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

Opportunity for Artists

BlackRock Center for the Arts invites artists from the mid-Atlantic region to submit their work to be considered for two exhibition opportunities. The first is their biennial juried printmaking exhibit, INK IT: Contemporary Print Practices, with online entries due this Sunday, January 17.

ENTRY FEE:

$20 - Professional Artists (up to 3 works per entry)

$10 - Student Artists (up to 3 works per entry)

The second opportunity is their annual open call for exhibition proposals, for solo and group shows in all media. Online submissions due by Monday, February 1.

ELIGIBILITY: Resident of MD, DC, VA, PA, DE, or WV. Must be age 18 or older.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 1, 2021 (online submission by 11:59 pm EST)

APPLICATION FEE: $35 (non-refundable)

Details here.

Celia Cruz

While looking for my old passports (don't ask why), as usual I found a lot of other things first...

These are some lithographs that I did for a printmaking class at the University of Washington School of Art, where I studied art from 1977-1981.  They depict The Queen of Salsa: Cuban superstar Celia Cruz.

DARKNESS WEAVES by Karl Edward Wagner

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 Hunter" is a pen and ink drawing on paper, and was part of a drawing assignment at the school. I recall the otherwise affable and nice drawing teacher denigrating it as "illustration rather than art."

Feh!

"The Hunter"
1978 pen and ink on paper by F. Lennox Campello
Done in the style of Frank Frazetta

A name option for the Washington Football Club

 A few years ago I told you in 2013 about my wife's suggestions for the name controversy for the football team now called The Washington Football team.

She had suggested in 2013 to 

(a) Just change the mascot to a red potato and then call them the Washington Redskin Potatoes... Cough, cough... and change the helmet design so that instead of the old one, it would now depict a ferocious-looking red skin potato!

(b) She also thought of another great name option: The Washington Federals!

Dan Snyder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The wounded deer

 The poem by Jose Marti goes like this:

Si ves un monte de espumas

Es mi verso lo que ves:

Mi verso es un monte, y es

Un abanico de plumas.

Mi verso es como un puñal

Que por el puño echa flor:

Mi verso es un surtidor

Que da un agua de coral.

Mi verso es de un verde claro

Y de un carmín encendido:

Mi verso es un ciervo herido

Que busca en el monte amparo.

Mi verso al valiente agrada:

Mi verso, breve y sincero,

Es del vigor del acero

Con que se funde la espada.  

And this is the painting that I did back in 1979 for an art school assignment at the University of Washington. The assignment was to create a new work, but in the style of a master.  This work is thus an adaptation of Jackson Pollock's style.  It is titled Mi verso es un ciervo herido que busca en el monte amparo.

Mi verso es un ciervo herido que busca en el monte amparo
1979 Acrylic on 600 pound paper by F. Lennox Campello

The Navy pilot

When I was in the Navy I did dozens of illustrations for newspapers (such as The Stars & Stripes), and sketches of his shipmates and other US Navy sailors in ports in the US and European ports.  Most of these drawings and paintings were given away to his shipmates, but I also kept many of them - this one has been in storage for over 40 years and was recently found!

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