Cake Head Paintings

William & Dorothy Yeck Award

2012-01-23T07:08:00.001-05:00

Heistand Galleries of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, through the generous support of William and Dorothy Yeck, celebrates young painters each year with a competition for a $10,000 purchase prize. I have been fortunate enough to participate in the finalist exhibition in 2008, 2010, and this year 2012, alongside many talented painters such as previous winners Omar Chacon and Christine Gray.

The event takes place in the bitter month of January each year. The top ten finalists are welcomed down to Miami University for a lecture given by the esteemed juror; this year, the vivacious Irene Hofmann of SITE Santa Fe. There is a reception open to the public at the gallery where two works from all ten finalists shine. This year the work in the exhibition was exceptional. A few of my favorites: a drawing by Caleb Taylor of Kansas City, Missouri, acrylics on panel by Kevin Bernstein of Manhattan, Kansas, and paintings by Angie Zielinski of Pocatello, Idaho. The awards, cash prizes for 2nd and 3rd, as well as the William & Dorothy Yeck purchase prize are announced to an eager crowd of artists, students, and faculty. Artists make the journey from all across the country, not knowing who will be the fortunate winners. After announcing the 2nd and 3rd place prizes, which went to two of my favorites in the exhibition Caleb and Angie, Irene Hofmann announced my name as the 2012 winner. I was overjoyed and extremely surprised! Surrounded by so much wonderful painting, I felt honored to have been chosen.

A sincere and special thank you to Irene Hofmann, Ann Taulbee, Miami University, and the William and Dorothy Yeck Foundation. Thank you to all the painters in the exhibition that made it such a wonderful night, it was nice to meet and chat with so many of you!

I am my father's daughter.

2011-12-21T12:41:00.002-05:00

Thought I'd share an interesting story. As you may know, I work two days a week at The Bonfoey Gallery in Cleveland, doing web and graphic design, and general office assistance. A couple weeks ago Diane Schaffstein, a swell gal, and on staff appraiser/assistant director, explained how she and Tom were gathering art from a clients residence for storage during their move and came upon a painting signed Oldfather. At first Diane thought it was mine but realized the style wasn't familiar to her. Upon inspecting the back, she found a tag from the Cleveland Museum of Art's May Show indicating the work to be of Mark Oldfather.

Mark Oldfather is my Dad. He is a realist painter of amazing talent, in my not-so-humble opinion. :) He gathered some attention in the 1970s (while in his 20s), participated in the May Show a few times, and was pursued by some top notch galleries. However, he soon became a father, and has not exhibited since I was born thirty-three years ago. Dad taught me how to mix oil color from Alizarn Crimson, Cad Red Medium, a couple Cad Yellows, French Ultramarine, Burnt Sienna, and Titanium White when I was just a kid. Although my pallet has expanded a bit to include some Cobalts, Deeps, and Veridians, the foundation stuck with me. Perhaps that is why, after touching up the edges of "Anima Study" (where the previous frame rabbit had lifted the paint) so that Bonfoey could put it in a nice hand-gilded floater frame, I was shocked to see it on the wall with my work; the paintings looking to me as related as father and daughter. Thinking of you this holiday Dad. Hope everyone has a Happy Christmas and Jolly New Year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-22T14:51:00.001-05:00

Randall and I are going to New Jersey to see family and drive into Manhattan on Black Friday to visit my excellent cousin Piper and the Guggenheim (to get me some Kandinsky). Hope everyone has a happy holiday stuffed to the brim with food, family, and friends.

Big Paintings call for big girl brushes!

2011-11-21T15:19:00.001-05:00

Here are two of the new paintings I'm working on for Eaton Corp. The one on the left is 8 x 5 feet, the one on the right is 5 x 5 feet. They are about 3/4 done. There is a third one as well (another 5 x 5 footer) on the painting wall to the left of this wall. I'm real happy with how they are coming along. Here is my new big girl brush set up that my husband help make. :)

Scene Magazine - Art: Around Town

2011-09-09T13:21:00.001-04:00

Thank you to Joseph Clark for doing a little phone interview with me so he could write this nice preview of the Zygote show. Check it out in this week's issue of the Scene Magazine.

Zygote Install - Day 3

2011-09-04T18:36:00.001-04:00

Day 4 of install went very well. I was relieved that we (my sweet, tall husband, who isn't afraid of heights or ladders, and my scardy-cat self) were actually able to get the 5,400 feet of crocheted rope up and strung between 4 walls and a ceiling. Going back for 5th and final day tomorrow to work more on the painting and hang a few more bits. Randall says if everything is still hanging and in the air when I go in tomorrow we're in the clear as far as it staying up there. The heaviest rope segment is only 45 lbs. and the hooks we used have a 100 - 135 lbs. capacity - so here's hoping!!!!!

Zygote Install - Day 2

2011-09-03T20:22:00.005-04:00

Here is a sneak peek of the installation and wall painting I'm doing for the show at Zygote opening next week. I'm afraid of heights and ladders especially but was able to get all this up in the last two days. I think its about 10-12 feet high. The rest of all the crocheted material is going above this business. Thank goodness my husband is tall, not afraid of ladders, and just downright fantastic. He's going to help out these next two days. Here's hoping it all works!

Gearing Up!

2011-08-03T13:33:00.019-04:00

All the prints for the Zygote solo show September 9th are made, trimmed, signed, and at the framer! There will be two walls of silhouettes on white (11 pieces - above pictured "Sleeve 2") and one salon wall of 10 etchings in gold/tan and silver/grey. There will also be one photograph of the Cold Storage Building demo we've all been struck to witness this last month. The installation is coming along nicely and I'm finishing up the last painting for the exhibition as well.

A little side note, I'll have a very large painting, Partly Panny, in the ArtPrize Grand Rapids in one of their main exhibition venues - The Woman's City Club - September 21 through October 9! Will post more about this the date approaches.

Lastly, I would like to thank Richard Moore, all my gals at The Bonfoey Gallery, and most of all Mr. Lou Zona, for offering me my first solo museum exhibition taking place in 2013 at The Butler Museum of Art. I'm so excited!! Thank you, thank you everyone.

Zygote Press Studio

2011-07-14T23:00:00.006-04:00

Been working up a storm on a bunch of new prints for my solo show at the end of the summer. Prints, paintings, installation - oh my! It's gonna be great - I'm very excited to be working in so many new ways.

And... I'm getting married in less than two weeks! Woot! A large portion of the Zygote installation will be made with re-purposed wedding paper, invites, and other good stuff from the wedding planning experience to my subsequent marital bliss.

Stay tuned for sneak peeks!

Sweet & Dangerous - Closing Reception

2011-05-17T23:12:00.005-04:00

The exhibition "Sweet & Dangerous" featuring some work by Anthony Bartholomew and myself will be having it's closing reception at Survival Kit Gallery, this Friday, May 20th beginning at 5pm. There is a lot going on around town. But it'd be great if you find yourself in W 78th Street Studios, and have some time after seeing the 50/50 show, and Hilary's lovely new work at Legation Gallery, stop up to the 3rd floor and say hello! There will be live music by Herzog & The Black Swans beginning at 9 and an overall fantasticness will be felt by everyone cause the weather's gonna turn around already!!!

The piece above "They Bring Thunder" 48 x 36 inches, will be on view, and is being published in Beautiful/Decay's Book 6 coming out this year.

Hope to see you this Friday!!!

xooooo

Thank you VSC!!!!

2011-05-09T16:46:00.002-04:00

Wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all my friends at VSC for the wonderful opportunity! Last month was a truly amazing experience that I shall never forget.

I'm home and back in the swing of things now - down to two days a week at the gallery - just started the residency at Zygote Press last week. It's going wonderfully and I'm getting lots of good help from Anthony Bartholomew.

Stay tuned for images of prints to come!

The last few days of VSC...

2011-04-18T16:38:00.004-04:00

Only a few days left of the residency and I've been working madly to try to finish this last large painting (60 x 93 inches) and the smaller one on the easel (36 x 24 inches). I'm giving myself the rest of today, and all day tomorrow. I want to keep Wednesday and Thursday as non-painting days so they can dry good and solid before I drive them home on Friday some 600 miles. I feel confident they will be finished in time. The two smaller paintings in the picture (Winter Star & Winter Moon) are completed. Altogether I will have finished 9 paintings and at least 1 paper work (Wednesday and Thursday will be paper work days) during my month stay at the Vermont Studio Center. I am very happy and hope to do a residency at least once every other year, if not every year - in other places as well as Vermont (depending on where I can get accepted). I double checked with Randall and he says that's cool. :)

See you soon Cleveland!

Partly Panny

2011-04-11T15:10:00.004-04:00

Here is a very large (60 x 80 inches) new painting on linen titled Partly Panny that I've finished here at the center. I'm going to move it to another wall so that I can start on another large one today. :) Less than two weeks left. I'll miss this amazing studio. Frown.

Feather Pram

2011-04-06T08:24:00.005-04:00

The sleeping has gotten much better and productivity is up! This is one of the first pieces I've finished here at the center. It's titled Feather Pram, 30 x 42 inches, oil, alkyd, spray paint, and marker on clear grounded linen.

Just had coffee and breakfast with Pheobe Adams, a brilliant sculptor who is our 2nd visiting artist. She gave her talk last night and I adore her and her work.

Sunday, beautiful Sunday...

2011-04-03T13:06:00.004-04:00

I awoke to a brilliant Sunday morning. The top photo is a view of the mountains looking south from Pearl Street toward Main Street. I went early to the studio (2nd photo - Wolf Kahn building) to get some work done before meeting with 7 other residents at Pearl House parking lot. We piled into 2 cars and headed east of Johnson to a town called Johnsonville. For real. It was even smaller than Johnson but had an amazing breakfast spot. The place was full at 9:30 and we waited ten minutes for a table for 8. I had blueberry pancakes with Vermont maple syrup. After breakfast we strolled around town to soak up some sun and pop into the liquor store/gift shop. Some of the residents picked up some hooch (aka bourbon) for the studio and then we drove back, full and happy.

