Temptation - John Grant

"The 'Doors of Perception' were identified by Aldous Huxley as a set of limiters to our consciousness that can be held closed for most of our waking time so that we can go about our daily lives taking care of business.
What excites me about this work is that it challenges my 'limiters.' Deep observation, with the addition of imagination and technology yields a new and energizing perspective.
Can understanding, empathy and change be the natural evolution? Or what will my 'limiters' allow?"

John Grant has pursued the visual arts for over 30 years as a photographer, graphic designer, and publisher of fine art books and calendars.
These works were produced without the use of a “camera” in the traditional sense.
Rather, the original imaging was done using digital scanning technology.
The prints are printed on archival fine art papersusing pigmented inks to ensure maximum longevity.

web site here

We just recently installed this enamel piece at NIH, Kim Eubank (Richmond, VA) is the artist. We have also purchased her work for Martha Jefferson Hospital. At MJH we have moved their piece at least 3 times and it always looks great no matter what the color of the wall. See her web site here.

an excerpt from her artist statement:
Metal Quilts and Mirrors are original pieces of art created by Kim Eubank and Will Armstrong. They are influenced by the geometric greats: Mondrian, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Hundertwasser. Kim's inspiration to make the first Metal Quilt came from a combination of classes in the crafts department at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she explored the classic argument of form vs. function. An avid reader of southern literature, Kim was inspired by Alice Walker's Everyday Use. Two daughters disagree on the treatment of heirlooms. One daughter feels that the family quilts are an example of craftsmanship that should be displayed like artwork on the walls; the other uses them for warmth out of necessity. Intrigued by this irony, Kim created a soft-sided metal quilt using scraps of copper. She manipulated the metal by using an enameling technique, taught in a recent jewelry class. Pieces of copper were sewn with sharp steel pins onto a soft, foam-stuffed form and draped across a simple bed frame. The finished piece was elaborate and beautiful, but not functional as an object of warmth and comfort.

Tis the Season....and also my 1001 post...

Annual Off the Walls Sale
Thursday, December 7, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday, December 8, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday, December 9, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Looking for the perfect gift just in time for the holidays? Off the Walls is the Corcoran College of Art + Design's annual holiday art and ceramics sale, featuring affordable fine art and quality crafts made exclusively by Corcoran students, alumni, faculty, and staff.This eclectic mix of works includes all media, from fine handmade jewelry, scarves and handbags to ceramic bowls and cups, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and more. This is a great opportunity to find gifts for everyone on your list.For more information, please contact aguill@corcoran.org.

The Washington Glass School's Annual Holiday Party and Glass Sale will be on Saturday, Dec. 9th from 2 to 6pm. Food ,music, class specials.....TONS of glass and art at bargain pricing...and even a Fire Spinning Performance by Sarah Lovering and her class from 4:30 to 5:30! Even Bead Making demonstrations! We will also be showing off our new space bringing us to a total of 6500 sq ft.! What more can you ask from one open house! :) This is a great way to get some great art at incredible prices...while having a great time! Come on down and join us!

What : Washington Glass School Annual Holiday Party and Open House
When : Saturday, Dec 9th from 2pm to 6pm
Where : Washington Glass School
3708 Wells Ave.
Mt. Rainier, Md. 20712
202-744-8222

and this just in from Elaine Langerman...

One of her images from our Some Kind of Truth show "Light as a Feather" is now going to be shown in a museum show in Belmont CA, beginning January 29 to April 8. It's a show called "Beaux and Eros"--of Valentine things, and there'll be a
catalog to go with it. The museum
is called the Peninsula Museum of Art in Belmont, CA. (detail shown here)

Congratulations!!

this just in from Michael

Michael Janis has a new web site up... www.michaeljanis.com

Also, this coming Thursday evening, there is a reception at McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) - the opening of 'Photogenesis'. One of my sgraffitto pieces was juried into this show that "features artists whose work springs from photographic images, ideas or techniques. Juried by Charles Brock from the National Gallery of Art, and Stephen Bennett Phillips of the Phillips Collection"

November 30 – January 13
Emerson Gallery:PhotoGenesis

McLean Community Center1234 Ingleside Avenue
McLean, Virginia 22101

and just as suddenly the house is emptying, silliness is over, food has all been cooked & eaten. and its back to work. Today I have an early meeting at the USBG and then lunch w/my last monday girls. Then depending on how late it is I may go into NIH.

