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June 21, 2011 We are having a hard time putting clips of the film on this blog page. We are however able to post some stuff on facebook and on my blog spot. We have been having a GREAT trip and have on film over 40 people talking about art. We have been lucky enough to film 8 amazing artist talking about what they do. When I return to Utah next week I will go into depth a little more about the experience so far. I have LOVED every minute of this journey and am excited to be grounded at home in Utah with my family and create a new body of work to take with me to Cali, OR and WA. I am also excited to film more artist with their great art and talent, and patrons expressing their ideas and love for art. Thank you to the artist that we have filmed we will be sending film clips to you in the next few weeks!! You are all AMAZING!
June 8, 2011Today Mickell and I had the honor of meeting one of the nicest and most talented photographers William R. Chapman and his wife Eileen. We were on our way to our show in Sedona when we noticed the sign "Ends of the Earth" we turned around and drove up the dirt road to the gallery to discover a true gem. We were not planning on filming today but could not help ourselves. His work was profound, he has traveled the world and takes groups to different places and shows them how to be in the right place at the right time following his footsteps of "experience" creating a true experience for the student. He has two books published and the Dali Lama wrote the forward to one of them. In the next few days we will share a clip of the film footage today. Please check out his work it is AMAZING!! I am linking his website :) And if you are in the area you have to stop in the gallery 7140 HWY. 89 Hatch Utah http://www.endsoftheearthphoto.com/
“Art and Soul" 2011 Project: Art ExpertProject: 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 3rdSaturday 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 past 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.
Ashley Stoddard and Viraja Prema Two high school friends are coming together in San Diego and putting on a creativity playshop for women. This is part of the Art and Soul experience. If you would like to join them call or e-mail Viraja Prema or Ashley Stoddard. The information is below.
Ashley Stoddard is doing her "art and soul" in San Diego Ashley Stoddard and Family have arrived in San Diego to some beautiful weather. The trip was smooth. We made one stop along the way and camped in the trailer at a rest stop in Utah. Ashley has been painting outside on this beautiful memorial day, getting ready for the Autism Speaks, and Natural Birth Shows this weekend at the Alchemy Restaurant.
Going to San Diego to the Alchemy Restaurant, for Autism Speaks
"Art and Soul" tour T-shirts "Ashley Stoddard has the brand new "Art and Soul" t-shirts. The proceeds from the purchase of the t-shirt go to the tour, and it also acts as a memorabilia of the tour and the trailer we traveled in, too much fun. The trailer is 20 feet long, and we will be traveling with our three wonderful kids, Ashley and I, along with the dog, Star, and the Hamster, Miser. Can't wait." Cameron Stoddard T-shirts are $15. contact Ashley Stoddard at ashley_stoddard@yahoo.com.
Hope for Haiti "Good Morning Ashley. I had such a blast last night sharing in the opening of your art show at (a)perature. You work continues to amaze me Ash. It is deep thinking, awesome colors, rich in awareness, and gives to others who don't even know your inner beauty. I am not sure I will be able to express how much your efforts in behalf of my beloved brothers and sisters in Haiti means to me. You gave me the gift of a vehicle to be able to serve them, yes but it is more than just the money that I can use for medicine, building material, food, goats and chickens. To me...it means heart support...encouragement, unity to continue to fight and work for the underdog rather than taking the easier, softer way that is my life." Kym Meehan
"Ashley Stoddard's Art show was unbelievable. Thank you for all those that attended and supported the cause. If you were not able to make it check out these photos." Cameron Stoddard
We'll add more.
15 Bytes/ Art of Utah E-zine, posted this for the coming up events. This gives a good description of what the Art show is about. Help for Haiti Susan G. Komen Run Ashley Stoddard was running in the "Race for a Cure" inspired be Susan G. Komen. There was an amazing turn out around 20,000 people. Very uplifting seeing all the survivors, and sad to see how many families have lost family members. Ashley was proud to be apart of this great event. Cameron Stoddard
Hope Alliance- Hope for Haiti
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