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| Vol. 21, No. 5 | March 2011 |
| Celebrate Youth Art Month, National Craft Month, Women's History Month…and the arrival of Spring! |
Artist ProfileSol LeWitt (1928-2007)Solomon (Sol) LeWitt was born in 1928 in Hartford, CT, to a family of Russian Jewish immigrants. His father died when LeWitt was very young and he was raised by his mother and an aunt. He earned a BFA from Syracuse University in 1949 and, upon graduation, traveled Europe and was able to see, admire and study works of the Great Masters. He returned in time to serve in the Korean War, after which he moved to New York (1953). LeWitt maintained a studio on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and studied at the School of Visual Arts. He also continued his study of design while working for Seventeen magazine, where he did paste-ups and mechanicals, and was a graphic designer for an architectural office, as well. Through work as a night receptionist and clerk at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), many influences began that would appear in his future work. Because of his friendships with Robert Ryman, Dan Flavin and Robert Mangold along with curator Dorothy Miller, by 1960 LeWitt became part of an exciting and important group of artists (including Frank Stella and Jasper Johns), all of whom participated in MoMA’s “Sixteen Americans” exhibit. LeWitt is considered the founder of both Minimal and Conceptual Art. The sheer number of works—two- and three-dimensional—range from wall drawings (1,200+) to hundreds of works on paper. Also included were sculptures in the shapes of towers, pyramids, geometrics and progressions. Size mattered! Some of LeWitt’s works are gallery-sized installations. He drew directly onto walls and many of his works evolved from early serial sculptures based on the cube. This theme would echo throughout his career. An interest in serial works led LeWitt to produce more than 50 artist’s books from 1966 to 2002. This interest prompted him to found Printed Matter, an organization to publish and disseminate artists’ books. In the mid-1980’s LeWitt began work with concrete blocks followed by works on paper and gouache (opaque watercolor) that concentrated on contrasts. His sculptures were often based on rows or stacks of open, connected cubes. He used precise mathematics to design and execute his formats. Sol LeWitt was one of the most influential and main art figures of his time. His talents and interests knew no limits and his works span a wide range of media. Sculpture changed forever with his influence and the repetition of his serial works. LeWitt’s works are highly valued, with a Christie’s auction record of $520,000 in 2006 for a three-dimensional structure titled “Wall Floor Piece #1” (1976). LeWitt was the opposite of a celebrity artist and tried to suppress media interest by refusing to pose or be interviewed. One thing he particularly disliked was having his photo in the newspaper or magazines. He turned down awards to stay out of the spotlight and to prevent photos/interviews. Throughout his life Sol LeWitt’s works were deceptively simple, geometric designs, mostly based on spheres, triangles and other basic shapes. This practice established him as the high priest of modern American art. On April 8, 2007, Sol LeWitt died in New York at age 78. His conceptualist and minimalist works and use of geometric shapes and lines were used to challenge and engage his viewers. They still seem logical sometimes and other times they seem to have no basis in reality. It may be that this very conflict of dimension is his appeal.
Sol LeWitt Exhibitions —Sol LeWitt: 2D+3D is at the Friedman Gallery, Walker Art Center, in Minneapolis, MN, through April 24. Showcased is a range of artwork, from his drawings and prints to sculptures based on carefully conceived geometric systems. With more than 50 pieces, the exhibition also includes maquettes, wall drawings and a selection of the artist’s books that link LeWitt to practitioners of conceptual art. —Sol LeWitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective opened in Nov. 2008 at MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA, and is on view for 25 years (2033). Conceived in collaboration with the artist before his death, the exhibition comprises 105 large-scale wall drawings that occupy nearly an acre of specially built interior walls that have been installed over three stories of a historic mill building. The works are on loan from numerous private and public collections worldwide.
Art Competitions & OpportunitiesWorkspace 2011-2012: Open - Call for
Applications - Studio Residency Program - Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Workspace is a 9-month studio residency program focused on the creative process and professional development for emerging visual artists and writers. Through the program’s offerings—which include studio space, studio visits, talks and seminars, access to a network of peers and public programs—Workspace encourages creative production, professional development and community building in the early stages of an artist’s career. http://www.lmcc.net/residencies/workspace Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors - Arts
Center/Old Forge - Old Forge, NY This 30th Annual Exhibition is open to all living artists working with watermedia on unvarnished paper. Accepted media include acrylics, casein, egg tempera, gouache, inks and transparent and opaque watercolor. No size restrictions. Cash awards. http://www.artscenteroldforge.org/exhibitions.cfm?newsitem_id=24&action=view. National Society of Painters in Casein and Acrylic - Salmagundi
Club - New York, NY The 57th Annual is open to artists working in the USA, who may submit original paintings in casein, acrylic and egg tempera. Maximum dimension 50” horizontally, frame included. Cash awards. http://www.nationalsocietyofpaintersincaseinandacrylic.org/.
