ART BLOG
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ARTICLES FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL 2009
Contributing Bloggers: John Harbinger Jr.and David Harbrenig
The Artistic Temperament
Artistic are known for their volatile and erratic behavior. Genius often comes with side effects. The artistic temperament can be explosive, stunning, un-expected, endearing or obnoxious and our reactions to it are equally varied.
Concert pianist Krystian Zimerman from Poland did the most extraordinary thing during his performance last Sunday evening at the Disney Hall in downtown L.A. He stopped his recital before completion and announced to the audience that, in protest against American military policies overseas, and particularly in his homeland, he will never perform in the USA again.
As the stunned audience listened, Zimerman told them "Get your hands off my country," and accused the USA of trying to control the world.
His political tirade came near the end of his Disney Hall performance which is part of a nationwide tour.
As about 40-50 people in the audience started to walk out after his declaration Zimerman was heard to say “Yes, some people, when they hear the word military –march!”
Some audience members shouted for him to shut up and play the piano, some jeered and some others cheered. When he’d said his piece, Zimerman launched into Karol Szymanowski's Variations on a Polish Folk Theme with such verve and intensity that the audience responded with multiple ovations.
Copyrighting for your artwork:
If you’re not exactly sure how to use the copyright symbol (©) next to your art, and what the implications are, here are a few words about the copyright protection that you have for your creativity.
As soon as you create anything visual, whether it’s a painting, drawing, photograph or sculpture, thereafter, you are the only person who can legally copy it – unless you give your permission to do so. If someone does copy your art, you have the right to take them to court and sue them. Only you have the right to sell prints or giclees of your artwork unless you have specifically given permission to another person or entity to do so.
The copyright laws protecting your creativity are so strong that even your legal heirs will still own the rights to your artwork up to 70 years after your departure to the big Creator the sky.
Affixing the copyright symbol to a work published online, or in a journal, is not necessary – you still own the copyright with or without the symbol- but it can serve as a reminder. If you discover that someone has infringed on your copyright, despite the presence of the symbol, it can add weight to your argument in court that there was willful intent to steal.
Remember, that even when you sell an original piece to a buyer, you still retain the copyrights to it. The buyer cannot make prints or replications of your art unless you give him/her written permission.
It is a good idea to have a statement to the effect on any invoices or sales documents that you provide the buyer (example: “The Artist retains all rights to reproduction to the Artworks included in this sale.”)
Now, even though you own the copyright to your artwork, there are channels through which you can officially register your claims with government institutions. An official registration will help adjudicate any court cases swiftly –but again, it is not imperative to have these registrations to win your suit.
Here are a few reasons, (for the cautious amongst you,) for applying for official registration:
1) There is public record of your copyright
2) Registration can increase the amount you can sue for damages.
3) If you decide to sue someone, the more “ammunition” you have, the better chance you have of succeeding quickly.
4) Perhaps, you have created the next “Mona Lisa” – an artwork that will be reproduced in books, magazines, posters, newspapers etc. etc., and you want to make sure that you get all the royalties for reproduction.
5) Perhaps, you would want to sell the copyrights to someone else. Registration proves your right to sell.
If you are tempted to file for copyrights on your art you can do so at the US Library of Congress by paying the required fee and filing an application. Get more information at www.copyright.gov/register/visual
So, sleep easy at night. If you do discover that somebody is making money from your creativity, (without your permission), the copyright laws are there to protect you.
Chinatown Art Nights
On Saturday April 25 why not enjoy an evening of art viewing as you stroll the quaint alleyways and courtyards of Chinatown in downtown Los Angeles. The area is home to 32 of L.A.’s most cutting edge art galleries and some of the most talked-about exhibitions in the country.
“Chinatown Art Nights” is a quarterly series of art walks on Saturdays evenings. Following this Saturday event, the next special art-walk is planned for July 11, then September 12, and December 12, 2009.
Exhibiting Artists and gallery owners will be pleased to receive you from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. to answer questions and provide commentary on their exhibitions. Light refreshments will be provided. Adjacent parking is $3.00.
Participating galleries include Acuna-Hansen, Automat, Charlie James Gallery, David Patton Los Angeles, David Salow Gallery, Fellows of Contemporary Art (FOCA), L2Kontemporary, Lili Bernard Art Studio, North Hill Exhibitions, Sam Lee Gallery, The Company, among others.
Gallery maps will be available courtesy of the participating galleries and the Chinatown Business Improvement District.
A few Jokes about Art & Artists to brighten your day
An artist asks a gallery owner how the exhibition of his work has been going; if there has been any interest in his paintings…..
"I have good news and bad news," the owner replies. "The good news is that a gentleman enquired about your work and wondered if it would appreciate in value after your death. When I told him it would, he bought all 15 of your paintings."
