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

From the Blue Star Museums website:

If you are active duty military personnel and/or an immediate family member, all you need to do is show either a Geneva Conventions CAC ID or a DD Form 1173 ID card at the museum admissions desk. Immediate family members under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an appropriate ID holder.

Here is the current list of Texas museums participating in the Blue Star Museum program:

• Amon Carter Museum
  Fort Worth, TX
• Art Museum of South Texas
  Corpus Christi, TX
• Austin Museum of Art
  Austin, TX
• Brownsville Historical Association
  Brownsville, TX
• Buddy Holly Center
  Lubbock, TX
• Children’s Discovery Museum of the Golden Crescent
  Victoria, TX
• Dallas Heritage Village
  Dallas, TX
• Dallas Museum of Art
  Dallas, TX
• El Paso Museum of Art
  El Paso, TX
• Ellen Noel Art Museum
  Odessa, TX
• Fort Sam Houston Museum
  Ft. Sam Houston, TX
• Frontier Times Museum
  Bandera, TX
• George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
  College Station, TX
• McFaddin-Ward House
  Beaumont, TX
• McNay Art Museum
  San Antonio, TX
• Meadows Museum
  Dallas, TX
• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
  Houston, TX
• Museum of Geometric and MADI Art
  Dallas, TX
• Museum of Texas Tech University
  Lubbock, TX
• Museum of the American Railroad
  Dallas, TX
• Museum of the Plains
  Perryton, TX
• Museum of the Southwest
  Midland, TX
• Museum of Western Art
  Kerrville, TX
• Nasher Sculpture Center
  Dallas, TX
• National Museum of the Pacific War
  Fredericksburg, TX
• National Scouting Museum
  Irving, TX
• Neill-Cochran House Museum
  Austin, TX
• Ocean Star Offshore Rig Museum
  Galveston, TX
• Pearce Museum
  Corsicana, TX
• Railroad and Heritage Museum
  Temple, TX
• Red River Historical Museum
  Sherman, TX
• Scurry County Museum
  Snyder, TX
• Silent Wings Museum
  Lubbock, TX
• Star of the Republic Museum
  Washington, TX
• Stark Museum of Art
  Orange, TX
• Texas Historical Commission
  Austin, TX
• The Children’s Museum of the Brazos Valley
  Bryan, TX
• The Grace Museum
  Abilene, TX
• The Health Museum
  Houston, TX
• The Woodlands Children’s Museum
  The Woodlands, TX
• Tyler Museum of Art
  Tyler, TX
• Umlauf Scupture Garden & Museum
  Austin, TX

Check the Blue Star Museum website for an updated list.

SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS

Turner to Monet: Masterpieces from the Walters Art Museum
October 2, 2010 – January 2, 2011

Assembled over a period of more than 140 years, The Walters Art Museum boasts one of the finest collections of nineteenth-century painting in the United States today. The collection was formed by William T. Walters (1819-1894) and his son Henry (1848 – 1931) and includes canonical works by both academic and avant-garde artists. While William focused his efforts on landscapes and academic stars such as Paul Delaroche and Ernest Meissonier, Henry sought to balance the collection by adding major works by earlier artists such as Eugène Delacroix and J.A.D. Ingres as well as Impressionists Edgar Degas, Claude Monet and Edouard Manet.

This exhibition is organized by the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore and is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities. Major support at The Blanton is provided through a generous challenge grant from Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long. Travel is provided by Continental Airlines. Official Airline of the Blanton Museum

Recovering Beauty: The 1990s in Buenos Aires
February 20, 2011 – May 22, 2011

In the first comprehensive presentation of art from the 1990s in Argentina, Recovering Beauty: The 1990s in Buenos Aires places the Centro Cultural Rojas (CCR) at the core of this creative period. The CCR or “el Rojas,” as it was later known, opened in 1989 under auspice of the Universidad de Buenos Aires as a gallery space that exhibited work from emerging artists. The artists of “el Rojas” distanced themselves from the traditional aesthetic and the political discourse of previous generations, instead creating introspective narratives that looked towards the ordinary as a source of inspiration. After years of oppression and violence during the dictatorship in Argentina, the 1990s were characterized by drastic and dramatic changes at all fronts. The introduction of a neo-liberal political practice was accompanied by a sense of social liberation and free expression. Working under these conditions, artists such as Feliciano Centurión, Sebastián Gordin, Jorge Gumier Mier, Miguel Harte, Graciela Hasper, Benito Laren, Marcelo Pombo, Cristina Schiavi, and Omar Schiliro, began exploring concepts such as beauty, color, and fantasy, projecting their own psychology as artistic expression.

Recovering Beauty: The 1990s in Argentina is organized by the Blanton Museum of Art. Support for the exhibition is provided by Judy and Charles Tate. The accompanying catalogue is made possible by Michael Chesser.

Special Print Exhibition

Repartee: 19th-Century Prints and Drawings from The Blanton Collection
August 14, 2010 – January 16, 2011

Repartee: 19th-Century Prints and Drawings from The Blanton Collection is conceived as a companion exhibition of over 125 works examining in greater detail the artists and ideas introduced in the presentation of paintings in Turner to Monet. The social and theoretical frameworks for 19th-century art making are revealed in this dialog between the collections in Baltimore and Austin. Featured in the exhibition are works by John Constable, William Blake, Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot, Auguste Renoir, Berthe Morisot, J.A.M Whistler, Paul Gauguin, Paul Cézanne and Toulouse-Lautrec to name only a few.

PERMANENT COLLECTION

European Paintings

The Blanton’s collection of European paintings is noted for its breadth and depth. Featuring Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings primarily from the renowned Suida-Manning Collection, the Blanton’s permanent installation of 140 works includes high quality pictures from Rome, Milan, Genoa, Florence, and Venice as well as Germany and France, spanning the 14th to the 18th centuries. Highlights by such masters as Parmigianino, Veronese, Rubens, Guercino, and Claude Lorrain illustrate some of the great achievements in the history of art.

Prints and Drawings

The museum’s extraordinary holdings of over 13,500 prints form the only encyclopedic collection in Texas and one of the finest on an American campus. They reflect the history, characteristics, and processes of the medium from the Renaissance to the present day, featuring examples of major masters from Dürer and Rembrandt through Goya and Rauschenberg. Particular strengths in the museum’s collection of 1,500 drawings are contemporary Latin American drawings and Renaissance and Baroque (Italian, French, and Central European) drawings.

Modern and Contemporary Collections

America/Americas (ongoing)

America/Americas integrates for the first time the Blanton’s noted collections of Latin American and American art in a comprehensive narrative of the past 100 years. This pioneering reinstallation encompasses 125 works spanning the early 20th century through the present day. America/Americas explores the affinities and distinctions among these major works and the related history, politics, economics, and cultures of both continents. Illuminating the intellectual and artistic cross-pollination that occurred across geographic boundaries, America/Americas also showcases distinct art historical movements that developed independently. The installation illustrates the strength and uniqueness of the Blanton’s collections of modern and contemporary art from North, Central, and South America and also underscores how university museums foster innovation and experimentation.

CR Smith Collection of Art of the American West (ongoing)

Featuring almost 100 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper, the C.R. Smith Collection of Art of the American West presents an extensive look at the artistic portrayal of the development of the Western territories in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. C.R. Smith (1899 – 1990) was a University of Texas at Austin alumnus and the founding CEO of American Airlines who served as U.S. Secretary of Commerce in the Johnson administration. Smith began the collection in the 1930s, in part due to the low prices brought about by the Great Depression, and built what is acknowledged to be one of the great collections of this material. It includes works by notable artists such as Albert Bierstadt, Maynard Dixon, Henry Farney, Frank Tenney Johnson, William Ranney, and Charles M. Russell. Among the collection’s subjects are grand sweeping views of untouched and idealized Western landscapes, battle scenes, and romantic portrayals of the people who once populated the West, including trappers, cavalrymen, cowboys, and Native Americans. On view at the Museum is a selection of the collection organized to highlight both romanticized and documentary artistic approaches to the development of the Western American frontier.

Ancient Art

The Blanton Museum’s small but superb ancient art collection, which includes fine examples of Corinthian, Greek black-figure and red-figure and South Italian vases, and Uratian metalwork, together with the William J. Battle Collection of Plaster Casts, provides an excellent foundation for the study of early Western art. The more than sixty plaster casts in the William J. Battle Collection are exact copies of original ancient Greek and Roman sculptures dating from the sixth century B.C. to the third century A.D. from important collections throughout the world. The Battle Collection is one of the largest and best of its kind in the United States, as well as one of the best preserved.

Permanent and Semi-Permanent Installations

Teresita Fernández, Stacked Waters

Horizontal bands of saturated color shift and fade from deep blue to white in varying gradations to resemble water in Teresita Fernández’s Stacked Waters, an installation commissioned for the Blanton’s atrium. The title of the work is a nod to Donald Judd’s stacked pieces, and his exploration of box interiors. The Blanton atrium functions similarly, suggesting a container. Utilizing the natural light afforded by the space’s many skylights, the work appears as a mirror, reflecting the activity of museum visitors and becoming what the artist refers to as, “a changing portrait of Texas light…”

Richard Long, Summer Circle

Made from chunks of Delabole slate arranged in a dense and complicated pattern on the ground, Summer Circle, 1991 is one of Long’s largest works, measuring 29.5 feet in diameter. Long makes reference to his solo walks in largely unpopulated landscapes through his installations. He translates his personal meditations during these journeys into sculptures that become metaphors for the paths taken on his treks. The sculptures are not meant to be literal representations of nature but rather aesthetic documents of Long’s engagement with the land.

Meg Webster, Conical Depression

Webster uses the natural landscape as her material of choice. In Conical Depression, she has created a cone-shaped depression filled with living plants. Calling attention to nature’s cycles, this intervention evolves with the seasons.

General Information

The Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin, housed in a two building complex, is one of the foremost university art museums in the country. The museum’s collection is the largest and most comprehensive in Central Texas and comprises more than 17,000 works. It is recognized for its European paintings, modern and contemporary American and Latin American art and an encyclopedic collection of prints and drawings.

The museum is located at the intersection of Martin Luther King and Congress Avenue and is open Tuesday though Friday from 10 – 5, Saturday from 11-5, and Sunday from 1-5. Thursdays are free admission days and every third Thursday the museum is open until 9 pm. Admission Prices: Adults $9, Kids 12 and under FREE, Seniors (65+) $7, Youth/College Students (13-25) $5. Admission is free to members, all current UT ID-holders. For additional information call (512) 471-7324 or visit www.blantonmuseum.org.

