Monthly Archives: May 2012

Hayley Tomlinson, Moore College of Art and Design Senior Exhibit 2012

Hayley Tomlinson, Moore College of Art and Design Senior Exhibit 2012

Hayley TomlinsonMoore College of Art & Design Senior Exhibit 2012

Hayley Tomlinson, Moore College of Art & Design Senior Exhibit 2012

Artist, Hayley Tomlinson‘s installation at the Galleries at Moore for the Senior Show was grand in every way from concept to execution to presentation.  The artist made a splash with her needle point award ribbons in the Philadelphia art blogs last year, her use of an old fashioned technology like crochet or needlepoint mashed into modern social networking is an on point comment on how information spreads.  The information stored in knitting is powerful; fabric is a metaphor for storing information.  Scan the QRCode in one of her fabric iPads and it will take you to her website.  Hayley Tomlinson‘s senior thesis from Moore College of Art & Design, her degree is 3D Fine Arts, also takes on the fame side of art with an homage to Jeff Koons and the information stored in balloon dogs.

“My paper is about artists that I envy and who I want to be like one day.  But, I’m also kind of  jealous because of the money that they have and I really want to be rich and famous.”

Hayley Tomlinson, Moore College of Art and Design Senior Exhibit 2012

Hayley TomlinsonMoore College of Art & Design Senior Exhibit 2012

Hayley Tomlinson graduated magna cum laude and already has a job as a graphic designer in Philadelphia.  She told DoN, “Now that I have this full time job I can find a way to support my separate art career. So, I guess we’ll see, I’m moving to a new place, starting a new job, I need to organize myself and figure out what I want to make.  I won the Blick Art Award so I want to go to Blick Art Materials and buy a lot of markers and paper and draw things and see where that takes me.”

Hayley Tomlinson, Moore College of Art and Design Senior Exhibit 2012

Hayley TomlinsonMoore College of Art & Design Senior Exhibit 2012

Hayley Tomlinson, Moore College of Art and Design Senior Exhibit 2012

Hayley Tomlinson, Moore College of Art and Design Senior Exhibit 2012

Hayley TomlinsonMoore College of Art & Design Senior Exhibit 2012

“I made the bunny as the poor man’s Jeff Koons, it’s stuffed and I made it myself and I can’t pay other people to make it for me.  So it’s stuff that’s very soft, I put it on cement blocks because I can’t have a concrete pedestal like Jeff Koons can.  The iPads I made are also about envy, it’s more focussed on things I have a love/hate relationship with and that like, ‘I hate myself for loving these things’.  So, I’m going to keep working with those ideas that I make.”

“I’ve got a degree, I’ve got a job, I’ve got ideas in my head, so, it will be good.”

Read more about Hayley Tomlinson:

Art Blog

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Written & photographed by DoN 

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PHILAGRAfiKA Invitational Portfolio Prints at studio:christensen

PHILAGRAfiKA Invitational Portfolio Prints at studio:christensen, Emily Brown, An Early Thaw

PHILAGRAfiKA Invitational Portfolio Prints at studio:christensenEmily Brown, An Early Thaw, lithograph

“There’s a mix of people here, some are younger or mid-career.  Some of them have never made a print before, it’s their first print, and there’s a great mix of people.”  PHILAGRAfiKA director and curator Cindi Ettinger said to DoN during the opening reception for Invitational Portfolio Prints at studio:christensen, 333 South 20th Street.

DoN recalled  PHILAGRAfiKA coming into existence while he studied at the University of the Arts in the early 21st Century. “Philagrafika was originally the Philadelphia Print Collaborative which was a consortium of all the different organizations in Philadelphia that were involved with print-making. And then it evolved to become Philagrafika which the goal was more about festivals, printmaking and how it could be used outside the box.”

“Now, after that major festival we’re kind of scaling back and starting over, reincarnating ourselves and we are having a lecture series and have events and projects in other cities and international.  So, we’re getting started all over again, right now.”  DoN inquired about the connection with the chic gallery near Rittenhouse Square and Cindi explained that a member of their board is friends with Jt Christensen, the designer behind the storefront gallery/design studio. “What’s nice about this is it’s very low key and we found that the best way you can reincarnate yourself is to start small and gradually get really, really good people together and have it be much more organic.  Have it be an organic process, so that’s what we’re doing.”

PHILAGRAfiKA Invitational Portfolio Prints at studio:christensen, Eric Avery, Paradise Lost

PHILAGRAfiKA Invitational Portfolio Prints at studio:christensenEric Avery, Paradise Lost, four color chiaroscuro print on Okawara paper.

Eric Avery‘sParadise Lost describes the fourteen major infections of Adam and Eve, diseases specific to humans.  The technical virtuosity and exquisite information design is masterful, the narrative deep and disturbing, the presentation at once decorative and discrete. “Most of the major human infectious diseases, including some confined to humans and absent from animals, are “new” ones that arose only after the advent of agriculture.”  Can you think of one major disease specific to you as a human being?

