The book that saved my art life

The number one spot in my top ten most influential books (on me) of all times has been occupied since 1977 by The Painted Word by Tom Wolfe.

I think that this book should be required reading for all art school freshmen across the nation, as it will prepare and armor them against all the bull that the art world will be about the heave at them. If you have not read it, please do.

Below is the text of a review of the book that I wrote for Amazon:

Can I start by saying that this book "saved my art life"?

Let me explain. In 1977 I started art school as a not so impressionable 21 year-old with a few years as a US Navy sailor under my belt. But in the world of art, there's a lot of molding and impressions being made by a very galvanized world. And although I was a few years older than most in my class... I was probably as ready as any to swallow the whole line and sinker that the "modern art world" floats out there.

Then I read this book - it was given to me by Jacob Lawrence, a great painter and a great teacher --- although I didn't get along with him too well at the time. I read it (almost by accident and against my will --- it was a get-a-way "love weekend" with my then-girlfriend - it went sour). And this book OPENED my EYES!!! It was as if all of a sudden a "fog" had been listed about all the manure and fog that covers the whole art world.

I used it as a weapon.

I used it to defend how I wanted to paint and feel and write. And it allowed me to survive art school.

And then in 1991 - as I prepared to look around to start my own gallery - I found it again, in a gallery (of all places) in Alexandria, VA. I read it again, and to my surprise Wolfe was as topical and effervescent and eye-opening as ever!

Wolfe has a lot of bones to pick with the art world -- 25 years ago!!! He destroys the proliferation of art theory, and puts "art gods" like Harold Rosenberg, Clement Greenberg, and Leo Steinberg (who have ruined art criticism for all ages - by making critics think that they "lead" the arts rather than "follow the artists") into their proper place and perspective. He has a lot of fun, especially with Greenberg and the Washington Color School and their common stupidity about the flatness of the picture plane.

Here's my recommendation: If you are a young art student or a practicing artist: SAVE YOUR LIFE! Read this book!

Studio space available

As of July 21st, 2021, 1/2 of studio 17 (in section B1 by the galleries) will be available for lease on Parklawn Drive in Rockville, Maryland. This 1/2 studio share rents for $195/month. Get in touch now for jurying to reserve!

What's a print? What's a reproduction?

The most misused word in the world of art is the word "print," as used in defining work as "limited edition print," etc.

In the narrow, but true art definition of what an original art print is, a print is a work of art produced from an image worked by the artist on another material, usually a metal, plexiglass, wood, linoleum, plastic plate, etc.

Everything else is a reproduction.

And lawsuits will happen if suddenly a collector discovers that their "print" or "original" is in fact a reproduction.

So if an artist paints or draws an image on any medium, and then has multiple images made from that original by an electro-mechanical or mechanical process using photographic or digital images (such as Iris or Gyclee), those images are reproductions - not prints.

However, because it would really be hard to market an artist's work as "limited edition, signed and numbered reproductions," the word "print" has been kidnapped by the marketers of art to apply to any set of multiple images - regardless of how they came to be, or what part the artist played in its creation.

It gets a bit murky when it comes to digital art - that is artwork that is created from scratch through the use of a computer or a photograph taken with a digital camera.

Once the file is done and finished and saved, then one can say that the image that comes out of the printer is the "print" in the true sense of the narrow art definition - much like the negative in traditional photography produces the photographic print.

However, a photograph that is taken, developed, printed in the darkroom and then scanned so that Giclees or Iris "prints" can be made from the photographic image means that those are reproductions made from the original photograph. 

But a photograph taken with a digital camera and then has Iris/Giclees or any other digital prints made from the digital image in the memory card is a "real" print!

So a digital medium like Giclee/Iris can be either a reproduction or a real print - it all depends on what the original source of the image is!

Printmakers are especially sensitive to the misuse of the work "print" to market reproductions of artwork. One of the best places in town to buy true prints from very talented printmakers is the Washington Printmakers Gallery in the Dupont Circle area.

Shiri Achu virtual exhibition

41inPrint:Worldwide

A VIRTUAL ART EXHIBITION

By Award-winning International Artist SHIRI ACHU

SAT. APRIL 10TH – MON. APRIL 19TH 2021

_________________________________

April 10th - Private Zoom Opening party

April 11th – 18th - 41InPrint Virtual Exhibition (7:00 pm – 7:30 pm daily)

April 19th - Virtual book launch.

