That reminds me of when I used to run from the cops by Sergio Garcia

One Hundred and Ten Degrees
TractorBeam Gallery

Last Saturday night was burning hot with the One Hundred and Ten Degrees opening at TractorBeam Gallery downtown. There are 10 artists showcasing their hottest work.

Hot Tip From StealingKitty: If you have ever questioned going to one of these openings for a variety of personal reasons, I urge you to put those reasons to rest.

This opening had a hot bartender serving top shelf alcohol for tips. In contrast, down the street you could get the same drink for about $20 plus tip. Hot bartenders, hot art, electric atmosphere! What more could you ask for in a night on the town.

This show included works from Joshua King, Stephen Hartzler, Fredrik Broden, Shane Pennington, Sergio Garcia, Scogin Mayo, Tony Bones, Zach Saucedo, Jorge Rivas, Steven Wrubel, and Adriane Dutzi. My favorite from the show came from Sergio Garcia. It was a large white piece in what seemed like a wooden frame, it stated “That reminds me of when I used to run from the cops”. I love the moment captured in this piece and the provocation it evokes in my brain. Another notable was Stephen Hartzler. I saw him first at Function at Corinth Park and was drawn to his work there as well. This time he does painting on a mirror of the wing motif he is known for around town. I love it.

Click here to visit StealingKitty’s Flickr gallery for One Hundred and Ten Degrees opening.

In addition, Steve Wrubel’s photograph was inspiring. The piece is beautifully framed. The framing actually costing more than the photo itself, made the whole piece. If you are interested in purchasing, I would definitely have the frame included since it is framed the way a fine photographed should be framed, impeccably. I look forward to checking out more photographs from Steve Wrubel as his style and clarity are amazing

TractorBeam Gallery is part of a kickass design/ad agency. Wondering about the offices had my mind imagining working there and how creative of an environment it must be to go to everyday for your job. I was able to glimpse June Mattingly at a roundtable of other art aficionados. June Mattingly is known for bringing fine art to Dallas from the beginning. We all owe her a bow for sure as she is a pretty cool lady and one with great connections and taste. One Hundred and Ten Degrees was the hottest show of the evening and the art … smoking!

That reminds me of when I used to run from the cops by Sergio Garcia

The Door by Cathey Miller

I Am Women
RISING Gallery
Through July 31, 2010

RISING Gallery was pulsing like a crowded downtown nightclub for a full three hours on July 15, 2010, for the I Am Woman art opening. The FGIII Art & McKane organization who put on the exhibition packed the venue with great art, a DJ, string musicians, a beautiful crowd, and eighteen local smoking hot female artists. The show features a group of artists’ works benefiting Alley’s House, a non-profit for teen mothers and their children. The artwork is on 24 x 24 inch canvases all priced at $300 and based on the theme “feminity, love, beauty, passion and power”.

Hot Tip from StealingKitty: Jennifer Morgan’s awesome donated piece was still available for purchase as of Tuesday.

Pinky and Rocco by Cathey Miller

The front wall of the gallery displayed RISING Gallery Artist Chris Panatier’s custom portrait of a woman with a flower for the occasion, and set the stage for the gallery literally full of paintings and photographs. I featured Chris Panatier last month (Review of Chris Panatier at RISING Gallery), and continue to be impressed with his work. Each of the eighteen artists displayed five works, and as a whole, the show was very impressive and colorful.

Immediately upon arriving, Cathey Miller’s new series, Pinky, stood out to me. The Door, from this series is a striking close up portrait of a woman in a mustache crouching down in front of a door. I found myself looking into the painting’s large eyes and was curious about the implied shenanigans about to happen in front of the shiny doorknob. When I took a closer look, I was delighted to find how painterly the portrait was painted. The brush strokes throughout the whole painting were deftly handled, and the bright happy colors Ms. Miller uses add whimsy to her cryptic subject matter.

The Monkey on her Back by Jennifer Morgan

Pinky and Rocco, a painting of two women, had me giggling a bit at Ms. Miller’s ability to communicate her humor through her well executed art works. This painting seemed to show two sides of Ms. Miller. In one pose she has long white hair with a white cat, both appearing soft and vulnerable. In another pose she is a Don Juan character complete with mustache holding a black cat in a pose of confidence. They appear either as a couple, room mates, or maybe she is trying to give the viewer a glimpse of two sides of herself. It works for me. I continue to find myself intrigued by this artist and it is nuances like this that keep me coming back for more. Her Don Juan character is the one I want to watch feminist porn with or maybe make feminist porn together. Don Juan knows about sexytime this is for sure.

Each painting has Ms. Miller appearing as one or the other of these characters and you feel you are getting to know her just a bit more, through her disguises. This series is my favorite work from Cathey Miller, and it is a direction that I hope she continues exploring.

