Gallery Seven-- You're Invited

H.M. Craig, "Nothing Sweeter", 12x12", acrylic on canvas

Gallery Seven in Maynard, MA is having a Holiday Art Show from Nov 15- Dec 30th.
 I am one of the artists included in the lineup, and am VERY happy to be included. The people who run the gallery, Kelli and Nick are absolutely wonderful. 

http://www.gallerysevenmaynard.com/gallery/current-exhibition/

Artist's Reception
Saturday, December 3rd
7-9 pm
snow date--- Saturday December 10th, 7-9 pm

7 Nason Street, Maynard MA 01754
987.897.9777

Other artists are:
Kevin J. Briggs
Brenda Cirioni
A.M. Clark
J.C. Dwyer
Charlene Fall
Kay Hartung
Robin Herr
Heather McClurg
Jeannette O'Connor
Max Payne
Richard Perry
Amantha Tsaros
Danielle Watson

Pandore

Simon, the Shark, and the Show

As written in a prior post, I've been thoroughly engrossed in reading The $12 Million Stuffed Shark by Don Thompson. I have learned a great deal about the art world from it, and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Freakonomics (also another fantastic read).  Recently, the chapters have focused on the workings of auction houses, mainly Christie's and Sotheby's as they are the front runners in the auction world. There is another auction house mentioned, Phillips de Pury, and the author lists it as being "a distant third-ranked auction house in the Christie's-Sotheby's battle" that "guaranteed losses for a very long time". Phillips de Pury had to find a way to differentiate itself and succeed. A few days ago, I had a bit of an Aha! moment when I read this passage:


"Phillips now focuses on first-time buyers in their twenties and thirties, from the hedge-fund millionaires to rookie collectors. It wants to avoid being seen as number three....instead positioning itself as number one its own blue-chip, emerging, super-modernism segment. As part of the change, Phillips auction catalogues were re-designed to resemble fashion magazines. "   

And.... "Simon de Pury was portrayed in press releases as a sort of rock-star auctioneer."

$12 Million Stuffed Shark

If you've ever been curious about what the high muckety mucks have shelled out millions of dollars for in regards to contemporary art... do yourself a favor and grab "The $12 Million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art" by Don Thompson.

It is an incredibly interesting read filled with .... Art! Money! Branding! I know, I know, I know... living artists and money don't go together..tsk, tsk, tsk, silly artist (again, the myth). Read this book and see how they do.

A review on Amazon with which I agree wholeheartedly:

I will not attempt to add to the growing number of positive reviews of this wonderful book, save to say the following: It is a thought- provoking study in how two seemingly different and disparate fields, art and finance, are closely and intimately linked.......ONE GREAT READ!!

Dior Fall Collection- Flowers!

If only I could get my hands on some of these wonderful creations! Or pieces like them... I would glide around my neighborhood in a pansy dress. I would lounge around on my porch resplendent in tulips!!  Heaven!   My only problem is that they don't seem like the type of dresses I should paint in.

More beauty here.

Photos by Monica Feudi.

Duane Keiser- Candied Apple

Duane Keiser is known as the father of the painting a day movement, where artists... guess what? work on a painting a day.  This is a way of honing observational skills, a kind of practice. 

I have watched the above video countless times, and am always amazed at that moment when the paint turns into an apple.   

Robert Amesbury

Robert Amesbury, "Heliotropes",  44x37", goauche on paper

I don't think I have ever seen the natural world or still lifes depicted in this way... part pop art, part fairy tale. As you all know, I am abnormally attracted to juicy color, and Robert sure did crank up the juice. 

The Boston Globe did an article on his show "Pronk"

"He jam-packs most of his works not only with forms and metaphors, but with color and sheen: They almost jump off the wall to boogie with your eyes."

You can see more of Robert's work at his website, Robert Amesbury.com.

Girl in Hyacinth Blue

Within the past 6 months, I have been really interested in reading anything I can about art.  My latest book that I am heavily immersed in is Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland.  It is about the history, through generations, of a painting by Vermeer.   The painting itself doesn't actually exist.   It is historical fiction.

You can read more on the author, Susan Vreeland's site.

There is also a little write up about Vermeer.

Marblehead Festival of the Arts

HMCraig, "You Were Only Waiting for this Moment", acrylic on canvas, 30x40"

The lilac painting was juried into a show for the Marblehead Festival of the Arts.  When it was dropped off, I had my doubts whether it would be taken in or not (there was a lot of good work).  But, here we are...  :)

The festival runs from July 1-5, with a Champagne and Culinary Arts Reception on the 27th. I've been told that a lot of people attend the events.

Gardyn by Pogo

Comprised entirely of sounds in his mother's garden.

Northeast Prize Show

 
Heather with her painting "Clementines and Blue" at CAA's Northeast Prize Show

Thursday was a bit of an anxiety test for me. The Northeast Prize Show opening was that night. All day, I worried about whether there would be too many people there, I worried whether I could carry on a conversation with new people about art (having art conversations isn't easy). I worried about whether or not I should say something about my injury, just in case I said something outlandish. For the record, telling new people you have a brain injury is a conversation killer. I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me, but if I do something that I realize is odd, I want them to maybe understand why I said this or did that.  Social skills are a challenge.

