The Art of Politics: Hillary Clinton

What do you do with a boat load of Hillary Clinton's unused victory confetti? 

Yep, turn it into art! 

Do you recall the very moment you found out the results to the 2016 election? I fell asleep around midnight to CNN reporting HRC's lead on Trump. I posted my "Grab 'Em By The Ballot" meme on Instagram, and shortly after drifted off to sleep. She got this! Except she didn't! I remember waking up on the sofa two hours later amidst Trump's victory speech, while his 10 year old son, Barron, made a desperate attempt to stay awake on live TV. No matter who you voted for, it will be an unforgettable moment in history.

Ok, on to what's important here, confetti!

The confetti was designed to be released after HRC's victory speech at the Javits Center in Brooklyn, New York, but never made its way down! Instead, it was unloaded from air cannons and swept into cardboard boxes unto unknown land.

Sorry Hill, I know, the confetti would have been cool! But, don't worry! Great news, it's currently being exhibited in a transparent case at the Bruno David Gallery in St. Louis. 

The glass-like sheen confetti that was designed to represent the shattering of the 'highest, hardest glass ceiling,' was bought by artist Bunny Burson, who created a special exhibition entitled, "And still I Rise," after Maya Angelou's poem about being persistent in the face of obstacles. 

It was no easy task for Burson to hunt down the unused confetti. After two weeks of searching, she finally found the boxes in Chicago, where she bought 200 pounds worth for her project! For Burson the art represents a call for action against the Trump administration's policies. 

A statement from the gallery: 

"With this actual confetti as her metaphor, artist Bunny Burson hopes to empower young women and girls to be bold, to dream big, to believe in themselves and to break their own glass ceilings, as well as to finally break that highest and hardest one." 

Below are a few examples of the transparent case as the confetti cascades inside. 

      

Fun fact: Bunny Burson served as executive director for the Arts and the Humanities committee under President Bill Clinton. 

The exhibit will run through August 12, 2017.

Bruno David Gallery is located at 7513 Forsyth Blvd., Clayton, St. Louis. 

The gallery is open 10am to 5pm, Wednesday through Saturday.

If you can, check it out!  

Melanie Norris: Our Flaws Make Us Beautiful

Growing up, my mother always said that I was extremely observant of things, especially people. I have always been fascinated by people. Like artist Melanie Norris, it is a person's imperfections that I am most drawn to, the soul exposed through facial details that give life to a person. If you look closely, we all have features that make us unique. But if we only  emphasize the attractive features that stand out the most, we can easily overlook aspects of a person's appearance that reveal a more profound beauty. If we neglect the features that make us unique, then, over time, people start to look the same. But the moment you focus on expression, skin tones, shapes and even scars, you began to notice the beauty in the 'flaws'. 

Melanie Norris was born in Johnson City, Tennessee. After graduating from Tennessee State University in 2011, she moved to Asheville, North Carolina where she has a studio located in whiteSPACE gallery of the Wedge Studio in the River Arts District of Asheville.

An Excerpt From Norris' Artist Statement

"What sets mankind apart is the broad range of emotions that flesh out their personality; the things that can neither be seen nor described, only felt. In my paintings, I do not strive for a likeness in a technical portrait sense. I try to lay hold of their inner being, the soul that exists within the flash. I seek to show how body isn't existence, but simply a vessel."

I am happy to have come across Norris' work and look forward to seeing her evolve as an artist. I have always believed there are many definitions of beauty, and it is refreshing to find someone who sees the world as you do!

You can see more of Norris' work by visiting her website at 

http://www.melanienorrispainter.com

Thanks for reading! 

Lee Friedlander's Exhibit at Yale University Art Gallery

All hail the King, Martin Luther King Jr, that is! 

Photographer Lee Friedlander exhibits for the first time, at the Yale University Art Gallery, a series of never before seen photographs taken during the 1957 Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Friedlander was only twenty three years old when he took these historic pictures; they capture the first national rally after the astonishing success of the Montgomery bus boycott led by a young leader named Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. 

