I've Moved!!!!

Hi All--

Just want you to know that I've started a new blog in a new location.

Come visit the new blog "Broke(n) Artist" at

www.karenfriedland.wordpress.com

See you there--

Karen

WALKING THE WIRE

I have recently been doing research on one of the greatest artist/sculptors of our time, Alexander Calder. Not only did he create a whole new form of art--MOBILES, he also was responsible for making us understand that art did not always have to succomb to the pull of gravity, that sculpture could be "light," it could take flight. (I put light in quotes because many of his monumental mobiles weighed tons.)

One of the things I love most about Calder is his joy. He delighted life with a vibrancy frequently seen in children but that gets lost when we reach adulthood. But not Sandy because he played all his life. He made things, out of wire or tin cans and bits of cloth. He created a circus that he performed hundreds of times. You can click the link and see him perform it, or go to the Whitney Museum and see the actual circus. He was the original performance artist.







He also created wonderful wire sculptures that were "space drawings," using wire to create a "drawing" in the air, but one that could expand the limits of the two dimensional surface and take it into 3D. I have been fascinated by these for a long time and decided to try my own. Here you see Zebra Drinking and Lizard. They each respond with wiggly jiggling when touched, a ripple that makes them feel more alive.

These are joyful sculptures. They are not profound. But they are unique, ingeniously crafted and original.



I don't understand why the art world is so reluctant to find value in play, joy and humor. I feel any way I can bring more laughter into this life, it is a good thing? What do you think?

INTENTIONS

We all know that what we intend directly impacts what we achieve. Sometimes knowing the intention behind an act or creation can help us understand the whole thing better. Sometimes what we intended and what we end up doing, (like when I say hurtful things that I didn't realize would hurt) are two very different things. It helps for the other person to know where you were coming from.

In my artist coaching group, we plan our goals and try to make ourselves aware of our own intentions. Uncannily, it is frequently the case that what you put out to the universe, the universe will deliver to you. "When one is fully committed, then providence moves too." So, I decided to put a message out to the universe.










I decided to put my intentions into tangible form. But first, I wanted to follow the admonition of the founder of the Artists Conference Network, Beverly Cassell, and "go shopping for possibilites."







So I made a shopping bag from my own personal Possibilities Shop!




















I then went about creating my intentions--literally! Firstly, I wanted to have public recognition for my work--seen here with the crowds cheering and applauding. Next, I would like to have critical acclaim, seen right there in my "revue" written on that cute classic typewriter and last, but definitely not least, I created the intention of financial success. Note those are one thousand dollar bills; anything less seemed unfit.


Now I know just saying it, doesn't make it happen. But speaking up and recognizing your own intentions, is the first step to making them a reality.




What are your intentions?

We saw a really lovely movie last night called TiMER. A romantic comedy with a sci-fi twist. Funny & sweet & compelling questions rolled together in a film that both Gary, Ari & us chicks enjoyed. Plus it's an independent film, directed & produced by women. It's starring Emma Caulfield of Buffy fame. The story asks "what if a clock could count down to the moment you meet your soul mate? In this alternate version of present day Los Angeles, a revolutionary device called the TiMER fulfills this very fantasy." Really good movie--try to see it!



Would you want to know when you would meet "the one," your lifelong soulmate?

WIRE WILDLIFE

As I may have mentioned, I am in school completing prerequisites toward my MFA that I hope to start next year. Along with a variety of studio classes, I am taking a course in the history of modern sculpture. Since I was eligible to take this course with honors if I did some extra work, I decided to do so, figuring that it will look good to graduate schools. It was a pretty easy decision as I reviewed the work of modern sculptors I admired. The work of Giacometti is cool and I love Miro and Matisse in any medium. Lots of others appeal to me but not one can match the joyfulness of Alexander Calder.
I love his mobiles, some recently on exhibit at the Gagosian gallery here in NY. But what first drew me to him was his Circus at the Whitney Museum. It is on permenant display there but he used to perform it and you can watch him perform it on youtube, much as he did in Paris in 1929.

Anyhow, his wire sculptures have always enchanted me and I have made them in the past and taught them to my young students. Here you see my most recent effort, Drinking Zebra (3 views)that is part of my honors project. I wish you could see how he jiggles and shakes!

New York Gallery Week

While it's not quite a week long, the first New York Gallery Week will be held this weekend from May 7-10th. It's a series of art events held in galleries across the city, celebrating the most vital gallery community in the world. You can take a look at their website: newyorkgalleryweek.com to find out which galleries are participating and what special events are planned. Also take a look at the video interview on Artlog's website, as well as more info there: artlog.com.

Maybe they got the idea from the Flatbush Artists Studio Tour, yes?

Jersey Barriers

It's a funny thing that a competition for jersey barriers is conducted in New York. But that's what the NYC Department of Transportation offered and I went for it. A jersey barrier is a concrete divider that is 15 feet long and 30 inches high. They are used to reroute traffic when road construction is being done.

