June 26th, 2009 Sus Posted in Commentary | No Comments »

I started reading the art blogs again after a very long hiatus. I have a few favorites, most of them are in my blogroll. An interesting discourse has come up over the last few days that I have been following from blog to blog.  For me, it started Edward Winkleman’s blog, where he cajoles his artist readers to keep applying for opportunities no matter how many rejections they accumulate.

More than that, though, sometimes, totally independent of the application process, one of those powerful people will want to do something with you outside this particular grant program. Ruby told me of one applicant whom a selection committee member recently said he didn’t care whether this artist received the grant or not, but he so loved their proposal that he offered them an opportunity to realize their work in another state because the project was so perfect for their institution. In other words, the rewards of applying to such programs may not be limited to whether or not you receive what you applied for this one time. Read the post

There was a comment to a post on the long-abandoned SELLOUT that I remembered. Unfortunately, the site has been taken down and there is no way that I can verify the accuracy of my memory. The comment was from an anonymous curator who confessed that he acted as a juror on panels for regional shows as a kind of community service. He never offered additional opportunities to either the successful or unsuccessful applicants.

Eward Winkleman’s post addressed a specific opportunity at Creative Capital. This particular organization is heavy on support for conceptual works. Applying for this is definitely a waste of time for someone whose art revolves around something like painting. In fact, most opportunities for artists are more inclined to conceptual art. I haven’t bothered with these opportunities at all, frankly. Pretty Lady, a blog that I check into with great frequency, articulates it quite well –

Moreover, as a painter who attempts to expand the boundaries of self with work that does not belong to a recognizable genre, I endure a significant amount of contempt and dismissal within the contemporary art world itself. Spokespersons from Big-Ass Art Institutions would never admit it, but there is a not-so-subtle bias against painters when it comes to awarding grants, residencies, solo exhibitions and places in the Whitney Biennial; the unspoken but loudly implied subtext is, “God, another painting. That’s so boring, so bourgeois, so Been Done Already, so over.” Read the entire post

Now, the justification that I have heard for this bias towards conceptual art is that painters, for instance, have an opportunity to support themselves, but that the very nature of conceptual art means that it must be supported through some other system. If only this were true. Ive said before that conceptual art as a philosophy has usurped all intellectual practice from other forms of art. Unfairly, concept is not perceived as an important part of painting and intellectual content is virtually ignored in the art form.Frankly, if I had to support myself on painting, I would have given up a very long time ago.

It appears that it doesn’t stop the support system for conceptual artists from trying to seek support from the very practitioners for whom they hold so little regard. Sharon Butler, Two Coats of Paint, points this out in her recent post –

To raise money for Smack Mellon, artists Kristopher Benedict, David Goodman, Julian Kreimer, Andy Lane, Amy Lincoln, Rebecca Litt, Jason Mones and Helena Wurzel have agreed to paint portraits for an evening at Michael Steinberg Fine Art. According to the invitation, each sitting will last about 30 minutes, and by the end of the evening the paintings, which cost $250 each, will be packed and ready to go. “Eight contemporary artists, all graduates of noted MFA programs, will paint the subject of your choice from life.” Read the post and the comments on this one

It’s not just NYC galleries and organizations that do this. It happens right here in my backyard. I have been approached by an organization or two to donate works to support their venue. Organizations that would never consider my work for exhibition, dangling the tired carrot of exposure as a means of getting some cash in the door. But I find that I cannot support their exhibition programs and cannot fathom why they think I would.

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In progress

June 24th, 2009 Sus Posted in Studio | No Comments »

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Less is More 2

June 23rd, 2009 Sus Posted in Unblurred | No Comments »

Last Unblurred was so much fun, we thought we’d do it again!

Little bits and pieces …

Friday | July 3 | 7 PM-10PM | ARTica - 5110 PENN AVENUE

LESS IS MORE 2–An Exhibition of Little Art–EXPANDED! We had so much fun last month that we’ve expanded our exhibit to include more artists and more fun! Welcome back Susan Constanse, Michelle Gregio and James Gyre! Plus we’ve added Richard Weirzbowski, Rene Fair, LaVerne Kemp, Robert Strovers, and a few more of our artistic buds. Didn’t get to do a doodle, yet? Make one and Join our Gallery On Demand! Plus find lots of new artsy things on our retail side! Come for the music, make friends, enjoy munchies and revel in the atmosphere of a warm summer night! www.passportsart.blogspot.com

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Susan Constanse
www.susanconstanse.com
oranje
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Threaded Line @ 709 Penn Gallery

June 17th, 2009 Sus Posted in Museums and Organizations, Journal | No Comments »

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from Lee Renninger’s site –

Sous Ses Jupes is a metaphorical piece-one that seeks to reveal a complex, hidden layer beneath the larger, overlay of French history and culture. In this work, the bodice is made in a style that was popular during the reign of Marie Antoinette-a complex period of splendor and violent upheaval. The porcelain flowers as well as the gold thread, blue embroidery and white “tulle” all represent archetypal elements of France’s cultural achievements-achievements that have been its real gift to the rest of the world. What lies beneath the skirts, though, is a different story.

