An old friend re-appears

See this...

That was part of an art school assignment to do plain air paintings and I did about 300 watercolors of Seattle's mostly gun metal skies of November...

La Pinzon on ABC

Dulce Pinzon's amazing work gets highlighted in ABC News... See it here.

Wanna buy any of those pics? Then go here...

Best of Bethesda

I just thumbed through the Jan/Feb issue of the annual Best of Bethesda issue from  Bethesda magazine.

What a beautiful, glossy, magazine! It featured editors' and readers' picks in 86 categories... and it really painted and offered a deep insight into the cultural tapestry of Bethesda, Maryland.

There are a couple of huge holes in that tapestry, and since they keep coming back year after year, I'm going to write an open letter to Bethesda magazine and publish it here and also mail it to them.

More later...

Uh?

Did I just see a commercial about wipeys for adults? Ahhhh... all adults...

Art image of the day...

Makes me wonder once again: is there another professional (or any other athletic team for that matter) that actually has a "real" piece of art as a logo, such as the Seattle Seahawks have in the above Pacific Northwest art piece?

This is where I am tonight...

The Washington Glass School will host “The Aberrant Collection of the Spurious Calamus”, by Audrey Wilson. 

This new collection of works will be her first solo show and will feature her mixed media sculptures. The opening reception will be held at the Washington Glass School on January 11, 2014 from 6-8pm. The exhibition will be on view through January 31, 2014 and is free and open to the public.

I've become very familiar with both Audrey Wilson and with her work in the last two years, since we've exhibited her work at both Aqua in 2012 and most recently at Context Art Miami in 2013.

Let me summarize this right now: if you are an art collector and do not buy one of her pieces at this show, her first (and thus historic) solo show, then you are a fool... un bobo!

"Why does he say this?", you must be asking... let me explain why.

Over the years I think that I have developed a pretty damned good eye at spotting what makes an artist click (or not)... 

Dudes and Dudettes... I have empirical evidence and not just hearsay or anecdotal data to back that statement.... 

And what I have noticed about Wilson and her work have several components - all critical - that help to make her a "BUY NOW."

• She has enviable work ethic - that, my learned friends, is a key seasoning to the success soup recipe... nothing beats hard work.
• She is a hard worker - does it sound like I am repeating myself? It's on purpose...
• She has a powerful "artistic IT" - that's that undefinable (except by me) element that separates the good from the truly intelligent.
• Her work is intelligent... it just is! When you get into a discussion with the Audreymeister about all the elements and components and titling of her pieces, one is left salivating like a Pavlov dog hearing a bell that signifies greatness...
• Her work looks GREAT! -- I say this with some reticence, as these days, some art symbiots still have issues with beauty, but Wilson's work stand out with some sort of undefinable beauty.
• She appeals to young collectors: OK ---> you're gonna have to trust me on this... but at the fairs I have sold her work to clients who have told me: "This is the first piece of art that we've ever bought!"
• She appeals to important major collectors: At Context Art Miami, on the second day, when I got to the booth there was a MAJOR (caps well deserved) collector waiting for me at the booth. She told me that this was the first time in over two decades of art collecting that she had waited for someone at an empty booth (this while I was wondering how she got into the fair before official opening time)... "I want this artist," she said in her usual brusque manner... and she got her.
• She appeals to curators: At Aqua, her work was invited to a major curatorial project.

You will never see her prices at the level that they will be at this first solo show... spend the money now and then thank me in a few years... 

Here's the press release:

Audrey Wilson sculptures are a blend of created and altered elements that reflect evolving science and machinery and explore the relationship between man and technology. Technology is merely an extension and reflection of mankind. In fact, no objects contain more human essence than do tools.

Audrey’s sculptural projects and multi-media works are metaphors evoking our endless manipulation of environment, our need for control, and our longing for a meaningful union with nature and the other, in a supreme balance of power and delicacy. People are becoming increasingly alienated from the objects which surround and sustain them, as they have lost the emotional link to technology.