From my good friend Shiri Achu:

Tune out and Zoom in from the comfort of home with a glass of wine to the Opening party of 41InPrint:Worldwide on Saturday 10th April at 7pm EST. Following the Zoom Opening Party, again, tune in, this time on YouTube and Facebook where the International artist Shiri Achu will be hosting DAY 1 of her first ever online exhibition entitled, 41InPrint:Worldwide. This 8 day long Virtual Exhibition will be opened to the public - WORLDWIDE - from Sunday, April 11th 2021 through to Sunday April 18th 2021, starting each day at 7:00pm EST. Each day of the exhibition will have its own theme and will be presented by one of four seasoned hosts; Diane Daiga of Ddtalks, Gwendoline F.D of Gwendy Media, Nico Kang and MC Chaz. The program will also have a daily special guest for the ‘4+1 talk’, interview segment. This is not an event to be missed!

Born in Cameroon, raised in London, and now residing in Washington DC, this marks the 6th of such ‘InPrint’ exhibitions. With her ‘InPrint’ annual series of exhibitions, Shiri selects a focal destination city to exhibit her art and to showcase and expose the African culture to its citizens. The first of the InPrint series, 35InPrint:LONDON took place in April 2014 at The Strand Gallery in Central London. 36InPrint:DC took place in May 2016 at Gallery A in Central Washington DC. 37InPrint:AUSTRALIA took place in July at Mama Jambo in Australia. 38InPrint:JAMAICA took place in August 2017 at The Regional Headquarters of the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica. 

39InPrint:TORONTO, took place in November at Ariilon, Toronto, Canada.

This time, because of the Worldwide Pandemic, the gallery comes to you in an intimate series of daily online unveilings of skillfully crafted depictions of everyday life and culture throughout the continent of Africa. Shiri Achu’s fluid yet grounded style creates layers of dimension and emotional depth that allow the viewer to truly enter into the earthy yet colorful lives of everyday lives all across Africa. The online exhibition will also feature a host of special guests daily including, Famous American Soul Singer Angie Stone, renowned Jamaican Dub Poet Mutabaruka, Nigerian movie industry pioneer, actor Zack Orji and revolutionary Cameroonian musician Witty Minstrel among many others. During the ‘4+1 TALK’ time, Shiri talks about ‘art’, the pandemic and other topics with each of her special guests.

All art pieces unveiled during that day of the exhibition will be available on her website www.shiriachuart.com immediately after the exhibition for purchase. The last piece on day 8 will mark 41 pieces exhibited throughout the 8 days. On Monday April 19th, Shiri Achu will launch a Virtual book, an anthology collection inspired by her art.

Everyone (art lovers, supporters, fans, where ever you are in the world etc) can register for the exhibition on her website www.shiriachuart.com and receive a 20% discount on all art purchased throughout the exhibition. Registered persons will also receive the Private viewing ‘Opening party’ zoom link. During the 8 daily exhibition broadcasts, a secret number or letter will appear in the live stream, and the first three people who correctly guess the secret word or phrase will be eligible to win some awesome prizes.

Wherever you are in the world, you are cordially invited to 41InPrint:Worldwide. Take a journey through the motherland and enjoy the daily unveiling of fresh, bold African inspired art.

41inPrint:Worldwide

8 Days Exhibition & Special Guests on ‘4+1 TALK ’

Day 1 - Sunday 11th - Bishop Darlingston Johnson & Pastor Chrys Johnson

Day 2 - Monday 12th - Witty Minstrel

Day 3 - Tuesday 13th - Jessica Mbangeni

Day 4 – Wed. 14th - Naomi Achu & Myra Maimoh

Day 5 - Thursday 15th - Blick Bassy

Day 6 - Friday 16th - Mutabaruka

Day 7 - Saturday 17th - Angie Stone

Day 8 - Sunday 18th - Zack Orji

Michelle L. Herman at VisArts

Michelle L. Herman will be showing her work at the Common Ground Gallery at VisArts in Rockville from April 2–May 14 as part of the MICA MFA in Studio Art 2020 Thesis Exhibition. 

