Iconicity @ La Vie

It was my pleasure to attend the opening for Iconicity on May 26. The work was really amazing. I could probably have loaded this blog wit a ton of images, but I kept it to just a few representative and extraordinary examples.

Contact information for La Vie is at the bottom of this post.

Eric Stern - Untitled (Ecstasy, Rapture, Euphoria)
Eric Stern - Untitled (Cloud Fill)
Eric Stern - Untitled (Occurrence)
Tommy Bones - white cloud minnow
Tommy Bones - Installation image
Alex Alessi - Old Mirror
Clare Parry - Construction of Arcology
La Vie

3609 Butler Street
North of 36th
Tuesday-Saturday, 12:00-6:00p.m.

412-253-7365

In case someone is wondering what Lisa is ROTFLOL about, watch this little gem.

From a link on Intrepid Collector - Thank you Lisa Hunter

From scavenging around on MySpace

The Idea Of Miss World In 56 Representations - Watch the top videos of the week here

Oh computer...

I just got a new computer. I have been working to get it up and running, while I am watching my curent computer decline. It had to happen sooner or later. I am having some problems installing my software on the new computer.

This is really awful. I have images from three events that I want to share, but I can't upload them yet. Stay tuned...

Addendum: 5:19PM
Huh, I've actually posted more today than I usually do.

BARE III @ SPACE 101

SPACE 101 Gallery
The Brew House Association
2100 Mary Street
Pittsburgh PA 15203
412-381-7767

BARE III


SPACE 101 Gallery will be exhibiting BARE III. The exhibit takes place from June 8, 2007 – June 30, 2007. A free opening reception will take place from 7:00-10:00pm on June 8.

With a strong desire for better realism, the artists of the Renaissance began an intense study of the human body. Adopted by academies throughout Europe, using models became the traditional path taken by artists throughout the ages. Drawing from the figure continues to be at the center of visual art study.

In fact, figure drawing sessions are increasing in numbers in Pittsburgh and other cities. The sessions provide a community for professional artists and dedicated enthusiasts to come together and share vision and technique. Drop in model sessions, like Barely Brunch, are an opportunity to hone sight as well as drawing.

Once each month, for several years here at The Brew House, a group of people of all ages, from all walks of life have been coming together (in rain, snow, sleet, and sunny picnic weather) to draw the figure. A retired secretary, a practicing physician, college instructors, students in transition, graphic designers, illustrators, arts administrators, and even an attorney draw, paint, and even sculpt together. Using various techniques and methods, they indulge in an age-old tradition in an attempt to hone their skills, to capture the essence of the human form, to relax, and just to enjoy themselves.

Each one has selected a few special pieces done in these sessions over the years, as well as some successful gesture drawings, shown informally in the small gallery. The Brew House Association will be exhibiting work produced during the Barely Brunch open model sessions in June 2007. The model sessions are held in various sites throughout the Brew House and are open to all ages, mediums (except photography) and skill levels. The exhibit will take place in the SPACE 101 Gallery located on Pittsburgh’s Southside.

Artists
Pat Barefoot
Olwyn Best
Rich Brown
Susan Constanse
Steve Dines
Kristen Divers
Jon Fesz
Jill Fisher
Fran Fredrick
Kim Freithaler
Karen Hartman
Silvia McGavin
Seth Rich
Nancy Schuster
Paula Simon
Jenine Smith
David L. Smith
Heidi Wettlaufer
…and others

Burlesque Drink and Draw

Well, Wednesday's Drink and Draw was great! Our lovely burlesque model was Olga.
The Wednesday session was the last time we'll do Wednesdays, at least for a while. We do have a summer of Tuesdays scheduled, so check in with us about upcoming sessions.
Terry Schuster
Nancy Schuster
Steve Dines
Katy Carlitz

Women in the arts

The New Hazlett Theater is beginning a year-long festival, celebrating the contributions of women to the arts in Pittsburgh. You can read the entire Pittsburgh Post Gazette article, announcing the inaugural fundraising event, but here is an excerpt that I found interesting --

The city lags behind the national average of women in executive roles at public companies -- holding 10.9 percent of the jobs, to the nation's 15.6 percent -- but makes a much better showing in the arts. Almost 60 percent of executive roles at Pittsburgh's cultural organizations are filled by women, according to a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette study last year.

