OC Art Blog

Opening Reception at All Media 2010 and Bill Jaros Exhibition

I arrived at the opening reception just in time to hear the last part of the award ceremony presented by Karen Moss, the Deputy Director of Exhibition and Programs in Orange County Museum of Art. There were a lot of people with their family and friends, taking pictures and meeting artists to get more insight into their artwork. I’ve never been to Irvine Fine Arts Center before, but I surprised myself because this gallery was voted as the Best Art Gallery in Orange County by OC Weekly.

Artist Beatta Bosworth, with her artwork titled, Dance Dance Dance.

I started to search for artists in the crowd, and a family with two children walked by me so I decided to follow them. I arrived at an installation of photographs with music coming from the stereo. The artist was Beatta Bosworth, who was the third place winner at the All Media 2010. I talked with the artist and she told me she likes to dance. She was captivated by one of her friend’s dance movement, so she wanted to create an artwork that forms motion. Beatta took a series of photographs of her friend and hung them from the ceiling at the exhibition. The installation made me felt like her photographs were still dancing to the rhythm of the music. Her two children happily danced in front of the artwork, bringing the movement of the artwork to live.

I continued to search for artists’ badge on everyone’s shirt. As I waited in a distance for my turn to introduce myself, I started getting noticed when they realized their shirts were being searched. But that was the perfect time to make eye contact with a smile and to jump in with a “I’m-not-weird” speech.

Artist David French, with his artwork titled, I Believe.

David French was the first place winner at the All Media 2010. He created his sculpture using styrofoam, fiberglass paint, and car paint. These were an unusual mix of mediums; for me, it was hard to guess at first, because the outlook and texture of the sculpture totally eluded my preconceived thought and shape of styrofoam. David talked about his interest in the Baroque sculptures, and recalled the themes about God, freewill, nature, or evolution. Then he asked, “Is it possible to believe in God and evolution?” He was intrigued by both beliefs, and therefore, wanted to combine manmade with organic objects into his sculpture.

Artist John Stewart, a second place winner with artwork titled, Ravaged

Artist Ian Daelucian with his artwork. He is a UCI student majoring in drama and philosophy and likes photography. He used one light to capture the image and played with light and shadow.

Artist Mark Feldman with his artwork. With an interest in science and origami, he combined them by creating a new genus, Charticicada.

Artist Bill Jaros, with his artwork titled, Gafsa.

Bill Jaros Exhibition was full of found objects sculptures. There were wood sculptures in the center gallery, and cardboard sculptures displayed on the wall. He told me he lived in North Africa and all his sculptures were inspired and named after the places in Tunisia, on the edge of Sahara Desert, where he lived and traveled. He said his sculptures were created from inexpensive found objects, plastic gesso and oil paint. I asked if I can take a picture of him in front of his favorite artwork, and he chose the artwork, titled Gafsa. He said this artwork has the strongest color, shape and texture. He wanted the viewer to experience the sculptures and find them as windows to another spiritual world. He felt like sometimes the technique is not as important as the idea and message that brings out the artwork.

Artist Bill Jaros

As I continued to browse through the exhibition to examine each artwork, I met Bill’s friend, Jim Goodman. He was a very interesting guy. He studied psychological cycles of human and investor behavior, but also with a strong interest in art, whether he admits it or not. We walked through the exhibition and he offered me his critique on the artwork. I am an art student, and in art history classes, we were often taught to appreciate and interpret the good in every type of art, because who are we to think we know better than the artist. But it was refreshing to hear Jim, who was not an artist, but can appreciate and critique art, analyzing artwork through his eyes. I think art is for everyone to interpret and each one of us has the power to interpret it beyond the artist’s intent. Not so often we wanted to offer challenging opinions or questions, but I think it is important to develop some critique skills and still try to look for the good in everything.

It was a fun and insightful night! Don't worry, you still have a chance to browse through these artwork. Here are the details of the two exhibitions.

