Kate Lanxner - Artist and Teacher
Kate Lanxner
An American and former Geneva resident, an art teacher for more than 25 years, and a published illustrator. She currently teaches in Montgomery County, Md. outside of Washington D.C. in the U.S.
After graduating from art school, she traveled to Paris and took part in a printmaking program at Atelier Contrepoint (formerly Atelier 17) in color etching and engraving, directed by the late Stanley William Hayter. She has not only taken to making art, but sharing her knowledge through The HeARTful Blog.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
by Kate Lanxner, The HeARTful Blog
Welcome back to the HeARTful Blog. In this article we will focus on a gallery that many readers would surely enjoy visiting, in the popular Eaux-Vives neighborhood, not far from the Jet d’Eau. Maybe you have just relocated to Geneva, or maybe you are a long-time resident, a tourist, or just love art~ this is a must-see. Love to travel? Love art history? Love anything vintage?
Galerie 123 has one of the most extensive collections of vintage travel posters in the world. It has been a fixture here since 1983. I passed by it every day on my walk home to an apartment when living in Geneva. With colorful vintage posters gracing the windows, it beckoned me inside to take a look. The displayed art changes regularly and is quite eye-catching.(see photos). The gallery’s website also offers a virtual tour as well as a huge amount of information on the art, the history, printing methods, and styles.
Only originals are offered for sale. There is also a selection of vintage enameled signs, and advertising cartons, from the early part of the 20th century.
The gallery is a great place to treat yourself to a leisurely stroll through history. It’s inspiring to artists and art lovers. In my own experience I found the staff to be welcoming and knowledgeable.
Pileated Woodpecker by Kate Lanxner with Caran d'Ache Supracolor pencils
by Kate Lanxner, The HeARTful Blog
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” Quote by spiritual writer Thomas Merton (from the newsletter of “Manor and Maker” an art retreat center in a chateau in the Dordogne, France)
With a good drawing pencil, a paintbrush, or a pottery tool in hand, even before we have made a mark, we’ve made the decision to express what is in our hearts and imaginations in a tactile way. It’s such a relief and so satisfying, if we work in our heads most of the day - often we don’t have much choice - analyzing, typing, sorting, planning, judging, editing… 9-5 at least, or for some people, 24/7 off and on in a continuous loop!
In this blog, I will most likely be concentrating on art-related subjects in and around Switzerland. But firstly, I am going to draw attention to a quintessential Swiss company - Caran d’Ache - which offers supreme quality which can enhance your results, to both professional and amateur artists, and to children in schools. It has been around since 1915.
Caran d’Ache colored pencils have enriched and been part of my life since 2010. I can’t remember where I first encountered their “Supracolor Soft” watercolor pencils, but I have never looked back! These pencils most usually come in a box set and last for years. When I was growing up, my mother bought us Caran d'Ache crayons, which were a step above the quintessentially American brand that is widely recognized: Crayola.