The exhibit covers the May 17, 1957 gathering in front of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington D.C to commemorate the third anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka, which ended segregation in public schools.  

Friedlander's photographs depict the people's courage, hope and a deep desire for change. This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom. These photographs are the perfect way to celebrate unity and the importance of communities coming together with one voice to fight injustice. 

If you have never been to the Yale University Art Gallery, Friedlander's exhibition is one of many reason why you should take time to go. But hurry, the photographs will only be on display until  July 9th. 

But if you can't make it to New Haven and happen to be in Tennessee for the holidays, you can catch the exhibit at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis from September 11, 2017–December 17, 2017.

I hope you can make it! 

Flag Paintings: In the Spirit of Independence Day

ARTn't you happy it's the 4th of July weekend?

I sure am!!!  

The grill is smoking, hot dogs and hamburgers galore and fireworks are in the air...  In the spirit of Independence Day, I thought I'd do a search on paintings that have depicted the American flag throughout history.  

Google to the rescue... 

Google 

[Notable Artist and their portrayal of the American Flag]

Surrender of Lord Cornwallis by John Trumbull 1817

William Henry Powell (1823-1879) Battle of Lake Erie in 1873

A monumental piece of canvas art by Childe Hassam

  George Washington crossing the Delaware river

                The Birth of Old Glory/ from painting by Moran 

Painting of the birth of our nation's flag

I hope you enjoyed looking at these paintings as much as I do, and that they inspire an even greater love for our country!

Happy 4th of July!

Five of My Favorite Painting Styles

I have always been a traditional art-lover through and through, but in most recent years and with all the galleries I have visited, my love for different art styles has broadened. 

Her are my top 5 favorite painting styles and why! 

1. Impressionism, why? Because Renoir is the man! Developed in Paris in the 1860s, the impressionist movement spread like wild-fire through Europe. The strokes used to paint an impressionist painting were looser, yet subtly defined with vivid colors. The impressionist artists were given freedom to shatter the linear traditional styles of earlier times by avoiding clarity and precise definition in their paintings. Some of my favorite impressionist painters include, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Pierre-Auguste Renior, Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet and Auguste Rodin.
2. Abstract Art began in New York in the 1940s and 1950s. It took a while for abstract paintings to grow on me. I am happy it did, because as time passes I become more intrigued, impressed and inspired by abstract art. What I love most about it is the limitless boundaries one approaches when admiring the works of others', and while painting abstractly for oneself. Abstract artists who capture me are Pablo Picasso, Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock and Henri Matisse. I highly recommend checking out some of their work.
3. Photorealism came forth in the same period as Conceptual art, Pop art and Minimalism. Every time I encounter a piece of art from a photorealist, I wonder, is it a photograph, or not? I am always fascinated by the incredible skill of artists who create these precise and realistic styles of paintings. The first up-close painting I saw of the super famous Chuck Close was at the Met, and I almost tripped over the red rope that separates us from getting too close to the painting, because I kept moving in closer and closer to the enormous portrait of "Mark." A few other photorealist painters who I love are Andy Warhol and David Kassan.
4. Expressionism emerged in Germany. The movement lasted from about 1905 to 1920. For the expressionist painter, art came forth from within as opposed to efforts to depict the external world. These paintings captured the artist's emotional reaction to an ever-changing and advancing world. One of the most well known examples of this style is The Scream by Edvard Munch. I truly appreciate the emotionally charged swirles and strokes, along with the vivid and vibrant colors that make-up the expressionist style. Additional expressionist artists to look out for are Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, Ernest Ludwig Kirchner and Franz Marc. 
5. Post Painterly Abstract represents a variety of styles that express a painterly approach to Abstract Expressionism. The term was coined by Clement Greenberg in 1964. The Post Painterly Abstract style is linear, but free, and showcases a child-like spirit through the bold colors and fun movement. Every time I encounter one of these paintings, it reminds me of the endless creative possibilities of art! Some artists to check out from this genre include, Morris Louis, Frank Stella and Helena Frankenthaler.

