Hiya Artsies! Most of you know, my hubby is a medical professional who works as a “traveler”– he takes contract assignments all over the Pacific Northwest and the West Coast. We are finally getting to use his California license and will be headed to Joshua Tree, CA in October! We’re super excited to finally spend some time in Cali, be near friends in San Diego and I can’t wait to explore all the artsiness of SoCal!
With each new place we go, I spend hours perusing the internet, looking for furnished rentals, when I’d much rather be searching for fantastic artists to share with you! So far, we aren’t having much luck in Joshua Tree– there are lots of rental options, but few are very budget friendly! 😉
Peach Sky + Modern Home + Pool by Paul Davies, acrylic on canvas, 122x153cm
So I’m asking, begging, pleading ( dramatic, much? ).. if you have any connections in the Joshua Tree area or know of anyone who may have a home in or near there for rent, please let me know!
Also, I’m taking suggestions for galleries to visit in the San Diego, Los Angeles and Palm Springs/Hi-Desert areas. Hit me with whatcha got.
I can only imagine the courage it takes for an artist to create in front of a group of people. Heck, even one other person would terrify me. But at The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d’Alene, ID ( our hometown for just another 6 weeks ), their new featured artist for the month gives a demo on the Saturday following their opening. It is a fantastic way to gain a real “behind the art” glimpse into the creative process! I can’t believe it took me this long to attend one, but I’m so glad I did. The work of Spokane artist Mel McCuddin is striking online, luminous up close, but to see it in progress was truly inspiring.
Matchmaker, oil on canvas, 52×48Reveries, oil on canvas, 48×44
Each canvas begins as an exercise in Abstract Expressionism– it is all about the paint, texture and color. Slowly, as formations evolve in clouds, a figure emerges on the surface.
The Old Dog, oil on canvas, 36×40Black Dirt Farmer, oil on canvas, 48×48
McCuddin thoughtfully builds his layers, alternating patches of light and dark. Deliberate smudging of large swaths of canvas give way to areas of delicate and careful application.
The Late Bus, oil on canvas, 52×48
His finished works are often left with an eerie glow, giving them a slightly alien quality yet they are approachable and likable. His subjects stare back at us with curious wisdom. You can see a slideshow of images of Mel McCuddin in action here ( Artsy Forager now has a YouTube channel! ). His solo show can be seen at The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d’Alene until August 4, 2012. I highly recommend a visit if you’re in the area!
Featured image is Three in a Tub, oil on canvas, 48×52. All images are via The Art Spirit Gallery website.
As I mentioned before, there were certain shows I knew I wanted to see while we were in Seattle last weekend. I’ve loved the work of Seattle artist Anne Siems since first seeing it online and was excited to get my chance to see her work up close and personal. Her solo show, Guidance is showing at Grover Thurston Gallery, just up ( or down? Still don’t have my Seattle geography down pat ) the street from Foster/White, so away we went.
Wolf Girl, acrylic on panel, 48×48
Siems’ inspiration behind the show was the evolution of her daughter from childhood into adolescence and the idea that wild animal spirits may help children navigate their way through this transition. In each of us there is a wild, animalistic-like spirit that, as we grow up and grow older gets buried under years of suppression and training in proper behavior.
Antler Girl, acrylic on panel, 40×52
In Siems’ work, we see children taking on historically grim expression and formal, constricting garb, reminding us of centuries of children whose innocence is lost all too soon. Children whose natural wild spirits may fight against the constraints of social tradition and custom.
Bison Boy Drawing, mixed media on paper, 38×50
I was particularly drawn to Bison Boy ( above ), perhaps for the way the figure is isolated starkly against the white paper background. He has been taken out of his environment, out of his element. His garments are in the somewhat effeminate style of his era, yet his bison head & skin seem to be reminding us to not forget the wildness within.
George’s favorite work in the show was Lynx Cap ( below ), as this figure retains a sprightly, little girl expression in contrast to the other figures’ more suppressed, even haughty countenances. She is still an innocent.