Haute Helping Hands (detail) by Clarke Curtis, 2010

Congregated
Gallery 5619
April 10 through May 14, 2010

Gallery 5619, part of Mosaic Austin, is pleased to announce the re-launch of its space with the opening of Congregated, an exhibition curated by Shea Little, on view April 10 – May 14, 2010. Originally founded in 2007, the gallery has recently undergone extensive physical and programmatic changes to better position itself as a relevant and leading exhibition space. Mosaic pastor Don Vanderslice states, “We are extremely proud to re-launch Gallery 5619 as a first-rate space for Austin artists and beyond. Our first effort, curated by Shea Little, is the beginning of a new exhibition schedule that will firmly establish us as a gallery committed to serving the artistic and spiritual needs of our community.”

The inaugural exhibition for the re-launch is entitled Congregated and features artists Clarke Curtis, Heidi Landau and Andy St Martin. Guest-curated by artist Shea Little (co-founder of the E.A.S.T. Tour, The Texas Biennial and Cantanker Magazine) the show investigates the notion of collecting – ideas, memories, physical objects, smells, and emotions- all of which combine and congregate into a visual vocabulary from which each artist draws. These three artists create work with different stylistic intentions, but all are connected through their similar methods of amassing and arranging individual symbols to illuminate artistic ideas.

Clarke Curtis collects and re-contextualizes images from our culture, and indeed from his own work, to create odd juxtapositions and interactions – often narratives with animals or inanimate objects. Heidi Landau draws from lasting or impressionable memories, old photographs, and ephemera to breathe new life into faded stories and remnants of the past. St. Martin, a long-time Austin artist, works with an array of symbols and shapes to create patterns that initially appear abstract, but upon closer examination, infer a more representational slant.

Congregated will open with a reception on Saturday, April 10, 2010 from 7-10 p.m. Free beer provided by St. Arnold’s Brewery, and live music by Maps in Latin. Gallery 5619 is located at 5619 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78751. Call 512-751-2360 for gallery hours or visit www.gallery5619.org for additional details.

Future exhibitions at Gallery 5619 will be developed by the gallery’s team and also through the solicitation of proposals from artists and curators.

About Gallery 5619

Gallery 5619 was originally founded in 2007 as part of Mosaic Austin, and will re-launch in April 2010 as one of Austin’s leading alternative spaces for art and artists. Mosaic believes that artistic expression is a natural extension of being created in the image of a wildly creative God. The vision of Gallery 5619 is to provide a space for these gifts to be shared and received.

About Mosaic

Mosaic Austin is a community of believers and seekers with diverse backgrounds and personalities drawn together by the grace and love of Jesus. We are not a “church” in the way our culture has defined it. Our community is more like a family. A family with members who have an intimate relationship with God, others who desire to know God better and still others who are only beginning the journey. Some are musicians. Some are writers. Some are students. Some are artists. Some are computer programmers. Some are retail clerks. Church is a people – it’s who we are. You don’t go to church; you’re a part of the church. As a family we naturally spend time together – meals, movies, coffee, work, prayer. But we all gather on Sunday nights to participate in shared liturgy. We sing, create, hang out, tell stories, talk about life and talk about God. We’d love to have you join us sometime.

Haute Helping Hands (detail) by Clarke Curtis, 2010

*Participants will be required to pay the museum’s regular admission fees and will pay for their own lunch.

The following works from The Blanton’s collection will be considered: (Except where noted, all works are from The Blanton’s permanent collection galleries located on the second floor.)

• Eve Sussman, The Kiss, 2006 (From the Desire exhibition)
• Glenn Ligon, Lest We Forget, 1998 (From the Desire exhibition)
• Manuel Álvarez Bravo, The Crouched Ones, 1934 (From the Alvarez Bravo exhibition)
• Kerry James Marshall, Black Painting, 2003-2006
• Stanton Macdonald-Wright, Synchromy in Purple Minor, 1918
• George Sugerman, Two in One, 1966
• Vernon Fisher, Evidence of Houdini’s Return, 1994
• Sinibaldo Scorza, Orpheus Charming Beasts, c. 1615
• Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo, The Storyteller, mid 1770s
• Marcantonio Raimondi, Galatea

The Blanton Museum of Art

Encompassing over 17,000 works of art, The Blanton’s permanent collection spans the history of Western civilization, from antiquity to the present, with strong holdings of European art from the 14th through the 18th centuries, 19th- and 20th-century American art, modern and contemporary Latin American art, and the finest collection of prints and drawings in the South and Southwest.

With the 2006 opening of the Blanton’s 180,000-square-foot facility, the museum’s mission expanded from primarily serving the university community to also serving the entire Austin and Central Texas region as its major art museum. All of the Blanton’s exhibitions and programs are now developed with the overarching goal of connecting to both university and community audiences through a common ground of intellectual and emotional curiosity about art.

Located at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Congress Avenue, the museum is across the street from the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and is adjacent to downtown Austin. The museum is open Tuesday – Friday from 10-5, Saturday 11-5, and Sunday from 1-5. Thursday is free admission day and the museum is open until 9 p.m. on the Third Thursday of each month. Admission is free to members, all current UT ID-holders and children under 12, $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for college students with ID, and $5 for youth (13-25). For information call (512) 471-7324 or visit www.blantonmuseum.org.

About the Reading Odyssey Group

The Reading Odyssey, a non-profit, wants to make it easy for adults to play with culture – read great books, discuss important ideas, view art slowly. They run phone-based reading groups, lecture series, Facebook campaigns and live events like Slow Art Day around the world. More info at: showsupport.typepad.com/odyssey

Triple Self-Portrait by Nate Bramble

Dallas Art News is starting a webcomic section that will feature a new art related webcomic each week. We are inviting all established webcomic artists to participate via our Guest Webcomic Artist Program.

Dallas Art News received the most web traffic for a single post for Special Feature: Webcomics Imitating Art, which featured nineteen talented artists. This tell us that our readers like looking at pictures.

Here are some of the specifics for the Guest Webcomic Artist Program:

• Each guest webcomic artist will product 4 to 5 web comics which will be displayed one per week for a designated month
• Webcomic artist can use their current webcomic characters or create a totally new comic
• Subject of the webcomic has to be art related (art history, art education, museums, galleries, art mediums, auctions, etc.)
• Subject matter has to be suitable for a general audience
• Webcomics created for Dallas Art News cannot be displayed anywhere on the Internet until that comic has been displayed on Dallas Art News
• Webcomic artists will retain all rights to their work
• Dallas Art News is considering compensation for each webcomic

We would like to start the Guest Webcomic Artist Program when Dallas Art News turns one year old in April. If all goes well, we would like to compile all 52 weeks of webcomics into a book.

The Guest Webcomic Artist Program is still a relatively new idea. We are still working out some of the details.

All interested webcomic artists should contact Dallas Art News at comics@dallasartnews.com.

Here are some of the webcomics already interested in our Guest Webcomic Artist Program:

• 1977 the Comic by Byron Wilkins *
• Addanac City by George Ford
• The Adventures of Lewis & Cluck: Exploring Chickens by Bill Riling
• Bug Pudding by J.P. Keslensky
• Don’t Feed the Geek by Barry Buchanan
• Life’s a Witch by Samantha Wikan *
• WirePop by J.L. Haram

* Webcomic artist who participated in Special Feature: Webcomics Imitating Art.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many webcomics will I need to produce?

A. You will need to produce 4 to 5 web comics depending upon how many weeks there are in your assigned month.

Q. Will I be compensated for my webcomics?

A. Yes, Dallas Art News is considering payment to each webcomic artist based on the number of webcomics produces. There will also be compensation if a book is produced. We might even do t-shirts. Who knows?

Q. What signifies an established webcomic artist?

A. An established webcomic artist will have at least three months of comics that were published two or more times a week and they must own their own website. Well established webcomic artists also print their work in magazine or book form.

Q. Can I show the webcomics I created for Dallas Art News on my site?

A. Yes, you can show each webcomic you produced for Dallas Art News on your site after they have been published on Dallas Art News first.

Q. What size should my webcomic be?

A. We will be accepting strips from one to four panels. We are considering a specially formatted page for our webcomics. The actual size in pixels of the submitted webcomics will be determined later.

Q. Who do I contact about participating?

A. Send an email to Dallas Art News at comics@dallasartnews.com.

Q. Were you really asked these questions or did you just make them up?

A. Good question. Yes.

Free, tickets available at 1 p.m.

Exhibiting artists Glenn Ligon and Marilyn Minter discuss desire with Desire curator Annette DiMeo Carlozzi at the Blanton Museum of Art.

New York-based artist Glenn Ligon is the recent winner of the Studio Museum in Harlem’s Joyce Alexander Wein Artist Prize. He has exhibited widely and is featured in the current group exhibitions Afro-Modernism: Journeys through the Black Atlantic at the Tate Liverpool and Hard Targets at the Wexner Center for the Arts. In 2005 the exhibition Glenn Ligon: Some Changes was presented at The Power Plant, Toronto, the Contemporary Art Museum, Houston, The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh, The Wexner Center for the Arts, Ohio, the Belkin Art Gallery in Vancouver and the Mudam-Foundation Musee d’Art Modern Grand-duc, Luxembourg.

Also based in New York, Marilyn Minter has been featured in numerous exhibitions including an upcoming solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland. Her 2009 video Green Pink Caviar has screened in museums and publicly including presentations in Times Square and at MOMA in New York, on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, and as the backdrop for the opening of Madonna’s Sticky and Sweet European Tour. Group exhibitions include The Anniversary Show at SFMOMA, the 2006 Whitney Biennial, and the Busan Biennale in Busan, Korea.

Disparate General by Goya, c.1816-1824

Goya’s Prints: The Dawn of Modern Art
Blanton Museum of Art
Through March 7, 2010

If you are wandering the corridor’s of the Blanton Museum of Art not sure what to do with yourself while between exhibitions, it is well worth your time to stop by the small exhibition featuring prints by the Spanish Master Goya. Goya’s Prints: The Dawn of Modern Art is located in the upstairs print gallery, and although the area seems tiny in comparison to the major exhibition space, it offers a view into the later years of this world renowned artist.

Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes was a household name even during his lifetime. Although in the 1700’s he was known for his grand portraits of royalty and depictions of the frivolity surrounding the upper class, the modern viewer maybe more familiar with the work produced in his disenchanted older age. After living through French invasions, civil strife, the formidable Spanish Inquisition, and an illness that left him deaf, Goya’s work no longer contained the sunny disposition it once had.

One release for the torments of this troubled artists was in his prints, some of which were so controversial they could not be published in Goya’s lifetime. The Blanton, whose private collection holds over thirty of Goya’s prints, presents a selection from four groups of work by this artist, La Tauromaquia (Bullfighters), Los Disparates, Los Caprichos and Los Desastres de la Guerra (The Disasters of War). All of which contain commentary on the current social climate of Spain and various ways in which the common person had suffered at the hands of various foreign or national powers.