These materials—a web of raffia and paper, red and brown and black—are earthy and ethnic as well as transient and coarse. They reflect the gritty and passionate, colorful and dangerous aspects of these ?other? cultures—hiding just beneath France’s perfect skirts.

What struck me when I walked into the gallery was the overwhelming beauty of the work. I’m glad that I took the time to look up the artist’s site to find this explanation. A friend relayed to me that the colored papers that embellish the skirt are actually pastry wrappers. In the context of the above statement, the wrappers take on a different meaning, especially when applied to the couture of Paris.

The works at 709 Penn are lovely, as are the works on Renninger’s site.

Threaded Line
Lee Renninger
709 Penn Gallery
709 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh PA 15222
Gallery Hours:
Tues - Fri: 12-8PM
Sat: 12-6PM

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In progress

June 16th, 2009 Sus Posted in Studio | 1 Comment »

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9th Annual Anniversary Exhibition @Boxheart

June 16th, 2009 Sus Posted in BoxHeart, Galleries - Pittsburgh | No Comments »

Well, timing is everything. I saw the Boxheart exhibit about two weeks ago. I didn’t post about it last week because I wanted to talk about Three Rivers Arts Festival and I thought this show would be longer. My bad! In looking at Boxheart’s site, I realized that this show is ending on Saturday.

Boxheart’s Anniversary show is a great way to get to know the gallery’s artists. The range in the exhibit is wide but they have one thing in common; they are excellent. Boxheart doesn’t carry something for everyone, even with the range that is exhibited. You won’t find Pennsylvania landscapes. Rather, you’ll find contemporary, formal works next to expressionistic outsider works. That’s a helluva range when viewed together.

There were several really wonderful works that I was drawn to at the exhibit, mostly formal abstracts –

Joshua Hogan

Brenda Stumpf

Keith Garubba

Joren Dykstra

May 26 - June 20, 2009
9th Annual Anniversary Exhibition
Boxheart Gallery
4523 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
P. 412 687 8858
F. 412 687 6338
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 10 AM - 6 PM
Sunday: 1 PM - 5 PM

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In progress

June 10th, 2009 Sus Posted in Studio | No Comments »

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2009 Three Rivers Arts Festival

June 10th, 2009 Sus Posted in TRAF | No Comments »

Three Rivers Arts Festival began on Friday June 3. The last day is Sunday June 14. Yes, it is a much shorter festival. In some ways, it is also smaller than the festivals in the past. This year, the festival guide includes a number of venues outside of the festival grounds and in the Cultural District. Missing is the juried exhibit, which was held last year in a series of shipping containers. New for this year was Three Rivers Arts Festival Gallery Co-Op, located at 901 Penn Ave. I think this a smashing idea. The venue houses a sampler of twelve Pittsburgh galleries with each gallery representing a few of their gallery artists. A full listing of the galleries is available on the festival website.  There is a lot of good work hung in that one small space.

Morgan Conetemporary Glass had a piece by  Paul Nelson (Teapot, right) that I thought was nice. Also, it photographed really well. I know, that’s a bit of a cop out. But really, I’d rather show you a good image of a good work than a really bad image of better work. Glass is difficuklt to photograph. There were several pieces that were utterly amazing. You will jst have to go down to the venue or, better yet, actually go to Morgan Contemporary Glass.

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You can see more of Jason Schorr’s work at moxie DaDa. This was actually a pretty large work. I don’t know as it really translates well here.

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This next pairing of V. Mann’s is from Boxheart.

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Modern Formations brought this work by Taya Hanauer. This work reminded me so much of my good friend’s, Pat Barefoot.

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Okay, I am very excited about this venue idea. I think that Pittsburgh galleries are a really important part of the scene here and are the best suporters of local artists. Here’s the thing that I thought was questionable. The galleries involved in this space are not allowed to make sales from this space. Let me repeat that; the. galleries. are. not. permitted. to. make. sales. I don’t know who came up with this idea, BUT here it is. If a patron wishes to purchase a work, he must put his name on a list. At the end of the festival, the galleries are permitted to contact the individuals that have expressed an interest in purchasing a work and the gallery closes the sale off site. Really? Really? The chances of a gallery closing a sale after the fact like this is slim to none. That actually happened to me at one of the downtown, Cultural District, galleries. The gallery attendant collected the interested party’s contact info and handed it over to me. I couldn’t get past the guy’s secretary. Lost the sale. Okay, excuse the mini-rant. Getting back to this venue, it is definitely a great way to showcase the city’s galleries. Hopefully, with one little change, the Three Rivers Arts Festival will continue with this concept in 2010.