Sleepless in Johnson VT?

2011-04-01T11:18:00.006-04:00

Here is a picture of my sweet little room at Pearl House. Many of the residents are having trouble sleeping (including me). We've been discussing the different reasons for this: being excited to be here, the stimulus of such a creative environment, and especially for me strangely enough, the thin skeletal mattress over plyboard. Mine has a habit of juicing up a bunch of static energy and then releasing it when one least expects it as I jostle about in a failed attempt to get comfortable and skin connects with a surfaced metal spring. Some of us have taken to sacrificing a blanket by placing it beneath the sheet. It seems to be working - extra padding and shock protector. I actually got 8 hours of sleep last night! YES!!!! Sleep or not though this place is a little slice of heaven. I heart you Vermont.

Vermont Studio Center

2011-03-31T16:20:00.003-04:00

Well, I'm all moved in and settled. Here are some pictures of my most excellent studio. Gaaaaaa!

Vermont here I come!

2011-03-25T13:46:00.004-04:00

Well, I'm just about all packed and ready to go to Vermont for the residency. I'm very pleased and excited and want to thank all my family and friends for their support. I'll miss you!

I will post photos of the Center, new work, and my studio as the month progresses, so stay tuned. ;)

For any artists interested in applying for a residency at the VSC - check out this link:
http://www.vermontstudiocenter.org/apply/

See you gators later! xoxoooo

mad mad March!

2011-03-06T10:36:00.004-05:00

Well, everyone, I'm feeling the crunch. Its three weeks before I leave for my residency and I'm trying to tie up all the loose ends.

Thanks to the folks at Artist a Day for featuring my work on March 5, 2011. I've gotten some interesting emails. Thanks too to all those who contacted me and commented with such kind words.

The spanky new art gallery Survival Kit, opened by recent art school grads Suzanne Cofer (photographer extraordinaire) and Alexandra Tapie (very rad painter), will be hosting an exhibition titled Sweet + Dangerous - new work by Anthony Bartholomew and me. The exhibition runs from March 18 - May 20th. There will be opening and closing receptions with live music and a dance performance on opening night from 5 - 11pm. The gallery is located on the 3rd floor of W78th Street Studios. I would love to catch up with everyone before leaving for Vermont. Hope to see you at Survival Kit Gallery Friday, March 18th!

Zygote Press 100x100 - 15 Year Anniversary

2011-03-04T11:01:00.006-05:00

Zygote Press is having a fundraiser for their 15 year anniversary. It's called 100x100 where they will be selling 100 - 8x8 inch works from various Zygote artists for $100 each! This is a great chance to help out one of Cleveland's top facilities for art and artists - and get a super sweet original piece of art on the down low! Down low price that is! This is going to be a fantastic event. So be sure to head up to Zygote on April 15th and give the fabulous Liz and Bellamy a hello. Wish I could be there - will be at the VSC - this is the piece I'm donating titled Netting.

Cheers all!

Auxiliary - Figuring it out

2011-02-06T14:31:00.004-05:00

Finished this new one a couple weeks ago - have been really thinning out the paint. Have also finally zeroed in on a new artist statement that feels more like where I'm actually heading. :) Ah, New Year - I feel better already.

The Dishes have arrived!

2011-01-26T17:57:00.002-05:00

The long awaited "Kites" dishes are in the US from the factory and ready to ship! The darlings at Ink Dish (Caroline & Dave) have kindly sent me an early wedding gift of 8 sets! HOORAY!!! They're unpacked and in use - I couldn't even imagine how nice they'd turned out. My signature and a little one line bio is on the bottom of each dish. Its such a privilege to be included in Ink Dish's group artists. I feel very lucky.

I'm going to meet Caroline and Dave in person for the first time this weekend. Will be flying in to NYC to visit them at the Ink Dish booth in the New York International Gift Fair. "Kites" will be available to order on the spot for the first time at the Fair! If you find yourself in NYC at the Gift Fair, stop by booth 4113 and say hello!

Snowy

2011-01-21T14:09:00.001-05:00

The thick, blank, void of night...

2011-01-19T22:06:00.005-05:00

I'm getting a grip on the transition. Thank goodness. Thanks for the honesty and kindness of my friends Brandon Juhasz and Douglas Max Utter and my amazing fiance, Randall Darling. Thanks for helping me see. I think I can finally get some sleep.

Goodnight couch, goodnight feet, goodnight slushy, snowy, sounding street...

Not My Favorite Day in the Studio

2011-01-17T17:05:00.006-05:00

Gosh, I hate when I'm in transition in my studio and everything I do makes me feel on edge. Yuck! Double Yuck. Stick a paint brush in my eye!!!!