Lynx Cap, mixed media on paper with embroidery, 22×30Guidance Tree, mixed media on panel, 48×48
I could go on and on about these and talk about every one– they are so interesting, visually and spiritually. If you’d like to see more of Anne Siems’ work, please visit her website. If you’re in Seattle, I highly recommend a visit to Grover Thurston to see these in person, a truly stunning show.
Featured image is Heart Branches, mixed media on panel, 30×30. All images are via the artist’s website.
A gallery that takes advantage of a beautiful space, displays a wide range of interesting work in a well-designed and thoughtful way AND feels comfortable and unpretentious? These kind of galleries are my happy places. Foster/White Gallery in Seattle definitely qualifies for a spot on that list. Thanks to our time in Seattle being super limited and the tiny brain melt in which I somehow forgot that almost all galleries are closed on Monday, our only full day there and the day I’d planned to do lots of gallery hopping, I had to narrow down my galleries to visit to A) shows I really wanted to see and B) galleries that were close together. So we took a few hours before leaving on Tuesday to visit Greg Kucera Gallery, Grover Thurston Gallery ( more on that show next week ) and Foster/White Gallery, which was by far our favorite overall gallery experience.
Casey McGlynn: Manchild and Rachel Denny: Works of Nature at Foster/White
Foster/White has been on my list of galleries to visit for quite a while and when I saw that they were showing Rachel Denny’swork, it quickly went to the top of the list for our time in Seattle. But I’m one of those people that saves the best for last, so while I saw Rachel’s work out of the corner of my eye upon entering the space, there were so many other wonderful works around each corner that I made my way around the whole gallery before I spent some time with Rachel’s amazing sculptures.
Sculptures by Paul Vexler at Foster/White
Speaking of amazing sculptures, these bent wood pieces by Paul Vexler were exquisite. The way the grain of the wood caught the light from the window drew attention to those beautiful curves. As impressive as his work was ( and there is a large hanging piece in the F/W lobby that is to die for ), Cookie the elephant by Shay Church both delighted me and drew me in.
Cookie ( Asian Elephant ) by Shay Church
Cookie is part of Church’s Wet Clay series, site specific installations consisting of a wooden armatur covered with clay and sand. In this series, Church focuses on elephants and whales, gentle yet imposing creatures who must survive long migrations. With each passing year, those migrations grow more and more dangerous and daunting for these animals. Cookie leans into the wall for support, seeming to struggle to stand. As the clay has dried, it has begun to crack and fall, adding to the emotional impact of the piece. We are watching Cookie deteriorate before our eyes.
Bone Yard by Evan Blackwell at Foster/White GalleryBone Yard ( detail ) by Evan Blackwell
Another installation that caught our eye was Bone Yard by Evan Blackwell. The white clay pieces, pinned to the way may appear to be fragments of bone, but upon closer inspection, we see that they are actually broken pieces of model jets. Perhaps a commentary on our military policies? Or our desensitization to such destruction?
Staccato Surface by David Alexander
The abstract, colorful reflection of Staccato Surface by David Alexander had unbelievably lovely gestural movement and a gorgeous palette. Photos do not do it justice! Finally we made our way over to Rachel Denny’s work. I’ve been a huge fan of her work since the very first time I saw one of her Domestic Trophies online and have been looking forward to finally seeing her sculptures in person. I was blown away by just how intricately constructed they are, their palettes & construction perfectly designed to catch and direct the viewer’s eye. I was just as delighted by her work as I’d hoped to be.
Rachel Denny: Works of NatureSweet Tooth ( detail ) by Rachel Denny
To see more of each artist’s work and more of the amazing work on display, please visit the Foster/White Gallery website. If you’re in Seattle, Rachel Denny & Casey McGlynn’s current shows will be up until April 28, 2012. I highly recommend a visit!
