What's New

12/28/10
I'm working on pieces for my summer solo at Delaplaine in which I'll be documenting the distance between two opposing concepts. These personal continuums, fixed in time, explore the gradual shift between things like desire and regret, or will and fate, and invite viewers to consider where these intersections occur in their own lives. 

For people who see the world in black and white, in absolutes, the distance between is irrelevant. You either are or you aren’t. You either do or do not. A white lie is just as bad as life in prison. They can’t appreciate the gradual descent, the slow, silent slide into a different state of being.  For those of us who can see the grays, the distance between is viewed as a continuum where one can shift left or right, up or down. We may not realize our movement along the line, between the planes, until we reach a different spot. And once there and cognizant of our new location along this continuum, we face the distance between quiet acceptance and self-loathing.

Apart from one large piece, The Distance Between Sorrow and Song, this installation will consist of paired paintings connected by rope. Also new is painting on wood panels. My favorite, acrylics and charcoal, will still be used, and there will be drilling to insert the rope after the painting is done. Eek...


Another cool thing on the horizon is that I'll have the opportunity to immerse myself in painting for an extended period of time -- haven't done that since college -- at a week-long residency at Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center this spring.


Great Show Upcoming @ Studio Gallery

12/22/10

The Magic of the Melting Pot: 
Immigration in America

Shahla Arbabi, Joan Belmar, Jon Benjamin, Graham Boyle, Susan Cho, Natalie Guerrieri, Esther Hidalgo, Juan Hernandez, Linda Hesh, Cesar Maxit, Favianna Rodriguez, Lou Stovall, Aniekan Udofia, Solomon Wondimu

2108 R Street N.W. Washington, DC 20008 202.232.8734

EXHIBITION: January 5 - January 29, 2011
Opening Reception, Friday January 7, 6 - 9pm
Author Talk: Steve Roberts, Wednesday January 12, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Artist Panels January 19 and 20th: 7 - 9 p.m.

Painters, Pacifists, Revolutionists and Dreamers have all contributed to the beauty of Art and Culture in America. Studio Gallery applauds the unique American spirit in this show featuring the diverse work of artists all informed or influenced by the immigrant experience.

This show is made possible by a grant from the CrossCurrents Foundation and Theo and Konstantina Margas.

Landscape + Abstraction

12/3/10

Here's a video from Tame Impala that puts them together and throws in some awesome sounds. Speaking of mixing landscapes and abstraction, two of my pieces are in Studio Gallery's All Member Show through December 23rd. Stop by the opening tonite if you can: 6 - 8pm at 2108 R St. NW. I'd love to see you there!

A Cornucopia of Opportunities

11/21/10

A [horn of] plenty of opps are open for your submitting pleasure...

Cartoon Cult
The Soundry in Vienna, Virginia
Celebrating contemporary cartoons, cartoon characters,comic strips, digital animation, illustration, anime, and videogames (emphasis on original characters)
Due 11/25/10
Show dates: December 4 - January 4, 2011
Fee $25 for up to 5 pieces
Full deets

The Living Gallery
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center in Solomons, MD
Annmarie seeks artists working in any media to submit proposals to set up a working studio space in the Main Gallery for 1-2 week periods. Through this exhibition, artists gain exposure, sell artwork, and work in a free studio space in a beautiful setting. This is a nice occasion for a serene retreat to immerse yourself in your artwork. Future group or solo show opportunities may also be awarded.
Due 12/16/10
Fee $20
Full deets

Art on Paper National Juried Exhibition
Maryland Federation of Art, Annapolis
Juror: Johanna Halford-MacLeod. Any 2D or 3D work on or of paper will be considered.
Fee: 1 or 2 entries: $35 (MFA members $20); additional 4 entries $5 each. Up to 6 max.
Due 1/14/11
Show dates: March 18 - April 17, 2011
Full deets

Flashpoint RFPs  
Flashpoint, a Cultural Development Corporation (CuDC) project, Washington DC
Artists interested in exhibiting their work at the Flashpoint Gallery in the 2011–12 season can download the RFP, which includes information about the program, guidelines and an application form. Each artist/project selected for funding will be awarded up to $2,500. 
Fee $30
Due 1/1/10
Full deets

The Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
Ranked #78 on the 200 Best Shows by Sunshine Artist Magazine in 2008, making it the highest ranked fine art show in Maryland! All original fine art and fine craft are eligible to apply, including but not limited to jewelry, painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture, wood, furniture and drawing. 150 booth spaces are available. The show boasts 20,000 visitors over the course of the two-day show. Artist amenities include free breakfast, lunch and parking; as well as $2,500 in artist awards.
Festival dates: May 14, 10am-6pm and May 15, 10am-5pm
Due 12/10/10
Application fee $30
Full deets
 
10th Annual International Photography Competition
The Fraser Gallery in Bethesda, MD
An international photography competition; $950 in awards.
Show dates: February 11 - March 5, 2011
Fee: $25 for 3 entries
Due 1/4/11
Full deets

22nd National Drawing and Print Competitive Exhibition 
College of Notre Dame of Maryland Gormley Gallery, Baltimore, MD
Exhibit Dates: March 28 - April 29, 2011
Due 1/31/10
Fees: $30 for 3 entries 
Full deets 

Academy of Fine Arts National Juried Show
Lynchburg, Virginia
Over $3000 in awards, with $1000 Best In Show Award. Juror: George Billis. Open to U.S. residents, 18 years or older, working in the following disciplines; painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, fiber, glass, ceramics, wood, metal and mixed media. No photography accepted.
Show dates: April 1-30, 2011.
Due 2/4/11
Fee: $35 (for 3 entries)
Full deets

Plume

11/20/10

Something new in my small boxes on fire series. In this piece, all text is located inside the box. This painting is more of a true landscape than any of my work in this series. 

Plume
Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
50 x 36 inches
2010

Slammin' the Gavel To Support artdc Gallery

11/20/10

Stephen and I both have a piece up for grabs. This is a wonderful opportunity to own local art to add to your collection, or to start collecting. The piece I'm offering is one of my earliest textscapes in acrylic on acrylic sheet. Stephen is offering Nemesis.