By the way, this is my newest experiement - wanted to try my frustrated hand at animation and flash. Sorry it's so short. And dark.

The Abstracted Plane - Erik Neff & Dana Oldfather at The Bonfoey Gallery

2010-11-06T10:26:00.005-04:00

I'm very excited to be having a two person show with one of my favorite Cleveland artists and esteemed friend Erik Neff. His paintings are beautifully juicy and his sense of color is breathtaking. The Abstracted Plane will open Friday, November 19th from 5-7pm at The Bonfoey Gallery in Cleveland. Drop down and have a glass of vino with us! The exhibition will be on view through the rest of 2010! Oh my... can you believe its almost over?

Rising Above - solo show at eo art lab

2010-10-16T11:11:00.003-04:00

Connecticut was beautiful and the show was a blast! Rising Above - my first solo show out of state will be up at eo Art Lab through October 30, 2010. I finally got to meet all my eo peeps - and they were perfectly lovely. I also got to meet some of eo's other artists such as Elizabeth Gourlay, Pamela Marks, and Janet Lange and we had a ball talking shop.

Please do stop by and say hi to Sherrie, eo's amazing gallery director, if you find yourself in New England. Also, eo also just launched their new website which looks fantastic! Thanks everyone for coming out to the opening to see the work and listen to my crazy ramblings.

AIR 2011 - Zygote Press

2010-09-20T12:00:00.006-04:00

A big special thanks to Liz Maugans, Bellamy Printz, and the rest of The Board at Zygote Press for giving me the Artist in Residence for 2011! I'm really excited to work with them in their fantastic facility exploring the printmaking art world. Thank you SO MUCH for this amazing opportunity!!!! Artists, if you get a chance, check out their place on E 30th Street just North of Superior. Its a creative playland to be sure - I recommend the Works in Progress program.

New York Times!

2010-09-09T16:40:00.004-04:00

YAY! I've a mention and picture in the New York Times home and garden section today for the dinnerware I've designed with Ink Dish. Check out the online version in color here. Or pick up a copy of the Times in any Starbucks (evidently). :)

Also, see this feature on Unica World the blog site for online store Unica Home out of Las Vegas. They are also taking pre-orders here as the dinnerware will be ready to ship in late November.

It's Alive!!!!!

2010-08-27T16:19:00.005-04:00

Yes! It's finished. The biggest painting I've ever made. Glory the Tragedy is 36 x 120 inches. All ready for the October show and for grant season. Here's to keeping fingers crossed for me and all my favorite Cleveland artists! CHEERS!!!!!

It's a Mooooonster!

2010-08-01T12:56:00.007-04:00

It's a monster new painting! I'm doing a 3 foot by 10 foot, three paneled painting for the show at eo art lab in October and really enjoying working big. Wish I could work big all the time but the studio is tiny - with dreams of grandeur. Works in progress and blank surfaces ready for paint spill into the hallway adjacent and threaten to take over the rest of the apartment. What can I say, I've got a patient and loving boyfriend. Thanks babe.

Its been hairy getting ready for the show but setting strict deadlines has really paid off and I'm feeling pretty good about it now. eo art just let me know I will be one of 5 artists they take to the AFF in New York City this fall (the weekend before my show opens in Connecticut). Check out the work here. Or check out the fair if you're in NYC September 30 - October 3.

Happy summertime everyone!

The Vermont Studio Center

2010-07-28T08:30:00.005-04:00

Baby's first residency! I'm super excited to be going to the Vermont Studio Center to live and work for the month of April, 2011. Thank you to Kathy and the VSC panel for giving me an artist grant and financial aid so that I can attend.

I'm going to drive down, like my new artist friend, Lorri Ott, who is going down for her residency there August 1st. Her work is fantastic by the way, be sure to check it out. Congrats Lorri! We have been bantering back an forth via facebook about our plan of attack. Its an 11 hour drive and I'm a little nervous about the trek. I've never driven that long by myself before - but I'm grateful for the opportunity to try!

3rd Ward : Dana Oldfather

2010-07-10T19:40:00.003-04:00

3rd Ward : Dana Oldfather

Follow the link above to my portfolio at 3rd Ward in Brooklyn. Click the "Rate This Artist" link and give me some gold stars on my report card for a chance to win a New York residency and $5000! Just click and vote - NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Yay!

Thanks to every, lovely, last one of you!!!!!!!!

2nd Anniversary Exhibition at POV

2010-06-28T22:59:00.005-04:00

This is a new paper piece titled Emma's Buffalo Skull, one of two that I'm making for the 2nd Anniversary Exhibition at POVevolving Gallery in LA. I hope to finish the 2nd one tomorrow and get them framed up in a hurry cause the show opens August 14th! Oi! Night night for now dear fellows...

Cover feature - The Meadow

2010-06-01T21:20:00.003-04:00

Thanks to editor Lindsay and the kind folks at The Meadow arts and culture journal out of Reno Nevada for using "An Audience in the Grass" as the cover of the 2010 issue. See info here.

