New Beginnings

Had it not been for the prompting of former CMU classmate and fellow artist, Nick Bell, I probably would have missed my opening in NYC at the Pen and Brush on Saturday afternoon. Thanks to Nick and his friends:artist and CMU alum, Susannah Stern and her pathologist/sculptor husband, Bruce, my opening was especially meaningful.
Curated by NYU Professor and Dean of Humanities, Edward Sullivan, the "In Your Dreams: Reveries,Fantasies, and Impossible Wishes" exhibit is an international multi-media group show, conceived of by Sullivan himself. 105 works were selected from over 800 submissions.The exhibit runs until April 26th.
The locale of The Pen and Brush was exquisite.It was incredibly well attended but being highly claustrophobic,my primary focus was unfortunately not on the art but rather on how to feel and breathe fresh, cool air. We were able to make our way out to the rear courtyard,where there was a table available to sit and talk. I enjoyed the unique perspective of "looking in". It is always a good thing to find new and interesting ways of "seeing", especially as a visual artist. And catching up with Nick, his life and art, was well worth the trip.
I also had the pleasure of seeing and speaking with fellow AENJ member and exhibiting artist,So Yoon Lym.
So to D.J. Haslett, thanks again for the suggestion to apply to the show and to Nick, Susannah and Bruce: you were exceptional and gracious company:)The service at the Indian restaurant was memorable and amusing:)Susannah, I believe our waiter needs to meditate.
And a final thanks and hello to Michael Heisler, letterer and artist extraordinaire for purchasing my first print,reconnecting with me and putting me in touch with Nick and other CMU friends. I expect by the time I get to CA., Michael,you will have created an impressive body of sketches and figure drawings to share:)
Check out Nick Bell and Susannah Stern's work!
http://www.nicktbell.com/
http://www.susannahstern.com/

Dreaming In NYC

I am off to NY to see the "Dreams" show at the Pen and Brush. It really will be a day of seeking inspiration...seeing old friends,perhaps making new.

I love the abundance of everything in the city...sights,smells,sounds and am considering relocating there this summer. I will check out the neighborhood where I will be living. I believe it will be the perfect place to work on my series of paintings entitled ,"Absence" and "Tell Me A Story." And the "Dream" series...well that is ongoing.

My objective is to paint bigger,better and to incorporate more materials into my work.I just purchased canvas that is 18 ft. in length and am working on acquiring old doors upon which to paint! Aluminum,galavanized steel and silver leaf make my heart sing at this moment in my creative development:)This is an aside but I think power tools,sheets of metal and recycled wood make the best gifts:) Actually those that know me well, give me just that and it is all so greatly appreciated. The yards of Belgian linen from an encaustic painter friend of mine, was a pretty awesome donation as well!
Dream big!

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!

Jude in NYC: You Are Invited!

In Your Dreams,Reveries, Fantasies, and Impossible Wishes
Curated by Edward J. Sullivan
Opening Reception, Saturday, April 4th, 3-5 PM
April 2nd - 26th
Gallery Hours: Thursday - Friday 4-7 PM, Saturday - Sunday 1-5 PM

The Pen & Brush proudly presents In Your Dreams: Reveries, Fantasies, and Impossible Wishes, an international multi-media group exhibition curated by Edward J. Sullivan. In Your Dreams was conceived to showcase the work of artists in tune with their inner lives and fantasies. It responds to a widespread taste for surrealist-related, fantastical art that seems to have developed recently in a surprisingly strong way in a wide variety of art worlds across the country and across the world.
We thought of the theme for this show some eighteen months ago, at a time of relative social and economic stability. Given the universal crisis in the areas of the economy and world social morale, a retreat into the unknown, the little-explored, or the worlds of fantasy on the part of artists expresses a more poignant and urgent sensibility. These works manifest a sense of unease or a desire to create alternate realities. The results are thought-provoking and intriguing for the community of artists and the public in general.

Edward J. Sullivan is professor of art history at New York University (Institute of Fine Arts and Department of Art History). He also serves as Dean for the Humanities. Sullivan received his PhD from NYU and is the author of over twenty-five books and exhibition catalogues. His research interests center around the Iberian world in its largest extension Spain, Latin America and the Philippines. He has also curated many exhibitions for such institutions as The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Guggenheim Museum (New York and Bilbao) and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Monterrey, Mexico. The world history of the Surrealist movement is of particular interest to him and when asked by The Pen and Brush to formulate a theme for an exhibition, In Your Dreams came to him, as he says, "in an almost unconscious way!"

Founded over 115 years ago, The Pen & Brush, Inc., is an international non-profit organization open to women in the visual, literary and performing arts. Our rich history is a chronicle of persistence, passion, dedication, and a commitment to equal opportunity. Some of the countless inspirational women in our number include Eleanor Roosevelt, Pearl S. Buck, Ida M. Tarbell and Jessie Tarbox Beals. While honoring the ideals and contributions of the women from our vibrant past, The Pen and Brush serves as an open, diverse, global forum, and cultural resource for its members, non-member participants, the professional arts community, and the general public. Our exhibitions, competitions and programs are open to women artists internationally. www.penandbrush.org

In Your Dreams: Jude in NYC

My painting, "Dreams:Haunted" ,will be displayed in NYC at the Pen and Brush. This juried exhibition,In Your Dreams,Reveries, Fantasies, and Impossible Wishes is curated by Edward J. Sullivan, Professor of Art History and Dean for the Humanities at New York University.

The opening reception is:
Saturday, April 4th
3:00pm - 5:00pm
at
16 East 10th Street in New York’s Greenwich Village.
Please join me for the opening reception!

Much thanks to fellow artist, D.J. Haslett who recommended that I check out this exhibition opportunity. He thought the venue and theme were ideal for my work and he was right!I paint my dreams and now I get to share them:)
If you are interested in seeing D.J.'s sculptures, click on the link below and type in his name to access his impressive portfolio. D.J. thanks again for your thoughtfulness and generosity.
Dream huge...and never abandon them. Trust me ...it works!

http://www.sculpture.org/portfolio/