Click here to visit StealingKitty’s I Am Woman Flickr gallery.

The other artists I especially enjoyed were Jennifer Morgan, Michelle de Metz, and Laura Elia.

Jennifer Morgan’s work was strong, colorful and displayed an appealing subject matter. Ms. Morgan’s painting, The Monkey on her Back, featured an 18th century woman with literally a pink monkey on her back was my favorite from her series.

Goldilocks by Michelle de Metz

Michelle de Metz photorealist pastels were provocative and appear at first glance to be blurry photographs. Goldilocks was my favorite Ms. de Metz piece because of the blurred vulnerability that kept me there with its fine execution. There was strength here that was communicated. Add to the fact that Ms. de Metz was wearing a strapless leopard print dress and is a blonde bombshell, you totally feel her blurred art is trying to let you know she is more than what she appears. I raise my hand in attention to say yes, Ms. De Metz, I want to know.

Laura Elia’s work features Tibetan prayer flags on 36 x 36 inch wood panels. These are acrylic works using a reactive polymer compound over the top that give each panel a high gloss finish. After inspecting each of her pieces I was impressed with the craftsmanship she possesses in a medium that was new to her. Give her work a good look, you will be pleasantly surprised. A favorite from her collection was an abstract, I Am Happy. Each piece of artwork has one or more Tibetan prayers embedded within – a humble request for compassion, courage, knowledge, or end to suffering. The mantras and sutras embedded in the paintings are conduits to assist on the path toward enlightenment and freedom.

I was trying to stalk Bonnie Leibowitz, but failed as I could not seem to find her. I need to visit her studio sometime or perhaps maybe I will finally meet her out and about. I felt the same way about the elusive Jennifer Morgan.

I am Happy by Laura Elia

I Am Woman not only revealed that women are sexy and beautiful but they are capable of creating fine art. You rarely get to see talented women artists together in a gallery and this is an opportunity you should seize. You can see all of these women works along with others through July 31, 2010, at RISING Gallery.

RISING Gallery is located at 4631 Insurance Road in Dallas and is open Tuesday – Saturday. RISING Gallery owners Bryan and Taber Wetz along with Director Jamie Arendt, houses fine arts and furniture in a relaxed and welcoming space.

In celebration of the centennial of the Mexican Revolution in 2010, the Mildred Hawn Gallery in Southern Methodist University’s Hamon Arts Library is featuring an exhibit of historic books and portfolios from Mexico, on view through August 29. The items are part of the Stanley Marcus Collection at SMU’s DeGolyer Library. Marcus, from the family of the founders of the exclusive Neiman Marcus store, was a passionate book collector who assembled a truly remarkable private library, numbering about 8,000 volumes and ranging across the centuries.

The exhibit includes a portfolio of drawings and color prints from prominent Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo, dated 1949-1950 and depicting animals and abstractions. They’re accompanied by photos and letters between Marcus and Tamayo. “The Fight for Liberty,” a 1944 lithograph of a mural by Jose Clemente Orozco, is also highlighted, along with a book featuring Diego Rivera’s mural of the Mexican Revolution. Portraits of the artists themselves – Tamayo, Rivera and Orozco – are displayed in the portfolio “Drawings of 13 Mexican Painters” by Carlos Orozco Romero (1939). Also featured is a portfolio of black and white woodcut-style prints by Jose Guadalupe Posada depicting revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata, calaveras and more.

Other cases in the exhibit include depictions of historical monuments and daily life. Vibrant silkscreened prints from the 1947 portfolio “Mexico in Color” by Elma Pratt show a man carrying flowers on a bamboo pole, women with baskets of corn balanced on their heads, and a colorful altar scene. Ancient monuments from Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan are the subject of a book by Frederick Catherwood, dated 1965. Also featured are black and white photographs taken by Marcus himself during visits to Mexico in the 1930s, in an album titled “This Is Mexico.”

The Hawn Gallery is on the first floor of the Hamon Arts Library, 6100 Hillcrest Ave. on the campus of SMU. The gallery is open during regular library hours. Summer hours, through Aug. 24, are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon. – Fri. and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thurs.; the library is closed Sat. and Sun. Regular hours begin Wed., August 25, and are 8 a.m. to midnight Mon. through Thurs.; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fri.; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.; and 1 p.m. to midnight Sun. Admission is FREE. For more information, please call 214.768.2661.

The celebration of the Mexican centennial will continue in the fall with the exhibit “Mexico: Porfiriato to Revolution, 1876-1920,” from Sept.7-Dec. 17 at SMU’s DeGolyer Library, 6404 Hyer Lane. It will feature photographs, manuscripts and printed materials from Mexico including pictures of the fighting and carnage of the Mexican Revolution, Porfirio Diaz and other government leaders, native peoples, railroads, mining, agriculture, and the Mexican 1910 Centennial celebration. There will also be loan materials from Elmer Powell’s extensive Mexican Revolution collection.

Renato (René) Mazza

Renato (René) Mazza will be featured at the Mary Tomás Studio Gallery on July 31, 2010, from 6 to 9 p.m. The preview will be on Friday, July 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. The Mary Tomás Studio Gallery is located in the Design District in building 1080 at 1110 Dragon St., Dallas, Texas 75207.

The show titled “Celebrating Noted Portrait Painter and Sculptor 20th Century Artist Renato Mazza” encompasses a collection of portraits and busts of many well-known public figures in the Dallas area and around the world. Included are elected officials, such as a former Dallas mayor, Texas governor and lieutenant governor, along with celebrities, oil giants and philanthropists.

Mary Tomás, artist and curator, recognized the significance of Mazza’s impact on the Dallas art community. “As a Dallas gallery owner, I think it is important to recognize noted artists while they are still living and give an opportunity for collectors and friends to see work that was previously out of the public eye,” said Tomás. “Artists of today are building reputations on the shoulders of great artists like Renato Mazza.”

Mazza is a self-taught artist, sculptor, teacher, appraiser and former Dallas Italian Consul. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Venice, a law degree from the University of Padua and became a student at the Academy of Arts in Venice.

He came to the United States in 1938 and joined the U.S. Army in 1943, where he continued his art career by painting a mural of the Iwo Jima American flag raising and teaching art to soldiers. After serving his new country, he traveled to New York, Boston and California before setting up his studio in Dallas in 1947.

Also featured, will be artists Roy Tomboli, bronze sculptor and photographic printer, and Mary Tomás with a retrospective look at her paintings. Friend and professional framer, Caesar Amaya with Gallery Central, has offered his services to frame a select group of Mazza’s paintings for the show.

For more information, contact Dykeman Associates at (214) 528-2991 or adykeman@airmail.net.

I Am Woman (poster by Stealing Kitty)

I AM WOMAN
RISING Gallery
July 15, 2010 – July 31, 2010

Opening reception is Thursday, July 15, 2010, from 6 to 10 p.m.

RISING Gallery is proud to host a two week art exhibition here at the gallery titled I AM WOMAN. All proceeds from this exhibition will benefit Alley’s House, a wonderful non-profit Dallas organization. The mission of Alley’s House is to empower teen mothers and their children to achieve independence through support services, education and mentoring. Alley’s House strives to break the generational, economic, and social impact of teen pregnancy within the community. Please visit www.alleyshouse.org for more information.

Each participating artist will be given a 24 x 24 inch pre-stretched canvas to create an
art piece based on femininity and the following attitudes:

FEMININITY referring to qualities uniquely attributed to women.
LOVE that drives the Artist to create.
BEAUTY in artistic creation and output.
PASSION imbued within the art.
POWER latent within the work, demanding respect.
I AM WOMAN

Artists participating in the exhibition include:

• Cathey Miller
• Renee Vandevere
• Bonny Leibowitz
• Laura Elia
• Kate Wickham
• Carmen Menza
• Melissa Preston
• Maureen Womack
• Suzy Mortiz-Rawdin
• Andrea Reich Fender
• Michelle De Metz
• Kathleen Wilke
• Jennifer Morgan
• Sonia Semone
• Jessica Lee
• Karen Garrett
• Sue Ellen Davis
• Treva Gilkey

Alcohol sponsored by Absolute. The canvases sponsored by Betsy Walker “Course of a Different Color”. Venue donated by RISING Gallery.

I Am Woman (poster by Stealing Kitty)

Gold Leaf Gallery presents Victor Thall

A Forgotten Abstract Expressionist: Victor Thall
Gold Leaf Gallery

Gallery talk and exhibit on July 28, 2010, from 5 to 8 p.m.

On July 28, 2010, from 5 to 8 p.m.,  Gold Leaf Gallery of Tyler, Texas will present a gallery talk and exhibition of the paintings of Victor Thall, an Abstract Expressionist and member of the original New York school.

At the age of eleven, Victor Thall was enrolled at the Student’s Art League, its youngest member. In the 1920s while a student in France Thall met Henri Matisse at his home. He also taught at the Student Arts League in the late 40s.

Robert Coates, critic for the New Yorker recognized the artistic of Thall at the 1949 Whitney Museum’s Annual of Contemporary American painting exhibition when he wrote, “The level of work is credibly high, and although there are a few outstanding pieces, there are a heartening number that are distinctly above average, among those I like the best… Victor Thall’s, The Waterfall, the Max Beckman Nice, Boulevards des Anglais and George Prestopino’ small, red and jolly Track Gang.”

