artHound

Postcard Art for Artists of Rubber City

April 16, 2015 in artists of rubber city, artwork, hanging around town | No comments

Artists of Rubber City announced a benefit event to raise funds for The BOX Gallery and it promises to be fun. Artists were asked to donate handmade postcards, aka 4 x 6 inch art, for a show and sale. The first of my submissions, Thicket, is a monotype, while the second is a bit of mixed media using a windowed envelope with its printed lining, titled The Purloined Letter(s).

Like Edgar Allan Poe’s purloined letter, the contents are hiding in plain sight. Discerning the message is almost as puzzling as deciphering the meaning of Jacques Lacan’s writings on The Purloined Letter. His quote, “Which is why we cannot say of the purloined letter that, like other objects, it must be or not be in a particular place but that unlike them it will be and not be where it is, wherever it goes.” is lettered on the front. I doubt whether even C. Auguste Dupin could figure out that message.

Time Capsule closing

April 14, 2015 in miscellany | No comments

For several months work has been accumulating for the Time Capsule of the Akron Arts Community in 2015. If you didn’t see it when it was available for viewing at Summit Artspace, it’s too late now . . . unless you are around in fifty years.

Three tables worth of items, more than a hundred submissions, were carefully packed into the wooden crate which will be stored in the Special Collections of the Akron-Summit County Public Library. Information about the project was written in the post, the time capsule, last month.

photo courtesy of Chris Miller for The Akronist

Many attended the closing ceremony on Monday, April 13, documented in video by Chris Miller of The Akronist. This project was created by Terry Klausman, a friend and fellow artist. It involved countless hours, ups and downs, considerable cajoling and surprise expenses, but he did it – and in fine style!

Art at the Airport

March 31, 2015 in artwork, hanging around town | No comments

For a few years now, art exhibits have been greeting travelers who pass through the Akron-Canton Airport thanks to the efforts of artist, Michele Waalkes, and funding from both the airport and Arts in Stark. Summit and Stark County artists are paired in the exhibits that run for about four months. Currently my work, alongside digital illustrations by Michael Weiss, is on display at the security gateway. Should you be flying through CAK between now and August be sure to take a look!

the family Solanaceae

March 24, 2015 in artwork | 2 comments

Black sheep and skeletons in the closet . . .
even the plant world has its share of family secrets, eccentrics and deviants.

Consider the family Solanaceae, commonly referred to as either the nightshade or potato family: members of this unwieldy clan run the gamut from the meek to the murderous.

The final line drawings of five pairings of Solanaceae are ready to be transferred to linoleum blocks – the newest in the As Potent as a Charm series. In each combination the virtuous shares space with the disreputable.

Look for mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) and the potato (Solanum tuberosa), deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) and Petunia, henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) and eggplant (Solanum melongena), bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), along with tobacco (Nicotiana) and chili pepper (Capsicum). With about 2,690 additional species, the history of the Solanaceae family’s interaction with humans is one of dramatic trial and error, malevolence and goodwill.

The Solanaceae relief prints will be included in a solo exhibit late this year:

As Potent as a Charm
December 4 – 31, 2015
the BOX gallery
140 East Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44308

Tags: line drawing, poison, printmaking, relief print, Solanaceae

the cat and the magic carpet

March 14, 2015 in artwork | No comments

Avenue, the cat, has a wonderful carpet that provided a colorful backdrop to his recent portrait. Just for fun the image was translated into a block print – less color, more magic!

Avenue’s Magic Carpet
block print (linocut) in hand embellished frame

Tags: cat, linocut, linoleum print, pet portrait, tabby

opening and closing at the artwalk

March 7, 2015 in artists, artists of rubber city, hanging around town, summit artspace | No comments

It’s a busy Saturday of comings and goings at Summit Artspace!

Gallery schedules will not be in sync for a few months, so the March Artwalk features the closing of Time Capsules in the first floor gallery and the opening of skin{d.e.e.p.} and VS (Versus)::0.02 [gridiron] by Margarita Benitez and Markus Vogl in the BOX gallery.

In addition to the gallery exhibits, Crafty Mart’s Nerdy Pop-up Market amid the third floor open studios make Summit Artspace a must on your artwalk itinerary!

the time capsule

March 6, 2015 in artists, artwork, summit artspace | 1 comment

the time capsule from Time Capsules

Sitting among the sculptures in the current Summit Artspace exhibit, Time Capsules, is an actual time capsule – a wooden crate built to hold artwork and ephemera from local artists and art lovers. Terry Klausman designed and built the container, made arrangements for its storage and constantly encouraged those in the arts community to add a little something to collection. It is now brimming with books, artwork, clippings, photographs and notes. Multi-talented wood sculptor, Tom Baldwin, hand lettered the box and the lid. At the close of the exhibit the crate will be sealed and stored at the Akron-Summit County Public Library, Special Collections, to be opened in fifty years. While the world of 2065 is unknowable, I’m confident that those who open the box will be delighted with the treasure within.

My contribution is a handprinted book of prints from Tree Lines/Dusk + Dawn, with business card, postcards, etc., tucked into the back.

Avenue the cat

February 5, 2015 in artwork | 1 comment

Pet portraits are always a lot of fun and Avenue was no exception. This is a small piece, created in mixed media, mainly watercolor and pastel, which, when matted and framed, measures 9 x 12 inches, suitable for display on a wall or shelf.

Of course, my photos are boring compared to his owner’s version, which accompanied her description: “Not unlike Rose from Titanic, Avenue had his portrait done. ‘Draw me like one of your French girls, Joan,’ he requested. And she did. LOVE it!”

Tags: cat, pet portrait

books in print

February 3, 2015 in artwork, miscellany | No comments

“Fill your house with stacks of books, in all the crannies and in all the nooks.”
Dr. Suess

There are a few additions to the Books in Print series, started last fall, all of which are on display at the studio at Summit Artspace. This has been a fun little diversion – even though many of us enjoy the convenience of digital books, there is something about groups of books collected on shelves or in stacks. Their warmth invites us to choose an old favorite or something new, to leaf through the pages or settle in for a long read.

On the subject of books: Last fall also saw a couple new Little Free Library additions right here in west Akron. Fellow artist and friend, Don Parsisson, designed and built a Cape Cod wood-shingled library (Little Free Library #17708) in front of his home.

Around the same time, Angel Falls Coffee Company installed an A-frame version, designed by artist, Steve Levey, adjacent to the coffee shop. It will be maintained by the Highland Square Branch Library.

Tags: block print, books, bookshelf, linocut, little free library, printmaking

new studio hours

February 1, 2015 in studio(s) | No comments

Summit Artspace is beginning 2015 with new building/gallery hours, switching from the Thursday through Saturday schedule to weekends only. Joan Colbert Studios will now be open Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. As usual, the studio is also open during opening receptions, artwalks and by prior arrangement. Stop in!

image: heralding the new times is the City Trickster, back from the past!