So New York wants to beautify their jersey barriers. If one wins the competition, you will paint it with the help of volunteers. Seemed like a fun way to get good visibility and make some cash. Unfortunately, my entries did not win the competition but I had a good time creating them. The top one is called "New York Footsteps" and the lower is "New York Blocks." They are both painted to scale.

I still think they should have picked mine and that my shoes would have been especially charming on a jersey barrier. What do you think?

Back Again

February has flown by & I've gone month without writing to you. My very deep apologies for this lapse. I was exceptionally busy working on my drawing with my cool teacher, Gregory Paquette. If you are at Kingsborough and seeking a powerful teacher, he's your man. I'm trying to incorporate drawing as a regular part of my practice. Discipline is not my strong suit. But I am working at it. Our model was clothed one day and these are the pictures from that day.

On a more personal note, my birthday was this week and my wonderful, darling daughter, Shayna, known to the blogging & knitting worlds as Knits McGee wrote me a beautiful tribute. Take a look at it.

CAPTURING THE ESSENCE

It's a really interesting thing about drawing, and I guess it's true of other art forms also, but sometimes it takes only a few lines and moments to capture the true essence of something. What is the essence? Is it a movement, a moment in action? Or is it perhaps a look, the position of a foot or hand, the gesture? I think it is not a portrayal but rather a moment of truth. It is holding onto something that is fleeting, that for one moment, or even a nanosecond, was the absolute reality of your subject. I find that I frequently capture the essence quickly, as I did in these drawing that took less than two minutes. The model struck a pose and I was able to see into the very core of it. It is not about drawing; it is about seeing. I saw it as soon as I looked. Had I spent longer on these drawings it might well have been lost. The drawings might have been more fully developed, would certainly have had more detail. But the centrality of these drawings might have been lost in all the additional labor.

AT THE METROPOLITAN

While my sister, Davina, was visiting from California, we visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She really wanted to see classical European art, much of which left me dry. But after we had a bite of lunch, I went in search of something 3 dimensional that I wanted to draw for my drawing class homework. He said to do a minimum 10 minute drawing. (No problem for me, they always take much longer.)

We went to the Egyptian section (really great collection, I'd certainly recommend it.) and to the Temple of Dendur. Decided to draw the Sphinx. Here is my homework drawing.

MORE DRAWING

I am trying to make drawing a part of my regular practice of my art. Here is a drawing of a cloth bag atop a book. This drawing took me about 1-1/2 hours to complete. Does this little guy have personality or what?

DRAWING VASES & VOLUME

Drawing has always been the bane of my existence, artistically that is. Art teachers in school threw me out of their classes, saying I had no talent, basically because I couldn't draw. In recent times, mentors and teachers have consistently critiqued that I needed to work on my drawing. I bought books to work on it myself, but there is just so much you can get while trying to draw with your right brain from a book. So last semester I took a drawing 1 class with a great teacher, Irina Danilova, who delivered the basics in a way that no one could mess up. Now I am taking the next drawing class with another excellent teacher, Gregory Paquette.

He had us working with ellipses to be able to draw rounded objects in perpsective.

We drew rubber bands placed around vases and even invisible vase, made only of wire. It is amazing to feel the roundness and volume of something when it is merely a drawing on paper.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! VISIONS

Hope all of you had a fun-filled holiday and that 2010 brings great adventures, happiness & health to all!

I've been thinking about what I'd like to accomplish in this coming year, as well as this dynamic decade. Having returned to school this past Fall, it has stimulated some feelings of opportunity that had lain dormant for a while. One of the conclusions that I've come to is that I'd like to get my MFA. The courses I've been taking have been directed at fulfilling prerequisites for admission. A number of people have asked why I want it, saying that in this job market it may not be a ticket to good employment, or that I'll just have to unlearn in order to keep my own style. But I realize I am serious about wanting to expand my work and working in a vacuum, as studio artists do, is not conducive to that. I am really excited about this prospect.

This will be the year of representation for my work. I have stated this goal for a while but have not really pursued it with seriousness. I will take the intimidation I feel at contacting some galleries and put it away, to reflect on in private. I will not let it have my power. This is the year my work will find either a literal or metaphoric home.

I also want to continue teaching. I have strong art skills and I am an interesting and effective teacher. Being in an academic environment let's me see how others communicate and educate about art. I can do that well and will find ways to reach out to students.

So those are some of my goals for this year. From here, I will form an action plan.

What are yours?

REMINDER - HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE THIS SATURDAY

Artist Karen Friedland will be showing her work at her annual Holiday Art Show and Sale, this Saturday, 12 noon – 5 PM at 190 Marlborough Road, Brooklyn. Original paintings in acrylic, pastel and oil, as well as prints, notecards and jewelry will be offered.

