Hominy Grits

Group Show: Floating in the Absence of Reason (revisited)

2012-01-20T11:08:00.006-05:00

Happy New Year everyone! To get the year off to a good start, I'm going to be in another group show at MH Art and Frame, on 20th Street in Manhattan.

Here are the pertinent details:

MH Art & Framing Gallery
&
ARTGROUP FOR LESBIAN & GAY ARTISTS

Are pleased to invite you to:

Floating In The Absence of Reason (Revisited)
Jan. 21 to Feb. 25, 2012
opening reception:
Saturday, January 28th
6-8 PM

(mark your calendars!)

featuring works by:
Dominic Montuori, Mike Tice, Steve Palermo, Tom Foral, Stephen Cimini, Larry Schulte, Hilary North, Kay Towns, Steve Frim, Karl Volk, Michael Weinert, Uli Minoggio, Stephan Likosky, Tracy Phillips, John Zirkelbach, Fred Quintiliani, Richard Hatter, John Azelvandre, Jim Pavlicovic, Brent Nicholson Earle

(all works are for sale)

My painting, Manomayakaya #1 (Guardians at the well of percipience) (pictured below), will appear in the show. I hope you will stop by for the opening event on January 28, from 6-8 pm. MH Art and Frame is on West 20th Street, just steps away from Fifth Avenue.

New printwork

2011-12-16T22:06:00.002-05:00

In preparation for this weekend's Holiday Sale, I've been busy working on some new relief prints:

This new reduction woodcut is titled "Midwinter" -- a nice counterpoint to the midsummer piece I did several months ago.

In August I wrote about Provincetown and the "white-line" or "Provincetown" print technique. Here's a new one of my own:

And here's another version of the same, on an interesting greenish paper:

I'll have these new pieces at my Holiday Sale this weekend: December 17 and 18 from 1 to 8. More details about the sale can be found here.

Holiday Art Sale, December 17 and 18

2011-12-08T22:48:00.003-05:00

I will be having a Holiday Sale at the storefront-studio of Jonathan Blum!

When: Saturday and Sunday: December 17 and 18, 1 to 8pm on both days.

Where: 285 5th Avenue, between 1st and 2nd streets in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Here's a map.

What: I'll be selling many small and affordable works of art.

Prices start at $8 for original artwork, and $2.50 for printed greeting cards. Most work will be priced below $200. I'll have some of my larger works on display as well. I'll also be offering a free 4x6 block print ($30 value) with purchases of $50 or more.

Pictured above are some brand new reduction woodcuts -- a very limited run! These will be priced at $85.00

Below are 3 4x6 block print designs that I will be selling for $30 each -- or get one of these free with a $50 purchase!

I'll have many other interesting and unique works of art on hand, such as this dynamic and one-of-a-kind monotype:

Mark your calendars and come over next weekend!

BAG 50/50 Fundraiser show is up!

2011-12-08T22:45:00.001-05:00

The art is up for BAG's 50/50 fundraiser show.

It looks great!
See more photos here.

Works in progress - block prints

2011-12-08T10:50:00.003-05:00

More work in progress: I'm working on series of small (4x6") relief prints this week:

These pieces will be among those featured at my Holiday Sale at the storefront-studio of Jonathan Blum on Saturday and Sunday: December 17 and 18. Mark your calendars!

Current project: artworks in progress

2011-12-07T09:41:00.004-05:00

I've been doing a lot of relief printing of late.

Here's an example of a "whiteline" or "Provincetown" print. You'll recall that back in August I was in P-town and happened upon this indigenous genre at the Provincetown Art Association Museum. So here we have it - a prototype, not necessarily finished.

Latest little bit on BAG's 50/50

2011-12-06T14:44:00.004-05:00

Here's my last little bit about Brooklyn Artist Gym's 50/50 raffle, straight from them:

Again, it is free to attend and the more the merrier! If you are not able to come, we are accepting proxy bids by calling 718-858-9069, email us at info@brooklynartistsgym.com. This is our biggest event of the winter, and we want you to join us for a great time! Serious about buying a piece of art? Only 50 tickets are available. Buy your ticket today online at http://www.brooklynartistsgym.com/5050-fundraiser-2/
to be sure you get a piece! View exhibition works here: https://picasaweb.google.com/113266663912335795487/5050Winter2011

Cool. They are accepting proxy bids if you aren't able to be there in person.

A little poetry for today

2011-12-06T13:39:00.002-05:00

Modern Babel

How can I reach you? Hang on, let's think ...
I could pen you a letter ... Please! you're making me laugh!
Perhaps I could phone you? Now, who would do that?
What about e-mail? Too personal, I'm sure ...
I'm guessing there's facebook. Are we friends there as well?
I could just text you ... My thumbs are too tight!
So when will I see you? Whenever you like.

Tis the season ...

2011-12-06T09:44:00.003-05:00

... to be madly busy!

There are a few upcoming events to know about:

Reminder: This Saturday, December 10 at 6pm: Brooklyn Artists Gym is having their 50/50 fundraiser. Buy a ticket for $100 for a chance to obtain one of 50 works of art! I have two pieces in the collection. Visit the BAG website for all the details about the event, pics, ticket availability and so on. The reception is free to attend. Note: I will be there in the flesh for about the first hour only! Catch me if you can!

Next week: I will be having a Holiday Sale at the storefront-studio of Jonathan Blum!

When: Saturday and Sunday: December 17 and 18, 1 to 8pm on both days.

Where: 285 5th Avenue, between 1st and 2nd streets in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Here's a map.

What: I'll be selling many small and affordable works of art, most of which are priced well below $200, and even below $100! I'll also be offering a free 4x6 block print ($30 value) with purchases of $50 or more.

More details coming soon.

Open studio this Saturday!

2011-11-18T13:17:00.005-05:00

News flash! I'll be working and showing some of my work in the storefront studio of my friend and neighbor Jonathan Blum this Saturday, November 19, from 2 to 8pm. The studio is located at 285 5th Avenue in Brooklyn - between 1st and 2nd Streets. (Click here for a map.) Stop by to see a selection of my work, and you may even catch me in the act of making a monoprint!

Announcing Brooklyn Artists Gym 50/50 Fundraiser, December 10

2011-11-18T12:12:00.006-05:00

Hey folks, BAG is doing another 50/50 fundraiser!

I've donated two pieces to the show, each of which could be yours for 100 bucks!

Art will be on display starting December 3, and the action happens on Saturday December 10 starting at 6pm.

Visit the Brooklyn Artists Gym website for full details on the event.

Greeting cards for sale on Etsy

2011-10-18T08:32:00.002-05:00

In preparation for the upcoming holiday season, I'm listing my holiday greeting card designs on etsy. I have limited quanitities of these designs -- I won't be printing more. Get them while they last!

For details, visit the greeting card section of my Etsy shop.

I also have listed my wildflower blank cards, featuring my original photography. Supplies of these are also limited.

A Nifty studio map for this weekend's Gowanus Studio Tour!

2011-10-13T11:56:00.004-05:00

We're all hard at work getting ready for this weekend's Gowanus Studio Tours. The good folks over at Brooklyn Artists Gym have put together a nifty floor layout map of BAG, so you can easily find me and other artists inside at BAG. View the map (PDF) here.

Gowanus Studio Tour is this weekend!

2011-10-11T07:34:00.003-05:00

Things are going into high gear here in my corner of Brooklyn, as we get ready for the Annual Gowanus Studio Tours, October 15-16. I'm busy trying to get my inventory in order. There's lots of new work, big and small to check out!

One of the projects I've been working on over the past year is a series of smaller paintings featuring botanical themes. These "Res botanica" (botanical objects) will be on display and for sale at this year's tour.

This is Res botanica #6 (Asteraceae), completed in 2011.

Res botanica #5(Orchidaceae - after Hokusai), 2011. This piece was inspired by a woodcut by the 19th century Japanese master Hokusai.

This last piece is very much in keeping with the fall season:

Res botanica #4 (Asteraceae), 2010.

By the way, I'm pleased to announce that for the first time, I will be able to take credit cards, thanks to Square! Pretty nifty! I hope to see you at the tour this weekend!

Fall Salon at BAG, October 15-26

2011-10-03T08:40:00.004-05:00

Hey folks, as previously mentioned, Brooklyn Artists Gym is having its Fall Salon Exhibition October 15-26. The opening is Saturday evening, October 15 from 6-9. I will have a piece in the show and be on hand to say a few words about it. This is the same weekend as the Gowanus Studio Tours! Stick around BAG after the day's tour and enjoy an evening of art and discussion.

BAG is located at 168 7th Street in Brooklyn, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, conveniently near the 4th Avenue/9th Street stop on the F-Train.

Adminis-trivia, and some Gowanus links

2011-09-27T08:45:00.008-05:00

So by now everyone hopefully knows about our upcoming studio tour: the Gowanus Studio Tours (formerly known as "AGAST", but I guess they're trying to quietly ditch that moniker): October 15 and 16. In preparation for that, I've revamped how I do my mailing list. Now I'm using Mailchimp.

If you would like to be on my e-mail newsletter mailing list, sign up here. This newsletter is an occasional mailing; exactly how occasional depends on what shows and events may come along. By receiving the newsletter directly to the e-mail account of your choice, you never have to worry about missing an event!

Of course, you can also follow this blog, or follow me on twitter: @ZephyrusNYC.

And now for some Gowanus Studio Tour links:
The tour organizers have a twitter feed: follow them @AGASTBROOKLYN (yes, it's all caps, although I don't know that it matters for search purposes).

Last night we had our kickoff party at Sheep Station on 4th Avenue, and got our hands on the print map; you should start seeing these around the 'hood now. If you can't seem to find one, contact me and I'll figure out a way to get one to you (carrier pigeon or owl, perhaps??)

A nice feature of the print map is a large minimalist graphic map of the Gowanus area with some cool historical trivia:

In 1636, Gowanus Bay (at the mouth of the canal) was the site of the first settlement by the Dutch in what is now Brooklyn. and the Carroll Street bridge (built in 1889) is the oldest remaining retractable drawbridge in the country!

There is also a handy google map with all the tour locations on it! Brooklyn Artists Gym will be an info hub for the event! Woot!

A Gowanus studio tour flickr account has also been set up. See some cool art there!

All (or at least a lot) about Gowanus!