Again, in 1950 the Whitney represented Thall’s work along with the best known Abstract Expressionist painters: de Kooning, Gottlieb, Motherwell, Guston, O’Keefee, Rothko and Stamos. In 1950, Thall left the country for ten years and traveled to Mexico, Jamaica, and Europe. He spent most of his time in Torrevieja and Palma Mallorca, Spain thus depriving America of one its greatest painters. Between 1946 and 1968 he exhibited in numerous galleries in New York, Chicago, London, Florida and Palm Springs, California.

Since his death in 1983, his paintings and papers have been in storage. This is a rare opportunity for Texans to view the work of a great American artist. The gallery talk, “A Forgotten Abstract Expressionist: Victor Thall” is presented by Robert L. Stevens, Professor, the University of Texas at Tyler in conjunction with Gary Herwood, Executor of the Estate of Victor Thall.

For additional information contact the Gold Leaf Gallery at 903-597-2645.

Gold Leaf Gallery presents Victor Thall

Growing Up Twins: Two Sides to Every Story (Photo courtesy of Paula Selzer)

We Used to Swim Here
Bath House Cultural Center
July 10-November 20, 2010

Opening Reception with the Artists: Saturday, July 10, 2010, from 7-9 p.m.
Free and open to the public

The Bath House Cultural Center and the White Rock Lake Museum present We Used to Swim Here, an exhibition of historical photographs dating to the time when swimming was allowed at Dallas’ White Rock Lake. The exhibition will be on display at the White Rock Lake Museum (housed inside the Bath House Cultural Center) from July 10 to November 20, 2010.

An opening reception for the public will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2010 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Both the exhibition and the reception are free and open to the public.

About the Exhibition

The nickname used to describe White Rock Lake in the early part of the 20th Century as being “the people’s playground” still appears to be just as fitting today as it was back then. Nowadays, White Rock Lake is still considered one of the main scenic, recreational, and ecological jewels of Dallas that attracts many visitors each year. Since the damming of White Rock Creek and the subsequent forming of the Lake almost one hundred years ago, the natural setting of this destination has been considered a true oasis in the middle of the city.

From the forming of the lake and up until the 1950s, the lake became a major center of recreation as the City offered amenities that included a boathouse, a bath house, and a bathing beach. The availability of these facilities led to activities such as fishing, sail boating, camping, and swimming. The popular spot provided its scenic beauty, cooling breezes, and recreational opportunities to those who escaped their homes without air conditioning in search for a good time with their families and friends.

The exhibition We Used to Swim Here includes archival photographs that document the period of history of White Rock Lake when swimming was allowed. The images were compiled by the exhibition curator, Enrique Fernández Cervantes, from submissions that were turned in by lake area residents who browsed through old scrapbooks, photo albums and slide carrousels in order to locate photographs of family outings at the lake during that bygone era of Dallas. Grandparents picnicking by the Bath House, aunts wearing rented swimsuits, and other images of a joyful time, are part of this show that looks back at the past.

The main contributors to the exhibition include the Texas/Dallas History and Archives Division of the Dallas Public Library, as well as longtime Dallas residents Nancy Cole, Judith Haralson Wolfe, Peggy Morgan, and Paula Selzer, whose short documentary film Growing Up Twins: Two Sides to Every Story features an interview with Adelyn Hancock and Carolyn Selzer describing their memories of swimming at White Rock Lake. A screening of Ms. Selzer’s documentary is scheduled for the Fall.

About the White Rock Lake Museum

The Bath House Cultural Center is the home of the White Rock Lake Museum. The museum’s mission is to preserve and present the human and natural history of White Rock Lake Park and its surrounding environment. The White Rock Lake Museum was inaugurated in September of 2004. Please visit the museum’s website at www.whiterocklakemuseum.org.

Please visit www.bathhousecultural.com for more information.

Growing Up Twins: Two Sides to Every Story (Photo courtesy of Paula Selzer)

Nature Takes Over by Kathryn Paige

Austin Art Space announced the selection of artwork to be featured in its second annual juried awards show and exhibit focused on everything Texas, entitled ‘What Texas Means to Me’ running July 2 – August 28, 2010. The show’s theme is built entirely upon artists’ impressions of any aspect of Texas’ past, present or future. And, those inspirations proved to be wide-ranging from abstract and contemporary to representational and traditional. Pastel, oil, watercolor, acrylic, collage, mixed media, photography and sculpture are among the media included.

The final 40 art pieces were chosen from over 150 entries from artists as near as Austin and Georgetown to Dallas, Houston, and Lubbock to as far away as Missouri, Arizona, Maryland and South Africa. In all, works by 35 different artists were selected for presentation.

The juror for this year’s show was well-known Austin artist Phillip Wade. A graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, with a MFA in Painting from the University of Texas, he currently mentors and teaches at the Austin Museum of Art. His work resides in several galleries and innumerable collections around the country including the Driskill Hotel, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Bentsen, and actress Diane Ladd.

