New Studio Work and Upcoming Show!!!

This piece, by Amy Nielsen, is the signature piece for the ARTS COLLECIVE next art show named, “A RIVER RUNS THRU US.” This upcoming show at Mid-Coast Art Gallery in Rock Island will feature artwork created by the Collective depicting in some way, the magnificent Mississippi here, and all around the Quad City Area. Dates and times TBA, so be sure to keep watching my site or The ARTS COLLECTIVE Facebook page…... We’ll be posting updates soon!

This piece was created this year for a girlfriend of mine in Nebraska. Her three year old Granddaughter is apparently quite “FIERCE” and loves spiders and snakes and bugs. This quote by Shakespeare fits her to a “T”. I was given the quote, some photographs, and a bit of background on her darling girlie girl and came up with this. I do hope that as it hangs in her bedroom, she will grow fond of it. I even hope she might give it to her daughter one day.

Had lots of fun with this one.

Watercolor, Sharpie Extra Fine Point.

Original 16X20.

E.M. CATICH: Disciplined Freedom in Action

The Art Legacy League is sponsoring an exhibit of Father Edward M. Catich’s artwork at the Bettendorf Public Library second floor Art Galleries from August 1 – 31, 2015.  

The work includes calligraphy, watercolor, drawings, stone inscriptions stained glass and printed works on paper. 

Click on the poster for more information!

Father Catich began his professional art career as a Chicago sign painter before establishing his own college Art Department in Davenport, Iowa. He taught generations of Quad City artists during his forty-year teaching career and is still recognized as the international authority of the Imperial Roman letter.

Catich was a champion of handwriting reform, an award winning watercolorist and stained glass window artist. He was a scholar, an author, a printer, a musician, a numismatist in addition to his skill as a secular and liturgical artist. Father Catich was consultant to Encyclopedia Britannica, Los Angeles County Museum and several architects across the country.

The entire Art Legacy League traveling exhibit of Father Edward Catich artwork is made possible by an anonymous collector and former apprentice of the late Father Catich.

Amy S. Nielsen, CORE FACULTY
Catfish Letter Arts School

Bettendorf Library calligraphy workshop I – beginner FREE!!!!! 
one hour introductory workshop as part of the Tuesday Evening lecture series during the exhibit.

Take your writing from ordinary to extraordinary in this not-to-be-missed introductory calligraphy workshop!  QC artist and calligrapher Amy Nielsen will lead students in a creative study of the PETRARCH ALPHABET which is one of the most important basic alphabets in western calligraphy developed by Fr. Catich.  

Using steel and felt-tipped pens, you’ll develop an understanding of all the basics to be able to write a semi-formal alphabet.

Calligraphy Supply List participants need to bring to the workshop!

1 black Marvy or other brand 3.5 felt tip calligraphy markers and/or a set of the two sided calligraphy markers. OR

1 each Schaefer or other brand 3 nib calligraphic fountain pen set with ink cartridges

Regular white 8 ½ X 11 computer paper (Bring lots because this is what we will practice on.)

Most of all bring a smile and lots of patience with yourself as this is an art where you must practice, practice, practice.

Bettendorf Public Library

2950 Learning Campus Dr

Bettendorf, IA 52722

Click HERE to be taken to the BPL website.

Quad City Symphony Orchestra: 100 Years, 100 Cellos

"PASSION," Creative work by Amy S. Nielsen.

The 2014-15 season marks the 100^th Anniversary of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. To cap off their historic season which opened with an appearance by pianist André Watts and ends with a performance of Beethoven’s glorious Symphony #9 "Ode to Joy”, world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma will give a one-night-only performance with the QCSO on May 14, 2015. 

In recognition of his appearance and our auspicious season and to benefit the mission of the QCSO, Volunteers for Symphony is launching "100 Years, 100 Cellos”, a fantastic collaboration of the art world and the music world that will place 100 painted (or decorated) cellos around the Quad Cities in the spring culminating with a ticketed event on May 29, 2015 (our actual anniversary) at the Figge Art Museum. At this event, the ticketed public will be able to see a display of all 100 cellos. Previous to that, at a pre-concert dinner before Yo-Yo Ma's appearance, attendees will be able to bid on 10 cellos selected for live auction.The symphony ordered 100 unfinished full-size cellos, which arrived Friday, February 6, 2015. 

The fundraising goal is to net $100,000 in support of QCSO music education programs. So many children benefit from the music we provide at no cost to the schools. These programs include School Engagement Tours and classroom visits, Symphony Day, Instruments for Kids and Students@Symphony. We also provide opportunities for young performers in our five orchestral training and performance ensembles (the QCSYEs).

I was fortunate enough to be included as a participating artist for this event. My inspiration for the decoration of this cello came directly from the sponsor of the cello, Maestro Mark Russell Smith, whose favorite color is red and who shares with me a love of abstract expressionism.  The surface of the cello became a canvas for me.  

It is passionately bright and shiny like instruments in the QCSO. I watched the first cello intently at a recent performance. As the cello moved with the music, the lights above hit it. The lights made it dance with the music. IDEA: Illuminate my red cello with shapes of real gold that connect the natural highlights flowing over and shaping this beautiful instrument. Variegated Red Leaf, 23K Deep Gold Leaf, 18K Lemon Gold Leaf and Silver Leaf shapes flow over and around the red cello in a syncopated pattern, illuminating, glowing, making it come alive. This piece will delight, as it changes colors and appearance in any light. Special thanks to Bruce Wood, Jeff Young, & Cleve Ray.