Kids’ KornerThe Amazing Crayon: Hot Rocks, Confetti, Batik and Stained GlassAnd you thought crayons were just for filling in shapes and designs in a coloring book! There are lots of cool things you can do with crayons and have tons of fun in the process. Following will be ideas to create decorative rocks, recycle old, broken crayons or crayon shavings into new and exciting drawing tools and art, plus make batik on paper that will be nice enough to frame or give as a gift. Hot Rocks: Talk about fun! All you need to make original “art rocks” are smooth stones (flat, even surfaces take the color best), peeled crayons and newspaper to cover the table. Adults are needed to warm the rocks, but after that, the kids can have total control of their “painting” with the vivid and rich colors of crayons. Put the rocks on an aluminum foil-covered tray. Place in an oven heated to 350 degrees and leave for 15 minutes. Remove – remember the stones are hot! - so handle them with potholders. Set a rock out for each child to design. The heated stone will melt the wax of the crayon. The harder you press, the more color and wax is applied to the surface. Mix colors, design borders, abstract or realistic…the artist controls the entire effect. Allow the stones to cool and then use them as paperweights, doorstops, treasures on a bookshelf, pet rocks…you decide. Confetti: Crayons are also used in other amazing crafts. Use broken bits or break crayons into pieces to make confetti crayon patties. Line muffin tins with muffin papers and put chips and chunks of crayon in each (enough to cover the bottom of the tin). Place in a 250 degree preheated oven and leave for 10-12 minutes or until the chunks are melted. Remove from the oven and immediately place in the freezer for 10 minutes to set the patties. Then simply peel off the muffin paper and you’re ready to draw. These are easy and fun, since colors mingle and change with each stroke. Other shapes can be made by using metal cookie cutters with muffin papers shaped to fit. Be creative with the shapes and colors you use. Batik: Crayon batik is beautiful and can be used to create lovely gifts and cool artworks for your home. Draw with crayons on heavy paper, using bold strokes to apply heavy color. Upon completion, crunch up the drawing, making cracks in the design. Then flatten the paper and apply a wash of watercolor over the entire drawing. Where there are cracks in the wax and anyplace there is no wax the watercolor wash will paint the paper. The end result is a unique, dynamic looking original artwork, most likely suitable for framing. If you don’t like the first one, do another. They are fun to make, look like a real master artist’s work and would delight any recipient. Stained Glass: Crayon shavings, made by scraping scissor blades against any crayon, can be used to make neat “stained glass” art. Shave different colors onto waxed paper. Cover with another sheet of waxed paper. Lay out on newsprint or an old cloth and press with an iron to melt the crayon and join the papers together. You can either create a “pane” of glass or cut the paper into different shapes. Great ornaments, valentines, holiday greeting card decorations and more can be made in this fashion. It’s easy, fun and the results are amazing. Lastly, the simplest of drawings made in crayon on paper can be lightly pressed with an iron to make a shimmery and lovely art piece. Any crayon drawing can be pressed from the back side to make permanent the wax lines and areas on the front. The change brought about by the heat transforms the drawing into “high fashion” art. Grab all your old crayon bits and pieces and create some super cool items. All are fun and very easy.
Youth Art Exhibitions—Celebrate 17 years of the Maine Art Education Association’s annual Youth Art Month Exhibition at the Portland Museum of Art. Featured will be more than 100 works of art by students in recognition of the value and importance that art education plays in Maine schools. Mar. 1 – April 3. Celebration reception March 5, 5 – 7:30 p.m. Free admission. 207.775.6148. www.portlandmuseum.org. —Drawing Out: Student Artwork from the Drawing Connections Program will be on view at The Drawing Center, NYC, from April 6-9. Featured will be group projects by approximately 100 students from the “Drawing Connections” program, which pairs practicing artists with teachers in lower Manhattan public schools to develop projects that relate classroom curricula to exhibitions at The Drawing Center. Reception April 6, 5-7 p.m. 212.219.2166. www.drawingcenter.org. Medal Winner
The Caldecott Medal was named in honor of 19th C. English illustrator Randolph Caldecott and is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Free ARTLAB+ Design Studio for TeensThe Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, DC, presents a free ARTLAB+ for teens. Video provides the opportunity to create a video series; in Web you’ll document art, transform a website and add your photos to it; in Podcast you’ll learn to interpret art at the museum and make a podcast; in Animation you’ll work with a professional animator, create a short film and screen your work in the Hirshhorn; and in Creative Consulting you’ll work with museum staff to plan events and create programs for you and your friends. Registration required. Details at http://hirshhorn.si.edu/calendar/event.asp?key=4&subkey=743.