KT had to go to the NGA to research a painting for art history. True to form we got there an hour early (I wondered why there was so much parking) so we walked up the street at got a cup of coffee. Beautiful morning out.

One of our favorite images from the Streets of New York show was this early color photograph by Saul Leiter, Snow 1960. Such a beautiful image and a really great show, full of humor, striking images.

I love thanksgiving, even after 9 hours of cooking, there is such a joy to sitting around the table together. Every year has a different flavor, last year the food was so amazing we literally didn't talk during dinner. This year was so rowdy - only Sharon noticed I accidentally didn't put sugar in the pumpkin pie. It reminded me of the days of old when we had huge family dinners at Doom's house. The kids have become adults and its their party.

and what would the holidays be without a touch of the bittersweet? the sad demise of little red. Mom purchased this car in 82, gave it to us when KT started driving 03, all three kids drove it to TC where it was a legend parked among the SUV's. It survived; no fuel gage for at least 15 years, 2 breakins -smashed windows (when the doors were unlocked), drivers door wouldn't open, unreliable in bad weather - which gabe had just fixed in auto shop. When gabe was driving home from school someone backed out of their driveway and hit his passenger door taking off the whole panel. verdict, totaled.

A Thanksgiving treat! one of my favorite artists, Jeff Wilson is currently exhibiting with us at NIH. His artist statement below
The beaches on the Outer Banks of North Carolina are a constant source of inspiration for my paintings. It is no wonder that man first learned to fly there. Everything seems to be flying there; sand, sea, clouds and sometimes even rooftops. It is the windiest place I know. It seems in perpetual motion, a world of waving grasses, pounding waves, and shifting shadows. I have vacationed and painted there for over twenty years. Almost every painting in this exhibit was started there. It has been my Arles.

I have always considered myself more a painter than an artist, if I may make that distinction. An artist is one who makes a statement about society or human nature or about himself/herself; I am more concerned with using paint in response to what I see. I am a realist painter. I marvel at paints ability to render figures and objects and to create atmosphere, mood and drama. Most of all, I am a painter of light. But what makes me an artist is that I am a recreator. I take in what I see and watch it appear on the easel new and changed. The painting becomes a vision fused with my ideas, moods and memories, transformed by my skills and limitations. It is influenced by other painters I see and study, the music I listen to, my physical comfort or discomfort and the perseverance and dedication I give to my intension. It is this aspect of my artwork, never knowing exactly what will transpire, that keeps me motivated and intrigued.

Many of the works in this show are the result of a continuing investigation into painting on copper panels. Many artists over the years have experimented with this substrate, including Rembrandt, Goya, El-Greco and Chardin to name just a few. It has significantly changed both my approach to painting as well as the finished works. My paint application uses thin glazes and the paintings have a smoothness that is the inherent nature of the copper panel. Copper also lends an illumination to the work where the warm tones of the metal are allowed to peek through the thin paint layers. I also like to employ an etching technique of drawing into the wet paint that also reveals the warm copper ground.

My employment at the National Gallery of Art in the Design and Installation Department has also been a tremendous source of inspiration for me and my art. Working so closely with some of the greatest art of the ages has given me a first hand insight into the lessons and techniques of arts great masters.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What a beast of a turkey! I haven't cooked thanksgiving for so long, usually we are at Gretchen's house, but w/her work commitments we decided to have it here. After talking to KA's mom we arranged to cook late rather than early, so I even slept in. We have just enough good plates and chairs (11) to have everyone around the table... I'm really looking forward to it.

This picture does not do it justice, a fascinating installation of Daniel Burke's work of a feather, at the Arlington Art Center. See more on the AAC website here

it is just so interesting when everyone comes home - suddenly -constant in & out the door, friends, interruption in conversation, stories to tell, piles of groceries, laundry, laptops, phones, jokes.

our show at Smith Farm has been blogged by DC Style Magazine! see it here 1/2 way down the page

met w/Novie and Philip to discuss commission for the Children's Inn. I am so excited - it combines an ancient art form w/such advanced technology.

watched a woman is a woman, 1961, Jean-Luc Godard. it was very fun - reminded me of Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina, or Breakfast at Tiffany's (also made in 1961), the street scenes very graphique de france poster catalog. it also seemed to be kindof Dick Van Dyke sitcom slapstick.

went to lunch w/gabe at los amigos. we've been going there since before KT was born - the new waitress is after 20+years, not so new. I'd link to them but they don't have a web site.

very nice day yesterday, went to Arlintgon Art Center, saw some great work! said hey to Claire then to torpedo. Took a short walk along the river, it was so nice out and then drinks w/pc. what a funny girl she is.

