doodle for google.

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google is running a contest to come up with new creative 'google' logos for their webpage, from students in grades k-12... the theme is 'what i wish for the world'.

i'm sure you've seen the creative logos they have used for different holidays (major ones and random ones) throughout the year. the 'doodles' have to be turned in through your teacher - so if you are interested, let me know and we'll send it in.

check out the link here to find out more information. last year's winners can be found here.

the entries can be hand made or drawn on the computer.

sketchbook :: the path of awareness.

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being aware of the world around us will not only connect us more to that world, but in that awareness, we will become better artists.

mindfulness is a buddhist philosophy that stresses being present NOW... not worrying about past, present, or future. being here and being fully a part of our world.

mr. stephens found this great sketchbook worksheet geared towards the mindful artist. i have amended it and attached it above. to download it, click it open into a new window. then right click and choose 'save image as'.

स्मृति

abstract expressionists at the albright-knox.

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if you have time, you should check out this exhibit of abstract expressionists (1940-1976) at the albright-knox art gallery in buffalo. its only an hour or so away, and well worth the drive.

as well as seeing this show, their permanent collection is amazing.
the abstract expressionists are some of the most influential american artists in history, and certainly in the 20th century.

the show will include work from: helen frankenthaler, philip guston, jasper johns, willem de kooning, robert motherwell, jackson pollock, mark rothko, and frank stella.

check it out if you have a chance! it runs from february 13 - june 10.

directions
albright-knox homepage
more about the exhibit

artist of the week :: jasper johns.

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when i was first really getting into painting in college, my favorite professor doug anderson introduced me to jasper johns and mark rothko. rothko's work was too cold and image-less for me, but johns' paintings spoke to me. his use of texture, collage, and simple yet emotive imagery i found to be very powerful.

the style in which he painted influenced my work in college - broadening my horizons from realism into a whole new realm of expressing myself. i have since continued to study his work closely and it has seeped deeply into my art.

this thursday, february 12, at rochester art supply's cascade art center, there will be a workshop / info session on encaustic painting. this was johns' main painting technique. contact classes@fineartstore.com for more details.

artists statement for 'unbroken'.

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as an artist, i have been interested in the circle form for a long time - something about its unbroken nature and infinite path appeals to my imagination.

it was only when my wife became pregnant that i seriously turned to the circle as an artistic metaphor. i wanted to find a creative vehicle to express my awe and excitement about our growing family, and the circle seemed a natural fit.

as i painted, the circles came to represent many things… the unbroken and unending lineage of family. the bonds that hold our families together. different types of family units – the parent/child relationship, siblings, extended families. the sacred bond of marriage. the way that family members protect and envelop each other. some paintings represent specific people or situations, others just came from thinking about what the circle can mean.

i hope you can see yourself in the paintings before you… in the end, they are all about the path that we walk and the people whom we walk it with.
the unbroken circle.

:: i hope you are able to see the show, either in my portfolio or in person to see what they're all about.

family circles show :: sips cafe :: feb 09

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i'll be having a painting show at sips cafe (stutson plaza in irondequoit near charlotte) during the month of february. the show will consist entirely of my newest body of work :: paintings of circle forms. unfortunately there will be no opening reception, bc the cafe is really small. anytime that anyone would like to see it, let me know and i'll meet you for a cup of coffee.

more info to come...

top 10 albums of 2008.

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get these albums if you haven't already.

1. tv on the radio - dear science
2. death cab for cutie - narrow stairs
3. blitzen trapper - furr
4. the gaslight anthem - the '59 sound
5. radiohead - in rainbows
6. ryan adams & the cardinals - cardinology
7. the acorn - glory hope mountain
8. the black keys - attack and release
9. r.e.m. - accelerate
10. the raconteurs - consolers of the lonely

art club fundraiser.

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please join us on wednesday, dec 10 at 2:45 in my classroom (thomas room 57) to print any of the designs seen above for only $5!!! all you need to do is bring an article of clothing to print on and your money. you can pick it up on friday, dec 12.

this could be a great unique christmas present, a cool way to recycle an old tshirt, or just a way to support great kids and a great cause.

all proceeds will benefit the melita house of rochester. this is a place where homeless mothers, aged 16-21 can stay and not only recieve room and board, but parenting and life skills. in return, they must attend the appropriate level of school.

for more info on the melita house and mercy residential services, visit their website at: http://www.mercyresidential.org/

thank you all for your support!

artist of the week :: audrey kawasaki.

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audrey kawasaki's work is easy to pinpoint, but hard to truly describe.
there is an etherial quality that makes the work this way. her influences are easy to read though - alphonse mucha's poster art, the paintings of gustav klimt and egon schiele, as well as contemporary graffiti and tattoo art. she is able to deftly combine these disparate influences into something totally fresh and new.
although her paintings are visually simple, they captivate the viewer, bringing them back for more.

for more on audrey kawasaki, check out her website
[also, you can click on the artists' names in the above paragraph to see work from her influences.]

wths art club design competition.

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attention all thomas high school artists...

the art club is going to be doing a screen printing fundraiser on december 10th and 11th after school. to prepare for this we are having a design competition to find a few new shirt designs to print. you are all eligible to enter - here are the rules:

1. design may be no larger than 8.5”x11”
2. must be black & white.
3. must have no lines thinner than a sharpie marker.
4. cannot be advertising any team or band that is copyrighted... wths is the only official logo that may be used.
5. you can hand draw (must be markered), use the computer (paint, photoshop), or do something creative with text... or a combination of the 3.
6. designs will be judged by art club afterschool on thursday, december 4th - therefor, they are due by 2:30 that day to room 57. we reserve the right to choose as many or as few designs as we deem right for the fundraiser.
7. if your design wins, you recieve free printing on one garment during the fundraiser.
8. we look forward to seeing your designs!