Saturday August the first I "cut the ribbon" at the grand opening of my "Burcham Studio and Gallery". I have been working on the inside painting the walls a cool off white, (which were dark paneling), trying to keep caught up with my commissioned portraits and also teaching students for a month and half. I am posting a few photos, I may post more later.

Congratulations, Bobby.THis is wonderful news. Kids will make you feel younger and stronger and and even that you can fly if you want to.
I am so glad for you but regret i am not in the neighborhood to drop by and see you all at work.
Keep us posted on developments.
Already the sign and young happy faces introduce us in the atmosphere.
And don't forget the champagne .

I did celebrate with a bottle of "Miller High Life" the champagne of beers. And oh yes, I wish to thank Brenda for creating Drawspace and everyone on drawspace who helped give me the confidence to make this giant step. I'm in one of the poorest "small" towns in the state of Tennesse opening a gallery, with the economy as it is, but I am confident.

(You are lucky with your Miller. I drink only grapefruit juice and non alcoholic beer.)

But yes you deserved this studio. I am glad you finally did it.
One quick question. can you open a virtual studio also? Like a thread where people come with questions? Would be great.

A few more photos. I should add that these two teen agers are Courtney and Trinity and were my first students. And the young gentleman is very talented seven year old named Caleb, and draws so fast it is like watching a video in fast motion.

The photos are very good because I really feel I am there.It's a great feeling and I am really happy for you.I am already thinking how wonderful would be to have a newsletter and keep track of events, activities. Could be online or printed.

Excellent, Bobby! Congratulations!


Dave

Congrats! Good show!

People can look through my gallery and pm me with questions and then I could answer them in a thread in general forums.

I have many more photos I can add when I get time to shrink them. I am making a photo journal. I also had a lady who exhibited 31 of her paintings on the day of the grand opening. She only exhibited for one day and sold one painting. I welcome any artist or crafts persons to exhibit or even teach in the gallery. Another lady had her loom there and exhibited samples of shawls she had made.

Wonderful. I would love to see more photos. What a great thing to do Bobby. You make people happy. I am sure those ladies were very very happy.

Congratulations! Such wonderful project and beautiful atmosphere in your photos!

Bobby my first thought was how lucky those close by you are. I bet your community is delighted to have you as an artist but to have you so willing to teach and share your love of art, how fortunate they are. It makes them one of the "richest small" towns in Tennesse! I may have to take a detour on my way back home to Ohio sometime.

thats awesome! congrats!

Congratulation , I wish you much fun and many success.

I knew you would do it hun ...sorry we could not make the grand opening but I am sure it went well ...anything you seem to do does

a visit is in store soon .

Congratulations Bpbby!
You are living the dream! As others have said, the enthusiasm bubbles from your photos. May you have a happy and prosperous experience in your new venture. thanks for sharing it with us.
Regards,
Trish

What a wonderful step you have taken!
I love your sign very classy.
All the best in your new venture!

This is a photo of the cutting of the ribbon at the grand opening. The gentleman behind me to my left with the young man on his shoulders is the Perry County mayor. The lady on my left is the artist who had her show the same day of the grand opening. The two young gentlemen on my right are two of my grandsons. The lady next to them is their grand mother on their father's side. The Linden city mayor is to my left and has suspenders and a straw hat. Most of the others are members of the Perry County Arts Society. The lady in dark sunglasses is a good friend who has had two books published and is writing another one. She also wrote a play and is also a very good artists.

The pencil is a utility pole that was blocking the view to my window so I thought of a way to use it to attract attention to my gallery. The gentleman who cut my sign, the two young ladies and I helped him turn it into a pencil.