Silence
Acrylic on Acrylic
20 x 32 inches

Nemesis
Stephen Boocks
Acrylic on Canvas
36 x 36 inches

Who: artdc Gallery and Fine Art Ventures, LLC
What: Auction Fundraiser
Where: 5710 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781
When: December 4, 2010
            Preview 5:15 p.m.
            Auction 6:15 p.m.

The artdc Gallery is pleased to announce our Gallery Auction Fundraiser on December 4, 2010.  Two years ago we developed our Hyattsville Gallery project as a result from our first auction, which we hosted at the Wohlfarth Gallery.  Since then, we have developed over 20 gallery exhibitions dedicated to representing the work of Washington, DC-area artists and developing awareness of our vibrant art scene. 

We’ve expanded our presence, and worked hard on the development of two additional pop-up gallery exhibitions in Arlington, VA with efforts to reach beyond Maryland and DC. 

We’ve started an art collection based off of works that ardc (Fine Art Ventures, LLC) has purchased to create an exhibition of area work that’s hung in our space.

We are growing and giving back to the community with our activity, and now we need your support.  We’ve assembled a tremendous exhibition, which is on display now at the artdc Gallery.  Fifty percent of all sales developed through the auction at the close of this show will support our activity, pursuit of pop-up galleries, and Web presence. 

Our auction is a tremendous opportunity to add to your collection and cover your walls at great prices while supporting artists and a grassroots movement.  Artists are offering amazing savings in the effort to support the Gallery.

Cheryl Edwards will act as the auctioneer.  She will provide an active and exciting environment for bidders and patrons.

Don’t miss this opportunity to own a great work of art.  Support our efforts and keep artdc moving forward.

Artists include:
Grayson Heck, D.B. Stoval, Mei Mei Chang, Wayson Jones, Sean Hennessey, Alexandra Zealand, Kimberly Stark, Christopher Brady, Heather Schmaedeke, Ric Garcia, Kelly Pearl, Cheryl Edwards, Tom Cardarella, Sarah M. Swift, Philip Yabut, Lori Anne Boocks, Stephen Boocks, Joe Rogers (Aiven), Paul T. Farley, Alan Rich, Ian Doherty, Angela Kleis, Jesse Cohen, and more.

Learning the Ropes

11/16/10


I can't say enough wonderful things about this blog about the business of art. It's helped me stay motivated and on top of things like organization (ugh). Whether you've been in the game a while or you're new to it all, check out Alyson B. Stanfield's artbizblog.

Exploring the Creative Process

11/5/10

Women need loneliness to create, without interference.
Heard this in an NPR interview with singer Buika, whom I've never heard before. Lovely, lovely voice. Smooth and rough at the same time. 
Just last year, Buika worked with the legendary, gun-toting, 91-year-old singer Chavela Vargas. Vargas, she says, unlocked the prison door of loneliness for her — by explaining that women need loneliness to create, without interference. 

"So, to me, [it] was like a boom. Like a big boom in my head," Buika says. "Because I was so scared of loneliness. So scared of loneliness. Because when you are alone, you hear yourself. And I didn't want to hear myself."
I think this is very true for me as an artist. I often thought I wasn't interacting enough with people during the creative process, but it's also emotionally taxing working alone, no warm bodies in a neighboring studio, just me and my thoughts pouring out on canvas. But this aloneness is what forces me to take it all down to the bone, reformulate it, and then pull it outside of myself for all the world to see. Or at least for some of the Metro DC area to see.

Happy Halloween!

10/30/10

Have fun, be safe, and check out this scary cool event:

Ofrenda - Art for the Dead 
An art exhibition of local artists' shrines, altars, paintings, photography, music, dancing, magic and spoken word based on the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) tradition.

Torpedo Factory Art Center
105 N Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Party Saturday, Oct 30, 2010 from 4pm - 10pm
Exhibit open to the public from Oct 28 - Nov 9, 2010
No Cover, Cash Bar
Details 



2010 Artists include:

Michael Auger
Jennifer Beinhacker
Andrea Collins
Jackie Ehle
Emily Greene Liddle
Jeannette Herrera
Kevin Irvin
Jessica Jastrzebski
Paul Jutton
Lori Katz
Fareeha Khawaja
Matthew Michae Malone
Carolina Mayorga
Heather Miller
Shannon Peshkopia
Lisa Rosenstein
Skeeter Scheid
Heather Schmaedeke
Constance Springer Zabowski
Kimberly Keyes Stark
Henrik Sundqvist
Roy Utley
 
Artomatic's hair- and fund-raising event Surreal DC is sold-out, but if you were one of the lucky souls to get tickets, have a blast!

Artist Interview: Daniel Calder

10/1/10

As a non-objective painter, there's nothing that gets me salivating more than an amazing non-objective painting. The kind I could lose myself in for hours at a time. The kind like Daniel Calder's. But Daniel does more than paint...


Cling
Acrylic on Panel
36 x 36 inches
2009 

Q: Do you paint intuitively, with a hardcore plan, or somewhere in between?

A: The primary series of my paintings is built on a favored motif which was arrived at through conceptual and formal considerations. I deviate from this from time to time to pursue other trains of thought but never abandon it. The arrangement of the vertical forms in my work is a device for examining the relationship of individuals to a group or set. A grid or schematic serves as a starting point. From this beginning I work to blend presence with absence. I see the forms as alternating between part empty and part full with the structure of the overall composition varying accordingly. It is a metaphor for family, identity, and existence.

My work is motivated by my experiences with my sense of self and identity in the context of changing family knowledge (and revealed familial history) and the consideration of various ideas, both historic and personal about the nature of existence.

All art is about existence.

Q: Who is your biggest influence and why?

A: That’s a tough one – the influences of my work are rather slippery and varied. Though I try not to let another artist’s work dictate the look of mine there are many things and people that qualify as influences. Such as; the drama and contained energy of Gericault, the search for un-dogmatic profundity of Richard Dawkins, and the economy of Malevich.

Q:  A lot of artists have that one piece in their studio that they would never ever sell. Tell us about yours.

