Saturday, May 07, 2016

José Raúl Capablanca

I've taught Little Junes how to play chess, and he asked me why I always open the game with the King's Knight opening.

It reminded me of José Raúl Capablanca y Graupera (19 November 1888 – 8 March 1942). Capa was a Cuban chess player who was world chess champion from 1921 to 1927. 

José Raúl Capablanca y Graupera
Nearly everyone who is a chess geek considers Capa as one of the greatest players of all time and it was he, not Bobby Fisher (who is one of Capa's greatest fans), who became the first person born outside of Europe to become world chess champion.

Chess geeks are always studying the masters' games and Capa is recognized as one of the best - he only lost 35 first class games in his entire career.

Friday, May 06, 2016

Is this new for the Washington Post?

This medical article in the WaPo is a fascinating read and I highly recommend it. I was also startled to find the article illustrated by a series of original artworks (23 of them!) credited to Robert Carter.


Artwork by Robert Carter
The works are actually quite good! See them here.

GRACE Call for Artists

Deadline May 21 ‏


This summer the Greater Reston Arts Center will present its second biennial exhibition highlighting the talents of their artist members.


Juried by a distinguished outside guest curator, this group exhibition will feature multiple artists working in a variety of media and treating a wide range of themes. 


This call is open to all artists. Application fee is a $35 membership to the Greater Reston Arts Center. Read more

Thursday, May 05, 2016

Call for Artists

Deadline: May 6
In association with Woolly Mammoth’s upcoming production of An Octoroon, by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, Sheldon Scott Studios is calling for visual artists to include in their exhibition, Radical Re-imaginings: Our Racialized Past, Present, and Futures. This is an all-media call for a public art project at Woolly Mammoth featuring DC area artists responding to the ways in which America’s racialized past continues to inform our present moment.
Details here. 

Wednesday, May 04, 2016

Fox 5’s Shawn Yancy's really, really good artwork

Whodda Thunk It? Local DMV news anchor Shawn Yancy is not only one of the region's top newscasters but also a superbly talented artist!
You have said that journalism is black and white, while art is more of a creative outlet. Do you think journalism and art complement each other, or are they different?
I think they’re different. I don’t think news is as black and white as it used to be, but it’s black and white. We’re supposed to look at the facts. For me, art is my opinion all the time. In TV news, every now and then we can give a little opinion. In art, it’s all my opinion. It’s colorful. That’s not to say news isn’t creative because certainly there’s a lot of creativity and thought that goes into the shows that we produce and air every day. But it’s different. There are certain guidelines that we need to follow. This is the difference: News, basically you stay in [the] lines. With art, you can color outside of the lines. I never liked it when teachers said, ‘Color in the lines.’ I don’t believe that’s what you should do when it comes to art.
Installation paintings by Shawn Yancy

Read a really informative and very well-written piece about Shawn in Bethesda Magazine (which is usually taking the brunt of my ire for their lackluster coverage of the visual arts, but gets an A+ this time) here.


To see more of her work, visit her website at shawnyancy.com.

Tomorrow: Alper Session

May 5th
5:30-7:00 pm

Join the Alper for the second session of Free Parking, a series of salon-style conversations in the Alper Initiative for Washington Art. It could get rowdy as we review the life and art of musicians in the 70s and 80s DC Punk and New Wave music scenes. Special guests Bill Warrell and Michael Olshonsky.

This event is free and open to anyone interested in discussing the art and artists of the Washington Metropolitan area. Space is limited.




Tuesday, May 03, 2016

Touchstone Gallery celebrates 40 years!

Congrats to Touchstone Gallery! In gallery years, 40 is like 200 years for most other businesses!


May 4 – 29, 2016

CHAMPAGNE GALA RECEPTION: Friday, May 13, 6-8:30 PM
Hors d’Oeuvres provided by Acadiana Restaurant
Brazilian music by Tom Rohde, guitar and Pablo Regis de Oliveira, cavaquinho
(Free and open to the public)

GALLERY A
40th Anniversary Show including artwork by 50 current and 40 former gallery artists.