I am not a knitter. Nor do I crochet, weave or macrame. I tried crocheting in my middle school Home Economics class and, let’s just say, I didn’t get it. And all that knit 1, purl 2 stuff? Just sounds like math to me, which is to be avoided at all costs. But I love woven textiles. There is such an innate beauty in the patterns and texture create. Los Angeles artist Hadley Holliday’s exhibtion, Warp and Weft at Taylor De Cordoba Gallery is weaving together a caliedoscope of color and pattern.
Sun Vault, acrylic on canvas, 63×63 ( via Taylor De Cordoba Gallery )
She is exploring the worlds of space and depth and the illusions created by overlapping shapes and patterns. There is a fantastic sense of movement and prismatic expanse to her paintings.
Blissed Out, acrylic on canvas, 54×60 ( via Taylor De Cordoba Gallery )Zero Hour, acrylic on canvas, 36×42 ( via Taylor De Cordoba Gallery )
They seem optically illusional in nature, yet there is also an organic quality to them, reminding me of the intersecting lines and orderly nature of a spider’s web.
Sunshine Day and Night, acrylic on canvas, 54×60 ( via Taylor De Cordoba Gallery )
To see more of Hadley Holliday’s work, please visit her website. If you happen to be in Southern California, you can see Warp and Weftat Taylor De Cordoba Gallery only until this Saturday, April 7th. So get moving and see it this week!
Featured image is Sun Vault ( detail ), acrylic on canvas, 63×63. All images are via the Taylor De Cordoba website.
As the hubby and I travel, we try to experience as much of each area’s culture as we can. Last Friday evening, we decided to meet a friend for a night filled with our favorite things– delicious food & drink, stimulating conversation and fabulous art! I can’t imagine what could be better. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that this ( below ) was our view for cocktails!
View of Lake Coeur d’Alene from Beverly’s
We discovered the happy hour at Beverly’s and this was our second week in a row partaking of the fancy food & drink at affordable prices. I have a feeling it may be a weekly habit for the rest of our time here.. hubby George is addicted to their truffle fries, while I am just addicted to fries of any sort! As yummy as the fries were, they just weren’t nearly as pretty as our Hummus Plate. I am a firm believer that we eat first with our eyes, so I love a colorful, artsy presentation of food!
Hummus Plate gloriousness at Beverly’sCaramel Apple Martini
Cocktails and conversation flowed, as we shared the truffle oil-doused (!) complimentary popcorn with our friend and fellow traveler, Kirsten. This lifestyle we’ve chosen is fairly unique, so travelers always seem to bond together, sharing stories and experiences. There is a great sense of camaraderie in knowing that there are others living such a crazy, wonderful life!
Kirsten, George and yours truly
It was a beautiful night in Northern Idaho, so we strolled downtown to The Art Spirit Gallery to attend the opening of their current show, Portraits by artist Dan Spalding. The Spokane, WA painter’s exhibition centered around his beautifully textured and expressive portraits. His use of light is really incredible, giving his work a raw, emotional power.
Dan Spalding show, Portraits, at The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur d’Alene, ID
Isn’t the painting on the top row, second from the right amazing? It draws my eye every time I look at this photo. I’m usually not an opening night art viewer, preferring to peruse when galleries aren’t as crowded and I can hear myself think or as Jerry Saltz said this week “Please stop talking so I can hear myself see!” 🙂
More of Dan Spalding’s work
But I do love the energy of exhibition openings and ArtWalks. Seeing crowds of people enjoying and talking about art gives me goosebumps! And I am always thrilled for the gallery & artist when I see lots of red dots! ( As I did last night– can you spot the one visible in the pic above? ). What I really love about attending openings with my husband and friends is the conversations about the work we are drawn to and why. For an non-artsy person, George actually has a fantastic eye! He really loved the sculptural work of Simon Kogan ( below ).
Henry Moore by Simon Kogan, bronze
While I loved these stylized bird paintings from North Idaho artist Catherine Lemaitre Earle. Aren’t they lovely?