Michelle L. Herman is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans theoretical and philosophical research, feminist and disability politics, comedy, and conceptualism. Herman’s work broadly traverses the margins between ability and what is beyond our reach: particularly the limits of perception, attention, connection, and categorization in the digital age. Through installations, sculptures, and video Herman investigates the ways in which we negotiate and push these boundaries every day. Herman has shown nationally in both group and solo exhibitions at locations such as the Hillyer Art Space, Arlington Art Center, Visarts, the Washington Project for the Arts, the Corcoran, The Smithsonian Institution, and The Kennedy Center. Herman’s work has been written about and featured in Hyperallergic, New American Paintings, The Washington Post, NPR, and East City Arts. Herman is an alumna of the Maryland Institute College of Art (MFA, 2020) and the Sparkplug artist collective sponsored by the DC Arts Center.

Read the essay by my good friend Kristen Hileman here.  

How to sign artwork

 One of the most curious things that I have puzzled about in the many decades of making art, presenting art, selling art and dealing with both artists and art collectors (as well as art dealers), is how often artists anguish over a signature.

There are gazillions of ways to screw up a work of art with a signature - the most common one is where a work of art is marred by a giant signature in glow-in-the-dark silver color marker or some hideous color like that.

Even a tiny and elegant signature can distract from a work of art if placed in the wrong area of the work. Imagine an elegant abstract, such as a Mondrian, with a signature in the middle of one of the color geometric shapes.

And, the real truth is that if you care at all about art as a commodity, then I will tell you that most collectors, especially the savvy ones, will always ask about the signature, if one is not apparent at first inspection. You can give them all the certificates of authenticity on the planet, but they want that siggie somewhere.

"A Picasso with a signature may be worth twice as much as one without a signature," said Mark Rosen, former head of the print department at Sotheby's, which sells approximately thousands of prints per year with prices ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $100,000. "Chagall did a series of prints called 'Daphne and Chloe' and those that are signed are worth 10 times as much as those that are unsigned. Otherwise, they are the same prints."

By now you're itching to yell at me: "Lenster! What is this? Damn if you and damn if you don't?" 

Nope - it's just damn if you don't; just do it in the proper place(s).

Some easy to remember DO NOT Rules when signing artwork

• Never sign with a gigantic signature; a normal signature (or even smaller than normal) will do fine.
• Never sign anywhere on the surface where it interferes with the composition.
• Never sign with that glows, shimmers, is metallic or will fade.
• No need to put the little "c" inside the circle "copyright" sign by your signature. You already own the copyright no matter what!
• If you sign on the back (verso in Sothebyse), make sure that it doesn't bleed through!
• Don't sign using inks that will fade in time, or worse, separate, such as "Sharpies" do after a few years, when they acquire a yellow border around the faded black ink.

You want to know where to sign, right?

Cough, cough...

By the way... I'm meandering all about signatures on two dimensional work; you sculptors are all on your own, as long as you don't pull a Michelangelo on the Pieta stunt.

Where to sign two-dimensional work

1. On the back (make sure that it doesn't go through and can be seen from the front); in fact, the more info that you can put on the back to help art historians of the future, the better.

2. On the lower margin of the piece (usually the right margin, but that's up to you).

3. Photographs can either be signed (and numbered in a small edition, cough, cough) on the verso (there's a million "special" photo-signing pens for all you photo geeks; they "write" on photo paper and dry in nanoseconds and don't smear, etc.) Or you can sign them if you leave a white border all around the printed photo. Even signing the mat in the lower margin in pencil was in vogue in the last century and is OK.

If you don't believe me about the power of a signature, then just go online and research the difference in price between a signed Picasso (most of them) and the two dozen or so fully validated, authenticated and documented unsigned Picassos (the ones that he gave to one of his ex-wifes that he hated).

That will learn y'all a lesson about signatures and art, Jethro...

Art Fair Types

As we approach (we hope) the end of The Covidian Age, and art fairs (hopefully) make a come back, and as we prepare to do art fairs in NYC, Miami, Houston, London, and maybe Seattle, I thought that this would be a good time to republish this post from 2004:

---

One of the more eye-opening things in attending an art fair is seeing the dynamics that go onto the decision to buy a piece of art. Put together a few thousand people, paying an entry fee to enter the fair, an assortment of dealers, and a huge diverse variety of offerings and it's an education in people watching.

