Free Updates
Navigation
Search
Archives
Categories
| November, 2009 (3) |
| October, 2009 (12) |
| September, 2009 (10) |
| August, 2009 (7) |
| July, 2009 (7) |
| June, 2009 (8) |
| May, 2009 (7) |
| April, 2009 (5) |
| March, 2009 (10) |
| February, 2009 (9) |
| January, 2009 (11) |
| December, 2008 (8) |
| November, 2008 (5) |
| October, 2008 (8) |
| September, 2008 (7) |
| August, 2008 (7) |
| July, 2008 (8) |
| June, 2008 (9) |
| May, 2008 (9) |
| April, 2008 (10) |
| March, 2008 (11) |
| February, 2008 (13) |
| January, 2008 (10) |
| December, 2007 (7) |
| November, 2007 (12) |
| October, 2007 (12) |
| September, 2007 (10) |
| August, 2007 (12) |
Links
<%radio.macros.blogroll
("siteConfig/blogroll.opml")%>
|
 Monday, January 21, 2008
In Art Crime: A Modern Forgery
Posted by sarah
 Revisiting recent themes on the blog, (strange art crimes and even stranger art discoveries), we bring you the news that The Art Institute of Chicago has discovered a forgery in its collection. From the Chicago Tribune: For about a decade, "The Faun," a ceramic sculpture, has been at the
Art Institute of Chicago, presented as a work of the 19th Century
French master Paul Gauguin. ... The museum announced that the work, which it bought in
1997, is a forgery. "The Faun" has been confirmed to be one of a long
string of contemporary forgeries by the Greenhalgh family, which
Scotland Yard had been investigating for 20 months.
The sculpture has long been the subject of a great deal of analysis and contemplation--critics have wondered whether the statue spoke to the artist's failing marriage, or reflected the artist's resentment of his brother-in-law--but its authenticity was never questioned until charges relating to the forgery of an Egyptian Amarna Princess sculpture were bought. Scotland Yard revealed the existence of a forged Gauguin sculpture, but couldn't speak to the forgery's whereabouts. It wasn't until The Art Newspaper tracked the piece down in Chicago that the whole story came to light. Why was the forgery so successful? The Art Newspaper reports that it appeared to be based on a sketch in Gauguin's 1887 sketchbook. And, a work entitled “Faun” was listed in a Gauguin exhibition held at the Nunès and Fiquet gallery in Paris in 1917. Again, from the Chicago Tribune: For 17 years, the [Greenhalgh] family carried on one of the most sophisticated
forgery operations in modern history, faking scores of objects
including antiquities, watercolors, paintings and modern sculpture,
authorities said. Many of the pieces were copies of ancient objects or
artworks thought to be lost.To see these modern masters of forgery, visit Radar.
Overheard
1/21/2008 10:07:35 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00) 
|
|
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Send Us Your Creativity Workshop Entries
Posted by jessica
 In our February issue, Melissa Adkison shares how to bring creativity into our portraits—and challenges us to do so in our own work. If you haven't already sent us your work, there's still plenty of time to get cracking. The deadline is Feb. 20. Activity:
Choose a subject that inspires you from a photo or from life.
Decide what you want to say about this person, about yourself or life in general. What attracts you to this subject? Is it personal, or as simple as a red scarf? Use the answers to create a story with a theme.
Brainstorm different ways you could express your theme. Read, investigate and open your mind to the possibilities of expression. Remember that you are telling a story. Once you’ve organized your thoughts and ideas, you’re ready to plan and draw your composition. Think about color, value and contrast. Try painting with gouache, if you like. Let the painting tell you what it needs. You can easily add or take away elements with this medium. Have fun!Send a slide, photograph or a disc containing a digital image of your painting to Watercolor Artist, Creativity Workshop, Enlivened Portrait Activity, 4700 E. Galbraith Road, Cincinnati OH 45236. (Note: include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you’d like us to return your submission.) We’ll publish a selection of entries on our website.
See the results from the October 2007 issue's Creativity Workshop here.