“The Aberrant Collection of the Spurious Calamus” captures our complicated relationship with technology, mirroring it back with poetic glances.

________________________________________________________________

Audrey Wilson (b.1987) has a BA in Crafts with a Glass Concentration from Kent State University. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Audrey has worked at the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio as the studio and teaching assistant, working with the museum's visiting glass artists. Audrey's artwork references nature and organic forms with mixed media.She is represented in the DC area by Alida Anderson Art Projects, LLC.

Kahlophiles of the World: UNITE!

Deadline: Sunday, February 16, 2014. 

MOLAA’s Education Department seeks submissions by artists for a virtual display honoring Mexican artist Frida Kahlo in conjunction with the exhibition Frida Kahlo: Her Photos. Images must pay homage to Austrian-Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, her life, or her body of work. Direct reproductions of her paintings will be disqualified.

Artists chosen to participate in the juried display will have their works digitally projected during MOLAA’s Annual Women’s Day Festival which takes place on Sunday, March 16, 2014. To submit up to three entries for consideration, review and submit the PDF provided at this link along with digital reproductions of your work, as outlined by the registration form.

Questions can be sent to education@molaa.org.

Selected artists will be notified the week of February 28, 2014.

There is no fee to participate.

Baltimore Artists + WPA + Mera Rubell = LOVE

--Opening This Saturday--

Baltimore Artists + WPA + Mera Rubell = LOVE  

 January 11-18, 2014  

Opening Reception 

Saturday, January 11, 2014 6-8:00pm

Hosted by Marianne Boesky Gallery

118 East 64th St, New York, NY 10065

 Participating Artists:

Amanda Leigh Burnham, Michelle L. Dickson, Dave Eassa, Alex Ebstein, Cliff Evans, Sean J. FitzPatrick, Ryan Michael Hoover, Jason Hughes, Tiffany Jones, Gary Kachadourian, Magnolia Laurie, Curtis Miller, Cara Ober, Rachel L. Rotenberg, Ginevra Shay, Jo Smail, Ryan Syrell, Alessandra Torres, and Stewart Watson

WPA is pleased to announce a preview exhibition of SELECT 2014 works chosen by curator Mera Rubell, Co-Founder of the Rubell Family Collection, during her 36 hour studio visit marathon. 

Baltimore Artists + WPA + Mera Rubell = LOVE is an exhibition featuring the 25 works chosen by Ms. Rubell to be included in WPA's SELECT 2014 Art Auction Exhibition.  The works included in Baltimore Artists + WPA + Mera Rubell = LOVE will be on view February 27 through March 21, 2014 at Artisphere along with almost 100 works selected by other participating curators. All works will be available for purchase via proxy or at the SELECT 2014 gala on March 22, 2014.  Proceeds from the sale of artwork are shared equally between WPA and the artist and support WPA's free exhibitions, programs, and support services for artists year round.

I did a drawing of Marianne Boesky when I was in art school... or somewhere along my artistic timeline, as she is a very impressive-looking person.... I should try to find it and send it to her.... cough, cough...

I expect that Alessandra Torres, who is (in my opinion) the most brilliant "undiscovered" artist in the Mid Atlantic, will steal this show....

Freebies for the Hirsh of Horn

The Hirshhorn Museum has just announced major gifts of artwork by Joseph Cornell, Camille Henrot, Sabine Hornig, Teresa Hubbard and Alexander Birchler, William Kentridge, Raphael Montañez Ortiz, Salvatore Scarpitta and Frank Thiel.

Congrats to the Hirshhie...

Winter Palace Studio

See this video and then go and check out the gallery in G'town.

