Wednesday, May 08, 2024

"Space Between" by Anne Marchand at Zenith

 SPACE BETWEEN Paintings by Anne Marchand

May 10 - June 15, 2024
1429 Iris Street NW, Washington DC 20012
Open: Wed-Sat Noon-6pm or by Appointment

MEET THE ARTIST RECEPTIONS: Friday May 10, 4-8 pm & Saturday May 11, 2-6 pm
ARTIST TALK: Saturday, June 1, 2-4 pm

“Space Between” delves into the complexities of the human condition, exploring the unseen realms that shape our existence. This exhibition utilizes the power of art to illuminate the spaces between myth and reality, consciousness and subconscious, and intuition and logic.

Art by Anne Marchand at Zenith Gallery


Tuesday, May 07, 2024

The non existing formula for pricing art

 Over in FB land, artist Bardia Jaan asks an often-asked question:

Easy easy question: how do you price your art? 

Material cost + (hourly rate * number of hours * 2)?  Plus studio cost Plus Misc stuff like going to Sushi?

That’s what I thought someone said.  This might be for artists who have just started selling.

In my opinion, there's really no formula - art for sale is a commodity; therefore, ECON 101 tells us about how prices in most cases is driven by supply and demand, but that doesn't work for 99.999% of us because it only works for that art that is very limited in supply but in high demand. 

About a decade ago, you could pick up a painting by my good friend Sam Gilliam at a local DC area auction house for hundreds of dollars, because there was no "demand" and buyers were not willing to pay above a few hundreds for a Gilliam canvas from the past. 

Ten years ago this Gilliam painting from 1972 was estimated at $1000-2000 and sold for $600. That painting is now probably worth several tens of thousands of dollars if not 100s.

Why?

A couple of things happened driven by art galleries (not in DC) "discovering" Gilliam and suddenly there was a demand, and his prices skyrocketed and it couldn't have happened to a nicer person! 

Or take the case of Carmen Herrera, for decades and decades her canvasses sold for practically nothing (if they even sold) - then a curator from the Tate "discovered" this artist who had an amazing pedigree (she showed alongside some of the greats of art in the 40x, 50s, etc.) and organized a retrospective for Herrera at the Tate, and suddenly the world art collectors discovered her work and rushed to buy it - creating the demand and thus a huge rise in prices. 

More examples? 

In the 60s Alice Neel was on welfare and traded her paintings to Lida Moser for Moser to take slides of her work so that Neel could try to get galleries interested in her work... then... go back to the top of this post and substitute "Neel" for those two artists... cough, cough...

Sunday, May 05, 2024

Unread emails

In case you wonder why I am often slow in answering emails - that's how many unread emails I have in my inbox... cough... cough...

Lenny Campello's unread emails!!!


Saturday, May 04, 2024

Shawn Yancy at Pepco Edison Place Gallery

The multi talented Shawn Yancy is having a solo show at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery in DC!

Shawn Yancy at Pepco Edison Place Gallery

The show has been curated by Miller Spencer who writes:

One of the DC area’s most respected broadcast news anchors and philanthropists is an amazing artist!  

Miller Spencer is proud to present Shawn’s first solo exhibition Intersections: This is Where We Meet.

Explore Shawn’s beautiful abstract works and get a glimpse into her thoughts, feelings, life experiences and more.

The exhibition ends this month at the Pepco Edison Place Gallery, located at 702 8th St NW, Washington, DC 20068.  

The gallery is open to the public from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as the second Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

Please contact Miller Spencer at info@millerspencer.com to arrange a private tour or request prices.  

Learn more at www.millerspencer.com 

Friday, May 03, 2024

May the Force be with you tomorrow

 Just sayin'...

Hipster Yoda - drawing on Bisque by Florencio Lennox Campello, 2024
Hipster Yoda - drawing on Bisque by Florencio Lennox Campello, 2024


Thursday, May 02, 2024

Stephen King at Dorcas

There is a very cute small library at 28 Main Street, in Prospect Harbor, Maine, and while we were in the area hanging around Winter Harbor last weekend, we stopped to visit as I was told that they had a very large collection of works by Stephen King.

The Dorcas Library did not disappoint! It was small but formidable presence and staffed by two of the nicest lady volunteers on this planet.

Dorcas Library, Maine
Dorcas Library, Maine

My reason for visiting was that I had been told that in spite of its size, they had a formidable collection of books by Maine's best-known writer, the very talented and scary Stephen King (whom I met ages ago in 1979 or 1980 at a SeaCon in Seattle while I was in art school).

The visit did not disappoint, as the collection was indeed spectacular!