Thank you thank you!

I've Never Been One to Wait - an interview with ReDivider

2010-05-03T09:51:00.003-04:00

Thanks a bunch to magazine editor Matthew Salesses and art editor Anne Vickman for, not only putting my work on the cover of ReDivider (an arts and culture journal out of Boston), but for having an interview with me and making it their May web and blog feature. Read the interview here.

Designs at Ink Dish

2010-04-28T15:52:00.004-04:00

As I briefly mentioned in a previous post Ink Dish, out of San Diego, is putting my artwork on fine dinnerware. That's right folks and we want to know which designs should be sent to the factory to be made! I'm very excited about this new venue for my work and hope you have a second to participate in the process. Please note that only one page of the designs are mine - the other 2 pages are another artist.

Just click this link and vote for your favorites - no need to sign up, just click and vote!

Thanks in advance to everyone who has time to check this out. I can't wait to see the results!

Proper Noun of the Week #31

2010-04-19T18:21:00.003-04:00

Check out my interview with Justin Vaughn on his cool blog Cleveland Bachelor, Art, Life , and Indie Rock in Cleveland. Thanks so much Justin for the kind words and for getting the word out about my opening at WRG this Friday!

We Are Mountains

2010-04-12T11:06:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone! I'm happy to announce the opening of my first Cleveland solo show in over 4 years! We Are Mountains will open with a reception at William Rupnik Gallery on Friday, April 23 from 7 - 10 pm. The entire exhibition is fresh, fresh, never before shown work. I hope you can make it out and say hello. The exhibition runs through May 9th.

Thanks for reading and I'm looking forward to seeing you on the 23rd!

Ink Dish

2010-03-05T16:46:00.003-05:00

Here is some pretty amazing news that I'm super proud to tell you about; I've been contacted by an up and coming company called Ink Dish out of San Diego. They produce beautiful porcelain dinnerware that features contemporary art as its design. I will be one of their newest featured artists! Check out the artists they carry here. Stay tuned for more information once we get closer to production. Special thanks to Caroline, the Pople family, and CEO David Harding!

Beautiful Decay - website feature

2010-02-26T15:13:00.003-05:00

Hi folks! Well, its a little late, but the super-duper rad art mag Beautiful Decay did a lovely little feature on my work February 23! Thank you so very much Gladys! Check it out here.

Love,

Dana O.

15 Illustrators/artist to watch - Boss Style

2010-02-23T18:18:00.003-05:00

Thank you to Allie Smith, out of Boston, who writes the fun blog Boss Style, for including me in her list of 15 Illustrators/Artist to Watch. Check it out!

ReDivider - A Journal of New Literature and Art

2010-02-10T16:52:00.003-05:00

I am proud to share that "Night Wait" is on the cover of the ReDivider Arts and Literature Journal issue 7.1! Thanks to the arts editors at ReDivider in Boston! Check out the issue here.

pinkEYE Magazine

2010-02-08T10:33:00.002-05:00

Thank you to Tammo W for posting a blurb and some pics of my work on his Art and Culture Blog pinkEYE. Not to be confused with the Cleveland Online Magazine Pink Eye which is pretty rad too.

Thank you again Tammo W!

The Best Part

2010-01-24T11:31:00.002-05:00

Thanks to Jason Dean of the art blog "The Best Part" for including me in his posts! Check it out here.

PULP Tree

2010-01-20T11:40:00.003-05:00

Hi folks! Some of my work is now on PulpTree. A new site for artists to show their work, make prints, and make friends (and make a couple hundred Washingtons if you get the most votes). OK so maybe the making friends part is a little far fetched. Especially since we're competing for money and can vote against each other. Harsh. So, if you get a chance and dig my work, register and vote for me! You have the power! ;)

Thanks readers.

The Expanding Gesture at The Cleveland Clinic

2010-01-13T13:03:00.003-05:00

Hello Clevelanders and art lovers in general,

The Cleveland Clinic has expanded part of their exhibition space so they can now include paintings in their shows! Hooray!

They are having an exhibition in the new space (between buildings Q and G) January 8 through April 5 titled The Expanding Gesture that I am proud to be a part of. Two paintings from 2008 will be on view along with a works from a number of really talented regional painters including (two of my personal favorites) Matthew Kolodziej and Erik Neff, Seth Rosenberg and Martin Ball. There is going to be a reception but we haven't heard when so I'll keep you posted!

Thanks for reading everyone!

Dana Oldfather

2010-01-06T10:18:00.003-05:00

Thanks to Jaime at Art Milk for her kind words and for posting my name and work in her blog site. See it here:
Dana Oldfather

Posted using ShareThis

Preview Exhibition at Lava

2010-01-03T08:45:00.003-05:00

As part of my solo show coming up this April at William Rupnik Gallery, Bill is hanging 3 of my pieces at Lava Lounge in Tremont. The works will kicking things off January 8 through February 5, 2010. Lava is one of my favorite places to get a cocktail and some nibbles in my hoodie. If they still have the potato pancake with goat cheese and fresh fruit chutney GET IT! Its the best!