The prints are dark not only in their content, but also in their construction. If you take a moment to view the prints housed in the neighboring galleries, what you will find are smooth, clean lines and clear depictions of the moods and actions of the figures. Although some examples of Goya’s work does coincide with these observations, his most striking pieces are quite a contrast from this model. Many pieces, such as Disparate General, have a fast, sketchy quality to the scene. The figures loom in and out of large, inky shadows, with their faces shaded to the point of being disfigured.

The scenes are a jumble of metaphor and fear with an underlying current of deep revulsion towards humanity. Goya stresses how far man has fallen with the representation of shadowy goblins and devils hovering over figures and prodding them on their wicked ways. Although the devilish figures are haunting enough, what is most disturbing is the portrayal of the eyes of the human figures. The majority of the people, even those lurking in the shadows, have round, bulging eyes that seem to pop from their heads. This conveys a sense of madness within the figures, as if they are carrying out their evil deeds in a frenzied, dehumanizing trance.

This small collection of prints is not a group meant to brighten your day. It is, however, a captivating glimpse into the psychological state of Goya towards the end of his life, that of a royal painter haunted by the atrocities of humanity.

Disparate General by Goya, c.1816-1824

King Tut at the Dallas Museum of Art (photo by Mr. Holga)

Are you ready for your first assignment? Great!

As a reader, follower and / or friend of Dallas Art News, we would like to enlist your help. Dallas Art News is expanding our list of museums to include more venues in and around Texas. For each museum listed we would like to have an original photograph of the museum. Your assignment is to photograph one of the museums on our list and send it to Dallas Art News.

Rules

I know. Why ruin a really fun assignment with rules.

First, the photograph you take must be your photograph. Do not send in another person’s work. The same fingers used to email us the digital image file must have been used to release the shutter on your camera. I know this sounds redundant, but photographers have feelings too, and some have lawyers. We only want to post images we have permission to use from the actual owner.

Second, the photograph must be good, creative, interesting, current, colorful, mysterious, unique, monochromatic, etc. We would love to see museums at first daylight, high noon or with star trails.Take your photograph with latest professional digital SLR or a pinhole camera. The only catch is that the museum must be recognizable in your photograph.

Third, digital image files must be received by Sunday, February 14, 2010.

Prize

Prize? What prize?

Really, there is no prize. But you do get your name and web site listed with your photograph on our museum page. And you get the glory of saying, “My photograph is posted on Dallas Art News!” This might not sound like a big deal, but consider how many digital image files we are going to receive for the Dallas Museum of Art. And only one will win.

Enter Your Photograph

Enter your photograph by sending a digital image file to assignment@dallasartnews.com. Image files should be in JPEG format and not bigger than 1 MB.  Send you digital image file by Sunday, February 14, 2010.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Will I get paid if my photograph is selected?

A. No. The only payment received will be our warmest appreciation.

Q. What if my digital image file is over 1 MB?

A. We will print your image and then shred it. Don’t make us waste the ink and paper.

Q. What sizes do you recommend for my photograph?

A. Scale your image so that the longest side is only 1000 pixels. We will scale it down from there.

Q. Where do I send my digital image file?

A. Please email your digital image file to assignment@dallasartnews.com.

Q. When does this assignment end?

A. This assignment ends on Sunday, February 14, 2010. Send us your digital image file on or before this date.

Q. Can I send you more than one digital image file for consideration?

A. Yes and No. Yes, you can send us more than one digital image file for consideration but the additional photographs cannot be of the same museum. You must select your best shot of each museum you photographed.

Q. Who will judge the winner for each museum?

A. If we only get one photograph per museum, then no judging will be needed. For only a handful of images, then Mr. Holga will judge. If we receive a lot of really creative images, then maybe we will put it up for a vote.

Q. How frequently are you asked questions?

A. All the time. I talk to myself.

Pinhole Photograph of Sculpture Garden at DMA by Mr. Holga, 2009

New General Admission Prices:

Adult Admission $9 (was $7)
Seniors (65 +) $7 (was $5)
College Students with Valid ID $5 (was $3)
Youth (ages 13 -21) $5 (was $3)
Children 12 and under FREE
Blanton Members FREE
Current UT students, faculty and staff FREE
B scene (first Friday of every other month) $5 members/ $12 all others

Free Third Thursdays

Beginning in January, the museum’s free Third Thursday evenings (5:30 – 9 PM) will enjoy augmented programming. In addition to the popular yoga in the galleries and Blanton book club, artists’ talks and screenings of rare artist videos/films will be added to the mix. Additionally, The Blanton Café will offer a “happy hour” special, with a slice of gourmet pizza and glass of wine for only $5 all evening.

B Scene

B scene, The Blanton’s popular monthly art party will move from a monthly to bi-monthly basis. To be held the first Friday of every other month (beginning with February), the event will last from 6:00 – 10:30 PM. Local bands and DJs will still be featured, as well as free savory appetizers, a cash bar, and art tours and activities. The Blanton Café will offer themed dinner menus in conjunction with B scene, which will include special tapas and wine pairings.

The February 5th B scene will focus on Desire, the topic of our winter exhibition. There will be a TEXAS themed party on April 2nd with two-stepping and more, and a special Game Night on June 4th.

Grumbacher Partners with Large Retailer to Bring Fine Art to Everyone

Grumbacher art supplies is excited to partner with a prominent retailer to offer fine art workshops in retail stores. These workshops will consist of two hours of instruction, during which time students will complete an acrylic painting. There are four curricula in the current line of acrylic workshops, including floral, still life, landscape, and seascape.