Winter Palace Studio
1054 31st Street NW (Canal Square)
Washington, DC 20007
www.WinterPalaceStudio.com

What's Up: New Technologies in Art

Eight artists and abstract thinkers use technology to create evolving and interactive artworks, and adapt industrial processes in interesting ways, in the new exhibition What's Up: New Technologies in Art opening this Saturday at Strathmore. 

I plan to go see this show to find some new artists for us.

Featured are Scott Draves' "Electric Sheep" which combines evolutionary biology, mathematics and genetic algorithms; Floating Point collaborative's "LanScapes" interactive virtual installation; Chris Bathgate's machinist sculptures; and George Terry's site specific laser/video installation honoring his mentor, the late Rockne Krebs.

DMV artists participating in this exhibition are Chris Bathgate (Baltimore), Joseph Corcoran (Washington, D.C.) and Gretchen Schermerhorn (Silver Spring). Bryan Sullivan and George Terry both live in New York, but were previously based in the DMV. 

This show is paired with a concurrent artist showcase in the Invitational Gallery called Art-Craft-Art.

Go see this and then buy one

The Washington Glass School will host “The Aberrant Collection of the Spurious Calamus”, by Audrey Wilson. 

This new collection of works will be her first solo show and will feature her mixed media sculptures. The opening reception will be held at the Washington Glass School on January 11, 2014 from 6-8pm. The exhibition will be on view through January 31, 2014 and is free and open to the public.

I've become very familiar with both Audrey Wilson and with her work in the last two years, since we've exhibited her work at both Aqua in 2012 and most recently at Context Art Miami in 2013.

Let me summarize this right now: if you are an art collector and do not buy one of her pieces at this show, her first (and thus historic) solo show, then you are a fool... un bobo!

"Why does he say this?", you must be asking... let me explain why.

Over the years I think that I have developed a pretty damned good eye at spotting what makes an artist click (or not)... 

Dudes and Dudettes... I have empirical evidence and not just hearsay or anecdotal data to back that statement.... 

And what I have noticed about Wilson and her work have several components - all critical - that help to make her a "BUY NOW."

• She has enviable work ethic - that, my learned friends, is a key seasoning to the success soup recipe... nothing beats hard work.
• She is a hard worker - does it sound like I am repeating myself? It's on purpose...
• She has a powerful "artistic IT" - that's that undefinable (except by me) element that separates the good from the truly intelligent.
• Her work is intelligent... it just is! When you get into a discussion with the Audreymeister about all the elements and components and titling of her pieces, one is left salivating like a Pavlov dog hearing a bell that signifies greatness...
• Her work looks GREAT! -- I say this with some reticence, as these days, some art symbiots still have issues with beauty, but Wilson's work stand out with some sort of undefinable beauty.
• She appeals to young collectors: OK ---> you're gonna have to trust me on this... but at the fairs I have sold her work to clients who have told me: "This is the first piece of art that we've ever bought!"
• She appeals to important major collectors: At Context Art Miami, on the second day, when I got to the booth there was a MAJOR (caps well deserved) collector waiting for me at the booth. She told me that this was the first time in over two decades of art collecting that she had waited for someone at an empty booth (this while I was wondering how she got into the fair before official opening time)... "I want this artist," she said in her usual brusque manner... and she got her.
• She appeals to curators: At Aqua, her work was invited to a major curatorial project.

You will never see her prices at the level that they will be at this first solo show... spend the money now and then thank me in a few years... 

Here's the press release:

Audrey Wilson sculptures are a blend of created and altered elements that reflect evolving science and machinery and explore the relationship between man and technology. Technology is merely an extension and reflection of mankind. In fact, no objects contain more human essence than do tools.

Audrey’s sculptural projects and multi-media works are metaphors evoking our endless manipulation of environment, our need for control, and our longing for a meaningful union with nature and the other, in a supreme balance of power and delicacy. People are becoming increasingly alienated from the objects which surround and sustain them, as they have lost the emotional link to technology.

“The Aberrant Collection of the Spurious Calamus” captures our complicated relationship with technology, mirroring it back with poetic glances.