Exhibiting Artists: Lina Alattar, Steve Alderton, David Alfuth, Linda Bankerd, Ann Barbieri, David Beers, Harmon Biddle, Jo Ann Block, Jill E. Brantley, Richard Braswell, Dana Brotman, Chica Brunsvold, Roberto Carvalho, Danny Conant, Marcia Coppel, Tory Cowles, Charlie Dale, Lionel Daniels, Mari DeMaris, Anthony Dortch, Susan De Serio Faden, Susan Feller, Connie Fleres, Elaine Florimonte, Michelle Frazier, Pamela Frederick, Jeanne Garant, Judith Giuliani, Robert Goebel, M. Alexander Gray, Marco Gutierrez Zevallos, Patricia Helsing, Angela Herbert Hodges, Carolyn Johnson, Timothy Johnson, Leslie A. Johnston, Peter Karp, Aleksandra Katargina, Nihal Kececi, Makda Kibour, Ai-Wen Wu Kratz, Chee-Keong Kung, Harvey Kupferberg, Michael Lang, Paula Lantz, Cathy Leaycraft, Carl Lennartson, Francine Livaditis, Teresa RobertsLogan, Carol Lopatin, Marge Loudon Moody, Shelley Lowenstein, Rosemary Luckett, Mary H. Lynch, Kate McConnell, Pete McCutchen, JoAnn McInnis, McCain McMurray, Newton S. More, Bill Mould, Georgia Nassikas, Minna Nathanson, Aina Nergaard-Nammack, Leslie M. Nolan, Nancy Novick, Mary D. Ott , Mark Palmer, Cheryl Parsons, Wendy Plotkin-Mates, Lauren Rader, BD Richardson, Ron Riley, April Rimpo, Michelle Rogers, Colleen Sabo, Amy Sabrin, Claudia Samper, Rhona LK Schonwald, Rima Schulkind, Janathel Shaw, Connie Slack, Janos Somogyi, Maureen M. Squires, Tre, Mary Trent Scott, Lisa Tureson, Rosa Vera, Gail Vogels, Gale Wallar, Jonathan Wassom, Ellyn Weiss, Janet Wheeler, Melissa Widerkehr, Patricia Williams.

GALLERY B
“Do I Know You?” by Paula Lantz
Paula Lantz presents part of an on-going theme of boldly painted and collaged abstracted figures.

GALLERY C
"A Few of my Favorite Things” by Colleen Sabo
This show will feature all new work completed within the past two years in oils. Included will be landscapes, city scenes, florals and still lifes, with an emphasis on French landscapes.

Touchstone Gallery
901 New York Ave NW
Washington DC 20001
Tel: 202-347-2787
Open: Wednesday-Friday 11-6, Saturday-Sunday 12-5

Monday, May 02, 2016

Opportunity for Artists


Deadline: Friday, July 1, 2016

Artists wishing to be considered for an exhibit in the Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) galleries are invited to submit a general exhibit application. The HCAC Exhibits Committee meets quarterly to review applications and select artists for the exhibit space. Artists, ages 18 and older, working in all media and styles including time-based and installation artists, are encouraged to apply either individually or as a group. The Committee also welcomes proposals from curators and organizations.
 
Detailed entry guidelines are available on the ‘Exhibits’ page of the HCAC website, for pick-up at the Howard County Center for the Arts, or by mail by calling 410-313-2787 or emailing info@hocoarts.org. The next deadline for submissions is Friday, July 1, 2016.
 
HCAC manages two galleries at the Howard County Center for the Arts with over 2100 square feet of exhibit space. The HCAC gallery program was established to enhance the public’s appreciation of the visual arts, provide a venue to exhibit the work of local, regional, and national artists in a professional space, and provide leadership in the arts by presenting a broad spectrum of arts in all media from both emerging and established artists.
 
