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.

Friday, April 22, 2016

The Looking Glass: Artist Immigrants to Washington


The Looking Glass: Artist Immigrants to Washington
June 18–August 14, 2016
Opening Reception: June 18, 6-8PM
 
Naul Oleja, Fleeing From the Storm, 1981
The Alper Initiative for Washington Art presents the work of ten artists who immigrated to Washington, DC from Latin America under duress during the past fifty years, found homes in Washington, and made or are making positive contributions to our artistic culture and quality of life.
 
The exhibition features work by artists:
Artists who left their homes in Chile, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, and Uruguay.
 
American University Museum
Tel: 202-885-1300
Fax: 202-885-1140
 
4400 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20016
 
Admission Free
Parking Free (weekends)
Tue-Sun, 11:00-4:00
Fully Accessible
 

Thursday, April 21, 2016

The art of money

The recent decision to replace Andrew Jackson with Harriet Tubman, like nearly anything in the last few years, seems to have multiple political and social angles and views, depending on where your dogma lies.


The right wing should be rejoicing, as Tubman was a strong supporter of gun rights, and a vibrant activist for the Republican Party.  Jackson, on the other hand, was a Democrat.


As a result, essentially a Republican has replaced a Democrat on the twenty spot... not just any Democrat, but the founder of the Democratic Party!... cough, cough.


Personally, I'm more interested in the art angle aspect of this decision, hoping against all odds that the new Tubman $20 bill will be a bit more "artsy" than existing US money.


While the US dollar is the king of the hill when it comes to money, there's a vast chasm in art appeal in American money from many other countries.


Don't get me wrong, most countries have pretty boring bills, more often than not copying the style of the US dollar. Even the dirty, rotten Commies in Cuba use the "dollar style" here and there, such as in the case of the homophobic, racist, mass murderer Che Guevara three pesos bill:




And OK, the twenty Euro bill doesn't even look like money, but more like a coupon that you get in the mail or a ticket to a soccer game, or 20% discount at AC Moore's.





But before the Euro took over, European denominations were works of art in their diverse and colorful beauty. Check out the beautiful landscape in this Spanish 1000 peseta bill:






Or art!  See how Delacroix and the other figures look like rough drawing sketches from his Liberty Leading the People (La liberté guidant le people) 1830 painting?, not to mention bare tits, on this French 100 francs bill:




We will never see a woman's breasts on any American money - ever!


In Latin America, a few decades ago, most currency bills had the same style as the US dollar - but the introduction of technology to reduce fake bills also brought an opportunity to revamp their bills, and even to introduce women imagery - an interesting accomplishment in these macho societies. My favorite? Frida Kahlo in the Mexican 500 pesos bill. She's on the back, and her husband, the very ugly Diego Rivera, is on the front... cough, cough.




African countries also have gorgeous money, and plenty of females on their currency. Cameroon, in particular, has some beautiful women on their bills, although they seem to have an odd fixation with blue-eyed African women?








And then Costa Rica rocks the animal world with this super cool image of a Great White:




Or this beautiful butterfly:





But to get back on topic (boring US currency design), perhaps the new $20 bill could start by taking baby steps. How about if the image of Tubman breaks the usual compositional plane of the rectangular dollar note? Have Tubman really breaking out of the composition and leading American currency to new design heights?


Nearly all the suggested designs here are boring, although a few do take my suggestion and break the compositional plane.


This image below (via) begins to really re-composition US money, although it stands a snowball's chance in hell to ever be in any bill - but it has the artistic compositional elements that I visualize (breaking the plane of the rectangle).




Baby steps...

Opportunities for Artists

Opportunities 
             
Artists Can Apply to Plein Air Festivals
Plein Air painting is a phrase borrowed from the French meaning "open air” and is used to describe the act of painting outdoors where an artist reproduces the visual conditions at the time of the painting. Maryland is home to a dozen Plein Air festivals. Below are upcoming opportunities for artists to participate: