artsy forager

Tag: exhibitions

  • Artsy Happening: April Arts Alive! in Eureka

    Artsy Happening: April Arts Alive! in Eureka

    You guys, we are loving our new little town so much!  Since we arrived, everyone’s been telling me how many artists there are here in Eureka and that we must check out the monthly art walk, ArtsAlive.  It was a perfect, beautiful evening and it seemed like everyone in Humboldt County was in downtown Eureka, enjoying the spectacular weather and taking it all in.

    Hallway gallery collage

     

    I knew there were a few galleries I needed to check out but what I didn’t know was that so there were so many artists with studios downtown and a great many of them were open that night!  I do so love a peek inside artists’ studios!  After checking out the mesmerizing work of Isabelle Staehle at The Black Faun, we wandered through the studios & Hall Gallery at C Street.  Large, high ceilinged, open beam studios with tons of light?  Yes, please.  Mr. F asked if I would like a studio like one of these.. uh yeah, let’s find a way to make that happen!  Lots of people wandering through the halls, and a nice variety of work to be found, from abstract expressionist to folk art inspired to traditional landscapes.  Truly a cornucopia of artsiness!

    Augustus Clark studio collage

    studio of Augustus Clark

    We also wandered through the studios at the Center for Insane Artists.  How could we resist checking it out with a name like that?  Alas, I’ve been unable to find any info for them online.  But a handful of the studios were open, some interesting work to be found there, for sure!

    Next stop was Piante Gallery‘s show Metal Pin Cushion featuring work by Sondra Schwetman and Patrick Williams, addressing the process and physicality of fabric.

    Piante collage

    My favorite stop was First Street Gallery, HSU’s non-profit, off campus art gallery.  No cameras were allowed, but I HAD to share these shows with you, so I pulled images from their website.  Currently, the exhibition space is broken up into two shows, one featuring the work of artist and Stanford University professor Gail Wight, on loan from Patricia Sweetow Gallery.  Wight’s work is an elegant combination of beauty and science, her burned vellum drawings inspired by a 1948 pharmacological study of spiders and her composite digital prints, all drew my eye with their intricate simplicity.

    Wight_collage

    gail wight 

    The other half of the gallery was taken over by three North Coast artists, Seana Burden, Jeff Jordan, and Jesse Wiedel in their group exhibition, Laughter in Darkness.  The works of these three artists combine traditional landscape and dream-like imagery often providing commentary on contemporary culture.  I was especially drawn to Burden’s “Boob” paintings in which she creates a fantastical land in which all the subversive messages we are sent each day are much more blatant.

    HSU student collage

    seana burden, jesse wiedel, and jeff jordan

    Like most good art walks, we weren’t able to get to everything, but what we did see gave Mr. F and I lots to chat about over a glass of wine ( or 3! ) at the end of the night.  I hope you’ll check out the websites of these artists and galleries– so much wonderful talent in this area.  I feel so lucky to be here, even if for just a short while.

    Gail Wight, Seana Burden, Jesse Wiedel and Jeff Jordan images via HSU website.  All other images by Artsy Forager.

  • Artsy Spot: The Pearl District Portland

    Artsy Spot: The Pearl District Portland

    One of my favorite things to do in Portland is a little gallery-hopping.  There is such a rich creative atmosphere there and this past weekend, I was seriously craving some thought provoking art.  And boy, did I get it!  Portland’s Pearl District is one of the best spots for art viewing, window shopping, and well, just the perfect place to spend a PDX day.

    Blackfish Gallery_The Pearl District Portland

    [ mr. f checks out the work of christopher shotola-hardt at blackfish gallery ]

    As we wandered from gallery to gallery, I noticed a definite trend among the current exhibitions– a leaning toward the exploration of the scientific– whether cancer research, technology or psychology, there seemed to be a common thread of art interwined with science running through almost all the gallery shows we saw.

    Elizabeth Leach Gallery_The Pearl District Portland

    [ fixing the impermanent, featuring the work of din q. le at elizabeth leach gallery ]

    Augen Gallery_The Pearl District Portland

    [ art for oncologists, featuring the work of jim riswold at augen gallery ]

    I found the current exhibition at Augen Gallery, Art for Oncologists by Jim Riswold to be incredibly poignant in its honesty and simplicity.  The artist has been battling a 13 year fight against leukemia and prostate cancer, but this body of work isn’t just about his own battle.  It’s a show of recognition, of thanks, to the crusaders and tireless discoverers of new and better ways to combat this unrelenting enemy.  A larger than life candy dish takes center stage, filled with heart shaped sculptures inscribed with the names of chemotherapy drugs. Cancer-fighting is not for the weak of heart or spirit.  It takes dogged determination, not to mention learning the names, functions, and side-effects of numerous unpronounceable medications. At some point in each of their lives, cancer touched every one of my grandparents.  I know the kind of strength it takes to fight.