2011-09-18T17:30:00.001-05:00

Whew! Hardly a free moment for good old-fashioned longhand blogging any more! I've been thinking I should spare a few words for that enigmatic Brooklyn netherworld known as "Gowanus." Home to the famous (or, um, infamous) Gowanus Canal -- sometimes quaintly called the Gowanus Creek Canal. So -- here you have it: all about the Gowanus, sort of.

You might ask, "Really? there was a creek there once upon a time?"

Yes, indeedy their truly was!

The immediate source for most of my facts is that wonderful virtual cribsheet, Wikipedia. Since you can easily just go read the article yourself, I won't bother with many of the details contained therein. Since I've had the privilege and honor of residing within a few blocks of the canal for many a year now, I feel uniquely qualified to abstract the good bits and present them for you here. Let's start at the beginning.

Before there was a city, there was Salt Marsh and the natural drainage (i.e., the creek) from the Brooklyn uplands. While the present urban, built environment may mask this, the observant will see signs of it all around. It's not for nothing that the Gowanus area is zoned, for Hurricane/flood evacuation purposes, A, B and C. Fifth Avenue in Park Slope is more or less the boundary of flood evacuation zone C, and the slope of Park Slope continues upward from there. The area does indeed flood easily, as I've observed over the years.

So, when early intrepid folk such as Henry Hudson and old man Verrazano made their way into New York Harbor, what we call Gowanus was a teaming marshland, inhabited and fished by a tribe of the Lenape Indians, the Canarsee.

The Dutch were the first Europeans to settle around the Marsh, and early on they named the creek the Gowanese, after Gouwane, a leader of the Canarsee.

The historical record tells us that the first gristmill on the creek was built in 1645, with more soon to follow.

Probably only shortly before the British took over (1664), the enterprising Dutch petitioned their governor for permission to dredge a canal, and thus began the long history of human manipulation of this landscape.

In or around 1700, one Nicholas Vechte built a stone farmhouse in the vicinity, and this house played some small part in the American revolutionary war, to wit: it provided cover sufficient to allow George Washington and most (but, alas, not all) of his men to run (and swim) for their lives across the marsh to Brooklyn Heights, then to Manhattan (they used boats for that part) and thence upstate. We don't often like to consider that the first true battle of the war (after the Declaration of Independence) was a complete rout. But at least George and his men lived to fight another day.

Apparently the "old stone house" was destroyed about 1897. Where it now sits, in the middle of JJ Byrne Park, reconstructed in the 30s, is the site of Washington Park, former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, until about 1891. Washington Park took up the land bounded by 3rd Street, 5th Avenue, 5th Street and 4th Avenue. Apparently the house was moved when rebuilt; otherwise, it would have been in the middle of the ballfield, wouldn't it?

The Dodgers had a second Washington Park, even closer to the Gowanus Canal: between 3rd and 1st Streets, and 3rd and 4th Avenues (Catty-corner from the first Washington Park). They played there from 1898 until 1913, when they moved to Ebbets Field. All that remains of this piece of baseball history is part of wall on long the 3rd Avenue side of what is now a Con Edison facility.

Anyway, back to the canal.

As Brooklyn and New York City grew by leaps and bounds, the Gowanus Canal district became a hub of shipping, water transport and manufacture. The inevitable result of all this activity was pollution -- lots of it. In 2010, the canal was declared a "Superfund" site, much to the chagrin of would-be developers and city officials. Of course, it seems inevitable that the canal will be developed, but I, for one, don't mind seeing it slowed down a bit. As that wise sage the Lorax once said, "Sometimes I think progress progresses too fast!" Besides we all know that few will benefit from this development besides that mysterious class of slash-and-burn opportunists known as "Developers" (with a capital 'D').

(A picture of the canal from the Carroll Street bridge on the morning of Hurricane Irene (August 28, 2011). Everyone just had to go down there and see if it had flooded. It hadn't, quite.)

In the meantime, much is happening in the Gowanus! Especially art! It is presently a happening hub of hip art and culture.

So you must mark your calendars and plan on visiting the Gowanus for this year's Gowanus Studio Tours (aka AGAST), Saturday and Sunday, October 15 and 16, from noon to 6pm. Many great artists and studios will be opening their doors, such as yours truly (me!), at Brooklyn Artists Gym on 7th Street.

There will also be a salon show at BAG, with an opening on Saturday, Oct. 15. I'll have a piece in that show as well. See you by the canal soon!

Mark your Calendars! AGAST is coming

2011-08-28T12:08:00.002-05:00

So, Irene was a bit of a bust, at least as far as this part of Brooklyn is concerned; luckily Gowanus was not washed out to sea, so now we can step into high gear preparing for this year's Gowanus Studio Tour!

The dates of this year's tour are Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16. (Yes! We are back to 2 art-filled days). So mark your calendars, spread the word. I'll be busy making lots of new art for all to see.

Sun, Surf - and Art - in Provincetown, Cape Cod

2011-08-28T11:08:00.003-05:00

While I'm trapped at home thanks to Tropical Storm (formerly Hurricane) Irene, I've had a chance to review and post the photos I took during last week's visit to Provincetown, Massachusetts.

It was essentially my first time visiting P-town (lunch there one October day 18 years ago doesn't count), and the Cape welcomed me with near perfect weather. The photos shown here are just a few of the 46 I've posted to my flickr account.

Provincetown has an extensive and long-running art scene. There are tons of galleries, and many artists either live or spend part of the year there. I had a chance to visit the Provincetown Art Association and Museum (PAAM) in the East End. This charming little museum has several interesting shows up this summer, including a major exhibit by Judith Trepp, a wonderful collection of drawings by Will Barnet and a fascinating photography exhibit by Mona Dukess.

Also in PAAM's collection were some wonderful white-line, or "Provincetown" prints by Blanche Lazzell and Ellen Ravenscroft. I'm eager to try my hand at white-line printing. If I can get to the studio today, I might start right away.

I didn't get to as many galleries as I would have liked (couldn't skip a chance to be at the beach in that wonderful weather!), but especially appreciated the work of Michael McGuire at his gallery, and also the work of Megan Hinton at the William Scott Gallery.

It was a great visit and I can't wait to spend more time there in the future!

Brooklyn Artists Gym's 50/50 Fundraiser is this weekend!

2011-06-16T20:22:00.004-05:00

Join me at BAG's fundraiser art show and auction this Saturday, from 6pm to 11pm at BAG in Gowanus, 168 7th Street! The show is free, and all art will be sold for $100 each!

I've donated a lovely drypoint print to the event (first picture below). See the BAG website for more details, and how you can get a ticket in advance: http://www.brooklynartistsgym.com/5050-fundraiser/ I hear they're going fast.

I'll also be on hand to show folks my latest paintings and new relief printwork.

This cool drypoint(above) will be auction off on Saturday!

What the Frack?

2011-06-09T10:01:00.008-05:00

An open letter to Governor Cuomo:

The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo
Governor of New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, NY 12224

Dear Governor Cuomo,

I am writing to express my support for three bills that have been introduced into the NYS legislature. They are: A7400, A7013, and S3472.

All three bills address water protection and/or proliferation of runaway heavy industry in rural New York State. I am very concerned about the natural gas extraction process known as hydraulic fracturing, and worry that permits for this type of drilling will be issued prematurely by the NYS DEC. There have been no studies done by the gas companies that address the cumulative impacts their gas wells would have on our environment. The SGEIS that the DEC is now writing should require that before any drilling permits are issued, the gas companies perform independent peer reviewed studies, which should be paid for by the gas companies themselves, not the State of New York (i.e. the taxpayers).

The bills mentioned are a good start to regulation, but I personally believe that the process of high volume, slick water, hydraulic fracturing is inherently unsafe and will cause greatly increased health risks through extensive air and water pollution. We can only look at the devastation already done in states like Pennsylvania, Texas and Wyoming to name just three. I understand that we need to work toward new energy sources but not by sacrificing our air and water. Water is our most precious resource and there is not an unlimited supply of fresh drinking water.

So, please do the right thing and place environmental and socioeconomic concerns before the self-interests of the gas companies.

Sincerely,
John Azelvandre

A little background:

Hydraulic fracturing has been in the news of late; with many concerns being raised about it's environmental impacts. It is a process in which water and certain (often undisclosed) chemicals are injected underground in order to fracture rock and release natural gas. There are serious concerns that these waters and chemicals and the minerals they dislodge will pollute groundwater and surface water. (See this excellent series of articles that recently appeared in the New York Times: Drilling Down)

There has been a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas in New York State for the past year or two. It expires in July. The bill A7400 extends it for another year. The Assembly has passed it; it needs to get through the State Senate and past the governor's desk.

A7013 will classify all wastewater from crude oil and natural gas extraction as hazardous waste, to be treated accordingly;

S3472 allows local governments to enforce local laws and ordinances that may regulate or restrict oil and gas extraction.

(Info courtesy of: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/)

Please write the governor today! You can do it by email, here:
http://www.governor.ny.gov/contact/GovernorContactForm.php

Announcing Brooklyn Artists Gym 50/50 Fundraiser, Saturday, June 18

2011-05-22T18:42:00.004-05:00

Join me for the Brooklyn Artists Gym 50/50 Fundraiser!

Here's what it's about, from the good folks at BAG:

"The Idea: Connect 50 artists and their work to 50 art lovers (for only $100).

Spend an evening in spirited - and friendly - competition over 50 fantastic pieces of art. We are raising funds to support BAG in upgrading our facilities, hosting community programs and lectures, and offering discounted studio space to artists in need.
The Event: The exhibition will be up June 11th-18th, 2011. The main event will take place Saturday, June 18th from 6-11PM.
We will be hanging 50 pieces of work from 50 talented artists within the BAG community. We will be selling 50 tickets for $100 each. One ticket entitles its holder to one work of art. Tickets will be drawn at random during the party, giving their holders the chance to pick their piece from the wall and walk home with an amazing piece of art for a bargain. And our artists can meet their new collectors, as well as connect with the rest of the talent.

Purchase a ticket now, or visit the site to see the work"

I will have one piece in the show:

I'll also be at hand during the main event (Saturday, June 18) to open my studio and show recent work, including including many affordable items for sale!

I hope to see you there!