The festival, Women in the Arts: Founders, Pioneers, Instigators, continues with a multi-day symposium in September and performances in September, November, January and February.

This is a continuing theme this year in Pittsburgh. In March, 709 Gallery mounted the Women's Work exhibit. Just a month ago, an anonymous artist posted signs around the Carnegie Museum asking --

Where are the names of notable women on the facade of the Carnegie Museum? Some suggestions for inclusion are written on Easter eggs and hidden in and around the museum. How many can you find?

More information about this project, as well as a statement from the artist, were posted in the Digging Pittsburgh Arts blog. Coming up this October, Future Tenant will mount Power, another exhibit that is working to expose the contributions of women artists in Pittsburgh.

There's something in the air, isn't there?

Alix

This my bird, Alix. She is a thirteen year old Congo African Grey. She and Louis get baths with me everyday, but about once a week, Alix climbs into her water dish and demands a thorough soaking. Here she is, in all her wet glory.

Warhol and More-hole @Drink and Draw

I know that this was a while ago, but I just got the image from Sarah Austin and thought it was too fabulous.

And so, a purple lion ...

or maybe two

brillobox drink and draw - May 15

Christine Allen is the best! She came up with great poses, but what was really challenging were the facial expressions. I'm so used to the neutral expressions that most models use -- this was a refreshing change.

Stay tuned, we are entering our next season and will be bringing in some new models. Some of the models we are looking at scheduling include a yoga teacher, a dancer, burlesque queen and some of the usual suspects.

Get updates on our mailing list or be our friend.

Artist statement

As I had mentioned in a previous post, I am starting to work on an artist statement. First step, I tightened up my notes --

I think that the reason why it is so difficult to write an artist statement is that a lot of the action that happens with visual arts happens on a non-verbal level. The ideas are there, but are so much influenced by factors that are beyond any real control. So much is dependent on choice. Like most artists, I am fascinated by what influences and impacts interaction. I work in consecutive, and sometimes concurrent, series which represents the process of an inner dialogue. Each series is a search for an answer that revolves around a specific theme.

I like to work in a variety of mediums. I have found that the richness of my visual vocabulary increases with each new medium. Understanding the connotations of the different mediums creates a subtext within the work. I like a human scale for my work. Intimate works that appeal to the eye and the hand, tactile on a number of levels. It’s all about feeling.

Palette is very important in my work. I am very much influenced by traditional Asian textiles. There is a quality of light that is trapped in the fibers of silk and there is a degree of complexity that I find appealing. Again, this is a way of creating a subtext within individual works and within a series. I am influenced by the design and color characteristics explored by painters like Klee and Kandinsky.

prangstgrup

This isn't the only performance group that does this sort of thing. I've heard of several. I guess if you can't get the audience to come to you, you should just go to the audience.

Maintenance day

I have finally gotten around to adding some links and stuff, rearranging the components on this page. I still have a few more links to add.

I'm in spring cleaning mode -- I tore the kitchen apart over the last week, finding a place for my mother's tea set, taking down the old blinds, yada yada.

Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art

If you haven't gotten your ticket yet, Persad has an online ticket service. Get on out there and support the cause.

Celebrate Life, Celebrate Art 2007
an auction to benefit Persad Center

The Auction
Monday, May 14, 2007
Carnegie Museum of Art, Oakland
4400 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Private Preview & Cocktails for Patron Ticket Holders
6:00 – 11:00 p.m. General Admission

You can even get a sneak preview of some of the work included in the verbal auction.