The married couple: 

"Do you like it?" 

"Yeah, I like it- it's just what we've been looking for." 

"Where would we put it?" 

"We have a couple of spots that it'd fit."

"Do you really like it." 

"Yeah, how about you?" 

"Yeah, I kinda of like it." 

"Should we get it?" 

"If you want it." 

(five minutes later) "Let's think about it." 

"OK" 

[To me] "Do you have a business card?" 

The couple (not married): 

Her: "Do you like it?" 

Him: "Sssoright" 

Her: "Where would we put it?" 

Him: "Dunno." 

Her: "Do you really like it." 

Him: "So'OK.. Yeah, how about you?" 

Her: "Yeah, I kinda, sorta, really like it." 

Him: "Dunno though" 

Her: "What? You don't like it?" 

Him: "If you want it." 

(five minutes later) Him: "Let's think about it." 

Her or Him: "OK" [To me] "Do you have a business card?" 

The Single Woman (SW) with a Woman Friend: 

SW: "WOW! Now, I really like this!" 

Friend: "Yeah... it's nice" 

SW: "It's exactly what I've been looking for!" 

Friend: "I have a friend who does work just like this..." 

SW: "I am really drawn to it!" 

Friend: "Are you really sure you like it?" 

SW: "Uh - yeah!... why? Don't you like it?" 

Friend: "Yeah... it's OK" 

SW: "I think it's really good... I think it's the first piece in this whole show that I really like." 

Friend: "There's a few more booths we haven't seen." 

SW: "I think I'm going to buy this." 

Friend: "Are you sure?" 

SW: "Uh - yeah!... It's a good price too.... why? Don't you like it?" 

(five minutes later) SW: "Do you have a business card?" 

The Single Woman (SW) with a Man Friend: 

SW: "WOW! Now, I really like this!" 

Friend: "Yeah... Cool" 

SW: "It's exactly what I've been looking for!" 

Friend: "I think it's a lithograph" [it's actually a charcoal] 

SW: "I am really drawn to it!" 

Friend: "Are you really sure you like it?" 

SW: "Uh - yeah!... why? Don't you like it?" 

Friend: "I have something like it... I got it cheaper though..." 

SW: "I think it's really good... I think it's the first piece in this whole show that I really like." 

Friend: "You like lithographs?" 

SW: "I think I'm going to buy this." 

Friend: "Are you sure?" 

SW: "Uh - yeah!... It's a good price too.... why? Don't you like it?" 

(five minutes later) SW: "Do you have a business card?" 

The Single Focus Dream Buyer: [Walks straight up to one piece, never looks at the rest of the work in your booth] "I'll take this" 

[Me] "Thank you... it's a very striking charcoal drawing - will be that be a check or charge?"

 "Charge" 

[Me] "I can send you more information on this artist..." 

"That will be great - I love this work - it's exactly what I'm interested in!"

[Me] "I have a few more pieces here, would you like to see them?" "

No, thanks..."  (He/She buys it and walks away)

The "I'm glad you're here guy (IGYHG)": 

IGYHG: "Hey! I've been looking for you!" 

[Me]: "Hi, how are you?" 

IGYHG: "... been walking this whole fair looking for you!" 

[Me]: "Yeah... lots of dealers this year... glad you found us!" 

IGYHG: "Howsa been goin'?" 

[Me]: "Yes... quite good actually..." 

IGYHG: "Well, let me look at what you've got!" 

[three minutes later] IGYHG: "Well... I'm glad you're here... see ya next year!"

The "I Shudda Bought It Last Year Guy (Shudda)": 

Shudda: "Hey! You're here again!" 

[Me]: "Hi, how are you? Yeah... It's our 7th year here..." 

Shudda: "... been walking this whole fair looking for you!" 

[Me]: "Yeah... lots of dealers this year... glad you found us!" 

Shudda: "Howsa been goin'?" 

[Me]: "Yes... quite good actually..." 

Shudda: "Well, let me look at what you've got!" 

[three minutes later] Shudda: "Where's that really good watercolor of the fill-in-the-blank?" 

[Me]: "Uh... I sold it last year - but I have a few more pieces by that artist." 

