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A Miner Art Attack! |  |
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Greetings! So, what did you do on your Summer vacation? Remember when that question confirmed summer was officially over? I had a blast this summer, traveling - mostly in and around California, seeing as much jazz and art as I could fit in. I had a major "art attack" and decided to drive from Sonoma, through Carmel, and down Highway 1 along the coast from Half Moon Bay to San Luis Obispo, all by myself - just so I could stop wherever I wanted, to take photos. I saw some great natural wonders, sat on the beach in Carmel and watched the sunset, met some very fun people and saw wonderous sights of nature on my journey which actually took two trips to complete. New Art documenting this art quest will be posted to my website soon. You may also have noticed a new self portrait. It started as an abstract painting, then evolved into a self portrait from a favorite photo (by Barbara Kraft), reflective of my favorite colors, passion for nature and the peace that I have found in exploring new art forms. A lot of what I did this summer is described below - So tell me, what did you do this summer?  Bettie Grace Miner
Chieli Minucci, a wonderfully passionate and deeply talented guitarist, took time out of his very busy life in New York this summer to visit me for a special photo session. After listening to one of his incredible works of music - "Without You" - this collage which combines imagery of Chieli, his handwritten composition and even his signature was created, with love and great respect, for this incredible musician.
Summer 2006 brought a lot of jazz concerts, festivals, and jazz musicians to Los Angeles where my studio is located. Well, I coerced many of those musicians to drop by for their "close-ups" ~ What a blast!!! Gerald Veasley and his band stopped by (pictured here) and as you can see - it was a PARTY! Other visitors to the Miner Works of Art Studio included Kim Waters, Nick Colionne, Maysa, Greg Adams, Phil Perry, Ray Fuller, Brian Hughes, Nestor Torres and Chieli Minucci. New art on these dangerously talented artists is either now available or will be very soon. There is a lot of new art that is not yet posted to the website. My Photoshop Guy is presently the guest of Steve Wynn in Macau, China for the opening of the Wynn Resort & Casino there. So, if you don't see the piece that you're looking for on the website, drop me a line and I'll give you a private viewing. We will try to update the site as soon as possible! "Straight Ahead" Bettie has been getting busy with some true "straight ahead" photography work. You can see some examples on Greg Adams' new website and his cool new CD release "Cool to the Touch" which features photography by Bettie Grace Miner. Also check out Greg Karukas' new CD "Looking Up" which includes some of Bettie's artwork. Greg and I had so much fun when he was in the studio - Please go see for yourself at www.gregadamsmusic.com/ Chris Standring was one of the first to experience Bettie's "straight" photography. In Chris' words "Who knew!?" Chris has a new CD just out as well...go to www.chrisstandring.com for more.
Every year Fort Myers, Florida gears up for one of the largest and most popular jazz festivals in the Southeastern United States. It's all for a good cause, too! This festival is special to my heart as it benefits The Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. Special kudos go out to Renee' Bledsoe who won the "SUNsational Award for Volunteerism" for her devoted efforts to make this event incredible for fans and a godsend to children. Renee is responsible for the Jazz on the Green website and if you need someone to do your website - check out Rod & Renee' Bledsoe: www.biztechonline.com The artwork for this year's poster is a collage called "Hot Jazz" which includes imagery of past artists from the event. So many people have asked me "Who is that incredible guy with the bass?" He is a true musician's musician by the name of Stan Sargeant. He plays with all the greats and you may have seen him playing with the Tonight Show band. Thanks Stan, for donating your time and talents to this piece and this cause. For more on Stan, go to www.stansargeant.com
Gato Barbieri, a legend in jazz, is slowly going blind. The following note from Gato's wife, Laura Barbieri, raises hope and money to find a cure. If you want to help, you can participate in the VisionWalk with Laura, or make a donation. Special Notice: For any artwork of Gato purchased on www.MinerWorksofArt.com through October 2006, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Foundation Fighting Blindness on behalf of Gato Barbieri. "Hello Friends, Family and Fans of Gato, Most of you know, my husband, Gato Barbieri has the dry form of macular degeneration. This retinal disease rendered him legally blind over the last six years. We are working closely with the FFB to raise the awareness of this disease and help to raise money for their ongoing research projects. On behalf of Gato, I would like to welcome you on my team to participate in the VisionWalk in NYC on Oct. 22. If you cannot walk, you may wish to donate a little something toward this cause. I will be walking for Team Gato Barbieri! Please help us make a difference. warmly, Gato and Laura Barbieri"
A commissioned fine art portrait, created with heart and insight, is treasured for a lifetime. This portrait was created of a beautiful woman with her five year old daughter, one sibling from quadruplets. This child, devoted to her mother, is wise beyond her years and she allowed me to see that in her eyes. Information on private commissions is available by contacting the artist.
