Out and About - EFA Open Studios

On Friday evening my partner and I headed over the Elizabeth Foundation For The Arts (EFA) Open Studios on west 39th street. Members of this studio program are all professional artists with an established studio practice and recognized art career.

A jury of respected arts professionals, through a competitive application process, selects new members each year. Having never been and considering applying to the program I thought it might be a good thing to go and check out.

It’s a very impressive facility with artists on floors 3-10 and the open studio itself seemed very organized. We were met by greeters at the door who provided a nice brochure listing all of the artists participating by floor, along with an image of their work.

When I go to these events there is always an artist or two that makes me feel it was worth the trip. This time I can clearly say it was meeting Ryan Sarah Murphy and being introduced to her collage constructions. Created out of found cardboard, glue and foamcore, these pieces were very impressive and beautifully constructed. I responded quickly her use of color as well!

I love living in a city where events like this take place on an ongoing basis and the public is given access to discover the talent that exists behind closed doors. It’s a gift to be invited into someone’s creative space and get a closer look at their lives through their work.

If you are interested in seeing more of Murphy's work she is currently in a group exhibition at The Schiltkamp Gallery at Clark University in Worcester, Ma.

Worth Taking A Look

The Jack Fischer Gallery, one of my favorite west coast galleries, has an exhibition called "The Collage Show" that recently opened. Works by John Hudt, David King and Val Britton all stand out as favorites!

Book Release

Gestalten Publishing - a book publisher specialized in art and design books - is in the process of researching for a new book compilation about contemporary collage. The book will be co-edited by James Gallagher, who organized the Cutters exhibition in New York a while ago. They saw my work and contacted me to say they would be happy to feature it in the book. (Hell Yeah!) Release of the book is due to take place in Spring 2011. (I'll keep you posted)

I recently started realizing just how much of an opportunity this book release is... not only to introduce my work to a much larger audience, but also for me to start engaging with my creative self by producing physical work again.

Opportunities come and go throughout our life.

Sometimes we are afraid where they will take us, so we do nothing and let them pass us by. Other times we risk engaging with the possibly they seem to offer, step out of our comfort zone, and discover a part of ourselves we never knew existed. And still other times, we participate in the opportunity presented and end up loosing everything.... or so it seems.

A good friend once told me that every mistake in life is an opportunity for us to grow. If we adopt that perspective, we have nothing to lose.

I will not let this opportunity slip through my hands!