A: I think I sold it. In any case, when I do a painting like that I resist the urge to keep it. I find that the memory of it serves me better than having it readily accessible. Sometimes the memory is better. The thing I treasure is the intellectual construct I crafted to allow these paintings to be possible.

“Thanks, I’m good,” says Daniel Calder, to drivers who paused at the intersection of Broad Street and Staples Mill Road last week. The rest of his audience whizzes by at about 40 miles per hour, blowing his hair, voice and sign in the wind. For two weeks, as a kind of performance art piece, Calder has ventured out to the intersection sporadically, usually around noon. In the middle of a 3-foot-wide median in one of Richmond’s busiest intersections, he holds a sign that says: “I don’t need anything. Thanks.” 
Calder, 39, says he’s been an artist all his life. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a master’s degree in painting in 1990 and is a member of 1708 Gallery. Now he’s framing pictures while he’s in the midst of a career change. “It’s an interesting social experiment,” he says of his outings. Calder seems to be getting a lot of positive response. He says most people who see him give him a thumbs-up. “I get lots of waves,” he says. Still, Calder says, “many people can’t seem to get their heads around it.” He speculates that some people probably think he’s a jerk; others seem to be relieved that he’s not someone in need. “It’s the madness of art,” he says. “It’s not all explainable.” — Stephen Salpukas,  Style Weekly
Check out the video here, and see his paintings online at ArtQuiver. Thanks, Daniel, for the opportunity to learn more about you.

October Opp-o-rama

9/29/10

Don't be afraid to enter these great opportunities...

BlackRock Center for the Arts: Proposals for 2011 Shows
Germantown, MD
Fee = $35
Due 10/30/10
Full deets

Greater Reston Art Center: Proposals for 2012 Shows
Reston, VA
Fee = $25 ($10 if you are a member)
Due 10/17/10
Full deets

The Soundry: TechnoPunk 1801-2099
Unjuried visual & performing arts
Vienna, VA
Fee = $25 for up to 5 pieces
Commit to submit using this link by 10/13/10
Artwork due to The Soundry by 10/16/10

Artists Wanted: Art Takes Miami
Your own feature at SCOPE 2010, $10K and a trip to Miami
Fee = $10 per image
Due 10/27/10
Full deets

Artist Interview: Marcie Wolf-Hubbard

9/25/10

I met Marcie at the reception for UMUC's Mind, Body, Spirit: Celebrating Regional Women Artists. Her Rock Creek Trees, painted in acrylic on tar paper was displayed near my piece and was a smaller work, like mine. And her vibrant painting was one of my favorites in the show.

She teaches classes for children and adults in her studio at Pyramid Atlantic Arts Studio, with accommodations offered for students with special needs to ensure access and provide full participation. Marcie can communicate in American Sign Language and has experience working with deaf and hard of hearing students. She earned a B.A. in Studio Art from the University of Maryland, College Park.



Yours Truly
Encaustic painting, charcoal drawing with mixed
media,oil stick, collage elements and wax.
14”H x 9.75”W x .5”D
2010

Q: What's the one thing you'd like people who aren't familiar with you/your work to know about you?

A: I’m honest. I guess it must translate to my work because I’m focusing on what I’m seeing. It is something I value and feel compelled to investigate or look at further. I may be revealing something internal as I incorporate text into my mixed media paintings.

Q: What's your favorite piece from your recent show and why?

A: “Yours Truly,” a charcoal and encaustic painting that includes a postcard collage, is my favorite piece from my series of figure and encaustic painting. In "Yours Truly" the woman's posture does not look relaxed, but ready for new experiences, energetic and upbeat. She is thinking about what’s to come. The lines I’ve drawn in the wax background, which derive from the style of my charcoal drawing, convey her potential energy.

I feel “right on” with the amount of color, the intensity of color and the color of the rustic-looking wood. The postcards give another sense of time to the artwork--- history, including a photo of a lone person standing on the sidewalk. I've combined these elements and it is not an obvious message, but has a spirit about it. She feels young and vibrant; I like that.

Q: Do you paint intuitively, with a hardcore plan, or somewhere in between?

A: For the purpose of illustration, I have a definite plan. I’ve been working on illustrations for my husband’s children’s book, “The Shiny Shell,” an environmental fantasy about a boy who is befriended by a dolphin. The two travel to another galaxy where they attend “The Gathering.” The dolphin introduces the boy to sea creatures at The Gathering where they work together to solve ecological problems. I have been using a combination of charcoal drawing and encaustic painting in this series. I love the gentleness that can be conveyed in charcoal and have been pleased with the dreamlike quality achieved by combining the drawings with encaustic painting. My plan is to paint in wax with the charcoal drawings for the final children’s book illustrations.

I approach other subjects differently. In my landscape plein air painting or in painting in the studio I work on a composition which begins with a drawing, either in pencil, charcoal or loose brush. I aim to retain the energy of the drawing in my painting. The starting point of the drawing may be intuitive rather than planned.

Q: Who is your biggest influence and why?

A: Larry Rivers and Richard Diebenkorn first come to mind. I’ve always loved seeing the evidence of drawing, and energy in their paintings. I especially like Diebenkorn’s involvement with geometry in lines, planes and areas of color. A few years ago I saw the John Alexander retrospective exhibit at the American Art Museum. I am inspired by the energy of his brushwork, and the richness of color and contrast of light in his paintings. I am very much drawn to the color palette of local painter Ellyn Weiss. I also admire the sensibility of line in her drawing. Colors in her individual paintings feel right together. I was fortunate to have Ellyn give me a tutorial in encaustic painting.

Q: For your recent show, did you do anything differently... new techniques, subject matter, palette, etc.?

A: I’m joining my husband in an artist’s market, and am bringing my smaller, “more affordable” paintings done on a smaller scale -- approximately 5” x 9”. I’m varying the palette, but continue to lean towards the blue/aquas.

Q: What do you feel is the best thing about being an artist in the DC area?