Valerie Walden, co-founder and director of Austin Art Space commented, “This awards show gets better every year. The range of styles is impressive, and the breadth and depth of the interpretations are inspiring. We have introspective examination and liberal symbolism contrasted against more traditional representations from across Texas, from out of state and from another hemisphere. We are exceedingly pleased with the quality of the work submitted. At least 300 people attended the opening reception last year. We expect a Texas-sized turnout this year, too.”

All patrons are invited to attend the Artists’ Reception on Saturday, July 10, 2010 from 6:00pm-9:00pm. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served and many of the artists are expected to be on hand to discuss their work. Mr. Wade will award first and second prizes along with honorable mentions at that time. Many of the pieces will be offered for sale. The exhibit continues during regular gallery hours, ending on Saturday, August 28.

About the Selected Artwork

A preview of selections is at http://austinartspace.com/TexasExhibit2010.aspx. At the bottom of the page click on “Preview Artwork”.

About the Participating Artists

The artists selected to participate in the 2nd Annual “What Texas Means to Me” Awards Show are:

• Theresa Bayer, Austin, TX
• Jeffrey Brailas, Houston, TX
• Sharon Byars, Austin, TX
• Sandi Carlton, Leander, TX
• Bob Coffee, Austin, TX
• Janie Coleman, Austin, TX
• Cecilla De Jesus, Dallas, TX
• Gary Deininger, Silver Springs, MD
• Mariko Frost, Wylie, TX
• Christine Gilbert, Austin, TX
• Pia Greenberg, Friendswood, TX
• Renee Harvey, Austin, TX
• Kay Hughes, Austin, TX
• Betty Jameson, Austin, TX
• Leslie Kell, Manchaca, TX
• Eve Larson, Austin, TX
• Layla Luna, Mesa, AZ
• Robert McArthur, Austin, TX
• Fran McDonald Berry, Austin, TX
• Nancy Michalewicz, Austin, TX
• Jannise Mora, San Antonio, TX
• Cindy Morawski, San Antonio, TX
• Armin Muhsam, Maryville, MO
• Makiwa Mutomba, Pretoria, South Africa
• Kathryn Paige, Round Rock, TX
• Silvia PintoSouza, Houston, TX
• Marilyn Rea Nasky, Volente, TX
• Sandra Reiff, Austin, TX
• Debbi Smith Rourke, Austin, TX
• Ellen Russell, Austin, TX
• David Schulze, Dallas, TX
• Susanne Slay-Westbrook, Austin, TX
• Catherine Small, Austin, TX
• Kenneth Verdugo, Lewisville, TX
• Rom Welborn, Austin, TX

About Austin Art Space Gallery & Studios

Austin Art Space opened in November 2008 as a cooperative space for established and emerging artists to create, collaborate and present their work. There are nine artists-in-residence at the studios. The gallery presents the work of these artists and hosts juried shows, as well as solo and group exhibitions by other artists. The gallery is available for rental for public and private exhibits and receptions. Austin Art Space is located in a free-standing shopping center behind Northcross Mall. The public gallery is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11am – 6pm, or by appointment. Operating as a collective, the working studios are open Monday through Thursday whenever artists are on the premises. More information at www.austinartspace.com, austinartspacegallery@gmail.com, or 512.771.2868.

Nature Takes Over by Kathryn Paige

The festivities begin with a reception for the winner of DADA’s Edith Baker Art Scholarship and Artist Career Development Fund on Friday, Sept. 24 6-8 p.m. at Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. The DADA Scholarship Committee juried the seven finalists chosen by visual art faculty members of the Dallas County Community College District. The reception is free.

The annual DADA Fall Gallery Walk will be Saturday, Sept. 25. It begins with panel discussions to educate the public and artists from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Bath House Cultural Center. The Walk (really a car ride) begins at 2 p.m. at any of DADA’s 37 member galleries, museums and nonprofit art spaces. This FREE event goes until 8 p.m. and allows art lovers to socialize and roam (in a car) from gallery to gallery all in one day.

Panel 1: “How to Start an Art Collection” is 10:30-noon. Panel 2: “How to Photograph Your Art” is 1-2:30 p.m. Tickets ($15) can be purchased online at www.dallasartdealers.org or at the door. Proceeds benefit the Edith Baker Art Scholarship.

An After Gallery Walk party will be 8-11 p.m. at the Dallas Contemporary, 161 Glass St. at Riverfront. In honor of the DADA art movement, the party will be multi-disciplinary with the arts of fashion, visual art, theater, dance, music, cooking, and bartending. Paper City, Wendy Krispin Caterer, Inc., Darian Thomas Fashion, and The Dallas Conservatory are sponsors. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance at dallasartdealers.org or at the door.

