Banayat Fine Art Newsletter

Exhibition Information • Photo Gallery • What's New?

 

Up Coming Exhibitions & Shows

The Park Place Gallery. My work is represented at The Park Place Gallery located at 11560 Ash Street Leawood, Kansas 66211 gallery phone: 913.469.8001. www.theparkplacegallery.com

 

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Photo Gallery
What's New? . . . What's Been Happening?

November 18, 2009
I'm gearing up for the coming New Year 2010. I plan to spend more time in my studio painting and building up a new body of work this coming year, as well as work on my first book. I've been doing so many shows over the past two years, that I haven't spent as much time in the studio. So I look forward to 2010 to see what comes of all these blank canvases.

 

Louie Awards Finalist May 2009
“I never imagined that my one little note card would be noticed in the sea of greeting cards submitted by established greeting cards companies throughout the world.”
Click here to Read the whole story

 

The Park Place Gallery
April 2009. I'm very excited to announce that my work is now being represented by The Park Place Gallery in beautiful Leawood Kansas. For more information contact Rachelle Craig, Managing Director
Park Place Gallery of Fine Art
11560 Ash Street
Leawood, KS 66211
www.theparkplacegallery.com
913.469.8001 ~ gallery
913.341.5411 ~ direct

The MiliGirl Collection
The New MiliGirl Collection website has officially launched at the beginning of July, 2008. The MiliGirl Collection is comprised of a full line of notecards featuring the artwork of Melanie Banayat. Please visit Melanie's online store at www.MiliGirl.com.

 

May 22, 2008 - The last two art exhibitions were just plain fun. The Division Street Frame Shop Spring Art Exhibit, and The World Market Center Artwalk sponsored by Scandinavian Collection.

Scandinavian Collection Showroom Artists pictured left to right: Donna Wayman, Me, Jennifer Main, and Bonnie Kelso.

 

Division Street Frame Shop & Gallery Spring Art Exhibit artists pictured left to right:

Me, Lisa Kaiser (Artist), Bill Cramer (artist), and Gallery owner Clementine Ludwig.

 

 

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April 7, 2008 - After two months of being on the road doing art festivals it's good to be back in the art studio. I'm in the middle of working on five new paintings, with more on the backburner just waiting to get out. I've also got a few upcoming exhibitions in the works -- details will be posted soon.

 

'Made in the USA'

One of the things I love about doing Art Festivals is meeting all the fun and interesting people who come to these events. What better way for artists and art collectors to meet! Outside where the weather is beautiful, and artists have their latest works on display. I met this wonderful couple, James & Susan from Nebraska, at the Carefree Fine Art and Wine Festival -- who, in the last hours of the last day of the festival decided that they wanted to be the new owners of my latest piece, "Made in the USA". I love it when that happens!

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Where in the "WORLD" is Melanie? . . .

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in Las Vegas!

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February 1, 2008 Newpaper Article in The Daily Courier - The Scene. Article Title -------"Artist Finds Peace Amidst Chaos." -- Read Article

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Solo Exhibition at '1130 The Restaurant' . . .

You can read the Article about the event in the Arizona Republic read article

 

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Thank You! . . .

To everyone who bought one of my calendars during the month of February! Your donation will add to the cause in more ways than you may every truly know.

My Heart Health Promise….

For every purchase of my 2008 Calendar, “The Peaceful & Sensual Art of Banayat”, I will donate $5.00 to the ‘Go Red for Women’ movement through the month of February, which is the American Heart Association's National Heart Month.

Join the "Go Red for Women" movement.

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My new website, MiliGirl.com www. MiliGirl.com, is COMING SOON! -- The MiliGirl Collection will showcase my new greeting card line where you will be able to purchase the cards and other gift products online.

 

Best Of Show Award -- The Trinity Cathedral in Downtown Phoenix held its first juried exhibition entitled: "Imaging Christ". The Mission for the exhibition was to feature images that represented Christ's love. My painting titled, "It Takes a Village" was chosen for best of show.

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World Market Center ...