A: Many things come to mind, such as access to the museums (Smithsonian Museums, National Gallery of Art, The Kreeger Museum, The Katzen Art Center at AU); Rock Creek Park and Great Falls National Park; life drawing sessions; and my studio at the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center. One of the best things about being an artist in the DC area is the Artomatic experience. Its a reminder that we really have an art community breathing with life. Artomatic brings a greater audience to view art and to participate in art. It’s inviting, fun, daring and it’s a season when our area comes alive.

Q: As an artist, what have you noticed outside of DC?

A: Visiting other places can be good for the soul.

I have visited Philadelphia five or more times in the past three years and feel that Philadelphia supports its artists (and vegetarians.) I’ve learned that the city of Philadelphia has the most murals in any city in the world. It's obvious that the city is innovative in ways to support artists and has been successful in implementing outreach for individuals related to arts in healthcare settings, in healing, and for at-risk youth. It seems to be celebrated. Being in the area of the Old City, you see the energy that art brings to the area in the galleries, the foot traffic -- it just always seems lively when I visit.

Last year I had the opportunity to spend two weeks in Southwestern VA teaching an artist residency at Covington High School. Over the two week period, I visited Lewisburg, WV, Lexington, VA, and Roanoke VA. I was overtired after driving non-stop to get to Covington, but accompanied my host to attend an informative lecture at The Divas and Iron Chefs of Encaustic exhibit at Washington and Lee University, in Lexington, VA. Many people came to hear the lecture and enjoy the art and reception. I visited Lewisburg, WV twice and was able to speak with gallery owners and others in the town. The first Friday art evening in Lewisburg was popular. I was very impressed with the revitalized area of historic downtown Roanoke. Roanoke’s Artist Open Studios were well-attended and people were enthusiastically buying art.

It was great to travel in New England last month. Highlights in viewing art: Visited the Corning Museum of Glass for the first time and highly recommend it. It was our second visit to MASSMOCA in the Berkshires - always exciting. We attended an author’s talk at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art and I felt inspired to see the range of children’s book illustration in a beautiful museum. It was great to draw and enjoy the scenery. I feel fortunate that I was able to visit Maine this Summer and spend time canoeing to private places and drawing in the beautiful unpopulated areas in peace and quiet.

Q: How would you describe your recent work?

A: My encaustic paintings can be rugged with the wood support and textural elements, but I retain my focus on the grace of the figure. I have loved re-immersing myself in figure drawing and combining drawing with wax painting adds to my excitement. The effect produced by applying wax to charcoal drawing is that of an image floating on vellum. The “back and forth” of additive collage imagery is married with encaustic’s mysterious depth and transparency. Drawing and carving into the wax with a tool and then applying pigment augments the sense of energy in the brushwork.

Here are some comments I’ve received about the series:
“How wild and calm it is at the same time, the lines are wild and fast...love it.”
“Harmony as well as contrast in colors...great achieved balance.. Exquisite use of media...”
“I love the tonal quality and the colors...Pow! You've aroused my taste in art buds with this series.”

Thanks, Marcie! It was great to get to know more about you and your work. 

17th Street Festival @ Dupont Circle

9/24/10


The 17th Street Street-scape Project commenced in December 2009 and is now in its final stage of completion. Residents, businesses and visitors have patiently endured this lengthy process as a collective whole, and will finally get to enjoy the end result! From businesses to the local school and residents to local organizations, our collaboration brings about this unique event. Come celebrate with us!

Saturday, September 25th
2:00-6:00 PM
Free movie at Stead Park 8 PM
Learn more>>

Studio Gallery will be among the artists/galleries represented. There'll be musical performances throughout the afternoon, artist vendors, a pet zone, a kids zone, auction tent, and exposure for non-profit groups and appearances by city officials to celebrate the unveiling of our new street-scape.

Reception Saturday

9/10/10

If you're in the DC area tomorrow, stop by Studio Gallery from 4-6 pm for a reception featuring my husband's wonderful truffles. Oh, and my art. Hope to see you there!

Red Deluge (After Me)

9/7/10
Red Deluge (After Me)
Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
48 x 70 inches
September 2010


This piece is the large work-in-progress in my profile pic. Having worked in a prison, I am intrigued by lines, both literally and figuratively, so I plan to incorporate them into more work.

A Great Night

9/4/10

Thanks to everyone who dropped in last night at First Friday. If you couldn't make it, I hope you can stop by Saturday the 11th from 4 to 6pm. I really enjoyed being part of the conversation; it's always insightful to talk about your work with people who don't know you and who've never seen the work before. Another artist said my pieces looked like they had a lot of history. I'd never really thought about the paintings having their own baggage but I'm glad they give that impression. 

Please Drop By

9/1/10

The work is up, the wine is chilled, and First Friday is almost here. I hope you can drop by.

My Interview at Artists Speak

8/31/10

Artists Speak is interviewing artists about the state of art today, and how this condition relates to society and the artist as an instigator.  Check out my interview and those of a variety of artists working in a wide range of media. Thanks for the opportunity, Artists Speak!

Time for Some More Opps

8/30/10

Small Wonders National Juried Exhibition
Maryland Federation of Art
2D or 3D not exceeding 11" in any dimension
Show info: MFA Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD 12/1-28/10.
Juror: Jule Cavnor, Maryland Art Place, Baltimore, MD
Awards totaling $1000
Due 9/15/10
Fees: $30 for 1 or 2 entries ($20 for MFA members); $5 each for any additional entries up to 6.
Download prospectus

Literary Reference Exhibit
Howard County Arts Council
Due 10/1/10
Fees: Appears to be free 
Bodies of work that reference literature or literary themes or ideas, but are not explicitly illustrative. Work must fit through a doorway measuring 54 x 80” and fit appropriately in the HCAC gallery.
Download prospectus


14th Annual National Juried Show
Gallery West in Alexandria, VA
Show Dates: 2/9 - 3/6/11
Cash awards of $1,000
Juror: F. Lennox Campello
Open to all local and national artists over 18 years old. Original fine art in any medium. No videos or reproductions.
Fee: $35.00 for up to 3 original 2D or 3D works
Due 11/12/10
Prospectus & full details

New Work (August 2010)

8/22/10

For my upcoming two-person show at Studio Gallery in September...

