Love: The Exhibit

Fully Armored  Jude Harzer 2008

I received an inquiry about the exhibit that I plan to curate, inspired by the very powerful and universal experience , we refer to as “Love.” The show is planned to debut in 2011. It is a collaborative effort . My art and the art of others will be enhanced by the writings of a very talented emerging author and compositions by an equally gifted musician. The three are inextricably connected and are necessary in order to fully convey the essence of this exhibit. Art, like love, is multi- sensory and multi faceted.

The idea for this show became clear as I sat outside the home of friend and fellow artist, Carol Saylor this past December. Anyone that dares to spend time with me, knows that the conversation is rarely “light.” .Carol endures my persistent questionings, musings, and pleas for answers regarding life, love, purpose and passion. Carol “knows” life and love. She has suffered great tragedy and pain. Despite premature blindness and deafness during mid life, the loss of a daughter , ( Alice a mother of 3 , in her 30’s) ,to cancer, the death of her husband and so much more, Carol radiates energy, strength and beauty. How and why does anyone navigate this life with persistence and purpose in the face of great pain,loss and failure ? There have been many people who have graced my life who I have witnessed do just that….move forward despite the hard knocks and obstacles, with unusual persistence and vigor. Again I ask "How and why? "

….Always, always, the answer makes a resounding reference to LOVE! Love, passion, hope and a belief in something greater than ourselves, is a powerful motivation that reveals in us strength and greatness beyond our wildest imaginations. And yet, “love”, misunderstood, unexpressed, rejected or absent , has the potential to consume, destroy and diminish. Perhaps this is not love at all, but personal perception is not a tidy and universal process to be defined.

I’m not simply talking about the hearts and roses of romantic love, although that certainly provides a wealth of inspiration. I am referring to the entire spectrum of the experience….the good, the bad, the pure…young love, true love, first love ,mature love, unrequited love….the love of a parent, a friend, a lover, a child. We are often motivated by the love of country, the love of learning, the love of freedom, the love of God , nature and life itself. Is it possible to genuinely and fully love many, or do we reserve our love for a chosen few? Why do we crave , live, die , and pray for it? Unconditional love…does that even exist? And why do we fade in the absence of it? All I know is that love matters and sustains us in times of need. It exposes beauty where there appears to be none . Love makes the seemingly mundane appear extraordinary and unites us in ways that give meaning to our brief moments here in this life.

Another exceptional friend, fellow artist, art historian and educator Trish Maunder, once told me that love is the “stuff’ that inspires all great art .I believe she is right! So as I journey to make sense of it, I have become an observer of this phenomenon and have learned to embrace rather than resist it.Yes, when we expose our hearts, we are left unguarded and more susceptible to pain, tears and potential hurt. But comfortably numb is not living and over time, the pain of regret, is far greater than any love, lost or found.

So this isn’t a Valentine’s exhibition. It is about life, love and inspiration and I am blessed to have plenty of it all! Live and love HUGE!

PS… Dino… the one you love! This one is for you Pork Chop:) See image above for reference. All rights reserved Hanna Barbera.
Check Carol Saylor out on you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TcJ0KZHIR8&feature=related

Faith Ringgold: Finding Inspiration

"I have set my life up so that I don't have to worry about [my work] being accepted. If I do it, and it's there, people will come around at some point. And they have." Faith Ringgold

When I first rediscovered my art three years ago, I was encouraged by my colleague and friend Susan MacDougall, just six months later, to attend a University of the Arts workshop where NJ based artist, Faith Ringgold was presenting. Although I instruct my students about Faith Ringgold's work and would actually have the opportunity to meet this living:) artistic legend, I didn't relish the thought of spending all day Saturday in Philadelphia participating in a "class" for which I would have to pay....Well that Mrs. MacDougall is very wise and persuasive. Fortunately I went to the UArts event and it literally changed my life.It also made me think twice before passing up opportunities...especially those that seem to fall into your lap.

You must take chances. If you do nothing, you reduce the possibilities you have for greater joy.—Walter Anderson

In addition to meeting Faith and her daughter Barbara Wallace, I met my friend Trish Maunder, a dynamic and smart artist and educator.I can never get enough of her British accent( I love the sound of certain people's voices):)She prompted me to show Faith Ringgold some images of my own work that I had with me. At first I was intimidated and embarrassed. Faith was certainly not there to conduct portfolio assessments. But if you have ever met Faith Ringgold(and many artists have because she is so accessible and generous with her time), she is simultaneously regal, gracious and "real".There is no artifice or pretension.