Artists and Design Center Collaboration

The inaugural meeting of female artists and businesswomen in Las Vegas ---on January 24th, 2008 proved to be a wonderful encounter of the hearts, minds and souls of some uniquely gifted and motivated women. The spirit of cooperation and support was powerfully manifested throughout the hours long meeting as each of the committed individuals expressed her concerns and diverse talents. Prescott, Arizona artist, Melanie Banayat, joined ranks with the accomplished business expertise of Lena Walther, owner of Scandinavian Collection, and the enthusiasm and experience of Art Consultant, MJ Richardson, at the World Market Center in Las Vegas, along with four other dedicated and accomplished artists including Jennifer Main, Bonnie Kelso, TJ Rose, and Donna Wyman.

This budding partnership promises to take well directed measures, during these challenging times, to promote art, environmental responsibility, healthy living and service to their respective communities. It was apparent that each member of this group realized a synergy developing as their common passions emerged and their goals were defined. The special strengths of each of the participants was eagerly shared and encouraged, lending to the infectious excitement felt by all. It might be only fair to alert the art and furnishing décor industry of this new and evolving energy in the market.

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New Art Group Forming - I am forming a new art group in the Prescott, Arizona quad city area. This will be an exclusive group of professional artists who are dedicated to their crafts and building their business. The Group will be limited to a maximum of 12 members. For more information contact info@banayatfineart.com

 

Dakota, me, and Mikhaila at Summer Art Festival 2007

 

READ IT HERE! Newspaper Article - Artist Spotlight on Prescott Artist, Melanie Banayat ---- Read article. ----- 'News Culture Outdoor Magazine'. Published and distributed in Prescott, Arizona.

 

 

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My kids, Dakota & Mikhaila, painting last summer.

 

Women In Networking - - www.winaz.org . . . Women in Networking is a fabulous organization in Prescott, Arizona that helps professional women advance their businesses as entrepreneurs (including my business). Through my membership with Women in Networking I have met some of the nicest people who have supported me and my goals. I've made many good contacts that have led me to several different opportunities to exhibit my artwork. I can't thank them enough! These wonderful women have helped to make my transition to Arizona a lot less stressful. Prescott is beginning to feel more and more like home to me. I've only been here one year, and I feel comfortable saying that I am offically a Prescott Artist.

Me with artist Nathalie Torris, and artist Dinah Santiago at Artexpo las Vegas 2007

 

Perfect weather at the Artfest of Scottsdale.

 

Peaceful & Sensual Art 2008 Calandar at www.Lulu.com. I published this beautiful 2008 Calendar featuring women with uplifting messages as part of my MiliGirl Collection. My MiliGirl Gift Collection will be going public very soon as well. This 2008 calendar featuring women makes a great gift for any woman on your gift list. This would make a perfect Valantine's Gift for the beautiful woman in your life.

 

Stepping Stones of Hope - - It was a pleasure to donate three of my giclee prints featuring women to an organization like Stepping Stones in Prescott, Arizona. Stepping Stones is dedicated to Providing Emergency Shelter and Support Services to Women & Children who are Victims of Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault in West Yavapai County. My art featuring women and children was a perfect compliment to the shelter, which was part of a big re-decorating project that took place this past fall. The shelter was repainted and decorated with art throughout the entire building that made the pace feel more like a comfortable home. www.steppingstonesaz.org

Summer Camping Trip with the kids: Matt, Dakota, Mikhaila, and Leah. Oh, they're going to love me for posting this picture, aren't they?

 

I donated this print of Blue Boots to the silent auction at the Artexpo Las Vegas to benefit the Sunrise Children's Hospital.

Artexpo Las Vegas -- It was quite an experience going to the Artexpo Las Vegas. I was located in the SOLO section of the Artexpo, which in my opinion was where all the really cool artists hung out! Hah! I was tickled to discover that I was featured in the September 2007 Art Business News magazine as part of the Artexpo Las Vegas Solo artist's. My goal at the artexpo was to make connections with people in the art industry such as art reps, publishers, etc. I'm happy to say that I made several good connections including the art conusltants from the Scandinavian Collection showroom. Art rep, MJ Richardson, fell in love with my painting titled "Patches" and the rest is history in the making! The following pictures are from the Artexpo Las Vegas.