Shudda: "Ah! - I really wanted that one! Do you have another one?" 

[Me]: "Well, no... it was an original watercolor, and I sold it; but I have ---" 

Shudda: "I really wanted that piece; and it was a good price too..." 

[Me]: "Maybe you'd like some of his new work..." 

Shudda: "I shudda bought it last year" [Walks away] 

Shudda: "You gonna be here next year?" 

The "Where's That Piece Guy (WTP)": 

WTP: "Hey! You're here again!" 

[Me]: "Hi, how are you? Yeah... It's our 7th year here..." 

WTP: "... been walking this whole fair specifically looking for you!" 

[Me]: "Yeah... lots of dealers this year... glad you found us!" 

WTP: "Howsa been goin'?" 

[Me]: "Yes... quite good actually..." 

WTP: "OK... last year I saw this piece... it was a fill-in-the-bank and I should have bought it then! " 

[Me]: "Yeah... that is a nice piece." 

WTP: "I've been thinking about it for a whole year" [Looks around the booth and doesn't see it]

WTP: "Do you still have it?" 

[From here there are two paths...] 

Path One - [Me]: "Uh... I sold it last year - but I have a few more pieces by that artist." 

WTP: "Ah! - I really wanted that one! Do you have another one?" 

[Me]: "Well, no... it was an original watercolor, and I sold it; but I have ---" 

WTP: "I really wanted that piece; and it was a good price too..." 

[Me]: "Maybe you'd like some of his new work..." 

WTP: "I shudda bought it last year" 

[Walks away] WTP: "You gonna be here next year?" 

Path Two [Me]: "Let me get it for you... I have it in the back!" 

WTP: "Great" [I bring it out and give to WTP] 

WTP: "Yeah this is it! It's great!" 

[Me]: "This artist has done really well this last year and ---" 

WTP: [Handing it back] "Excellent! I'm glad you still have it... until what time are you going to be here?" [Walks away...]

Skies over Gig Harbor, Washington

Things that you find in storage: "Skies over Gig Harbor, Washington", these are several 1980 watercolor assignments from the University of Washington School of Art that I did while a student on a field day trip to Gig Harbor.

#gigharbor #gigharborwa #gigharborrealestate #gigharborliving #universityofwashington

Why most of the DMV's museum curators... are not DMV curators

 This quote from this article in Washingtonian is as true today as it was when first published...

“Curators from the Hirshhorn or National Gallery would rather take a cab to Dulles Airport to look at emerging artists in Berlin than they would take a cab to Adams Morgan to look at emerging artists here,” says Lennox Campello, an artist and former gallery owner. “They don’t do a good job of tending their own back garden.”

Anatomy of another commission

More later on what this new commission for a nice Illinois couple will end up as - but here are the draft sketches... the last one borrows heavily from a Romantic period piece that I once saw in a museum (can't recall the artist).

More get a thick skin ops!

 As I preach - artists need a thick skin!

Dear Florencio,

On behalf of the Washington Project for the Arts, I would like to thank you for submitting your work to the open call for our Collectors' Night 2021 benefit auction. And to thank you for your patience. With the extended deadline, we had many more submissions to review and consider in relationship to the auction's theme "Am I Altering Your Aura?" and the Audre Lorde quote. We regret to inform you that your work was not selected for inclusion in the auction this year.

We know that you invested time and energy in this process and that this might be disappointing news. If you are interested in remaining connected to WPA, we encourage you to sign up for our e-newsletter or to follow us on Facebook or Instagram--if you haven't already. We post opportunities throughout the year and we review submissions to Open Call for Ideas on a quarterly basis.

As we come up on a year of the pandemic, we look to the future with hope and wish you all the best!

Sincerely,

Emily

Emily Fussner, Event Manager

WASHINGTON PROJECT FOR THE ARTS

Maremi Andreozzi and Wayson Jones at Adah Rose

 Awright folks - the Covidian Age is almost over (one hopes) - time to start getting back to visiting galleries, creating art, doing art fairs...

Start here:

"May You Live In Interesting Times" -- Maremi Andreozzi and Wayson Jones at Adah Rose Gallery

Maremi has created a remarkable and sensitive group of portraits of women entitled "History Adorned". Some of the women are famous, others have only recently begun to have their fascinating stories told.  They range from teachers to doctors, queens to courtesans, scientists to poets, couturiers to activists. Each is painted in silhouette, ageless and beautiful. Their adornments; brooches, lace, earrings, hats and dress are exquisite and give them each a wonderful uniqueness.