Anthony Corradetti

Corradetti Glass Studio invites you to our Grand Opening Party. Come see this dynamic new venue...all ablaze with the fiery art of glassblowing!

www.corradetti.com

RSVP to studio@corradetti.com

I know what I'm anxious to see...

Joseph Cornell: Navigating the Imagination
11/17/2006 - 02/19/2007
Smithsonian American Art Museum

Joseph Cornell (1903–1972) earned international recognition as a pioneering modern artist. This ambitious retrospective, the artist's first in twenty-five years, will be a major step in expanding the critical and public appreciation of him as an American art master. "Joseph Cornell: Navigating the Imagination" will feature 200 of his finest boxes, collages, objects, dossiers, films and graphic designs borrowed from an international array of public and private collections. Selections of his encyclopedic source materials from the museum's Joseph Cornell Study Center and the artist's papers from the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art will be included also. see more at eyewash here

Finally!

our new gallery walls are installed! the architects originally thought we would use the more like tack boards which ment anything the least bit heavy we hung on them pulled the panels (and the artwork) off the walls. Its take more than a year to design and fabricate new ones. Charlottesville artist John Grant is our first show, should go up sometime around Thanksgiving. See John's beautiful work here

such a wonderful time at the Haitian Embassy last night. It was a delight to see Sauvier Aliance's work up again - we have had it in storage since 1990. Ambassador Joseph accepted this painting as a gift to the Embassy and played "How Great Thou Art" on the harmonica, just an amazing experience. Crystal and Henry were there, and when Crystal complimented the ambassador on his playing he offered to come play for our patients at NIH. I was thinking how lovely to have an exhibit of Aliance's paintings at the same time. He was such a talent and the community at NIH has always thought of him as their own.

things are crazy busy - yesterday, after an installation into a concrete wall, 2 conference calls and meeting Ray at the Haitian Embassy after work, I heard Strathmore would like images for DC Magazine to represent my encaustic workshop next January. Today Children's Inn, NIH and the reception at the embassy.

I did nothing yesterday but read, build a fire,watch the redskins w/gabe and make beef stew.

how lovely to sleep as late as I like and wake up to complete quiet - rustling of the leaves outside and the distant train whistle.

Last night was kindof a revelation. It made me realize is how insular my focus is. I am so captured by my own little aesthetic universe that I honestly don't even have an opinion (much less an intelligent contribution) on so many subjects. So I sat and let the conversation wash over me - books everyone had read, articles in the post, segments of NPR - the war, politics, global warming.
This morning its back to the real world, outside, barefoot in the muddy backyard taking pictures.

Finally finished Kings and Queen, I liked it very much - it did take me 4 days to watch. long under any circumstances (2hr 30 min) not to mention late at night with French subtitles. but it is fascinating in a everyday, matter of fact kind of way. I have to say I was totally taken back by some of the developments in the plot and loved how they were expressed aesthetically. Well worth a watch but you have to be in a mood - as I guess you have to be with most French subtitled films.
Did nothing today but go to the gym, get my hair cut and make chicken stock. Eve had us over for dinner which was very nice.

“Who the #$&% Is Jackson Pollock?”

NYTimes story here

Madame Chevre, an udderley gorgeous doe, bored but mischievous, serenely looks out over her neatly manicured vineyards. She reluctantly conforms to legislation and tradition, and only utilizes Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Petit Verdot in her seductive blend. This she does vintage after vintage. Bored with tradition and legislation, she now uses her charm and seductive wines to add spice to her life. Beware, you are about to become her latest conquest!
This blend of noble varietals shows good, gentle oak integration and ripe deep fruit. The combination of grapes from different sites provides balance, and the wine has good tannin evolution and structure.

The good news is I found my camera and Gretchen found her blackberry - all is once again right with the world. I plan to catch up on contracts and scheduling shows from home today

oh U Tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuS3wv2pCkY


I woke up thinking about this painting

Drake Sorey

We just installed Drake's show in Gallery One at NIH. Truly striking images and breathtaking color. Drake, like Cameron Davidson have a background in commercial photography. Which affords them a breadth of subject matter and great technology. There is something about their work which pulls out all the stops. The show looks great - come see it if you can!