Me in my little 10' x 10' Solo booth at Artexpo Las Vegas

These are some of the COOL artists that I got to hang out with for 5 days at the Artexpo Las Vegas. This picture shows each of us holding up our booth layouts. We were all so surprised to discover that we each did detailed mock ups of our booths, but then again that's the way we cool, like-minded "artist/designers" think. Tons of fun!

 

 

Solo Art Exhibition

“La Siesta” in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico October 2006

October 2006 - It’s the morning after the art exhibition in Ajijic. I want to write down my thoughts while the feelings are still fresh in my body. I’ll start out by describing my favorite guest of all – a moth. Yes, a giant moth. I’ll call the moth, Marrón, because she was this beautiful Burnt Umber brown. She was one of the early guests to the show. The front door was wide open during the entire show, so Marrón just flew right in and fluttered around for a few minutes. She caught my eye, and my first thought was I hope that moth doesn’t bother anyone. Then she landed on one of my paintings. The painting she landed on is titled, “Grounded”. The painting is of a woman who is sitting in lotus position with vines growing out of her core, and roots coming out of her feet into the ground. Well, Marrón landed on one of the vines on the painting and remained there for about 15 minutes. I could hear some people commenting wondering if the moth was real or part of the painting, because it was so still. Other people were wondering if it was stuck to the paint because they knew many of the paintings were still wet. The painting was hung high on the wall, so I went a got a broom to shoe it away. Marrón immediately flew off and fluttered around the room again, then promptly returned to the same exact spot on the painting. The comments were in awe….”Wow, did you see that!” people were saying. So again, I shoed her off, and once again she came back to the same place. I then decided to leave her there. I realized she brought positive energy to the painting and for the moment – she was truly apart of the piece. She kept landing on the vine as if it were real. It made the painting feel earthier, which is what that painting was all about. I’ll always remember Marrón when I look at that painting. She is now part of the painting’s story.

Here is a copy of an email I received the morning after the show that I wanted to share with you.

Dear Melanie,

I am one of the many people who were at your show last night. I spoke with you about how moved and inspired I was looking at them and reading the words you wrote re: your inspiration for them.

My son is here (in Ajijic, Mexico) from California for 3 months with his daughter to begin to heal his life from cancer, the death of his wife 3 years ago and the incredible stresses he has experienced over the past few years.

To make a long story short; I wish that I had told him about the show but I didn't and this morning when I described your paintings and writing, he said that he would love to have a viewing. If you are not leaving right away, could that be arranged?

I would be so grateful to hear from you.

Rachel

In Honor of Bill Scholar

Bill & I after a long day of shopping for “Blue Boots” in Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico.

Bill Scholar came to Ajijic, Mexico in the Fall of 2006, which was the same time that I was in Ajijic, Mexico. We were both there to heal. I was there to heal from emotional pain, and he was there to heal from both emotional pain from the death of his wife two years earlier, as well as to fight off cancer. I was blessed to meet Bill and spend some time together with him for a short time. We spent much time together just relaxing and taking in life. We spent a few days together and drove cross-country over to Patzcuaro, Mexico to do some adventurous recreational shopping!! Ha! Ha! I was in search of some Blue Boots, and Bill felt inclined to help me in my search. After a full day of searching through dozen’s of Zapataria’s we finally ended our day at this sidewalk café’ and resigned with no success. After a leisurely break, two glasses of wine, and two cappuccinos we worked our way back toward Bill’s SUV and passed one more Zapataria. As I glanced at the window in passing there they were – the “Blue Boots” I was searching for. I dedicate my painting, “Blue Boots” to Bill who passed away this past February 2007. Bill lived life to the fullest, and I feel honored to have known him even for the short time that we had together. Salud, Bill! You will be missed and remembered! Peace & Love, Melanie

 

Solo Art Exhibition in Ajijic, Mexico October 2006

Guest reading inspiration for "Holding On" painting.