Well, there you have it, my five favorite painting styles and a few artists who best represent each genre.  I recommend viewing their works. Who knows, maybe a flicker of inspiration, or perhaps even a large flame could be ignited! 

The Evolution of Paint

Dear All,

Have you ever wondered about the history of paint? Maybe you have taken for granted how accessible paint is today to artists and non-artists alike. 

In the Stone Age, for example, cave-art was created with rocks, red ochre and black pigment. Today there are so many different types of paints and brands that it can be overwhelming to choose one.

During the Renaissance, painters had to grind pigment to create their own paint. How organic, right? Well the problem with these types of 'homemade' paints is that they dried-out really fast restricting artists who used them to studio painting only. The most effective way to use these types of paints was to mix two colors at a time, while filling in the ares where that particular color was required before the paint would completely dry-out. 

The breakthrough...

In 1841 the American artist,  John G. Rand, invented the small flexible tin tube with removable cap to store oils in. By the way, without this "minor" invention my favorite period of art, the Impressionist movement, would not have emerged! Today, artists are spoiled, as they now have an extensive selection of paints that free them from the studio and allow them to create art in many different environments.

Thank you, Mr. Rand!

A list of the most common used paint:

• Oil paint 
• Acrylic paint 
• Watercolor 
• Gouache
• Ink 

Artists have different preferences for which medium they choose to work with. Each one produces a different look depending on the type of surface they are painted on. Oil paint is a pigment which requires the drying of oil as the binder. Acrylic paint is water-soluble, but becomes water resistant when it drys. Watercolor is a paint that is mixed with water instead of oil, most common used to paint on paper. Gouache paint is centuries old with characteristics of acrylic and watercolor. There are different types of ink which have been around for a very long time. It is made out of using carbon black and white pigments and may contain additives like wax, surfactants and lubricants. 

Next time you stop by your local arts and craft store, thank John G. Rand and science for making paint so accessible to all. I wonder what the continual evolution of paint will bring us years down the road? I am excited to find out! 

Happy painting friends! 

Art Districts: Overlooked Locations

Hello There,

This morning while going over a list I made of art-exhibitions I wish to visit this summer, I realized something. In the past, while visiting art galleries in Connecticut, I have always taken note of the neighborhoods and towns they are located in. Contrary to museums, galleries thrive on art-sales, and location is everything when trying to attract the right art-buyers. As a result, most art galleries in Connecticut tend to be located in upper-class neighborhoods, where dropping large sums of money on a painting is no big deal. 

So I decided to do a search on the web for Contemporary art gallery to see if a listing of locations would come up. Wikipedia was the first to appear on the google search engine with the following information under districts:

 Art districts  

Galleries tend to cluster in certain neighborhoods within cosmopolitan cities for economic and practical reasons, mainly that it is possible for the buyers and general public to view more art if they can travel by foot. In the past galleries have tended to cluster in neighborhoods with affordable real-estate due to the unprofitable nature of the business. However, in the 21st century art galleries are strongly associated with the process of gentrification, and prime real estate for Chelsea galleries is not affordable for unprofitable galleries. Generally, cities that have less centralized art districts are faring poorly in terms of market share.

         List of art districts by area name, city and country

           USA

• Chelsea, 57th Street, Upper East Side and Madison Avenue, SoHo, Lower East Side, TriBeCa, and Dumbo, and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City.

• Gallery Row and The Arts District, Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles.

• Roosevelt Row Phoenix, Arizona

• Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, California

• River North Gallery District, Near North Side, Chicago.

• West Loop, Chicago.

• Miami Design District, Miami, Florida

• Wynwood Art District, Miami, Florida

• Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, Florida

• Downtown Arts and Museum District, The Railyard District and Canyon Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

• Downtown Arts District, Las Vegas, Nevada.

• East End & West End, Commercial Street, Bradford Street, Provincetown, Massachusetts

Not one Connecticut town mentioned! I was thrilled to learn that edits can be easily made to wikipedia's posts and added the district of Fairfield county.

         List of art districts by area name, city and country

           USA

• Chelsea, 57th Street, Upper East Side and Madison Avenue, SoHo, Lower East Side, TriBeCa, and Dumbo, and Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City.