    Speaking of poignant, we discovered a new gallery on this trip, J. Pepin Art Gallery, a space dedicated to the work of “contemporary artists who are reframing the perception of mental illness.”  As I went through the gallery, reading the words of each artist, the story of their struggles and triumphs, it struck me how very powerful art as therapy can be.  How we are able to express emotions and situations through visualization in ways that words can never capture.

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    [ nest, detail by alexandra peterson at j. pepin ]

    We “lightened up” a bit when we hit Froelick Gallery and Michael Schultheis’ Universal Couplings of Archimedes.  Can I just say how much I love Portland?  Where else might you see an exhibition dedicated to an ancient Greek mathematician?  PDX doesn’t just celebrate its geekiness, it downright revels in it and I love the city for that.

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    [ michael schultheis at froelick gallery ]

    Our final stop was Butters Gallery, which come to think of it was our final gallery stop the last time we explored The Pearl District, not sure how that keeps happening, but it is always a lovely way to end the afternoon.

    BUTTERS GALLERY collage

    [ sculpture by e. tyler burton and painting by marlana stoddard-hayes at butters gallery ]

    The current exhibition at Butters, Proclivities, features the mystical work of Marlana Stoddard-Hayes.  In this new series of paintings, the artist moves through the grieving process following the death of her mother by working through the physicality of the creation, application and transference of elements onto the canvas, Stoddard-Hayes was able to liberate herself from the bonds of bereavement.  Though created during a time of grief, the paintings retain a sense of wonder and hopefulness.  A fitting tribute to a mother’s life.

    These galleries, each so different in their approach, offered up stimulating and passionate work, one of the most satisfying afternoons of art-gawking I’ve enjoyed in a long while.  The next time you’re in Portland, do yourself a favor and schedule an afternoon in The Pearl District.  You won’t be sorry!

    Peterson, Schultheis, and Stoddard-Hayes images are via their galleries’ websites, linked above.  All other images are by Artsy Forager.

  • Artsy Spot: Stellers Gallery

    Artsy Spot: Stellers Gallery

    Some galleries, the most successful and long lived, find their sweet spot and flourish.  Stellers Gallery in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, quietly and consistently shows and sells the work of emerging and established artists in their space just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean.

    But this isn’t your typical “beachside” gallery.  Since 1999, owner Hillary Tuttle, has cultivated a selection of sophisticated work that compliments, not caricatures, the local landscape and culture from local, regional, and national artists, including this month’s Featured Artist here on Artsy Forager, Jennifer JL Jones.  The wide range of styles and consistence of excellence among the work in the gallery lends it appeal across the generations, creating a diverse range of collectors.

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    [ the work of Jennifer JL Jones at Stellers Gallery at Ponte Vedra Beach ]

    Tonight, Stellers celebrates its original four artists with an artists’ reception to open Synergy, an exhibition dedicated to the work of these very different artists, abstract painter Jennifer JL Jones, realist landscape painter Henry Von Genk, figurative and still life artist Laura Lacambra Shubert, and whimsical figurative painter Enrique Mora.  Beginning with these four seemingly incongruous artists might have seemed like a gamble, but it shows just how well Tuttle knew who her collectors would be, appealing to a wide and varied assortment of artistic tastes.

    Jones _ Shubert collage

    [ work by Laura Lacambra Shubert & Jennifer JL Jones ]

    Stellers Von Genk _ Mora collage

    [ work by Henry Von Genk, Laura Lacambra Shubert & Enrique Mora ]

    Each artist’s work, though very different in style and approach, represents the magic of beach life– the wonder of the light, the calming peace of the landscape, the quiet lifestyle, and of course, the wind in your hair fun of it!

    AS_Stellers_Synergy

     

    If you are in the North Florida area, can you think of a better evening out than taking a drive out to the beach to see some beautiful work and meet these amazing artists?  And while you’re there, congratulate Hillary & the Stellers team for an incredible journey.  You can see more from these artists and all the artists Stellers represents on their website.

    All images via Stellers Gallery.