Adventures in Printmaking, and an upcoming event

2011-05-16T14:22:00.004-05:00

Recently, I've been delving into various printmaking techniques. I've been experimenting with drypoint, etching, and relief printing -- both linocut and woodcut -- and will continue to explore this vein of work in the coming months. Here are some examples of what I've been up to so far:

This piece (above), titled "Genius loci" is a drypoint. Drypoint is an intaglio technique in which a sharp steel needle, diamond point or other hard stone tool is used to scratch an image directly onto the surface of the plate. No acids or anything like that needed (hence "dry" point; acid would be "wet"). Traditionally, copper and zinc plates are used, but this piece (and the second drypoint below, were drawn on styrene plates).

This untitled piece above is an example of a copper etching. A copper plate is coated with a special waxy ground, and then lines are drawn on the ground, revealing the copper underneath. Then, the plate is dipped in an acid bath. The acid reacts with the exposed copper creating grooves. The ground is then removed, and then through the press it goes!

Then we have woodcut, a form of "relief" printing. And here (above) we have something even more magical -- a reduction woodcut. The image above, titled "Forest 1" (or more elaborately, "The wood speaks of home") was made with three separate impressions. All three impressions were made from the same plate, as I carved more wood out. So there was no turning back!

Here is the final state of the plate, printed alone.

This recently completed piece is a linocut done in one impression. Expect to see more relief printing from me in the near future!

This last piece, a drypoint printing titled "Once, we lived here" will appear in Brooklyn Artists Gym's 50/50 Fundraising event, Saturday, June 18. Be sure to order your tickets for the event and come see all of the wonderful art at BAG! I'll also be on hand to show folks around my studio filled with my latest work. The web is great, but all of this art looks so much better in person!

Going Green

2011-03-23T08:06:00.005-05:00

I'm pleased to announce that my painting At midsummer the world-tree beckons, will appear in the juried exhibition and competition being held by the Art Guild of Port Washington (Long Island). The theme of the show is "Going Green: Celebrate the Earth;" a topic near and dear to me.

The show will appear at Elderfields Preserve in Manhasset March 26 through April 1. There will be a reception on Sunday, April 10, from 3 to 5 pm.

This will be a very interesting show in an interesting venue -- Elderfields Preserve is the site of the Hewlett-Munson-Williams House, the oldest parts of which date from 1675.

For more info about the Art Guild and directions to Elderfields Preserve, see their website at: http://theartguild.org/.

I hope to see you there! Happy Spring!

Union at MH Art and Frame opening March 10

2011-03-04T21:08:00.004-05:00

Thanks to all who visited "Where the Heart Is" at Brooklyn Artists Gym (the show is still up through this weekend if you haven't had a chance to see it).

Next week, another show opens at MH Art & Frame in Manhattan. The theme of the show is Union. I'm pleased to have my new painting One Body, One Blood, included in the show.

MH Art and Frame is located at 9 West 20th Street in Manhattan. The show opening is Thursday, March 10, 6-8pm. The show will be up through April 12. I hope to see you there!

Home ... is where the heart is

2011-02-23T22:43:00.006-05:00

The other day I announced that my painting Near Black Ash Mountain will be appearing in a group exhibition at Brooklyn Artists Gym titled "Where the Heart is." The theme of the show is "home." I thought I'd share with you, dear readers, the obligatory artist's statement I generated for my submission to the open call. The concept of home, as I'm envisioning it in my painting and statement is something very dear to me. So here it is:

“Meet the ancestral teachers, be familiar with their instruction, bind grasses to build a hut, and don't give up.” To be a citizen of the world is to recognize one home, one heart and, in fact, one body. My work explores and celebrates that singular, spectacular home we call Earth, and in particular those insentient lifeforms with which we intermingle, interdepend and reflect. Welcome home.

The quote I open with is from a famous Chinese Zen poem, "Song of the Grass Roof Hermitage," by Shitou Xiqian, who lived in the 8th century of our common era. The poem is about many things, certainly, but one thing it is about for me is living in peace and harmony with all one's surroundings.

It goes almost without saying (almost) that this precious planet I call home is in constant and continued peril. That's something to think about as we hurl through space swiftly toward spring, which should always be a time of hope.

So, stop by and see the painting, and ask yourself, 'where is my home? where is my heart?'

Join me for "Where the heart is," February 26!

2011-02-22T09:10:00.007-05:00

My painting Near Black Ash Mountain will be included in a group exhibition focusing on the idea of home. The opening reception is this Saturday, February 26, from 6 to 10 at the Brooklyn Artists Gym, 168 7th Street between 2nd and 3rd avenues. Please stop by and enjoy the art!

And, looking ahead: I will be in another show at MH Art and Frame in Manhattan; the opening is Thursday, March 10. Save the date! Details coming soon.

New from the studio

2011-02-17T09:25:00.004-05:00

It's been a busy month, and I'm building up quite a backlog of things to share with my adoring public. Here are two new paintings recently completed:

This piece is titled "Orange Orchids (after Hokusai)," and just as the title suggests, it is essentially a recreation of the 18th-19th century Japanese printmaker's woodcut of orchids. Acrylic on canvas.

And for something a little different:

Title: "Five Ranks." Oil on wood panel.

Enjoy!

First paintings of 2011

2011-01-13T21:15:00.004-05:00

So far the year is off to a good start. In the past two weeks, I've completed two paintings.

First is piece in oil over acrylic ground titled One Body/One Blood. It is 30 inches square.

And this week a piece titled Near Black Ash Mountain was completed.

Oil on canvas, 20 inches high by 30 inches wide.

As always, more to come!

Pinhole Experiments: Third Avenue near 55th Street

2011-01-13T19:05:00.002-05:00

20110111_073, originally uploaded by ZephyrusNYC.

Some experiments with pinhole photography. Also the set of pinhole pics from 1/11 here.

BAG's Winter Salon, January 22

2011-01-13T09:55:00.004-05:00

I'll be showing and talking about my new painting, Camperdown Pareidolia, at Brooklyn Artists Gym's Winter Salon, Saturday evening, January 22 from 6 to 10. About 12 artists are included in the show, so it should be an interesting evening, perfect for breaking up the winter monotony. There will be Q&A!

For further details about the event, visit the BAG website. BAG is located in the fair borough of Brooklyn (of course -- where else?), on 7th Street between 3rd and 2nd Avenues. This is remarkably near the 4th Avenue stop on the F-train, or the 9th Street stop on the R-train.

I hope to see you there! Even if I don't know you.

Straight from the studio

2010-12-15T21:35:00.003-05:00

Busy, busy, busy is all I have to say. With all the holiday activities, how is a person supposed to get any work done? Well, I'm squeezing it in, somehow. Here's a shot of the latest from the studio, completed just before Thanksgiving.

This piece is titled White Oak in Winter. It's 30 inches tall by 20 inches wide. Acrylic on canvas. More coming soon!

Happy Thanksgiving -- and new Etsy listings!

2010-11-25T23:26:00.005-05:00

Hey folks, I hope everyone has had a great Thanksgiving! I sure did. Hominy wasn't on the menu, but many other yummy things like white sweet potatoes and parsnips (and turkey of course) were in abundance.

I've also added more stuff to my Etsy store, and have a sale going on -- just for the next 5 days -- so check it out!

Holiday greeting cards on Etsy, part 1

2010-11-18T09:51:00.010-05:00

So the Brooklyn elves have been busy. If you stopped by my studio during the studio tour back in October, you saw that I have created some new holiday greeting cards to join the ones created over the past couple of years.

The first features an excellent reproduction of my original painting, Res botanica #3(Aquifoliaceae). I call this card "Happy Holly-days." You may be wondering what a 'Res botanica' is, or what the heck 'Aquifoliaceae' means. Well, I'm not entirely sure the artist should offer too much by way of explanation -- so much of the art is in the perception and interpretation of the viewer -- but let's just say that a 'res botanica' is a botanical 'thing,' and Aquifoliaceae is the family to which the American Holly tree belongs.

I fondly remember the giant (it was really, really big, especially when I was a small boy) Holly tree that dominated my grandparents' backyard. Every year we would collect clippings from the tree for Christmas decorations

There is a rich folklore tradition associated with the Holly, detailed at this interesting website: http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/ . Among other things, Holly branches were thought to protect the home from malevolent spirits and witches and even lightning! It was considered bad luck to cut down a holly tree, although taking trimmings was encouraged.

Check out the greeting card at my Etsy Store. I'll be offering the original painting soon. Stay tuned!

Twittertree is now on Etsy!

2010-11-17T22:43:00.002-05:00

Hey folks, I'm pleased to announce that my Twittertree paintings (both #1 and #2) are now available for sale on Etsy! You can also contact me to arrange a studio visit to see the paintings in person.

If you've been around here for awhile, you'll recall that these pieces appeared at Grandon Art Gallery in Flagstaff, Arizona last September.

Check out my other new Etsy listings while you're at it! More about those shortly.

New Work

2010-11-07T13:05:00.003-05:00

Hey folks, it's been a while since I've posted. October was a busy month spent traveling, and trying out some new techniques. Here is the latest from the studio, not yet titled.

This piece was created with R&F oil pigment sticks on wood panel. More to come!

AGAST is this weekend!

2010-09-28T12:13:00.006-05:00

Visit me on the Annual Gowanus Artists Studio Tour this weekend! See these new paintings and many others, as well as the fine work of dozens of artists on the tour.

I'm at Brooklyn Artists Gym, 168 7th Street, 3rd Floor. The tour runs from 12 noon to 6pm. There's going to be an after party next door at Gowanus Studio Space, 166 7th Street, starting at 6pm.

See the AGAST website for tour details, map and easy directions!

See you soon!

PS, you can get a closer look at these paintings on my flickr: here and here.

Awakening the Dreamer: a brief review

2010-09-20T11:15:00.005-05:00

This past weekend, I participated in a wonderful symposium at Fire Lotus Temple in Brooklyn: "Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream." The event kicked off our Sangha's own Earth Initiative, more of which I'll have an opportunity to write about in future posts. The symposium was put together by the Pachamama Alliance, an environmental organization well worth becoming familiar with. The video presentation and supporting materials were extremely well done.

The mission of the Awakening the Dreamer is cogently and succinctly expressed on their website:

Our mission is bringing forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just human presence on Planet Earth.

Particularly impressive is the concerted effort made to unite the "deep ecology" and "social ecology" (or social/environmental justice) wings of the environmental movement. This is really not an environmental movement, but an Earth movement, and thus all inclusive.

