base color. I am sad to report that the pictures do no justice as the 3rd dimension and the flip flop glitz is lost in them.


For an in person viewing the Trike will be showing with the Honda Owners Group at the Aviation Mall Glens Falls NY on May 2nd 10am to 2pm.

Airbrush Painted Vietnam Veterans Memorial

http://nyvietnamvets.org/

1961 Vet Classic - Owner John F. Svandrlik
I bought this 61 Corvette in 2005 as a project. When I bought this Vet, it was all apart in boxes. In the process I went from a mono radio to a stereo. I installed the new speakers in the kick panels. Now I needed to come up with something to put in the original hole in the dash. One day while looking at my other car, which has a POW/MIA plate on the front the idea came to me.
I took another plate and cut it to fit into the original speaker frame. I received many positive compliments from fellow vets. I then had "59 All Gave Some Some Gave All 75" painted on the rear panel above my VVA license plate. I felt I needed to do more, and it came to me at our chapters Memorial Day service at the local Vietnan Veterans Memorial.
I contacted a local airbrush artist, Mi Chelle Vara, from Wilton with my idea .She was very enthusiastic about it as you can see she did a fantastic job. I have brought the car to many shows since I completed her in 2008. There is still room on the lower panel inside the hood for a future addition.
I served a tour in Vietnam in1967 with the U.S. Navy, was assigned to the Inshore Undersea Warfare Group 1, on a patrol boat, as a crew member. It is an honor to share these images with my brothers in NY VVA.

John F. Svandrlik - President VVA Chapter 79

miChelle's Really Flaming with Airbrush

Real Flames Just Finished - 4/20/09

miChelle Vara

Ballard Road Art Studio Gallery

http://www.mvarametalandpaint.com/

518-587-8706