February 27th, 2010
This past Thursday evening, February 25th, I had the very good fortune of being interviewed on the radio regarding my art. The station, KHND 1470 out of Harvey, North Dakota had Chris Wakefield, an artist himself do the interview on their program , “Into the Night.”
It was a great experience! He asked me questions about my artwork specifically as well as my thoughts on the art world in general. He was encouraging of promoting and complimenting my work which of course felt great and I enthusiastically responded.
I came away feeling like I was able to extemporaneously speak knowledgeably about my own art and the methods I use as well as about art as a career. I felt as if I had worthwhile things to offer and that my success was palpable.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to listen, please do and enjoy! http://tinyurl.com/ya2hado
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January 21st, 2010
Please check out Art Re-Source’s online Artist’s Interview with me at http://stevegray.com.au/blog/margaret-zox-brown/ You can read and learn about the whys and hows and whens of all that I do!
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January 20th, 2010
Well now it is officially a new year AND a new decade. A lot to be excited about. I am in full throttle in my series of Paintings of the Human Form. I am currently working on my 7th and 8th paintings in this series, both taken from drawings of my daughter while she was home from college for her Winter break. 1 painting is a manageable 30″ x 24″ while the other is a soaring 74″ x 66″. I am thrilled with the exploration of this subject matter and feel that the soul of my models has successfully guided me.
The last painting I completed in this series was taken from a drawing of my son and reveals the softness that I find so dear. It is aptly called, “Soft Son.” In this same vein, I am excited to reveal the essence of a moment caught with my daughter. As soon as I can I will provide photos of these pieces but for now, I am still reve
ling and thrilled to show “Soft Son.”
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January 9th, 2010
Yesterday, I took the Mega Bus for a day trip to Philadelphia. It was such a wonderful thing to do! For me, I was pushing myself out of my comfort zone by going on my own to a city I really have never been to before and then navigating my way through it. I approached some galleries there, proffering my portfolio for consideration for representation. (The Knapp Gallery on North 3rd Street is a hip smaller gallery showing work that really is about the medium; textural providing a definite visceral reaction and Bridgette Mayer Gallery on Walnut Street was unfortunately closed but welcomed visitors back to it’s high caliber location when open again at the beginning of February) I went to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to catch the Arshille Gorky exhibit just before it closes tomorrow. I walked and took buses (something I was told most Philly natives rarely do) to get where I wanted to be.
It was a true adventure for me on so many levels. I felt great about myself that I was able to make it all happen. My artwork is at a point now that I am bursting to show it to the world because I know it is that good. I am in the throws of great production with a strong and appealing body of work that is just begging to move forward and reveal all the great nexts to follow. I got to feed my artistic soul by taking in art that has influenced my influences. And, I even got to feed my spiritual soul by reconnecting with a good friend who has always been not just fun to be with but so supportive of me throughout my life.
A rewarding trip and one that I look forward to repeating. Philadelphia is a beautiful, welcoming city with so much charm and underlying intellect that an artist from New York City can feel just right, right there.
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November 17th, 2009
This weekend I delivered the Keynote Speech at my college during their Homecoming Alumni/Student Networking event. I was chosen to be this speaker because it coincided with an exhibition of my artwork that was up at the college during this time.
This was a truly amazing experience for me. Not only was I honored to have had paintings of mine selected to be shown at the esteemed college from where I am and have always been so proud to have graduated, but the college also placed so much value on me and the career I have created for myself in that they sought me out to tell about it.
I am always proud of my own artwork. I am as awed by the paintings I have created as others are who get the opportunity to view and experience them. I love what I do as I am doing it. It is fun for me. And, I love what I have created because I think they are beautiful and evocative and deep and creative and intelligent and just so appealing. And now, having gotten such recognition, praise and external affirmation for what I have done and am doing feels just wonderful. I feel as if someone just gave me an exquisitely beautiful, soft, very comfortable, shawl of richly woven fabric and gently draped it over my shoulders. It fits perfectly and I look radiant in it. I am warm, comfortable and secure but also know that I am shining out to the world. I am excited to keep on going and stepping out to take on the world.