How can there be a clean and sustainable environment without social and economic justice? And, how can their be social and economic just without a clean and sustainable environment? All things are connected.

In terms of content, there wasn't much that was new to me personally, but it was nicely presented and well-organized. It makes for a great presentation for any forward-minded group that is concerned with the state of our world.

Visit the Awakening the Dreamer website to learn more about the symposium.

Be "AGAST" on October 2!

2010-09-15T20:57:00.002-05:00

It's that time of year again -- time for the Annual Gowanus Artists Studio Tour (otherwise known as AGAST)! This annual art event happens in the Gowanus area of Brooklyn, betwixt and between the fabulous 'hoods of Park Slope, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Boerum Hill.

This year, the event is a little earlier in the month -- Saturday, October 2 -- and one day only! Don't miss it! The event runs from Noon to 6 pm.

I will be in my studio at the Brooklyn Artists Gym (168 7th Street, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues), showing a selection of my recent work.

Brooklyn Artists Gym, as well as many of the other studios on the tour, is easily accessible by subway -- the 4th Ave/9th Street stop on F-train is just a few blocks away.

Visit the AGAST website for full tour details. I look forward to seeing you on October 2!

Announcing a Silent auction: Works by John Daido Loori and others

2010-09-15T20:43:00.004-05:00

There will be a silent auction of photographs by John Daido Loori to benefit the Sangha House Zen Arts Hall at Zen Mountain Monastery on

Monday 4 October 2010, 6 to 9pm

at Ramscale, 463 West Street, 13th Floor, New York City.

John Daido Loori, Roshi (1931-2009) was an accomplished photographer and Zen Master, and the founder of Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper, New York.

His life and work have been tremendously inspiring to me. There is an online catalog of the works offered at: www.mro.org/silentauction

The auction will also feature work by:

Pat Steir
Kazuaki Tanahashi
Stephen Addiss
John Stephens
Soen Nakagawa
Antique Zenga Scrolls
Tibetan Thangka Paintings
Handcrafted Nepalese Statues

RSVP by Monday, September 27, 2010 by calling 845-688-2228 or e-mail: auction@mro.org

New Works completed!

2010-08-25T20:55:00.003-05:00

I've recently completed some new paintings. Here's a sneak preview:

and

Don't forget to mark Saturday, October 2 on your calendars! The Annual Gowanus Artists Studio Tour takes place on that day. I hope to see you there!

BARE at BAG

2010-07-27T08:54:00.002-05:00

Last Saturday's Salon and Gallery Opening at Brooklyn Artists Gym was a big success! Even with the oppressive heat. Amazing. Thanks for all who came buy to see the great art and interrogate the artists.

I uploaded a bunch of pics from the evening to my flickr. Have a look! The show will be up for a few weeks.

Summer Art News, part 2

2010-07-18T19:56:00.003-05:00

I'm pleased to announce that my new painting, At midsummer the world-tree beckons, will be included in Brooklyn Artists Gym's Summer Salon show, "BARE." The opening is this Saturday evening, July 24, 7-10. I'll be on hand to talk about my work. I can also give anyone who's interested a tour of my new studio space.

See BAG's website for more details about the show.

I hope to see you there!

Just uploaded to flickr

2010-07-16T06:20:00.002-05:00

A20100612, originally uploaded by ZephyrusNYC.

Just uploaded to flickr, an untitled piece on panel. Approximately 8 inches tall by 6 inches wide. Happy Friday everyone!

Summer Art News

2010-07-15T20:41:00.007-05:00

In this issue:

It's Christmas in July on Etsy, and I have many new items listed!
My new and improved permanent studio space at BAG!
Mark you calendar: the Annual Gowanus Artists Studio Tour is Saturday, October 2!

Read on for details:

Christmas in July on Etsy

I've been putting a lot of items up on my Etsy shop in the last couple of months. The latest is this wonderful set of 10 greeting cards featuring my photography of the wildflowers of West Virginia. It's being offered at a promotional price as a part of Etsy's "Christmas in July" event. My Etsy shop, 'ZephyrusArts', features small works on paper, greeting cards featuring reproductions of my art and photography, and occasionally other original pieces, such as several wonderful small pieces on wood panel. Check it out!

My studio space at BAG

I am now occupying permanent space in a suite with 5 other artists. If you'd like a personal tour of my space and an opportunity to get a sneak preview of my latest work, contact me. Evenings are best. BAG is conveniently located in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn, adjacent to Park Slope and very near the F train.

Mark your calendars: AGAST is October 2

The Annual Gowanus Artists Studio Tour will be Saturday, October 2. I plan to participate. Stay tuned for more news about AGAST.

Hominy Grits is under renovation!

2010-07-15T14:03:00.000-05:00

Hey folks, pardon the mess while I play around with the templates and other cosmetic settings. Let me know what you think of the new look -- it may change again over the course of the next several days.

Some vague and brief philosophical footnotes to Art

2010-07-12T09:02:00.005-05:00

I've recently been reading about the great Indian Buddhist Philosopher Vasubandhu (quite a character, it seems, of the 4th century C.E.) and he has inspired me to wax philosophical in relation to my ongoing efforts in art-making. What follows are the tentative, half-formed results of my musings, which have almost nothing to do with Vasubandhu, demonstrating that the oddest things can serve as Muse.

From my perspective, art is communication. Sometimes the communication is explicit, direct and obvious. Other times, it is much more implicit, hidden, even 'secret,' or simply unconscious. Sometimes the artist is not consciously aware of what they are communicating or may be communicating something other than what they consciously intended. The viewer may get an entirely different message from an art object than was meant by the creator.

So, if art is communication, what does it communicate? Ideas? Impressions? Events? Knowledge? Feelings? Opinions? The state of one's "soul"? Perhaps all of the above.

This may be where philosophy among other activities, comes into play -- wouldn't it be sensible to be clear about one's ideas if these are informing and/or influencing one's artistic production?

Of course, "ideas" (whatever they may be, exactly) may be a small part of what informs the artist's work. The other items I listed above may be much more important for the artist. Recognition of the possible (even probable) irrelevancy of so many "ideas" has led me in recent years to be much less enthused with philosophical and related pursuits.

But it remains the case that often some ideas or another -- often what are generally called "pre-conceived ideas" -- will filter, color or shape all the other phenomena in my list: sense impressions, events, knowledge, feelings, opinions and the very state of one's consciousness. In fact, if one looks more closely, it appears that all of these will quickly become ideas once we start talking about them: sense impressions are just so until we start to think and talk about them. Events quickly get boiled down to what we think happened. Knowledge is just some ideas about how we suppose things work. Feelings, once they start to be examined and discussed are nothing but ideas. You can see how the rest fit in here. In short, anything that can be conveyed in words is an "idea."

Isn't it wonderful then, that a visual art can communicate without words, without logical language? It raises the possibility of getting past "ideas" and into the heart of the matter.

Or does it?

Some ideas have a pervasive, if unconscious, effect on our entire mental life. As an example: for some, the glass is forever half-empty, while for others it is half-full. "The glass is half-empty" seems like a vague, amorphous kind of idea -- but it is built up over time by the acceptance of a host of little ideas about life and how the world works. This sort of idea, which is almost more of a feeling-state, can pervade all of one's experience, and make a great difference in one's work as an artist.

So -- the examination of ideas. Could philosophy have a role to play in this endeavor? We shall see. All of these thoughts may lead me to renew some of my efforts in philosophy, as time permits. Vasubandhu (more on him someday!), in particular, has reminded me of the relevance and interest of Alfred North Whitehead's work, so I am contemplating a revival of my much neglected Whitehead project. Stay tuned for further developments!

New items for sale on Etsy!

2010-07-06T21:52:00.002-05:00

Just a quick note for tonight: I've been busy stocking up in my Etsy shop, 'ZephyrusArts.' Check out the new listings. More will be added in the coming days and weeks. Stay cool, everyone!

This past weekend's Etsy sale

2010-06-07T09:57:00.005-05:00

While I'm hard at work on new material and investigating new exhibition opportunities, Etsy is where the action's at. Here's the latest item sold:

This is a small (ACEO-sized) limited edition print from an equally small ACEO original watercolor I made and sold last year. More prints are available.

I've done comparatively little human figurative work in the past few years, but my interest in this subject is long-standing. Indeed, it's a subject that has captivated artists and audiences for centuries -- well since the beginning of artmaking. So I think I will expend some more effort in this direction this year. Enjoy!

Quote of the Day (or paraphrase, rather)

2010-06-07T09:54:00.003-05:00

"When the golden fish leaps clear of the net, what will you use for food?"

Part of a Zen koan that I can't get out of my head. Alas, I failed to note the source. Eventually I will find it. What do you suppose it means?

Recently sold on Etsy

2010-06-01T09:24:00.003-05:00

My ACEO drawing, "striding man nude" was recently sold through my Etsy store.

Have you visited ZephyrusArts on Etsy recently? I'd added several new items, and will continue adding items weekly. So stop by and check them out!

Protect the Arts in New York State

2010-05-24T13:50:00.005-05:00

Like just about everything else, from state parks to the New York Subway, the arts in New York state is facing the prospect of drastic funding cuts. In particular, The New York State Council on the Arts is in danger of losing 40% of its funding. This would affect all branches of the arts and arts education state-wide.

I received this e-mail today from the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA):

SAVE THE ARTS CAMAPAIGN UPDATE

We have written to you previously about the Governor’s plan to cut the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) budget by 40% and we want to thank all of you who have written to and called your legislators. NYSCA is the glue which holds the state’s rich cultural community together and such a cut would be devastating. It would be devastating for NYFA and for museums, theatre and dance companies, film and literary festivals, after-school and education programs and other cultural initiatives and institutions throughout the state. The email below outlines a number of actions you can take not only as an artist, but as a taxpayer.

NYFA is here to help. It you can make it to our office at 20 Jay Street in DUMBO Brooklyn, we have postcards available and you can stop by, fill them out, and we will take care of the rest. Wherever you live, we can also help you find the information for your local officials, simply email your zip code to us at ssherman@nyfa.org and we
will get you the information. Then you can just print and mail the postcards below. We will be posting the Save the Arts logo on our Facebook page and urge you and your Facebook friends to do the same.

Hopefully, by working together, we can make out voices heard. Thank you and thanks also to Judy Weiner and NYS Arts for providing the vital tools below.

