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Archive for February, 2009|Monthly archive page

the trials of an art journalist

In Uncategorized on February 6, 2009 at 5:15 pm

 

recycled-cd-51

Posted in ArtworkLiving Creatively at 7:00 am by deRomilly

I’m a sporadic journaler, or have been. Much like I’m a sporadic band sampler-maker (more on that in another post!) I have kept and abandoned journals and diaries of all kinds since I was 10.

My first was a little locking diary that my grandmother gave me. I remember it was red, and I got angry with it very quickly because it only had five lines per day, and they weren’t far enough apart to write in anyway. That attempt lasted about five days. (I was determined.)

When I was twelve, that grandmother – my special friend – died and I was very lonely. I don’ tknow what made me realize that I could journal in a spiral bound notebook — or that I could address entries to my Nini — but I did both. The letter-writing campaign helped me through my grief and the tribulations of Jr. High School.

I’ve been sporadic about it since — lots of writing — my journals were always words. I had sporadic sketchbooks of bad drawings as well, and steno pads full of novel notes — oh, and later a day planner which I still use for organization and calender-keeping.

Then in 2007 I took Sharon Boggon’s Studio Journal course online, and suddenly all of this had a point — sketchbook and sporadic journal have been consolidated — the “novels” none ever finished — will probably remain in steno pads and three-ring binders so that they stay together. Not to mention that writing fiction no longer appeals quite so much.

Then over the past year I discovered “art journaling” in a real way, rather than in the “oh look at those gorgeous pages in that artist’s journal, but why would I want to make that kind of art it’s not my cup of tea” kind of way. I still don’t think the making a beautiful page method will ever apply to my stuff — my art is more about playing with neat techniques and trying things out than getting deep into my soul — but i reserve the right to go wherever I feel like it in my journals — from bad art to bad poetry and up to great on both of those. ) And I’m shamelessly stealing techniques from the mixed media and art journalers. And by using the art journaling techniques such as Kelly Kilmer teaches in her Prompt a Day class (yes, I’m taking the February course…) and combining it with the splash and go method Ricë Freeman-Zachery propounds in her “journal spanks” prompts that just say that it’s YOUR book, just USE it! And combining it with Sharon’s “composting” method, I have to admit that my creativity has increased recently.

So if I’m missing from the blog for a post or two, don’t panic, I’m probably just stitching or painting! (Or shimmying, but that probably goes without saying! TWO count ‘em TWO shows this month!!!)

pen endorsement: pilot p-500 extra fine

In Uncategorized on February 6, 2009 at 5:10 pm

The Pilot P-500 Gel Ink Rollerball Pen, Extra Point, 0.5 mm, Black is just an amazing joy to write and draw with.  Here’s a couple of other fine endorsements from amazon.com.

Pilot(R) P-500 Gel Ink Rollerball Pens, Extra-Fine Point, 0.5 mm, Black, Pack of 12

 

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Head and feet above the rest., February 14, 2006
By   - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Well, this pen is unbelievable. 
It’s a Gel pen that lasts and lasts. 
Forget about having your V-ball not write for a couple of seconds after you took it out of your pocket. (V-ball’s liquid ink takes a few seconds to flow) This pen is ready to write every single time. 
It actually writes finer than the V-ball. Trust me, I didn’t believe it myself at first. 
I am a resident at a hospital and after writing all day this pen is a joy. (no cramps like with regular ballpoint, no frustration like with the V-ball) 
Hands down the best gel pen out there. 
If you like a thicker line it even comes in 0.7. 
The ink dries instantaneously. 

I highly recommend this pen to everyone.

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite pen. Period., December 14, 2006
By   (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I can’t believe I’m writing a review of a pen, but this has been my favorite for years. It’s virtually impossible to find the P-500 in office supply stores (the thicker 0.7mm P-500 is the one sold by Office Max, Target, etc), but the P-500 has typically been a “special order”. I like that it makes a very smooth, consistent line (lots of gel rollers “hiccup” and leave blank spaces on the page) and writes first time, every time. I also prefer the finer point of the P-500 because I often write quite small and it makes a very precise line. Like other reviewers, I’ve bought more expensive technical pens, but none has matched up to this “pedestrian” drug store pen. I doubt I’ll ever write another review of a pen, but this one is worth it.

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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Best pen in the world, October 17, 2006
By   (Tampa, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I know some crazy people who like ballpoints and just don’t like this pen, but I love it. I’m sure you could go buy some fancy boutique brand for hundreds of dollars or an artist-specific brand and really expensive ink, but for something off the shelf, there’s nothing better. 

The ink is smooth and consistent. The fine tip is super precise. It feels great in your hand. For writing or drawing this is just plain the best pen in the world. 

