Animalier Poster

http://www.nwosu.edu/studio-art

Animalier: The Animal in Contemporary Art

If you happen to be in Oklahoma this next month, be sure to check out Northwestern Oklahoma State University's gallery and exhibition Animalier: The Animal in Contemporary Art.

Wherefore art thou
(Vermivora bachmanii, extinct 1962)
Female above, male below

2012

Watercolor on paper adhered to canvas

8 X 10 in each

The term “Animalier” was first used by an art critic as a derisive title for the 19th century sculptor of animal bronzes, Antoine-Louis Barye. The epithet was in keeping with the use of animal names as terms of reproach. The term gradually lost its original contemptuous intention and is used specifically to describe 19th century animal sculptors and broadly to describe any artist who chooses to focus on the animal form. The description of animals, whether symbolic or scientific, has been a concern of artists since the dawn of recorded history.
This exhibition is intended to present a variety of approaches to the concepts concerning the representation of animals in contemporary artistic practice. 

 I'm proud to exhibit my paintings in this great show. Unfortunately, I will not be there for the reception but I'm sure it's going to be a great event.  Info is below if you are interested:

http://www.nwosu.edu/exhibition-animalier-the-animal-in-contemporary-art/6454869

Background behind "Close Again"

I recently finished a painting that I have been working on and off since I finished school and I feel it deserves some background history and explanation to accompany it. 

In broadest terms, it is a painting of two Carolina Parakeets, or Conuropsis carolinensis, which become extinct in 1918. This colorful parakeet used to be the only native parakeet to North America. In the winter, these birds were far north enough to look like drops of rainbow in a field of snow. The Carolina was an extremely social bird, as most parakeets are, and were seen frequently in large flocks. Due to habitat destruction, hunting, and other factors, this bird is no longer seen in our Midwestern landscape.

On record, the last two birds of this species, a pair named Lady Jane and Incas, were held captive in the Cincinnati Zoo. While zookeepers waited in hope that the pair might reproduce and keep their species alive, the two birds were too used to their large flocks to help raise their offspring and long past their breeding age. When Lady Jane finally died in 1917, it didn't take long for Incas to follow--his keepers claimed he had died of grief.

There are a lot of great facts about the Carolina Parakeet: its history, range, habitat, behavior, etc. that are all very fascinating, but this story caught my full attention. So very tragic, and yet so beautiful, these birds and their story. What if, in some other world, these two found each other again? Were able to break that mysterious boundary from living to extinct and be together and close once again? I am not claiming this "place" to be heaven or purgatory or hell or even real, but I believe there has to be somewhere for these birds to be with each other again....somewhere peaceful, yet unclear and forgotten. In this place, the birds are not alive, not dead. It has to be something beyond merely existing....

...I think that is a good place to stop. 

Finally...

It's finally here....the information on my BFA show! I have a total of four of my larger works on display at my lovely college:

American Academy of Art
332 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60604

Reception is on Wednesday, September 26th from 5-8pm on the third floor at the Bill L. Parks Gallery. I'm hoping to reconnect with a lot of my fellow watercolor 'peeps' and other Academy alumni at the show's opening and hopefully meet some new people. Either way, it's going to be an interesting night. Hope to see you there!

Upcoming shows: September

I'm a little late updating with shows, but Evanston's 4th Annual Green Arts Show was awesome. All of the work was thought-provoking and beautiful. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to speak with all of the artists, but I did catch up with fellow artist and AAA alumni Kim Guare

http://kimguare.blogspot.com/2012/09/opening-reception-for-citizens-greener.html

Anyway, more shows and opportunities on their way. Tomorrow is the opening reception for Apocalypse 2012: Genesis 2013 at the Jackson Junge Gallery in Chicago. I just know its going to be an amazing show! For more information, please click on the link:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/-Apocalyspe-2012---Genesis-2013-.html?soid=1101097532654&aid=TKaTmjX293s

This Saturday is another cool show at a gallery I was just introduced to, called Autumn Space. I'm going to have to bring my camera there since it looks like a lot of neat work is being produced in that space. Also, next Friday at the Zhou B. Art Center is 4Art Inc. Third Friday exhibition night. Another great event to bring a camera. After that, the following week is my Capsim Artists' Reception. (More details to follow) All in all, a busy month for art, which is great! I only hope October will be as rewarding.

Luzon Bleeding-Heart Dove Painting

Detail of Luzon Bleeding-Heart Dove

I just finished this painting as a gift, but I must admit I really just wanted to paint this beautiful bird. This dove's name is extremely fitting, and although it seems to have some gruesome elements, I think it is an absolutely gorgeous bird deserving of some attention. There was a story about how the dove got it's "bleeding" chest marks: apparently it flew straight to Christ, brushing against His wounds immediately after being stabbed on the cross. Now, that's some story, but have to admit I love finding that type of history on such a unique animal, true or not. This painting was also sort of a warm-up piece; An attempt to get myself into the mindset of painting doves. If you know anything about extinct birds, you might be able to guess what species I will be painting next. Oh.... and there might be a unicorn involved too.

Sketches...

These are some sketches I did last night. Not the greatest photos, but at least these show what I do before each painting. I think sketching is vital to my process, and sometimes I get my best ideas for a new painting by just doodling.