The Natural State

The Natural State by Jay Hardin is a body of work that was borne out of several months of research and photographs inspired by his recent travels to Peru and his close-up examinations of plants, stones, and water.

Reception: Eye Lounge Gallery, Phoenix, AZ

Friday, October 2

5-10pm

419 East Roosevelt St.

Phoenix, AZ 85004

602.430.1490

Sublime Structure / C. Grimaldis Gallery, Baltimore, MD

Panel discussion on Saturday, September 12th, 3pm / Moderated by Virginia K. Adams, Ph.D.

More photos of the Sept. 2 opening are here.

Write up in the Baltimore Sun.

Are You Relevant?

As these things go, I was in the middle of something at work and was suddenly struck with an idea for art. Increasingly, I've been getting ideas about making work that is more conceptually based than the paintings I usually create. Not to diminish the concepts behind that work, but these new ideas are separate, simple ideas about things I'd like to see, make or just consider. I can sometimes be slightly dismissive about work that is purely conceptual when the total experience of the piece is like, "Oh, I get it." And it ends there. But I still enjoy that kind of work from time to time. It certainly depends on what the idea is and how it affects me. And apparently, I'm increasingly attracted to the idea of making it. Because I've been a painter for so long, the thought of jumping so far outside the parameters of painterly restrictions seems daunting. It's like living your whole life inside a box and then the roof is lifted off, and the seemingly infinite sky above makes you feel suddenly puny. Also, I fear that I have no built-in system of judging whether or not this new artwork is good or not. Nonetheless, it should be fun to try.

Then it occurred to me that these ideas might just be good as ideas. That's the tricky part to me. When an idea is resolved, I tend to lose all energy to execute it. What I love about painting so much is that there is always a realm of the unknown, and the process of painting reveals that to me, making it known. It's an act of discovery. I fear that executing a fully-formed idea will just seem like a chore and I'll lose the creative spark.

I can't help but notice that I've used the word "fear" an awful lot while writing this just now. Why should I be so scared of making something that totally sucks? Anyways, back to work. I appreciate how this blog allowed me to write this just now. I'd like to share my adventure into making potentially stupid shit on this blog. Maybe Curt can help me make it better. C & C Art Factory!

Looking back up at the title of this post, I remembered the idea that initiated it. I want to make a kiosk that tells people whether or not they're relevant. The end.

Oh, and I wouldn't feel right unless I included a picture of something...

Holy Men pt I-III

Part of a new series of collages from daily newspapers and corporate magazines.

Cassettes

Opening Reception: June 4th, 6–9 p.m.

Occidental Gallery

http://www.occidentalgalleryseattle.com

An exhibition of photographic prints of reassembled cassette tapes. Hidden from view underneath the prints are flat magnets, carved into various shapes. The magnetic bond attracts iron filings to the print's surface, drawing images that reveal a language about sound, memory, and lost connections.

Image: "Boot–leg"
(magnetized and de-magnetized)

"Erlinger's work examines the spectacle of 'life forgotten': the slippery boundaries between the concrete logic of scientific inquiry and the seemingly unbiased truth of photography. The shadowy works act in a filmic manner, artificially resurrecting the fragmented dead, however impossible it may be. The fleeting attempt to revitalize what has been lost only highlights the inability to do so. Cultivating memory illuminates a serious responsibility – memories cannot only be kept, they must also be nurtured."

Bakers Dozen

The galleries of UrbanArt, Material and Odessa are pleased to present their first united celebration organized by Niki Johnson: The Baker's Dozen: An Unorthodox Benefit for UrbanArt, featuring works by 13 premiere regional and national artists including: Liz Daggett, Richard Gamble, Brendan Hudson, Anthony D. Lee, Carrol Harding McTyre, Greely Myatt, Sunny Montgomery, Nick Pena, Stiles&Crum, Christian Westphal, Kiersten N. Williams, Tad Lauritzen Wright and Jeff Zimmermann.

This is a one-night event, taking place on Friday, May 15th from 6-8pm. An online preview of the work to be auctioned will be available Wednesday, May 6th at www.nikijohnson.net.

This event is taking place on historic Broad Avenue as a gallery walk, in the galleries of UrbanArt, Material, and Odessa. Each gallery will display the works of approximately four artists, offering a wide array of mediums and interpretations within contemporary art.

The Baker's Dozen: An Unorthodox Benefit for UrbanArt will host a silent auction where the public will be offered opportunities to purchase artwork while helping to support a beacon of Memphis public art. Limited edition t-shirts designed by the featured artists will also be for sale. $5 donation recommended.

The goal of this benefit is to galvanize awareness of three unique art organizations, local businesses and divergent communities on one night for UrbanArt.

Live music to benefit UrbanArt to follow at Odessa 8pm-midnight. Musical performance by Saturna and Hype Taylor.

bakers dozen web.jpg 100K View Download

Asleep in the Sails

Like a sphere having no end and no beginning, they dream of the gardens of the Tairona. Wrapped stones leaving the shores…