An Inside Job
Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
22 x 28 inches


Black Box Memories
Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
22 x 28 inches


Nothing But Blue Skies
Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
22 x 28 inches


Small Box on Fire
Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
22 x 28 inches


Where There's Smoke
Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
22 x 28 inches

Nothing like a little pre-show anxiety

8/8/10

It's about three weeks until my first show in ages so Stephen made me watch New York Stories last night...

Pour / Burn

7/25/10

For my September show at Studio Gallery entitled small boxes... some on fire.

Pour / Burn
Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
38 x 58 inches
2010

Travelogue: Eastern State Penitentiary

7/24/10

If you ever get a chance to visit Eastern State Penitentiary, you won't be disappointed. Whether you're into penal history, art, urban decay or historic preservation projects, this Philadelphia landmark has everything. As they state on their website, "Bring a camera: And extra film. Eastern State may be the most photogenic place you see in years!" They're not kidding. I'm no photographer by any stretch but, with subject matter this rich, my amateur shots looked pretty cool.

Left: Barber Shop Chair, Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, PA

The self-guided audio tour is narrated by Steve Buscemi, and offers just enough detail to keep you informed but moving through at a steady pace. There are additional stops along the way where you can delve deeper with the audio component. Special tours are offered as well, though I'm not sure if these are a daily happening.

They hold a haunted house called "Terror Behind the Walls" that helps fund artist installations. Very cool.

Here's a slideshow from the visit. Go full screen with 'em -- the textures and colors are amazing there.



July Opps Round-Up

7/6/10

CITY Gallery's First Annual Juried Exhibit - Due 7/12/10
Open to artists 18 years of age or older working in oil, pastels, watercolor, glass, ceramic, sculpture, photography and mixed media. Full details

The District of Columbia Arts Center's 1460 Wall Mountables - Install 7/21/10
On Wednesday, July 21 DCAC will open its doors at 3pm, beginning a three-day installation process during which artists can purchase up to four 2' x 2' spaces at $15 each (max 4 spaces) to hang their work. Full details

Washington School of Photography Permanent Exhibit
Due 7/30/10 Full details

An Interview with Kelly Perl



Kelly Perl's Fast Food Fortress #1


DC-based architectural and industrial photographer Kelly Perl is a fellow artdc forum member, and I recently had a chance to learn more about her work. From her website: Interestingly enough, much of what I shoot is no longer in that form within a few months. I love how she's documenting the processes of both decay and building, sometimes in the same shot.  

Q: What's the one thing you'd like people who aren't familiar with you/your work to know about you?

A: I am an architectural photographer, and I shoot parts of buildings or groups of buildings to find abstract compositions within them. In fact, I’d consider shooting only one building for my art a sort of plagiarism.

Q: Why photography?

A: I had a latent interest in photography when I was a kid, even had a friend whose parents had a darkroom, but my folks didn’t have much disposable income so I didn’t think about it seriously at the time.

One day in 1999, I was in Pittsburgh and saw railroad tracks, possibly abandoned, built against a small hill. I told myself if I ever came that way again, I’d have a decent camera and take pictures. I’ve never been there since but within a year I did have a 35mm film camera.

Q: Do you shoot intuitively, with a hardcore plan, or somewhere in between?

A: Somewhere in between. I shoot in the field so I have to have an idea where I’m going that day. I tend to spend a few weeks in a general area and then go somewhere else. Recently, I have been shooting up and down Rhode Island Avenue in the Gateway area and I’ll just go where my eyes want me to go. I often go back to places to reshoot, and my best picture will be something I haven’t planned at all.

I am an economist by profession and only started taking pictures in my mid-thirties. I have to be attuned to the nonverbal and nonmathematical and be willing to follow an impulse all the way to exhibiting something. I have works that I think are good and cannot tell you why. Fast Food Fortress #1 (above) is one of those.

Q: What are you thinking of working on next?

A: Unconventionally shaped work. Right now I have a triangular work that is the real art within a photo of a wall in Brentwood, Maryland. I also have a row of warehouses in DC that I’m trying to fit in triangular form.

Q: What do you feel is the best thing about being an artist in the DC area?

A: For a photographer, it’s that there are many people working different processes. I shoot 35mm digital and medium format film, in color. Even the medium format is conventional when there are photographers in the area who make tintypes, use a Holga for serious work, shoot large format pinhole, or play with emulsions.

Visit her website to see more of her work. Thanks, Kelly! And keep shooting :)

Explorations: New Member Show at Studio Gallery

6/24/10

Nine new members. Two floors of art to explore. 

If you're local, please drop by and say hello during one of the three receptions being held. I have several pieces up as well as fellow SG members Pam Frederick, Elizabeth Grusin-Howe, Carolee Jakes, Flora Kanter, Peter Karp, Gene Markowski, Veronica Szalus, and Angelika Wamsler. I'd love to see you there!

Exhibit Dates: June 23 - July 17, 2010
Artist's Reception: Saturday, June 26, 4 - 6 pm
First Friday Reception (as part of the Dupont Circle Galleries openings): July 2, 6 - 8 pm
Reception: Friday, July 9, 6 - 8 pm

2108 R Street N.W. Washington, DC 20008
202.232.8734
Gallery Hours:
Wednesday and Thursday, 1 - 7pm
Friday, 1 - 8pm
Saturday, 1 - 6pm

An Interview with Nancy Frankel


Water Falls by Nancy Frankel

6/23/10

In her solo show, Summer Steel +, Nancy Frankel’s new steel sculptures combine the interplay of space and form, delicate balance, and playfulness. Also on display are her fired clay reliefs, which grew out of an experience two years ago in a Plein Air group with Russian and Bulgarian artists in Bulgaria.

To see Water Falls and Nancy’s other wonderful work on display, drop by Studio Gallery during one of the receptions and talk with this wonderful artist who has given so much to the local arts scene.

June 23 - July 17, 2010
First Friday Reception (as part of the Dupont Circle Galleries openings): July 2, 6 - 8 pm
Reception: Friday, July 9, 6 - 8 pm
Artist's Reception: Saturday, June 26, 4 - 6 pm

Q: What's your favorite work from the show and why?