________________________________________________________________

Audrey Wilson (b.1987) has a BA in Crafts with a Glass Concentration from Kent State University. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Audrey has worked at the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio as the studio and teaching assistant, working with the museum's visiting glass artists. Audrey's artwork references nature and organic forms with mixed media.She is represented in the DC area by Alida Anderson Art Projects, LLC.

Satan Statue Design Unveiled

In case you were wondering what the Prince of Darkness' statue might look like... click here.

A New Years' resolution for artists

Read it here...

Simon Monk at Art Wynwood

"Trapped Batman VI" by the superbly talented Simon Monk will be at the Art Wynwood in Miami this coming February... and here is some intel on Monk: His prices will be going up right after the fair!

Audrey Wilson's first solo show

The Washington Glass School will host “The Aberrant Collection of the Spurious Calamus”, by Audrey Wilson. 

This new collection of works will be her first solo show and will feature her mixed media sculptures. The opening reception will be held at the Washington Glass School on January 11, 2014 from 6-8pm. The exhibition will be on view through January 31, 2014 and is free and open to the public.

I've become very familiar with both Audrey Wilson and with her work in the last two years, since we've exhibited her work at both Aqua in 2012 and most recently at Context Art Miami in 2013.

Let me summarize this right now: if you are an art collector and do not buy one of her pieces at this show, her first (and thus historic) solo show, then you are a fool... un bobo!

I've only made this recommendation (as far as I can recall) twice... once for Tim Tate years ago when he was selling for $400-$600 (now up to $51,000 at auctions and starting at around $4,000 for smaller pieces) and once for Michael Janis when he was selling for around $500 (now you can't touch his work for less than $5,000 to start... or more).

"Why does he say this... what's with this maven?", you must be asking... let me explain why.

Over the years I think that I have developed a pretty damned good eye at spotting what makes an artist click (or not)... 

Dudes and Dudettes... I have empirical evidence and not just hearsay or anecdotal data to back that statement.... 

And what I have noticed about Wilson and her work have several components - all critical - that help to make her a "BUY NOW."

• She has enviable work ethic - that, my learned friends, is a key seasoning to the success soup recipe... nothing beats hard work.
• She is a hard worker - does it sound like I am repeating myself? It's on purpose...
• She has a powerful "artistic IT" - that's that undefinable (except by me) element that separates the good from the truly intelligent.
• Her work is intelligent... it just is! When you get into a discussion with the Audreymeister about all the elements and components and titling of her pieces, one is left salivating like a Pavlov dog hearing a bell that signifies greatness...
• Her work looks GREAT! -- I say this with some reticence, as these days, some art symbiots still have issues with beauty, but Wilson's work stand out with some sort of undefinable beauty.
• She appeals to young collectors: OK ---> you're gonna have to trust me on this... but at the fairs I have sold her work to clients who have told me: "This is the first piece of art that we've ever bought!"
• She appeals to important major collectors: At Context Art Miami, on the second day, when I got to the booth there was a MAJOR (caps well deserved) collector waiting for me at the booth. She told me that this was the first time in over two decades of art collecting that she had waited for someone at an empty booth (this while I was wondering how she got into the fair before official opening time)... "I want this artist," she said in her usual brusque manner... and she got her.
• She appeals to curators: At Aqua, her work was invited to a major curatorial project.

You will never see her prices at the level that they will be at this first solo show... spend the money now and then thank me in a few years... 

Here's the press release:

Audrey Wilson sculptures are a blend of created and altered elements that reflect evolving science and machinery and explore the relationship between man and technology. Technology is merely an extension and reflection of mankind. In fact, no objects contain more human essence than do tools.

Audrey’s sculptural projects and multi-media works are metaphors evoking our endless manipulation of environment, our need for control, and our longing for a meaningful union with nature and the other, in a supreme balance of power and delicacy. People are becoming increasingly alienated from the objects which surround and sustain them, as they have lost the emotional link to technology.