Maremi grew up and lives in Alexandria Virginia. She earned a BFA from Cornell University and a MFA from Clemson University. She was an artist in residence at the International Artist Residency in La Macina di San Cresci in Chianti, Italy. She has exhibited at the Tephra Institute for Contemporary Art, the Smith Center, the Rachel Schlesinger Art Center/NOVA, the Torpedo Factory, Radford University, Glenview Mansion and the Howard County Council for the Arts. Her work is in many private and public collections including Marriott Corporation and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. This is Maremi's first show with Adah Rose Gallery.

The paintings of Wayson Jones are a mere six by six inches, yet each has a monumental presence. They are tactile, lavish, alluring and modest. The physicality of paint is explored in each painting and the beauty of color. Some of the paintings have a rich impasto with bold gestures and energy. Other works are smooth as silk. Wayson has a background in music and each painting performs in wonderful and powerful ways.

Wayson is a painter, musician, and spoken-word artist. He received a degree in music from the University of Maryland and later went on to perform with the renowned poet Essex Hemphill, as part of Washington DC's burgeoning Black gay and lesbian arts scene of the 80's and 90's. The two performed at DC Space, Blues Alley, The Kennedy Center, The Painted Bride (Philadelphia), LACE (Los Angeles) and LaMama Theater (NYC) They appeared in works by filmmaker Isaac Julien and Videographer Marlon Riggs. Wayson's visual art is informed by his performance experience and an exuberant approach to materiality and process. He has exhibited at the Black Rock Center for the Arts, Arts/Harmony Hall, Northern Virginia Community College and DCAC. 
Wayson received a 2017 Individual Artist Fellowship from the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council. His work is in numerous public and private collections including the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and the MGM National Harbour. This is Wayson's first show with Adah Rose Gallery.

March 3- April 10, 2021

Open by Appointment Most Days

Adah Rose Gallery

3766 Howard Ave

Kensington MD 20895

301-922-0162

www.adahrosegallery.com

Thick skin

 I'm always preaching that artists need to have thick skins... 

Dear Florencio,

 Thank you for applying for an Independent Artist Award (IAA) from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC). Unfortunately, panelists did not recommend your submitted work for an IAA this year. Please know that this decision in no way diminishes the fact that MSAC values the work of every artist in our state and honors your contributions to improving the quality of life for all Marylanders. A list of the 2021 MSAC IAA Panelists as well as a complete list of artists selected for 2021 awards will be posted on the MSAC website, msac.org, by May 15, 2021.

Information about MSAC’s regular grants and programs - including Creativity Grants that support independent artist’s projects and Professional Development Grants that support learning opportunities for artists - can be found at msac.org. Additionally, MSAC offers an array of online offerings, including professional development topics, which can be found on msac.org/events/virtual-events

We also look forward to launching our new website in the coming weeks, and invite you to create or update your Artist Registry profile so MSAC can showcase and promote your work for sale. Please keep an eye out for instructions to update your profile soon. To stay connected with the latest Maryland arts events, opportunities, and news, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @mdartscouncil.

Thank you again for participating in this year’s program, and we encourage you to apply again in the future. Should you have any questions, please connect with Program Directors, Emily Sollenberger or Laura Weiss for further information.

Thank you,

Maryland State Arts Council

Patria y Vida

Titled "Patria y Vida", this video is incredible! Why? Because it comes out of Cuba and it is Black Cubans taking the lead in the start of a new Revolution to get rid of the Marxist yoke!

They're coming!!!

The 17-year-cycle of cicada invaders is coming! That's Anderso when he was around 4 playing with a couple of the giant bugs!

Nolan Ryan

Nolan Ryan
1979 pen and ink drawi g by F. Lennox Campello done whila at art school

 

Roger Clemens

Roger Clemens
1984 litho by F. Lennox Campello

 

Dan Marino

Dan Marino
1983 litho by F. Lennox Campello

 

Tom Suever

 xx

Tom Suever
1980 lithographh by F. Lennox Campello done while at art school

The Morrigan

 Just came across this print of The Morrigan being offered at a gallery in Virginia - see it here.  This work was done in 1999 as an homage both to the late, great Frank Frazetta as well as my obsession with Celtic deities.