Michael Royce
Executive Director
New York Foundation for the Arts

For info on how you can help visit the NYS Arts website.

Calamus at 150 Exhibit enters Final Ten Days!

2010-05-21T08:42:00.002-05:00

The Calamus at 150 Exhibit at the Hudson Guild Gallery in Manhattan will be closing June 1! If you haven't had a chance to see it, now's the time. It's a wonderful show, including many fine works inspired by Walt Whitman, including my piece titled "I will plant companionship thick as trees ..."

The Hudson Guild Gallery is located at 441 W. 26th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues. Viewing hours for the show are Tuesdays-Fridays 10am to 7pm and Saturdays 1pm to 4pm.

For more details on the show, see my earlier post.

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-22T08:04:00.000-05:00

Today is Earth Day, and the 40th anniversary since the first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. Join me in dedicating this beautiful day to the health and happiness of all beings of Earth, both sentient and insentient, now and for all time.

Awakening: Spring Salon at Brooklyn Artists Gym

2010-04-19T09:22:00.007-05:00

Join me this Friday, April 23, at the Brooklyn Artists Gym for our Spring Salon, on the theme "Awakening." Here's how the BAG website describes the event:

Brooklyn Artists Gym’s spring salon show reflects on growing into a new awareness as artists and individuals. Colorful, vibrant, complex, simple, bursting, and full: What work comes out of being awake, alert, and alive? Join Brooklyn Artists Gym on Friday April 23rd from 7-10pm as BAG artists and writers discuss their awakenings.

Brooklyn Artists Gym’s Salon Series engages artists, writers, and audience in serious conversation about the work on the wall, the work on the page, and the creative process. The quarterly shows are curated thematically to provoke discussion, spark fresh ideas, and inspire new work. Best of all, the Salons allow a wide range of perspectives and commentary by remaining free and open to everyone.

I'll have two of my recent paintings in the show, which will be up in the BAG Gallery for one week following the Salon.

Brooklyn Artists Gym is at 168 7th Street in Brooklyn, between 2nd and 3rd Avenues near the 4th Ave/9th Street stop on the F-train.

Calamus opening reception pics now up on flickr!

2010-04-18T20:17:00.002-05:00

The opening reception for the Calamus at 150 show at the Hudson Guild was very well attended! Thanks to everyone for coming. I've uploaded a few pictures from the night to my flickr account. Check them out! And remember: the exhibit is up through June 1.

(yes, that's an Andy Warhol print only two down from me!)

Reminder: Calamus at 150 opening is tomorrow night!

2010-04-14T12:55:00.006-05:00

The "Calamus at 150" exhibit opens tomorrow night (April 15), at the Hudson Guild Gallery, 441 West 26th Street in Manhattan.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Hudson Guild, it is located on 26th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues (closer to 10th Ave.), on the north side of the street. The entrance is partially obscured by construction scaffolding (that ubiquitous scourge of New York city sidewalks), and nestled among apartment buildings and a children's playground. (You might also be able to enter on 27th Street -- not sure about that. In any case, Google maps returns a location on 27th street, at the back of the Hudson Guild building, when one searches for 441 West 26th Street.)

I hope to see everyone there!

New work: "There shall be from me a new friendship ... (Calamus III)"

2010-04-02T22:18:00.002-05:00

Latest work, continuing my Whitman theme. This piece is titled There shall be from me a new friendship ... Enjoy!

Calamus at 150: Exhibit at the Hudson Guild, April 15-June 1

2010-04-02T07:50:00.005-05:00

For You, O Democracy

Come, I will make the continent indissoluble,
I will make the most splendid race the sun ever shone upon,
I will make divine magnetic lands,
With the love of comrades,
With the life-long love of comrades.
I will plant companionship thick as trees along all the rivers of America,
and along the shores of the great lakes, and all over the prairies,
I will make inseparable cities with their arms about each other's necks,
By the love of comrades,
By the manly love of comrades.
For you these from me, O Democracy, to serve you ma femme!
For you, for you I am trilling these songs.

--Walt Whitman

In 1860, Walt Whitman published the groundbreaking third edition of Leaves of Grass, containing his most celebrated collection of homoerotic poems, called Calamus. In the Calamus poems, Whitman promotes and extolls what he refers to as the "manly love of comrades." As with all of his work, Whitman's example in the Calamus edition transformed the landscape of American poetry and continues to fascinate and inspire each new generation of artists.

The Hudson Guild now celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the Calamus Edition with a fantastic exhibition of 21 artists, including a rare unique print by Andy Warhol.

I'm pleased to have my painting I will plant companionship thick as trees ... (Calamus I) included in the show.

Please join me at the opening reception Thursday, April 15 from 6pm to 8pm at the Hudson Guild, 441 W. 26th Street, in Manhattan. Viewing hours for the show are Tuesdays-Fridays 10am to 7pm and Saturdays 1pm to 4pm. For more information about the show or the Hudson Guild, please call 212-760-9837.

Recently completed work continues Calamus theme

2010-03-29T10:08:00.003-05:00

I've been jamming on Walt Whitman lately and completed another painting inspired by his Calamus poems. This one's titled Long I thought that knowledge alone would suffice me ... ( or simply Calamus II) . The phrase is taken from the "Calamus 8" poem that appeared in Whitman's Third Edition of Leaves of Grass (1860). Another obvious inspiration for this painting is the anticipation of spring, which, while officially, calendrically here, remains just beyond our grasp. At least in New York.

My first Calamus painting will be appearing at the Hudson Guild, opening April 15. More about that very soon!

I've been tweeting some interesting observations on Calamus today, which may find their way, in aggregate, into an upcoming blog post.

Happy Monday everyone.

Photos from "Floating in the Absence of Reason" Opening Reception

2010-03-11T22:08:00.014-05:00

Thanks to all who made it to tonight's opening at MH Art and Framing Gallery on West 20th Street in Manhattan. We had a fabulous turnout! The show looks great, and here are some photos of the artwork:

Left: James Schlecter and Richard Hatter;
Below: Jim Pavlicovic and Brent Nicholson Earle

Left: Miguel Tio, Jim Pavlicovic; below: Larry Schulte, Hilary North, Michael Tice, Daniel Fictum

Left: Peter Harvey, Ed Rogers; below: Daniel Johnson, Stephen Cimini, John Azelvandre, Kay Towns, Dominic Montouri

Brooklyn Art Event: Say Goodbye to Winter!

2010-03-03T10:07:00.003-05:00

While I'm on the subject of announcements, here's another upcoming show to see, this time in fair Brooklyn, featuring the work of Michael Sorgatz and John Tebeau:

Event: Say Goodbye to Winter! (Sounds good to me!)
Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010
Time: 7-10 pm
Location: Sweet Lorraine Gallery, 183 Lorraine Street, Brooklyn, NY

Location is the giant Treasure Island Storage building - featuring an outstanding view of the Gowanus Expressway! Come say hello to the nation's newest Superfund site and see some great paintings. The artists are buying us drinks!

For more information:
http://www.screwballspaces.com/
http://www.mikesorgatz.com/

Escape from New York

2010-03-03T09:40:00.004-05:00

A very interesting group exhibition is coming up in May, and the organizer needs your help! Curator Olympia Lambert is presenting the group art exhibition, "Escape From New York," held in the Fabricolor Building on Van Houten Street in Paterson, NJ. She has also embarked on a fundraising campaign to raise $3,500 needed to make this event a success.

Read more about the event on the Escape from New York tumblr blog, and find out how to contribute here.

Reminder: Group Show at MH Art and Framing

2010-03-01T09:39:00.005-05:00

Artgroup's group exhibition, titled "Floating in the Absence of Reason," goes up next week (March 6) with Opening Reception Thursday, March 11 at 6pm-9pm.

MH Art and Framing
9 West 20th Street
New York City

The exhibit will be up through April 10.

See my earlier Press Release for more details.

Another Date to Save!

2010-02-11T13:13:00.002-05:00

My Spring art calendar is rapidly filling.

I'm pleased to announce that my recent work, I shall plant companionship as thick as trees ... (pictured below), will be included in the "Calamus at 150" exhibition at the Hudson Guild in Manhattan. This exhibit celebrates the 150th anniversary of Walt Whitman's landmark and controversial Calamus Edition of Leaves of Grass.

The opening reception is Thursday, April 15 (Tax Day!) and the show will run until approximately Memorial Day. I'll share more details once I have them!

Save the date: Upcoming show at MH Art and Framing

2010-02-10T08:54:00.005-05:00

-- PRESS RELEASE --

When reason goes missing, what's the artist to do? In the group show, Floating in the Absence of Reason, participating artists are faced with this challenge: What does it mean to "float" in reason's absence? To me, this inevitably suggests a tension between the rational and the irrational: What, exactly, floats before the irrational? Come see my new painting in answer to this challenge, Four Ensōs with branch, at the group exhibition at MH Art and Framing, March 6 through April 10. Opening reception is Thursday, March 11 from 6 to 9. Mark your calendars!

Event details:

FLOATING IN THE ABSENCE OF REASON
Artgroup For Gay and Lesbian Artists
March 6th through April 10th
Opening Reception
6-9pm
Thursday, March 11th

MH Art and Framing Gallery
9 West 20th St.
NY, NY 10011
P 212.242.1252
F 212.242.0684
www.mhartandframe.com

New painting and New Year's website makeover

2010-01-19T08:38:00.003-05:00

I've just completed another painting in my treeform series, titled
"I shall plant companionship thick as trees ...". Inspired by the poetry of Walt Whitman, this piece is acrylic (and graphite) on canvas, sized 30Hx20W(inches).

I've added this piece to my website, which has also had a New Year's makeover. There are still some loose bits and pieces to be added to the site (I plan on taking care of that in the next couple days), but in the meantime, enjoy a preview of the new look!

Quote of the Day: The Misunderstanding of Many Lifetimes

2010-01-07T11:52:00.002-05:00

The words of Zen master Hongzhi, as translated by Taigen Dan Leighton:

We all have the clear, wondrously bright field from the beginning. Many lifetimes of misunderstanding come only from distrust, hindrance, and screens of confusion that we create in a scenario of isolation. With boundless wisdom journey beyond this, forgetting accomplishments. Straightforwardly abandon stratagems and take on responsibility. Having turned yourself around, accepting your situation, if you set foot on the path, spiritual energy will marvelously transport you. Contact phenomena with total sincerity, not a single atom of dust outside yourself.