I got so anxious that I couldn't take my nap.  THAT is a problem. It just magnifies my symptoms when I don't have sleep.

Thankfully, the show went well. I met new artists and saw beautiful work. An artist friend of ours showed up for support.   I had a great night and  couldn't stop smiling for hours!   Although, right before I fell into medicinal sleep, I asked G if I did all right with conversations. He said I did well.  Sweet dreams, indeed.

Gordon Ramsay - Eggs on Toast

A good friend pointed out this video of Gordon Ramsay cooking scrambled eggs on toast. I tried it, and must say they were heavenly.

ArtHash Interview

 Bokeh Star by Maschineraum on flickr

I got interviewed at ArtHash!  Follow the link to see my interview as well as other artist's take on things.

Losing My Marbles

Pretty cool illusion, no?

Speaking of Small Things

Check out this slideshow. It is a bunch of magnified pictures of ... sand, by Gary Greenberg. You never know what jewels lie beneath your feet (garnets, diamonds, beautiful whorls of shells).

To see more of Dr. Gary Greenberg's work, click here.

Postcard Art

 

HMCraig, "Poppy Park, poppy wrangling" acrylic on postcard

A gallery in Sweden is having a show comprised of altered postcards. I altered Fenway (the sacrilege, the horror!).   I  thought that a park where giant poppies roamed around and teams of men tried to wrangle them (like a rodeo) while an audience watched would be interesting. Watch out for those big poppies. 

James Mylne and Bic

The artist, James Mylne, creates mostly with Bic pen.
 According to his blog, :
"he set up the first website dedicated to supplying information and promoting the use of
ballpoints in fine art (www.birodrawing.co.uk). "


His youTube channel is here.

Theo Jansen- Kinetic Sculpture

Imagine that in your front yard! The neighborhood children would be terrified. As well as the Home Association. 

Theo Jansen is a Kinetic Sculptor link leads to his site, Strandbeest. He creates "animals" that are powered by wind.

 You can see his TED talk here. In his talk, he discussed the "brain of the animal", which is binary. "It is sort of the imagination of the simple world of the beach animal".

Whip It

G and I watched "Whip It", a movie directed by Drew Barrymore and starring Ellen Page. It is about roller derby. No lie, I have seriously thought about participating in roller derby. I think it looks like a hoot,  quite an experience. The idea of a fun stage name (Peaches N Scream? Eva Destruction? Alison Wonderslam?  Pummelina?) was totally chocolate buttercream icing on the cake. I was never really scared to play rough and tumble. Then thoughts started rolling around my head about medical bills, and working in a corporate environment with a broken nose, black eyes, fractured fingers, .... and this was before my head injury.

Roller Derby Women by Gomisan on Flickr

 During the filming, Drew Barrymore got a concussion. I think that you can actually see some of the effects in the film. She's supposed to be playing a spaced out character anyway, but early on she is *very* spacey.  Her eyes are kind of fixed and swimming, it looks like she is dazed. I imagine that is probably what I looked like.

During the film's promotion, she stopped by the Conan O'Brien show. He had recently sustained a concussion, and they discuss some of the effects of the injury on work and relationships. Most significantly, how the survivor tries to keep going on with life as normal. 


Here is the clip:
Drew and Conan compare head injuries 

 Roller Derby, Skate of Emergency by Gomisan on Flickr

Watching Whip It made me a bit sad, though, and I shared that with G (he's a rock climber who has had to sit out due to hand injuries..he understands). While I am starting to be able to be more active, I don't think I'll ever be able to do Roller Derby, and right now, I can't ride my bike out on the roads by myself (and having such nice weather lately is really hard). It's like I'm in the longest "time out" ever, sitting in the corner watching the other kids have fun.  I went on a long walk yesterday, it was very leisurely, and nice...but...The baby steps are killing me, and I know they're necessary if I want to be repaired.

In the end, it was a good film. It was unabashadly fun with a heaping helping of exploration of the relationships in a family (namely .. the fairly conservative mother who wants her daughter in pageants and the daughter who feels passionate about roller derby but still wants to make her mother proud).

Sasha's Birthday!

Sasha, looking cheeky with her bunny ears

It is Sasha's 16th birthday today!  No, that is not a typo. She is actually 16 (112 in doggie years?), and acts like she's 3. She's currently wearing a floral pastel bandana with sequins and taking a nap (yes, she is pretty fabulous).We will be going to get her doggie driving license soon. I can't drive, but maybe my collie can!

I am going to be making a doggie birthday cake  for Sasha and her sister Beans. We'll also share some with the neighbor's dog (he likes cake, too!). There will be sliced banana on top, because Sasha looooves bananas.

Happy Birthday Cake for Doggies

1 egg

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup cooking oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup honey (optional)

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup whole wheat or white flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

 

 

	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 6 cup ring mold.
	Combine the egg, peanut butter, oil, vanilla, and honey, if desired, in a large bowl; blend well. Stir in the carrots and mix thoroughly. Sift together the flour and baking soda and fold into the carrot mixture. Spoon cake batter into prepared pan.
	Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes. Let cake cool in pan for 10 minutes; then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.