Painting My Personal Journey

My recent show at Salon du Monde was a great success. I don't mean a monetary one, although I did sell work and acquire a few commissions. It was about the courage to move forward despite recent personal mistakes, mishaps and misconceptions."She Flies Alone," my most recent series, was unveiled to guests who know me well, friends and family, and some who don't. My paintings express ,quite blatantly, how I feel and think....alone,confused,confined and frightened.I know this is a state of mind...my state of mind... but it is honestly and unapologetically me. The more I paint, the more freedom and strength I discover . I reveal my mind and my heart as I create. It is a private process. To display it publicly, invites the questions, reactions and concerns of others.I am comfortable and prepared to share and respond to most of it. I can't really mask who I am, nor silence who I wish to become any longer....just me, sincerely and imperfectly myself.

This display serendipitiously coincided with news of my acceptance into a Masters of Fine Arts program in Georgia. I begin this summer. It is yet another step toward moving forward with my life. I want and need to paint. I feel and see great change! The transformation has been painful at times and downright terrifying . I risk losing the security of my current life. But I have learned that the risk of losing opportunities, challenges and experiences that I am confident will help me to grow, is far more daunting and fearsome. I can't stay still. I will fly alone and am fully prepared to be alone but believe that those who know and love me best, will encourage my journey.

So now I am sharing a glimpse of my evening at Salon du Monde...my exhibit, my dreams, my art. I was most surprised by the positive reactions and empathetic stories of others. My experiences and feelings are in many ways universal... but in the end, they are uniquely about me. One friend said I am in the midst of a true mid life crisis! I agree. I am awakening to who I am and what I am no longer.I am admitting change and seeking challenge. That is a beautiful thing! It is not intended to offend, hurt or alienate. It does not diminish the wonder and joy of what was.We are made for change. I have spent years trying to resist it. I want to know what I can become and what I can offer to others that is of greater value.I do know that it will be through my work and my art ....and for once, I am enthusiastically anticipating the obstacles and errors.

"Fearful?" A little. "Hopeful?" Without a doubt!

"She Flies Alone..." We become our thoughts I've been told. I trust how I think and feel ....alone but not lonely.Enjoy!

CLICK HERE to view moments from my recent exhibit!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=104912&id=1483745280&l=4f90d75ef8

"Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm." ~Winston Churchill
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The Fine Art of Fishing

Despite my protests and that of my friend, Andrea,to our sons, warning them of approaching "Hurricane Bill" and the danger of a whipping up of the waters at the Jersey shore, Robert and Danny insisted that they would brave the ocean. "No" didn't seem to be an option for them as they desperately wanted to go tuna fishing with their friend, Peter, a licensed captain, 50 miles off the coast of Long Beach Island, NJ on Thursday.I actually was quite confident that they would be safe and admired their lack of fear. Robert has aspirations of studying marine biology and works and hangs regularly off Casino Pier in Seaside Hts.and off the inlet at Manasquan and Pt. Pleasant Beach. They are his neighborhood "playground."So any experience in and on the water, is valuable.

The boys spent the entire day off the coast and successfully caught tuna and other fish to use as shark bait. Robert caught a 90 lb. bluefin and Danny an 80 lb.one. Aside from Danny's bout of seasickness, these beach boys, fared well and we will be eating tuna for more than a few meals. Last night Robert and I enjoyed the first sampling of it. Awesome!

So Robert once again requested that I consider painting fish. He likens his love for fishing to my love for art:)I definitely appreciate that we share a similar sense of inspiration and passion...and if he continues to supply me with fresh fish, he and I just might be able to work something else. Tuna as subject matter? Hmmm...we'll see!

Worth the Trip! Art and Inspiration!

Spring has sprung and the forecast this weekend is "set" to be mild and sunny..a perfect time to seek inspiration and view some incredible art. I visited three friends and fellow artists this week. Pure sunshine amid the rain! If you get a chance ,visit these guys and be sure to say Jude sent you.

1. Ellarslie Trenton City Museum: Hurry in and see the tail end of the current exhibit:Made You Look: The Art of Deception
Deborah Raven, Eric Schultz and Natalie Featherston
February 28, 2009 - April 19, 2009. It really is a "must see." I especially liked Eric's monumental sculptures, constructed from recycled metal and other materials. His use of discarded auto parts,light fixtures,aluminum,steel,hardware and wire have been perfectly married to form interesting high tech figures that strangely seem "life like.". These found object masterpieces are silver,shiny and highly intriguing!