• Gallery Row and The Arts District, Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles.

• Roosevelt Row Phoenix, Arizona

• Bergamot Station, Santa Monica, California

• River North Gallery District, Near North Side, Chicago.

• West Loop, Chicago.

• Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

• Miami Design District, Miami, Florida

• Wynwood Art District, Miami, Florida

• Worth Avenue, Palm Beach, Florida

• Downtown Arts and Museum District, The Railyard District and Canyon Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico.

• Downtown Arts District, Las Vegas, Nevada.

• East End & West End, Commercial Street, Bradford Street, Provincetown, Massachusetts

Fairfield County, Connecticut, is known for its upper-class life style, expensive restaurants, boutiques and art-galleries. However, in comparison to larger cities such as New York, relatively small locales like Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport or Fairfield are often over-looked, such as in the Wikipedia post.  

Needless to say, there are thousands of contemporary art galleries in the United States, most of which are not listed on Wikipedia. Hopefully, other art lovers who see their cities and towns missing from the list will be inspired to add to this post.

Do you know of an art district not listed here?

If so, then please consider adding it so another fellow art hunter may take a visit.

Happy editing!     

Get Your Art-Loving Self to Sorelle: A Review

I have spent quite some time visiting galleries in the East Coast, and of all the places to explore art, Sorelle Gallery offers an eclectic collection exhibiting works of over 50 artists from around the world.

Sorelle Gallery is located in the pristine and charming downtown area of New Canaan, CT.  Surrounded by unique boutiques, coffee shops and arguably the best restaurants in all of Fairfield County, the gallery and its surroundings can make for an unforgettable art experience. With just a five minute walk from the Metro North train station, you'll stroll through Elm St. where you'll encounter an array of visitors who come to take advantage of New Canaan's many beautiful features, including The Glass House. 

Sorelle steals the show... the walls are filled with a perfect mix and match of texture induced by traditional and modern art. Whatever type of art you enjoy, the gallery will have something for you to fall in love with. In addition to paintings, the gallery exhibits photography by the reputable Kimerlee Curyl, unique mirror art by Alina B, stoneware by Regis Brodie, driftwood sculptures by Rita Dee, ceramics by the talented Jill Fishon-Kovachick and aluminum works by Rob Sorenson.

In addition to the lineup of impressive artists being showcased, the Sorelle team welcomes its art-lovers with much excitement. They are extremely knowledgeable of the works exhibited and quite the talented artist themselves. See a piece you love while visiting the gallery? Wonder how it would look in your home? One of the gallery's many unique features is to have a painting digitally imposed on your wall, offering a realistic visual of what it would look like should you purchase it! Thirsty? Swing by the refreshment table for a cup of fresh lemon water, coffee, tea and or a glass of wine... yes, please!

Example of a digitally imposed painting:

Artist: JuliaContacessi 


                 

There are hundreds of galleries in the East Coast that carry impressive artwork, however, Sorelle Gallery stands out for much more than its collection. There have been many times when I have walked through the doors of a gallery I was excited to visit, and barely stayed because the vibe was off, the mood was unwelcoming and the staff uninterested. At Sorelle, they are respectful of your private space while making you feel right at home. It may not be the biggest gallery in Fairfield County, but it is certainly one of the most welcoming, treating it's art hunters' (such as myself) with as much appreciation and value as the pieces hung on the walls. 

For more information please check out the gallery's website at www.sorellegallery.com

Arted-out? Great, time to eat!

Did you know art will increase your appetite? It's the truth; it's also true that I will find any excuse possible to eat! So, you should too! Once you have fed your mind, you must feed your body. Rosie is located on Elm Street, just a short 3 minute walk from the gallery. There, you will find one of the best avocado toasts you've ever tried! As it suggests on the cover of its menu, when you "TASTE THE LOVE," you will certainly want to come back for more.



                   

 Visit their website: http://www.rosienewcanaan.com 




 What are you waiting for? 

   Get your art-loving-self to Sorelle!