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The Three Rivers Arts Festival woldn’t be complete without the Artist Market. There have been more booths in past festivals. That doesn’t mean the quality was less; to the contrary, works on display were really good. Photography, jewelry, ceramics and leather were all well represented. And really, who doesn’t like sock monkeys, penguins and Frankenstein’s monster? Greg Stones (image above) feels the same way. Sweet little watercolors; his booth was just fun!

The festival continued with its Emerging Artist booths, another great idea that gives artists who might otherwise not have participated a chance to present.

First up, Kat Cole. Kat has shown her work in several exhibits in Pittsburgh and had some work in Luke & Eloy’s Double Vision exhibit. It is too late to see Kate’s work at the festival since June 9 was her last day. But if you get a chance, see some of her work before she leaves for graduate school. She does have work at Eastside Gallery.

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Another newcomer to the festival is Crystala Armagost, an amazing artist. Check out her nearly-bare booth (below). She had a good week and sold quite a few of her framed works during the five days that she was at the festival. Unfortunately, June 9 was her last day at the festival, too. But you can catch Crystala’s work out and about town, too.

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I am absolutely positive that I missed some favorite artists while I was at the festival yesterday. Since it IS the Three Rivers Arts Festival, OF COURSE it rained; it comes with the territory. Some artists closed their booths during the downpour and I can’t blame them. Kyle Fischer had a booth, as well as Amber Coppings. But have no fear! There is a whole new slate of artists scheduled for June 10-14. The line up looks pretty amazing. You can see representative images on the Artist Market page on the festival site. Although they provide listings by date and medium, they don’t provide an alphabetized list. They do, however, have a printable booth map which will be very helpful in tracking down a favorite artist.

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Sarver’s Bait and Tackle is in a category of its own. Part installation, part performance space, it is an enjoyable stop in the Cultural District.

A friend and I watched a short video piece playing in the back of the space, located at 905 Penn Ave. If you stop in to see the installation or check out a fish puppet show, make sure that you take friend into this little two-seat theater to see the video. We giggled like mad women. You can find out more about the activities scheduled at Sarver’’s Bait and Tackle on the festival site.

For a full schedule of festival events, check out their website.

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June Unblurred on Penn Ave

June 8th, 2009 Sus Posted in Unblurred, Galleries - Pittsburgh | No Comments »

You better get yourself a cup of coffee. This is going to be a long one. First stop - Spak Brothers

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Spak Brothers is a Pizza place on Penn Ave. Great pizza. I stopped in to see if they had a schedule for Unblurred. I really liked these smal enameled pieces, kinda old school tag. Actually, I was on my way to Artica, which is directly across the street. The show LESS IS MORE: AN EXHIBITION OF ART UNDER 12″X12″, included some of my miniature works, like the ones below –

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Also included at Artica was the work of Michelle Gregio, pictured below. Really, you kinda have to go in and see this. It was just such a great piece of fantastical work. ARTica, ART GALLERY & ANTIQUES - 5110 PENN AVE. 412-596-6521 Artica is open most Fridays and Saturdays from 11 am to 6 pm or by appointment.

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Most Wanted Fine Art had a really great pairing for June. JR Holt and Frank Knezevich present entirely different works. Mr. Holtz paints these really luscious works on glass while My Knezevich creates string instruments from cigar boxes.  Most Wanted is located at 5015 Penn Ave. I believe the gallery is by appointment only. 570-971-1584.

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The last time I was on Penn Ave, work was still being done on this building. It didn’t appear to be open for Unblurred, but maybe sometime soon. I found this description –

To create The Irma Freeman Art Center, as a community center for the arts in the district of Garfield. Our plan is to renovate an existing building as an art center using green resources and recycled materials as much as possible. The Irma Freeman Art Center will be an art educational center and gallery (and performance venue) with a resident artist studio apartment.  Read more

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David Grim’s new works of the Eastern Penitentiary were very moving. The works were soft, indicating the gritty decay and fading appearance of the  facility. My camera didn’t really capture his images. From what I understand of David’s process, the effects are produced with the camera settings; he does not “shop” these images on the computer. In all, a departure and evolution for the artist. Vanishings at IMAGEBOX - 4933 PENN AVE.

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Benedict Oddi has a solo exhibit at Modern Formations. I liked his work the first time I saw it at Luke & Eloy. He had several new and larger works for this exhibit. If you can, make it up to the gallery for a viewing. Well worth the trip.

THE TRUTH IS MADE: ARTWORK OF BENEDICT ODDI
MODERNFORMATIONS GALLERY & PERFORMANCE SPACE - 4919 PENN AVE.

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In progress

June 2nd, 2009 Sus Posted in Studio | No Comments »

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So, the first completed work for this painting season. Last winter was endlessly cold. It’s taken awhile to get back into the swing of things this season. I have been working for about six weeks. This is the first completed work, but they should be coming a little more regularly now. I have two in progress that are near completion and another two that are progressing nicely. I will be stretching new canvase next week. I have almost gotten all of last season’s paintings varnished. They will be ready for a final photo session by the end of June.

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