So thank you, Trinity College. And thank you to my world who joined me in the whirlwind of success that was associated with this experience.
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September 30th, 2009
by Antonio Arch
There are enormous benefits to installing Fine Art in the workplace,
which is why the world’s most exceptional and successful
companies spend millions on art for their offices. It means much
more to your PR, HR and talent retention than interior design,
benefits and balance sheet. Here’s the secret why...
1. Art makes people feel productive, creative and fulfilled: thanks to magnetic resonance
and CT scan research, we know that art can and will lift the mood and boost the morale of
people sitting near it. Art affects the dopamine centres in a positive way, much the same as
hearing a favourite song or unexpectedly running into an old friend. Imagine the creativity
that follows!
2. Art in a public place has the capacity to attract, educate,
enlighten and inspire visitors, especially clients (both prospective
and returning).
3. Art installed throughout healthcare facilities makes everyone feel
better! Art in hospitals, clinics, examining rooms and offices is
widely recognised as a valuable asset to healing and a testament
to the quality of care being provided.
4. Art pays for itself! Art is the only investment that gives you a
little bit of return every time that you look at it. Fine Art is an
equitable investment in people – yours.
5. Thoughtfully placed art can do a lot to help enhance your
brand. It tells visitors to your office something about you as
soon as they enter; they leave knowing something synergistic
happens at your company. Art in your office is indoor signage
communicating your style, aesthetic, regional interests and
national identity.
6. Art screams at you. It sends a message without you having
to say a word. Your art collection tells the public that you
care deeply about your corporate culture. Not only that, it’s
a hard copy receipt for your dedication to the arts.
7. Fine Art makes the working environment more pleasant.
When Art is placed in public areas, people tend to gather,
communicate, and share ideas. It gets people interested,
curious and thinking creatively.
8. It improves productivity. Art is a gift to the people around you. The
installation of new art invokes pride and inspires dialogue between
people who normally don’t have an opportunity to communicate.
9. Fine Art has a profound effect on Public Relations; it reinforces
investor and client confidence by conveying your pride in your
organization.
10. It promotes cohesion. Companies with Art Committees work better
together. Earmark 1% of your budget this year and watch your people
collaborate as never before!
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August 19th, 2009
During the Summer, after my son returns from camp and before school resumes, I really rarely have the opportunity to paint. Always, initially it is very difficult for me because while he is away at camp and my daughter is busy with her Summer plans, I am so free and spend time at my studio whenever I want.
Sometimes I work very late or work through the weekend. I go in to my studio every single day for a period. I have visitors at the studio to look at and enjoy the art, interested buyers to sample their preferences and gallery people to take in my body of artwork. I go to galleries and museums. I completely and freely abandon myself to anything having to do with art and art for me.
Then there is a shift and I am thrust back into the mother role, which I do truly love and am so grateful to have. During this time, I cannot do all my art related things, the ones that are just for me. So, like the hibernating Winter bear, this is my time to store up my energy and creativity for September when it all can begin again.
This is the time when I draw. I think about and plan my next paintings when doing each and every drawing. Some are bold and shout to me and I know they will end up to be a painting. And some are rough tries where I am trying to feel something, But what? I am never quite sure. The drawing either sends me and I keep going back to it to feel what I did when I first took it in. Or, it doesn’t work at all and serves just to push me to make something else, something better that will draw me in.
Summer is winding down and I have many good drawings to bring to my studio from which I can already see the painting take form. I can’t wait to get to them so that during my next posts, I can do more than just report; I can show too.
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July 21st, 2009
I have just begun a completely new series of paintings. I have moved away from the Still Life where in the past several years I painted first a series of “Tools” and then up until just recently a series of “Fruit.” I am now, once again (after more than 10 years) painting the Human Figure.
This time, the paintings are quite large and this time, I am using all that I have learned during these past 10 years; abstracting the image, the journey through the canvas, the simpler planes of a reduced abstraction, color moments, paint and medium application, scale and significant movements in Art History.
I am very excited with my first painting in this series whose title is “In the Couch.” The mood, as always is revealed but now all the other elements mentioned including the emotion behind it all is also captured and conveyed.
As more paintings get painted, I will keep you posted!