All Media 2010
Exhibition opens: Nov 19th- Jan 22nd, 2011
The Irvine Fine Arts Center
14321 Yale Avenue, Irvine, CA 92604 

Bill Jaros Exhibition
Exhibition opens: Nov 19th- Jan 22nd, 2011
The Irvine Fine Arts Center
14321 Yale Avenue, Irvine, CA 92604

 

-Jennifer Cheng, Contributing Writer

Interview with OC artist Katy Betz

Creating Space for Imagination - Artist Katy Betz

by Jennifer Cheng

Katy Betz is a gallery artist, illustrator, children's book writer, and muralist, with an artistic statement, "I am an artist devoted to creating space for imagination." Recently featured in 944 Magazine, in the Orange County October 2010 - The Art Issue, Katy was selected as one of six rising artistic stars in Orange County. Katy is currently finishing her MFA at California State University, Fullerton, and teaches part time as a college professor. She uses her brush to create whimsical, nature-inspired characters and scenery. I participated in one of Katy’s oil painting classes; her passion for art was manifest in her curriculum. She taught me to explore and learn from a variety of artists.

Think about the last time you wondered off into your imagination, where in split seconds you went to a place you did not recall. At that mysterious place came characters and stories that took part in an exciting adventure. If that memory is vaguely familiar, don't worry; Katy's paintings will take you to a place where you can let your mind run loose and play.

1. How did you grow an interest for art making?

Hmm, when I was a little child I used my imagination, but not until junior year of high school did I start painting surrealistic art. I did a master copy of a piece by Jim Warren called Mother Nature, and I was hooked on that kind of fantastic painting ever since. But, before that I copied "normal" paintings and did my own paintings from life. 

 

2. What is your creative process in paintings?

My creative process seems to vary, and it depends on if it's a commission or personal piece. When I'm commissioned to do an illustration, I start by sketching small thumbnails purely from imagination to get an idea of composition. Then I'll sketch out the main elements to see what I come up with (like characters or places, etc). Then, I'll go get reference to help me assemble the color scheme, details, anatomy, etc.

When I create my own personal art, it's usually inspired by something I've read or heard or seen. I make a mind map to generate as many ideas as I can based on the theme that has inspired me, then do thumbnails. My work lately has involved a lot of research into symbolism before even starting on the visuals. 

 

3. Why is it important for you to create space for imagination?

My mantra takes on two forms: It represents the literal space I go to create - which is my studio - a space for creating imagination. But primarily, this phrase is important to me because imagination is an incredibly powerful resource that we have as humans. It sets us apart from the animal kingdom - no other creature dreams up things the way we do. I love to imagine, and I want my artwork to encourage others to do the same, adults and children alike. I believe that imagining something (whether it be a feeling, environment, character, event, etc) enriches our lives, makes us empathetic, reconnects us to the spiritual and mysterious aspects of life. Life is wild, no matter how much we like to think we're in control, not everything can be understood rationally. Imagination encourages faith, inspires, gives hope, and can create a paradigm shift that offers a larger perspective. All these things are why I need to be creative, and why it is important for me to share my imaginations with others. I would not be fulfilled as an artist if I only created for myself - I am interested in connecting with people and showing them wonderful, sublime, fantastical stuff! 

 

4. Who are some uprising artists on your list?

Uprising artists on my list...meaning who I think is up and coming in the art world? I immediately look to my peers in the grad department at csuf. Kim Dwinell has a graphic novel being reviewed by Scholastic right now, Pat Cantor just got her first 2 big picture book gigs. From my alma mater, LCAD, I would say fine artist Carolin Peters, Julio and Candice Reyes (husband and wife dream team - super talented). I admire these people because they are relentless in the pursuit of their dreams, they live and breathe art, are kind, humble people (no big egos, thank goodness!) and are making a way. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current & Upcoming shows:        Put these dates on your calendar!