"The Morrigan"
1999 Edition of 10 signed and numbered prints
from an original drawing by F. Lennox Campello

The Morrígan or Mórrígan, also known as Morrígu, is a figure from Irish mythology. The name is Mór-Ríoghain in Modern Irish, and it has been translated as "great queen" or "phantom queen". In this Frazetta-like depiction, her powerful legs stamp upon the world. She is often seen as the goddess of battle and war and of sex.

You can buy it here. They have a lot of other 1990s works of mine for resale!

Opportunities for Artists

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.

For detailed entry guidelines, visit this website or email exhibits@hocoarts.org. The next deadline for submissions is April 1, 2021.

HCAC manages two galleries at the Howard County Center for the Arts with over 2,100 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.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, gallery hours may be subject to change. For current gallery hours, or to learn more about HCAC programs and exhibits, call 410-313-ARTS (2787) or visit hocoarts.org.

Art scam alert!!!

Beware of this mutant trying to rip off artists!

From: Barbara Flower barbaraflower1327@gmail.com

Subject: Aqua Marine Needed Urgently

Hello There,

          My Name is Barbara Flower from TEXAS. I actually observed my Husband has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess he likes your piece of work. I'm also impressed and amazed to have seen your various works too,  You are doing a Great job. I would like to purchase one of The "Aqua Marine" Series, as a surprise to my Husband on our anniversary. Also, let me know if you accept CHECK as mode of Payment.

Thanks and best regards

Barbara.

This showed up at an auction recently

Two Canadas over Brechin, Scotland by F. Lennox Campello, c. 1990

 

Art Scam Alert!

 Beware of this rip off master trying to steal from artists:

Subject:  Artwork Enquiry

From:  "Gilbert Henry" henrygilbert360@gmail.com

Good day, my name is Gilbert Henry from California, CA. I have been on the lookout for some artworks lately in regard to me and my wife's anniversary which is just around the corner. I stormed on some of your works which I found quite impressive and intriguing. I must admit you are doing quite an impressive job. You are undoubtedly good at what you do.

With that being said, I would like to purchase some of your works as a surprise gift to my wife in honor of our upcoming wedding anniversary.

It would be of help if you could send some pictures of your piece of works, with their respective prices and sizes, which are ready for immediate (or close to immediate) sales. My budget for this is within the price range of $1500 to $7000.

I look forward to reading from you in view of knowing more about your pieces of inventory. As a matter of importance, I would also like to know if you accept a check as a means of payment.

Best regards,

Gilbert Henry  

Wayne Art Center Online Exhibition: A Review from Afar

For some odd reason, this DMV critic tonight decided to take a look at the Wayne Art Center Online Faculty Exhibition.  Why is it odd? Well... I'm in the DMV and the Wayne Art Center is waaay out in Wayne, PA.

This is a really good show; in fact, it is quite a good show!

Super hard to pick a Best in Show when there are so many talented artists here... to start, Ellen Cooper s an outstanding portrait painter - really top of the food chain portraitist is that rare ability to not only capture a true likeness (I assume), but also something unique about the person being depicted.  Anne Graham is also a really good portrait artist - see her Helen here.

ELLEN COOPER
Lucca - Oil on Linen

Both of Valerie Craig's entries are also oil and also superbly done. She has a rough brush which gives her oils an interesting texture which is gorgeous and deceptively appearing to be easy to do, when in fact it is a skill that only a truly gifted painter can deliver and Craig is indeed gifted!

VALERIE CRAIG
The Hook - Oil

Also liked Louise Dusiberre's interesting light capture in her August Reflections pastel.  Joe Gyurcsak's Patina is a quizzical titled (I don't see what I understand to be a "patina") but it does deliver a really outstanding painting of a most pedestrian subject, which he elevates from the mundane to the sublime by the sheer gift of art. Neal Hughes also uses his vast talents to work on the truck subject, and once again delivers - his oil Ranch Truck is a top notch painting. Interesting how two different painters, both choosing a similar subject in different settings, deliver. Hughes muted colors, and his choice of color for the truck, makes it a magnet for the eyes - well done!