"That's wonderful," the artist exclaimed. "What's the bad news?"
"The guy who bought them was your doctor..."
A world famous painter, in the prime of her career, starts losing her eyesight. Fearful that she might never be able to paint again, she goes to see the best eye surgeon in the world.
After several weeks of delicate surgery and therapy, her eyesight is restored. The painter is so grateful that she decides to show her gratitude by repainting the doctor's office.
Part of her work includes a mural of a gigantic eye on one wall. When she has finished the work, she holds a press conference to unveil her latest work of art: the doctor's office.
During the press conference, one reporter notices the eye on the wall, and asks the doctor, "Sir, what was your first reaction upon seeing your newly painted office, especially that large eye on the wall?"
The eye doctor replied, "I said to myself Thank God I'm not a proctologist.'"
Art Competitions: A Guide on the Advantages of Putting it out there…
We publish, on our Art News/Blog Page every month, a selection of art competitions that have sent out calls to artists.
Here are a few tips about the advantages of participating in Art Competitions.
First, every artist need to cultivate a network of people who share his/her similar passion for art. It is important to show your artwork to others and receive criticism, feedback, and inspiration. At any stage of your career, entering art competitions is a great way to achieve both of these goals. It is better to enter competitions, even if one loses, than to keep one’s art hidden from the scrutiny of the world. Many competitions offer a critique or some form of feedback for entrants and in some cases, it’s possible to pay an additional fee to receive written, more profound feedback from a judge or juror. It can be frustrating and demoralizing for an artist to be rejected and yet not know the reasons for the rejection, therefore, a thoughtful criticism from an experienced judge can help an artist improve his/her work.
On a practical note, make sure you check out the rules of each competition, especially the eligibility section and make sure you understand the requirements and the fees involved. Read the prospectus carefully and make sure you understand what the organizers are looking for.
Winning a major art competition can be a daunting goal for a beginner –there are invariably enormous numbers of “established” participants. You can increase your chances, however, by doing some research beforehand. Viewing the work of past contest winners can provide insight into an organization or art publication’s style or preference. If there’s a particular juror listed, research his or hers background. If it’s a gallery owner, maybe look at the gallery’s website and see what type of work they sell to get a sense of the owner’s taste. If your work fits the parameters for the contest, then you have a better chance of being chosen for the exhibition or awards.
Connecting with fellow artists, with dealers & critics is a major endeavor for many artists who submit their work for exhibitions and juried shows. Getting the work seen is the most important thing for any artist, and any way you can do that - you should. Everything else—prizes, awards or critiques—is an extra bonus. First-time competitors might do well to first enter their work in local and regional art shows, where there is a smaller pool of artists and where they can learn the ins and outs of exhibitions and competitions. This provides an easy opportunity to form relationships with fellow artists when you are part of a smaller community.
Participating in subject- or theme-specific competitions is another great way to increase one’s chances of winning. In these contests the participating judges probably have a preference for the style of work submitted and if the contest later includes an exhibition, fair, or festival, the artists get to meet with other locals who share their passion and interest.
Don’t shy away from contest opportunities because the idea of competition seems contrary to one’s artistic nature. If you wish to pursue art professionally you must realize that this will involve risk taking and periods of dejection. Everything in this world is a competition –where there are winners and losers.
Many organizations prefer that artists send high-resolution digital versions of their paintings on CD because keeping track of slides can be cumbersome. Sending digital images or using an online entry system is also more eco-friendly and cost-effective for sponsoring organizations, judges, and artists. Make sure that you comply each time with the competition’s specifications.
Along with the entry fee, remember that there might be extra costs for framing a piece and later shipping it, if it chosen for exhibition. These expenditures can add up over several competitions, but it should be viewed as an investment in one’s career. Don’t let the risk of rejection outweigh the rewards and remember that if you don’t submit your work, you automatically eliminate your chances, (you are deciding for the judges that your work is not adequate.)
Regardless of the outcome of entering a competition, take the risk and share your work with a larger audience. In the end, you are doing yourself a great service. Whether the prize is art supplies, a cash award, a ribbon or membership to a sponsoring organization, artists who submit their work learn about current art trends, expose their work to gallery owners, dealers, critiques and collectors in the art world, and, at the very least, thicken their skin to prepare for the difficulty of pursuing a career in the arts.
April Showers-It’s raining Leonardos!