Holiday show continues through Jan. 24

2010-01-07T11:04:00.004-05:00

The Holiday Show at Brooklyn Artists Gym Gallery, which includes several of my pieces, will remain up through Sunday, January 24.

If you haven't had a chance to stop by, there's still time. And, of course, works displayed are for sale. The gallery is located at 168 7th Street, 3rd floor, Brooklyn. (Near the 4th Ave/9th St. stop on the F-train), and open 12-5pm Monday thru Saturday. Or contact me for a private tour.

Treeform Sentinel, on Etsy

2010-01-05T10:39:00.005-05:00

I've added another ACEO to my Etsy shop. "ACEO" is short for "Artist Card Editions/Originals" (or something to that effect) and this small format (art measures 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches) are also known as Artist Trading Cards, or ATCs. This is a standard trading card size.

According to http://www.artist-trading-cards.ch/, the concept of the artist trading card was begun in 1996 in Zurich, Switzerland. The main idea behind the trading card concept is that the cards should be traded between artists, preferably in face-to-face meetings.

So, relabeling these small artworks ACEOs and selling them does, admittedly, go against the original idea.

However, I think a market for ACEOs is justified, for two reasons: First, as a way for artists to potentially obtain some small remuneration for their hard work and creativity, and second, to give everyone an opportunity to contribute to and support the arts by purchasing these artworks, and obtain a wonderful decorative or thought-provoking object in the bargain!

Indeed, this is a very easy and affordable way to collect art. I brief look around Etsy (and other sites as well), reveals a tremendous variety of artistic styles executed in miniature. These small works are easily acquired and can be easily displayed as well. Below is a photo of a recent ACEO I completed, then framed in an attractive, equally affordable frame.

These small works of art can add a nice accent to any number of tight spaces in the typical home: entryways, bathrooms, and so forth. The same artists who are making ACEOs may also be completing large works selling for hundreds or thousands of dollars. These ACEOs may even appreciate in value someday! You never know. In any case, I hope you enjoy these little gems.

Avatar

2010-01-03T22:06:00.005-05:00

I just saw the feature film "Avatar" this evening. Well, for starters, let's just say I was blown away. Folks who know me well have been insisting I see this movie. Now I know why.

I'll confess that I was crying my eyes out for most of the film: not because it was merely beautiful (although it certainly was breath-taking), and not because of the plot (a good plot, but not earth-shatteringly innovative) or the love-story aspect. What brought tears to my eyes is the fact "Avatar" is true. It is a true story.

It's almost a shame that it might take a gorgeous, complex piece of cinematographic art to encourage people see what deep in their hearts they already know is true. Every tree is a Home Tree, every tree is a Tree of Souls. It's right in front of us everyday, but when can we say to that tree before us "I see you." ?

You should expect this point of view from a guy who is constantly painting trees.

Friends have also said they see a particularly Buddhist worldview at work in the film. I'm not sure about that. Like I said, it only expresses truth. Buddhists don't necessarily have a monopoly on that. The truth of Avatar is certainly found in Buddhism, but transcends it. It is a truth that all indigenous peoples hold dear as well.

If you haven't seen Avatar, you should. And make sure you see it in 3-D! (Although, I'll admit the 3-D made me a bit nauseous at points). The film is a beautiful work of art, with a message that we can't afford to ignore.

Image details: "Sleepers #3," 5x7" graphite and water-soluble pencil. A new visual idea I'm exploring. Completed way back in December, long before I knew anything about Avatar.

Image details: "Treeform-chiasm" acrylic on canvas, 28x20" Completed last week.

Recent work

2009-12-22T22:06:00.002-05:00

A20091212v2, originally uploaded by ZephyrusNYC.

I finished this "Treeform" last week, and it seems extra appropriate for our snowy week! All cool, wintry colors, like a brisk breeze through the slumbering trees.

Holiday Art Sale continues

2009-12-16T10:42:00.003-05:00

The latest news from Brooklyn Artists Gym, my 'atelier' in Gowanus, Brooklyn is:

The Holiday Art Sale continues through the 23rd of December and beyond!

There will be another reception event on Saturday December 19 from 1 to 5 with refreshments and festive atmosphere. Stop by to enjoy the fine art for sale.

There will also be a "last minute" reception from 4 to 7 on the 23rd of December. Unsold works will remain up and for sale through New Years.

Holiday Art Sale at Brooklyn Artists Gym!

2009-12-12T09:43:00.004-05:00

We're having a Holiday Sale at the Brooklyn Artist's Gym!

Members of the Brooklyn Artists Gym community will be selling art and artifacts as holiday gifts from December 13-23. Prices range from $10-350, with most things under $100. Great for the last minute gift.

Opening reception for the sale is Sunday, December 13, 1-5pm.

Visit the BAG website for more details and directions to the sale. Visit my website to see more of the art I will be offering for sale.

I hope you'll stop by!

Song of the Grass-Roof Hermitage

2009-12-07T20:19:00.003-05:00

This is an introspective time of year, and I've been spending the dark, pre-Winter evenings perusing old texts. I've come across this wonderful poem, written in the 8th century of our common era by the Great Chinese Zen (Chan) Master Shitou Xiqian (700-790):

Song of the Grass-Roof Hermitage

I've built a grass hut where there's nothing of value.
After eating, I relax and enjoy a nap.
When it was completed, fresh weeds appeared.
Now it's been lived in - covered by weeds.

The person in the hut lives here calmly,
Not stuck to inside, outside, or in between.
Places worldly people live, he doesn't live.
Realms worldly people love, he doesn't love.

Though the hut is small, it includes the entire world.
In ten feet square, an old man illumines forms and their nature.
A Mahayana bodhisattva trusts without doubt.
The middling or lowly can't help wondering;
Will this hut perish or not?

Perishable or not, the original master is present,
not dwelling south or north, east or west.
Firmly based on steadiness, it can't be surpassed.
A shining window below the green pines --
Jade palaces or vermilion towers can't compare with it.

Just sitting with head covered, all things are at rest.
Thus, this mountain monk doesn't understand at all.
Living here he no longer works to get free.
Who would proudly arrange seats, trying to entice guests?

Turn around the light to shine within, then just return.
The vast inconceivable source can't be faced or turned away from.
Meet the ancestral teachers, be familiar with their instruction,
Bind grasses to build a hut, and don't give up.

Let go of hundreds of years and relax completely.
Open your hands and walk, innocent.
Thousands of words, myriad interpretations
Are only to free you from obstructions.
If you want to know the undying person in the hut,
Don't separate from this skin bag here and now.

I can't presume to interpret this wonderful piece, except to say that a careful look suggests that the grass-roofed hut he speaks of is not necessarily literally some hut in the forest on a mountain. If the frame of mind is right, it could be my apartment in New York City. Let's pause and think how we'll build our own hut of grasses.

This translation is taken from Taigen Dan Leighton's book Cultivating the Empty Field (2000), a delightful book about another famous Chinese master, Hongzhi.

Brooklyn Artists Gym Holiday Art Sale, December 13-23

2009-11-30T20:02:00.003-05:00

This just in from my studio, Brooklyn Artists Gym:

BAG will be having a holiday sale on art, December 13-23. Everything for under $350, most of it under $100. Imagine being able to get an affordable gift of art for those you love, and being able to support an artist at the same time!

Yours truly (i.e., ME) will be offering several works for sale (including the lovely painting shown below). I hope everyone can stop by. Visit the Brooklyn Artists Gym website, for directions and more details.

Latest Etsy listing

2009-11-23T23:03:00.001-05:00

Just listed on my Etsy:

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

New Etsy listings

2009-11-12T08:52:00.005-05:00

I've added two new items to my Etsy shop. The first is an all-purpose greeting card design featuring an original watercolor painting of mine, titled simply "Treeform." This card is 5x7" folded, and blank inside. See the Etsy listing for more details on this wonder card.

The second item is an "ACEO" - "Artists Card Editions and Originals," also known as an "Artists Trading Card." I've got a ton of these I plan to list on Etsy over time. It's a fun, easy and affordable way to collect art. The artwork measures 3.5 inches tall by 2.5 inches across, and is one of a kind -- not a reproduction. This one is yet another treeform -- a part of my ongoing obsession--er, exploration of trees. Enjoy!

Infinitely looping self-referential blog post

2009-11-12T08:37:00.004-05:00

It occurred to me that some readers of this blog are finding these words on Facebook, and that it is not at all self-evident on Facebook (cluttered, obfuscating mess that it is) that these words reside, ultimately, on a blog called Hominy Grits. So, I am announcing that fact, and further engaging in egomaniacal self-reference by encouraging you, dear readers, to check out the rest of this charming, erratic, quixotic corner of blogspace (or whatever they're calling it these days).

By now, you've followed the link through to the actual blog, so you'll be noticing the clever items on the side bar, such as the labels where you can find, at the click of a button, everything I've ever written here on the subject of 'new york city,' for example. Or the list of golden oldies ('best of ...') below that. Amazingly, I've maintained this blog since 2003! Now, how did that happen? On the masthead, you'll see that the subtitle reads 'art, spirit, science.' This is, very roughly, and very broadly construed, what this blog is about. Certainly not a very focused editorial position -- so I'm unlikely to ever win any journalism awards.

As far as the blog's title goes, well, that's a story for another day. Short explanation is: whimsy.

Nonetheless, there are some clever things here! So check them out, and stay tuned for MORE ART. That's what life's all about.

Blogs of Note: Strange Maps

2009-11-02T10:27:00.005-05:00

I occasionally happen upon some really interesting and clever blogs. Even more occasionally (alas such a sorry excuse for a blogger I am!), I might think to make note of them here. Today I've thought of it. So, please take a look at this clever site: Strange Maps.

Geography is such a fascinating field of study that unites so many of my interests: science, environment, culture, history and the arts. Maps themselves have always had a special fascination for me. They've got some pretty amazing things on this site - both from an artistic and an academic point of view, so check it out!

A New Etsy Listing

2009-11-01T16:04:00.002-05:00

I've added another item to my Etsy shop: http://tinyurl.com/yfaxwfr. This is a set of 10 of my Holiday 2009 Greeting cards. Enjoy!