PHILAGRAfiKA Invitational Portfolio Prints at studio:christensen, Judith Schaechter, Child Bride

PHILAGRAfiKA Invitational Portfolio Prints @ studio:christensenJudith Schaechter, Child Bride, two color linocut on Somerset paper.

DoN asked about the famed stained glass artist, Judith Schaechter‘s, affiliation with PHILAGRAfiKA?  “She was involved in the first portfolio and you know, she was happy to do it.”  There was a schedule conflict that evening as the artist unveiled her spectacular new windows at The Eastern State Penitentiary.

PHILAGRAfiKA is developing a 2012 portfolio, we’re just getting the artists chosen and by the end of the month will be announced on the 31st. Philagrafika is alive and well.” said Cindi Ettinger, a master printer who worked with most of the artists in the exhibit, coordinating with major print firms and universities to bring the show to life.

PHILAGRAfiKA Invitational Portfolio Prints at studio:christensen, Nami Yamamoto

PHILAGRAfiKA Invitational Portfolio Prints at studio:christensenNami Yamamoto, Miniature Garden: Trace, pigmented over beaten bleached abaca with watermark.

PHILAGRAfiKA Invitational Portfolio Prints at studio:christensen, Jennifer Levonian

PHILAGRAfiKA Invitational Portfolio Prints at studio:christensenJennifer Levonian, July in Philadelphia, digital print with dye cut.

May 31st, 6:00 pm at studio:christensen is a lecture entitled Natural Discourse, with Mary Ann Friel and Nami Yamamoto find out more how to register at the Philagrafika FaceBook Page.

Written and photographed by DoN

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BLACKWHITE ANDINBETWEEN @ 110 Church

Trish Thompson, BLACKWHITE ANDINBETWEEN @ 110 Church Gallery

Trish Thompson, BLACKWHITE ANDINBETWEEN @ 110 Church Gallery

BLACKWHITE ANDINBETWEEN show is already over but DoN is still thinking about the art installation that focussed simply on black and white.  The gallery in Old City installed a three person show of black and white artworks by Philadelphia region artists: Trish ThompsonTom Hlas & Wendy Wolf. The May First Friday crawl is all about discovering new art talent and 110 Church Gallery, off of 2nd Street in a quirky store front, feels so comfortable it’s like an oasis from the art mobs on the prowl offering a delight for the eye for the weary art crawler.

Tom Hlas, BLACKWHITE ANDINBETWEEN @ 110 Church Gallery

Tom Hlas, BLACKWHITE ANDINBETWEEN @ 110 Church Gallery

Tom Hlas, BLACKWHITE ANDINBETWEEN @ 110 Church Gallery

Tom Hlas, BLACKWHITE ANDINBETWEEN @ 110 Church Gallery

Tom Hlas explained to DoN how he meticulously crafted the woven collage, working each edge and surface of the paper with deceptive intensity.  The group of three black and white collages all had red dots, Tom was grinning ear to ear with the satisfaction that his idea reacted with his audience in the best way.

Wendy Wolf, BLACKWHITE ANDINBETWEEN @ 110 Church Gallery

Wendy Wolf, BLACKWHITE ANDINBETWEEN @ 110 Church Gallery

Wendy Wolf installed a site specific piece composed of string and and organically shaped cut outs that resemble Locust leaves.  The pristine white elements create a pattern of shadow and shades of gray that only appear because the mind has to process the information somehow. The taut strings call to mind musical instruments, the random leaves striking chords in a holographic-like space between the strings and the wall.  During last weekend’s Art in the Open event at Schuylkill Banks Park the artist installed a massive mixed media piece using her unique language of simple elements in a tree near the Philadelphia Art Museum.  Her work weathers well and interacts with the environment in a pleasing poetic song-like work of art, one is still on view outside the art gallery.

The next event at 110 Church Gallery:

Josette Urso: Here and Then

Written & photographed by DoN 

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Bob Jackson, 100 Faces of Bob at Off the Wall Gallery

Bob Jackson, 100 Faces at Off the Wall Gallery

Bob Jackson, 100 Faces of Bob at Off the Wall Gallery

100 Faces of Bob is over one hundred mixed media art objects mounted on the wall at Off the Wall Gallery created by outgoing President of The Plastic Club, Bob Jackson.  Last week DoN watched a movie at The Plastic Club‘s monthly art salon, shot in 2006, of Bob Jackson‘s collections and studio, a consummate pack rat collector and inspired artist.  Jackson collects objet trouve’ then transmogrifies the collected elements, found at flea markets, yard sales and antique shops into anthropomorphic portraits.

Bob Jackson, 100 Faces at Off the Wall Gallery

Bob Jackson100 Faces of Bob at Off the Wall Gallery

Off the Wall Gallery usually hosts group show but gave over the whole space to Bob Jackson’s thesis: attractive, fun, visionary art that’s affordable.  Bob Jackson has been leading The Plastic Club for many years, he’s seen it all, good and bad, and synthesized the information into an art style that is aspirational and accessible.  Like his ball point pen drawings on typing paper, the 100 Faces each express the artist’s hand, thought, effort and time.  Anthropomorphism is practically the original art, the Venus of Willendorf speaks to us over mellenia, Bob Jackson is able to tap into our deepest cultural memories and speak to us here in the future.

