Sleep is the cousin of death

Once again revisiting this theme of mine, based on a poem that I wrote in the late 1970s.

Sleep is the cousin of death 
Mixed media painting on unfired Bisque 
12 inches in diameter 

Immigrant artists

Campello nutjob evidence will follow...

Last year, when I organized and curated the huge “Women Artists of the DMV” survey show, which eventually ended being exhibited across the DMV in 19 different venues (maybe a 20th coming), I said to myself something along the lines of “never again am I going to curate such a large show…”

Cough… cough…

In the nearly 40 years that I have been around the capital region, I have been lucky enough to meet, curate, and know hundreds of area artists who (like me) are immigrants to this great nation.

And thus, the germ of the idea of organizing a fine arts show of 30 or so artists from all over the world to showcase how art can serve not only to preserve one’s own cultural identity, but also paradoxically to tie us together as one… has now emerged.

I know... I know...

Anna Bogh (Russia)
Between States. Gouache on paper, 11 × 10 in 

In this show, which I would like to hang in an overcrowded, eye-watering salon style, that will overwhelm your senses, rather than a minimalistic-hung show, you will see art by artists from Russia, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Holland, Lebanon, Venezuela, England, Canada, Japan, Philippines, Germany, and many other countries. 

Anastasia Travieso-Diaz (Russia)
Roots Beyond Border. Acrylic. 24x24 in. 2026

You will also see these artists challenging you to see their art in the context of the art, rather than the national origin of the artist, while also challenging you to see it also from the exact opposite perspective.

Lusmerlin (Dominican Republic)
Consecration of Stardust. 48x36. Pastel & Acrylic on Wood. 2025

I am initially proposing this show in response to the recent Call for Exhibition Proposals by the King Street Gallery of the MontgomeryCollege Department of Visual and Performing Arts, Takoma Park/Silver SpringCampus.  

Maria A. Brito (Venezuela)
Displaced Homes. 12x12x2.5 in. Mixed media on wood panel
(wooden stamp blocks, cardstock paper, fabric, head pins, acrylic paint, ink), 2024

In the event that they decline, I will try to offer it to any of the other great art venues in our area.

Katarina Öberg (Sweden)
A Year of Silence. 30x34 in. Blackwork, 2025

Can you “feel” where this is heading? Any art venues out there feel it?

Leonor Alvim Brazão (Portugal)
Diversity, 24x48. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 2012/2026

Here are the initial list of artists whom I am proposing:

1. Akemi Maegawa (Japan)

2. Anastasia Travieso-Diaz (Russia)

3. AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez (Venezuela)

4. Andreia Gliga (Romania)

5. Anna Bogh (Russia) 

6. Anna Demovidova (Russia)

7. Anne Cherubim (Canada)

8. Chawky Frenn (Lebanon)

9. Cheryl Jacob-Roeske (Sri Lanka)

10. Dora Patin (Hungary)

11. Felisa Federman (Argentina)

12. Jodi Walsh (Canada)

13. Katarina Öberg (Sweden)

14. Kirsty Little (England)

15. Laura Ramirez Drain (Mexico)

16. Leonor Alvim Brazao (Portugal)

17. Liliane Blom (Norway)

18. Lusmerlin (Dominican Republic)

19. Maria A. Brito (Venezuela)

20. Naan Pocen (Nigeria)

21. Rachel Garcia-Palmer (Philippines)

22. Sheela Becton (India)

23. Sofia Gawer (Argentina)

24. Steve Wanna (Lebanon)

25. Tea Okropiridze (Georgia)

26. Tinam Valk (Germany)

Dora Patin's upcoming classes

If you read this blog consistently, then you know that I consider Dora Patin a prodigy.  And Dora has now added more evidence to support that statement by offering art classes and the feedback that I have been getting has been phenomenal!

Dora tells me that:

Over the past several weeks, I've been focusing on experimenting with drawing methods that are new to me. The drawing above is the latest result of that exploration. This process inspired me to create a new class that I'll be teaching at Compass Art Center. If you are striving to create realistic drawings, this class is for you.

Introducing: Drawing with Accuracy. In this class I teach the sight-size method working from a photo reference. Students will learn how to accurately measure and compare directly from a photo, allowing the same level of precision and realism. This is a strong starting point for training your eye to see correct angles, proportions and shapes and replicate them before moving onto value control.

I'm excited to offer this class and would love to see it come together with a great group. If you're interested, registration is now open. And I have a small favor to ask: if someone comes to mind who might like this class, I'd really appreciate you sharing it with them. Personal recommendations truly make a difference.

Click on the image for more info. 

There is more! Dora has a new session of her oil painting class running from May 14 - June 11... Thursdays, 5:30 - 8:30pm, 4 classes (3 hours each); All skill levels welcome with a Drop-in option available. Details here.

And then:

Drawing & Painting for Beginners is now on Saturdays (instead of Wednesdays). This class focuses on the essential building blocks of drawing, making it ideal for absolute beginners as well as anyone who wants to strengthen foundational skills.
 

Upcoming session:
May 9 - June 13

Saturdays 10am - 1pm
5 classes (3 hours each)
Drop-in option available

Out of Order Auction is live!

The annual Maryland Art Place OUT OF ORDER auction is live! You can bid on 100s of works of art here.

How do I love Thee? by Florencio Lennox Campello - lot 133 - (Detail)

  You can bid on my work here.

Call for Artists: Signal Box Public Art Project

The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District has announced a Call for Artists for the second phase of their Signal Box Public Art Project in downtown Bethesda, MD.  The A&E District will select 10 artists whose original designs will be printed onto a vinyl wrap to adorn 10 Signal Boxes located throughout downtown Bethesda.  This new project will beautify the signal boxes, provide an opportunity to local artists (including high school artists) and bring more public art to our community. 

Artists must be 14 years of age or older and residents of Washington, D.C., Maryland, or Virginia. Each selected artist will be paid $650 for the use of their design, and the deadline to apply is Thursday, April 30, 2026.

More info here.

Application here.

The Amalgalm Book Lauch coming this Saturday!

 

Woman, plotting her revenge upon a Washington Color School landscape

"A woman, plotting her revenge upon a Washington Color School landscape." 22x28, c. 2926, mixed media painting on paper. Will be at the next Affordable Art Fair New York City next March 18-22.