More Collage--Ken Kewley

Heard Ken Kewley speak at the Washington Studio School earlier this week and really enjoyed his collage work. He makes his own colored paper by painting on white computer printer paper. Earlier this year, I made several collages with painted tissue paper similar to his painted paper. He says the brush strokes that show through on some of the papers are "nuances," not intentional, but I like the look of the brush strokes. My favorites are his landscapes and figurative landscapes at www.kenkewley.com

Ossorio and Collage

The "Pollock, Ossorio, and Dubuffet" exhibit at the Phillips Collection earlier this year was my first exposure to Alfonso Ossorio. Reading more about his work, I learned that he moved from the intricate works of ink/wax/watercolor/gouache with cuts in the paper, which were very engaging, to collages which he called "congregations." According to Ossorio in his 1968 interview for the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art, these works were made of "materials as disparate as possible." The "Fat and Thin" image referenced below is a good example, including oil, shell, sand, colored glass, feathers, chain, rope, wood, bone, and plastic and fabric on panels. Ossorio said, "One must change the rules of the medium as far as necessary to express what one wants."

Fat and thin by Alfonso Ossorio on artnet: View the auction lot, Fat and thin, by Alfonso Ossorio on artnet. Find artwork details or browse more lots by Alfonso Ossorio.

"Over, Under, Next" Collage at the Hirshhorn

 Wide ranging collection of works of collage and assemblage from the Hirshhorn's permanent collection. My favorites are: this one, "The Soul of Morvan" by Jean Dubuffet, made of grape wood, vines, tar, rope, metal, twine, nails, and staples. Another interesting Dubuffet, "Landscape with 3 Trees," a collage with vine, sorrel, spinach, beet, and watercolor on paper. "Caryatid," a collage with colored sand, seashells, and seaweed on wood, by Andre Masson. A series of Louise Nevelson collages with metal foil, graphite, and mixed media on printed aquatint. There is also an entire case of Joseph Cornell wood box assemblages, and collage by many other artists--Kurt Schwitters, Joseph Stella, Georges Braque, Robert Rauschenberg. Worth a visit.

Rubber Sculptures Exhibit at the Phillips Collection

Caught the last day of the exhibit of Jeanne Silverthorne's work alongside works from the permanent collection. Very unusual comparisons of still life paintings with her rubber sculptures--intended to be meditations on the brevity of life--according to the brochure. I thought "Candelabra," pictured here, showing the beginning genetic sequences for many bad feelings, was the most intriguing piece.

Jackson Art Center Open Studios Sunday, April 28, 2013

I have always found green to be a difficult color to work with--of course there are all ranges of green--from warm to cool, bright to dark, but green can easily overpower a painting. I once had a teacher who made me do a series of paintings using pthalo green--really tough to put a lot of that color green in a painting. At this spring's open studios, we will be featuring a "green" exhibit of works predominantly green. However, there is also a broader interpretation of "green" as in new, environmental, and, of course, spring.  Here is just one of my "green" works that will be on display.

Stop by Jackson Art Center, Sunday, April 28th between 12 and 5pm. 3050 R Street, NW, WDC.

Corcoran Community Day Saturday, October 20

The Corcoran Gallery of Art Community Day will feature the first annual art fair juried exhibition and sale of fine art and crafts; workshops in bookmaking, printmaking, and ceramics; films and museum tours, from 10 am to 3pm. The museum and all the events will be free to the public in an effort to attract a wider audience. Donation opportunities for local charities will also be available throughout the day.

(e)merge another "Pop-up"?

The first major DC art fair since ARTDC in 2007, but this time focusing on emerging artists, was held from September 23-25 at the newly renovated Capitol Skyline Hotel in Southwest. A varied mix of hotel rooms adapted to gallery and installation spaces. Some chose only one artist to showcase while others featured flat files with the works of many. Most DC galleries participated in (e)merge as well as several from the mid-Atlantic and east coast, and even a few international galleries from Canada, Paris, Belgium and Italy. So glad to see DC making another attempt at an art fair.