Unfortunately they are getting harder to find in stores so buy a bunch now and stockpile them!

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vermeer lovers: get thee to the nga in feb

In Uncategorized on February 6, 2009 at 5:08 pm

The National Gallery of Art is featuring some great podcasts and lectures during February on Vermeer.  

THIS MONTH’S FEATURED ARTWORK FROM THE COLLECTION: WOMAN HOLDING A BALANCE BY JOHANNES VERMEER

WOMAN HOLDING A BALANCE BY JOHANNES VERMEERVermeer’s Woman Holding a Balance is an allegorical scene that urges us to conduct our lives with temperance and moderation. The painting within the painting offers an important clue: theLast Judgment is placed directly behind the woman, who holds a balance and stands before a table strewn with earthly treasures. Her contemplative gaze, as she waits for the balance to reach equilibrium, seems to acknowledge that temporal decisions will have eternal consequences. On view in the West Building, Main Floor, Gallery 50C. Learn more in our new video podcast,Vermeer: Master of LightThe Music Lesson, Part 1, and Girl with the Red Hat, Part 2.
http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=1236 (Woman Holding a Balance) 
http://www.nga.gov/cgi-bin/tbio?tperson=1951 (Vermeer biography)
http://www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.shtm#video (Vermeer: Master of Light, The Music Lesson, Part 1—video podcast)
http://www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.shtm#video (Vermeer: Master of Light, Girl with the Red Hat, Part 2—video podcast)
http://www.nga.gov/podcasts/index.shtm#audio (The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger Han van Meegeren—audio podcast)
http://shop.nga.gov/nga/category.cgi?item=410000279342 (purchase The Man Who Made Vermeers: Unvarnishing the Legend of Master Forger Han van Meegeren)
http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg51/gg51-main1.html (Johannes Vermeer and Dutch Scenes of Daily Life in the 1600s online tour)

color and career choice

In Uncategorized on February 6, 2009 at 5:05 pm

 

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I came across this article and career testing based on color preferences, which as an art therapist intrigued me. Here is what it’s all about:
Can Your Favorite Color Determine Your Perfect Job?
Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer

 

Do you ever wish finding the perfect job could be as easy as 1, 2, 3? According to new research, it might be as easy as red, yellow or blue.

That’s right; by determining which primary, secondary and achromatic colors you prefer most and least, you can figure out a successful career path based on how you approach work, the types of workplaces where you work best and how you handle work tasks.
The Color Career Counselor, powered by The Dewey Color System — the world’s only validated, non-language color-based career testing instrument — uses color preferences to determine successful career paths. Dewey Sadka, author of “The Dewey Color System,” says using colors instead of a questionnaire eliminates the chasm between self-perception and self-truth and reveals your core motivations.
“What if you misinterpret a [career assessment] question or the choices don’t reflect your personality?” Sadka asks. “Color preference indicates your personality’s best career fit. Preferred colors indicate passionate career pursuits; non-preferred choices establish workplace skills you least enjoy.”
How it works
The Color Career Counselor is simple. First, you click your preferred primary color (red, yellow or blue). From there, you choose your preferred secondary (green, purple or orange) and achromatic (black, white or brown) colors.
“Your preferred colors determine how you attack each task. They indicate your talents — what you prioritize first in order to be successful. They also highlight what you overdo, especially when you feel great,” Sadka says.
For example, if you’re partial to yellow, you’re information-driven; blue preference people are idea-driven and people who prefer red are results-driven. If you favor green as your secondary color, you realistically evaluate situations; purple indicates you like fact-finding possibilities and orange signals that you scrutinize feasibility. Finally, if black is your choice from the achromatic colors, you consider value above all else; white shows that you like having options and brown confirms that you like implementation and accomplishing tasks.
On the other hand, your least preferred colors determine tasks and issues that you tend to forget.
For example, if your least favorite color is orange, sometimes you over-commit yourself by trying to do too much at once. If you dislike the color green, you try to fix everything for your colleagues rather than making them do it themselves. Or, if your least favorite is teal, you feel a deep need to prove you are competent and you don’t care what other people think.
In managing these areas head-on, Sadka says you won’t miss the incidentals that could impede your success.
Put to the test
To see for myself if this “scientific” test was for real, I took the test three different times and got the same results each time, affirming that I am, in fact, in the right career.
I’m a “creator,” says the Color Career Counselor. I’m “nonconforming, impulsive, expressive, romantic, intuitive, sensitive and emotional.” It says I enjoy working independently, being creative, using my imagination and constantly learning something new.
For my suggested “creator occupations,” I was given an extensive list of careers that included jobs I’ve considered (architectinterior decoratorEnglish teacher), jobs people told me I should pursue (authorcreative directorpublic relations) and jobs that I currently hold or aspire to in the future (reporter and editor).
What about you?
So are you a researcher, creator, social manager, persuader, doer or organizer? To find out what career path you should be following based on your preferred colors, here are a few examples of what certain choices say about you, and the careers and skills that compliment them.
If you prefer: yellow, purple and white: You’re the communicator.
You create profitable perspectives — how to break into new accounts or be heard by other employees. By simply identifying a client’s point of view, you develop strategies that open doors, even if they had already been shut. Your excellent communication skills can create problem-solving forums. Careers in corporate communicationsmarketing or religious occupations work best.
If you prefer: red, green and black: You’re the investor.
You know the value of money and resources, as well as the intrinsic worth of each co-worker’s contributions. Your supportive, yet analytical personality works best in financeaccounting,bankingmanufacturingproperty managementproduction analysisinvestmentmoney managementconsultingproduct sales or teaching.
If you prefer: blue, orange and brown: You’re the activist.
Your strong community beliefs and no-nonsense approach improves services for those around you. Occupations where you can improve existing specifications or impact social values work best for you. Consider careers in engineeringbuilding, or developing new programs, companies or products. Also consider law enforcementfirefightingsocial or government work.
These are only a few of hundreds of different color profiles. For your own free career evaluation, please visit: http://www.careerpath.com/career-tests/colorcareercounselor.aspx.
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.
I took the test myself, and as an art therapist, I’m glad that the results came out the way they did! It’s nice to know I’m in the right field.
BEST OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY 
You’re a CREATOR
Key Words: Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional
These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.
CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.
CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-_expression work best with your free-spirited nature.
Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.

