Invasive Species: Steven Kenny @ ARTicles Gallery

Steven Kenny, "The Whale"

Steven Kenny is an artist whose work was shown at Salt Creek. He has been reviewed here before [Link]. A lot of his work has involved a human figure and animals or elements of nature, often in a surreal setting, as in the painting depicted at left. With a little girl being carried by a whale while fly-fishing. This work is on display at the show at ARTicles

Many are of women, resembling Victorian era portraits (more on this later). Others allude to alchemy. With the paintings in this show, the artist turns his vision to Saint Petersburg alleys.

Steven Kenny, "St. Petersburg Alley #5"

 

The technique in these works is impeccable. At first they appear to be photographs due to their realism, but a closer looks reveals their true nature. The combination of technique and quotidian subject matter makes for a hyperrealist image. The name of the series could be a play on this.

Once the viewer gets used to the fact that this is a painting, look closer. The mastery in the technique lies in its economy. Like a digital image, it is just enough to convey the illusion of realism at proper viewing distance.

Steven Kenny, "St. Petersburg Alley #4"

The closest analogs to these landscapes are the photographs of William Eggleston, Bill Christenberry, Joel Meyerowitz and others. Not in the sense of slavishness to photography or realism, but in relation to the everyday world. The focused attention of the artist brings these scenes to life. Not a life-like state, but to another level of consciousness.

Steven Kenny, "Forest Queen #3"

There are other works by Steven Kenny in this show, including several small, stunning paintings of women with natural motifs. Look carefully at the crown in "Forest Queen #3".

Works by Steven Kenny

 Congratulations to Steven Kenny, Leslie Curran and ARTicles gallery for a very good show.

--- Luis

 Invasive Species: Steven Kenny @ ARTicles - Free admission. 1445 Central Ave. St Pete. Through January 2nd.

FMoPA Holiday Hours

From FMoPA...

FMoPA Holiday Hours

Thursday,12/20/12 10am - 5pm

Friday, 12/21/12 10am - 5pm*

*Closing at 5pm for private function

Saturday, 12/22/12 10am - 5pm 

Sunday, 12/23/12 Noon - 5pm

Monday, 12/24/12  CLOSED

Tuesday, 12/25/12  CLOSED

Wednesday, 12/26/12 10am - 5pm

Thursday, 12/27/12 10am - 5pm

Friday, 12/28/12 10am - 8pm

Saturday, 12/29/12 10am - 5pm

Sunday, 12/30/12 Noon - 5pm 

Monday, 12/31/12  CLOSED

Tuesday, 1/1/13  CLOSED

January 2, 2013 ~ Regular museum hours resume.  

fmopa

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

400 N. Ashley Drive, Cube 200, Tampa, Florida 33602

Seen/Scene: Ornamental @ Dysfunctional Grace.

Dysfunctional Grace Art Co. has its Christmas show with unique ornaments. By that I mean like no other. Here are a few pictures...

                                                        Merry Christmas from DGAC


--- Luis

Seen/Scene: Trinkets from Heaven @ Eve N Odd Gallery

Everyone is having their Christmas show. Eve N Odd Gallery has "Trinkets from Heaven", with some artists new to the gallery and a wide range of work and prices. Here are a few photographs:

                                           Above, dolls by Psynner, Painting by Hugo Porcaro.

Two painted plates by Jennifer Kosharek. Above, Gretchen, below Gretchen & Spoon Man.



Congratulations to all the artists and Jennifer Kosharek for a good show.

--- Luis

This Mayan Prepper Weekend, Dec. 21st-23rd

Lots of Apocalyptic parties going on this Friday on both sides of the Bay and across the country. Christmas is only a few days away, so this is a light weekend for the arts, but there are good things going on.

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The Snowflake Project for Sandy Hook Elementary @ Eve N Odd Gallery

 

[I received this from Jennifer Kosharek of Eve N Odd Gallery]

Saturday night at the eve-N-odd gallery we will be making snowflakes for Sandy Hook Elementary. 10 % of all sales will go towards the school. And all the snowflakes will be mailed together. I hope you join us. 6-9pm at the Crislip Arcade on the 600 block.

SNOWFLAKE PROJECT for SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL was launched by the Conneticut PTSA today, for anyone who would like to take part:

"Snowflakes for Sandy Hook - Please help the students of Sandy Hook have a winter wonderland at their new school! Get Creative!! No two snowflakes are alike. Make and send snowflakes to Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514, by January 12, 2013."

I will be there.

--- Luis

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 Home for The Holidays, Jamex and Einar de La Torre @ Mindy Solomon Gallery (MSG) - These Mexican glass artists have been reviewed here before. Last seen at the MFA Glass show the brothers return to MSG (their conceptual "home"). Free admission. Opens Saturday, Dec 22nd, 6-8:30 PM, at 124 2nd Ave NE. St Pete.


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Invasive Species: Steven Kenny @ ARTicles - I am putting this up again because this is extraordinary work. The series on alleys in particular. Free admission. 1445 Central Ave. St Pete. Through January 2nd.