  • Artsy Spot: Simon Mace Gallery

    Artsy Spot: Simon Mace Gallery

    Although we’re living this vagabond-ish life, Mr. Forager & I are always thinking about places to put down roots.  One of the wants on our list is an artsy community– one that supports and encourages music, theatre, and of course, the visual arts.  The small town of Port Townsend ranks high for us because it ticks off each of those and then some.  And with the opening of Simon Mace Gallery, PT is heading in the right direction for this Artsy.

    AS_Simon Mace1 AS_SimonMace1

    A traditional white-wall gallery, Simon Mace offers up a variety of emerging and established artists from the Northwest and beyond.  While the gallery sports that ubiquitous clean look, the feeling inside is warm and cozy.  The beautifully worn wood floors and friendly staff help, but I think it stems most from the roster of artists the gallery has gathered.

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    There is definitely a personality and point of view behind the gallery artists– work full of spirit, story, and humor– and it makes for a homey, non-intimidating gallery experience.  The show up during our visit, Carnival, featured the work of painter Alison O’Donoghue and sculptor Sara Swink ( both pictured below ), and painter Frank Renlie.  O’Donoghue’s work draws you in, your eyes bouncing with excitement as you try to take in every little thing happening in each canvas.  Swink’s cheeky sculptures and Renlie’s joyful paintings give enjoyable little pauses amongst the controlled chaos of O’Donoghue’s work.

    AS_SimonMace_Donahue AS_SimonMace_Swink

    Alas, the show has come down now, as the gallery preps for its next opening this Thursday, Wax On, Wax Off, showcasing the work of Port Townsend painter Jeane Meyers and Portland sculptor Lisa Kaser.  Wax On, Wax Off promises to deliver yet another mix of artwork filled with charisma and charm.  While the bulk of the gallery space is exhibition focused, a piece of each represented artist’s work is always up in the small back-room space and the staff will more than happily help you peruse more work in the racks.

    AS_SimonMace4

     

    We may be heading back up PT way next weekend and if we do, I’ll check in again at Simon Mace to see the new show.  You can bet it will now be on my must-do list ( along with thai food at Banana Leaf! ) for each visit to our favorite seaport town.  Hope it will be on your Port Townsend list now, too!

    If you’d like to learn more about Simon Mace Gallery and its artists, please visit their website and follow them on Facebook.

  • Artsy Spot: Seattle Art Museum

    Artsy Spot: Seattle Art Museum

    Every new place Mr. Forager & I go, I try to hit the local art museum.  Not only because I think it’s important to patronize local art resources ( artsy duh ), but I also find them to be an interesting gauge of the local tastes and what’s important to the surrounding culture.  After being in Seattle for six weeks, we finally ventured to the Seattle Art Museum last week.

    Seattle Art Museum exteriorIn addition to their current special exhibition, Future Beauty ( more on that in a separate post ), there were a few other intriguing exhibitions on display.  I was especially excited to see 50 Works for 50 States, selections from the Herb and Dorothy Vogel collection.

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    [ Codex Morales Braccio Sermugnano by Michael Goldberg and Untitled by Tony Smith ]

    I am continually amazed by the collection this couple put together on a modest income!  Truly inspiring to anyone who is intimidated by the prospect of collecting artwork.  The Vogels collected many smaller works and works on paper, making them more financially accessible but allowing them to build an enviable collection. Such a great example to follow!

    One of the things that impressed me the most about the SAM experience was the thoughtfulness given to how each exhibition was displayed and how the galleries interacted with each other.  Glimpses of work seen not just within each exhibition but from one gallery to another allow the work to relate and interact in a way that allows the viewer’s eye to flow naturally throughout the space.

    Thicket by Martin Puryear[ Thicket by Martin Puryear ]

    A delightful surprise was the small show currently on display in the Knight Lawrence Gallery, In a Silent Way, “a quiet reflection on African American identities and histories”.  This small gallery is tucked in a corner of the museum, away from the crowds and bustle of the larger galleries, which was perfectly fitting for such a thoughtful group of works.  The palette of the show was almost exclusively black and white, a subtle nod to the subject matter, but each piece filled with subtext of what it means to evolve as a person of African descent in America.

    Rashid Johnson at Seattle Art Museum

    From the museum’s permanent collection, an exhibition of mid-twentieth century work, From Abstract Expression to Colored Planes, features superstars of the era such as Frank Stella, Jackson Pollock and Helen Frankenthaler.  The progression of that era of modern art is always fascinating– you can literally see the artists deconstructing and reconstructing the meaning of form across time.  It is without a doubt one of my favorite periods of art history!