A:  Usually my favorite piece is the one I’ve just finished but that isn’t the case this time. The frame for Water Falls had been given to me in the past and had been in my studio for a year. I like that it’s using color, and that it’s curvilinear. Water Falls wasn’t created in the typical way I work -- I didn’t plan it ahead of time, and I had to create it by bending and curving the steel then attach the steel to the frame. I had no preconceived idea about what it would look like completed. My steel pieces have to be thought out ahead time, even though when working with wax and playing with sketches I can be spontaneous until something takes hold. Once I get the specific idea down, I then have to be very careful about the model.  With Water Falls, I could take a very different approach.

Q: What kinds of opportunities have you had as artist in the DC area during your career?

A: I’ve been in DC a long time -- 40 years -- and have been active as an artist with several organizations during this period. I’ve been with Studio Gallery since the 1980s, and it’s been a great place for me to connect with other artists and get good exposure. Here, there is no dictation about what to display or what sells. I’m also a part of the Washington Sculptors Group, and they exist to provide opportunities to show and make connections. I’m also a member of a group of women artists who meet once a month -- the First Sunday Group. It’s a fluid group with a solid core.

Q: If you could wish for one major change in the local art scene, what would it be?

A:  The DC art scene’s shortcoming is the lack of attention to given to arts and lack of  respect for local artists. The local papers often ignore local artists. Maybe this lack of interest is due to the fact that we’re surrounded by national galleries and also how close we are to New York. I wish people would pay attention to the vibrant art scene here, which unfortunately seems mostly underground.

New DC Area Art Rag: Stamp Magazine

6/20/10

Artist/Designer Jason Nickens is publishing a new art magazine to answer the question, "Where has all the good art gone?" Here's a teaser of the magazine to give people a view of the publication before its printed. It features the work of Washington Metropolitan artists.  It's funded by the DC Commission and will be distributed throughout the city.

From the STAMP blog:

STAMP is a new catalog style magazine, created to be a platform that will serve as a voice for artists to promote and share their artistic expression throughout the community and beyond. STAMP offers the opportunity for any artist with a passion for their work to be promoted on the blog and perhaps the magazine. We encourage all artists who wish to have their work seen, or just need a visual stage, to submit their work to STAMP. To be considered for any of the upcoming issues or the blog, simply email STAMP at stampmagazine@jasonnickens.com. Please include a short biography, any contact information (website, email), and at least 5 hi-res works you want featured. That's it!!! Enjoy the artists and uploads on STAMP!!!

Out and About

6/19/10

I really enjoyed Don't Feed the Art over at artdc Gallery in Hyattsville. Those disembodied faces? You had to walk a gauntlet of them to get into the show. Be sure to check it out before it closes July 10th.

Also stopped by the Fraser Gallery to see work selected for the Bethesda Painting Awards. I think there was only one red dot among these wonderful and very reasonably priced pieces. Very dismayed to see that. I'd never seen the work of First Place winner Nora Sturges. Lovely, rich pieces that I kept coming back to. I remember seeing work by James Halloran at Artomatic 2009. His Hallway was my favorite single piece. This show closes June 26th. If you're at all interested in painting, this show is a must-see.

MD Sculptors: Get Your Fund On

6/18/10

Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Awards are made to Maryland artists to encourage and sustain their pursuit of artistic excellence. The categories offered for 2011 include classical music composition and solo performance, choreography, dance solo performance, poetry, sculpture, and world music composition and solo performance
(FYI - 2012 will rotate to include crafts and photography; 2013 has painting, media/digital/electronic arts, & works on paper).

A limited number of awards of $1,000, $3,000, and $6,000 will be offered. The application deadline for the 2011 Maryland program is August 4, 2010.

See guidelines and access the online application>>

Who May Apply: Individuals who are Maryland residents, 18 years of age or older may apply. Applicants must have established residence and be living in Maryland at least six months prior to the application deadline, and must be residents living in Maryland at the time the award is granted by MSAC. Proof of residency may be required.

Who May Not Apply:
- Individuals enrolled in high school or any undergraduate classes or programs during FY 2011 (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011).
- Individuals pursuing graduate instruction in any MSAC IAA artistic category during FY 2011 (July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011).
- Collaborating artists may not apply for their collaborative work.
- Artists who received a $6,000 MSAC Individual Artist Award for FY 2009 or FY 2010.

Turn-about is fair play...

6/17/10

Two of the wonderful Studio Gallery interns interviewed me today, and it was fun being on the other side of the questions, which dealt with process, using text, and my take on why you should experience local art. Check it out at the Dupont Circle Arts blog.

The Art, It's Hungry...

6/15/10

Don’t feed the art, because it may bite... This show coming up at artdc Gallery encompasses a wide range of techniques that are powered by motors and the viewer, creating motion ranging from random physical movements to very defined circles. It's wind-powered. It's moving disembodied faces. It's a bunch of parts that "crank, buzz, flap, blink and jitter," notes gallery director Jesse Cohen.

How can you resist moving disembodied faces?

Jesse adds, "In a room overflowing with tweaker-like energy, Sarah Martin’s paintings jump out and grab your attention with calming power."

artdc Gallery
5710 Baltimore Ave.
Hyattsville, MD 20781
Dates: June 5th to July 10th 2010

Reception: Saturday June 18th 7:30 to 10pm

Visit the artists' sites below, and be sure to check out the 2-D work by Christian and Peter. I love their surfaces.

Zac Jackson
Christian Benefiel
Grayson Heck
Peter Gordon
Sarah Martin

Small Boxes... Some on Fire

6/13/10

Had a full day in the studio yesterday and came up with the title for my September two-person show. Here are two relatively small pieces I hope to include that got wrapped up yesterday.



Things She Wanted To Be
Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
12 x 16 inches




Shadow Lessons
Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
12 x 16 inches

Meet the Artists at Iona

6/11/10



Artist in Residence Melanie Grishman (art featured above), Special Guest Artist Chuck Baxter and Poet in Residence Anne Becker join the Gallery at Iona for a Meet the Artist Reception on Thursday, June 17 from 5 - 7 pm. The exhibit continues through August 23. Hours are Monday through Friday from 9 to 5, and the gallery is located at 4125 Albemarle Street, NW in DC.