Bob Jackson, 100 Faces at Off the Wall Gallery

Bob Jackson, 100 Faces of Bob at Off the Wall Gallery

Bob Jackson100 Faces of Bob at Off the Wall Gallery

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Bob Jackson, 100 Faces of Bob at Off the Wall Gallery

Bob Jackson100 Faces of Bob at Off the Wall Gallery

Bob Jackson, 100 Faces of Bob at Off the Wall Gallery

Bob Jackson100 Faces of Bob at Off the Wall Gallery

The Off the Wall Gallery consistently installs thought provoking and relevant art shows. Usually the installations are juried group shows offering emerging artists opportunities to show their work with established artists. Art is part of the business model at Dirty Franks Bar, space on their wall is coveted and their sales record is really good.  100 Faces of Bob will be remembered as one of the great moments in Philadelphia art history, the show looks like it will be sold out.  Each piece is only $50.00.  Bob Jackson‘s legacy will be a strong, real, measurable impact on the Philadelphia art community, DoN has personally cried on Bob’s shoulder over art matters and know’s he has counseled and supported hundreds of other artists with assurances, solutions and advice.  Creating a wonderful experience design, the show offers so many lessons in art making, marketing, networking and socializing from a master Philadelphia artist, 100 Faces of Bob reveals the beautiful face of a friend.

LoVe

DoN

Marjorie Grigonis, Kristine Flannery at Third Street Gallery

Marjorie Gregonis, Present Tense, Third Street Gallery

Marjorie Grigonis, Present TenseThird Street Gallery

Marjorie Grigonis and Kristine Flannery‘s exhibit at Third Street Gallery (on Second) is a compare and contrast in action painting and abstract expressionism. Marjorie Grigonis calls her collection Present TenseKristine Flannery‘s exhibit is called The Multitudes; Grigonis’ mixed media and paintings uses mark-making and color fields with emotive color and Flannery’s action paintings exude energy. DoN talked with Marjorie Grigonis May’s First Friday in Old City.

Marjorie Gregonis, Present Tense, Third Street Gallery

Marjorie GrigonisPresent TenseThird Street Gallery

How did you get involved with Third Street Gallery?  “I’ve been part of the gallery for at least ten years.  Someone invited me to put my work up and be juried in and I’ve been part of it ever since.  I was one of the directors a couple years back which is a job no one covets, it gets passed on every two years. But, it’s a good  gallery, it’s good people and I think a really great showing space with the windows and the location.”

Marjorie Gregonis, Present Tense, Third Street Gallery

Marjorie GrigonisPresent TenseThird Street Gallery

DoN asked Marjorie Grigonis to describe her style, a combination of collage and painting, “Well, the painting is very much gestural and early was somewhat based on abstract expressionism but it’s been modified. As you can see, it’s not that free anymore. But the looseness that I started with, I find painting really hard, I struggle with it and I edit out. There’s probably six paintings underneath that painting. I just paint over, scrape off, and paint over.”

Marjorie Gregonis, Present Tense, Third Street Gallery

Marjorie GrigonisPresent TenseThird Street Gallery

“I started looking at all the scraps of things in my studio and making collages and it was fun. But I realized that I was thinking , in this show particularly, that there’s not any content, and there’s not a lot of content here, but, I was thinking just about the general anxiety of personal and global and I think a lot of these sort of reflected that. The woman holding her hand, the fear itself, I think even the paintings are just a little bit anxious, not totally.  I think there’s a good time going on in some of them.”

“I don’t mean to be a downer, I just think of me, there’s just a little more of a sense of that, sort of, pervading everybody and everything right now. I’m sensitive to that and I think humor is a way to deal with that and so I just thought some of these were pretty funny.  Maybe ironic.”

Marjorie Gregonis, Present Tense, Third Street Gallery

Marjorie GrigonisPresent TenseThird Street Gallery

DoN commented to the artist that anxiety is not what he felt from the colorful abstractions and that he overheard people saying how much they liked them, “Well, I’m glad because it’s partly just me, probably a lot of it’s me.”  DoN said, “Well, you are the artist.”

Kristine Flannery, The Multitudes at Third Street Gallery

Kristine Flannery, The Multitudes at Third Street Gallery

Kristine Flannery, The Multitudes at Third Street Gallery

Kristine FlanneryThe Multitudes at Third Street Gallery

Third Street Gallery is an artist-run cooperative art gallery established in 1972.

Kristine Flannery, The Multitudes at Third Street Gallery

Kristine FlanneryThe Multitudes at Third Street Gallery

Kristine Flannery‘s action paintings represent movement and gesture through space.  The energetic marks and swipes of paint each try to capture a moment of movement, the paint permitted to be watery and move on it’s own, sometimes smeared into submission.  DoN spoke only briefly to the artist and her husband, she was fatigued at the end of the First Friday festivities but if you go to the Third Street Gallery website there’s a good statement about her goals with the show.

Written and Photographed by DoN Brewer

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