We published, earlier this month, an article about a previously unknown portrait of Leonardo Da Vinci that has come to light in Italy. Well, it seems that Leonardo’s beard is popping up everywhere. Alezzandro Vezzosi, director of the Museum in Vinci (see 1st article), has again been called in to authenticate the claims of another Italian art historian who claims in his newly published work that Leonardo’s face appears in one of the stained glass windows on the right hand wall of the Arezzo Cathedral in Tuscany. The scene, depicted by the stained glass is of the biblical story of the Raising of Lazarus, and was done by a French master craftsman and artist called Guillame de Pierre di Marcillat (1475-1529).
The figure in the window strongly resembles known portraits of Leonardo. The hypothesis is bolstered by the fact that details from Leonardo’s own “The Last Supper” are included the layout of the scene. It is quite probable that di Marcillat met Leonardo though historians have no concrete evidence. According to Vezzosi “nobody really knows for certain exactly what Leonardo Da Vinci looked like. There isn’t a single portrait where we can be absolutely certain that it‘s him. There are 5 types of portraits of Leonardo. They share the same common features, the beard and heavy brow for example, but have enough variations to keep the experts guessing as to which of them are truly portraits of the master himself.“
A director for the L.A. Hammer Museum who specializes in Leonardo studies, and wrote the foreward to the recently published book also agrees with Vezzosi by saying that “when studying Leonardo portraits- everything should be considered an hypothesis.”
We’ll have to wait for the experts to decide. Maybe the next apparition of Leonardo’s face will be on aTaco or a grilled cheese sandwich
Sell your Art – 10 steps to success
Step 1: Networking. Get out there. Meet people and make your-self known. Join a museum or artists' group or association to meet other artists as well as potential customers. Ask other artists about how they are selling and distributing their work and listen to what they have to say.
Step 2: Develop a marketing plan to attract the interest of galleries, designers and other potential buyers.
Step 3: Sell your-self before you sell your art. Send out press releases to local newspapers and national publications to heighten awareness of you and your work. Think of ‘angles’ that might attract their attention- including personal stories that might add another feature to the articles that feature you. Have ready photographs of your work and show them to get attention and potential clients.
Step 4: Create a website to introduce people to your work. Start compiling email addresses and send out quarterly mailings featuring links to your website and your new works. Include links to any articles or sites that have spotlighted you.
Step 5: Enter competitions. Publicize any honors and awards you receive to get greater recognition for your work.
Step 6: Ask the owners of cafes, shops and restaurants if they'd be interested in displaying your art in exchange for a commission from any resulting sales. Participate in local art fairs and shows as much as possible.
Step 7: Visit as many local galleries as you can; get a feel for the ones that are “compatible” to your type of art. Don’t be shy – talk to gallery owners. Enquire about the proper procedure for submitting an application. Be prepared to discuss your work and why you believe it to be marketable. Don’t be afraid to offer diversity--a gallery that has 20 landscape artists on show will likely be interested in diversifying in succeeding exhibitions.
Step 8: Be prepared for the sales commissions that galleries take to cover costs and expenses. Gallery visibility is essential and even worth the 50% of the sale price that goes with it.
Step 9: Don’t be discouraged by refusals. Keep pushing for shows at galleries, and insist on an opening night reception and that the owners invite the local press. Send out your-self invitations to clients, friends, family and high-profile community members.
Step10: Don’t under-estimate or denigrate eBay.com. or the many Art websites (like Artlanow) that promote artists and offer their works for sale. Participation on these site increases your exposure to the public and allows you work to be seen by consumers who don't have the time or inclination to pay gallery prices. This doesn’t mean you have to undersell your art. Set a reserve price that assures you'll get a decent return for your skill, creativity and time.
Mixed Media: Painting in Acrylics and Oils
More and more artists are discovering the subtle effects and advantages to combining acrylics and oils when painting. Obviously you cannot mix the two different types of paint on your palette; one medium is oil based and the other water based. Oil and water never mix - you end up with a gooey mess, but there are ways of using them separately for a combined effect. Oils can be painted over acrylics, but remember, that you cannot work vice-versa.
In traditional oil painting, an under-painting or a rough sketch on the canvas is done before proceeding to finalize the work. The under-painting is the basic rendering of the essential ideas and designs, and can remain visible through superimposed layers. However, oils take a considerable time to dry, especially if the paint is thick or contains a large amount of oily base content. Drying is slow from days to weeks to months, depending on the amount of the humidity in the atmosphere. Under-painting with an acrylic layer has all the advantages of an oil under-painting while saving a lot of unnecessary waiting time.
Acrylic is polymer-based and is essentially ‘plastic’ in nature. It dries rapidly, which can be a disadvantage when one wants to develop and blend a painting, but a blessing when an artist wants to establish the painting quickly.
Acrylics can be applied using all the normal oil based painting techniques, including glazing. They respond well to thinning, can be painted over in fairly rapid succession and can also be applied thickly in an impasto style.