“This is an opportunity for people to give one of a kind art gifts for amazing prices. I’ve slashed my pricing to make it easier for my customers during these tough economic times, “ stated Friedland. “By giving a work of art, you are showing loved ones your own creativity and giving them something truly unique.”

The Prospect Park South sale is located near the Q train, Beverly Road station. Refreshments will be served. For directions or more information, go to the website: www.ArtistKaren.com or telephone: 718-826-1261.

BCAT Interviewed Me About FAST

As founder and executive director of FAST (Flatbush Artists Studio Tour), I was one of the artists interviewed by independent videographer, Djenny Passey for Brooklyn cable television, BCAT. It took a while for them to broadcast, then post & for me to make it through my technological foibles to share it with you. Here it is: BCAT interview. I'm ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille...and my 1 minute 42 seconds of fame. What do you think?

Color and Music

Anyone who knows me knows that I just love color. I love it bright and pure, active and energetic. I've discovered another artist who loves color, it would seem, as much as I. Here is a blast of red that just makes me want to stand up and cheer.

I discovered him quite by accident as I cruised youtube. There he was -- painting to music, or rather, painting music itself, to a lively beat that corresponded to the creation of his painting. I investigated further and discovered that he paints best in performance and creates ma

ny of his paintings on demand, in front of an audience. Even his representational pictures are

painted with the same fervor and improvisational skill.

I also love that he paints big and even in circles. You can take a look at his website:www.jonasgerard.com or his video; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXODxFzn9mU&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Is he painting color or music?

A Weather Woman

Going through a local blog recently, I found the work of a fascinating artist, Maggie Tobin. While we have never met (a condition I hope to remedy one day) we live rather close to one another. Her website http://www.maggietobin.com/prints/calm.html demonstrates a sensitivity to nature, and the effects of weather in nature that is quite distinctive. She works in a variety of media and her paintings and prints have the same etherial quality.Her tornado print "Calm Again; The Beaufort Scale Revised 10" http://www.maggietobin.com/prints/calm/10.html just blows me away. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) But my favorite thing on her website is her flipbook "Tornado by Maggie Tobin" http://www.maggietobin.com/flip.html--really cool. Take a look & tell me what you think. Should all artists make flipbooks?

Holiday Art Show & Sale Dec.12th

Saturday, December 12th, 12 noon - 5 PM

where: 190 Marlborough Road

Prospect Park So., Brooklyn

Q train, Beverly Rd. station

GIVE AN AFFORDABLE ORIGINAL -- One of a Kind Art Gifts at Bargain Prices

Show your loved one’s your creativity and good taste with a give of art this holiday season at prices that are almost too good to believe! Paintings and prints by Artist Karen Friedland, beautifully framed and ready to hang, will make your gift truly unique. Pick handmade jewelry or notecards that will thrill those special people on your list.

Enjoy a glass of wine and some refreshments as you peruse the colorful artwork. Bring a friend & come on over!

Studio Tour Partners

During the Studio Tour, I shared my space with two wonderfully accomplished artists, Nancy Beranbaum and Selma Cooper. Nancy makes paintings that are filled with unique and energized patterns. Selma produces soft, evocative paintings that portray her travels. I wanted to share their work with you here. The patterned piece in the photo is by Nancy, the other, by Selma. You can see more of their work on the FAST website; www.flatbushartists.org.

Flatbush Artists Studio Tour--A Great Success!

The Flatbush Artists Studio Tour was this past weekend and it was a great success! The weather cooperated with us and I believe all our visitors enjoyed strolling our leaf-strewn neighborhood in the balmy sunshine. All of us have different styles and it made for an interesting visit. I was interviewed by Brooklyn cable television , which will run in about 2 weeks. I'll let you know.

Now that Flatbush Artists Studio Tour is over, I would like to thank our many visitors who made our 2nd tour a grand success! I am grateful to the numerous volunteers who worked so hard on this event.

The businesses and individuals who lent their financial support to FAST made it possible for hundreds of visitors to enjoy the arts in our neighborhood. These supporters and sponsors demonstrated their commitment to the flourishing arts community in Victorian Flatbush. Please patronize these builders of our community.

Supporters:

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz

Brooklyn Hearth Realty

State Assembly Member Jim Brennan

Kestyn Real Estate

Midwood Martial Arts and Family Fitness

Midwood Wellness

Brooklyn Premier Orthopedics

Sponsors:

Almac True Value Hardware

Andrew G. Oliphant, DDS

Beranbaum Menken LLP

Connecticut Muffin

Cortelyou Road Pediatrics

Natural Frontier Market

Grace Eyecare

Greenfield Pharmacy

It's a Dog's World

Johns Bakery

Lindeman Florist

Mary Kay Gallagher Real Estate

Met Food

Namaste Yoga of Kensington

Newkirk Liquors

Nina Talbot Art Studio

Pomme de Terre

Sacred Vibes

San Remo Pizza

Sycamore

The Farm on Adderly

VoxPop.

See the artists work at: www.flatbushartists.org