Pictured: Adkison's Rose Colored Glasses (gouache on paper, 36x25)
From the Magazine | Tips and Tools
1/16/2008 1:35:27 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
|
|
Monday, January 14, 2008
In Watercolor News: Stolen Mickey
Posted by sarah
 After vanishing from a museum storeroom 17 years ago, two Walt Disney Studios watercolors featuring Mickey Mouse in scenes from Fantasia resurfaced in Florida this month. Valued from $60,000 to $80,000 at the time of the theft, one painting shows Mickey gesturing to a broom and the other shows him magically turning a waterfall into snow. How cute. The paintings were found in a garage full of unwanted items, sold to an art dealer who was unaware that they were stolen, and then sold to an unsuspecting antiques dealer. But the dealer did his homework and, discovering the paintings' history, turned them over to authorities. (He was later given the original reward of $5,000, offered more than two decades ago.) For all the details, visit a local Florida news outlet here.
1/14/2008 4:20:31 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
|
|
Monday, January 07, 2008
Updates on the International Invitational Watermedia Exhibition
Posted by jessica
As we mentioned in the February issue of the magazine, the first Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary International Watermedia Masters opened Nov. 19 in Nanjing, China, marking the first formal international event of its kind in the country. Cheng-Khee Chee was asked to nominate the American artists who would participate; below is part of a letter he sent to them after he returned to the U.S. from China. How we wish we could’ve attended!
After recuperating for a few days, I am ready to report all the excitement I experienced in China. The following are some highlights.
The welcoming banquet, 6 p.m. Monday night, Nov. 19
The banquet was attended by about 80 people, including exhibiting artists, invited artists, officials of the Jiangsu Union of Literature and Fine Arts, the Jiangsu Watercolor Research Institute and government dignitaries. As always, the banquet was an elaborate feast of 12 courses.
The opening ceremony, 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, Nov. 20
The stage was set at the main entrance of the Nanjing Library, a magnificent ultra modern building. Guests of honor lined up in front of the long silk ribbon adorned with huge silk bouquets. Madam Yang Chengzhi, vice president of the Jiangsu Provincial International Cultural Exchange Association of China, delivered the opening remarks, followed by me representing the exhibiting artists. Twelve people cut the ribbon at the same time, and the show was officially opened. Several hundred visitors swarmed into the exhibition hall. The hall is large, well lit, and paintings were very professionally framed and presented. Paintings were grouped by continent: North America, Europe and Asia. The quality of works seems to vary quite a bit. Our [U.S.] section drew the most attention. It really stole the show!
The watermedia forum, 2-4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 20
About 40 artists, art historians and art critics participated in this forum. Topics included the responses to the show, exchange of ideas of the medium, future plans and supports for similar international activities, and prospects of the watercolor paintings in the future.
The exhibition catalog
The exhibition catalog is elegant! The reproduction quality is super! It is far beyond my expectation! It is sad to know that only 1,000 copies were printed. I understand the various provincial governmental agencies will take a cut of more than half of the edition. They take great pride of this publication and want to present them as handsome gifts.
The travel show planning
The response to the exhibition is overwhelming. Many organizations are already requesting for the show to travel to their areas. After Nanjing, the exhibition will travel to Yangzhou, a historic as well as artistic city northeast of Nanjing. It is well known for the school of eight innovative painters in the Qing Dynasty. We are not sure what other cities the show will go to. Professor Li Chi-mao of the National Taiwan Fine Arts University, who was a guest of honor at the event, is planning to select about half of the show to travel to Taiwan at the end of the Mainland China circuit. It looks like the ball is just beginning to roll! This will give both the artists and the watercolor medium a great exposure.
Other activities, Nov. 21-22
The sightseeing trips included the Ming Tomb, the Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Monument, the Jiangsu Province Art Museum, a boat ride at night on the famous romantic Qinhuai River, and general city tours. I gave a slide presentation and demonstration at the School of Fine Arts of the South East University on Nov. 21.
The farewell banquet, Nov. 23
Most of the guests left. There were only about 20 artists, mostly from outside Mainland China, who attended the banquet. Everyone sat at the same huge round table. It was a warm and cozy atmosphere. As always, the dinner was a 12-course feast!