Scheduling of workshops will start in March 2010, and continue indefinitely. Traditional florals will be first in the rotation of curricula. Director of Education Sasha DeMarino says, “This is an exciting opportunity on many levels.” It benefits both new and veteran artists. For instructors, it presents an opportunity for steady income. “We are helping provide jobs to art instructors across Texas during a down economy.”

For the students, the beginners’ workshops are designed for the new artist to try their hand at painting, or for the veteran looking to brush up on their skills. They will provide a creative outlet for those wishing to learn to paint in a comfortable environment. “We are able to expose a whole new market of beginners to quality products in a non-intimidating environment, allowing their creativity to blossom,” DeMarino explains. Grumbacher is pleased to be able to both provide jobs and introduce new artists to painting with one program. “The combination of both helps the entire art industry grow and develop for the enjoyment of artists now and in the future,” says DeMarino.

Grumbacher is a brand of Chartpak, Inc. and has been serving the artists’ community for over a century. The Grumbacher brand of art materials has been developed by generations of artists and chemists who have mastered the techniques that produce one of a kind, high quality products. Some of Grumbacher’s most popular lines include Pre-tested® Oils, Max® Water-miscible Oils, and Finest® Watercolors.

To join the Grumbacher team of workshop artists, please contact Educational Coordinator Katie Blanchard.

Contact: Katie Blanchard
Phone: 1-800-628-1910 ext. 282
Email: kblanchard@chartpak.com

Entry Deadline: January 18

Austin Art Space Gallery and Studios officially opened submissions for the 5th Annual ‘For the Love of Art” Juried Exhibit. The show is one of three juried shows held each year at the gallery that have drawn entries from as far away as New Zealand, France and Alaska.

The subject matter need only represent the artist’s interpretation of what love is, or the impact love has. The style of art is completely open and can range from literal to representational to transcendental. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional work is permitted. The only restriction is size. No dimension can be larger than 48 inches.

This year’s juror is acclaimed central Texas artist and instructor Beryl Kerwick. Ms. Kerwick’s watercolor, oil and acrylic pieces are collected throughout the United States. She taught at the Dougherty Arts Center in Austin, Texas for 20 years, and now holds private instruction classes.

Artists may submit up to four original entries either electronically or via mail. The entry deadline is Monday, January 18, 2010. Timed to coincide with Valentine’s Day, the exhibit runs February 8-27, 2010. The selected artists and patron will be invited to attend the special Artists’ Reception, Friday, February 12 from 6:00-9:00pm.

Complete details and an entry form may be found at www.austinartspace.com.

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 Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., 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.

Triple Self-Portrait by Nate Bramble

Dallas Art News invited webcomic artists from the Dallas Webcomics Expo (DWEX) to participate in a special feature, Webcomics Imitating Art. The idea was for each webcomic artist to use their characters and style to recreate a famous work of art. We only expected to get about six works, but we lucked out and got nineteen webcomic artists to participate.

“The very first webcomic artist I contacted was Nate Bramble, who draws Hermit Hill. I suggested to Nate that he draw his main character, Walter, as Norman Rockwell’s Triple Self-Portrait. I received Nate’s art a week later and was blown away by how good it was,” said Michael Roman, Dallas Art News Managing Editor.

Webcomics Imitating Art was supposed to coincide with the Dallas Art News Museum Express Tour. Unfortunately, the tour did not get enough registrations and we decided to postpone the tour till spring 2010. Even though the tour was postponed, more and more webcomic artists signed-up for the feature and the art kept on coming.

Some of the famous artists include Grant Wood, Auguste Rodin, John Singer Sargent, Edvard Munch and Henri Matisse. The most popular artist was Michelangelo, who has three works in Webcomics Imitating Art.

“We tried really hard not to get a dozen Mona Lisas, which was not selected. Somehow we did get two versions of Marilyn by Andy Warhol,” said Mr. Roman.

Dallas Art News hopes our readers will enjoy Webcomics Imitating Art and take the time to check out the sites of each webcomic artist.

Webcomics and Artists

Click on any of the small images below to open the slideshow gallery. Cheers!

1977 the Comic by Byron Wilkins

Link: www.1977thecomic.com

Summary: “1977″ is the story of Bud, Jeff, Lorraine and Robyn, four friends trying to become rock and roll stars in the late 70s, but somehow always missing their target. Tag along as they find out how to take life one toke at a time.

Since: 2008

If I wasn’t doing web comics I would be … working at Denny’s.

After Lily by Hannah Scott

Link: www.afterlily.com

Summary: A cheerful assistant Grim Reaper and her ultra-depressed worker collect the souls of the recently deceased and bring them to the afterlife.

Since: 2008

Brax the Alien Rocker by Philip Vecchio

Link: www.braxcomics.com

Summary: Brax the Alien Rocker is about an aspiring musician from a planet far away. He has come to Earth to make his mark on the music industry. Brax is joined by Manny, Rosy and Bots.

Since: 2009

Cloud Hopper by Geoff Sebesta

Link: www.unnecessaryg.com

Summary: A guy falls off a building and wakes up on cloud. And then all sorts of stuff happens.

Since: 2008

If I wasn’t doing web comics I would be … protesting the School of Americas in between hugging trees and socializing medicine.

The Devon Legacy by Keith Taylor

Link: www.justnopoint.com

Summary: Earth’s fate is in the hands of two alien races! Luckily, one of them isn’t so bad. Attempting to stop a vicious horde can two specially gifted humans (Fenny & Sally) actually turn the tables of balance on this war?