Do the under-painting in acrylics: Some critics of acrylics claim that this medium does not adhere well to canvas. Given the expanding number of artists turning to acrylics, it seems that this argument is not well founded. Acrylics, when diluted in water or a manufactured acrylic thinner, adhere well to the rough surface of a canvas board or a stretched canvas frame. When preparing an under-painting this way, outlines and light washes take minutes to dry and new layers of planning painted can be applied quickly. One of the great advantages of using acrylic as under-painting for oil is the development of texture.
Applying the oils: Once a satisfactory under-painting in acrylics has been completed, and allowed to dry thoroughly, the time has come to start painting in oils. Remember that wet acrylic mixed with oils is a disaster. This process cannot be reversed so, as a tip, remember to separate your tubes of oil paints and acrylics so that you don't mistakenly take color from an acrylic instead of an oil tube. (You will not be the first –even accomplished artist - to do it!!)
Applying an initial, thin coat of oils, mixed with turpentine, or a mixture of turpentine and linseed oil creates an extend dimension to the under-painting. The purpose of this is to allow the artist to continue to see the guiding acrylic under-painting. Then, as the work progresses, thicker and more substantial layers of oil can be added. Another important technique worth knowing is called ‘rubbing back.’ This involves taking a clean cloth and rubbing the oil back to reveal the established layer of acrylic beneath. Acrylic under-painting not only gives support to the overlying oils, it also adds depth and luminosity to the final colors.
2009 -Grants available for arts writers (including bloggers)
The Creative Capital/ Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant Program, set up in Spring 2006 to support writing on contemporary visual arts through awards issued directly to individual authors has announced that the program has been renewed for another five years.
The 2009 grant cycle will open for submissions on April 27, 2009 with the deadline for last applications set for June 8 2009. Details at www.artswriters.org
The program, that has successfully concluded a trial 3-year pilot phase, was designed to encourage and reward writing about contemporary art and the 5-year renewal signals a continued commitment by the Creative Capital and the Warhol Foundation to further these goals. The jury committee is looking for written work that helps create a broader audience for arts writing. The organizers state:
“The writing should be rigorous, passionate, eloquent, and precise - in which a keen engagement with the present is infused with an appreciation of the historical.
It should neither be afraid to take a stand, nor content to deliver authoritative pronouncements, but serve rather to pose questions and to generate new possibilities for thinking about, seeing, and making art;
The writing should be sensitive to both the importance and difficulty of situating aesthetic objects within their broader social and political contexts;
It should not dilute or sidestep complex ideas but render accessible their meaning and value;
We are looking for creative writing that challenges the limits of existing conventions, without valorizing novelty as an end in itself.”
The program aims to strengthen the field as a whole and to ensure that critical writing remains a valued mode of engaging the visual arts.
For reference: During the course of the pilot phase a total of $1.3 million was awarded by the Arts Writers Grant Program to 61 applicants, with $635,000 of that awarded in 2008 to 27 individual authors. These grants ranged from $7,000 to $50,000 in four categories—spanning from scholarly studies, articles, books, short-form writing, and self-published blogs in new and alternative media. Awards were also given to support projects addressing both general and specialized art audiences.
All the projects funded by the Arts Writers Grant Program are united by their dual commitment to the craft of writing and the advancement of critical discourse on contemporary visual art.
CHINESE FORGERS LOOK FOR NEW MARKETS
After fooling art collectors worldwide by faking their own country's artifacts, Chinese forgers have now turned their attention to Japan's hermetic but very lucrative art market.
Seeking new opportunities to exploit their dubious skills, the latest vogue of the counterfeit artists is for "Netsuke," the miniature sculptures made of ivory, boxwood or animal horn, traditionally worn by Japanese men to decorate their kimono belts.
Popular internet sites, like eBay have been inundated recently with forged netsuke. Due to the talents of some of the counterfeiters, some of the world's most prestigious auction houses have also been duped into offering ‘fake’ antique netsuke as the real thing.
So many Chinese forgeries previously flooded the US and European art markets that, nowadays, buyers are wary of everything in Asian art. One expert on Japanese art estimates that in a book on netsuke, published in the United States in 2007, only two or three were authentic. He believes that the collection of netsuke at the prestigious Museum of Orleans in France is practically made up of fakes only.
The counterfeiters, who copy rare netsuke pieces that feature in catalogs and scholarly publications, can imitate the patina of a 19th or 20th century ivory netsuke quite easily. In some instances they have been able to reproduce the patina of older pieces, leading to a situation where only costly scientific examination can absolutely authenticate age.
Having turned their heads towards the Japanese, the Chinese forgers are also producing other “antique” handicrafts that the locals appreciate, such as sword hilts known as "tsuba," and “inro” –small boxes that attach to kimono belts.
