Articles
Artist Yen Chu, Winner WNMU John Stermer Art Scholarship
Greetings! On behalf of John Stermer Fine Art, we would like to extend a huge CONGRATULATIONS to Yen Chu of Silver City, New Mexico! She is the recipient of the Western New Mexico University (WNMU) John Stermer Art Scholarship for 2022/2023. And, we would like to share with you some of Ms. Chu’s artwork and her artist’s statement. Yen Chu Artist’s Statement. “I create representational art designed to push the boundaries of cultural stigma. I investigate the expression of uncomfortable emotions like rage, helplessness, and …
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Happy New Year & 3 Scratchboard Drawings
Greetings! I would like to take this opportunity to say express my thanks for another wonderful year! I am grateful to all of you who follow this John Stermer blog. Whether you are friends of the family or find this website via internet search, I appreciate your interest and support! About the Scratchboard Drawings As I was considering what image to post for today, Dad’s scratchboard work of wine bottles popped into my head. He enjoyed working with scratchboard (or scraper board as it is called …
On Becoming An Artist
Greetings! I would like to share with you some insight on what I learned about becoming an artist from my dad, John Stermer. Yes, You Need An Education. Years ago, when I was young, I wanted to be an artist like my Dad, John H. Stermer. From my point of view, it seemed like the perfect life. That is to say, all you had to do was draw and paint. Yes, in my day dreaming world, the artist’s life I envisioned was naive and simple. …
“Mr. Brandtner”, A John Stermer Portrait From The Early 1970s
Greetings! I would like to share with you a portrait John Stermer painted in the early 1970s. I remember my father painting this portrait of Mr. Louis Brandtner when I was a teenager. What struck me was all the brown colors in the painting. Also, this was the first time that I remembered Dad painting a commission in his home studio. Just to be clear, John Stermer was not new to portraiture. I was just young at the time and was not aware …
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Two Cats
Greetings! Today’s post features two cats. What makes them special? Well, from time to time, I come across a John Stermer painting that I don’t remember seeing before. This is not so surprising as often Dad would sell painting directly from his studio. Sometimes, the paintings were still wet. And, like many artists, John Stermer created more paintings than he ever displayed in shows or galleries. In any case, one of my sister’s came across a cat painting that neither of us remember seeing before …
Closing Thoughts: Team Stermer Retrospective
Greetings! And, how are you? We, Team Stermer Retrospective, are still “glowing” from our successful exhibition at Western New Mexico University’s Francis McCray Gallery of Contemporary Art this past November and December. The number of old friends and new friends who joined us for the reception was just amazing. It truly felt like a celebration. Breaktime. Afterward, the team, and this writer in particular, needed time to work on projects that were put aside during retrospective preparation time. Now, with a little bit of time …
Retrospective Gallery Hours Through December 9th.
Just a quick update. We had a fabulous and fun retrospective opening. Thanks to all of you who were able to come and share the artwork and social event with us; you made it special! And, thank you to the wonderful people at Western New Mexico University Public Affairs and Francis McCray Gallery of Contemporary Art. Speaking of which, we wanted to publish the gallery hours through the end of the show. Also, there are paintings for sale and a portion of any …
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Lines Of Force In John Stermer Art
Why “Lines of Force” and what does it mean? Theme for Retrospective Exhibition. Greetings! Now that we are just about ready to open our “Lines of Force – A Retrospective of the Artwork By the Late John Stermer” exhibition, I thought we might want to say a word or two (or many) about our theme. So, to begin with, why “lines of force”? Because the theme points to how John Stermer composed his paintings; used gestural lines; contributed to his community. That is a …
October 1950: First One-Man Show At Arnot Gallery
Greetings! As we approach the John Stermer Retrospective this November, we would like to remember John Stermer’s first One-Man Show at the Arnot Art Gallery. The Arnot Art Gallery is part of the Arnot Art Museum in Elmira, NY. Background. In preparation for the upcoming retrospective, Stermer Art LLC engaged Maria Jensen as a writer and researcher. And, as part of the “Stermer Retrospective Team”, she has been researching John’s life from Elmira NY to Silver City NM and points in-between. Maria’s …
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Painting Of The Day: “Monastery At Metaore, Greece”
Greetings! I would like to simply share with you John Stermer’s painting Monastery At Metaore, Greece. The built environment, by which I mean buildings and architecture, were favorite subjects of John Stermer. For one thing, you have all those nice lines to work with. Also, in the painting, you might notice the dominance of cool blues and greens. Contrasting are small patches of warm reds to enhance the vibrancy of the cooler colors. I hope you enjoy this painting.