    Helen Frankenthaler at Seattle Art Museum[ contemplating Frankenthaler ]

    In keeping with the special exhibition’s focus on fashion, I was especially drawn to the work of Yinka Shonibare, whose Nuclear Family installation shows us a “traditional” family dressed in the structure of Victorian garb in textiles reminiscent of modern Africa.  In a different, but no less interesting textile sculpture, Walter Oltmann‘s Caterpillar Suit mixes two destructive species, the caterpillar and the conquistador, while exposing their vulnerabilities and tenuous existences.

    Yinka Shonibare at Seattle Art Museum

    [ Nuclear Family by Yinka Shonibare ]

    Caterpillar Suit III by Walter Oltmann[ Caterpillar Suit III by Walter Oltmann ]

    I love the way the Seattle Art Museum is blurring the lines between ancient and modern, leading the visitor down familiar paths only to introduce them to something new and exciting.  Can’t wait to see what else is in store!

    All photographs by Artsy Forager.

  • This Artsy Life: Weekend 10 [ Stuff We Did. Stuff We Didn’t Do. ]

    This Artsy Life: Weekend 10 [ Stuff We Did. Stuff We Didn’t Do. ]

    Please forgive me for getting this latest This Artsy Life post up a bit tardy. The last seven days have been a bit out of whack around these parts, with our beloved ( and much relyed on! ) Macbook taking a nosedive late Tuesday night, three treks to the Apple store an hour away in five days, major life decisions made, a visit with the only blood family I have in Cali, and the time change, well.. the actual life part of This Artsy Life took a bit of precedent. 😉

    In all that craziness we did manage to squeeze in a little ArtWalking in Joshua Tree and some much needed downtime with my San Franciscan cousin in Palm Springs. We found some new artists to love at both The Red Arrow Gallery & Joshua Tree Art Gallery and bonded with my cuz over being the only family members crazy enough to choose the West over the South. I so enjoyed the time with my cousin that I didn’t snap one photo all day. You’ll just have to take my word for what a gorgeous day it was! But I’m happy to share a few snaps from the one time I did take out the camera– at the Joshua Tree ArtWalk.

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    [ almost bought this piece by Judy Wold a few months ago.. still coveting ]

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    [ we both loved this sculpture by Steve Reiman ]

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    [ lovely lines and texture by Bret Philpot* ]

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    [ Mr. F’s fave ( right ) and my fave ( left ) ]

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    [ awesome painted cubes ]

    Things are inching back toward normal today in This Artsy Life, though it will only be a few more weeks before we begin making plans to move on to our next spot.  And then what madness will begin!  Want to see more from our JT ArtWalk? Follow Artsy Forager on Instagram.  I might even show you obligatory-Instagram-lunch photos.

    *Bret Philpot’s website doesn’t appear to be working.  Sorry.  If you’d like to get in touch with the artist, please contact The Red Arrow Gallery.

    All images by Artsy Forager.

  • Now Showing in Found Gallery: City Mouse | Country Mouse!

    Now Showing in Found Gallery: City Mouse | Country Mouse!

    The artsy mice have officially invaded Artsy Forager!  Our very first online exhibition and sale, City Mouse | Country Mouse is now on view in the found gallery !  I’m so excited to present the work of two talented Nashville artists, Christina Baker and Deann Hebert.

    If you’ve been reading the blog for awhile, hopefully you’ll recognize the work of these painters.  Each painting is an original and available for purchase through the artists, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Nashville Zoo.  Now I’m not sure they have any mice at the zoo, but I’m sure there are lots of other wonderful little furry foragers!

    City Mouse | Country Mouse will be showing in the found gallery through March 28th, so you’ll have until then to snatch up one of these beautiful little paintings all for your very own!  Throughout the month we’ll get to know the artists a little better, too!

    So what are you waiting for?!  Grab a handful of cheese and click here to see for yourself!

     

  • This Artsy Life: Weekend 7 [ Art, Wine, & Who Really Cares About the Rest? ]

    This Artsy Life: Weekend 7 [ Art, Wine, & Who Really Cares About the Rest? ]

    Happy Monday, Artsies! Hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. Or are you one of the lucky ones who gets a President’s Day holiday? We’re totally jealous!