Altadena Art festival April 25 2009
Pasadena Waldorf School is holding its 2nd Annual PWS Festival of Art, offering unique works for sale by and diverse artisans. Public admission to this family-friendly festival, set on the beautifully wooded campus on the historic Scripps Estate in Altadena will be free. The event includes live music, good organic, local food and art workshops. The organizers are sending out a call to painters, sculptors, ceramicists, glass artists, jewelry artisans, weavers, furniture artists, quilters, knitters and handicraft artisans to exhibit and participate at the festival.
Check out their website at www.pwsfestivalofart.com for exact details about renting booths and conditions.
All the art pieces for the show must be hand-made by the exhibiting artists.
Booth rentals are $150.00, plus 10% of earnings. For artists associated with Waldorf schools in Southern California, the booth rental will be $135.00. Exhibitors will be provided a 10’x10’ canopy, a 6 ft. table and a chair.
The organizers stipulate that they will provide marketing services to support exhibiting artists. A marketing campaign, including advertising, direct mail, public relations, telemarketing and e-marketing has been programmed and implemented over the past few months.
A preliminary list of artists for the Spring 2009 event will be posted on the organizer’s website.
Call For Art Entries in Detroit: “Summer in the City Exhibition”-Deadline April 22 2009
“SUMMER IN THE CITY” is the theme of competition organized by the Russell Gallery in Detroit. Laura Deljanin, the gallery’s curator supports emerging artists both nationally and internationally. Submit works depicting your vision of, or relating to, the primary theme of Summer in The City (the sights, sounds, the feel of summer in the big city; the work can be of any city –real or imagined.) All media types and styles will be considered.
The submittal deadline is 5:00pm April 22, 2009. All works will be reviewed by a team of artists and advisors representing the Russell Gallery. Accepted works must be delivered before May 1st for an exhibition slated for May 8th until June, 2009 at the Russell Gallery. For inquiries and to detailed information about submittals call Tel: 313-972-7009 or Fax: 313 872 8072.
Artists interested in participating must provide a biography and contact information and a digital image or photo of each piece submitted with the following info: title, size, medium, and signed release forms if recognizable people are depicted in the works (unless not legally required.)
Email submissions to: gallery@russellbazaar.com or mail CD’s or DVD’s or printed images to Russell Gallery, Attention: JT Chapman c/o Russell Bazaar, 1600 Clay Avenue, Detroit, MI 48211. A SASE should be included if you wish to have the material returned.
The Affaire in the Gardens Art Show: Weekend of May 16th & 17th in Beverly Hills
The Spring 2009 Art show, held this year on the weekend of May 16 & 17 has always attracted artists from all over the USA and is one of the biggest art fairs on the West coast. Thousands of art lovers and collectors converge along Santa Monica Blvd. at Beverly Gardens Park twice a year to look at the latest and some of best in contemporary US art. We hope that this year’s Spring show will be as successful as the events in preceding years. Although the deadline for applications has passed, Artists might still like to contact the organizing committee to see if stand-by placements are accepted. The show awards 1st, 2nd, & 3rd prizes in all categories, two honorable mentions and a “Best of Show” award. For more information call 310 285 6836 or email Karen McLean at kmclean@beverlyhills.org For those of you who missed the boat, and would like to participate in the future, the next Affaire in the Gardens is in the Fall.
Los Angeles “tagger” will have “1st” (Authorized) Solo Art show
Daniel Ramos, better known by his spray name, “Chaka,” and one of the most sought after graffiti artists in L.A. until he disappeared from the searchlights almost a decade ago, is returning to the walls again on April 25. This time in a solo show of his work, entitled “Resurrection” at a new downtown gallery called Mid-City Arts, located at 33- 3rd St. Mid-City Arts. Mid-City Arts also sell art materials and supplies with a special selection for graffiti and street artists.
Ramos, now in his mid-30s and living in Bakersfield, was known for his past exploits decorating city structures like the Golden Gate Bridge, the walls of Disneyland and untold numbers of freeway walls and bridges. His bold block-lettered signature was recognized by many street art enthusiasts (including the LAPD). He had his admirers and others who considered his work childish and just bad art.
In November 1990, when he was just 18 the police caught him using a marker to scrawl "Chaka" on a traffic light pole in Lincoln Heights. Following his arrest, the authorities alleged that Ramos, who grew up in the Aliso Village project had left his illegal ‘art’ on more than 10,000 places, causing more than $500,000 in property damage.
He was sentenced to three years' probation and 1,560 hours of graffiti-cleanup duty but this did not stop his dedication to his art. More run-ins with law ensued until 1998 when he was collared again and sentenced to 15 months in jail – this time for theft and violation of parole.