Posted in painting update | 7 Comments »
July 9th, 2009
Last evening, I attended an Art Opening at Susan Eley Fine Art, a gallery space housed in a brownstone on Manhattan’s Upperwestside. It is a beautiful, welcoming space where the intimate Salon experience is felt more so than the the austere gallery one.
Susie Eley, the gallery owner has an intelligent eye and great taste. She chooses eclectic, individual art that perfectly completes the exposed brick, home-like setting. You certainly can imagine what having any of the art exhibited would be like in your own home.
At the Opening, there were readings by 2 Poets which added to the personal feel of the evening.
So check out http://www.susaneleyfineart.com/ or make an appt. to visit – 46 West 90th Street, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10024, 917.952.7641. It is worth it.
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July 3rd, 2009
“The case for buying art – even if it is a luxury!”
And, why it’s even okay to purchase art directly from artists – right now.
By Marie-Thérèse Beddoes
2009 – June
“The paradigm has shifted. Less than a year ago, the wealthy [or seemingly rich] were in a feeding frenzy – scooping up contemporary art – at the most notable of galleries, art expos and auction houses in New York, Miami, Paris, London, Venice and beyond.
The value of the art work was highly inflated – boosted by the insatiable appetites of those who wanted to consume and who believed the spin… “you must own this.” The spin-meisters? Gallerists, curators & art “advisors” who had something to gain. Less-than-well-executed paintings, broken pottery, preserved wildlife, graffiti, cartoons – even excrement – was touted as “important,” as precious, as invaluable – and hundreds of thousands – if not several millions of dollars were spent. “Good” art seemed out of reach for all but the top echelon.
And the art purchased? Its value has plummeted [like most things]. It is possible it will never recover the value paid. The “investors” were sold not on quality, but on the buzz created by clever marketers.
So why buy art now? Because no one else is. Visual artists throughout the world have suffered the lingering drag of the economy. Hardly anyone is attending the “big shows” sales have slumped, prices have dropped, and galleries have closed. The artists, creating their work alone in their studios are still making fabulous art. It can be had for a song…right now. You don’t need to believe the buzz… just believe your heart. Sure, visit the galleries – visit the expos – but going directly to the artist is neither a sin – nor a mistake. If you find work that calls to you – and it is affordable – buy it. Buy it now.
First ask yourself these questions – Is this particular art something:
· Forever – Do you want to live with for eternity? Will it have meaning to your children or a museum someday?
· Of quality? Is it exceptionally well made?
· Of unquestionable integrity? That demonstrate honesty – does it reveal something about the artist, his or her vision – does it tell a story?
· Unique – is it extraordinary? The only one of its kind – not manufactured or created by one of the artist’s assistants? Is it rare enough – distinctive? Some artists churn out work on an assembly line – [and some galleries sell it] make sure this isn’t seen everywhere.
· Irreplaceable? Not just in the sense that it is insurable… do you dream about owning it?
· Impractical? I’m not talking about a clever lampshade or hand-bound journal – the art you buy should not necessarily have a purpose. Art is not supposed to be efficient!
· Admired? Do others feel the same passion for the artist as you do?
Is it a luxury? You bet. So why buy direct from the artist?
· People. People like to buy from people. You’ll create a relationship with the artist. You know what makes them tick and why their unique gift – their art – is the art that speaks to your soul. You will know each other for years to come. The artist will stay in touch – will show you their new work first – will invite you to their shows… and they’ll love you forever just for buying their work.
· Pleasure. Luxury consumption – buying art – is all about the experience – your senses will come alive – you will have an emotional connection to the art – you will derive great satisfaction from owning the one-and-only piece.
· Purpose. As non-utilitarian as your art purchase may be… it still has a purpose – it is décor after all – it will have its place on your wall or on a pedestal.
In conclusion, what may seem to be a luxury – buying art – from the artist, is actually a very sensible and practical move – in this economy – at this moment.
In time, the art market may shift back to the old paradigm. So in the meantime, supporting working artists is more important than ever. Is not just a wise financial assumption, it will be good for your soul [and theirs]. And, the benefit of staring at your art purchase at your home of office may keep your heart fluttering until the economy returns to normal.”
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