Carol Saylor at the Noyes Museum

My friend and colleague, Carol Saylor will have an exhibit at the beautiful Noyes Museum in Oceanville , NJ. Her blindness and deafness do not define who she is as a person or as an artist. Her one day hands on workshop offers a unique opportunity to spend the day with Carol to share her talent, humor and spirit.She is witty, honest and awe inspiring! Please join her. The registration form is available on the Noyes Museum website.

2011 Teachers' Workshop
Touch Beyond Sight
Presented by the artist Carol Saylor
http://www.carolsaylor.com/
Monday, March 21, 9am–2:30 pm,
$50 register online
5 professional development hours

An inclusive workshop designed to broaden the horizons of teachers and their students by enriching the experience of art through the use of touch, description and imagination. Originally conceived as artwork for the blind, this is art that is meant to be touched and can be used to expand the accessibility of art to underserved populations. An enjoyable workshop and a great opportunity to gather new ideas for expanding the curriculum try some creative art activities and meet other teachers. Light morning refreshments & lunch included.

733 Lily Lake Road, Oceanville, NJ, 08231
(609) 652-8848

Registration form
http://noyesmuseum.org/teachers_wksp.html

Camille Claudel : Sheer Beauty, Vision and Talent!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NEZ2Q6ScSE

Inextricably Linked: ART~SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS~Human Genius

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have a high regard for both human thought and human creation. I am fascinated by all great thinkers, be they philosophers, mathematicians, scientists or artists. For me, art is at its best when ideas emerge that inextricably link all of these disciplines. The date of my studies in New York City this summer,coincides with the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the English naturalist, Charles Darwin's Origin of the Species. Charles Darwin,born 200 years ago,determined and presented evidence that demonstrated that all life forms have evolved over time through a process termed, "natural selection". His ideas and discoveries, now widely accepted,form the "basis of modern evolutionary theory."
In Shrewsbury, England,The Shift Time festival unites more than 30 artists and performers, who have created work inspired by the scientific theories of Charles Darwin."Sparking debate and questioning the very roots of human existence, Shift Time directs us through art, performance and spoken word to find an answer for that age-old question – what is it to be human?"
Reading about this festival and the participating artists, I was particularly awed by the work of Dutch engineer and kinetic sculptor, Theo Jansen. He also reminded me that I have a particular affinity for, and an undying love if you will:) for sculptors (and architects) who create works based on scientific and mathematical ideas. For me, this marriage of thought and it's physical manifestation as "art", demonstrates the beauty and limitless potential of the human mind to think and create.
Artist, Theo Jansen creates kinetic sculptures from plastic tubes and lemonade bottles. His "creatures" are designed to move and "survive" in the environment, based on scientific, mathematical and physical premises. Rather than explain the sophistication of his creations, I invite you to watch a video that will better reveal the genius of Jansen's ideas and work.
Also while in NYC, in close proximity to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, I will have the opportunity to visit and "experience", Maelstrom the 130-foot-long by 45-foot-wide stainless-steel sculpture, created by American artist Roxy Paine (b. 1966), specifically for the Museum’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden. This is Paine’s largest and most ambitious work to date. The Met states: this "latest in a diverse body of work, this sculpture is one of the artist’s Dendroids based on systems such as vascular networks, tree roots, industrial piping, and fungal mycelia. Set against Central Park and its architectural backdrop, the installation explores the interplay between the natural world and the built environment amid nature’s inherently chaotic processes."

I hope that you enjoy and appreciate the work of these exceptionally gifted artists, as I do. Roxy Paine....he makes me want to weld:) Just saying....melt my artist's heart!

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/

Seeking Inspiration

This past week at the Jersey shore we were graced with unseasonably warm weather. Instead of remaining in the windowless school art studio, teaching monoprinting to my Kinderartists,I took them outside to our beautiful school garden.They were incredibly excited for the change of pace and when one of them asked what it was that we would be doing, I explained that we were "seeking inspiration." Experiencing new environments,people,and ideas often leads to unexpected creative bursts and a rejuvenated spirit!And sometimes, when we feel "stuck",we cannot wait for a muse to move us, we have to consciously search for new ones.

And so as I watched my students explore the magic of our school garden, I knew where I would find my own much needed inspiration this weekend.Today, I headed to the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, NJ. Every year I encourage students, family and friends to visit two of my most treasured places where I go to wander and wonder : GFS and The Princeton University Art Museum. As always,GFS proved to be artistically awakening and beautiful.

I invite you to view some of my snapshots from the day which cannot even begin to reflect the intrigue and excellence of this "secret" sculpture garden.I was particularly interested in the welded structures as I am beginning to integrate steel and aluminum into my figurative work and will be welding this summer.Click here to see images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jude_harzer_fine_art/ or view above:)

And finally, I want to mention fellow artist, Carl Frankel. His generous and welcoming spirit, made my visit even more enjoyable. He shared news of his most recent works, inspired by his month long trip to Israel.Checkout his website to learn more about Carl and his art! http://www.carlspalette.com/

Visit Michael Keropian's Site and Then Link to Me!