Philip, Gloria Coronado (Ajijic artist), and Melanie. "Very nice work! You transfer your feelings to the canvas. Love Phil & Gloria Coronado"

 

 

Melanie & Shelly Sunderland. "Wow! I love your work. Shelly Sunderland"

 

Past Exhibitions & Shows

"Journey of a Thousand Stones" Art Docents Presentation. I will be giving a one hour powerpoint presentation and talk to the Prescott Art Docents on Monday September 28, 2009 at 10:30 am at the PFAA center (Prescott Fine Arts Association) located at 208 N. Marina Street, Prescott, AZ. Hospitality begins at 10:00 am in the gallery. This is part of their Monday Speakers series. Open to the public. www.prescottartdocents.com

The Raven Cafe . The ACE Art Group will be exhibiting together at the Raven Cafe from September 20th thru November 2009. Members include: Melanie Banayat, Pia Davis, Bill Cramer, Emelina Figueroa, Pamela Dunmire, and Patricia Carberry. The Raven Cafe is one of the popular hip hot spots in Prescott with great food, wine & beer, and live entertainment. www.aceartgroup.com The Raven Cafe' is located at 142 N Cortez St. Prescott, AZ 86301-3016 contact: (928) 717-0009 www.ravencafe.com

Phippen Art Musem. Two of my paintings are on exhibit at the Phippen Art Museum. www.Phippenartmuseum.com

Nudes & Nature Exquisite Art Exhibition June 6 & 7, 2009. Beautiful Art, Wine, Fire Dancers and Live Music. 204 N. McCormick Prescott, Arizona. For more information (928) 458-9181.
Exhibiting Artists include: Melanie Banayat, Neil Orlowski, Ann Alexander, Joy Tkach, Robert Burford, and Michael Colbert.

Four Seasons Resort - Scottsdale, Arizona Friday February 6, 2009. I will be exhibiting along with all the members of The ACE Art Group. www.aceartgroup.com

Passion & Poetry Night Saturday February 14, 2009 "Valentine's Day". Located at the Wild Iris Coffeehouse in Prescott, Arizona. A romantic evening of chocolate, coffee, music, art, poetry and dance in a romantic, candlelit atmosphere. $28 single, $50 couple. The Wild Iris Coffee house will be donating 25% of the proceeds to the University of Arizona College of Medicine for the benefit of macular degeneration research in the Department of Ophthalmology.www.wildiriscoffee.com, www.grayleafgalleria.com, and www.AceArtGroup.com

Phippen Art Musem 'Buffalo Soldiers' Art Exhibiton November 15, 2008 Through February 22, 2009. Two of Melanie's paintings will be at the Phippen Art Museum during the Buffalo Soldiers Art Exhibition. All artists' work for this show will be representational of the historic and modern connotations that this diversity has created in our community. www.Phippenartmuseum.com

4th Friday Artwalk at the Grayleaf Galleria Friday October 24, 2008. Come meet many of the artist's at the Grayleaf Galleria during the 4th Friday artwalk. Grayleaf Galleria in Prescott, Arizona. Located at 124 Granite St. Prescott AZ. (928) 443-1503. www.grayleafgalleria.com

15th Annual Carefree Fine Art & Wine Fesitval October 31 - Nov 1st & 2nd, 2008. from !0 am - 5 pm daily. Located in Beautiful downtown Carefree, Arizona on the corners of Ho Hum & Easy Street. For more information about the festival please visit the official Thunderbird Artists website, or call their office at: (480) 837-5637.

18th Annual Sedona Arts Fesitval October 4 - 5, 2008. !0 am - 5 pm Saturday, and 10 am - 4 pm Sunday. Located in Beautiful Sedona, Arizona at the Red Rock High School. Featuring 150 of the nation's finest artists, plus live entertainment. For more information about the festival please visit the official Sedona Arts Festival website , or call their office at: (928) 204-9456.