Art Events & ExhibitionsSchedules sometimes change, so it’s best to confirm events in advance. Judy Chicago Tapestries: Woven by Audrey Cowan - March 1 – June 19 - Museum of Arts and Design - New York, NY – This exhibition celebrates the generous gift by tapestry weaver Audrey Cowan (and her husband Bob) of the archive documenting her collaboration with Judy Chicago, the internationally renowned artist, feminist and educator. See a behind-the-scenes view of their creative process in which Chicago designed tapestries that Cowan then interpreted in thread. Featured are original sketches, initial and final studies, black/white cartoons and wood engravings hung next to nine finished tapestries. From Art into Landscape Lecture - March 12 – Winterthur Museum, Winterthur, DE – 11 a.m. – Noon. Landscape architect and artist W. Gary Smith explores the various ways artists unleash their creativity and create inspiring gardens. With illustrations from his own repertoire of gardens and artworks, along with lessons from historic gardens such as Winterthur, Smith will demonstrate how to create gardens that connect a local sense of place with a personal sense of art and design. Admission. (Free to WGLS and Garden Associates Members) Registration: 800.448.3883 or 302.888.4600. www.winterthur.org. 27th Annual Bouquets to Art - March 15-19 - deYoung Museum - San Francisco, CA – Featured will be 150 floral arrangements by prominent Bay Area designers and garden clubs that interpret and complement the museum’s permanent collection. Also scheduled are the opening night preview party, luncheons, lectures and afternoon teas. Info/tickets: www.bouquetstoart.org. Art in Bloom: A Tribute to Art and Flowers - March 31 – April 3 – Milwaukee Art Museum – WI – Enjoy exquisite floral creations by Milwaukee’s top floral designers inspired by the Museum’s collection of master works. Guest appearances, presentations and lectures focused on landscaping are planned. Some events require tickets (advance ticket orders must be received by Mar. 25) and/or reservations. 414.224.3803. www.mam.org/bloom. 24th Annual Arts Advocacy Day - April 4-5 - Omni Shoreham Hotel - Washington, DC – This is the only national event that brings together a broad cross-section of America’s cultural and civic organizations, along with hundreds of grassroots advocates from across the country, to underscore the importance of developing strong public policies and appropriating increased public funding for the arts. Learn, network and be heard by your members of Congress when you visit them to make the case for the arts and arts education. Info/Register at www.americansforthearts.org/events/2011/aad/default.asp. NY: 212.223.2787; DC: 202.371.2830 Gustav Stickley and the American Arts & Crafts Movement – Through May 8 - Dallas Museum of Art - TX – This exhibition offers the first comprehensive examination of the life and work of the recognized patriarch of the American Arts & Crafts movement. Included are over 100 works produced by Stickley’s designers and workshops, including furniture, metalwork, lighting and textiles, along with drawings and related designs. Also featured is a re-creation of Stickley’s seminal model dining room from his 1903 Syracuse Arts & Crafts exhibition. Travels to the San Diego Museum of Art.
AirbrushThe Ubiquitous AirbrushIt’s amazing how prevalent the airbrush has become on cable television programs today. First it was a tool seen and used on custom automotive/motorcycle shows, such as “American Chopper.” Then it began to pop up here and there on food-centered programs, with chefs using it to decorate cakes, chocolate, sugar sculptures and more. Viewers could immediately see how quick and easy this process was to add color, designs and shadows or highlights. To continue this trend, Syfy has a new reality series called FaceOff, a Battle of Imagination and Transformation— http://www.syfy.com/faceoff/about. In this show a group of special-effects makeup artists compete each week “to create amazing works of living art” in a process of elimination. Challenges include executing full body paint makeup on models and creating a horror villain. Other skill sets are called upon as well, including sculpting, casting and molding, and more. A full-color, full-page ad in The New York Times for FaceOff showed an image of makeup being applied with the airbrush (in addition to other regularly used tools/implements). With so many different artists now utilizing airbrush in their work, here are a few basic tips for newcomers to this technique. You’ll never get started airbrushing unless you can get the paint to spray. If results aren’t seen quickly, it may be too easy to give up on the technique, and that would be a shame. Some people don’t realize that basic techniques are the same for all disciplines; it doesn’t matter what material you intend to spray (acrylics or enamels, dyes or inks, makeup or food dye, body paint, etc.) on what surface (paper or canvas, fingernails or skin, pastry or chocolate, metal or plastic, etc.).
