Five Years Later

The disastrous aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is still fresh in our minds, five years after that deluge. People died, a legendary American city was vanquished, and Gulf coast natives lost their homes, property, jobs and loved ones. We are still recovering from this devastating event.

I have not forgotten it. I recently challenged myself to paint a series based on present-day disasters. One of those paintings sprang from Katrina. While painting, I remembered riding through Gulf states a few months after the hurricane, flying over the region when I left, and witnessing a ravaged New Orleans. I returned a few months ago and was pleased to see NOLA recovering, slowly but surely. Imminent Threat 3 perhaps represents my modest tribute to the families affected by Katrina.

Back From A Workshop

This past week I attended a Directed Individual Study workshop with my art coach, Steve Aimone, and 10 other artists at central Florida's beautiful art refuge, Atlantic Center for the Arts.

We had the opportunity to paint and work 24/7. It was intense, great fun, and we all found new colleagues or deepened old friendships. I've included a few of my photos from this wonderful retreat.

If you are looking for a fun event, think about attending the opening of 100 % Pure Florida in Melbourne, FL. On September 3rd, this popular annual show opens at Fifth Avenue Art Gallery, located at 1470 Highland Ave., Melbourne, in the Eau Gallie Arts District. The gallery and the district come alive with music, refreshments, entertainment and, of course, this juried opening. This year, the competition was fierce: of more than 260 pieces of art, only 64 works were selected for this show. The opening reception will run between 5:30 and 9 p.m. My art is once again featured.

Witness to Creativity

From July 15th through the 23rd, 2010, I've been assisting my friend, mixed media fiber artist Fran Gardner, at the Florida Museum for Women Artists. The Museum is located at 100 N. Woodlawn Avenue in De Land. The Museum has invited 7 artists to create 6 installation pieces for this show. The artists have been hard at work during this time, creating their art andinteracting with visitors to the Museum.

Fran's installation focuses on the endangered bird species affected by the Deepwater oil spill. Her art, entitled "Habitat: Witness to the Gulf oil spill," concentrates on 8 different bird species. Under her direction, I have painted the fabric panels that she has pieced. Fran then stitches into each panel with silky, luminous threads and incorporates the image and name of the bird and visitor comments. Dialog between visitors and the artists is encouraged. They too witness the progression of each panel and their installation. The finished panels are then suspended from the Museum's Margaret Lee Gallery ceiling by silver wire.

A birdbath is prepared and will ultimately hold a bird's nest and replicas of bird eggs.

Visitors are encouraged to stop by, interact with Fran and me, and provide their input.

They may even find their words concerning this project or the Deepwater oil spill documented in this art!

All work by each of the six artists must be completed by July 23, 2010. The exhibit will run through August 29th. On August 21st at 2 p.m., the Museum will host a meet-the-artist event. The 6 artists will be discussing their respective installations with those who attend.

Go Figure

This coming Sunday, central Florida's popular annual juried figure show, Figuratively Speaking, opens at the Art League of Daytona Beach, 433 S. Palmetto Ave., Daytona Beach. Participating artists statewide are invited to submit art portraying the human figure in an environment. This year, Harry Messersmith will serve as the exhibit's juror. I hope that you can see the show. The opening will be on Sun., July 11th, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served and the prize-winners will be announced. The exhibition continues for a month, with the galleries of the ALDB remaining open daily between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. One of my two entries, Another Day, is shown above.

The Hollingsworth Gallery, Suites 209 & 210 in City Walk, 160 Cypress Point Pkwy., Palm Coast, FL, will host an encore reception for its Abstract exhibit this coming Saturday, July 10th, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Artists will be present to meet and greet. My work is featured, including Visceral, below. The exhibit will continue through August 7th. Check out this wonderful new gallery's website for more information:

www.hollingsworthgallery.com

Abstract Show

I hope that you can catch a great abstract art exhibition at Hollingsworth Gallery, located at 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite 210B, Palm Coast, FL. The gallery is featuring abstract two- and three-dimensional art from select southeastern artists. Some of my art will be exhibited, including Three Cups Of Tea.

The exhibit opens on Saturday, June 12th, 2010 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. Light refreshments will be offered. The show runs through August 7th, 2010. Please check this link for more information about this beautiful gallery: http://www.hollingsworthgallery.com/Home.html.

New Shows

On April 22, 2010, my art will be featured at the Armory Arts Center, 1700 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL, in an exhibit that will run through May 14th. This show, entitled simply Armory Watch for Excellence, features the art of 12 artists selected by the Armory's Director and Curator for a mentoring program that will continue for two years. During this time, selected artists are followed in their studios and encouraged to produce a new body of work for exhibition at the Armory. I am one of those. For more information about this incredible, historic arts center, please visit its website: http://armoryart.org/.

On May 7th, 2010, my art will be featured in Dialography, a solo exhibition at the beautiful iGallery, located within the Campus Crusade, 100 Lake Hart Drive, Orlando, FL. There will be an opening reception that day from 2-3 p.m. The exhibit will continue through June 30th, A 'lunch with the artist' reception will also be held in June. More information will be forthcoming.

You're Invited!

You are warmly invited to attend the opening of Across the Universe at the Art League of Daytona Beach on March 7, 2010. On March 27, 2010, artist/sculptor/art historian, Louise Lieber, will moderate a gallery talk and panel discussion with the three artists. The events are free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served.

Also, on Monday, March 29th and Tuesday, March 30th, Fran and I will be painting and creating at the studios of the ALDB. Anyone is welcome to stop in between 10 a.m.-12noon and 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. those days to see what we're creating and for a private tour of the exhibit with the artists.