Just some thoughts

I spent about a half hour last night assembling initial thoughts for an artist statement. What follows isn't even a draft yet, more like notes. More to come, 'cause this is nowhere near what I want to say.

I work in consecutive, and sometimes concurrent, series. Generally, each series represents a search for an answer in the form of questions that revolve around a specific theme. Art, for me, is a tool for exploration of humanity. Like most artists, I am fascinated by what influences and impacts interaction.

I like to work in a variety of mediums. With each new medium, I have found that the richness of my visual vocabulary increases. Understanding the connotations of the different mediums creates a subtext within the work.

I think that the reason why it is so difficult to write an artist statement is that a lot of the action that happens with visual arts happens on a non-verbal level. The ideas are there, but are so much influenced by factors that are beyond any real control. So much is dependent on choice.

I am very much influenced by traditional Asian textiles. There is a quality of light that is trapped in the fibers of colored silks. Colors chosen for Asian textiles have a degree of complexity that is appealing. Again, this is a way of creating a subtext within individual works and within a series. Palette is very important in my work.

Each series represents the process of an inner dialogue.

I like a human scale for my work. Intimate works that appeal to the eye and the hand, tactile on a number of levels. It’s all about feeling.

I am also very influenced by the design characteristics explored by Eastern European painters, like Klee and Kandinsky.

Time has become a significant factor in my work. The progress from one series to another.

The dreaded artist statement, or what I did last summer

I hate writing artist statements, I really do. I never seem to say what I want to say about my work, like there aren't enough words.

Anyway, this came up on the Intrepid Collector. There were some very good comments to the post. It got me to thinking about re-working what I am using now, so I did a little digging around and found this page.

This is one of my current statements. Ick, huh?

I will post my progress on this, um, endeavor.

The Mother May I Marathon @brillobox

Set up and ready to go...

This was immersion therapy for artists. The models were wonderfilly inventive. Time flew by as a handfull of artists labored on the second floor of the brillobox on May 5.

I really enjoyed Andy More-hole and his Mom. "Mom" was a wonderful model and a delight. Thank you all so much. For more information about the brillobox's Drink and Draw sessions, check out our MySpace page or email us.

Next session:
Christine Allen and her trunk-full of characters
May 15
6-9PM

First session models, from left: Andy More-hole, Christine Allen and Andy More-hole's Mom
Second session models: Al and Nikki
Paul LeRoy
David Grim

Leo Goode


Steve Dines



Renee Ruth Ickes
Kyle Pattison
Susan Constanse

Sarah @Drink and Draw

Sarah was an inspiration. She performs with Zany Umbrella Circus. She did some pretty challenging poses and held them well. And her costume was pretty cool, too.

Don't forget that the Mother May I Marathon is this Saturday!! Want details?

The Mother May I Marathon

The Mother May I Marathon
Mother may I drink, Mother may I draw?

brillobox Drink and Draw has been going full-blast since October. The drop-in sessions have hosted models costumed from burlesque to drag. Drink and Draw will host a full day of drinkin’ and drawin’, the Mother May I Marathon, on Saturday May 5 from 1-8PM.

Look what Phat Man Dee has to say about Drink and Draw …

"I heard 'bout yinz, drinkin', drawin', like some kind of drunk drawers.... Suckin' dahn them fancy schmancy microbrewsn'at, dahn the bar in Lawrryville, gettin' all artistic n'at. Ain't natral" - Phat Man Dee

The models will be costumed and some props will be available for the sessions. The sessions are uninstructed, drop-in sessions. The brillobox will have paper and crayons on hand, but bring anything else that you want to work with. Water-based and dry mediums are welcome. (Sorry, no photography or oil-based mediums)

IMPORTANT STUFF

$25/day, $15/half day.
$20/day for students (must present valid id)
1:00 - 4:30 PM
4:30 - 8:00 PM
RSVP to (412) 621-4900 or by email

brillobox Drink & Draw
Mother May I Marathon
4104 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh PA 15224
drink specials + door prizes