Stephen King collection at Dorcas Library, Maine
Stephen King collection at Dorcas Library, Maine

The collection had been donated by a King collector, and then to my spectacular surprise I discovered that also donated was a small etching of King that I had done as an art school assignment in 1980!

Campello with Stephen King etching at Dorcas Library, Maine
Campello with Stephen King etching at Dorcas Library, Main

The American Writer Stephen King, c. 1980 by F. Lennox Campello
The American Writer Stephen King, c. 1980 by F. Lennox Campello

Monday, April 29, 2024

Picasso Girl at the Beach

From the art school files: "Picasso Girl at the Beach", c. 1979 and done at Printmaking class at the University of Washington of Art in Seattle. A couple of different pulls from the same plate.

Picasso Girl at the Beach, 1979 etching by Florencio Lennox Campello

Picasso Girl at the Beach, 1979 etching by Florencio Lennox Campello


Sunday, April 28, 2024

A master class in presentation

Room 493 at the just ended ARTOMATIC is where the very talented multimedia artist Christine Krizsa Uskievich not only displayed her smart explorations of photography among other work, but also teaches a lesson which combines installation skills with a novel and effective strategy for the visitors and potential buyers of her elegant work. 

Christine Krizsa Uskievich
Moment by Christine Krizsa Uskievich

First, the highly sophisticated work is beautifully presented in minimalist float frames that highlight the art without detractors.

And then she delivers a masters' class in presentation skills. She transformed room 493 into a warm living space, like in your apartment or my house.

Christine Krizsa Uskievich room 493 at Artomatic
Christine Krizsa Uskievich room 493 at Artomatic

The work is hung, and the room is transformed to deliver an impression that says: "this is how it will look in your home." It is clever, clean, and professional! 

Well done!

Saturday, April 27, 2024

What's next?

What's next on the fine arts agenda for The Lenster?

1. The Affordable Art Fair Austin Texas is May 16-19 and my work will be in booth B9 along with Jodi Walsh, Shannon Leigh, Kathy Hope and Seth Fairweather!
2. The Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art's Fine Arts Festival will be May 18-19 at the Reston Town Center in Reston, Virginia and I'll have a booth there as well!
Come say hi! Below is "Homage to Celia Cruz"
Homage to Celia Cruz by Florencio Lennox Campello, 2024
Homage to Celia Cruz by Florencio Lennox Campello, 2024

Friday, April 26, 2024

Heading to Austin

The very first Affordable Art Fair Austin, Texas is coming May 16-19 and we're gonna be showcasing work by Shannon Leigh, Seth Fairweather, Kathleen Hope and Jodi Walsh!

The below work of mine will also be featured at the fair!

When Death aarived, she was the first one to post it on TikTok
When Death arrived, she was the first one to post it on TikTok


Suddenly, she wasn't afraid any longer
Suddenly, she wasn't afraid any longer

The Incantation of Frida Kahlo
The Incantation of Frida Kahlo

The Incantation of Frida Kahlo
The Incantation of Frida Kahlo


Thursday, April 25, 2024

Artomatic: The erotica award

As ARTOMATIC is about to end this Sunday, I want to give whoever this artist is - the signature says "Parrilla", but there's no "Parrilla" in the ARTOMATIC roster of exhibiting artists. Nonetheless, he or she gets the top EROTICA award for 2024 ARTOMATIC. 

Enjoy these gorgeous paintings!



X

Erotica from ARTOMATIC 2024


X

Erotica from ARTOMATIC 2024


X

Erotica from ARTOMATIC 2024


X

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Call for Women Photographers

The 2024 Prix Virginia

This photography  competition is open to women photographers, regardless of their nationality or age. The competition is organized every two years by the Association Sylvia S. from Paris, France. 

Each candidate must submit 12 – 18 photographs on any subject (one cohesive body of work rather than single images). 

Photos submitted to the Virginia Prize must never have been exhibited in France. 

No Entry Fee. 

Details here.

Sunday, April 21, 2024

After ARTOMATIC... what?

Hopefully, an ARTOMATIC 2025, but knowing how immensely difficult it is to arrange, work and set up this amazing spectacle and most impressive gift to the planet's art scene, I suspect that it may be a year or two.

ARTOMATIC ends this weekend (April 28) and I want to be the first to send a most effusive WELL DONE to George Koch, the Godfather of ARTOMATIC and to the hundreds of volunteers that made this gorgeous event happen.

The end of such an important art gift to the DMV always brings a bit of sadness, but it also leaves our artistic batteries super charged!

What next?

Maybe an art fair... a really no shit art fair like New York, London, half a dozen Asian cities, and next month Austin have? The city commissars at the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities are thinking about it...

Read my thoughts here.