 

1.Happy Hour - group show

 Opening Night: Nov 6^th Sat @7-10PM

Memphis Cafe, Santa Ana

 

Memphis Santaora in Artists Village

201 North Broadway,

Santa Ana, CA 92701

 

Curated by Sixpack Projects, Jennifer Frias

All artwork are created on bar napkin either 4x4 or 6x6

There will be many other artists featured from Cal State Fullerton

 

2. Sarah Bain Holiday Show

An Annual Holiday Group Show

During the month of December, 2010

 

Sarah Bain Gallery

184 Center Street Promenade
Anaheim, CA 92805

 

 

3. Viva La Art!

ART, DRINKS & MUSIC - WINTER 2010
An Art Auction in Los Angeles

Saturday, November 20th @ 8:30PM-12:30AM
Bidding ends 11pm

First and Hope Supper Club
701 West First St, Los Angeles CA

 

 

4. Grad Show

April 15th, 2011

CalState University Fullerton - Visual Arts Dept.

 

More details check her website: www.katybetz.com

Blog: http://katybetzstudio.blogspot.com/

Link to 944 Online Magazine

 

Thanks Katy! Be sure to check out her work next week at the Memphis Café in Santa Ana. I will be there so I hope to see you all!

-Jennifer Cheng, Contributing Writer

Savage Primitive, by Daniel Porras @ CalState Fullerton, Oct 9 5-8pm

 

Graduate Candidate artist Daniel Porras is exhibiting a large installation of whimsical paintings based on hybrid forms of human and animal decent for the Savage Primitive exhibition this Saturday night, October 9th in the CalState Fullerton West Gallery, reception is 5-8pm.  

 

Go check out Daniel's new paintings, they will draw you in to their own savage world.  The artist will be attending the reception so you can quiz him about the fantastical environments where his characters reside. And did I mention there will be free food too?!!

:0)

 

Congratulations on your show Daniel!!  See you all there.

-Joanna Grasso, Contributing Writer

 

 

 

 

Daredevil Dancers @ the Orange County Performing Art Center

Looking for something to do tonight in the OC?

FREEEEEE PERFORMANCE!!!

 

There is one night left, so grab your camping gear (you'll need a comfy chair for the two hour show), some friends, and get on over to the Orange County Performing Art Center for the last evening of the Project Bandaloop's awesome wall dancing!  The group performs free for the public on the exterior wall of the Segerstrom Hall, right in front of the Richard Serra monolithic steel sculpture. You'd better get there early because the grounds fill-up fast.

 

 

Show starts at 8:30pm, and you can stop off at Pizzeria Ortica for an authentic 'pizza margharita' and some good tuscan wine afterward to round out the evening.

Check out last night's pics.

 

 

There were several acts, projections to accompany the performers, and live musicians.

 

 

Check out the trumpet player on the right.  

 

 

 

 All photos by Joanna Grasso

 

 

Really amazing stuff.  They looked as if they were floating.

We had a great time, I recommend you check out tonight's performance.  

Orange County Performing Art Center

600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 556-2787

-Joanna Grasso, Contributing Writer

In Metadataphile, artists pirate and hijack technology for our own good

 

 

Even as I write this, I have six windows open on my laptop, my cell phone just inches away, and my earphones blasting music. Me? Addicted to technology? No way! At California State University Fullerton’s Begovich Art Gallery, curators Jennifer Frias and Lilia Lamas present a timely exhibition examining our social constructs created by new media and digital technology. Metadataphile: The Collapse of Visual Information suggests that over-communication through technology has lead to miscommunication.  Visually, the exhibition is a sensory experience of video, sculpture, paintings and installations, all with an affinity to new media and digital inspirations.  Many of the artists have used appropriation, pirating and manipulating imagery and reinterpreting data to get their point across. Amidst the misinformation technology often creates, we often fail to question the information being fed to us and desperately need thoughtful artworks like the ones found in Metadataphile to break the trance.  In our fast-paced technology driven society, rarely is there time to pause for reflection or analysis of all the information we take on daily.  Brooklyn artist Jason Varone’s piece Inclimate Weather  is part mural, part multi media video projection. Composed of a cartoon cloud painted directly on the wall, a video projection of reconfigured, live twitter feeds and news feeds fall vertically like rain from the painting.  Varone calls himself a landscape painter because he paints and creates topographically but he sees the new landscape as digital in our contemporary society.  Much of Varone’s work explores how we perceive social issues through various media outlets.