At Iona, we understand the relationship between wellness and arts and aging well. We offer a whole host of creative arts activities ranging from a chorale group to short story clubs. We also are very proud of The Gallery at Iona which features the works of highly talented senior artists in the community.

For more information about the Artist in residence program, special workshops and events, please call Gallery Coordinator Patricia Dubroof at (202) 895-9407 or email pdubroof@iona.org.

Exhibit: Through Their Eyes: Haitian Artists' Visions of Home

6/11/10

Haitian Children & Artists Use Art to Tell Their Stories

Washington, DC - June 23, 2010 - The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery located at 1632 U Street, NW announces the opening of Through Their Eyes: Haitian Artists' Visions of Home, also featuring the work of National Geographic photojournalist, Maggie Steber. Haitian artworks provided by the American Visionary Art Museum, Zanmi Lakay and the Art Creation Foundation for Children. Opening Reception: Friday, June 25, 6:00-8:00PM. The exhibition runs from June 23 to August 7. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Friday 11AM-5PM, Saturday 11AM-3PM and by appointment.

Haiti's January 12th earthquake may seem like a distant memory for those of us safely grounded here in the U.S., but for Haitians the tragedy of that day is an everyday reality and far from over.

Those who survived the earthquake are now falling victim to infection and disease, and up to a million have been rendered homeless. From our vantage point in the US we can only speculate how Haitians find the strength and hope to face the daily suffering surrounding them. Yet, in this rare exhibition, Maggie Steber, award-winning National Geographic photographer, and over 30 Haitian artists offer us a window into how Haitians perceive their disrupted world and a glimpse at their extraordinary strength of spirit and unwavering faith.

"Through Their Eyes" exhibits the work of artists and children currently living in Haiti and actively using the arts to heal: Featuring over 100 photographs and handcrafts produced by children, and traditional Vodou flags hand-sequined by seasoned artisans. Alongside the Haitian artists' surprisingly uplifting visions, we are also showing Maggie Steber's poignant pre and post-earthquake works, which capture the "tortured, enchanted place" she has fallen in love with over her 20 years covering Haiti and its remarkable people.

The American Visionary Art Museum, Zanmi Lakay and Art Creation Foundation For Children have generously provided the exhibition's Haitian artworks. All works are available for purchase with 100% of the proceeds donated to Haiti relief.


IMAGE: Man Doing A Handstand by the River, 2010 by Cheldine Bazile, 15 years old, Jacmel, Haiti

An Interview with Artist Thierry Guillemin

6/7/10


Into the Mystic
Thierry Guillemin


For his portion of a duo show with Micheline Klagsburn, fellow Studio Gallery artist Thierry Guillemin talks about why the work for this show Something in Common is different from his past pieces. Be sure to stop by and see his energetic paintings, up through June 19th at Studio Gallery.

Q: What's your favorite piece from the show and why?

A: My favorite piece in the show is “Into the Mystic”. I am very much in tune with what it reflects and at the same time it surprises me, which I expect every strong work to do. It is a very interesting synthesis. I made it in a very physical way, and yet it has the serenity of inner silence and the transparency of water. I “action painted” it but many people who see it tell me that it reminds them of Monet. Water lilies? My childhood in little villages of the “France profonde” must be coming back to me, in quite unexpected ways. The title of this work comes from a song of Van Morrison that I love and listened to continuously when I painted this work.

Q: Do you paint intuitively, with a hardcore plan, or somewhere in between?

A: I paint intuitively and try to be open to what happens. A plan would interfere with the attention that is needed and would waste precious energy. The quality of the work depends entirely on the quality of my attention. If I am present to my work, the work has a good chance to be alive. If I lose myself in plans, or any other intellectual day dream, life is drained from the painting and it begins to lie, and at some point to die.

Q: Who is your biggest influence and why?

A: I am certainly influenced by many things: lights, perfumes, places, strong emotional moments, people I love, music, poems, personalities, sincerity, honesty, energy. Many great artists, whether writers, painters or musicians have been a strong source of inspiration when I was younger: Nabokov, Matisse, Coltrane, Hendrix, and a very long list of contemporary painters. But a lot is happening now. I keep discovering amazing artists who create now. Gabriela Proksch in Austria, Jean-Francois Provost and Jean-Pierre Lafrance in Canada, Eeva-Leena Airaksinen in Finland are all incredibly strong and original abstract painters who fascinate me.

Q: For this show, did you do anything differently... new techniques, subject matter, palette, etc.?

A: This is a little show with 6 pieces, 4 of them very recent. I let energy flow much more freely than I used to, the paints I use are more fluid “soft-body” type, the colors richer and I use more elements of language, like projections of paint or long black lines. There is a watery quality to my most recent work, more depth and transparencies. These are directions I feel compelled to explore, there is more to find there.

Q: What's your favorite part about being a Studio Gallery member?

A: My favorite parts of being a Studio gallery member are the friendship of many artists, the love and energy Adah Rose gives us all, and the blessing of being part of a group where the main ambition and focus is to make our art grow and develop.

Thanks, Thierry, for sharing insights into your paintings! I look forward to seeing them in person this week.

Semblance of a Responsible Life

5/31/10



Semblance of a Responsible Life
Acrylic and Charcoal on Canvas
36 x 50 inches
May 2010

Interesting installation opp

5/25/10

Eastern State Penitentiary - Philadelphia, PA
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site seeks proposals for its 2011 tour season and beyond. Full details are available on the website at www.easternstate.org/exhibits/guidelines.php. Here are some projects that have been done there.

Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world, but stands today in ruin, a haunting world of crumbling cellblocks and empty guard towers. Known for its grand architecture and strict discipline, this was the world's first true "penitentiary," a prison designed to inspire penitence, or true regret, in the hearts of convicts. Its vaulted, sky-lit cells once held many of America's most notorious criminals, including bank robber Willie Sutton and Al Capone. Tours today include the cellblocks, solitary punishment cells, Al Capone's Cell, and Death Row. A critically-acclaimed series of artists' installations is free with admission.

