Saturday, March 30, 2024

When a painting hits the mark

In room 5015 at Artomatic there is work by an artist named Michelle Ramos, who is new to me.

There are sometimes confluences of things that happen in the process of producing art, which, depending on what the "thing" is, can result in a disaster or in a work of art that moves from the mundane to the sublime.

In 5015 there is such a work.

In that room we find a work where the artist has accepted one of the most difficult challenges in painting: delivering a work of art using colors that reside on opposite ends of the color wheel.

Painting by Michelle Ramos in Artomatic 2024

The usual result of that for most of us is a muddy ending,  where the chemical properties of the paint defeat the best artistic intentions. 

And yet, in this work Ramos has not only seduced the combating primary colors into coming into a gorgeous agreement of sorts, but also delivered what can best be described as a triumph of persistence over logic and an enviable and beautiful work of art that defied all painting logic and ends as a brilliant triumph of the brush!

And it is in the middle area transition point where the magic occurs that allow the two colors, always at war with each other, to marry in artistic triumph.

Well done!

Friday, March 29, 2024

26th Bethesda Row Arts Festival

Get ready for the 26th Bethesda Row Arts Festival, happening on September 7-8, 2024! 

They are thrilled to announce that artist applications are now open. Situated in the vibrant heart of Bethesda, Maryland, the festival spans five bustling blocks and has been hailed as one of the top 30 Fine Art Shows in the country by the "Art Fair Sourcebook.

Expect to engage with 25,000 discerning attendees from the affluent and educated communities of the Washington, DC Metro Area, including Bethesda, Chevy Chase, and Upper Northwest. The sphere of influence of the festival extends to a three-mile radius, known for its high average household income of $196,910.

They employ a comprehensive marketing plan that encompasses a wide range of platforms, from a robust social media campaign to traditional print and radio ads. With the support of their PR firm, local chamber of commerce, and urban district, they continually strive to involve the community and reach new potential attendees. Notably, their visibility has been amplified by appearances on NBC, FOX, WTOP (news radio), and WAMU (public radio).

These are the 2024 jurors - click here.

Apply here.

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Affordable Art Fair New York City - the last day!

 Sundays are always tough because the lurking end of the fair means the re-packing of all the art, loading the van and the long drive home!

By 6:45PM I was packed and escape from New York had begun! Five long days of hard work behind, lots of artwork stayed behind, but one always wishes for more!

Saturday, March 23, 2024

Affordable Art fair NYC Spring 2024 - Day Four

Saturdays are historically the best. There are flood warnings all over the area, but that seemed to drive more people to the fair and we saw large numbers and multiple good sales! Two of Yurdin's large abstracts stayed with a young collector couple!


We also had a visit by DMV ubercollectors Steve and Linda Krensky!

Steve and Linda Krensky
Steve and Linda Krensky chatting with Cory Oberndorfer

I sold several major drawings as well as the never-ending flow of Bisque drawings sales.

The Last Copy of the Constitution by Florencio Lennox Campello
The Last Copy of the Constitution 

Sleep is the Cousin of Death by Florencio Lennox Campello
Sleep is the Cousin of Death

And great crowds!



Friday, March 22, 2024

Affordable Art Fair NYC Spring - Day Three

Friday crowds continued to be very good - and a lot of smaller work is moving well, but still waiting for some of the big sales!



The booth was packed most of the day!



Thursday, March 21, 2024

Affordable Art Fair NYC Spring 2024 - Day Two

Throughout the day the crowds have been fantastic - the aisles are packed!

Dora Patin private commission

In the early afternoon, we delivered the above Dora Patin private commission! It was delivered to a happy collector... and the crowds remained large throughout the day and evening! A lot of those Bisque drawings continued to fly off the wall!


Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Affordable Art Fair NYC - Day One

Left the DMV at 4AM and made great time though I-95 all the way to the tunnel, which took over an hour to cross!

Cory oberndorfer setting up in booth D15 at the Affordable Art Fair NYC 2024 Spring
Cory Oberndorfer setting up in booth D15 at the Affordable Art Fair NYC 2024 Spring

And then the work of Suzanne Yurdin went up!

Abstract paintings by Suzanne Yurdin at the Affordable Art Fair NYC Spring 2024
Abstract paintings by Suzanne Yurdin at the Affordable Art Fair NYC Spring 2024

And then the amazing prodigy that is Dora Patin went up!

Trompe l'oeil paintings by Dora Patin at the Affordable Art Fair NYC Spring 2024
Trompe l'oeil paintings by Dora Patin at the Affordable Art Fair NYC Spring 2024

The "Oberndorfer Wall" in booth D15!

Cory Oberdorfer at AAFNYC 2024

The fair opened at 5PM for VIPs and the press, and the opening night crowds were huge as usual. We sold about 20 of my small Bisque drawings, Oberdorfer had a last minute sale and we also sold the below painting by Dora Patin.

Art by Dora Patin

More tomorrow!