This latest comeback is due to the efforts of Medvin Sobio, who runs Mid-City Arts. Mr. Sobio had been researching the where abouts of L.A.’s most prolific graffiti artist for about a year, and finally traced him to Bakersfield, where Chaka earns a living painting murals for small business owners. The solo exhibition is a way to reintroduce the artist to the Los Angeles art scene with a show of about 20-30 graffiti-like spray paintings, done this time on large canvases.
"I just wanted to reintroduce him, bring him back out," said Medvin Sobio “I have fond memories of seeing "Chaka’s" work festooned across the Los Angeles cityscapes while I was growing up. I hope this show will help get him back into the scene where he belongs. What he did in the 90’s is part of our urban art history. I asked Daniel recently if it was true that he really had tagged more than 10,000 illicit surfaces. I had an idea to call the show '10,000 Chakas.' He didn’t like the name but told me that 40,000 Chaka’s would be more realistic!!”
After 500 years Leonardo has come to light:
A previously unknown portrait of Leonardo da Vinci has been unveiled in Rome by art historians, Professor Alessandro Vezzosi, director of the Leonardo da Vinci museum in Vinci, and Nicola Barbatelli. The Italian art experts say that their discovery is unsigned and painted by an unknown artist. The painting shows Leonardo as a middle-aged man, dressed in dark robes and feathered cap, with long flowing hair and serious eyes. It was displayed at a news conference in Rome and will be on exhibit to the public in the town of Vaglio from April 8th through summer until Aug. 31st.
Medieval art historian Nicola Barbatelli discovered the painting last December while studying the art collection of a family from southern Italy. Barbatelli said carbon-14 analysis of the wood around the canvas dates the painting to the late 15th or early 16th century. Leonardo lived 1452 to 1519. Other experts cautioned that more tests should be done, as the age of the wood doesn't always correspond to when the portrait was painted. The 60-by-45 cm painting some surface scratches but otherwise it is good condition. Alessandro Vezzosi, director of the museum in Vinci, said the image is consistent with a depiction of the artist found in a 17th-18th century portrait kept at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Leonardo experts, who have been able to take a close look at this new discovery, say it is unlikely to be a self-portrait, however, further examination might help to attribute the work to one of Leonardo’s known contemporaries.
2 MOCA events for aiding photographers
Staying Alive (Succeeding as a Photographer in the Good and the Bad Times)
On Tuesday April 7th 10am, the Museum of Contemporary Art will be presenting a special program at the Pacific Design Center at 8687 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood CA 90069 (Tel: 213 626 6222) Directed towards professional and amateur photographers alike, the program will offer tips and strategies about photography that will help you navigate through the very lean and troubled economic times ahead.
Looking at the Past to Build a Better Future (Lessons Learned from Photographic Trends)
If you’re already at the Pacific Design Center, stay on to participate in a talk and discussion that might help you better understand the way photography is going and how to further your career. Have a good lunch after the morning program and come back in the afternoon (same day-Tuesday, Apr 7th) from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
April Deadlines for Art Competitions that Might interest Artlanow Members:
"Irreplaceable Places: Contemporary Landscape Painters of California"
Deadline: April 3 2009
The Santa Cruz Art League has published a call to artists to send in work for "Irreplaceable Places: Contemporary Landscape Painters of California", (May 30 - June 28) in Santa Cruz, California. "Best of Show" $1,000 Award. Open to California residents. Oil, Watercolor, Water-media, Pastel and Mixed Media art will be accepted. The Santa Cruz Art League reserves the right to decline or remove any work that does not conform to the agreement. For more information, visit http://www.scal.org or send a SASE to: SCAL, 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. Non-Members: $40 for up to 3 slides/jpegs. Members: $30 for up to 3 slides/jpegs. Inquiries: to Cindy at cindy@scal.org or call 831-426-5787.
"American Plains Artists 25th Juried Exhibit & Sale": Deadline April 4 2009
American Plains Artists announces a call to artists for their 25th Juried Exhibit, (June 6 - July 12, 2009) at the Ellen Noel Art Museum in Odessa, Texas.
There are $7200 in awards, and the competition is open to artists working in any traditional 2D or 3D fine art media in a realistic or representational manner. Your Artwork must reflect the theme of the American Plains, be completed within the last three years and be original artwork. The accepted artworks will be for for sale, and cannot have been previously shown with APA. No photography or computer generated art accepted. For prospectus, visit http://www.americanplainsartists.com/2009%20Pages/APACallforEntries09.htm or artists may send a SASE to: Mary Evelyn Jones, APA Secretary, 1935 NE 451, Andrews, TX 79714.