Deadline for proposals: Tuesday, June 15, 2010. Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19130

An Interview with Artist Micheline Klagsbrun

5/23/10

For her portion of a duo show with Thierry Guillemin, fellow Studio Gallery artist Micheline Klagsbrun draws on her exploration of a story by Ovid as well as the lotus flowers featured at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

Keep reading for more insights into Micheline's lush show, Lotus/Lotis, May 26 - June 19, 2010 and be sure to drop by one of the receptions:

First Friday Reception June 4, 6-8 pm
Artist's Reception Saturday, June 5, 3-5 pm
Studio Gallery - 2108 R Street N.W. Washington, DC
Directions and Hours>>

Q: For this show, did you do anything differently... new techniques, subject matter, palette, etc.?

A: It's unusual for me to create an extended series of work, using a single theme and media: a continuous flow of work.

Q: Tell us more about your theme and inspiration.

A: The source: immersion in the extraordinary display of lotus at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, at the same time as I was working on Ovid's story of Dryope (from The Metamorphoses). Dryope, a lovely young mother, plucks a lotus, unaware that this blossom is a transformed nymph, Lotis. The flower starts to drip blood, and Dryope suffers the fate of being turned into a tree.

The lotus painted by Ovid is a plant of fantasy, open to botanical interpretation, though I see her clearly as the water-lotus (botanically of the Nymphaeaceae family). She is warmblooded still, almost unique among plants in her ability to maintain her body temperature, just as she used to do when she played with human beings.

Sacred to Hinduism and Buddhism, she rises pure and glowing from the muddy riverbed. As I draw her I feel myself drawn into this tradition of worship, but also into the tradition of centuries of classical artists painting the ideal woman, all translucent skin and soft curves...perfect petal, perfect complexion.

According to the Ancient Greeks, nymphs were also guardians of the sacred spring of water that symbolizes knowledge -- knowledge that was powerful and possibly dangerous. I learned this from Roberto Calasso, who states in Literature and the Gods: "To approach a Nymph is to be seized, possessed by something, to immerse oneself in an element at once soft and unstable, that may be thrilling or may equally well prove fatal."

Q: Do you paint intuitively, with a hardcore plan, or somewhere in between?

A: Although I will often plan my work, especially if it based on one of Ovid’s stories, in this case I just stepped aside and let the work emerge in a purely intuitive flow. Maybe Lotis allowed me access to the sacred spring!

Q: What challenges does the DC area present for local artists?

A: We face the same challenges as artists everywhere: how to survive in times of economic recession, how to build creative and nurturing community, how to get exposure for and critical feedback about our work. Last month we held an Open Forum at my studio in the 52O Street Building on just these topics, and after an hour and a half of fervent dialogue no one wanted to stop! The art world in DC is bubbling with ideas in these areas.

Thanks, Micheline, for sharing these insights into your new work and the DC art scene! Can't make her show? Visit her gorgeous online portfolio at the Studio Gallery website.

An Interview with Artist Jacqui Crocetta

5/3/10

Enduring
Jacqui Crocetta
48 x 48 inches
Photo by Ulf Wallin


Jacqui Crocetta's two-person show, extending trust, is now up at the Studio Gallery through May 22, 2010 along with Marie Straw's Creating Characters from Abstraction and Andrea Kraus's solo show, Painting in Haiku: "Surface of a petal-covered pond". I hope you have a chance to stop by to see her new work in person!

First Friday Reception: May 7, 6 - 8 pm
Artist's Reception: Saturday, May 8, 4 - 6 pm
Studio Gallery ~ 2108 R Street N.W. Washington, DC
Gallery location and hours

Q: What's your favorite piece from the show and why?

A: One of my favorite paintings in the show is enduring a 48 x 48 abstract acrylic on canvas. There are actually quite a few paintings, or painting "attempts" underneath the final, resolved painting which, to me, adds an interesting dimension. The painting's history seems to add depth, just as the experiences in a person's life add character.

Q: Do you paint intuitively, with a hardcore plan, or somewhere in between?

A: My point of departure might be a specific color palette, but my only plan is to follow where the painting takes me. I begin by freely and fearlessly applying paint to the canvas, often times deliberately painting myself into a corner, until I reach the point in the process where I begin editing. The dance between chaos and control is what I love most about the process--moving back and forth in the space between inspiration and intention. I find that by easing up on control, I am rewarded by the discovery of complex colors and compositions, which I can then coax into becoming a painting.

Q: For this show, did you do anything differently... new techniques, subject matter, palette, etc.?

A: I created three-dimensional work for this show, which has given me the opportunity to work with new materials, an added dimension, and a different process/approach. I'm intrigued by the organic way in which an artist's work evolves--the three-dimensional pieces are in response to a nagging need I had to respond to some of the issues and events in life that challenge and fascinate me.

Q: Where do you see the DC art scene in five years? In ten?

A: I believe the future holds a rich, blended art scene for DC. There will be an increase in unique collaborations between artists and professionals in a range of industries... visual and performing artists, poets, scientists, architects, designers, urban planners, inventors, teachers, etc. Our understanding, definition of, and access to art will expand far greater than where it is today. There will be a greater emphasis on, and appreciation of, the significance of art and creativity in the evolution of society. Art will be more seamlessly integrated into everyday living.

Q: What challenges does the DC area present for local artists?

A: The lack of affordable studio space is a real problem. We need the equivalent of the incubators that exist for science and technology.

Q: What's your favorite part of being a Studio Gallery member?

A: I'm grateful to be part of the Studio Gallery community for many reasons... because our director, Adah Rose, is so innovative and passionate about art and artists, we have the best interns in town, and we have a diverse and talented group of member artists who are a source of endless support and inspiration.

Thank you, Jacqui, for sharing these insights into your new work plus your vision of the DC art scene in the future! For more about Jacqui, including additional work, artist statement and a link to her website, visit the Studio Gallery on the web and be sure to stop by the receptions and meet her in person.