Langley Spurlock at Studio

There's a very cool (and highly affordable) exhibition currently at Studio Gallery.

There you will find 100 Paintings, drawings, photos and prints of birds and only birds. Imagined birds; Abstract birds; Absurd birds; Sexy birds; Cocky birds; Fighting birds; Rare birds; Odd birds; Extinct birds, etc. by Langley Spurlock.

There is also The Winged Bestiary, an Illustrated Abcedarium of Feathered Nonsense from A to Zumborouk, a very impressive collaboration with the poet John Martin Tarrat.

There are receptions on Friday, October 9, 6 - 8 pm and on Friday, October 16, 6 - 8 pm.

Who knows the real story about this painting?

At least six bidders do (definitely not the auction house estimator):

An 18th-century unsigned oil painting of the Grand Canal in Venice, estimated at a modest $6,000 to $8,000, sold for $687,125 Sunday afternoon at Sloans & Kenyon auction house in Chevy Chase. It is believed to be the most expensive painting ever sold at a Washington area auction.

Thirteen phone bidders competed against live bidders in the gallery for this work from the "school of" the 18th-century artist Giovanni Antonio Canaletto.

Interesting, nu?

"It is highly probable the painting is by Michele Marieschi," said London art dealer Charles Beddington, who was an adviser to the painting's runner-up, who stopped bidding at $550,000. Marieschi, another 18th-century artist, never signed his work and died young, Beddington said.

Read the WaPo story here.

Wanna go to a GMU opening this Friday?

The work of 22 GMU students and alumni opens this this Friday with a reception from 6 to 9PM. While there check out the work of Ryan McCoy.

FTC'ing bloggers

The Federal Trade Commission will require bloggers to clearly disclose any freebies or payments they get from companies for reviewing their products.

It is the first time since 1980 that the commission has revised its guidelines on endorsements and testimonials, and the first time the rules have covered bloggers.

Details here.

Matt Sesow at MFA

I hear that Matt Sesow had a great opening at Mayer Fine Art in Norfolk with loads of sales. Congrats to both!

Wanna go to an Open Studio today?

What: J.T. Kirkland Open Studio

When: Saturday, October 3, 4-8pm

Where: 47762 Mariner Ct, Sterling, VA 20165

New Drawing

The first one in months!

Excuse(s): I've been away (spent all of July screwing around the desert in California), had to make a major move back to DC from Philadelphia, and had my third child arrive a month ago. I'm still unpacking yo! And getting less than 3-4 hours sleep a day!

The Killing of The Christ
Charcoal and conte on paper. 4 feet by 4 feet. 2009.
F. Lennox Campello
I may have to revisit this drawing... I couldn't remember exactly on which side Christ was pierced by the Spear of Destiny used by the Roman Centuriun Longinus.

I've drawn a slight reference to it on His left side, as my Catholic school background seems to recall that side, but since I am not very religious, I can't be 100% sure. I guess I will check the New Testament, unless someone can leave a comment and let me know. Then I will draw the wound.