And after you finish reading the 6 issue completed Prologue stick around in January of 2010 as the story continues on!

Since: 2006

If I wasn’t doing web comics I would be … chiseled like stone and ruler of some small Ethiopean villiage I guess. Or I’d be doing something just as nonproductive.

The Drunken Fools by Antoine Gagnon

Link: www.thedrunkenfools.com

Summary: When it comes to party and alcohol, some guys never grow up. In the case of Spike and Billy, the main characters of The Drunken Fools, that is so true! Always putting themselves in trouble, they are protected by Stubby, the Skunk Guardian Angel.

Since: 2008

If I wasn’t doing web comics I would be … sitting every night in a bar thinking of a web project that would fail a month later.

Hermit Hill by Nate Bramble

Link: www.hermithillcomic.com

Summary: Hermit Hill is the ongoing story of a lonely hill and it’s equally lonely inhabitant, Walter. Although he tries hard to keep the world at bay, life always encroaches on Walter’s solitude.

Since: 2008

If I wasn’t doing web comics I would be … working on print comics. I need to draw no matter what. The web affords me the widest possible audience for the least amount of investment, but without it I’d stick with paper and ink.

L.O.S.T. by Keith Smith

Link: www.karmicdebt.net/lost

Summary: This is the semi-autobiographical tale of one cartoonist journey through told through metaphors and other obfuscations to protect the innocent, or at least to hide how guilty the actually are.

Since: 2006

If I wasn’t doing web comics I would be … ruling the world from mountain-top fortress! Or possible just drawing comics and leaving them in odd random places for people to find.

Life’s a Witch by Samantha Wikan

Link: www.witchytech.com/lifesawitch (A SpiderForest Comic! – www.spiderforest.com)

Summary: Zelda is a housewife and witch struggling with dieting, housework and the occasional monster in the spare bedroom. She knows there are no magical solutions for life’s ups and downs, but that doesn’t stop her from trying anyway. Thankfully, her husband Bill, their two children and her best friend (the local tooth fairy) keep Zelda from doing too much damage. And that’s the REAL magic–the love and friendship that holds them all together.

Since: 2006

If I wasn’t doing web comics I would be … drawing mustaches on pictures all over town, doodling little pictures on receipts, bills, phone books, notepads, bathroom walls, important documents, etc.

Li’l Nyet: The Red Menace by Bengo & Pug

Link: www.lilnyet.com

Summary: Humor-drama set in the former Soviet Union. Colorful characters struggle between ideology and nature. An often subtle commentary on the human predicament. Especially popular in post-communist Eastern Europe.

Bengo & Pug are a husband and wife team using their childhood nicknames professionally.

Since: 2008

If we weren’t doing web comics we would be … drawing comics for each other’s amusement.

Liltoon by Brian Powers

Link: www.liltoon.com/tv

Summary: Liltoon is a whimsical look at the behind the scenes of a dysfunctional Saturday morning television program. Sometimes it is funny.

Since: 2009

If I wasn’t doing web comics I would be … singing in a Las Vegas lounge act.

Lint by Colby Purcell

Link: www.purnicellin.com/lint

Summary: Lint is a nearly completed tongue-in-cheek fantasy tale about Sangwine Schloeffel, the epitome of an exiled elven prince, and the epic overhaul it takes for those around him to restore his kingdom.

Since: 2001

If I wasn’t doing web comics I would be … a lousy artist. This comic taught me how to draw! Don’t believe me? Check out my archives.

Mint Condition by John Harmon

Link: mintcondition.comicgenesis.com

Summary: Mint Condition is the story of John, a struggling cartoonist, dealing with his
career, friends, and life in general. Amongst his group of friends things like comics, action figures, and movies are considered serious topics. The world of Mint Condition is one which often draws from real life experiences only put through the heavy pop culture filter which is John’s mind. Hilariousness ensues. Sometimes.

Since: 2007

If I wasn’t doing web comics I would be … only preparing for the zombie apocalypse.

PC Weenies by Krishna Sadasivam

Link: www.pcweenies.com

Summary: Meet Bob – certified techie and all-round computer weenie – as he tries to compute his way through geek culture, family life, and unemployment. Does Bob have enough gigahertz to stay in the game? Or is he just an 8-bit relic trapped in a 2-bit world?

Since: 1998

If I wasn’t doing web comics I would be … animating!

Quazar 451 by Sydney Winchester

Link: www.quazar451.com

Summary: The adventures of an alien on earth and across the galaxy.

Since: 2006

Rick the Stick by Ken Drab

Link: www.rickthestick.com

Summary: The classic saga of an extraordinary stickman living in an ordinary cartoon world.

Since: 2008

If I wasn’t doing web comics I would be … a butcher, but I don’t have the stomach for it. My next ambition was to be a meter maid, but I don’t have the legs for it. Then I thought of being a lumberjack, but I don’t like the outdoors. Comics are one of the few careers that don’t require a stomach, legs or being outside. That being said, if I don’t succeed in web comics I’ll have to look into being a coat rack.

Salt the Holly by Jessica Riojas

Link: www.salttheholly.com

Summary: Salt the Holly is about dating, couples, a roommate who dreams of becoming a pirate, and other adventures.

Since: 2007

Super Siblings by Patrick Scullin

Link: www.supersiblingscomics.com

Summary: Super Siblings is an all-ages comic strip for geeks with kids. The Clark children have super powers. Conrad uses his powers for good and his sister Courtney uses hers for bad. Neither knows the other’s secret identity so not only rivals at home they have unwittingly become super enemies.