    Our weekend was full of ups and downs– Let’s get the bad stuff over first.. The Downs: Discovering a hole in the kitchen sink pipe of our rental Friday night ( yikes! ), the Disneyland like atmosphere of wineries in Temecula made us miss Oregon even more, crowds at the local breakfast joints on Sunday ( where did all the people come from?? ), still no working sink Sunday night ( the dishes are piling up! )

    The Ups: Attending the Palms Springs Fine Art Fair on Friday, a day filled with wine tasting in Temecula on Saturday, discovering less crowded, out of the way wineries, soaking up the warmth on the back porch with Mr. F & a cocktail on a restful Sunday. I’d say The Ups outweighed the The Downs for sure!

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    [ Carole Feuerman greeting at the Palm Springs Fine Art Fair ]

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    [ Aldo Chapparo, Robert Kelly, Oli Sihoven ]

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    [ totally needed some of this over the weekend ]

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    [ art candy by Klari Reis ]

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    [ wine, wind, wonderful ]

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    [ hmm.. which do we want? ]

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    [ Dr. Evil cherub ]

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    [ the Foragers love a game of bocce ]

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    [ warmth of the sun ]

    Hope you had a lovely weekend, Artsies!  Lots more photos from the Palm Springs Art Fair, Temecula, and more from This Artsy Life on the Artsy Forager Instagram feed!  And tons of loveliness coming your way this week, including the opening of our very first online show, City Mouse | Country Mouse in the Found Gallery!  Such exciting stuff I can’t stop using exclamation points! 😉

  • Coming to found in February! City Mouse | Country Mouse

    Coming to found in February! City Mouse | Country Mouse

    I’m a little sneaky sometimes.  You know, like a mouse.  You may have noticed the found gallery page pop up in the top navigation last week.. or maybe you noticed the found logo in the sidebar.. or saw the Facebook & Twitter posts on Sunday.  If you haven’t picked up on my not-so-subtle hints, you can find more on found here.

    found is an online exhibition gallery featuring curated collections of small works, quarterly, for limited engagements.  It’s just another way for me to share artists’ work with you, but in a more focused, specific, special way and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity and promise lots of wonderful artsiness will come to found!

    The very first found exhibition will open on Thursday, February 21st!  The show, City Mouse | Country Mouse will showcase two Nashville area artists, Christina Baker and Deann Hebert, who, in their respective work, are drawn to very different perspectives of their Tennessee home.  The show will be sponsored by the artists’ representing gallery, Gregg Irby Fine Art and a portion of the proceeds will benefit The Nashville Zoo.

    Mark your calendars!  These two talented artists are creating some beautiful work to share with you!

     

  • Artsy About Town: Ruud van Empel’s Strange Beauty

    Artsy About Town: Ruud van Empel’s Strange Beauty

    I have had the work of Dutch artist Ruud van Empel pinned to my Pinterest board for months now.  Imagine my excitement when we arrived in San Diego back in October and I saw who was coming to the Museum of Photographic Arts at Balboa Park!  Since then, I’ve had the postcard for his show, Strange Beauty, hanging on our fridge, just waiting to see this compelling work up close.

    *I snapped this pic before I saw the sign for no photography.  Shhh.. don’t tell on me!

    The artist’s first solo show in an American museum, Strange Beauty showcases over 40 of van Empel’s digitally created works.  I hate to call them digitally enhanced photographs because they are so very much more than that.  Ruud van Empel carefully constructs each piece, meticulously layering staged photographs, digital imagery, and collage.

    World #7 by Ruud Van Empel
    World #7, cibachrome, 41.43×59.06

    The results are stunningly haunting, complex imagery.  With a background in theater arts and graphic graphic design, van Empel sets a beautifully enticing stage, one in we aren’t sure whether his characters should feel right at home or terribly out of place.

    World #20 by Rudd van Empel
    World #20, cibachrome, 23.5×33
    The Office #41 by Ruud van Empel
    The Office #41, digital print on paper, 12.01×13.78
    Untitled #1 by Ruud van Empel
    Untitled #1, cibachrome, 33.11×46.81

    As you look closely at each image, you aren’t sure where the actual photograph and the manipulation or collage begins.. in many we would be surprised to know which elements were not present all along.

    Generation #2 by Ruud van Empel
    Generation #2, cibachrome, 130×49

    Strange Beauty runs through February 3, 2013 at the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego.  If you’re anywhere near the area, I highly recommend a visit!  You can also see more of Ruud van Empel’s work on his website.

    Top image by Artsy Forager.  All other images are via the artist’s website.