            As much as we distrust many people and ideologies in our society, too often we trust blindly in technology without realizing how easily our relationship to new media can be manipulated.  Artist Kim Rugg tediously deconstructs U.S. postage stamps by cutting them into little slices then reconstructing the pieces into comic book exclamations like WwOOSH! and  Splash!  across the length of the envelope.  Rugg then sent each envelope through the Los Angeles U.S. Postal Service .The machines register the stamp’s pigment rather than the image and shape and each envelope received a postmark.

            My favorite piece in the exhibition is Extruding Video Machine, Large Shape 1 by Los Angeles-based artist Peter Sarkisian.  A mesmerizing video of animated, colorful machine parts projects on a hanging sculpture, giving a three dimensional effect.  Looking at this piece evokes an interesting sensation of feeling in between real and imagined imagery.  Do not miss this show!  Metadataphile runs through September 30 at the Cal State Fullerton Begovich Gallery. A catolog of the exhibition will be published fall 2010. 

-Alyssa Cordova, contributing writer

Metadataphile:   The Collapse of Visual Information

Curated by Jennifer Frias and Lilia Lamas

 August 28- September 30, 2010

 Artists:

Cory Archangel and Frankie Martin, Josh Azzarella, Petronio Bendito, Matthew Bryant, Sky Burchard, Kathy Grayson, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Ken Rinaldo, Kim Rugg, Jason Salavon, Peter Sarkisian, John Sisley, Stephanie Syjuco, Michael Toillion, Jason Varone

 

California State University Fullerton

Begovich Gallery

800 N State College Blvd

Fullerton, CA 92834

657-278-7750

www.metadataphile.com

 

Gallery Hours:

Monday-Thursday noon-4pm

Saturday noon-2pm

Parking is free on Saturdays

Jason Varone Inclimate Weather  2010 video projection, acrylic paint

Kim Rugg  Skrakaakt Basssh, Splash!  2009  Reconfigured postage stamp and envelope

Peter Sarkisian Extruded Video Machine Large Shape One Version 4 2008 Vacuum formed thermal plastic and video projection

Traveling Yogi - NYC & Rome

Hey there, just stopped in to New York for a few days on my way to Rome.  

Landed in time to hit the streets for a much needed jog around central park and trek down to the financial district for Canadian dancer/photographer Paul-Andre' Fortier's live performance infront of 1 New York Plaza.  Every day for 30 days Fortier will perform for 30 minutes at high noon inside a taped off square (30' x 30' of course) right in the middle of the outdoor area of the plaza.  Yup, some things are still free in New York.

Believe it or not, this performance, composed of gestures like flailing arms, push ups, quasi yoga asanas, skipping, jumping, spins, intense eye contact, occasional sound effects (coming from the artist) and even some elegant modern dance sequences managed to silence the din we have all come to know and love on the streets of NYC. It's true, silence prevailed.  There was an occasional cell phone screamer and awkward group of young men only too eager to avoid the scene that they caused a scene while fleeing. . . but all in all it was an outstanding performance (audience included). Bravo Mr. Fortier!

So if you are in NYC zip over to catch the show, great way to spend the afternoon!  Performance runs through August 14th, 2010.

Here are all the details and review from the New York Times.

Next stop Rome!

Joanna Grasso, Traveling Contributing Editor

TEDx Fullerton Now Live - Creativity in Orange County

It looks like OC is going to get its own independently produced TED event taking place on Sept 10th at Fullerton college. I'm hopeful and excited about the creative/arts direction they're taking. Hopefully I will get an invite. More info:

TEDxFullerton is being produced by ArtspaceOC, “a playful collision of spaces + a serious think tank”. ArtspaceOC is the brainchild of Susan L. Petrella and Pamela Hughes Tice, lifelong artists, arts patrons and advocates whose vision is to “inspire Orange County to be a “creative” community. TEDxFullerton begins the conversation about what is means to be a “creative” community. What are the “ideas worth spreading in Orange County” which will achieve this goal?

