oranje - recent posts from my current home

Friday, January 11, 2008

Moving day


I have been planning to move my blog for a while now. I have been screwing around with the layout, customizing things a bit, yadda yadda.

The only thing that has kept me here this last month is that I was waiting for the close of the Blogger Show and the demise of Digging Pitt Gallery.

Today is the last day for both the show and the gallery, so I'm moving on, in the Blogosphere and in meatspace.

So for all of my cyber visitors, check out my new digs, and don't forget to update your links!

and for all of my meatspace pals, you can find me at the Polish Hill Civic Association and at the brillobox.

God (or somebody with a lot more power than I have) bless John Morris. You're the best.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Collaboration

I worked very closely with Stephanie Lee Jackson over the course of The Blogger Show. From the beginning, I thought her work was beautiful. She is also that rare combination among artists, combining creative drive and pragmatism.


Stephanie Lee Jackson
"Ring," oil on linen, 36"x 48"

As we worked together to bring the Agni Gallery tendril of the Blogger Show to fruition, we both sensed an affinity, not only in our work but in our temperaments. The compatible aspects of our works are overwhelming, which is why I thought collaboration was a possible avenue to explore.

I have never collaborated with another artist. It's not that the subject hasn't come up. I am not sure why the early talks that I had with a very few others didn't bear fruit. The time is right, I think. And so is the artist.

The working title for the project is seeds, which really seems appropriate for this new venture. Stephanie's first packet has arrived and I have been turning them over in my mind's eye for the last couple days.

Please excuse the crappy images. I will be re-shooting these before I start and will replace these images with better ones. These don't do justice to the real things at all.


First seed, Stephanie to Susan
Seed 1, Stephanie to Susan
Pencil on sandpaper, 4" x 6"

Second seed, Stephanie to Susan
Seed 2, Stephanie to Susan
Mixed on paper, 6" x 4"

Third seed, Stephanie to Susan
Seed 3, Stephanie to Susan
Pencil on paper, 6" x 4"

I am intrigued by these, especially the first seed. What has been interesting, even this early on, is the orientation from which to look at the work. I will be posting about the collaboration process here on oranje. Stephanie has already begun to post about seeds on The Brooklyn Days. You can see more of Stephanie's work on her site.

I do want to take a moment to thank John Morris. Without his encouragement and the opportunity that the Blogger Show presented, I wouldn't have met Stephanie or any of the other artists involved in the exhibits.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

No snow days

Even though it's expected, this brief respite always surprises. This year, January thaw seems early. After all, it began two days ago. According to the forecast, it will extend another couple days.

While the air temperature is balmy, the days have been dreary and I know that winter is only a breath away. In the meantime, I have shed my monstrosity of a coat and my sensible hat for something a little more frivolous and just a little cute.

As always, every citizen takes to the streets, the youngest among us daring winter by sporting less apparel than they would at the same temperature in a different season. Our neighbors pause to chat on the sidewalk instead of rushing to their warm homes. There is a sense of secret pleasure, like a child that has received an anonymous gift that must be consumed before it is discovered.

I love January thaw, this one week of weather out of place.

Friday, January 04, 2008

Mandelbrot


Spears
Eveline Berkman

Fractal Art contest
From their website -

As part of our continuing efforts to promote fractal and algorithmic art, we are organizing a new exhibition to coincide with the Year of Mathematics and Science. This contest is to select some of the artwork that will be used in the exhibition. (The remaining artwork will be selected directly by the contest selection panel and will include artwork created by panel members.)


Some of these were downright stunning. If you have a minute, go check out the entries for the 2007 contest. Thanks, Tom, for the heads up.

edit January 8, 2008
Went back to the site when I saw that the image had been replaced by this big black box. There is a copyright notice on the page. However, nowhere on the site is there any published contact information. I also found this statement on the About page for their host, where they describe themselves as egalitarian. Go figure.

edit January 17, 2008
Huh. I was puttering around in oranje. Sometime between the first edit and this one, the image was restored. Thank you, Fractal Art.

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Tuesday, January 01, 2008