Two more items have been added to my etsy

2009-10-29T21:33:00.003-05:00

I've added two more greeting card offerings to my Etsy Shop. Below are photos of the new additions plus the fabulous Holiday Card 2009 and Solstice-Tree Cards I previously listed. Stop by the shop to see more pictures!

Introducing ZephyrusArts on Etsy

2009-10-28T10:39:00.005-05:00

A short while ago I intimated that more news about my Etsy shop was coming down the pike, and here it is!

Yes, it's true, yours truly has opened an Etsy shop: ZephyrusArts.etsy.com. Check it out! I will be adding more items in the coming days and weeks. At ZephyrusArts, you'll find both original art and greeting cards featuring quality reproductions. And of course, the sky's the limit as to other handmade items I might come up with in the future.

Take a look at this year's Holiday card. It's currently available singly, but I'll also be listing 10 and 25-pack sets.

If you have any suggestions for what you'd like to see in the shop let me know!

Mail-Art musings

2009-10-21T13:10:00.011-05:00

Today's post features (a few) less words and more pictures.

During the month of September, I participated in a mailart project organized mainly through twitter by Montreal-based artist Mark-Philip Venema. I and 28 other artists volunteered to make 28 postcard-sized pieces of art and to then send them to each other in the mail, as postcards -- that is, without envelopes or other protection from the trials of postal system passage.

Postage art has a long and varied history. The founder, more or less, of modern mail art may be considered to be Ray Johnson. Follow the link to an interesting account of his mail art adventures.

For September's mail art project, we were given a theme: 'Time and being human in time.'

When I think of time and being human, I think inevitably of the passage of time, something inexorable, often swift and irreversible.

What came clearly to mind again and again was the evening gatha chanted in Zen buddhist zendos since time immemorial:

Let me respectfully remind you
Life and death are of supreme importance.
Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost.
Each of us must strive to awaken;
Awaken!
Take heed; do not squander your life.

In the paintings I came up with, I tried to express these feelings: a sense of aging as well as agelessness, of winter, of sleep and of waiting. I hope you'll agree that there's something going on within these barren, possibly withered trees -- something beneath the surface, or behind the scenes. They're not necessarily bleak or dark -- they may be considered serene, gentle, even generous. But hopefully they are serious.

Here are several of my efforts:

This is one the earliest ones.

A middle piece.

Playing around with the 'suns.'

One of my personal favorites.

All 28 mailart pieces I made (I even sent one to myself) can be seen on my flickr page here.

I've received a lot of interesting mailart in exchange. Here's a sampling:

This is the first one I received:

Really incredible. It's by @iworebluviolets aka Jeanine Strasia. This set a high standard.

This piece by Simrat Khalsa was equally impressive. She's got a detailed explanation of her process on her flickr page.

The following intriguing piece is by Christi Nielsen; I think it's a silver gelatin print.

Steve Lauman's (@Buffalokid) piece is an eye catcher: cut paper mounted on plexiglas.

You can see all of the wonderful mailart I've received here and all the mailart that everyone received and posted on flickr here.

The Travels of William Bartram, continued

2009-10-20T21:00:00.006-05:00

A few weeks ago, I quietly began a project to gradually serialize a classic of natural history/travel literature, Travels of William Bartram. This delightful travelogue was first published in Pennsylvania in "the sixteenth year of the Independence of the United States of America" -- in other words, in 1792. More about William Bartram can be found on the Wikipedia, among other places. Hopefully, it will soon become evident what I find so fascinating about Bartram's journey and his writings. In the meantime, on with the story!

When we last left our hero, he was sailing from Philadelphia to Charleston, South Carolina, when a fierce storm arose:

This furious gale continued near two days and nights, and not a little damaged our sails, cabin furniture, and state-rooms, besides retarding our passage. The storm having abated, a lively gale from N.W. continued four or five days, when shifting to N. and lastly to N.E. on the tenth of our departure from cape Henlopen, early in the morning, we descried a sail astern, and in a short time discovered it to be capt. Mason, who soon came up with us. We hailed each other, being joyful to meet again, after so many dangers. He suffered greatly by the gale, but providentially made a good harbour with cape Hatteras. As he ran by us, he threw on board ten or a dozen bass, a large and delicious fish, having caught a great number of them whilst he was detained in harbour. He got into Charleston that evening, and we the next morning, about eleven o'clock.

There are few objects out at sea to attract the notice of the traveller, but what are sublime, awful, and majestic: the seas themselves, in a tempest, exhibit a tremendous scene, where the winds assert their power, and, in furious conflict, seem to set the ocean on fire. On the other hand, nothing can be more sublime than the view of the encircling horizon, after the turbulent winds have taken their flight, and the lately agitated bosom of the deep has again become calm and pacific; the gentle moon rising in dignity from the east, attended by thousands of glittering orbs; the luminous appearance of the seas at night, when all the waters seem transmuted into liquid silver; the prodigious bands of porpoises foreboding tempest, that appear to cover the ocean; the mighty whale, sovereign of the watery realms, who cleaves the seas in his course; the sudden appearance of land from the sea, the strand stretching each way, beyond the utmost reach of sight; the alternate appearance and recess of the coast, whilst the far distant blue hills slowly retreat and disappear; or, as we approach the coast, the capes and promontories first strike our sight, emerging from the watery expanse, and, like mighty giants, elevating their crests towards the skies; the water suddenly alive with its scaly inhabitants; squadrons of sea-fowl sweeping through the air, impregnated with the breath of fragrant aromatic trees and flowers; the amplitude and magnificence of these scenes are great indeed, and may present to the imagination, an idea of the first appearance of the earth to man at the creation.

David Hockney's East Yorkshire landscapes

2009-10-19T14:47:00.002-05:00

Some visitors to my studio yesterday brought to my attention an article in Sunday's New York Times about David Hockney's latest work. He's doing some really colorful, interesting, huge, multipanel landscape paintings of his native East Yorkshire. This is some very interesting stuff. Check out the article and especially the accompanying slide show.

Some of Hockney's new work will be appearing at PaceWildenstein's galleries in New York over the next couple of months. Something to check out, I think.

Thank you for visiting me at AGAST!

2009-10-18T17:58:00.004-05:00

Thank you to everyone who stopped by the open studio yesterday and today. It was a pleasure showing my work. Now that the tour is finished, it's on to new projects, one of which is my new Etsy store, where I'll be selling some of my smaller work. More to come soon on that. In the meantime, have a great week!

AGAST is today!

2009-10-17T11:16:00.002-05:00

Our annual Gowanus Studio Tour begins shortly, at 1pm. I'm blogging live from my studio at Brooklyn Artists Gym at 168 7th Street in Brooklyn. Here is a view of my set up as of right now.

The tour runs 1 to 6 both today, Oct. 17 and tomorrow. See the AGAST website for details and directions. Come on by!

Quote of the Day

2009-10-15T05:37:00.002-05:00

A merely well-informed man is the the most useless bore on God's Earth.

-Alfred North Whitehead, in The Aims of Education

A few website updates ...

2009-10-12T20:21:00.002-05:00

In advance of this weekend, I've made a few updates to my website, particularly the bio and links pages. The links page is shrinking somewhat, as it's easier and more dynamic to call your attention to links on this blog.

And, as usual, I continue to add and rearrange images on the gallery page.

Check it out, and I hope to see you at AGAST!

In Memoriam: John Daido Loori, 1931-2009

2009-10-09T21:01:00.002-05:00

John Daido Loori, roshi, founder and abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery in Mt. Tremper New York passed away this morning. He was a great artist, teacher and environmentalist, and will be greatly missed. Here is the official announcement of his passing:

Dear Friends,

It is with sadness that we are letting you know of Daido Roshi's having passed away this morning, Friday, October 9th, at the abbacy of Zen Mountain Monastery. He died peacefully from complications of lung cancer diagnosed eighteen months ago. We will keep you informed of the upcoming schedule of the funeral ceremonies. Also, please see our web site for more information.

Thank you for all your thoughts and messages.

Be well

Ryushin Sensei

Zen Mountain Monastery

Passing Away

2009-10-08T09:04:00.004-05:00

What follows is an account of the death of the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gotama, as reconstructed from scriptural sources by the historian H.W. Schumann:

In Pava (probably modern Fazilnagar, 16 km south-east of Kasia), the Master and his group were invited to a meal for the following day by the smith Cunda. In order to put something special before the venerable guest, Cunda had, among other dishes, prepared sukara-maddava. What exactly this was still remains uncertain. Some writers think it was pork, others think of tender bamboo-shoots such as grow near a pig-sty, others again some kind of fungus, possibly truffles. But, whatever it may have been, the Buddha viewed this food with suspicion, and asked Cunda not to offer it to the other monks. He himself, however, partook of it, in order not to disappoint the well-meaning smith.

This concern for the donor was a mistake. The Buddha became sick with dysentery, and suffered from painful attacks of colic. Weak and exhausted as he was, he still left Pava behind and headed for Kusinara [Kusinagara]. ... [T]he little group continued its march and reached the river Kakuttha, where the master drank, bathed and rested at the other bank where the novice Cundaka had spread out his outer robe on the ground under the mango trees. Cundaka's presence recalled the smith Cunda to the Buddha, in whose house he had suffered the food-poisoning, and he impressed on Ananda that the Order should not reproach the smith, whose intentions had been of the best. As soon as he had regained a little strength, the journey continued. The exhausted Teacher waded the Hirannavati ... with his monks, and reached Kusinara, the second capital of the Mallas, which he knew from previous visits.

As he declared that he was tired and must lie down, Ananda prepared a resting-place for him under the sala trees in the Upavattana wood at the southern edge of town. ... Lying on his right side, perhaps contracted with pain, he tried to rest. ...

He now no longer doubted that from this place in the sala grove near Kusinara he would not rise again. Clear-headedly, he instructed Ananda about what was to be done with his body. The monks were not to concern themselves with his funeral, but only strive for their own liberation. There were plenty of people who had faith in the Tathagata, and they would do all that was necessary. Weeping, Ananda went aside and gave way to grief: 'Alas, I am still only a learner, I still have much to do (in working on myself), and now the Master who took pity on me is about to enter Parinibbana!'

When the Buddha noticed that his faithful servant was not there, he sent for him and comforted him:

'Enough, Ananda, do not weep and wail! Have I not always told you that we must part with all things that are dear and pleasant to us, that we must say farewell to them, that nothing can remain eternally as it is? That something that is born, become, conditioned (by the kamma of previous existences, and therefore, is) destined to perish -- that such a thing should not pass away, that cannot be. For a long time, Ananda, you have been in the Tathagata's presence and have with patient kindness looked after my wellbeing. You have gained much merit in that. Make the effort and you will soon destroy the influences!'