TEDxFullerton is hosted by Fullerton College’s Fine Arts Division. It will be held Friday, September 10, 2010 at the Campus Theater, Fullerton College. We have a truly fantastic program for Orange County: LIVE Speakers from the corporate, academic, government, arts/culture spaces, TED Talks and music/art/film/video/game art performances.

So-cal artist judges books by their cover

    

 

Mike Stilkey, Untitled Installation of 4,400 books and paint   (photos by Alyssa Cordova )

Artist Mike Stilkey, far right

So-cal artist judges books by their covers 

    Good news!  In case you missed Costa Mesa’s )( Space Gallery’s inaugural exhibition, Reminiscent: Mike Stilkey, it has been reinstalled in the Hurley creative retail space in Laguna Beach just in time for their one year anniversary.           

         Orange County active wear giant Hurley recently opened their new gallery in Costa Mesa, CA  to give art-thirsty Orange Countians refreshing monthly art shows curated by former Billy Shire Fine Arts director Annie Adjchavanich while giving Hurley’s own growing family of artists a place to display their artistic talents.  Alta Dena based artist Mike Stilkey, a self-taught painter, debuted his most recent work in the new space.  He paints on repurposed books, which included a monstrous book installation mural.  Stilkey is quick to point out that all the books used in his work are discarded books he rescues from public libraries.

    At the 255 Forest opening of Reminiscent: Mike Stilkey on July 1, during Laguna Beach’s arts walk, I had the chance to sit down with Sam Arthur, creative director of retail at Hurley.  He explained to me how the Hurley space, which opened July 2, 2009 differs from other retail spaces.  “There are three reasons,” Arthur tells me. “ One, this unique space has a special product mix from Nike 6.0, Hurley, and Converse with a particular connection to art.  Two, we emphasize community interaction as a part gallery, part retail, part art making space and partner with the local high schools and colleges, doing silk-screening, t-shirt design contests and photography exhibitions and supporting the local surf and skate kids.  Three, we have a workshop inside our space where anyone can create custom products with one of a kind graphics from artists such as Dalek, Robert Williams and many more.”

            I decided to check out the Hurley Workshop where the friendly Mike Cuneo was helping visitors design their own board shorts, tee shirts and Converse shoes.  Designs constantly rotate to keep ideas fresh and their customization includes either a sublimation process or high quality digital printing.

Mike Cuneo in "The Workshop" at 255 Forest   )(  

            Of all the work in Stilkey’s solo exhibition here, by far the most impressive piece is the twenty-foot high mural located in the middle of the space. The 4,400 book piece features the illustrative portrait of a man and woman in shades of black and white, reminiscent of German artist Egon Scheile’s svelte and languid figures.  Standing at the bottom and looking up to the dizzying top made me feel like Jack and the Beanstalk.  It’s part monument to art, part shrine to bibliophiles. Stilkey particularly enjoys painting the murals where he can stand and move around the paint on such a huge canvas, er book pile!  The smaller pieces, such as Old Man and the Sea he paints at home where he carefully selects specific book titles.

 The Old Man and the Sea

   

    Check out the show at 255 Forest Drive in Laguna Beach and if time, design your own surf gear before hitting the waves this summer. 

-Alyssa Cordova

Info on the artist  and Hurley:

HURLEY

Mike Stilkey

"Art Shack" - Laguna Art Museum & Hurley festivities

OC's finest turned out for 'Art Shack' at the Laguna Art Museum (LAM), guest curated by Greg Escalante.

 

Mr. OC Art Blog himself was unable to make the event, so he asked me to take his place.  He handed me a box with a wooden arrow screen printed with an invite to Hurley's SHACK ATTACK! exclusive event.  Hurley & LAM hosted a 'meet and greet' for the artists and VIPs,  225 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach.  