From the Magazine | Reviews
1/7/2008 12:00:20 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
|
|
How Artists Draw
Posted by sarah
 Recently, I had the good fortune of visiting The Menil Collection in Houston ( The Rothko Chapel and Watercolor Art Society-Houston's
new building are within walking distance, by the way) and was thrilled
by their extensive collection of important works on paper. Room after
room after room. Now, the Collection’s most
significant drawings (in combination with exceptional works on paper
from private collections) will come together for one unique exhibition:
How Artists Draw: Toward the Menil Drawing Institute and Study Center, February 15 through May 18, 2008.
Here's the skinny on the show:
From early on, The Menil Collection assembled
important groups of works on paper by Max Ernst, René Magritte, Pablo
Picasso, and Kurt Schwitters. Acquisitions continue to be made as the
museum begins to formally introduce its plans to form the Menil Drawing
Institute and Study Center, with a new focus on collecting,
researching, and exhibiting drawings. In the last five years, for
example, major groups of drawings by Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning,
Ellsworth Kelly, Jasper Johns, Michael Heizer, and Robert Gober have
expanded the collection. This exhibition will highlight the museum’s
long commitment to the medium, while facilitating a public discussion
about the new initiative within Houston and the broader art community.
It effectively lays out the conceptual framework for envisioning the
future of this long-term initiative.
Pretty exciting, eh?
Overheard
1/7/2008 8:38:24 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
|
|
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper Exhibitions Coming to Chicago
Posted by jessica
 Those close to the Windy City next month will want to make a stop at the Art Institute of Chicago for a two-for-one bargain: Watercolors by Winslow Homer: The Color of Light and Edward Hopper (both on display Feb. 16–May 10; $20 nonmember tickets allow entry to both exhibitions). Here’s what the Art Institute says about the Homer exhibition: “Twenty-five spectacular Homer watercolors in the Art Institute’s collection have been carefully analyzed using the latest conservation technologies. The works and the revealing associated research will be displayed in the context of over 100 watercolors, drawings, and oil paintings that explore the artist’s most important subjects and sites and his interest in color and light.” And the Hopper show, touted as “the first comprehensive presentation of Hopper's work to be seen in American museums outside of New York in a quarter century,” will no doubt captivate as well. For more information, go to the Art Institute’s website.
Overheard
1/3/2008 10:13:30 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
|
|
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Happy Holidays from the Watercolor Artist Elves
Posted by jessica
Before we head out of the office for the holidays, we decided to make total elves of ourselves—quite literally—via OfficeMax’s ElfYourself website. Upload up to four digital photos at a time, “start the elfamorphosis” and sit back and watch yourself dance your troubles away! Her we are, L-to-R: Kelly, Cindy, Sarah, me
12/19/2007 3:12:52 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
|
|
Monday, December 17, 2007
Your Less Than Wholesome Art News
Posted by sarah
 It might be the worst time of the year to be anything less than perfectly nice, but the art news this month is awfully naughty. Here's a holiday sampler that won't rot your teeth. That is, provided they're still in your head: Gauguin's teeth were discovered at the bottom of a well recently, along with pigments, a coconut shell palatte and various liquor and perfume bottles. It appears the artist may have dug the well himself. Read the sordid details here. Discover a collection of artful erotica 170 years in the making at the Bibliothèque Nationale through January 15, 2008. The "Enfer" (hell) section of the institution will open its doors to the public for the first time ever to reveal a secret stash that is said to run a close second to the Vatican's collection of "taboo" materials. Read a candid, if conservative, critique of the exhibition here. Discover why London's Lisson Gallery is garnering a good deal of attention these days: Artist Santiago Sierra's latest sculpture that aims to get a little too close for comfort. I'll resist the urge to pun and just give you the link to the gallery and some decent coverage and call it a day.