Not only did I share my work with her but I conversed with her about the seriousness of my intentions to become an artist and she in turn told me her story of rising early before her daughters every morning to paint and the need for discipline, devotion and a dedicated work space.She talked about every woman's struggle to balance home,children and work...and, I am a good student and took her words to heart.The following week, at the invitation of Faith and her daughter Barbara, I auctioned my first ,"Fly" painting at the ACA Galleries in Chelsea, NYC on behalf of her Anyone Can Fly Foundation. I haven't stopped painting since and I rise nearly every morning all year long at 5 am to paint.It has become second nature...effortless because I rediscovered through this process my true passion for art. At 5 am it is peaceful and everything begins anew for me... It has been magical!

I have also been very fortunate to maintain contact with Faith and Trish.Faith Ringgold has a children's museum opening in Harlem in 2011.I'll keep you posted on the progess. Today Trish Maunder forwarded an article about Ms. Ringgold and her support of our newly elected President Obama. It was with great confidence that I voted for him in November. We are in need of his guidance as a nation at this moment in history. He will lead us with strength, dignity,fairness and intelligence.And his wife Michelle, his equal in every way,will do the same. I know it! I can feel it:) Faith Ringgold believes it as well.

Tomorrow will be historical as our 44th President, Barack Obama, is inaugurated.Here is an article that Trish emailed me earlier this evening. As artists we are always seeking inspiration.Obama will inspire us.Read how he has inspired Faith.
CLICK HERE TO READ!. May you always find beauty and inspiration!

A Summer of Inspiration

John D. Ressler photographer Santa Fe, NM

Joseph Standing Dancing Rock Taos, NM

I am a painter and a public school art educator.

While in the classroom, I am surrounded by my

most treasured subject matter…children. The purity of their

spirits and their natural beauty, inspires my work. I am

fascinated by their enthusiasm and their honesty.And while

I am being honest, another "joy" of teaching is the summer

hiatus. That extended period of time is a gift. Of course my

intention as an artist was to fervently create images during

this time. I envisioned sleepless nights devoted solely to

painting in solace, producing new and incredible work. As I

plan to return to the classroom in just a few days, I realize

that there was actually very little art making that occurred

this summer.

Instead I allowed myself to pause and reflect upon my recent

rediscovery of my art during these past two years. I thought

about my life, my goals and my values. Were they my own?

Were they meaningful and am I “brave” enough to continue

on this path, making a commitment to creating art? Socrates

said,” the unexamined life is not worth living.” Upon endless

examination, I know that my life is so worth living. Never before

have I been so certain of my purpose and so passionate about

my goals. I have learned to make decisions based upon my

“strengths”, rather than upon my “weaknesses” and to include

like minded people in my life who do the same.

I had the rare opportunity this summer to spend time and

correspond with artists who have devoted their lives to their

work. It became a “quest” of sorts to speak with them and

learn from them. Perhaps I was looking for guidance and

affirmation. I received that and so much more. Each encounter

was as different as the individual artist with whom I met, but

all yielded a very similar message: that Art in some respects,

"chooses you", that it has the power to "heal", to feed your

soul, to build community and that success is inevitable when

one is doing and becoming what they are meant to be...

(obviously success is relative and warrants an entirely separate

conversation). Funny, that none of this was a surprise, but

“seeing” it manifested through the lives of others, made it more

“believable.” The life of an artist is truly a life of abundance.

The inspiration, the process, the possibilities, the far reaching

connections, are endless. It is the right choice for me.

Some of the artists who graced my life this past year and

particularly this summer, were sculptor, Carol Saylor,

illustrator, Rich Harrington, painter, Joseph Breza,

photographer, John D. Ressler (who also happens to be my uncle),

illustrator, Marcella Moreaux, encaustic artist, Jim Inzero,

artist, Jody Kendall, artist, Dr. Barry Altmann ,graphic artist,

Terry Novatin, sculptor, Joseph Standing Dancing Rock,

artist/educator, Trish Maunder, artist/professor, Dr. Slavko Milekic,

from AENJ and so many

other valued friends and artists. I want to thank each of them for

enriching my life and my art...and a special "I love you" to my

sister Beth Anne.

The simplest guidance of all came to me from Joseph Breza as

he quoted lyrics from the famed Beatle's song: “Hey Jude,

don’t be afraid…” Soon after, I found a sketch book from

nearly 2 years ago when I first resumed painting, and I

discovered a message scribbled from my daughter who left

just yesterday to begin her college career. It said “Mommy,

don’t be afraid.” She is a wise, with an artist’s soul. And so

to Christina (our Tia) and my son Robert, I am no longer afraid

and I will recognize and make choices based on my strengths

and hope that you will do the same. The joy is in the journey.

Be fearless.