By the way, happy 2010 everyone!

Paint Snob!

2009-12-16T13:47:00.004-05:00

I am now a member of Paint Snob! (a growing collective of painters) Click here to check out the site if you want to see some great new contemporary painters from across the country. I will be involved in the annual Paint Snob exhibition taking place at 500x Gallery in Dallas, TX, in April of 2010. Stay tuned for exhibition info.

Thanks to all the amazing artists at Paint Snob for welcoming me into your family!

Now with Kathryn Markel in Chelsea!

2009-12-03T16:23:00.006-05:00

I am so excited to announce that I now have work with Kathryn Markel Fine Arts in Chelsea NYC! I had a lovely time in New York and was so pleased to have met Ms. Markel. She was a very intelligent and kind woman. The gallery was beautiful and organized. They took five paintings and have asked for five paper pieces which I will be promptly getting to work on. Kathryn Markel Fine Arts will have a booth at Aqua Miami this week. Check out their website for more details about the gallery.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and support and for my cousins man Jason getting me out of the city alive!

Working Artist Grant

2009-11-30T11:19:00.003-05:00

I'm happy to announce that I was recently notified of receiving the 2009 Summer Quarter Working Artist grant from Working Artist Org. Thank you to all the folks at the Org for your generous support!

NYC here I come!

2009-11-22T12:25:00.004-05:00

I'm very thrilled and excited to be going to NYC tomorrow. I have my first meeting with a gallery in Chelsea and I'm really hoping I things go well. This is a new piece that's coming too. It's titled "Sleepy Road" and is 36 x 36 inches. I'm driving in about 7 works. Keep your fingers crossed!

Frigid Art

2009-10-21T21:42:00.003-04:00

This new painting "Keeping", 28 x 44 inches, is my submission to the seriously large group show taking place at Asterisk Gallery in Tremont next month. The show is titled Frigid Art - and yes, all the art is made on or out of salvaged refrigerator doors. Pretty cool right? I'm excited to see what comes out of it. Some great other Cleveland artists in the show are Dana Depew, Matthew Dibble, and Paul Sydorenko. Frigid Art opens with a gallery reception from 6-10pm on Friday, November 13, and continues through December 4. I'll be at the reception from 6-8 if you feel like popping in to say hi. I hope to see you there.

Prints at Little Paper Planes

2009-09-21T09:49:00.005-04:00

Hello all who love to art on the cheap!

Three of my works, Minaret 2, King Seat, and Mary's Lassoed Moon have been made high quality limited edition prints and are being sold on Little Paper Planes out of Cali. They are signed and numbered and only $30! Check it out!

I love Chicago

2009-09-16T13:06:00.003-04:00

Well, I'm home again. Back to Tremont, back to Cleveland. I was in Chicago for a few days visiting galleries. I also about killed my mother running her around to art museums and attractions but thanks to lovely CTA we got around the city fast and cheap. Here I am waiting for the blue line back to the airport yesterday. I do really love Chicago and didn't want to leave.

Bonfoey Gallery Artists

2009-09-01T12:16:00.004-04:00

Just wanted to send out a shout to let everyone know I've a couple pieces up at The Bonfoey Gallery. They've hung a great contemporary Cleveland artist collection in their lower gallery with works from Kathleen Hammett, Patrick Kelly, Tricia Lazuka, George Mauersberger, Ken Nevadomi and others. Upstairs is an exhibition of Cleveland School Artists Wood, Keller, Deike, O'Sickey, Warshawsky and others. Check it out folks! www.bonfoey.com

Stu Stu Studio 2

2009-08-24T19:30:00.000-04:00

And another one. :)

Stu Stu Studio

2009-08-24T19:27:00.001-04:00

Thought I would post a photo of my work space. :)

Nap

2009-08-18T21:12:00.004-04:00

This cool summer spoiled me. I'm sad to admit I spoil rather easily. Since Cleveland weather has recently been behaving as a typical Cleveland summer should, I have not slept right for a week. This is a new work titled Nap, 40 x 30 inches.

Oh That is Sooooooo Last Year...

2009-08-02T10:01:00.003-04:00

I've got 4 small paintings in a group show at William Rupnik Gallery (the old Artchitecture Gallery) called "Oh That is Sooooooo Last Year". It's the first group show to take place in the space and should be a rocker. There are 22 Cleveland artists involved including Cleveland jems John Ryan, Tess 1, Mallorie Freeman, Chris Ryniak, Beth Kappa, and Paul Sydorenko. Its a one night only exhibition dedicated to selling some art - quick! There's something for everyone as prices range from $50 - $4,000. Don't miss this opportunity to see a really great collection of work. One night only, Friday, August 7, 2009, from 7 - 10pm.