Entry fee $55 Questions? Contact Judy McElroy, APA Show Chairperson at bunkhouseartworks@yahoo.com or call the APA Sec. at 432-524-7710\
"Works of Man" Deadline April 9 2009
The Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, Colorado invites photographers working in all mediums and styles to participate in "Works of Man", (July 3 - August 1, 2009.) Over $800 in cash and other awards will be given to the winning entries. The exhibition is open to all domestic and international, professional and amateur photographers working with digital or traditional photography or combinations of both. Traditional, contemporary, avant-garde, creative and experimental and mixed techniques are welcome. Get the details at: http://c4fap.org/cfe/2009worksofman/worksofman.asp. Fees: $35 non-members, $20 members. Questions? Please contact Nathan at nathan@c4fap.org or call 970-224-1010.
"Equine Dream Art Show": Deadline April 10 2009
The Western States Horse Expo invites artists to submit entries for the "Equine Dream Art Show", (June 12-14, 2009) at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California. Each division will have first, second & third place awards and Best of Show will receive $200. All art entered must be related to equine related topics such as breed, color, sport, landscape or lifestyle. The Art must be for sale and have been completed in the last three years. Artwork may not have been previously shown at the Western States Horse Expo. Entry fee is $35. Download Prospectus (PDF format). Problems -please contact Jessi Lacey at jessi@horsexpo.com or call 800-352-2411.
"20th Annual International Juried Competition": Deadline April 10 2009
Viridian Artists sends out call to artists for its 20th Annual International Juried Competition, held (June 30-July 17, 2009) in New York, NY. There are cash prizes. The competition is open to all USA and international artists working in 2D and 3D media. Fees are $40/3 pieces, $5 each additional. For more information and a prospectus, go to http://www.viridianartists.com or send SASE to: Viridian Artists Inc, 530 West 25th Street, NY, NY 10001. Barbara Neski at info@viridianartists.com will answer your questions or call 212-414-4040.
"Laguna Featured Artists": Deadline April 15 2009
The Laguna Clay Company announces an opportunity for artists to become "Laguna Featured Artists" on their website and in print publications. This event is open to all artists. Art and objects made with Laguna products or equipment can be submitted by individuals, studios, or businesses. All participants must be 18 or over. No entry fee. Enter online or send to Laguna Clay Company, 14400 Lomitas, Industry, CA 91746. Contact Julie Brooks at juliebrooksclay@gmail.com or call 1-800-4Laguna ext.211.
"Bowery Gallery National Juried Show": Deadline April 15 2009
Bowery Gallery in New York, NY announces a call to artists for its National Juried Show, (July 28 - August 15, 2009.) The show is for two-dimensional media including: painting, drawing, printmaking and mixed media. Works must be no larger than 36" in any dimension, including frame or other presentation. No work will be accepted from non-US addresses. Fees are $30.00 for 1-3 images and $5 for each additional image. A maximum of 6 images may be submitted for the competition. For more information, visit http://www.bowerygallery.org or send a SASE to: Bowery Gallery, 530 West 25th Street, 4th floor, New York, NY 10001. If you have any questions, contact Walter Strach at wjstrach@optonline.net or call 515-676-5910
“inFLUX" " Call for Entries: Deadline April 17 2009
Flagstaff Cultural Partners announces a call to artists for inFLUX, (May 26-August 15) at the Coconino Center for the Arts in Flagstaff, Arizona. This event is open to artists working in any medium including but not limited to: Painting, Sculpture, Video, and Costume. inFLUX is part of a summer long dance festival, Monsoon: A Flood of Dance, taking place in Flagstaff during the summer of 2009. Best of Show award is $1000 and there are two Honorable Mention awards of $250. There is a $40 non-refundable fee for up to 4 works of art with another $10 for each additional entry. For a prospectus, visit http://www.culturalpartners.org/influx.htm or send a SASE to: Flagstaff Cultural Partners; c/o InFlux; PO Box 269; Flagstaff, AZ 86002. Inquiries? Contact Jillian Asplund at jasplund@culturalpartners.org or 928.779.233 ext 105.
"Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Contemporary Art Show": Deadline April 20 2009
Artists across the US are invited to send in work for the "Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Contemporary Art Show", (May 22 - May 25) in Downtown Daniel Island, South Carolina. There is a $500 cash award for 1st Place, $300 for Runner Up. Contemporary painting, collage, mixed media, multi-dimensional and demonstrations from established artists as well as select emerging talents are accepted. Please mail in a CD with at least four of your works, their sizes and any special display needs (some indoor space avail. for large works) along with an entry fee of $50 to: Art Aloud, 108 Beresford Creek Street, Daniel Island, SC 29492. Questions? Please contact Erin Oh at erin301@yahoo.com or call 843-607-5311.
