In the Presence of Genius: Reflections on NAEA

I just returned from the National Art Educator's Conference in Minneapolis!It was an incredibly worthwhile trip as an educator but even more so as an artist!
Some INVALUABLE highlights were my visit to the Walker Art Center and the adjacent sculpture gardens. Rauschenberg, Rothko,Giacometti and more...Creative inspiration was unavoidable!

Hearing Mark Bradford speak and seeing his wall sized paintings and installations,offered ideas and wisdom that I will consider while creating work this summer at the School of Visual Arts in NYC.Their monumentality and innovative use of materials gathered from the L.A. urban landscape, were edgy,beautiful and thought provoking.

Of course conversing with artists,art educators,colleagues and friends from around the country was rejuvenating as well.

But the encounter and experience that left me most inspired was meeting and talking
with George Pratt,John English and Brent Watkinson. These guys and their colleagues,including the master illustrator, Mark English,have launched a hands on instructional program aimed toward "training the brains" of other talented artists who aspire to achieve a greater level of excellence in their work. That I was able to hang with artists who exemplify inventiveness, talent, skill and discipline, is beyond cool!

Check out their website at:
http://www.illustrationacademy.com/new/index.html
They will be launching a program on June 22nd that will allow individual artists access to their expertise,art,podcats,instruction and more for a reasonable fee.
Think Norman Rockwell,Maxfield Parrish, N.C. Wyeth and imagine a new breed of like talent...They are who wowed me most this week!
Thanks guys and best of luck in your new endeavor!

April: Art All Around Join Me!

April is a very busy month for art exhibits and cultural events. Besides, "First Saturday" in Asbury Park, the Garden State Film Festival will host it's 7th annual 4 day event, Thursday April 2nd- Sunday, April 5th. Join me and Renee Geller at the Open Talent Casting Call at 3rd Ave Pavillion in Asbury Park on Sunday 9:30am - 1:00. Be sure to check out the film festival website for schedules,directions and other event information http://www.gsff.org.

If you are in NYC on Saturday, stop by the Pen and Brush for the opening of the group exhibit entitled,In Your Dreams,Reveries, Fantasies, and Impossible Wishes, curated by Edward J. Sullivan. I will be at the opening reception on Saturday, April 4th, 3-5 PM . The show runs until April 26th. Gallery Hours: Thursday - Friday 4-7 PM, Saturday - Sunday 1-5 PM.
http://www.penandbrush.org/

Stay tuned for a posting of other upcoming exhibits.If you are attending the National Art Educators Association conference in Minnesota, I'll see you there. This is the world's largest gathering of art educators and the "creative community" includes more than 20,000 art educators, college professors, researchers, administrators, and museum educators. I have had the pleasure of meeting and "hearing" notable and innovative creative thinkers such as Daniel Pink,Audrey Flack and Faith Ringgold among others. This year, I am excited to attend a lecture by one of the keynote speakers, artist Judy Chicago.
http://www.memberconnections.com/olc/pub/NAEA/home/

My goal this month is to return to creating my own work after a much needed winter break. Art in April...Enjoy!