You're a festival, you're a parade

2009-07-16T11:52:00.001-04:00

This is a brand new piece titled "Parade" 20 x 24 inches.

LA Show at POVevolving Gallery

2009-07-10T10:18:00.005-04:00

Hello All!

I'm in the Anniversary show at POVevolving Gallery this weekend for the Chinatown Art Hop. There are a bunch of terrific artists involved including Cleveland artist Amy Casey and former Cleveland artist (now Kansas City artist) Amy Kligman. Check out the website for gallery information and a little preview of the show. This is one of the 2 pieces I've got there.

Asterisk @ Ingenuity

2009-06-27T10:16:00.003-04:00

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

The Great Blue Open

2009-06-03T20:33:00.002-04:00

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

Kissing the CWF grant goodbye

2009-05-27T14:18:00.003-04:00

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.

The Well

2009-04-15T08:43:00.004-04:00

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.

Gumdrops

2009-04-15T08:40:00.003-04:00

This is a new oil and pen on canvas, 36 x 36 inches, that felt like Easter time. I named it Gumdrops.

I'm a very impressionable individual and I feel that the holidays really impact my mood and thereby work. Color especially.

Rewind and Rework - an Artists Evolution

2009-03-30T13:35:00.004-04:00

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.

Dust & Gravel

2009-03-25T13:42:00.003-04:00

Here is a new oil painting that I recently finished called "Dust & Gravel", 48 x 60 inches. I'm consistantly using pen over the oil paint now to create a contrast in line and texture. I'm also experimenting with wet on wet and more expressionist fields or backgrounds. I'm combining them with flat, solid, foreground fields to excentuate disconcerting feelings in the composition. I like the hanging skull amidst the debris illustrating a remnant of humanity no longer part of this environment. The rubble is drawn to itself and collects as in orbit around a distant celestial body.

X-Ray Glasses

2009-03-09T17:12:00.002-04:00

This is a new piece titled X-Ray Glasses. Its on a 24 x 30 inch canvas my dad got me for Christmas. (Thanks Dad!) This is the first painting that I tried using the painterly and clean graphic looks together. I really dig the way it came out. I got this one done just in time to include it in my submission to the big Beyond/In Western New York 2009. It would be great to have anything to do with that show. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Here's dreaming!

Jellybeans

2009-02-25T17:52:00.004-05:00

This is a new one titled Jellybeans. Its 20 x 24 inches, oil on canvas, and has the sharpie details that I've been using lately. I really can't wait for spring.

The Fulcrum

2009-02-04T09:35:00.005-05:00

This is a new piece titled Fulcrum, 48 x 36 inches. I've started using sharpie marker in the paintings and am really enjoying the results. They do get a little clogged from time to time which is annoying. The earlier work that I did at the end of 2007 and earlier in 2008 was much looser and included the black forms in paint and in the shape of the figure only. For a long time I thought I needed the figure in my painting at all costs and now am beginning to think I only need the contrast of painted form and line. I've started using crawling cellular structure (as in Frost Bite shown in previous blog) and these lines and hinky little animals. This painting still uses the figure but I wonder if I am getting away from her. I guess I'll just have to see how it plays out.

Back in the Saddle Again

2009-01-21T13:02:00.005-05:00

Well, after a long(and unintentional) 2 week vacation from painting over the holidays I'm back in the swing and getting some work done that I feel satisfied with. This is a new piece titled Frost Bite and is 20 x 24 inches. Just finished it today!

I occasionally battle with myself about my painting schedule. If I can't solve a certain problem in a piece and get stuck I wont lay down any paint. I end up sitting in the studio staring at everything for hours. At least these last few years I've had the will power to keep myself there and not get distracted with snacks or house chores. OK sometimes there is a little distraction - but for the most part, I've been pretty good about it. Except for this Christmas/New Years Holiday. I can honestly say its been about 5 years since I went that long without painting. I am terrified of loosing my discipline. DeKooning never took vacation. Many of the old greats didn't. Not that I am like them at all - but I would like to be great. For those two weeks I was needing but hating taking time off. It was hard and all my relationships suffered my mood swings and irritability. However, as I think about it now, I'm glad I did it. My creative juices needed to replenish. I did have some performance anxiety getting back into it but now I just feel refreshed.

POV Evolving no go

2008-12-08T11:17:00.004-05:00

Thanks to everyone who voted for me at the Vote-A-Thon with POV Evolving Gallery. I had a great start, but unfortunately I didn't make it in the top 2. I'm still trying to get into a gallery in CA. Hope I'll be able to pull it out.

The Meeting Post

2008-12-08T11:15:00.005-05:00

Here is another new one I finished recently. Its titled "The Meeting Post", oil on canvas, 36 x 48 inches.

Toadstool - new paper

2008-12-03T10:26:00.001-05:00

This is a new paper piece I finished about a month ago. It's all framed up too.