“The Aberrant Collection of the Spurious Calamus” captures our complicated relationship with technology, mirroring it back with poetic glances.

________________________________________________________________

Audrey Wilson (b.1987) has a BA in Crafts with a Glass Concentration from Kent State University. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Audrey has worked at the Chrysler Museum Glass Studio as the studio and teaching assistant, working with the museum's visiting glass artists. Audrey's artwork references nature and organic forms with mixed media.She is represented in the DC area by Alida Anderson Art Projects, LLC.

2014 Baker Artist Awards

Just a friendly reminder that nominations close January 15th which means there are less than two weeks left to nominate yourself for the 2014 Baker Artist Awards!

You may setup your nomination by visiting the "Sign-up" page on the Baker site HERE. As always nominations are FREE and come with a professionally designed online portfolio. Additional instructions on nominating yourself may be found on the help page on our Baker Blog HERE.

If you have any questions, you may email me at bakerartistawards@gmail.com.

 

Please feel free to forward this message to anyone you think may want a chance to win a piece of the $90,000 in prize money!

We hope to see your work on the Baker Artist Awards site very soon.

Best Regards,

David London
Program and Marketing Manager
Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance 

 

www.BaltimoreCulture.org

www.BakerArtistAwards.org

Transformations

Transformations exhibition with Megan Peritore, Mary Freedman, Jackie Hoysted and 

Lisa Rosenstein in the Galleries at Takoma Park Community Center.  
 
Where:  Galleries at Takoma Park Community Center

7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park MD
When:  Thursday, January 9, 7-9 pm

Brutal drive

The drive home tonight was brutal in the snow with DMV drivers!

I was coming from the north, and 95 South was looking pretty grim and WMAL was hollering about how bad the beltway was, so I took 32 West to 29 South and then onto the new and super-expensive Intercounty (or whatever it is called) Connector (MD 200), which as usual, was deserted, which tonight was a good thing.

Because there was no one on it, the snow was piling up a little more and that was rather interesting, but I got off at Rockville Pike and then headed down 355 South, which was also pretty empty heading South and miserable going North... "it's all good," I'm thinking, but nonetheless fearing what may happen once I get into my own hood; after all, the Soviet Socialist Republic of Montgomery never clears, or salts my street, and some of my neighbors seem to want to drive around our hilly neighborhood whenever it starts snowing.

Not to disappoint me, the last few blocks were the most dangerous... the snow had accumulated, and there was at least one neighbor trying to make an U-turn on a snowy downhill road... Feh!

A few skids later, a few cuss words later, the old Vanster and I got home OK and safe.

I little Southern Comfort and water later, I was able to finally breathe...

Will 2014 be the end of the Castro dictatorship?

A while back the brutal and racist Castro Brothers' regime released an unbelievable (for people who live in free societies that is) video, where it depicts the leader of The Ladies in White, Berta Soler, who is Afro-Cuban, as some sort of "ignorant gorilla" character.

The Ladies in White are a peaceful democracy movement composed of the wives, daughters, mothers and relatives of Cuban political prisoners. Many of the members of this valiant group are Afro-Cuban women.

Why is a dictatorship so afraid of a group of mostly elderly women?

Because these courageous Cuban mothers and grandmothers refuse to back down in spite of being beaten, jailed and smeared. They know that they are perhaps the seed to the end of the world's longest existing dictatorship.

This video (below)  is part of the Castro regime's heavy-handed efforts to smear and destroy courageous pro-democracy women leaders such as Berta Soler and Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez.

This racist video should be not only condemned internationally, but also adds more evidence to the disturbing racist heavy boot of the Cuban dictatorship. I call for President Obama and the Congressional Black Caucus to make the treatment of Afro-Cubans and all Cubans one of their top International Human Rights policy priorities for 2014!