Since: 2008

If I wasn’t doing web comics I would be … gainfully employed.

The Wannabe Pirates by Mark Largent

Link: www.thewannabepirates.com

Summary: The misadventures of Captain Errol Flemm and his crew of Wannabe Pirates as they search for treasure, fight off villains and monkeys, and strive to finally earn their parrots and become real pirates!

Since: 2008

Calling all Web Comic artists! Dallas Art News would like to highlight established Web Comics in a future article. The theme of the article will be “comics imitating art”, where artists re-create well known works of art using their Web Comic character(s) and style. The article, which will mostly be the images created by the comic artists and links to their sites, will appear during the first week of December 2009.

Dallas Art News would like to feature at least a dozen Web Comic artists. The only limitations will be space (limited to one square) and content (must be suitable for all audiences). Otherwise, we just want to see some great comics representing famous works of art.

The simplest example would be a comic character as Leonardo da Vinci’s  Mona Lisa or Vincent van Gogh with bandaged ear. Contemporary art could also be used. The sky’s the limit.

An even better art work selection could be an iconic work from one of the museums currently covered by Dallas Art News.

Web Comic Artist

The following Web Comic artist are already on board:

• 1977 the Comic* by Byron Wilkins
• After Lily by Hannah Scott
• Brax the Alien Rocker by Philip Vecchio
• Cloud Hopper by Geoff Sebesta
• The Drunken Fools by Antoine Gagnon
• Hermit Hill by Nate Bramble
• Just No Point by Keith Taylor
• Last Stop by Bobby Blakey
• Life’s a Witch by Samantha Wikan
• Liltoon by Brian Powers
• Lint by Colby Purcell
• L.O.S.T. Karmic Debt Comics by Keith Smith
• Mint Condition by John Harmon
• PC Weenies by Krishna Sadasivam
• Quazar451 by Sydney Winchester
• Rick the Stick by Ken Drab
• Salt the Holly by Jessica Riojas
• Super Siblings by Patrick Scullin
• Super Zeros by Will Terrell
• The Wannabe Pirates by Mark R. Largent

* Some Web Comics may not be suitable for younger audiences.

Questions and Answers

Q. Will I be getting paid for my “comics imitating art” work?

A. No, the purpose of the article is to bring attention to the vast amount of talent in the Web Comic world. Each work submitted will include a link directly to the artist’s Web Comic site.

Q. I just started a Web Comic. Can I participate?

A. Dallas Art News is currently only interested in established Web Comic. Your Web Comic site should be more than three months old with a lot of content to view.

Q. Will Dallas Art News own the submitted comic?

A. No, Dallas Art News is only posting your work for the article. We will no more own your work than that of the art images we are granted permission to use on our site.

Q. What is happening the first week of December 2009?

A. Dallas Art News will be doing the Museum Express Tour. This will be a great time for our viewers to see new and interesting content. We want your Web Comic to be a part of it.

Q. What is the deadline for submission?

A. All art work must be received via electronic media by Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009. The article will be posted Friday, Dec. 3, 2009.

Q. Is Dallas Art News looking for a featured Web Comic for this site?

A. Yes, Dallas Art News would like to start a featured comic section on our site. We would like to have four or more Web Comic artists providing at least one comic each per month to create this section. Unfortunately, Dallas Art News Web Comic artist is an unpaid position until we start generating revenue.

Please contact Dallas Art News at comics@dallasartnews.com for more information or to participate.

The grand scheme of our bad ideas is to bring Dallas Art News viewers and artists together to comment and discuss these wicked thoughts.

Dallas Art News does not encourage anyone to carry out any of our bad ideas or the related comments and discussions. You should not do anything that is illegal or harmful to yourself, other persons, businesses or property. Just say no.

This is not the best bad idea we have ever had at Dallas Art News. That would be the Dallas Art News Museum Express Tour, which will be announced later this week. This bad idea is a starter idea to get the ball rolling.

Bad Idea

Have you ever wanted your art displayed in a major museum? Did you ever consider displaying it yourself?

Here’s the idea.

First, you should start with a little reconnaissance. Visit a major museum and determine the color of their walls. Are they white? Maybe they are beige or an even darker color. Take a look at the identification tags. What kind of font are they using? What color are most of the frames? What color jackets are the guards wearing? Do the guards look like they have a sense of humor?

Second, you create a small work of art (drawing, print, painting or photograph) that is no wider than your chest. Actually, it should be smaller than the width of your chest to allow for matting and framing. Next, create an identification tag for your art with: title, artist’s name (your name), media, size, and year completed. Remember to use the correct font type.

Third, it’s time to find the right clothes. If the museum walls were all white, then you are probably in luck. Find yourself an all white outfit from your hat to your shoes. A white jacket would be even better. The goal here is to blend in to the museum. No, you won’t be invisible.

Lastly, you put this bad idea to good use. Dress in your one color outfit. Take your art and tag to the museum with a friend. Find a nice empty wall to stand in front of with your art hanging from your neck with the tag pinned to your shoulder. Your friend, who could be wearing the same color jacket as museum security, should take pictures for your portfolio and also tell people not to touch the art.

Honestly, this idea is not that bad. As a matter of fact, some museums might welcome a little odd behavior. But what if a few dozen artists all decided to show their are at the same time? Then it is not a single work of art, but an exhibit; an unplanned exhibit.

Tell us what you think about this bad idea in the Share Your Voice section below.