HCAC presents 11-12 exhibits per year of national, regional, and local artists, including two-person, small and large group, juried, curated, and community shows.
 
Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10AM - 8PM, Saturday 10AM - 4PM, and Sunday 12 - 4PM.  To learn more about HCAC programs and exhibits, call 410-313-ARTS (2787) or visit hocoarts.org.  

Sunday, May 01, 2016

The Batman Brooding Over Robin

Newest piece that marries technology with contemporary drawing: A traditional drawing of The Batman as he sits in the dank bat cave brooding over the death of Robin. In the embedded video we have a 6.5 minute embedded video loop that focuses on the relationship between the Dark Knight and The Boy Wonder.


The background, as usual, contains a series of double encrypted messages (in the "cracks" on the wall. Click on the images for a larger version.




The Batman in The Batcave (Brooding Over Robin)  Charcoal, conte and Embedded Appropriated Video. Circa 2013  Framed to 30x40 inches.
The Batman in The Batcave (Brooding Over Robin)
Charcoal, conte and Embedded Appropriated Video. Circa 2013
Framed to 30x40 inches.

F. Lennox Campello's The Batman in The Batcave (Brooding Over Robin)  Charcoal, conte and Embedded Appropriated Video. Circa 2013  Framed to 30x40 inches.



The Batman in The Batcave (Brooding Over Robin)  Charcoal, conte and Embedded Appropriated Video. Circa 2013  Framed to 30x40 inches.

Call for photographers: Photo '16

Entry deadline:June 30, 2016


Photo ‘16 is a national juried fine art photography exhibit at Multiple Exposures Gallery at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Virginia. 
We are extremely pleased that Sam Abell, long-time National Geographic photographer who contributed some of the most intriguing and memorable images in the Geographic, will be the juror for this competition and exhibit.

All photographers living in the U.S., 18 years or older working in traditional, digital or alternative photographic processes are eligible to participate.


Exhibit dates: October 18, 2016 - November 27, 2016
Awards and Reception: Saturday, October 29, 2016: 2pm-4pm


Details here.

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Tonight


Come talk to the critics and meet the artist for the closing of 'The Critiqued' at The Otis Street Art Project.
We are honored to have our distinguished critics F. Lennox Campello, Adah Rose Bitterbaum, Michael O’Sullivan to return. We will revisit common artistic issues discussed throughout the year and the critiqued experience.

Doors open at 6pm
Panel 6:30-7:30pm
Party 7:30-8:30pm
Exhibiting Artists:
Zofie Lang
Christian Tribastone
Ceci Cole McInturff
Amy Hughes Braden
Jose Fernandez
Alexandra Silverthorne
Fallon Chase
Amber Robles-Gordon
Joan Belmar
Katie Pumphrey
Steven Durow
Jacqui Crocetta
Stephanie Booth

If you have not seen this show yet it's a must see. They are open Saturdays 12-5, Tue-Fri by appointment.


 See the review in the Washington Post here.


Otis Street Arts Project
3706 Otis Street

Mount Rainier, MD 20712
202.550.4634
mailto:Info@OtisStreetArts.org
OtisStreetArts.org

Friday, April 29, 2016

Spectacular Children Art

First some images of kindergarten artwork from Sidwell Friends Lower School, followed by a video of the SFS Lower School Art show... some of this work is just breath-taking!  The video is all the way at the bottom...





Thursday, April 28, 2016

Art Scam Alert!

