Dena Tollefson Now Represented by CornerHouse Gallery



"Starlight, Starbright" Oil on stretched cotton canvas 44"x44" copyright Dena Tollefson

 by Dena Tollefson
http://www.denatollefson.com/

 I'm excited to announce I am now represented by CornerHouse Gallery and Frame in Cedar Rapids, Iowa! Come on out to the gallery to see my new work! I am delivering a new set of fun Corn paintings this Saturday along with some large florals (see "Starlight, Starbright" above).

 In Cedar Rapids, Wiederspan Gallery continues to represent my Daubism paintings, and now CornerHouse Gallery  is representing my traditional smooth work, Corn Series, and Abstracts.  Check it out!

CornerHouse Gallery
2753 First Ave SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
319 365-4348

Please join me At Wiederspan Gallery : Spring 2011 Metro Gallery Tour

by Dena Tollefson
http:///www.denatollefson.com

Please join me at Wiederspan Gallery Thursday, April 7th from 6:30-8PM for the Spring 2011 Metro Gallery Tour. "Tulip Love" pictured below, is one of 5 new paintings at Stan's gallery. "Tulip Love" is oil on canvas using my Daubism technique. It is framed with a silver leaf wood frame, inspired by large Dordogne tulips blooming in my front yard this past May.

I hope to see you there!!

"Tulip Love" 30"x40" Oil on Canvas copyright 2010 Dena Tollefson

Dali Museum is fantastic

by Dena Tollefson
http://www.denatollefson.com


The newly renovated Dali Museum in Saint Petersburg, Florida is fantastic! I went there last week with my parents, Dietrich and Helen Schaefer.

The museum houses 96 of Salvador Dali's original oil paintings, collected by the Morse family.
I enjoyed seeing how Dali's work changed over his lifetime, especially neat to see his early work in tight realism, Cubism, Impressionism and Dadaism, and how it all culminated into his mature work with Surrealism. He was very interested in science and Christianity- which showed up especially in his later work. His wife, Gala, appeared on many of his canvases. 

Some of my favorite paintings in the exhibit were The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory, Daddy Longlegs of the Evening--Hope!, and Geopoliticus Child Watching the Birth of the New Man all of which include his signature plastic amorphic shapes. His use of color, masterful edges, "hidden" detail and imagination were so breathtaking.

We took an audio tour- it was very engaging. I think for me what was so neat about this particular museum was how Dali's paintings, the museum atmosphere, architecture, and even the interactive gardens created a total enveloping experience.

The Dali Art Museum building itself is a masterpiece in sculpure- the architect Yann Weymouth was so inspired by Dali's use of morphing forms- which inspired the Enigma- the cloudlike shape composed of triangular glass pushing out of the building's edge contrasting with the building's angular lines. I learned that the thousands of huge panes of glass in the Enigma are each unique in size and had to be barcoded to keep track of them during construction.

The grounds and garden were peppered with rocks imported from Dali's hometown in Spain- one can see those same rock types in so many of his paintings. It is neat to see the painting and real rocks all together in one setting.

Check it out!!

Price Increase 2011- Thanks for Another Successful Year!

by Dena Tollefson
http://www.denatollefson.com/

Thank You!!

I am excited to announce a price increase effective March 1, 2011. All sizes of all my paintings (commission or standard work), regardless of location will be 40% higher than current prices.  This is in response to another successful year... Thirty four (34) paintings sold in 2010, which is a personal record. Thank you so much for your support!

Please note this price increase will be effective March 1st, 2011 for original paintings only, no change to signed greeting cards.

I really appreciate your support!!! Thank you so much for another successful year!!

Dena

New Corn Series painting: "Hot Tub"

by Dena Tollefson
http://www.denatollefson.com/

"Hot Tub" Oil on Canvas 30"x40" copyright 2010 Dena Tollefson

It's a sultry summer early evening, the sun will set in a few hours... snuggled in the hot tub, he whispers in her ear. My newest painting- "Hot Tub". 
I started on this painting in September, at the end of sweet corn season. The couple reclines in my pasta kettle- I had to stuff a towel in the bottom to keep them from sliding in the water while I painted.

Artist Interview

by Dena Tollefson

Thank you to Mary Zeran for the very nice interview she did about my art and processes! Click here to see it in her blog http://maryzeran.blogspot.com/2010/12/dena-tollefson-artist-conversation.html

Have a great day!

"Covenant" Acrylic on Canvas 30"x24" copyright 2010 Dena Tollefson

New Gallery: Grand Opening of The Avenue Art Gallery and Photography Studio in Urbandale Iowa

by Dena Tollefson

Had a great time at the Grand Opening of The Avenue Art Gallery and Photography Studio yesterday. Thankfully the snow that hit northern Iowa stayed away.  I did a painting demonstration of my unique Daubism technique. Gallerist Jill Kelley has a beautiful gallery in a wonderful location. Artist friends Nina Vetrova Robinson and Paul Monska are also represented at the gallery. I am so delighted my sorority sister Janelle Jacobs Siders was able to attend!


Dena Tollefson Painting demonstration- this is the first layer of oil paint over an acrylic underpainting.



Gallerist Jill Kelley at the Grand Opening



New Corn Series Painting: "The Seduction of Sampson"

by Dena Tollefson
http://www.denatollefson.com/

Here is my latest Corn Series painting: "The Seduction of Sampson"

"The Seduction of Sampson" 30"x40" Oil on Canvas copyright 2010 Dena Tollefson

It's dark, warm and damp in the field... There Sampson waits amongst the tall, ragged grasses, awaiting Delilah. In one quick moment, Sampson's lock of shorn hair dangles precariously, representing his loss of strength after Delilah, disguised as butter, makes her move.

Mindy Eilers named that Painting

by Dena Tollefson

Thank you so much to Mary, Janelle, Nina, Troutbirder, Paul, Tammy, Mindy & Celia for the great painting name suggestions here, by email, and on Facebook! It was hard to narrow it down.

Mindy Eilers has has come up with the perfect name- "Covenant". It really captures the essence.

Thank you again for everyone's fantastic suggestions!
Have a great evening
Dena

"Covenant" 30" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas copyright 2010 Dena Tollefson

Help me name this painting!

by Dena Tollefson

Untitled copyright 2010 Dena Tollefson 30"x24"acrylic on canvas

Please help me name this painting! I just finished this abstract and need the right title.   I am excited to hear your ideas! I'll be checking here and on my Facebook page Dena Tollefson Art to see what you come up with... Please put your name ideas in the comment section below.

Take care
Dena