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Puer Aeternus @ 620 - Paintings by Adam Miguel Estevez returns to 620.. Free admission. Tues-Sat Noon-4 PM. 620 1st Ave. S St Pete.


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Art On The House @ Tampa Museum of Art - A great chance to see the Cartier-Bresson photography show which closes on Jan. 13th. Free admission on Friday, Dec 21st, 4-8 PM. All at TMA, 120 Gasparilla Plaza. Tampa.



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Gulfport Art Walk - Want a guaranteed enchanted evening? This quaint and real beachside community will give you a chance to enjoy yourself and nab a few last-minute gifts. Saturday, Dec 22nd. 6 PM.
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Susan Gott/Phoenix Studios End of World Sale - Phoenix Studio is having its End of The World Studio Sale on (you guessed) Friday, December 21, starting at 9:00 AM. [Link] In Tampa.

Inspired Adornments @ Duncan McClellan Glass, Sat Dec 8th

Entrance to Duncan McClellan Glass

Inspired Adornments @ Duncan McClellan Glass was a continuation of the John Brekke show reviewed here earlier [Link] plus the work of many jewelry makers, including Leslie Belcher
Ashley Burke, Maria L. Damico, Angela Dickerson, Lisa Jacquemetton, Johnna Moser, Cindi Samaha, Carole Shelton,  Debbie Sierchio, & Lesley Tinnaro.

Kiln

 I went and checked in on the hot shop building out back. Duncan brought out this beautiful multihued glass bowl that had been made there. In the picture at left one of the shop assistants is shown holding it. On the right is a large kiln that is under construction.

Work by Carole Shelton

On the right are two pieces of jewelry from her Music Makers' Collection by Carole Shelton. Somewhat abstracted musical instrument forms in silver.

In Duncan McClellan Glass Gallery

Work by Leslie Tinnaro

On the left are two forged silver bracelets by Lesley Tinnaro. Textured, process-narrated, elegant and very well-made.

On the left and right is work by Cindi Samaha who handmakes artisan jewelry as seen here.







Congratulations to all the artists and Duncan McClellan and his crew for a good show.

--- Luis

Art at The End of the World

I was reading this article in the New York Times about what took place during the attack at Sandy Hook Elementary. This was not an abstraction of a Mayan Calendar or prophecy but there and then, with the Wolf literally at the door. While shots rang out, how teachers and students faced what would be or could have been their last moments. There are lessons here for all of us. A few selected quotes:

"Some of the children reached into their backpacks for objects that brought them comfort — dolls, stuffed animals, worn blankets — which Mrs. Wexler always encouraged them to bring to school."


Amulets of love and good times furnished strength and comfort.

"Mrs. Wexler, who spent 20 years in corporate finance before turning to teaching, began to sing holiday songs in a whisper.

The children whispered along.

“Jingle Bells.” “Silent Night.” “I Have a Little Dreidel.”

They did not pause when they heard shots or screams."

They sang together in unison and unity holding onto each other.

"A librarian pulled out crayons and paper and told pupils, “Our job is just to be quiet.”

They drew together. 

"In an art classroom, the door would not shut, so the teacher rushed the children into a small office. One girl, Vanessa Bajraliu, 9, thought a wild animal was inside the building.

“Like a deer,” she said later."

 Their teacher taped over the door’s clear windows with pictures and drawings. They waited."

 Art as shield and talisman.

--- Luis

The Snowflake Project for Sandy Hook Elementary @ Eve N Odd Gallery

 

[I received this from Jennifer Kosharek of Eve N Odd Gallery]

Saturday night at the eve-N-odd gallery we will be making snowflakes for Sandy Hook Elementary. 10 % of all sales will go towards the school. And all the snowflakes will be mailed together. I hope you join us. 6-9pm at the Crislip Arcade on the 600 block (at 645).

SNOWFLAKE PROJECT for SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL was launched by the Conneticut PTSA today, for anyone who would like to take part:

"Snowflakes for Sandy Hook - Please help the students of Sandy Hook have a winter wonderland at their new school! Get Creative!! No two snowflakes are alike. Make and send snowflakes to Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514, by January 12, 2013."

I will be there.

--- Luis

Woo Memorial Mural Saturday, Dec 8th Part II

Jenipher Chandley and her kids showed up to add to the coral reef...

Work by Jeniffer Kosharek

People gathered together to celebrate Woo.

They stayed late into the night...

--- Luis

Seen/Scene: Frankie Bowman build-up @ Collective

Bowman Motorcycles has three or four bikes at Collective. The chrome-framed unfinished one by the main window has been featured here before. Frankie Bowman added a few touches during an in-gallery build. The gas tank could not be finished in time, but here is Frankie on the bike.

Frankie Bowman on one of his custom bikes @ Collective

Frankie is also a long-time single-speed bikie. Present was this guy/bicycle builder with a beautiful, elegant and tough-looking single speed, carrying a custom bamboo bicycle frame on his messenger bag. It can just be seen over his left shoulder.