POV Evolving Gallery in LA

2008-11-07T09:38:00.006-05:00

This week I submitted some of my work to POV Evolving – an art print shop and gallery in LA. They are including one of my new paper pieces Pinky into the first print VOTE-A-THON. The two artworks that get the most votes will be printed and sold by the gallery.

So please, go to this link sometime BEFORE NOVEMBER 30:

https://www.poveditions.com/_scripts/votelogon.php?action=votelogon&msg=You%20need%20to%20be%20logged%20in%20to%20perform%20this%20function.

All you have to do is enter your name, an email address, a password, and make sure to uncheck the box at the bottom before you click “create new account” so you wont get any emails from them. Then you will be at the voter screen.

Find my image, vote for me, and select submit my vote at the top of the page.

To all of you who can take time out of your busy day to help me out – THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! If you can't get to it today, please check it out sometime between now and November 30 (my birthday!) cause that's when voting ends. Thank you everyone!

Sad Farewells at the Departure Terminal

2008-10-29T14:27:00.005-04:00

I'm happy how this turned out today. Now its done. Sad Farewells at the Departure Terminal 30 x 40 inches.

Indra's Lava Pond

2008-10-29T14:24:00.005-04:00

I had an inspiring studio visit and have been a very busy bee. Here is a new one called "Indra's Lava Pond" 30 x 40 inches. Cheers!

Space Cactus

2008-10-24T11:52:00.005-04:00

I wanted to share one of my newer oils. This one is called Space Cactus, 48 x 60 inches, and features a semi abstracted version of the cactus my parents bought the year I was born. I think that is the way the story goes. I ate the dirt from its pot at about age 3 in the apartment in Berea. It came with us when Nick, Dad and I moved to Grandma's in Mentor. Then it moved with me when I jumped the nest to downtown. I don't eat the dirt but I did almost kill him by overwatering. He's making a strong recovery. I have every reason to hope for the best.

Sweet Grapes - new paper work

2008-10-20T12:59:00.004-04:00

I just finished this paper piece today. Sweet Grapes 18 x 14 1/2 inches

More paper work

2008-10-14T13:24:00.003-04:00

Here is another paper piece I've called "Pinky" 13 x 13 inches. I switched to watercolor and like it much better on paper. Easier to deal with than the oil. There aren't the lightness problems.

I'm really having fun with these!

New works on paper

2008-10-10T13:20:00.003-04:00

I got some really great contemporary frames from Bonfoey that were scrapped from old orders and thought it would be great to do some paper pieces. Thanks to the invitation from The Zygote Press last year I was able to make some lovely little monoprints for free. They turned out very nicely and three out the four I was able to take away with me sold. The universe is telling me to do some more work on paper. This is my first attempt at this new oil, pen and pencil on paper thing I'm trying out. Its called Laguardia's Headpiece. It worked out pretty well I think. The oil, no matter how light I made the color, was tricky to manage in this way. I might switch to watercolor.

Dana O.

Cleveland Postal Service

2008-10-07T15:03:00.007-04:00

I mailed out a very small amount of invites to the Tri-C show this month. 20 exactly - which was the perfect amount for a book of postcard stamps. After patiently waiting in line for approximately 20 minutes at the Cleveland post office on Orange Avenue, I was digging to find the only teller in the place exact change when she huffily exclaimed that the 4 x 6 inch postcard invitations in my hand "aren't post cards! Those are too big to be post cards." At which point I frustratedly handed her the remaining coins owed and replied that I would deal with the issue at home. "They'll come back if you put them on there", she advised of my inadequate postage. I walked to my car, headache pain increasing with each step, sat down in the driver seat and put the stamps on my cards. Immediately as I returned to Tremont I walked to the post box on the corner and dropped the invites inside. I was hoping, definately carelessly, that the Cleveland postal division will continue its efforts to be, at times, the laziest, stupidest or perhaps just the nicest branch of the USPS... My mother called to tell me she received her invitation today.

Exhibition at Tri-C Gallery West

2008-10-02T16:16:00.007-04:00

Leave Me With Candy
oil on canvas
48 x 60 inches

I'm in a show at the Tri-C Western Campus with a very talented painter and printmaker Jean Kondo Weigl. The gallery space is a nice little area on the 2nd floor of the Library located in the Student Services Building - the central hub of campus.

The show runs from September 29 - October 29.

The opening reception is Wednesday, October 15th from 6 - 8 pm

The work all compliments eachother so well, please do stop out and say hi at the reception! Here is one of my favorite paintings in the show.

My First Blog

2008-10-02T13:56:00.004-04:00

Hi. This is my first blog. I thought I would start by posting some of my work. I had to work my day job today so I'm a little burnt on the verbal for now. Will check back. Thanks for reading and looking Mr/Ms. Void.

XO

Dana O.

Ponderous Heap 2, 48 x 60 inches

I started doing nudes this year and it just feels great.

Vanessa and the Protoscope, 30 x 40 inches

Curious Appendage, 36 x 36 inches

Cerebrum Collision, 48 x 72 inches

Ponderous Heap, 48 x 60 inches