Overheard
12/17/2007 4:06:38 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
|
|
Friday, December 14, 2007
The Best of the Best of 2007
Posted by Kelly
It's end of the year list making time, and I couldn't resist making one of my own. So here are a few of my favorite items from this year's lists.  • From Time magazine's list of the Top 10 Nonfiction Books of 2007, " A Life of Picasso: The Triumphant Years: 1917-1932" by John Richardson (608 pages, $40 list price, $26.40 on Amazon). This third installment of a multi-volume biography chronicles "Picasso's transition from his Bohemian youth to wealth, fame and marriage, and then to a romance with a very young mistress."  • From InStyle.com's list of the Best Gifts for Book Lovers, " 30,000 Years of Art" by the editors of Phaidon Press (1072 pages, $49.95 list price, $29.97 on Amazon). The cool thing about this anthology is that it arranges pieces from around the world on time lines of major world events and art movements, offering you a unique look at what was happening at different times around the globe. • Time.com also put together a list of the Top Ten Museum Exhibits of 2007, which doesn't do you much good, I suppose, if you missed them, but it was interesting to see the artists and styles that drew attention this year. • And The New York Times critics published their picks for the best art and architecture books of the year. More good ideas if you still have some holiday shopping to do—or just need a good book to read this winter. Are there any other art-related year end lists that I've missed? I'd love to hear about them. Click on Comments below to let me know. (By the way, you don't have to fill in your e-mail, if you don't want it published.)
Overheard | Reviews
12/14/2007 11:53:05 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
|
|
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Online Philanthropy for the Holidays
Posted by jessica
 We included an item about DonorsChoose.org in our December issue. For those who missed it, the site is a fund-raising entity for public schools. The way it works: Teachers request donations for specific projects (books, art supplies, technology or other resources), DonorsChoose posts them on the site, visitors decide which one(s) they want to support and with the click of a button, the donation is complete. Need inspiration? Arts Journalist Tyler Green is featuring on his Modern Art Notes blog one arts-related project each day from now until Christmas. Or you might be inclined to take on Apple Computer, the Cult of Mac Blog and Claire Danes’ challenge. You can search for projects to fund by subject, region, type of teacher, the amount needed to complete the donation, type of school, type of resources needed and student profiles. I typed in “art” this morning and got 1,000 possibilities; an advanced search within “visual art” yielded 713 options. The best part? Each project tells you how many children will be impacted, and whether these materials will be used by future students.
From the Magazine
12/12/2007 10:48:15 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
|
|
Friday, December 07, 2007
Mark Your Calendars
Posted by Kelly
Don't miss these exciting events in early 2008: Dallas, TexasDallas Museum of Art’s exhibition, J.M.W. Turner, features approximately 140 works, divided almost evenly between oils and works on paper—the most comprehensive retrospective presented in the United States of the artist’s career. February 10-May 18. Los AngelesThe Geffen Contemporary at The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles reopens with © Murakami, a 90-plus piece retrospective of the artist’s career. Through February 11.  Washington, D.C.The Smithsonian American Art Museum presents Color as Field: American Painting, 1950–1975, a full-scale examination of the sources, meaning and impact of the Color Field movement, with 40 paintings by artists such as Gene Davis, Larry Poons, Frank Stella, Helen Frankenthaler (her painting Small's Paradise is at right) and more. February 29-May 26. Find more must-see shows in our February issue.
From the Magazine | Overheard
12/7/2007 12:26:40 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
|
|
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Carolyn Brady at Nancy Hoffman Gallery
Posted by sarah
 If you're heading to NYC for the holidays, a stop at the Nancy Hoffman Gallery at 429 West Broadway is an absolute must. The current exhibition (which runs through January 9, 2008) is Carolyn Brady's first posthumous show, featuring monotypes and a selection of watercolors, many of which have never been publicly exhibited before. A word from the gallery: Brady was known for her garden and still life watercolors, which are close-in views of tabletops, tablescapes, incorporating the ordinary stuff of life... . In this exhibition she conveys the beauty of the natural world in paint... . From the objects of every day in her still lifes to the fruits of summer gardens, Brady was an artist who transformed the ordinary into the extraordinary.
For further information, contact the gallery at info@nancyhoffmangallery.com. Orchid on a Box/Roland Park (2001; watercolor on paper, 43x52)
Overheard
12/5/2007 9:55:23 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)
|
|
|