Maps for the Fall Gallery Walk will be available at each location or at www.dallasartdealers.org as a downloadable pdf. Hours may vary; please see individual listings. Call 214.914.1099 or email info@dallasartdealers.org.

In honor of the 5th anniversary of the Edith Baker Art Scholarship, the film 25 Years of the Dallas Visual Art Scene premieres Sunday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Horchow Auditorium at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood St. The film will include interviews with Dallas artists, gallerists, collectors and administrators who look back and forward at the Dallas art scene. The screening is included with admission to the museum.

About DADA

The Dallas Art Dealers Association is an affiliation of established, independent gallery owners and not-for-profit art organizations in the Dallas metropolitan area. DADA serves as a standard bearer for ethical practices in the art business, an educational resource for the community at large and as the facilitator of Edith Baker Art Scholarship and Artist Career Development Fund that provides funding and career development for visual art students. The Dallas Art Dealers Association, founded in 1985, is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization. Visit www.dallasartdealers.org or e-mail info@dallasartdealers.org for more information.

About the Edith Baker Art Scholarship and Artist Career Development Fund

In celebration of its 20th anniversary in 2005, the Dallas Art Dealers Association (DADA) created the Edith Baker Art Scholarship and Artist Career Development Fund honoring the respected owner and director of The Edith Baker Gallery in Dallas. One of DADA’s founding members, Edith owned and directed The Edith Baker Gallery in Dallas for nearly 30 years before retiring in 2004. The Edith Baker Art Scholarship benefits a student pursuing study of the visual arts through a cash award and career development activities such as a gallery show, a mentorship and an internship. Proceeds from individual donations, annual DADA events and collection jars at each DADA member location support the Edith Baker Art Scholarship, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Visit www.dallasartdealers.org or e-mail info@dallasartdealers.org for more information.

The Courage of Gravity by Lisa Lindholm

Sometimes by Lisa Linkholm
Kettle Art Gallery

Local artist Lisa Lindholm recently exhibited her series Sometimes at Kettle Art Gallery. I attended the opening and enjoyed her pixelated works. She included in this show her Lost + Found series; these are painted messages on various maps. I found these very clever. On her works of painted figures, it seems she shows her process a bit with leaving blocks of colors that appear pixalated images on one side and the other side painted in. One of my favorites is The Courage of Gravity. If you look closely you can see the blocks of color in most of her works. I love this touch.

Another point of interest is how she signs her name on the side of the paintings. This is a personalization that “brands” her artwork and makes sure you know it is hers. Great addition to her works. She has various birds, people, deer, and even sharks in her paintings. There is one where the birds seem to ward off the shark that seemingly looks as if it will attack the pretty lady in her painting. I really enjoy her whimsical touches and interesting take on life through her work. If you get a chance to view this artists works in the future, I would highly recommend.

Lisa Lindholm was born in Texas in 1978 and currently lives and works in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, Texas. She completed studies in computer visualization at Texas A&M University in 2000. After serving time in assorted cubicles in assorted large corporations making computers assorted things, she leapt into life as a full-time artist in 2005. Lindholm currently works as a painter, graphic designer, and proprietor of FreeLisa Designs. For more info visit www.FreeLisa.com.

The Courage of Gravity by Lisa Lindholm

Girl on Floor by Kasten Searles, 2010

ROYGBIV
Mokah Art Gallery
June 3 through June 26, 2010

Reception on Saturday, June 19, 2010, from 7-10 p.m.

Mokah Art Gallery is pleased to present ROYGBIV, an exhibition of painting and installation by Kasten Searles with video and light installations by Edward Ruiz.

Kasten’s paintings are an exploration of the social snapshot. She uses photos found on the Internet to explore the duality of the image. A posed social snapshot not only reflects the reality of the subjects but the illusion of their desired identity. Kasten takes these contrasting ideas of reality and illusion and develops them into the painted portrait. Kasten is a painter with a background in design, music and photography.

Edward Ruiz uses video to layer color and imagery. He warps and masks the projected image to transform a static object into a dynamic work of art. Kasten Searles, a graduate of The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University, is currently a graduate student at the University of Dallas. Ruiz Lives and Works in his studio in Exposition Park Dallas Texas.

Mokah Art Gallery, an extension of Life in Deep Ellum, serves to promote culture and art in Deep Ellum and surrounding communities. At the Cultural Center, Mokah Art Gallery exhibitions feature contemporary art of local artists from the experimental, the emerging, and the established.

Mokah Art Gallery is located at 2803 Taylor Street, Dallas, Texas 75226. Hours are Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. or by appointment.

Editor’s Note

Kasten has been one of our volunteer art reporters in the past. We really like Kasten and her art. You can follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/kasten.