September 2, 2006 ~ Inglewood Jazz Festival, Los Angeles, California. See www.southbayent.com for festival details. September 9, 2006 ~ BB Jazz Festival, Huntington Beach, California. This event benefits Children with Autism. While you're at the park, which is adjacent to the Huntington Beach Library & Cultural Center, be sure to check out Bettie's exhibit of jazz artists on the theater level. For more information about the festival go to:www.bbjazz.com September 29-30, 2006 ~ WaveFest. Bettie will not be showing her artwork, but will be taking the weekend off to attend WaveFest, along with all the other 94.7 The Wave Smooth Jazz Fans. See you at the Greek ~ www.947wave.com October 1, 2006 ~ Santa Barbara Smooth Jazz Festival. The festival is being held at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Bettie will show both jazz and wildlife artwork in celebration of this wonderfully unique location. For more information, go to www.santabarbarasmoothjazzfestival.com October 6-8, 2006 and October 13-15, 2006 ~ Catalina Island Jazz Festival. Come hang on the Island, just across the water from L.A., and enjoy the oldest and biggest jazz festival in Southern California. It will be held the first three weekends of October. Everybody will be there - see the line-up at www.jazztrax.com. Look for Bettie and lots of new artwork at the Casino over the first two weekends. October 20-21, 2006 ~ "Jazz on the Green" Fort Myers, Florida For the sixth year in a row, Bettie has created and donated the artwork which will be featured on the annual poster. The event raises money for the benefit of the Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida. Bettie will be in Fort Myers, Florida for the 2006 event to meet fans, autograph posters and hang with Fort Myers friends! Check out the artwork and line-up at www.jazzonthegreen.com. January 28 - February 4, 2007 ~ Brian Culbertson's All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise Bettie's artwork of the "All Stars" for the upcoming cruise is really shaping up. The poster is in the works and will be an amazing fine art piece that combines the artists, fun & games, with a tropical vibe. Nick Colionne, who stole the show and jammed all night long with the stars and fans on the 2005 cruise is featured in a new impressionist painting by Bettie Grace Miner (see above).
Steve Irwin ~ 1962-2006 ~ The world lost a great wildlife and conservation hero this week. Whether he was crazy or passionate, you decide for yourself, but he loved wildlife ~ something that I had in common with him. Steve was on my "Wish List" of people to photograph. Sadly, that will never come to pass now, but I would like to share my thoughts of him and all who love nature and wildlife. Life is a risk, but in living there is joy. Being afraid to live is dying without trying. I had the incredible experience of swimming with stingrays in the Cayman Islands last year. It was truly one of the highlights of my life. They were gentle, affectionate and playful creatures. They would rub against your leg (looking for a handout) just like a cat. You can see one snuggling me just under the water in this photo. I was scared to death when I first got in the water with them, but by the time we had to leave I didn't want to get back on the boat. They are, as all wildlife is, wild animals. Being in their company is a privilege and there is always a chance that they will be true to their nature. Steve Irwin was true to his. With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to this marvelous educator and advocate. I have a favorite saying and I dedicate it to Steve Irwin "When the music stops...keep dancing!"
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