Artwork by Catherine Lemaitre Earle
All in all, a delightful evening, artsy in every wonderful way!
A happy Artsy at the end of the evening
How about you? Any artsy fun to be had this weekend?
In the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter, housed in a 200+ year old classic Creole building lives Gallery Orange, a contemporary fine art gallery whose vibe and vision match the freshness of its signature color.
Gallery Orange, New Orleans, exterior
If you’re a regular Artsy Forager reader, you’ve heard of Gallery Orange before. I first found GO when I discovered the work of Sarah Ashley Longshore, which then led me to Gallery Orange, her exclusive representation in New Orleans. I found gallery owner Tracy Geilbert’s aesthetic and taste to be quite similar to my own and have been happily watching her list of artists grow and work by those artists flying off the walls! Tracy’s love of art and enthusiasm for original work is infectious, I’ve never seen a gallery promote their artists harder than she does!
Gallery Orange, New Orleans, interior with works by Sarah Ashley Longshore
Owner Tracy Geilbert was already selling art at a young age, making sketches of Duran Duran, photocopying them and selling the “prints” to her classmates. ( Ah, a fellow 80’s girl! ) Part Dutch and part British, Geilbert studied art and eventually graduated from the Royal Academy of the Arts at The Hague. Life would eventually take her to post-Katrina New Orleans and, after working for another high-end New Orleans gallery, heeded the call of her heart to open a space of her own.
Gallery Orange, interior, works by Guus KempGallery Orange, New Orleans, interior, works by Gigi Mills, Carlos Lopez and Jill Ricci
Starting in a tiny 600 square foot space, with only two artists on her roster, Tracy’s hard work and eye for unique talent led to the gallery’s current space on Royal Street where boutique galleries are springing up and blazing new trails on the New Orleans art scene. Tracy brings her Dutch artistic sensibilities to the gallery, offering only exceptional original work ( no giclees here! ), creative energy galore and a bit of good humor thrown in. Gallery Orange is all about serious art that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Gallery Orange, New Orleans, exterior
If you are in New Orleans or planning a visit, do not miss a trip to Gallery Orange! Delightful, deliciousness awaits you! You can see a list of upcoming shows at GO on their website— which is newly redesigned, make sure you check it out!
New Orleans is one of those places that is unlike any other. It is unique in it’s history, traditions and way of life. Artists of all kinds, writers, musicians, painters, are attracted to its vibrancy and joie de vivre. In this most European of American cities, the arts are not just a weekend hobby of the 1%. Creativity is an ingrained part of daily life. Each day is touched by artists in some way. And today, as the town celebrates the most New Orleansish day of Mardi Gras, I thought we’d explore NOLA through the eyes of its artists.
As I was thinking about what makes New Orleans such an extraordinary place, six characteristics kept coming to mind..
SUSTENANCE
No doubt New Orleans is famous for its cuisine.. a bit French, a bit Southern.. totally deliciously unique. Jambalaya, po’ boys, beignets, shrimp creole.. I would be perfectly happy to eat my way through the city! Artist Carlos Lopez celebrates the simplicity and purity of New Orleans cuisine in his still lifes of oysters found in the city’s gulf waters.
Southern Trio With Lemon, oil on canvas, 36×24 ( via Gallery Orange )
SWINGIN’
New Orleans Jazz is the soundtrack for the Delta. The horns, the banjo, the bass.. you can’t help but tap your feet. NOLA artists George Schmidt and Frank Kelley, jr., capture the energy that flows from the melodious sounds of Dixieland jazz. Though currently living in Florida, artist Yvonne Lozano’s Delta roots still show through.
NOLA by Yvonne Lozano, mixed media on canvas, 24×36Buddy Bolden's Nervous Breakdown from A History of New Orleans Jazz series by George Schmidt, oil on canvasA Jazz Extravaganza by Frank Kelley, jr., limited edition lithography, 18×15
STRUCTURE
The city’s architecture reflects the diversity of its history and inhabitants.. from grand antebellum mansions to the European-influenced ironwork of the French Quarter to humble shotgun houses, each illustrates a facet of the city’s rich culture and history. And, of course, each has been a source of inspiration for artists such as Grant Schexnider, whose Shotgun Series celebrates the spiritual wealth found in these humble abodes.