... [N]umerous citizens of the town made their way to the sala grove to see the venerable head of the Order, of whom they had heard such wonderful things for the last forty-five years. Ananda did everything he could to prevent the exhausted old man from being disturbed. ...

To prevent any monk from laying claim to the leadership of the Sangha, was so important to Gotama that, shortly before his death, he once again stressed the guiding function of the Dhamma for the Order:

'Ananda, it might be that some of you think: "The Master's instruction has vanished, now we have no Master!" It should not be seen like this, Ananda. What I have taught and explained to you as Dhamma and Discipline (vinaya) will, at my passing, be your Master.'

... The night was far advanced, and it was quiet between the trees when the dying teacher addressed the bhikkhus [monks] once more:

'Now, monks, I declare to you: all elements of personality (sankhara) are subject to decay. Strive on untiringly!'

These were the Buddha's last words. Thereafter he fell into a coma, which Anuruddha declared to the monks was a meditational state, and, without recovering consciousness, the eighty-year-old teacher passed into Parinibbana, the state of liberation from suffering after abandoning the body. The majority of historians of India date this event at 483 B.C.

This was about 2,492 years ago.

Announcing AGAST, October 17 and 18

2009-10-07T08:15:00.005-05:00

Yes, it's time again for AGAST, the Annual Gowanus Artists Studio Tour in wonderful Brooklyn, New York! This tour takes in artists' studios and galleries in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn.

For those of you unfamiliar with the wilds of Brooklyn, the Gowanus canal and environs sits more or less between the lovely neighborhoods of Park Slope (to the East) and Carroll Gardens (to the West). Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill is to the North. The Gowanus is well served on it's periphery by subways: the F and G trains and the R, M trains.

The tour features scores of artists working in diverse media, at 28 different locations. Come see my latest work at location number 18: 168 7th Street, on the Third Floor!

Both Smith Street in Carroll Gardens and Fifth Avenue in Park Slope feature many fine restaurants and shops, so come out to AGAST and make a day of it!

Tour hours are from 1 to 6 pm on both Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18.

For more information about the tour and a tour map, visit http://www.agastbrooklyn.com.

Quote of the Day: on Art

2009-10-04T11:18:00.001-05:00

Really, universally, relations stop nowhere, and the exquisite problem of the artist is eternally but to draw, by a geometry of his own, the circle within which they shall happily appear to do so.

-- Henry James

From the Travels of William Bartram

2009-09-29T21:11:00.008-05:00

What follows is taken from botanist William Bartram's adventurous journey in search of plants in the Southeastern parts of North America, beginning just prior to the American Revolutionary War. I find something charming and picturesque in his travelogue of days long past.

"PART I, CHAPTER I: THE AUTHOR SETS SAIL FROM PHILADELPHIA, AND ARRIVES AT CHARLESTON, FROM WHENCE HE BEGINS HIS TRAVELS

"At the request of Dr. Fothergill, of London, to search the Floridas, and the western parts of Carolina and Georgia, for the discovery of rare and useful productions of nature, chiefly in the vegetable kingdom; in April 1773, I embarked for Charleston, South Carolina, on board the brigantine Charleston packet, captain Wright, the brig ----------, captain Mason, being in company with us, and bound to the same port. We had a pleasant run down the Delaware, 150 miles to cape Henlopen, the two vessels entering the Atlantic together. For the first twenty-four hours we had a prosperous gale, and were chearful and happy in the prospect of a quick and pleasant voyage; but, alas! how vain and uncertain are human expectations! how quickly is the flattering scene changed! The powerful winds, now rushing forth from their secret abodes, suddenly spread terror and devastation; and the wide ocean, which, a few moments past, was gentle and placid, is now thrown into disorder, and heaped into mountains, whose white curling crests seem to sweep the skies!"

-- To be continued.

Arizona Drawings

2009-09-11T08:59:00.005-05:00

I am forever bring art supplies on trips with me, but don't always actually complete any pieces. I like the idea of working "en plein air" (not sure if one should really apply this term to drawings), but I'm often too distracted to get the kind of results I want. The trick may be to find a medium or technique that works for me.

So, with that in mind, and presently obsessed with lines as I am, I gave felt-tipped markers (do they really use 'felt' - as in wool felt - in these things?) a whirl. In this case, "Zig" pigment ink markers made by the Kuretake Co. of Japan served my purposes. I completed one drawing on each of my two big hikes in Arizona over the weekend.

First, we have the Grand Canyon. Needless to say, isn't "grand" an understatement? How about "stupendous," or "mindblowing" or "fucking amazing?" Let's stick with understatement and say, in all New York coolness, that it was sweet.

The drawing you see here was inspired by the view from a spot called Cedar Ridge, on the Kaibab trail. One is repeatedly reminded NOT to attempt to get to the bottom of the canyon and back in a day trip. Cedar Ridge was suggested as a good spot to turn around. It didn't seem like I'd gone very far when I got there, but I'm glad I took the official advice: the climb out was strenuous to say the least!

The views all along this trail are fabulous, and Cedar Ridge provides a nice 360 degree vantage point.

Watch out for the squirrels though. They are brazen thieves! These are the sorts of distractions that bedevil me.

There were no thieving squirrels on my second Arizona hike, only cute little lizards frolicking and gamboling on the canyon walls. The second drawing was created about 3.5 miles up the West Fork/Call of the Canyon trail in Oak Creek Canyon, not far from Sedona, Arizona.

This was a lovely hike, mostly level, through a lush, well-watered canyon with a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees, including the Ponderosa pine, maples and, of course, oaks. I even happened upon a walnut tree, of all things! Plus ferns, and what I'm pretty sure were horsetails. All around the canyon ways of whitish-yellow and red sandstone rise hundreds of feet. A sign said that this sandstone was formed from coastal sand dunes some 270-275 million years ago. My, how times have changed!

You can take a closer look at the drawings on my flickr page. I'll be posting photographs from the trip soon.

Photos from the Twitter 140 show in Flagstaff, AZ!

2009-09-08T22:10:00.008-05:00

The opening of the Twitter 140 show in Flagstaff, AZ was a big success! The show appears at the Grandon Art Gallery on N. Leroux St. in historic downtown Flagstaff for the month of September. I've posted some photos of the September 4 opening on my flickr page. A few are reproduced here.

Steve Lauman (aka Buffalokid on twitter) posted quite a few photos on Redgage, including one of me caught in the act of tweeting from my phone. Even the mayor of Flagstaff turned out for the show!

Also check out this post on the official TwitterArtShow blog, complete with more pictures and, yes, another fine one of moi.

More photos from Arizona (Grand Canyon and more) coming soon!

TWITTER 140 ART EXHIBIT: The Press Release

2009-09-04T05:23:00.004-05:00

Twitter 140 opens today! I'm heading out to Flagstaff for the opening. Following is the official press release for our show.

Artists Display Work Inspired by the Popular Social Networking Site

The TWITTER 140 show debuts at Grandon Art Gallery, Flagstaff, Arizona, with a reception on September 4. The exhibit runs through September 30. TWITTER 140 is a group exhibition featuring a collection of work inspired by Twitter. The group consists of 24 international artists who use Twitter, the social networking service. Coordinated by Florida artist, Sheree Rensel, the group consists of artists working in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

"We have organized a diverse and unique group of artists whose work reflects technology and the use of Twitter," says Rensel. "Twitter messages have to be 140 characters or less. Therefore, all works in our show are 140 square inches or less. The same with each artist’s statement and bio. All contain 140 characters or less."

Designed to be a traveling exhibit, the Twitter 140 show is available through December 2010. All art work is for sale.

If you’d like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Gina Gomez, please call 310.800-7470 or e-mail Gina at gina@ginagomez.com

At long last -- Orson's back, with today's Search Term Roundup!

2009-08-12T20:46:00.006-05:00

Here's a feature we haven't done in a long while. Longtime readers will remember Orson, our spokesbear. He's still around, but having to sit on a higher shelf to avoid the cat makes it more difficult for him to perform his occasional reviews on cyber-culture.

But today, he came across some interesting, actual, search terms that lead to here, and we just had to give him a chance to report his findings. Orson, take it away!

"Thanks, John. Well, of course we always get an assortment of randoms hits here. Mostly it's just people looking for info on that foodstuff-that-shall-not-be-named, but this week a few really striking search terms just jumped out and grabbed me:

1. "my linden has sooty black stuff on it"

Yep, mine too. Always wondered what that was. And we're nowhere near a coal-fired power plant either.

2. "word of the day elementary science"

Glad to see some of the science words may come in handy. Not sure if any of them are sufficiently elementary though.

3. "watch hill fire island camping mosquito"

This search phrase is rather ambiguously worded, don't you think? Last time I was there, I didn't see any mosquitoes doing Bette Midler impersonations, or dressed in heels and feather boas. On the other hand, I can confirm that there are many, many mosquitoes camping (you know, tents and stuff) on Fire Island. Makes me wonder, does every mosquito in America go on vacation there?

4. "barn swallows religious beliefs"

No I am not making this up. Well, let's see. I can think of two possible meanings here.

First, who knew barn swallows had religious beliefs? Perhaps their god provides mosquitoes from heaven, in place of manna?

Second, I suppose 'swallows' could be a verb. Scary. I don't want to run into that barn.

That's all I have to report. Back to you, John."

Thanks, Orson, that was, um, interesting. Back to the shelf you go.

Art News: First Twitter 140 show in Flagstaff, AZ

2009-08-12T09:50:00.005-05:00

I'm pleased to announce that I will have two paintings in the upcoming "Twitter 140" group show appearing at the Grandon Art Gallery, in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Twitter 140 is show organized through and inspired by twitter, the social networking and microblogging site. Twitter 140 explores themes of connection, community and diversity.

The opening of the show coincides with Flagstaff's monthly First Friday Art Walk, on September 4. I plan to be on hand for the event. The show will be up for the month of September.

Looking ahead: Save the date: It's official -- I'll be participating in this year's "Annual Gowanus Artists Studio Tour" in Brooklyn on October 17-18. Check out the AGAST-Brooklyn website for more details!