The internet offers wonderful opportunities to communicate and network with other artists.It enables me to view quality art from the comfort of my home. It is a source of inspiration and instruction for me personally.
At my recent exhibit at Gallery 638, it was an honor to have New York based sculptor, Michael Keropian and his talented wife, artist/art educator, Jan Malin, in attendance.Mr. Keropian has graciously added me as a link on his site. Please check out his monumental and brilliantly sculpted bronzes. His new page featuring his historic figures is particularly impressive! Enjoy! http://www.keropiansculpture.com/HISTORY.html

Herb Olds and Leonard DeLonga: Artists and Master Art Educators

A friend from Carnegie Mellon, where I attended college in 1981,brought to my attention the work and whereabouts of our drawing professor Herb Olds. He was probably the single most influential artist who dramatically altered my thoughts and drafting skills, as a self taught,inexperienced and uneducated 17 year old.I found several images online that he created. He continues to create and shape lives in San Diego.He is in my thoughts on this day.Thank you Mr. Olds.

And on this day, I am also thinking most fondly of Leonard DeLonga, the legendary sculpture professor from Mt. Holyoke College who became very much like a father to me, and to many others,while attending there from 1983-1987. He was a gentle giant. He was large in stature as were his bronze creations. He and his art were powerful and monumental,perhaps intimidating at first glance.But he had a heart and spirit that was generous,gentle,kind and infectious. He guided me and allowed me great freedom while in his sculpture class,as he simultaneously counseled me about life.As persuasive and charasmatic as he was,he never succeeded in getting me to embrace the process of bronze casting in its entirety. Unfortunately, I was too impatient and unfocused but Mr. DeLonga recognized my ability to produce elaborately finished wax figures very quickly and charcoal drawings to accompany them, and so he encouraged me to do what I loved rather than follow his curriculum:)He teasingly called me "irreverent" as did another sculptor I met in recent years! I always thought that was ironic and funny because I tend to be such a rule follower.
Sadly, he passed away in 1991, a year after my daughter was born. He too is always in my heart and in my thoughts. I think he would laugh, because I have been sculpting a bit lately,(not in wax and never to cast) but he would know my true passion is for my drawing and painting.He might also be surprised that I abandoned all of it for 20 years but sincerely satisfied that I rediscovered and finally embraced it again:)
Reflecting on those who influenced my art and my life, many whom perhaps never knew, makes me particularly grateful at this moment.
So Mr. Olds and Mr.DeLonga, thank you and thank you M.H.for reminding me.

"The Art of Living": Infinite Hope and Strength

Carol Saylor is an artist. She used to paint and draw but has focused her efforts, as of late, on sculpting. Her work is exquisite and is meant to be touched, gently handled and "experienced." Some of her recent works resemble organic vessels that conceal delicately sculpted figures, faces, tear drops and other hidden objects. Unlike most art, Carol's work is intended to be caressed and explored. When you reach inside the clay forms, your hands discover unexpected treasures.

Carol painstakingly and lovingly creates figures that evoke a sense of sorrow, intense joy and beauty. Several of her pieces were inspired by Carol's youngest child, Alice, who succumbed to cancer in her early thirties, leaving behind three young daughters and a husband. Her absence is evident and still greatly felt.

I had the opportunity to spend some time with Carol Saylor this past week.It was marked by incessant conversation and laughter. Her home and her art are reflective of her energy and spirit. I believe Carol is uncomfortable continuously hearing that she providesincredible inspiration to others. For Carol, being blind and deaf, is "inconvenient" and "annoying." She is very matter of fact about the "choice" to live fully in the face of such obstacles.

Carol's "story" may seem tragic in some ways but it is incredibly wonderful as well. The "tragedy" is more a result of the loss of two children and her husband, than the loss of her vision and hearing. Carol seems to have drawn unimaginable strength from her art and her desire to live not only for herself but for her surviving and beloved children and grandchildren.

I hope that you will take time to view Carol Saylor's website: http://www.carolsaylor.com/ and watch her two part "youtube" video where she talks about her art, life and family. Carol generates most of her income from speaking engagements. She is eloquent and powerful in her thoughts and words. Technology enables her to "hear" and to effectively communicate. Carol was sighted and able to hear for some forty years. Her experience and perspective, having lived in "both" worlds, is manifested in more than just her impressive body of art work.

Carol Saylor is talented and inspiring and has chosen to embrace life and its "possibilities".

My visit with her was a gift.

"May you always "see" beauty in the world around you."

"Seeing" is a matter of perception.

Carol Saylor has never lost "sight" of what is most valuable.

Enjoy! -Jude