Congratulations to Bowman Cycles and the Collective for an interesting evening.

---- Luis

One of Our Own: Jennifer Kosharek of Eve N Odd Gallery featured in Vertical Magazine

Vertical Tampa Bay Magazine is a free fashion personality and arts paper magazine published online and a few issues on paper by  Leslie Joy Ickowitz. I picked my copy up at Kahwa South. The photography is competent and it is well-written.

In the photograph at left, I placed the magazine open to the article on one of Jennifer's works I happen to own.




The current issue, their third year anniversary, featured the Crislip Arcade's Jennifer Kosharek, artist and owner of Eve N Odd Gallery [Link].

You can see an interview with Jennifer Kosharek online here: [Link]. Click on the first of the list on the right. In the video you can also see the seven illustrations Ms Kosharek did for that issue's headers as well.


Congratulations to Jennifer Kosharek and Vertical magazine for choosing her to grace their pages.

--- Luis

Derek Donnelly One-Man Show at Saint Paint

Derek Donnelly and his Saint Paint gallery [Link] have carved out a space in the Saint Pete art landscape. Derek paints celebrity portraits, many from pivotl moments and/or gestures in cinema. This show was of his own work, many of them new pieces, and he managed to put this together while painting the Woo portrait at the Woomorial and coordinating the additions by other artists and the finishing of the mural by the public on the same day as the opening of this show. 

Derek Donnelly, "Foot Massage"

 On the left we see a dual portrait of Vincent and Jules from Pulp Fiction. The title, "Foot Massage" is from a line in the movie delineating the reason their boss, Marsellus, f*cked up a guy. Not for having sex with his wife, but for giving her a foot massage. Note the stylized faces, a hallmark of Derek's portraits.

Derek Donnelly, "Fifth Element"

  The Savior takes an unusual form in the "Fifth Element" as Leeloo, a young woman whose purpose is to save Humanity by remind us of who we are and what our mission is. Here she has assumed her fighting stance. Self-assured, fearless, with a "bring it" attitude and gesture.

Derek Donnelly, "Dude"

A classic Cheech and Chong moment as they carom their way through the hazy life. Their faith and determination overcome their hurdles, inner and outer. Note the subtle colors.













Derek celebrates the humanity and passion of these characters and the people who play them and their role as icons. On the left is a photo of Derek by the Woomorial, showing his paint-splattered hand. Besides his artistry, he is a natural-born leader who has earned the respect of others and acted as a strange attractant to many other artists in the community.


 Congratulations, Derek.

--- Luis

Peace: The Artist and the World Exhibit @ Creative Clay

Green Christmas Goddess/Ms. Claus

Creative Clay is one of these places where magic goes on in a regular basis. The focusing of human energies into art that is far greater than the sum of its parts via the talent, vision and discipline of their artists and mentoring by artists like Calan Ree and Missy Roll.

In Peace: The Artist and The World, the theme was the inner and outer worlds of peace.

I loved the Christmas figure at left at Creative Clay. Festive, feminine and powerful.

Robert D's "Tressle Stream" 

 Robert D's "Tressle Stream" is a landscape from an aerial perspective. Fish swim lazily, some in a semi-circle. The trestle bridges the black stream to the side where a house is, warm in pink with a white (snowy?) roof. Trees grow rooted and green. I want to know that place.

Sheryl L. "Starlight Palm"

A lone palm with gold-green fronds glows, floating against the starry evening sky in Sheryl L's "Starlight Palm". Azure flying buttresses hold it up. It looks so familiar....

Lawrence J, "My Parents' Backyard"

Lawrence J.'s "My Parents' Backyard" begs the question: Is this Heaven? No, but it is a haven. A beautiful, peaceful magical place, with the moon rising over the house, trees looking like dancing Muses and overhead a string of stars bouncing in the evening sky.

Nicole, "Universe"

Nicole's "Universe" consists of one small yellow circle in the upper left that is either a projection of or is projecting a donut-shaped form of the same color with a hole of the same size. Below is a sinuous red line, apparently reacting to the donut figure. Like many works of art, this one has its secrets. Walk right up to it, I mean inches away, and look around the edges of the donut and the red ribbon and you will notice little fuzzy things.

Look closer.

Detail of "Universe"

I took a close-up to show that Nicole has drawn tiny figures along the edges, as if they are on a roller coaster. They do not look fearful, but absorbed. They are all of us, you and me.

 I took home several small works in card form, some of which are shown at left. There are so many wonderful works of art in this show that I feel like I am shortchanging my readers by not showing more, but all I can say is go and see this exhibit.

Congratulations to all the artists, Missy Roll, Calan Ree and the rest of the Creative Clay crew for a very good show.

--- Luis









Peace: The Artist and the World Exhibit @ Creative Clay - The theme inner and outer worlds of peace.  Creative Clay's Good Folk Gallery is at 1124 Central Avenue, St. Pete. Free admission.