Teenage Riot by Joey Seeman (Detail)

Rock n’ Roll Fantasy
Dear Clark Studios
Through September 9, 2010

If you missed Joey Seeman’s Rock n’ Roll Fantasy opening at Dear Clark Studios on June 10, 2010, you missed a real rockstar experience. Joey Seeman’s art is vivid, edgy and grabs your attention. It isn’t just his art that reaches for you and begs you to come closer, it is the man himself.

Joey is what I have deemed a new world branding genius in the world of rockstars and wannabee’s. I want to consult with him about my own personal brand and get his recommendations on how to appear more rockstar or at least have droves of beautiful Dallas women following my every word. Either way, Joey is the man to watch in this town of the bold and the beautiful.

Joey’s current series, Rock n’ Roll Fantasy showcases glam rock artists like David Bowie, New York Dolls and the Sex Pistols in Technicolor on wood. He has other various people in his series.

See Joey Seeman’s Rock n’ Roll Fantasy Exhibit at Dear Clark Studios for more information.

Teenage Riot by Joey Seeman

One of my favorite works, Teenage Riot (24×48 acrylic & ink), is the epitome of teenage rebellion and angst. It also, gives you a taste of the underground local Dallas punk scene and would be a great edition to any collector seeking a piece of time from our beautiful city.

Joey Seeman is not only an artist but an excellent marketer. From the guests of his show, you know he has his finger on the pulse of what’s hot in our city. All the young, hip, edgy and fabulous people came out to support him and get their pictures snapped by the alluring paparazzi. Joey could be found in all rock star black with his badass tattoos peeking from his sleeve. You know you want to know him, you know you want to consume him, and if nothing else he would be a lovely morsel of all that is badass and edgy.

His current series Rock n’ Roll Fantasy will be hanging at the Dear Clark Studios Salon through September 9, 2010. I recommend checking out this vibrant series and make sure you make it out to his next show. It is an experience you won’t forget.

For more information on Joey Seeman visit his website www.joeyseeman.com.

Dear Clark Studios is located at 3317 McKinney Avenue, Ste. 101, Dallas, Texas.

Come Here by Cathey Miller

Trigger Happy
Magnolia Gallery
Through June 30, 2010

If you take the escalator of the Magnolia Theatre right now, you find yourself on the second floor captivated by Cathey Miller’s series, Trigger Happy. They are like candy on the walls with their pleasing color palettes and saucy actresses holding guns. Each painting has a message, or rather a command, like ‘Shut It’,'Come Here’, and ‘Bring It’.

I find myself in front of ‘Come Here’ intrigued. It speaks to me. I pan my view and realize all these sexy ladies with guns are commanding their audience and I am not the only one submitting. There are many attendees in front of the various painting, who appear submitting to the commands of these fierce starlets. You cannot help it. The color tones welcome you in; the sexy starlets beg your attention and the typeface used, BRILLANT! I dare you not to look and have your curiosity peeked. I find the whole series very clever. It subtlety has you captivated and a bit turned on.

The artist, Cathey Miller could be found among the crowd in her colorful dress, classic good looks and engaging personality. I had questions and wanted to know more about where this artist drew her inspiration.

“Thank you for inquiring about my story. It is a very interesting and fascinating tale of bohemian wanderlust, scantily clad models, and felony charges that were eventually dropped,” said Miller.

“I recently trained at the Ukrainian School of Metaphysics and Sheet Metal Fabrication. I studied under a gypsy fortune tell name Baba Yayga. Many genius ideas began bubbling to the surface as I was levitating the steel, and I began to see words floating in thin air. Words like ‘SHUT IT’, ‘STOMP ON IT’, and ‘SICK YOUR FERAL GIRLFRIEND ON IT’. What was the meaning of these words? I cannot say. I decided to take the shorter commands and put them on the paintings of lady hellcats holding guns.”

“My purpose with this series is to hypnotize the movie customers buying popcorn into taking out their checkbooks and buying my genius art. My feeling on this is that if can afford popcorn at $10 a bucket, you can afford art.

“Currently, I paint pictures all day long, and I am an exotic dancer on a roller derby team to earn money, while constantly being stalked by the medical fetish tranny horse rider people, who just want me to paint them.”

Albeit Miller has more than just tranny stalkers, her whole vibe and work spark your interest. She seems very private and low key and then BAM! She comes out bold, vibrant, and sexy. It seems the art world loves a superstar that fucks super models and paints in Italian suits. The art world needs a change, a revamp, where an artist who looks like a super model, fucks like a rockstar and paints like it is the air she breaths is revered. I say ‘Bring It’ Cathey Miller we are ready to see all you got.

Trigger Happy will be hanging and available for purchase at the Magnolia Gallery thru June 30th. My favorite pieces of the series are ‘Come Here’ and ‘Shut It’. You can find out more about this artist from her website: www.cathedonia.com or follow her on twitter twitter.com/cathedonia.