"Bakersfield Visual Arts Festival 2009": Deadline April 21 2009
Bakersfield Museum of Art in Bakersfield, California announces a call to artists for the "Bakersfield Visual Arts Festival 2009", (May 14 - August 30, 2009. ) There are up to $800 in awards and the event is open to California artists only. Send two and three-dimensional art and photographs sized max. 8" x 8" or 8" x 8" x 8" - unframed. The Artwork must be securely mounted, ready to hang. Artists may submit up to three works. All works for sale, up to $400. The theme is of the show is "Roots." Fees are $35 for non-members, $25 for members. For more information, visit http://www.bmoa.org. or contact Emily Falke at efalke@bmoa.org or call 661-323-7219.
"5th Annual Magnitude Seven (small works)": Deadline April 24 2009
The Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center in Cincinnati, Ohio announces a call to artists for the "5th Annual Magnitude Seven (small works)" international exhibit, (May 29 - June 26, 2009.) Open to all. Students and professionals alike are encouraged to enter. The fee is $10 per work submitted. Visit the site at http://www.manifestgallery.org/seven09 for a prospectus. Questions? Please contact Jason Franz at jason@manifestgallery.org or call 513-861-3638.
"Daily Painters America International Small Works Art Competition"
Deadline April 24 2009
A call to artists for the Daily Painters America International Small Works Art Competition. All juried entries will be featured online at www.dailypaintersamerica.com for the month of June 2009 and archived yearly. Winners will be showcased in a Salon Show June 12-14, 2009 at the SCA Contemporary Art Gallery in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Awards: 1st: $1500; 2nd: $750; 3rd: $500; 3 honorable mentions of $50. Artists must be 18+; Citizens of US and Canada. Fees are $40 final / $25 Early Bird (April 3, 2009). Prospectus: www.callforentry.org. Contact Jacqueline Butler at contest@dailypaintersnewmexico.com or call 505.466.3624 or 866.458.3766.
11th Annual Contemporary Art Juried Online International Art Exhibition:
Deadline April 24 2009
Upstream People Gallery has published a call to artists for an online international art exhibition, (May 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010). They are offering Cash Awards of Excellence; Special Recognitions; Press Releases to artists' newspaper(s). This event is open to all contemporary artists worldwide with original 2-D & 3-D artwork in all media and creative processes. Global art, installations, post-modernist art, outsider art, etc., are welcome. Fees are $25 for up to 5 slides, jpegs or tiffs; with $5 for each additional. Go to http://www.upstreamgallery.com/schedule/default.asp or send a SASE to: Upstream People Gallery, 5607 Howard St., Omaha, NE 68106-1257, U.S.A.
Contact Larry Bradshaw at shows@upstreampeoplegallery.com or call 402-991-4741 if you have any questions.
"Top 40" International Juried Competition: Deadline April 27 2009
The Los Angeles Center For Digital Art in Los Angeles, California announces a call for digital art and photography. Forty winners will be selected to receive one print up to 24x36 on museum quality paper to be shown in a group show at LACDA, (May 14-June 6.) Winners will also be exhibited on three 42" plasma screens at the Digital Studio Gallery in the California Museum of Photography, (July 2-August 22.) All styles of artwork and photography where digital processes of any kind were integral to the creation of the images are acceptable. Open to all. Entrants may submit 3 JPEG files of original work for $30US. Register online at: http://www.lacda.com/juried/juriedshow.html. Questions? Please contact LACDA at lacda@lacda.com.
Spring/Biennial Contests by ArtistGrants.org: Deadline April 30
2009ArtistGrants.org in Columbus, Ohio has sent out a call to artists to participate in a contest with the following awards: $10,000 Spring / $15,000 Biennial. Artist must reside in the United States. We are currently only accepting photography, paintings, drawings, and graphic design works. There is a $10.00 fee for Spring Competition / $15.00 for Biennial Competition. For information, visit http://artistgrants.org/Home_Page.php. For more info, please send email to artistgrantsorg@gmail.com
April 1st (Joke)
April 1st - Open Call for special exhibition Jester Joak, head curator of the Museum of Comestible Art is inviting local artists to bring in their work today before the clock strikes 12. The first 10 artists arriving with their work will be hung from the walls and presented with the prestigious Gullible Artist of the month award. Following this, a light buffet of abstracts and conceptual ideas will be served for lunch. The event is open to artists, sculptors & photographers of all levels (of intelligence) and free parking is provided at $20 an hour. The loco press will be on hand to record the outstanding naivety of the participants. Proceeds from the exhibition will be donated to Los Angeles Retirement facility for Wacky Artists in order to build a new annex for the growing number of residents. Enjoy your day.