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Open Studios at DC Arts Studios coming up!

 SAVE THE DATE

Sunday, April 28th, 1pm to 5pm

Meet the near 50 artists of DC Arts Studios - oil painters, acrylic painters, fiber artists, photographers, mixed media artists and more!  Visit their studios!  Explore their work!  Artwork large and small available for purchase. Commissions also accepted.  The event is free and open to the public.

6925-D Willow St. NW, Washington, DC 20012

Friday, April 19, 2024

Embracing Our Differences - Call for Quotes

Embracing Our Differences is seeking original quotations for an outdoor juried art exhibit featuring 50 billboard size images paired with the quotations. 

The theme is “embracing our differences.“ 

The exhibit will be on display January through April 2025 in two locations in Florida.

Cash prizes totaling $4,000 will be awarded. 

Entries can be no longer than 20 words. 

No Entry Fee. 

Details here.

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Signal Boxes Public Art Project: Call for Artists

The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District announces a Call for Artists for a new public art project in downtown Bethesda, MD. The A&E District will select 15 artists whose original designs will be printed onto a vinyl wrap to adorn 15 Signal Boxes located throughout downtown Bethesda. This new project will beautify the signal boxes, provide an opportunity to local artists and bring more public art to our community. We are especially interested in having high school artists participate in this project. If you know a young artist in your life, please encourage them to submit their work

Artists must be 14 years of age or older and residents of Washington, D.C., Maryland or Virginia.

Each selected artist will be paid $650 for the use of their design, and the deadline to apply is Monday, April 29, 2024.

Details here.

Monday, April 15, 2024

Art Bank Program Call for Artists

For many years, I have been a member of the advisory panel that recommends to the City of Washington which art to acquire for its city collection via its ART BANK program.

I am always shocked how few submissions we get each year! And the artists who "know about it" keep it up every year to the point that by now, there are artists with almost twenty works of art in the collection of the District of Columbia!

Interested?

In support of local visual artists, District art galleries, and art nonprofit organizations, CAH acquires fine art. The ongoing annual acquisition of art from metropolitan artists becomes a part of the Art Bank Collection. CAH manages artwork in the collection. It is then loaned to District Government agencies for display in public areas and offices of government buildings. The Art Bank Collection, which started in 1986, has nearly 3,000 artworks.

The Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) requests applications from qualified artists and District nonprofit art galleries or organizations for its Fiscal Year 2025 Art Bank Program. Award amounts vary but eligible individual applicants may be awarded up to $15,000 and nonprofit art galleries or organizational applicants may be awarded up to $20,000.

Submission Deadline: 9 pm ET, Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Details here. 

Tips: If your artwork involves any kind of nudity - do not even bother.

Political art? Only one side of the aisle usually considered... cough... cough...

Sunday, April 14, 2024

Artomatic: The Seventh Floor (Partial Review)

Last night I spent only about 90 minutes on the 7th floor, and was thus unable to get to all of the rooms - I will be back to expand and finish this look at this floor.  I was accompanied by my wife on this trip, and below I will include her very savvy observations, fine tuned over decades of both practicing, teaching and being a strong voice for nearly every facet of the art scene on a worldwide scale.

As with all my previous floor visits, this floor proves again the unique and singular ability of ARTOMATIC to deliver on a scale that it is impossible to deliver in any other model but this one! The mind-overwhelming variety of subjects, skill levels, ideas, room-changing work and presentation forms is simply impossible to replicate unless the hive workforce and leadership of this kind of show is there.

First impression from the partial walk on the 7th floor? There is a lot of love with black light on this floor and also a lot of artists whose presentations include a wall assembly of a multitude of small, well-crafted and presented work!

My first recommendation comes for the work of Jenny Kanzler in room 7031.  I am always seduced by artists who are able through their work marry the subject with unusual and unexpected, and this very talented artist delivers all of that and more with gusto and skill.

Jenny Kanzler in room 7031 at ARTOMATIC
Jenny Kanzler in room 7071 at Artomatic

In room 7006, Greg Skrtic offers an impressive array of large paintings which can best be described as brilliant rediscovery and modernizing of the traditional. In these works the artist subjugates the focus of the work to be recreated in a canvas of multi surfaces and images that force the eye to examine each minute details of the surface individually and them re-assemble them to deliver forms that seems to step out of medieval times and onto the 21st century.

Gregory Skrtic in room 7006 at ARTOMATIC
Gregory Skrtic in room 7006

Skrtic notes on his website that:
I take inspiration from many sources, both natural and man-made. I use patterns from patchwork quilting, carpet or wallpaper designs just as readily as from a seashell, leaf, or seed pod. Incorporating these patterns into the overall composition in a way that they can co-exist in harmony is a recurring theme in my work.
It results in one of the more impressive "new-to-me" artists discovered so far at the event!

