Dizzying, Dazzling and Damp

Dazzle Jazz Lounge in Denver, Colorado

Wowza what a week! I’m dizzy from all the excitement and running around.

I kicked it off by attending Eric Matelski’s First Monday Art Talk at Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge. Each month, for the past three years, Eric interviews a different featured artist. This month it was award winning photographer Terry Fiala. Terry began his photography career by taking traditional black and white photographs with film, but over time has transitioned into digital and these days he’s manipulating color images. His most recent work is stirring and almost looks more like paintings.

Adding to the artistic ambiance at Dazzle was the poetry of art consultant Hilary DePolo – a former Detroit gal like me – and Lenny Chernila. Hilary’s poems capture the history of old Detroit and brought tears to my eyes. And Lenny, well there are no words to describe the exuberance of his poetry. You just have to experience him.

Tuesday I took my painting “Hope” to the art critique at RedLine. Critiques are held on the second Tuesday of each month. I was nervous about going as the last two paintings I took were not well received, but this time the praise out weighed the constructive criticism. I even received applause and an “awesome” when I unveiled the diptych. But I have a lifetime of learning ahead of me so I can’t let this small achievement go to my head.

Wednesday I enjoyed the soulful music of Jami Lula – another Detroit native! – and was energized by the Matsiko Children’s Choir from Uganda at Mile Hi Church in Lakewood.

Thursday I ran errands, Friday I tried to catch my breath, and on Saturday I showed four paintings at Art Farm – well, when they weren’t under black plastic garbage bags to protect them from the rain. But we made the most of it and mingled and dined under the food tents catered by Whole Foods and Breckenridge Brewery.

It was a fun and exciting week, but with any hope the next few days will be quieter so that I can get back to being creative. I’m going through paint withdrawals.

Go to http://www.ericmatelski.com/ to learn more about Eric Matelski, his art, and the events he organizes to support other local Denver artists.

Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge is located at 930 Lincoln St, Denver, Colorado 80203. Go to http://www.dazzlejazz.com/ for information on upcoming jazz acts and First Monday Art Talks.

Terry Fiala’s photographs can be seen at http://www.photoartwork.com/.

For information about Hilary DePolo’s art consulting services go to http://www.artconsultation.com/.

Check out Lenny Chernila on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q-RLXr2N4E.

For information about RedLine and second Tuesday art critiques go to http://www.redlineart.org/.

To learn more about Jami Lula, his music, and his inspirational message go to http://www.jamilula.com/.

To support the Matsiko Children’s Choir and the International Children’s Network go to http://www.icnchildren.net/.

Art Farm is an annual outdoor community art show hosted by Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) and Eric Matelski. For information about DUG go to http://www.dug.org/home.asp.

The Art of Networking

Artwork Network in Denver, Colorado

Once again I am reminded that networking in this industry is invaluable!

Recently I attended Artwork Network’s open house at their new location in the Sante Fe Art District in Denver. It’s more than a gallery. Sure they have a warehouse size gallery space, and they rent artists' studios and co-op space, but they’re most known for their art leasing and business art rotation.

While at Artwork Network I ran into local artist Russell Wilbar. I met him at the July art critique at RedLine and then ran into him on the street during the August First Friday Art Walk. Wilbar was kind enough to tell me about Call for Entry, or CAFÉ, this online “hub” for finding out about and applying to upcoming art shows. And now I’m telling you.

CAFÉ is a Colorado based website that lists shows and events in the Western part of the United States. It was developed by the Western States Art Federation and is a non-profit corporation. It’s free to create an account and the site allows you to enter into shows electronically. You submit your application and images online and the site keeps track of what images you’ve submitted to which shows so that there aren’t any conflicts if you’re accepted into multiple shows and their dates overlap.

To join CAFÉ go to http://www.callforentry.org/.

For more information about Artwork Network go to 878 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, Colorado 80204 or visit http://www.artworknetwork.com/.

Russell Wilbar’s website is still in development, but as a member of the Artwork Network you will be able to see his work there in the coming months.

For more information about RedLine go to http://www.redlineart.org/.

On The Plus Side

"On the Plus Side" 2009

Plus Gallery in Denver, Colorado

Last night I attended the opening of R. Justin Stewart’s installation “Systems of Knowing” at Plus Gallery. The event also marked the gallery’s eight year anniversary.

I had the privilege to first meet Stewart, New York city based artist, at the July 14th art critique at RedLine. I find his circles within squares fascinating as these round shapes seem to be haunting my paintings lately. I like that he “thinks outside of the box” and connects his pen and ink bubble drawings on the wall with straight lines of tape to three-dimensional sphere sculptures made from plastic zip ties on the floor. The exhibit runs through August 28, 2009. Check it out if you’re looking for an art experience to expand your mind.

To learn more about R. Justine Stewart visit http://www.rjustin.com/.

To check out Plus Gallery go to 2501 Larimer St, Denver, CO 80205 or visit http://www.plusgallery.com/. While you’re there, go upstairs and check out the other works of art currently on display. I was particularly drawn to the circular movement of spray paint over the contorted image in Jenny Morgan and David Mramor’s painting “Enid Ellen.” And the modern pointillism painting “RCS-124802” by William Betts caught my eye too.

Art critiques are conducted at RedLine at 2350 Arapahoe St, Denver, CO 80205 on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 pm. Bring a piece of your work, buckle in, and get ready to ride a roller coaster of emotions as your baby is thrown into the stratosphere for all to judge. It’s not easy hearing praise, and being told to your face that someone doesn’t like your creation, while you’re learning to remember that it’s all relative. But it will make you a stronger artist and a more humble person just for going.

For more information about RedLine go to http://www.redlineart.org/.