While visiting,say hello to Brian O. Hill, the director of The Trenton City Museum, who prides himself on sharing this NJ artistic gem and whose efforts during his 10 years as director , have resulted in an incredible increase in attendance and renewed interest in the museum!(You can't miss him...he greatly resembles Santa!) Soon to open is the annual juried exhibition," the Ellarslie Open, which highlights the abundance of regional artistic talent. This exhibit provides visitors with an opportunity to view the finest regional work from the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania area, as well as work from as far away as California." To read more about Ellarslie visit: http://www.ellarslie.org

"The museum is located in Ellarslie Mansion, an Italianate villa built in 1848. The mansion is the centerpiece of Cadwalader Park, which was designed by the famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, whose most famous work is New York City's Central Park."

2. Today I met with Joel Monesson, artist and director of the Mattison Gallery in Asbury Park. I was fortunate to have my first solo exhibit at the Mattison Gallery in February.Join Joel and artist Melissa Bronwen Pyle on Friday evening, April 17, 2009 , 7-10 pm for the opening of Pyle's show "Heaven Over Earth." Her resin pieces and large scale round landscapes are spectacular!Live music and refreshments are a plus! Joel is busy working on several very provocative contemporary plaster sculptures for his own upcoming exhibit in May. If you can't find him to talk about art,music or building restoration or preservation, check out the band! Joel can be found playing harmonica or a host of other instruments with the very talented Colie Brice and Friends.And Joel would much rather be sculpting and playing music, than talking anyway:)
http://www.mattisongallery.com/

3. To make the day absolutely awesome, I visited Jim Inzero,Jersey Shore based encaustic painter. Jim and I successfully exhibited together last November. Both of us have been very fortunate with recent sales and commissions but Jim, especially,despite the recent economic down turn,has been selling at a consistent pace to very saavy and appreciative customers ! We discussed our shared enthusiasm and the ever increasing momentum of our careers and ideas! We both agree, the best is yet to come. Visit Jim's site http://shoreartist.blogspot.com/ to view his colorful wax creations or stop by and visit Jim and his wife Lauren in Pt. Pleasant Beach at their trendy yet tasteful,gift and clothing boutique, Stella e Luna.http://stellaeluna.blogspot.com/

And now I am off to prepare for my highly anticipated trip to beautiful Minneapolis for the National Art Educator's Association's annual conference.http://www.naea-reston.org This event is the largest of it's kind in the WORLD. I am more than excited:) I am confident that I will bring back a wealth of ideas and information that will influence my work and the work of my students. I also happen to be traveling with a very esteemed group of Art educators/artists. These people are seriously like the "rock stars" of the Art education world.In New Orleans, I swear people wanted their autographs! Very cool! I am more like a starry eyed groupie just tagging along:)

Prints of my work can be purchased at the Mattison Gallery and at the Trenton City Museum gift shop.

UPCOMING ART EXHIBIT

MANIFESTED ENCOUNTERS IN PAINT AND WAX
Recent Works of Jim Inzero and Jude Harzer

exhibit at GALLERY 638
638 Arnold Ave. Mezzanine Level
Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ
Opening Reception: November 15, 2008
4-8 pm

Regatta Encaustic48 in x 60 in

Jim Inzero
After many layers of wax brushstrokes, I step back and objectively look at the composition from all directions to see what the painting expresses to me. I look to see a physical response in my work, especially a desire to reach out and touch the painting. It is my intention for you to have a sensory and a visual experience with this work.

View Jim Inzero's work at: shoreartist.blogspot.com

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/james-inzero.html

Recognizing Possibilities oil on canvas

Jude Harzer
My work is about the preservation of one's "spirit" and dreams. I paint primarily with oils and have recently begun to explore the technique of collage, using an array of patterns and colors, in a quilt like motif, to achieve rich texture and a "loose" visual narrative. My objective is to layer, juxtapose and ‘stitch’ together seemingly unrelated materials and images in an effort to create a single interesting composition. In many ways the process reminds me of one’s life: diverse experiences and meaningful "moments", pieced together to create the distinctive fabric of a person’s existence.

http://gallery638.blogspot.com/