It’s recommended to first practice with black ink/airbrush paint on white paper. Use simple exercises such as dots, thin lines (with no barbells at the ends), and a soft gradation of spray until you become comfortable with the airbrush and have a good understanding of what effects it can produce. Afterward you can move on to your particular discipline and learn how to use and experiment with media and grounds that are specific to your application.
ArtPourriMedals of Freedom Presented – American artist Jasper Johns was among 15 individuals recently awarded a 2010 Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama. “Bold and iconic, the work of Jasper Johns has left lasting impressions on countless Americans.…Jasper Johns’ innovative creations helped shape the pop, minimal and conceptual art movements, and the United States honors him for his profound influence on generations of artists.” Winner Takes Art – Through a tradition of friendly wagers, the Carnegie Museum of Art and the Milwaukee Art Museum ventured temporary loans of major artworks based on the outcome of Super Bowl XLV. As a result of the Green Bay Packers’ victory, the Carnegie Museum will be loaning Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s Bathers with Crab to the Milwaukee Museum. Auction News – At Christie’s, a recently rediscovered Self-Portrait (1967) of Andy Warhol brought $17.4 million, more than twice the pre-sale estimate. At Sotheby’s, Renaissance master Titian’s A Sacra Conversazione: The Madonna and Child with Saints Luke and Catherine of Alexandria sold for $16.9 million and broke a 20-year record for the artist at auction. Also, Picasso’s iconic 1932 painting of Marie-Therese Walter, La Lecture, sold for $40.7 million, more than double the low estimate. State of the Arts Updated – In the first update to its National Arts Index , Americans for the Arts reports that the Index has plummeted 6.2 points since the onset of the Great Recession. However, in the last decade the number of cultural and ethnically specific arts organizations has doubled. Other findings: There are more professional artists in the workforce; and participation in the arts has changed with attendance numbers at artistic institutions remaining flat, but personal arts creation and arts volunteerism is growing. See more at www.americansforthearts.org/go/ArtsIndex. New Postal Stamp Issued – Fortieth President Ronald Reagan has been honored by the U. S. Postal Service with the issuance of a commemorative Forever Stamp in celebration of the centennial year of his birth. The stamp art by Bart Forbes of Plano, TX, was created in oil wash on board and is based on a photo taken in 1985. Art/Archive Acquired – The Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the J. Paul Getty Trust have announced their joint acquisition of art and archival materials by or associated with Robert Mapplethorpe, one of the great photographers of the twentieth century. The majority comes in the form of a gift from the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation and the remainder from funds provided by The David Geffen Foundation and the J. Paul Getty Trust. The acquisition covers more than 2,000 works of art, and the museums are planning a collaborative series of monographic exhibitions.
Copyright ARTtalk Vol. 21, No. 5 — March 2011 |
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The 2011 Caldecott Medal winner is A
Sick Day for Amos McGee, illustrated by Erin E. Stead and written by
Philip C. Stead. A Neal Porter Book, publisher is Roaring Brook Press, a
division of Holtzbrinck Publishing. Erin Stead’s delicate woodblock prints and
fine pencil work complement the text to create a well-paced, gentle and
satisfying book. 2011 Honor Books include Dave the Potter: Artist,
Poet, Slave, illustrated by Bryan Collier, and Interrupting
Chicken, written and illustrated by David Ezra Stein.
The first thing to learn is how to hold and trigger the airbrush.
Keep in mind that the airbrush is held the same as a pen or pencil with the
index finger on the trigger, no matter if you are left- or right-handed.
Southpaws and others sometimes mistakenly try to trigger the airbrush with
their thumb. This limits the ability to sight down the airbrush to see where
you are painting and also limits hand movement. Secondly, when triggering the
airbrush, you first press straight down with the trigger finger. You’ll hear
the air coming out. And then pull back on the trigger to release paint. Pulling
further back on the trigger allows a greater volume of paint to be sprayed.
Keep in mind that the trigger must be fully depressed first.