I remember you talked about doing that and now it is happening ...the pencils looks as I thought it would yet another brilliant idea ....I love the cutting of the ribbon picture ...having all that supported you there ...this is really a big step for you I am glad you took it

Bobby !!! I am so jealous !!!
How wonderful for you and those lucky children.. We ( The Art League ) do a Mentoring class every year for the Boys and Girls Club .. The Artists from my Art League spend a summer with 3 or 4 children per Artist to teach them from Beginning to End a full size painting .. Oils Acrylic or Watercolor.. We even have a lady who teaches the Art of Stain Glass.. She taught me 3 years ago and If I can learn ... anyone can learn..
I am so proud for you .. The rewards for this is many.. I see it when my students go out and actively use what they have learned.. I know you know what I am talking about .. Congrats Bobby .. keep us posted on new updates and how the program is working for you.. Would love to see the Art that comes from that building ..
Carol

Cool idea with the pencil!

Please, please send us more information and if you took photos please post them here, or maybe we should create a new thread. I would love to hear more about projects like we are discussing here and what you described. It is so exciting watching young people enjoy the arts and to be able to pass on the things we have learned, and possible make the path a little shorter for them by encouragement and some helpfull suggestions.

I have a huge gallery section in the building I've rented, it's over 40 feet long and about 13 feet wide. And that is not counting the front gallery where I have 15 of my pencil portraits displayed. It has two walls 10 feet high by 13 and the other is 18 feet long.

I will ask permission from my students to post some of their art.

Bobby

Bobby , I will round up a few photo's .. The kids I have worked with really love the attention.. a one on one with an Artist..

A classroom was tried with several at one time and it became more of a competition between them .. so because they are all different and still young with what they do , I had rather see a fresh mind without distraction.. The best part is when they start out with just a little sketch and with the building up they suddenly realize .. it becomes alive.. It is as tho they can't believe they actually did it .. What a thrill ..

I bet you won't have any trouble finding volunteers to show their work.. One thing I have noticed about most Artists .. We love the attention.. and when someone GETS what you are trying to say, that's the heart beating a hundred miles an hour feeling..
You are so blessed to have this wonderful building and what's even better you are using it wisely..
Carol

Yes, I have noticed a little "competition" spirit, but so far I haven't noticed anyone getting discouraged. I try to explain to them that what we are doing is only practice, practice, and more practice, and there is no judging and comparing allowed. Also, when there are different degrees of skill, or talent, in a group I try to give each one an assignment that is different and reflect their skill level or subject of interest. I even ask what they would like to learn to draw.

Once in a while one or two of my students will bring friends. I suspect I do a lot of older type baby sitting. I welcome this and don't charge the "friends", because it will usually bring more students. I also try to keep the classes small. Two or three is what I am comfortable with. More than that I don't feel I can give them the attention they need.

Bobby

Bobby

Wow look at you go. And now you are on a new adventure. Congratulations. It looks like you have a lot of support. Have fun.

This sounds like a great adventure Bobby. Good luck, and I hope you have every success.

Thanks for sharing the news Bobby. I wish you all the best.

I think this is so awesome bobby, last time i went to tennesse, We took the bike and went thru the blue ridge mtns..and some other areas, I just had to go to dollywood, i didnt get off the bike, i just toured thru the parking lot, just so i can say i went there...LOL
If I ever get that way again, I shall have to stop and see your place, and I will even step off the bike

Bobby that would be fun to gather a group to come down and see your gallery

uh oh! Better get some beer in Bobby!

If anyone from Drawspace came to visit we would definitely have a party of some type for sure.

If you have not already, you have to put a "No 2" on that big pencil outside.

Party+ Beer+ Linden=the whole bunch in jail. And don't ask me to pull any strings to get you out.

How about #1? Who wants to be number 2? I have to think of something to put on it.

And also, if you come join us, then "you know who" would have to pull some strings to get us all out. lol.

Hey, I neglected to tell you why I called. Thanks for your encouragement.

Bob

you know how the pencils have the mfg printed on the side, put your name there..that was really a great idea to turn that into a pencil..

And also, if you come join us, then "you know who" would have to pull some strings to get us all out. lol.