2nd BEST OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORY

You’re a PERSUADER
Key Words: Witty, Competitive, Sociable, Talkative, Ambitious, Argumentative, and Aggressive
These enterprising types sell, persuade, and lead others. Positions of leadership, power, and status are usually their ultimate goal. Persuasive people like to take financial and interpersonal risks and to participate in competitive activities. They enjoy working with others inside organizations to accomplish goals and achieve economic success.

 


morgan weistling's the gardener

In Uncategorized on February 6, 2009 at 5:03 pm

Morgan Weistling’s contemporary impressionism describes the innocence and wonder of a timeless America, as well as the beauty of everyday moments. Weistling is inspired by country life and particularly the lives of children with their irrepressible urge to explore. Morgan says of his model “Her name is Jessica and I discovered her while she attended a Christmas play. As soon as I saw her, painting ideas began to come to me. I imagined her coming in from her grandmother’s garden with her newly picked prizes.”

In the tradition of the artist’s irresistible recent releases Spilled Milk and Juicy PeachThe Gardener portrays the magical innocence of a darling garden helper, in her straw hat and crisp white apron, from a not-too-distant rural American past. She holds her beets tentatively, perhaps because of her white apron! Who wouldn’t want this little gardener’s help?

Greenwich Workshop Fine Art Giclée Canvas:
limited to 75 s/n.
16″w x 26″h.
$595
Ask About Availability

artists atelier: working studios & fine art gallery invitation 2/6/9

In Uncategorized on February 6, 2009 at 5:00 pm

mapleleafonblue21

You’re Cordially Invited

Join Us This Friday at the Artists’ Atelier: the Working Studios and Fine Art Gallery of 15 Artists. This Friday, we welcome two new Atelier members:  Walt Lawrence and Jenna Klimchak. Come share a glass of wine or sparkling water and light refreshments before or after dinner … and enjoy viewing the latest art fresh off the easel. Think Valentine’s Day gifts…

Please bring along the art enthusiasts in your life!

WHAT:      First Friday Open Studios at the Artists’ Atelier
WHEN:      Friday, February 6, 7-9pm
WHERE: The Artists’ Atelier
          1144 Walker Rd., Suite G
          Great Falls, VA

I hope to see you there!

The Atelier Open Hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays Noon-4pm and the First Friday of Every Month. 

double vision @ touchstone

In Uncategorized on February 6, 2009 at 4:57 pm

February 11 – March 28, 2009
“DOUBLE VISION II”
50 pieces of artwork
50 local area artists

Opening Reception: Friday, February 13, 2009 6 – 8:30 pm

 
Touchstone Gallery will host its second “Double Vision II” exhibition in February and March 2009.  For the show, each of the thirty member artists will exhibit one artwork along with an artwork by an invited guest artist. This creative approach to an exhibition offers an exciting opportunity to showcase a variety of unique artworks from local artists. This is a show to be seen and enjoyed.