Artist Statement:
Oklahoma born photographer Drake Sorey has a penchant for wide open spaces and the American West. Simple, straightforward compositions and bold colors are constants. This exhibit of large archival prints made personally by the artist, using both digital and traditional film media, includes landscapes, portraits, and abstracts. Drake has been photographing people, places, and things for over thirty years. He has lived and worked on both coasts in the United States, and also in Europe. His work has shown at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Woman's National Democratic Club (both group shows), and more recently at the Arts Club of Washington in a two-man show. Drake's web site here

RED DIRT STUDIO
Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 1 - 4 pm
3706-08 Otis Street
Mt. Rainier, MD 20712

Red Dirt Studio hosting Annual Open Studio. A great opportunity to view metro community artists' work in ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, painting and more… all in one place. I'll be showing some of my recent sculpture (and I'll have some jewelry there, too). Please stop by! If you need additional information or directions, email or call.

Hope to see you on the 12th!

Laurel Lukaszewski (DRA Vice President)
laurelsl@hotmail.com
Mobile: 703-801-4927

Gretchen and I went last year it was great fun!

luv these guys

INSIDER’S PICK: 2005 SPINIFEX PAPILLON BAROSSA VALLEY
I wanted to do this wine for the Insider's Pick as much for my own sake as for yours. Several months ago I tasted this wine along with others from this winery, and this was one of the choices I was most excited about. The more expensive bottlings were certainly more intense and 'impressive', but I really enjoyed the use of Cinsault with the Grenache in the blend, a grape rarely used outside the Rhone and Southern France. I proclaimed it a winner, and expected it to see big scores when it got reviewed. Recently, Robert Parker's "Wine Advocate" did their Australian wine review issue, and while this received very complimentary words and a very good score (89points) it didn't break that magic '90points' barrier that so often seems to be the line in the sand where good and not-so-good are divided. Today we also sampled a wine we received recently that scored 92points in the same Wine Advocate article. As I thought about it I felt the need to compare these two wines to see where those extra 3 points came from. Perhaps of the most glaring difference between them is their alcohol, the Papillon at a modest 14%abv, and the 92 point wine at 15.5%. The 1.5% is very noticeable, giving the 92 point wine a distinctly hot character, especially in the mouth (should I read anything into the fact that a fly landed in my glass shortly after pouring the 92 point wine, perhaps sensing the ambient heat and diving in to escape the 60 degree temps in our store?). The lower alcohol gives the Papillon something many people claim is lacking in Australian wines, a sense of balance. The fragrance is quite lovely, full of blueberries, red fruits, some herbs and even a hint of pencil lead, all of which is made more interesting by the absence of alcoholic heat. When you sip, the flavors come at you in a steady, silky fashion, instead of in one heavy rush, like a cowboy riding at full gallop. While the wine is fairly full bodied, it isn't thick, and surprisingly silky tannins give it a surprisingly dry and complex finish. Do I think that Parker made a mistake in giving the other wine too high a score? Of course not; it is still an intense and expressive wine, and it more than meets his standards for a 92 point wine. But I do think he may have missed some of the charm of the Papillon, and if he doesn't want to give it the magic 90 point score, then we are more than happy to.

We're offering free tastings as usual, this Thursday, November 9th, 2005, and a 10% discount off the retail price of $24.99 for the Grenache blend through the duration of the day. Stop by between noon and 7:30pm for a free taste, and take home some delicious wine.

http://winewarehouseinc.com/shop.html

(434) 296-1727

so not anxious to get in the car and do that commute again. Last night was long long long. I'll be posting some wonderful artists work over the next few days - the show I saw at McGuffey (which I'm really hoping we might be able to travel locally), the amazing Jeff Wilson who has 14 enchanting paintings at NIH right now, and Susan Stryk from Bristol VA. But today I have meetings with the Children's Inn and my effervescence art committee and thats the only reason I'm facing those idiot washingtonintherain drivers .

lots of productive meetings yesterday, Isabel and this character named nature boy are going to be exhibiting at the USBG. Also Amy Lamb will be showing first at the USBG and then NIH. Nice to see Carolyn Waller again after many many years. Our exhibit and sale of Aliance's work will be Tuesday 14, in the evening at the Haitian Embassy, more details as I have them. Several members of the art committee and I were having so much fun looking at nature boy on the web we had 1/2 the office crowded around my computer. Today not so much fun, lots of paperwork; contracts, checks, phone calls to return.