Be careful with this mutant:
From: Susan Martez (info1@barbedtapewire.com)
Dear Frien
 
We are interested in purchasing your product,
Kindly reply us with your company business terms and conditions so that we can place a trial order ASAP
Waiting for your timely reply
Best regard
Susan Martez
Purchasing Manager
Lumach Groups Company Limited
Address: 055 Quatics blk
North CarolinaZip:610026
United state.
Tele:1-870-399047204
sale@lumachgroups.com

Paintings ‘stolen’ from the Internet

It’s a show called “Can t you sue ppl for stealing tweets isn’t that playjarism?” and it consists of 15 oil paintings, none of which were made by Lavoie. He didn’t even see them until the day they were installed, though he came up with the ideas, negotiated with subcontractors and signed off on every stage of the work. He did everything that a creative director and project manager would do at an ad agency, except that he didn’t have to get a client’s approval.
Read here the details of this fascinating approach to 21st century art (which in variant forms has been employed by artists since the atelier was invented). 

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Next month...


Bethesda Fine Arts Festival
May 14, 10am - 6pm and May 15, 10am - 5pm


130 artists from throughout the United States and Canada will converge in Bethesda's  Woodmont Triangle for the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival. Along with booths of fine art and fine craft, the festival will feature live musical, great eats from Bethesda restaurants and a children's activity area. 


Join them for a unique shopping experience in downtown Bethesda. Browse jewelry, furniture, painting, photography, sculpture and more. 
Admission to the festival is free and free parking is available in the public parking garage on Auburn Avenue. This event is held rain or shine.

Monday, April 25, 2016

$25K painting competition

Canton, OH is the birthplace of the NFL. ArtsinStark, the County Arts Council, invites any professional artist living in America to submit concept for a $25,000 commission to create a painting celebrating the fact that in 1946 --- a full year before Jackie Robinson began playing professional baseball ---- 4 African American football players brought about the permanent reintegration of pro football: Marion Motley, Bill Willis, Woody Strode, and Kenny Washington.

This call is just for a concept for the painting.

The artist selected in May will receive $25,000 to create the painting. ArtsinStark will display the painting, and also use the image to celebrate this important historical moment in other forms, including making it into a large mural for the Canton Arts District as part of The ELEVEN project. Details of call at www.artsinstark.com/91 Go to www.CallForEntry.org to submit concept by May 6. See trailer for “Forgotten Four”

Free Parking: Salon-Style Conversation at the Alper!‏

May 5th
5:30-7:00 pm

Join the Alper for the second session of Free Parking, a series of salon-style conversations in the Alper Initiative for Washington Art. It could get rowdy as we review the life and art of musicians in the 70s and 80s DC Punk and New Wave music scenes. Special guests Bill Warrell and Michael Olshonsky.

This event is free and open to anyone interested in discussing the art and artists of the Washington Metropolitan area. Space is limited.

More Info

Wanna go to a cool panel + closing party this Saturday?

Come talk to the critics and meet the artist for the closing of 'The Critiqued' at The Otis Street Art Project.
We are honored to have our distinguished critics F. Lennox Campello, Adah Rose Bitterbaum, Michael O’Sullivan to return. We will revisit common artistic issues discussed throughout the year and the critiqued experience.

Doors open at 6pm
Panel 6:30-7:30pm
Party 7:30-8:30pm
Exhibiting Artists:
Zofie Lang
Christian Tribastone
Ceci Cole McInturff
Amy Hughes Braden
Jose Fernandez
Alexandra Silverthorne
Fallon Chase
Amber Robles-Gordon
Joan Belmar
Katie Pumphrey
Steven Durow
Jacqui Crocetta
Stephanie Booth

If you have not seen this show yet it's a must see. They are open Saturdays 12-5, Tue-Fri by appointment.


 See the review in the Washington Post here.


Otis Street Arts Project
3706 Otis Street

Mount Rainier, MD 20712
202.550.4634
mailto:Info@OtisStreetArts.org
OtisStreetArts.org

Sunday, April 24, 2016

(Re)Invention: Art + Innovation + Disability + Design

Entry Deadline: 6/1/16


First Prize $20,000! A juried exhibition of emerging young artists with disabilities, ages 16-25, showcasing artwork created at the intersection of technology, innovation, and disability. 15 finalists share a total of $60,000 in cash prizes, with a 1st prize of $20,000.

Details here.