In room 7041, both my wife and I liked the somewhat "retro" work of Jeremy Arn. I note "retro" more in the sense of the muted palette, rather than just the subject, which is composed of interesting mechanical forms.

Jeremy Arn in room 7041 at ARTOMATIC 2024
Jeremy Arn in room 7041

I also want to highlight the powerful drawings of Ricardo Mavin in room 7128, full of energy and zest which only a talented artist with a mission can accomplish. 

Also memorable are Christian Tribastone's explorations of the most humble of materials (cardboard) to deliver impressive works (room 7072) as he jumps the tracks in a very cool way.

In room 7078 Cory Oberdorfer showcases some of the impressive new takes on his fave subjects - Oberdorfer took these to NYC a couple of weeks ago to the Affordable Art Fair in Chelsea.

Cory Oberndorfer
Cory Oberndorfer

In room 7063, Andrea Cybyk's elegant abstracts dominate the room - I've discussed Cybyk's works many times over the years, as her work has always been amongst the top at various previous incarnations of ARTOMATIC over the decades.

In room 7144, the flower paintings of Michal Hunter once again demonstrate the breath-taking painting gifts of this artist - the subject is new to me, as previously I've spent decades drooling over Hunter's figurative work. In that same room, the hardworking gift to the Greater Washington art scene that is Jack Rasmussen surprises with an elegant, almost obsessive display of collaged monochromatic works that are both interesting and immensely intelligent! 

Close by in 7061 we find the immensely intellectual works of the collaboration between wife and husband team of Lync Prince Harris and David Allen Harris. This brainy duo has created a series of works dubbed at the Wa PaPo series. She notes:
With the Wa PaPo project, launched in 2021 with my husband David Allen Harris (photographer), there’s an effort of revitalizing holistic histories and lore through reintroducing African-inspired elements with our own personal flair. This is a homage, rather than an ethnographic survey that accurately depicts any one place or culture. Instead, we hope to infuse new life and meaning into the ways of showing and retelling Black and Western folklore. 
 
Over the course of the Wa PaPo project, I’ve explored stories about different figures of the African diaspora through prose, art, and reenactments on film, using creative license to change details for more original and interpretive artistic effect. I’m an interdisciplinary artist with ties to social practice art, writing, bodypainting, muraling, and assemblage; David is similarly equipped as a photographer and software engineer/computer scientist. Together, we use traditional and new media to fully tell the tales we weave. 
Lync Prince Harris and David Allen Harris at ARTOMATIC
Lync Prince Harris and David Allen Harris

See a cool video about the series here.

Over is space 746, I must highlight the printmaking of Cecily Abram, which is not only pleasing to the eye, but also showcases a clearly talented printmaker. These gorgeous prints tease the viewer by assembling both recognizable forms, but married to deliver a somewhat abstracted delivery.  They are also a great example of professional presentation: pH-balanced, acid free museum mats, etc. At $325 for the large monoprints, they are also one of the great steals of the show!

Cecily Abrams at ARTOMATIC 2024
Cecily Abram in area 746

In room 7070, John Grunwell's colorful abstracts just about jump of the wall with the huge amount of energy that Grunwell manages to pop out of the painting surface.

Detail of a John Grunwell painting at ARTOMATIC
Detail of a John Grunwell painting

By now it was getting a bit late as we had to pick up the son unit from a Caps' game - on this floor we also liked (again) the African-influenced works of the ebullient Shiri Achu in room 7059.  Achu was one of my top 10 Artomatic picks a few years ago and since then she has continued to deliver impressive works influenced heavily by her upbringing in Cameroon and then London.

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Today: Meet the Artists at Artomatic!

April 13 @ 12:00 pm - 11:45 pm

Meet the Artists II: Sponsored by the DC Arts Commission

Artomatic at 2100 M Street NW

A majority of this year's artists will be sharing from their spaces after 7 PM. This is your second chance to discover the makers behind the masterpieces! You can wander from the 2nd floor to the 8th, and every floor in between, asking questions and getting a peek behind the scenes. 

Friday, April 12, 2024

Wanna go to an opening tomorrow?

COMPLEMENTARY COLOR - KAREN SCHARER AND MATTHEW LANGLEY

APRIL 13TH - MAY 11TH, 2024

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 13th, 2024, 4:00-6:00 pm

Matthew Langley be showing new works on paper at Calloway Fine Arts and Consulting along with paintings by Karen Scharer. 

For More Information:

Calloway Fine Arts & Consulting

1643 Wisconsin Ave NW

Washington DC 20007