Scandinavian Collection Showroom Gallery Wednesday May 21, 2008 - at the World Market Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Group Exhibition. Contact Scandiavian Collection in advance for admittance into the Market. 1-877-222-8606. Showrooms will be open. Meet the artists and watch the artists demonstrate their work.

Group Art Exhibition at the Division Street Frame Shop Saturday May 10, 2008 from 6 - 9 pm - located at 614 Division Street Prescott, AZ. Featuring three Prescott artists, Melanie Banayat, Bill Cramer and Lisa Kaiser.

Valley of the Arts -- "A Fine Art Walk" - Saturday April 5, 2008 - 10 am - 6 pm. Presented by Arrowhead and Arrowhead Lexus. . . . Featuring 15 Renowned and Rising Artists for a one day event showcasing their latest works. Located at Village at Arrowhead in Glendale, AZ. (Southwest corner of 67th Ave at the Loop 101. For more information email: valleyartsaz@aol.com. *This is a 'Must See' event for Serious Art Collectors and Art Enthusiasts!

1130 The Restaurant - Art Gallery - February 23 - March 20, 2008. Located at the Arizona Center at 445 N. 3rd Street. Su. 1130. For more information about 1130 the Restaurant call (602) 368-3046, or email 1130@1130therestaurant. You can read the Article about the event in the Arizona Republic read article

Fountain Hills Fine Art & Wine Affaire March 21 - 28, 2008. Located at 16810 E. Avenue of the Fountains, Fountain Hills, Arizona. For more information visit www.Thunderbirdartists.com

Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival February 29 - March 2, 2008. Located in Downtown Carefee, Arizona on the corners of Ho Hum & Easy Street. For more information visit www.Thunderbirdartists.com

Scottsdale 5th Avenue Fine Art & Wine Festival February 15 -17, 2008. Located on in downtown Scottsdale, Arizona 5th Avenue in Scottsdale between Scottsdale Rd. and Goldwater Blvd. For more information visit www.ThunderbirdArtists.com

'Las Vegas Market' on January 28 - February 1, 2008 located at the World Market Center in Las Vegas , Nevada The WorldMarket Center consists of numerous showrooms showcasing furniture and art to the designer trade located at 475 S. Grand Central Parkway Las Vegas, Nevada. On January 28-February 1, 2008 Melanie Banayat's artwork will be on exhibit at the Scandinavian Collection Showroom during this Las Vegas Market Event in Suite B-158 in Building B.

Trinity Cathedral "Imaging Christ" Juried Art exhibition through the month of January 2008. Located at the Trinity Catherdral in Downtown Phoenix.

Tempe Festival of the Arts November 30 – December 2, 2007 Located in the Mill Avenue District, Tempe, Arizona. Look for my booth on 6th Street (Booth # 6026) For more information visit www.tempefestivalofthearts.com

14th Annual Artfest of Scottsdale November 17 & 18, 2007 at the Scottsdale Civic Center mall (Plaza) *Look for me in Booth # 294 -- For more information visit www.888artfest.com

14th Annual Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival November 2 – 4, 2007 Located In Downtown Carefree at 101 Easy St,. Carefree, AZ www.ThunderbirdArtists.com

Prescott Professional Women's Conference November 9, 2007. Located at the Quality Inn Hotel in Prescott, Arizona. Melanie's Artwork will be on display throughout the Halls of the Hotel during the conference. Visit the official website for the conference at www.ppwc2007.com

Evening In The Pines Solo Exhibition Quality Inn Suites & Conference Center, Prescott. Arizona August 30, 2007

Mountain Artists Guild Summer Art Festival 2007, August 12 - 14 in the downtown Prescott Courthouse Square

Van Gogh's Ear Art Gallery Prescott, Arizona 2007

"La Siesta" Solo Exhibition Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico October 2006

Mirror Pond Art Gallery -- !Celebracion! A Celebration of Latino Artists
Group Exhibition, Bend, Oregon May 2005

Art Hop, Soleil, Group Exhibition, Bend, Oregon 2002