Hey, I neglected to tell you why I called. Thanks for your encouragement.

Bob


If 'you know who' is a he,then I doubt he has much pull right now. But you could invite him over to help with the Kids.

By the way , have you ever seen this. It is a pin I found in a box I have not open in a long while.

Click to view attachment

I was thinking of a she. I remember what my oldest son told me she told an officer to tell him several years ago.

I don't remember ever seeing the pin. Thanks for sharing. I would like a good photo of the old house on Coon Creek. A gentleman who now owns the land also owns the old Statley Hotel. He has renamed it.

Now I know who you was talking about. Everyone were lucky that she was working that night.

About the old house, I wonder what they would give for the painting you did of it that I have. It could be had for the right price.

WTG Stranger!!! Hehehehe...I knew you had it in you to teach a long time ago when you were still in that "insecure spot"...now you have a studio full of students, I am proud of you!!!

Lovely news Bobby, I wish you all the best. You deserve this and I know it will be a great success.

I know I'm a few weeks late, but I'll get that beer too anyway

cheers

Welcome back. Everything ok?

Clara I seen you have popped in to see me..I MISS you too my dear! Where have you been and are you coming back?? I hope all is well in your new area, and you are happy..

hugs to you
Kay

I should apologize for neglecting to update this tread. A lot has been going on at the Burcham Studio and Gallery. One event was a Fiber guild exhibit. Another was a show by an extremely talented young lady who does Japanese Cartoons, who is only seventeen. I see her working for a animation studio one day. She is very receptive to my encouragement and to my suggestions. It is like she is a 'potential' waiting for someone who has confidence in her. She had a "meet the artist" in my gallery and sold two of her works. At my first 'meet the artist' I only sold one. he he

I should also apologize for my lack of participation on Drawspace. In my defence I will say that I am working ten to twelve hours a day seven days a week at the gallery and studio doing pencil portaits. I also take the time in the mornings and evenings to check emails and check on Drawspace. It's Christmas rush time again and I am already doing two or three portraits a day for Santa. And I will have to do at least two a day just to get the ones I have already commissioned before Christmas, so I am sure there will be some late Christmas presents this year.

Bobby

Also, Burcham Studio and Gallery has a permanent occupant. His name is Joey and I believe he is my birthday gift. I had been to a birthday party one of my friends had given me and was on my way home and it was after dark. It was on a deserted road and I stopped because I recieved a call on my cell phone.

I instantly started hearing a pleading "meow" and finally saw a light gray tabby kitten coming toward me. I opened the door and he jumped into my pickup and started loving me as if I was an old friend. So I promised him that he had a home at my gallery. How anyone could have deserted such a beautiful and loving animal is unthinkable in my opinion.

Bobby

You're a real human being Bobby. That's a great looking cat! Love those ears!

Joey's eyes = "I` m the Boss - this would not make any mischief "

have fun with your gallery and good success with the Christmas rush

Some people have big guard dogs guarding the place, but you have "JOEY" what more could you need. You know if we heard his side of the story he probably rescued you. He is a pretty one, I am like you I don't understand people.

I expect to see a feline portrait at some point

Bobby, is nice to hear from you ... and Joey! Lovely! But be careful, as the probability that Joey will scratch his claws in any surface is proportional to the value of that surface (paintings, chairs, sofas)

Besides, guys, have you visited Bobby's blog? You should. Lovely drawings: http://bobbyburcham1.blogspot.com/

Bobby, where did you got that abandoned barn? I am working on a series on abandoned barns in ink, and your drawing is really outstanding. I love it!

Claudio

Thanks Claudio,

So far - he has only scratched on bare wood and a scratching post I bought for him.

Actually I think the picture you are talking about is an abandoned house with two sheds out back. The photos were given to me by a friend who knows that I like this sort of photos. I will post it and you are welcomed to draw or paint it. The original photo is on my other computer at the studio so I will have to try to remember to copy it to a sd card tomorrow.

Bobby