JOE GYURCSAK
Patina - Acrylic on Panel 

Kudos to Georganna Lenssen for taking a "real" subject and use powerful abstraction skills to deliver the reality of the subject submerged in a really attractive pseudo abstract!  Stefanie Lieberman can also paint really well! She's sort of (in my mind) in the same painting trance as Lenssen, but Lieberman pushes the reality a bit further to the real and in the process can flex some damn good cloud-painting artistic muscles!

 I give Nichole Michaud's the "Best Abstract of the Show" award for her oil pastel on paper titled Eighty Three.  Along the same lines, Sharon McHugh can really paint flowers! See them here.

On the subject of flowers (there are quite a few in the show)... remember what I wrote about Lenssen and Lieberman? Claudia Rilling does the same thing and her Peonies practically explode out of the canvas on a burst of abstract color.

Jon Redmond painted beets, not flowers, but they are just as beautifully delivered! Just like two old trucks discussed earlier, art is a powerful vehicle (no pun intended) to elevate through the power of a good painter.

JON REDMOND
Beets on a Plate - Oil on Board

Landscape artists Kathryn Stats and Doug Tweddale are related by a deep understanding of the power of color to deliver a great landscape -- they do not "copy" the landscape, but re-invent the landscape as smartly applied pigment on a surface - it works to deliver the wonder of our planet.

Stuart White has my top vote for the best watercolors in the show. See them here.

Frankly... there's not a single bad work in the show! Congrats to the faculty!

When you miss all the wires...

When you miss all the wires...

The Navy Chief and the Pilot
1983 US Navy drawing by F. Lennox Campello

Isla Herida

Cuba - Isla Herida
1981 Acrylic painting on gessoed stone, 4 x 9.5 inches
Florencio Lennox Campello

 

The Snipe was always the first one...

Another one... As I noted earlier, when I was in the Navy I did dozens of illustrations and cartoons for many newspapers (such as The Stars & Stripes), and hundreds of sketches of my shipmates and other US Navy sailors in ports in the US and European ports. Most of these drawings, cartoons, and paintings were given away to my shipmates over the years, but I also kept many of them, and I see them often being sold at auctions online and by galleries - I have no idea where this one is today! I digitized some old slides!

The Snipe was always the first to spot the liberty boat
1975 US Navy watercolor by F. Lennox Campello

Wanna work at the Washington Glass School?

The Washington Glass School and Studio is seeking candidates for position of full-time Studio Coordinator!

Details here.

Located just outside of Washington DC, WGS is a privately owned, public access art studio. Washington Glass School and Studio is dedicated to creating and promoting kiln-formed glass and mixed-media sculpture.

 Washington Glass School and Studio has 3 primary missions:

• 1. Community involvement through engagement of large-scale public artworks
• 2. Educate through teaching art classes and mixed-media classes
• 3. Promote and support Washington Glass Studio artists

They are "looking for someone who is excited about fabricating artwork, hands-on glass and art education, community involvement, and managing a studio. We seek someone who wants to learn about the contemporary art world and to expose themselves to  new techniques and mediums. The Studio Coordinator serves two roles: assisting studio artist Tim Tate and coordinating an active mixed media studio and school.. A great candidate will be self-motivated with positive energy, who can independently organize and manage studio activities, as well as collaborate closely with all staff and studio residents."

 Start date: May 1st, 2021.

Isla Golpeada

"Isla Golpeada"
5x7 inches, c. 1980 by Florencio Lennox Campello
Hand-colored monoprint with embossed surface bumps and poem by Jose Marti

 

The Best New Passive Income Ideas for Your Art Business in 2021

 Check out Artwork Archive's tips and ideas here.

Frazetta style

 The late, great master Frank Frazetta was one of my very early idols and my main inspiration for applying to art school at the University of Washington.

Little did I know in 1977 that the art world thought little of "illustrators", regardless of their impact, skill and artistic footprint.

The below drawing, titled "The Hunted" is a pen and ink drawing on paper, and was part of my application package to the school. I recall the otherwise affable and nice career counselor denigrating it as "illustration rather than art."

Feh!

THE HUNTED
1977 ink drawing by F. Lennox Campello done in the style of Frank Frazetta