Tomorrow! and general list of Turner exhibits at this time

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow it starts, the actual painting process. Very excited! This is actually the best part of the process. And here's where other things stand:

• Funds finally, officially available.
• Amazon shipment of CF card + reader is on its way, thus unless something is very wrong with the camera/equipment in general, I should be able to have real pictures (although the web videos were kind of interesting
• Supplies' ordering was minorly delayed due to Mardi Gras. I love the idea of a company's taking time off for Mardi Gras --- a direct result of being in Louisiana, I suppose
• 2 painting surfaces prepared and ready to go. Enough of supplies and whatnot to start. Sort of wish I had my smaller brushes at hand, but you work with what you have....
• Between now and 5 weeks from now I will be sending surveys out re. rewards fulfillment through the Kickstarter system. Why so far removed from now? Because 70% of the rewards fulfillments depends on actually completing some of the project. But part of this blogging will contain regular updates re. that, and a few fun giveaways just to keep things more entertaining.

Now, I wish to present all with a list of Turner exhibits occurring at the current time:

• Cincinnati - The Taft Museum of Art in Cincinnati, Ohio is currently exhibiting a collection of watercolor paintings by in a show titled “J.M.W. Turner: Watercolors to Books” (on view until April 15, 2012. They demonstrate how the British artist broke new artistic ground with breathtaking watercolors reproduced as etchings to illustrate travel books, poetry, and novels. Would, of course, love a chance to view this, especially since my brother is there.

• Tate Britain - through April - Free Entry - Discover how Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775–1851) revolutionised two different kinds of image-making: watercolour and print. Colour and Line: Turner's experiments is a two-room display featuring works on paper by Turner, with a variety of experiments and interactive displays exploring his working methods and techniques.
  
• Margate, Kent, UK - After 161 years, JMW Turner is back in town for the first major exhibition of his work in Margate, the seaside retreat he repeatedly visited for what he claimed were "the loveliest skies in all Europe".The exhibition, which includes 12 oil paintings and 72 dazzling watercolours, is free. The Turner Contemporary gallery has at times been overwhelmed by its own success, attracting more than 350,000 visitors before it reaches its first birthday. There are emergency plans to introduce timed tickets if the crowds become unmanageable. "It's fair to say there has been a lot of excitement in the town about this show," said director Victoria Pomery.
• Edinburgh, Scotland (recently ended) - JMW Turner (1775–1851) was perhaps the most prolific and innovative of all British artists. Turner in January showcases thirty-eight of the artist’s watercolours, providing a remarkable overview of many of the most important aspects of Turner’s career.
  Bequeathed to the Gallery in 1899 by the distinguished collector Henry Vaughan, these outstanding works have been exhibited, as he requested, every January for the last 110 years. Vaughan wanted to limit their exposure to light so that they would be conserved; consequently, they are renowned for their excellent state of preservation.

And here's a famous yearly Contemporary Arts award given out in his name every year at Tate Britain: "At first the prize was awarded to 'the person who, in the opinion of the jury, has made the greatest contribution to art in Britain in the previous twelve months'. This meant that critics and art administrators were eligible as well as artists. [...] The prize was founded by a group called the Patrons of New Art. They were formed in 1982 to help buy new art for the Tate Gallery's collection, and to encourage wider interest in contemporary art. The Patrons wanted a name associated with great British art. They chose JMW Turner (1775–1851) partly because he had wanted to establish a prize for young artists. He also seemed appropriate because his work was controversial in his own day." Just how controversial, Turner would never have a chance to find out - Damien Hirst, the fellow who made cut-up cow cadavers an artistic feat won the award in 1995. So.... a mixed bag.

As an aside, folks might have noticed as well I have finally added a contributor's Hall of Fame to the blog sidebar. THis is the same list who will appear as contributors in the eventual catalog development of this series, sometime in the Summer/Fall. Anyone who contributed at the $10 level or above is eligible for inclusion, even those swell folks who chose to not be part of the rewards system. If you are one of those and have decided you want to appear, please leave a comment below!