For over thirty years, this artist-owned gallery has been serving the Washington community. Touchstone continues to present new work by raising and established artists. The gallery has earned a reputation as an important venue for contemporary art. From representational to abstract, hard edge to impressionistic; sculpture, painting, photography and many other art forms the gallery offers a large array of visual voices.

DoubleVision2

Artists participating: Steve Alderton and Tim Johnson, Betsy Forster and Dot Svendson, Charles St. Charlesand Walter Smalling, Marcia Coppel and IURRO, Michele Cormier and Marc Dubois, Tory Cowles and Carolyn Johnson, Mari DeMaris and Kevin Mellema, Leslie A. Johnston and Christine Elias, Peter Karp and Paula Wachsstock, Harvey Kupferberg and Ulrich Stein, Mike Lang and Jack Eisenberg, Paula Lantz and Roberta Glick, Lauren Shea Little and Rachel Danish Kistner, Emery J. Lewis and Tom Harris, Teresa Roberts Logan and Mark Lunning, Rosemary Luckett and Jeanne Garant, Newton More and Loren Rosenstein, Nancy Novickand Jane Trainor, Mary D. Ott and Anne Marchand, Michelle Rogers and Jackie Hoysted, Janathel Shaw and Winston Harris, Mary Trent-Scottand Marguerite Thayer, Rima Schulkind and Roberta Morgan, Dina Volkova and Ksenia Grishkova, Janet Wheeler and Helen Corning, Cynthia Young and Carol Lopatin.  
Click here see full press release as PDF file

 

Click on the links below to download HI-RES jpg images:

Tide-pools and Eddies by Rima Schulkind

(member)

For more information or to receive HI-RES jpg images directly via e-mail please contact Ksenia Grishkova at touchstonegallery@verizon.net

 
 

__________________________________________________________________ 

 

ABOUT TOUCHSTONE GALLERY: 
Touchstone Gallery has been a prominent, artist-owned gallery since 1976. The gallery moved in 1996 to an elegant and spacious location at 7th and D street NW in downtown Washington. At this 3000-plus square-foot location, Touchstone is based in the heart of an active art scene, with several exhibition spaces in the immediate area.

world water week – deadline 2/6/9

In Uncategorized on February 6, 2009 at 4:55 pm

Please see www.tapdc.org for more information.

DC Call Boxes – Golden Triangle Art On Call

In Uncategorized on February 6, 2009 at 4:53 pm

Golden Triangles Art On Call

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You may have noticed in your travels around DC the many old non functioning call boxes still standing in place in many neighborhoods around town. The call boxes were installed throughout the city after the Civil War as a means of communication for Police and Firefighters but now many serve as displays for some very interesting street art.

Dupont recently refurbushed most of their call box art (pictured) and added a few new ones. Most around town have a little description about the artist and the art, but the ones in the Golden Triangle have taken it to another level with an online tour. The Golden Triangle BID has turned 9 of the historic call boxes into Art on Call and put together a nice little online tour with descriptions up on their site

Need a little break from the office? Maybe go for a walk and check out the art that you may have missed rushing by as you go to and from work. There is call box art all over town including along U Street, Foggy Bottom, and Dupont. Anyone have any particular favorites?

[Photo: Erica Nofi][Article Credit:  http://dcmetrocentric.com/2009/02/03/golden-triangles-art-on-call/]

washington project for the arts auction gala 3/7/9

In Uncategorized on February 6, 2009 at 4:47 pm

 

For more information:auction.wpadc.org 202.234.7103×4aatkinson@wpadc.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Download an invitation:
WPA AUC 09 PDF Invite

 

Indulge your passion for the arts 
at the Washington Project for the Arts
28th Annual Art Auction Gala

March 7, 2009
American University’s Katzen Arts Center
6:00 pm to midnight

Reservations include:
Cocktail Reception, 6:00 pm
Seated Dinner, 7:00 pm
Silent Auction Bidding and Party in the American University Museum, 8:30pm
Multimedia entertainment and music produced by Xwww.xculture.tv

$300
Table and Corporate Packages available.
Reserve on-line at: auction.wpadc.org

Featuring the artwork of local and national artists selected by:
Margaret Boozer, Red Dirt Studio
Georgia Deal, Corcoran College of Art & Design
Mark Alice Durant, University of Maryland Baltimore County
Kimberly Gladfelter Graham, Independent Curator
Daniel Kunitz, The Village Voice
Luis Silva, American University
Matthew Witkovsky, The Art Institute of Chicago

2009 Auction Committee
Ludmila Cafritz and Kimberly Casey, Co-chairs
Alissa Greer
Daryl Judy
Stephanie Lemer
Erin Mackay
Meredith Margolis
Marisa Michnick
Jessica Naresh
Frederick P. Ognibene, MD
Mary Margaret Plumridge
Jan Rothschild
Andres Tremols