 

 

 

The first of the evening's festivities began around 4pm at Hurley's 225 Forest store.  After braving PCH on a sunny Saturday afternoon, I finally made it to the parking lot only to catch artists Laurie Hassold and Jeff Gillette sneaking off.  This is not boding well. . . but off I went.

 

 

There it was, the two-story Hurley store filled to the the gills with art aficionados, cool hair-cut kids, board shorts, and somebody's Mom.  

 

I whip out my VIP pass in head for the bar.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Art Shack Stars were given flower leis, so we could pick them out of the crowd like a tropical version of where's waldo. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There seemed to be a buzz coming from the 2nd floor, making it my next stop.  

 

 

 

 

 

Art Shack inspired clothes are being customized by Hurley's crew of screen printing wizards.  Artists were given a pair of white chucks, board shorts, and T-shirt to design.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 You guys should check out the screen printing shop!  They can customize your gear for just a few bucks more.

 

 

 

 

Artists everywhere!

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

If you look closely you can see the pink locks of curator Annie adjchavanich

 

 

 

 

Load um' up and head out!
 
 Next stop, Laguna Art Museum.   Let's go check out the art.

 

 

 

 

Welcome to LAM's   "Art Shack"  opening reception.

Art Shack will be open to the public from June 13th to October 3rd, 2010

 

Okay, sooooo o o o. . . . hope you brought your snorkel!

 

 

 

 

 

What would an OC event be without Mickey?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Artist Elizabeth Turk and curator Meg Linton

 

 

Jeff Gillette and his Slum

Most of the Shacks had interactive elements to them.  Some you watched, some you inhabit, and others were strictly for visual entertainment.

 

 

 

 

 

Veronica was the first to jump right in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Savanna Snow's installation The Lodge on the left and Albert Cuellar's sculpture on the right.

 

 

Jason Maloney's disturbing Amber Alert

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Tracey from the Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana checking out Marian Peck & Mark Ryden's 

Sweet Wishes Theater

 

 

A detail from Shack-Art-Grass-Circus by George Herms

I leave you with a little something to meditate on. (all photos by Joanna Grasso)

The Art Shack show is great, you should check it out before summer comes to an end.  

I want to send a big congratulations to all the participating artists, most of whom are not featured in this article.

OC loves you!

 

-Joanna Grasso, Contributing Writer

 

 

Gallery Talk by CeCe Sloan on Peggy Guggenheim this week!

Please join us for 
An Evening Showcasing Women and Art

Thursday,  May 27, 2010  11 p.m.  OR  6 p.m.

A talk and discussion by lecturer CeCe Sloan on the remarkable philanthropist and patron of the arts Peggy Guggenheim.

On exhibit: notable works by painter/poet Michael (Corinne) West,
whose paintings Guggenheim admired.

Philanthropist/art collector Peggy Guggenheim and painter/poet Michael (Corinne) West were key figures in the Abstract Expressionist movement in New York City after World War II. Female artists frequently adopted male noms des brosses in order to be taken seriously in the male-dominated art world; only recently have the works of female artists of the period been revisited. Art Resource Group will present an exhibition of notable works by Michael West to coincide with the MOCA(LA) exhibit, Arshile Gorky: A Retrospective (June 6-Sept. 20). West's work was overshadowed by that of Gorky, her close friend; clearly West was more than Gorky's muse, for her paintings were admired by Guggenheim and other notables of the period. Local art aficionado CeCe Sloan will present a talk on the subject of Peggy Guggenheim, followed by a discussion and reception. A  tax-deductible $20 donation will be collected at the door; all proceeds from the event will be donated to UNIFEM to help end poverty, violence and inequality for women in 135 countries.  

art resource group

 

fine art and appraisal services

Miriam Smith

20351 Irvine Avenue, Suite C-1

Newport Beach , California 92660

714.371.0101 

590 Madison Ave., 21st floor, New York NY

Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.  Saturday by appointment

www.artresourcegroup.com

I'll be there to catch the 11am gallery talk, hope to see some of your lovely faces in attendance.

cheers, Joanna