Wizened and Natal a Sneek Peek

See an expanded version of this body of work at my upcoming show Wizened and Natal @
The Alaska Gallery 105 E. Artic Avenue, Palmer, Alaska Saturday August 8th
It's only 20 days away.

Sneek Preview of the Salmon On Parade 2008

There are 25 salmon on parade this year in Downtown Anchorage. The sneak preview at the Conoco Building was huge there were cocktails at the pre-party for the artists and sponsors, finger food, live music, newspaper, T.V. and hordes of people eyeballing the salmon and voting on their favorite, I spoke to 100s of people from everywhere, posed for photos with my fish, talked with some of the other artists, it was a great time. My fish will be at Once Upon a Blue Moose 4th Ave. and L all summer then at the State Fair at the end of summer with the other salmon.
This is Sluice Box Sal done my my friend Jules Wolfe.
Translam"Alaska Pipeline by Kimberly Sikora. I wonder if this entry was political with oil dripping from the Salmons mouth while it's spawned out?
A Natural Beauty at 50! This is me next to my silver salmon throwing my fish face. A Natural Beauty at 70 said to me are you two twins? because you're both natural beauties; How lovely and kind is she. Everyone commented on how real my silver looked. Oh baby

I love fishy kisses......

The day was a total blast I had a great time even Mayor Mark Begich showed up and gave us our cudos :) And we are not finished yet; September 8th there is a fancy fish fry dinner and auction where the salmon will be auctioned off to the highest bidder and I've heard that people really get competitive and bidding wars happen, I've been told people have paid up to eight grand to own one of these salmon! It could happen......
Here is the link to see the other Salmon on Parade

http://www.wildsalmononparade.com/2008art/index.htm

The Salmon in the Sunbeams

TITLE: Salmon in the Sunbeams
ARTIST: Judy Vars
MEDIUM: Oil METHOD: Indirect
DIMENSIONS: H. 10" X W. 20"
CREATED: January 2008

We are blessed with an abundance of wild Salmon in Alaska! The first time I saw one in Big Lake, Alaska at the mouth of the creek I couldn't believe it I thought I was looking at a miniature submarine. Once while I was walking along the creek I heard a loud swooshing noise, then I saw three big salmon racing up stream to spawn with their backs and fins out of the water, thrilling.

This salmon is lively and bright and with five or six coats of varnish it looks like stained glass. So I named her "Salmon in the Sunbeams."

I had a wonderful time painting it and posting my progress and how to paint indirect. I hope you like it; I do take commissions and charge about 1.00 a square inch unframed on a wrapped canvas with the sides painted.

If you want one please contact me:)

Thank you!

Judy