I'm in this crazy elaborate exhibit curated by Dana Depew at the Chrisitian Science Reading Room building that has been closed up for 10 years. It will be open during the Ingenuity fesival next weekend and a TON of really great Cleveland artists are participating. Thanks Dana for all your hard work to make this possible for us! Hope to see everyone there! See the press info below:
Asterisk @ Ingenuity
A contemporary multi-media exhibition of work produced by established regional artists, curated by Dana L. Depew. Depew was allocated an abandoned radio station to transform into a work of art. Each artist was given a space to turn into an installation or exhibition.
Opening July 10 - 13
at the Ingenuity Festival at the Christian Science Reading Room located at 1516
Euclid Ave. across from the Ohio Theater
Participating artists include:
R Ferris
Matt Bartel
Jason Byers
Bruno Casiano
Sarah Paul
Pedro Dell
Matthew Dibble
Terry Durst
Jeffry Chiplis
Amy Casey
Dana L. Depew
Loren Naji
Joe Fruce
Susan Danko
Dan Tranberg
Carol Hummel
Ron Gundel
Paul Sydorenko
Douglas Max Utter
Stephen Yusko
Sunia Boneham and Michael Di Liberto
Julius Lyles
Bill Radawec
Daiv Whaley
James March
Raw Umber
Robert Banks
Scott Stibich
Terry Clark II
Liz Maugans
Bob Walls
Robert Bucklew
Dave Cintron
Kelly Hayes
Maria Miranda
Dana Oldfather
Joshua Rex
Thom Rossino
Chris Kaspar
Yvonne Bakale
Ron Smith
Joyce Porcelli
Anna Taraova
Michael Greenwald
Peter Green
Michelle Murphy
Brandon Brennen
Participation Performances by R Ferris
Fri, July 10 - Burn Meditation Participation ~ 5:30 pm Sat, July 11 - NonArt Art Walk ~ 4:30 Sat, July 11 - Participation Conversation ~ 8:30 pm
With a performance by Pedro Dell
“Three-Legged Dog” performance Sat. 3pm, or for Sunday,
and also a jazz performance by Pedro Dell and Ron Smith on Sunday at 3pm
http://www.asteriskgallery.com/330-304-8528
Great Blue Open, oil on canvas, 63 x 72 inches. Memories of the Midwestern sky, large and bright, over the plains in Nebraska where a large source of inspiration for this work. For Jane and Grama. XO
Well, last week I went to my first adjudication for a grant that I applied to. Specifically the Creative Workforce Fellowship Grant for Cuyahoga County artists. I had never been to an event like this before and was optimistic. I went to the East Cleveland Public Library eager to hear some kind words and maybe the slightest hint of constructive criticism about my artwork. What I got was a little praise and a lot of harsh reality or, should I say, negative subjective opinion. I have since coagulated up off the floor into a humanoid form more resembling myself and have went back to work. Like my mother said, "I know this is cliche but I really believe whatever doesn't kill you just makes you stronger". This new oil on canvas is titled "Kissing", 30 x 36 inches. I'll try for the grant again next year.
This is a new oil and pen on canvas, 30 x 40 inches, titled "The Well". I've added a new element to this one wherein I'm using a looser, more expressionistic, background. I like the contrast between the graphic cellular forms on top against a stormy background. Using oil on top makes the painting progress a little slowly as I have to wait for some things to dry before I can move. This is necessary to keep the clean graphic look. I've been thinking of switching to acrylic on top for a while but keep coming up with reasons not to. I like oil paint.
This is "Indra's Lava Pond" an oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches, that I just added to and reworked a little so that it fits in with the newer work more properly. I keep all the paintings that I've recently done facing me in my studio so that I can study them for lengthy periods of time. I can see the way my work evolves easily. This might be why my oeuvre has been developing so quickly. I am happy for the progress but hope that each phase of my work (which has been in the public eye) is enjoyed and appreciated for its own aesthetic values. I also hope that the development of my work is seen as such and not misinterpreted for ambiguity in style or artistic indecision.