Skinny Shotgun 1 by Grant Schexnider, oil on canvas, 18×36
STYLE
New Orleanians have a style all their own. Unfailingly friendly and hospitable, but direct and unafraid to tell it like it is. But always with charm and high style. The stylishly cheeky work of NOLA artist Sarah Ashley Longshore fits the city like beads on Mardi Gras.
Audrey in Orange by Sarah Ashley Longshore, acrylic on canvas with high gloss resing, 30×30 ( via Gallery Orange )
SPIRIT
Joyful. Exuberant. Even in the face of darkness and destruction, every day in New Orleans is a celebration of life. Ally Burguieres’ work shines brightly with the fire of the people of New Orleans.
Moonrise on Bourbon by Ally Burguieres, oil and acrylic on wood, 36×18
STRENGTH
The final and most enduring characteristic of New Orleans is the strength of its community and culture. Poverty, disease, disaster, destruction. The city has seen it all, yet through each trial, comes out on the other end that much stronger. Cory Willingham’s work explores the inner strength found when a community is called upon to rebuild.
Almost Home ( diptych ) by Cory Willingham, acrylic and wallpaper on canvas, 24×30 each
New Orleans isn’t just party central at Mardi Gras. It is a community filled with artists who are serious about preserving the city’s history and not just persevering, but thriving into the city’s future. It is a city that loves its artists and they return that devotion a hundredfold. We’ll continue the NOLA love tomorrow, when Artsy Forager features a NOLA gallery bringing a fresh and contemporary, yet uniquely New Orleans style to the French Quarter!
All images are via the artist’s websites linked above, unless otherwise indicated. Images by Carlos Lopez and Sarah Ashley Longshore are via Gallery Orange.
None other a luminary than my husband’s man crush, Eddie Vedder said, “It’s an art to live with pain.. mix the light into the grey.” Although I don’t necessarily subscribe to the notion that all artists must suffer in order to create great work, artists have long had a way of funneling hardships endured into their work. The result is often something extraordinary. When diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer, Cleveland artist Arabella Proffer channelled the painful endurances of modern medical procedures into research of the remedies of the past. The result is a new series, The National Portrait Gallery of Kessa, a collection of paintings exploring the medical procedures and superstitions of the past.
Skin of the Fox Cures the Pox, oil on linen, 16×20 ( via Lee Joseph Publicity )
Being in the midst of a Frida Kahlobiography, Arabella’s work immediately struck a chord with me. But these aren’t remade Kahlos. There may be a similarity in style and subject, but while Kahlo’s work dealt directly with her own experiences and emotions, Arabella instead chose to portray imaginary female subjects, creating not only a visual representation but a history and backstory for each.
Violets for Heart Veins, oil on linen, 16×20 ( via Lee Joseph Publicity )
From the artist: “After having a section of my leg removed, I began researching medicine from the Middle Ages through the 18th century; this series was a good way for me to work out my anger and be even more thankful that what I’m going through is nothing compared to old remedies and techniques. My art and interests were in the way society lived in the past, but with emphasis on the defiant, glamorous, and eccentric — not daily strife. You could have been rich, important, or beautiful, but if sick, you would still receive brutal or worthless treatment.”
Sawed, oil on linen, 16×20Black Madonna, oil on linen, 5×7
This series, along with selected works from the Black Madonna series, are now on display in a solo exhibition, Ephemeral Antidotes at Articulated Gallery in San Francisco through February 3rd. If you’re not in the San Fran area, be sure to check out Arabella Proffer’s website for more of her work.
Featured image is a detail from Violets For Heart Veins, oil on linen, 16×20. All images are via that artist unless otherwise stated.
