artist of the week :: dan witz

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painting the night is hard. the subtlety of the light is really challenging to represent... especially because getting a camera to capture it accurately is tough.
dan witz is able to show us the mood of the night - whether its a hot and sticky august one or one of those wonderful cool early summer nights. these paintings transport me there.

he also has done a cool series of portraits where the only light source is a cell phone... and another of mosh pits. this guy can pick cool topics for paintings.
maybe more on those later... for now, the elegant, lonely urban landscapes:

so its obvious he is interested in the play of light and how it describes objects. they remind me of my favorite painting from rochester's memorial art gallery, by winslow homer:


artsits of the week :: robert parkeharrison

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here is a sampling of the photography of robert and shana parkeharrison. i am absolutely in awe of this work. first off, i dont even understand how they are staged. secondly, and more importantly, i am amazed by the imagination and conceptual depth behind the work. its like that moment when you are having vivid strange dreams right before you wake up.

robert has described his work as ‘stories of loss, human struggle, and personal exploration within landscapes scarred by technology and over-use’.

if you want to find out more about the parkeharrison's other projects, visit their website. or visit this digital gallery of their show "the architect's brother"

artist of the week :: asbestos

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asbestos is a street artist hailing from dublin, ireland.
he specializes in mixed media artwork, combining mediums like photography and painting onto found objects (often wood).
he then installs these pieces either back onto the streets, or hangs them on gallery wall spaces.
it is obvious why i am drawn and inspired by his work.

find out more on his website



artist of the week :: ben tour

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im loving ben tour's expressive portraits. the subtle non-paint elements add a little something extra to the pieces.

from his website: Canadian-born artist Ben Tour (b. 1977) channels a dark, often haunting sense of humanism in his work. His observations deftly inform his paintings, enabling him to capture the essence of a character, and then distort that view any way he desires. Frenetic lines, swaths of color, and intimate angles all convey a sense that Tour may not only be drawing inspiration from the lives of strangers he observes, but manifesting his own personal experiences as well. Ben Tour lives on the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia with his Wife and two children.

rochester art supply.

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thanks to mike at rochester art supply for the assistance with my workshop at the NYSATA conference last saturday.
i wouldnt have been able to have the quality art materials so quickly without your help.

i am always impressed with the amount of great supplies that the shop has. a huge selection of montana spray paints, and pretty much every other supply i use.

you can check out them out online at http://www.fineartstore.com/

art department... new web presence!

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there is a new site for the thomas art department.
you can check us out here. (there is also a link at the top of my page)

also, i have created a group on facebook for alumni of webster's art program. if you arent connected to me on facebook yet ("Webster AP Art alumni"), join the group through a friend who already is, or friend me and i'll add you in.

we are looking to get a database made of alumni & what they do once they leave us. we'd love to hear from you!

portfolio day at syracuse university

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Portfolio Day is a great opportunity for any student who is planning to go into an art-related field, whether that means going to an art school or not.
You will get feedback about your artwork from as many representatives as you can get to within the time you are there.
Every art school, as well as some universities, will have representatives there to critique your work, and let you know if you would be a good fit with their school climate.
This tends to be a very rewarding opportunity for our students – most feedback is very positive… But remember, everyone has a different opinion – so please don’t be discouraged by anything that a specific rep might say – think about their comments, but don’t take them as the bottom line about your art.

Registration begins at 9am, but you may arrive at anytime. You will stand in line for just about every school, so I would suggest planning to stay AT LEAST 2 hours, but if you can stay the entire time, it will be to your advantage. Also, you may want to bring your sketchbook or something else to do while you stand in lines.

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY
SHAFFER ART BUILDING
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2006
10AM-2PM

More information can be found here:
http://vpa.syr.edu/
http://parking.syr.edu/
or call SU College of Visual and Performing Arts at 315.443.2769

Directions
(1 hour 30 minutes, 93 miles)

590 s (to Rochester)
490e (to Victor)
90e (to Albany)
690e (to Syracuse / Fairgrounds)
81s
off at exit 17. at bottom of ramp, take a hard right on South State Street.
Right on Colvin Street.
Proceed under NYS RT 81 and up the hill.
Park in MANLEY FIELD HOUSE LOT

artist of the week :: angela grossmann

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collage, charcoal, paint. lots of textures, balance of detail and gesture, and a wonderful open space. sometimes, less is more.
the ap class is currently doing a piece based on her work and andy warhol's. we'll see how it all turns out.

from her website:
"Grossmann collages faces together from photocopies of old photographs in a way that is subtle and coherently representational, playing at transparency. “I collage the figures from a million different sources. What acts as a leg in one is not a leg; I put in boys bits for girls. If you look at collage of the earlier practitioners – whom I love – they used it for a strange, shattering effect, with say a huge head and tiny body, that kind of thing. I wanted to use my collage so that it appeared to make sense, but actually didn’t. I found it much more exciting to have it look real.” She calls this process ‘painting with photography’, I draw and paint with the photograph, and then re-photograph, then I blow it up, and I keep drawing and painting.”'

see more of her interesting and unique work here

"structure&freedom" art show opening sept. 13

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i will be displaying my most recent body of work at the owl house starting sunday, september 12. it is comprised of paintings, drawings, and mixed media pieces centered around the theme 'structure&freedom'. they have all been created between 2008 and 2010.

the opening reception on monday, september 13th from 7-9pm is free and open to anyone. there will be delicious snacks provided by the owl house, and the bar will be open selling beverages for all ages.

i would love to have you join me for this event - if you cant make it, definitely check out the owl house sometime soon. it is my new favorite spot in the city i love.

the owl house

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an old friend of mine, brian van etten, is the head chef for a new restaurant opened by two other friends, jeff ching and andrea parros. its called THE OWL HOUSE. (you can check out their website or find them on facebook)

they opened with full hours and service yesterday, and you should all check it out. they are at 75 marshall street, 14607... the site of the old rochester fave THE ATOMIC EGGPLANT.

they serve a rotating menu of 'new american cuisine' (same main menu daily, but with different dinner and dessert menu each night), along with over 30 craft beers, artisan wines, and unique cocktails. they also cater to the dietary needs of vegan and gluten-free folks, with a large assortment of dishes for each.

the food is delicious (my personal favorite is 'the cherub' sandwich) and the ambiance is stellar. so, if you're looking for a great place to dine, you should check them out! see a review from city newspaper here.

my friend rob antonucci's great new artwork is hanging on the walls currently, with an opening reception on august 17th from 7-10pm. also, i was lucky enough to be asked to design their menu (and will be hanging my artwork there in the fall as well). here is the main menu, as of august 4th, 2010 (there are also special menus for vegan, gluten-free, dinner, dessert, and kids):


thoughts on summer...

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summers over half gone... i am half sad and half excited.

this week has brought me some glimpses of what my AP students have been working on for their summer work, and im starting to feel that pull again.

i cant wait to start working intensely with the new AP class... although before that it means saying goodbye to my 2009-10 crew.

this process is part of what makes this job exciting, energizing, and fresh each september.
2010-11... i cant wait to see you!

FINALLY! studio in art videos, v.2010

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this is the second year that my (primarily 9th grade) studio in art students have created, produced, and filmed stop motion animation films as their final project.
this year we were a bit cramped for time - but their creativity and artistic skills showed through in the final products.
(students, sorry it has taken me so long to get these posted... they were on the school network, and i did not have access to them)
enjoy!