Trigger Happy by Cathey Miller

Come Here by Cathey Miller

Joey Seeman's Rock n' Roll Fantasy

Rock n’ Roll Fantasy
Dear Clark Studios
Opening Thursday, June 10, 2010, at 7 p.m.

Glam Rock or Culture Shock? Artist Joey Seeman hits Dear Clark Studios with Glam Rock Art Exhibit.

Dear Clark Studios on McKinney Avenue presents Rock n’ Roll Fantasy, an exhibition of new work from nationally recognized artist, Joey Seeman. The opening of the exhibit will take place on Thursday, June 10 from 7-10 p.m., with the artist in attendance. “Rock n’ Roll Fantasy” will be on display through September 9.

Hailing from Miami, Florida, the work of Joey Seeman has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the United States. His art has been featured in numerous national and international publications such as Vogue, Spin, Juxtapoz and Ocean Drive magazines. Joey’s work was most recently exhibited in Dallas at The 4th Wall Gallery alongside acclaimed contemporary artists Glenn Barr and THH70.

Describing the upcoming show, Joey explains, “Rock and Roll has always been a driving force for me creatively, most notably the glam and punk rock eras when artists like David Bowie, New York Dolls, and The Sex Pistols were truly setting the trends. I felt it was time for me to pay tribute to an era that I hold particularly dear.” Adds Seeman “This was a time in rock music when the groupies became as well known as the musicians they were attached to. It was a glamorous and decadent time in music, and I wanted to bring a little of that feeling back through my art- my loving tribute to the bands that rocked and the girls that helped them roll!”

In addition to being a full-service salon, Dear Clark has hosted many cutting edge art exhibits in the past few years. Its uptown location, combined with it’s hip and savvy clientele, make Dear Clark Studio an ideal setting for the rock-themed show that Joey Seeman has created. Dear Clark Studios is located at 3317 McKinney Avenue, Suite 101. The studio is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Joey Seeman's Rock n' Roll Fantasy

Michael Nye's About Hunger & Resilience

Table of Contents: Stories of Hunger and Resilience by Michael Nye
Janett Kennedy Public Gallery
June 5 through June 29, 2010

Exhibit Combines Photography, Audio for Complex Look at Personal Stories

The face of hunger is often unseen in North Texas and so often we lose touch with the stories of individuals and families who are unsure where they’ll find their next meal.

To bring those faces to light, internationally acclaimed photographer and San Antonio-native Michael Nye documented the voices, stories and portraits of the food insecure for an exhibition entitled Table of Contents: Stories of Hunger and Resilience.

A project four-and-a-half years in the making, Table of Contents will finally debut at the Janette Kennedy Public Gallery at Southside on Lamar (1409 South Lamar), June 5 through June 29, 2010.

“The poor in our communities are often the least heard and the most forgotten,” Nye said of his exhibit. “I have felt with even a greater conviction that we all need to speak of the essential needs of our human family, and grow in our understanding of how difficult life is for so many in our country. These stories are about all of us as we live with our uncertainties and the realization that we too could experience hunger.”

Traveling around the country, Nye interviewed people of all ages, races and backgrounds, recording their stories while photographing portraits. The result is a multi-media exhibition that portrays the complexities of life with hunger in a rich audio-visual format.

Because “listening is seeing,” according to Nye, audio stations next to each portrait allow visitors the opportunity to listen to stories firsthand, making it an unforgettable gallery experience.

“Sometimes it takes a talent like Michael Nye’s to force hunger into the public consciousness,” says Jan Pruitt, president and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank. “Listening to the heart-wrenching tales of hunger while staring into the faces of wives, mothers, daughters, husbands, fathers, and sons, the elderly and working poor just helps to hammer home the facts of life right here in our own backyard: Texas has the highest rate of childhood hunger in the nation, and the second highest rate of hunger overall. We thank Mr. Nye for his advocacy on behalf of hungry individuals everywhere.”

The Janette Kennedy Gallery is open to the public 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free.

To contact the gallery directly, call (214) 426-1575.

About the North Texas Food Bank

The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a nonprofit hunger relief organization that distributes donated, purchased and prepared foods through a network of 1,146 feeding programs in 13 North Texas counties. The NTFB supports the nutritional needs of children, families and seniors through education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. Close the Gap is the NTFB’s 3-year initiative to unite the community to narrow the food gap by providing access to 50 million meals annually by 2011.

Founded in 1982, the NTFB is a member of Feeding America (feedingamerica.org). *Last year, the NTFB provided access to 37 million meals through its efforts. Each month agency pantries distribute food to more than 53,000 families and on-site meal programs serve 435,000 meals/snacks. Every dollar donated to the NTFB provides four meals for the hungry.

Michael Nye's About Hunger & Resilience