DoNArTNeWs

Burnell Yow!, “Dolls of the Apocalypse“, Smile Gallery.

Burnell Yow!, “Mummy Barbie“.

B. Yow!, L. Parkes, D. Walters, “Exquisite Corpse #33“, giclee print, 20″ x 16″

Joroko,”March On“, mixed media.

Joroko, “Subtext“, mixed media.

Bricolage, pronounced /ˌbriːkoʊˈlɑːʒ/, /ˌbrɪkoʊˈlɑːʒ/ is a term used in several disciplines, among them the visual arts and literature, to refer to the construction or creation of a work from a diverse range of things which happen to be available, or a work created by such a process. The term is borrowed from the French word bricolage, from the verb bricoler – the core meaning in French being, “fiddle, tinker” and, by extension, “make creative and resourceful use of whatever materials are to hand (regardless of their original purpose).”

A person who engages in bricolage is a bricoleur.

Thank you Wikipedia!

Burnell’s dolls are totemic, shamanistic, zen-like, beatific, clever, ironic, dystopian creations repurposing objet trouve and doll parts.  The digital “exquisite corpse” prints are a great stealable idea - so po-mo.

Joroko’s goth skeletons populating bombed out surfaces, dancing and cavorting with stars, stripes, crosses and words perfectly counterpoints the odd dolls - somehow the energy of the room becomes a bad boy’s fantasy world of stealing your sister’s dolls and ripping the heads off and drawing war scenes with explosions, craters and bodies.  Dr. Deb Miller curated the show - deep.

Ellen Benson, “Snow Day“, mixed media.

The Dumpster Divers “The Games We Played Remade” @ The Historic Smithville Mansion inhabiting the game rooms (the pool room & bowling alley) of the 1875 estate is a melange of mixed media, metaphors, memories and wishes.  Alden Cole’s Chinese Checkers is delightfully addictive, Ellen Benson’s mixed media works are displayed with room to breath and absorb, Burnell Yow! squishes Barbie heads with badminton rackets - Super Fun!

Burnell Yow! @ “The Games We Played Remade” in The Historic Smithville Mansion.

The bowling alley of the historic space is a perfect venue for the show; The Games We Played Remade is exhibiting some of Philly & SJs best mixed media, green artists in a quirky theme seemlessly matched with a truly beautiful space (there’s a rose garden and a Moose head in the card room) is definitely worth the short drive on Route 38.

DoN spoke with Luren Jenison about this interesting interactive project ongoing @ Workspace, 319 North 11th Street; the entire room is converted into a giant loom, guests are encouraged to participate with the materials at hand or schedule time to stop by and weave for a while.  You can bring your own stuff to weave, when the large fabric is complete it will be combined with other loomed pieces created in other spaces - so temporal and time-trippy.

Do you hear music and taste soft serve looking at this graphic?  That’s a meme.

Armond Scavo, the well-known and respected Philadelphia photographer, is a fine artist and business person traveling up to 40 weeks a year promoting his work. Scavo’s collection of Philadelphia landscapes and astounding close-ups of gemstone and minerals is his stock in trade, each piece offering a narrative, assured coloration and excellent quality. Proficient in wet dark room as well as digital techniques, Scavo presents exquistely framed images as well as affordably priced matted prints. Armond’s easy demeaner and friendly smile draws people to his display often resulting in sales and commisssions. Scavo turned DoN onto the book,”I’d Rather Be In The Studio” by Alyson B. Stanfield which is a complete guide to promoting one’s self as a professional artist and he is just that - professional. Armond Scavo’s website Earthlight Images (designed by Burnell Yow! of Ravenswing Studio) is a treasure trove of inspiring ideas; he even has self-published a book of photo’s of Philly’s famous Rittenhouse Square called “Through an Artist’s Eye - Philadelphia“. Thanks to Armond for providing show tickets for Shoshana, Alden and DoN; each of us left the Convention Center exhausted and inspired by the wide range of highly desirable objects.

Dragon Lady, Wendy Ellertson of Boston, MA. creates mixed media sculptures of dragons; DoN and Wendy chatted about all the famous dragons she incorporates into her works - she even knew about The Dragon Riders of Pern! Dragons may be mythical but Ellertson visualizes each one with a depth of knowledge and technical virtuosity emphasizing why so many of us still believe in the magic and dream of a strong, loyal and fierce companion to serve and protect.

Matti Laaninen of Hudson River Inlay creates beautiful furniture and functional objects of rare woods, mother of pearl and unusual materials. Recreating natural shapes of leaves, twigs, insects and flowers in intricate patterns and fascinating designs, DoN found he was envious of Matti’s skill and style - who doesn’t wish they could produce beautiful furniture and art that everyone desires?

mar·que·try n. Material, such as ivory or wood, inlaid piece by piece into a wood surface, in an intricate design, and veneered to another surface - especially furniture or flooring - for decoration.

Cheryl Olney of Louise’s Daughter - the colorful mixed media art is outshone only by Cheryl’s smile. Quirky, fun, funky and exuberant, Louise’s Daughter offers a perfect mix of art and design.

Ileana Andruchovici of Bala Cynwyd’s creater of Olympia Creations - Digital Couture, developing her own fabric designs combining, photography, illustration and unique printing techniques on silk and fine fabrics. When DoN walked past her booth, Ileana remembered him from last year’s show at the Armory and invited him in to see her latest creations - dresses, pant suits, tops and even neckties, each one lovingly designed, constructed and produced to provide the wearer with an indivual identity. Beautiful!

The Convention Center venue was a definite plus for the artists but the parking situation for patrons is a sham! Some garages charge $25 or more for two hours, we found a spot on the street but the meter ate quarters like potato chips, ignoring half of the money we fed it preventing our group from spending more than 90 minutes to see the hundreds of artists in Paradise City. Philadelphia should be embarressed by the Parking Authority and the Mafia-like shake down of visitors to our town.

Wolves & Deer in art around town over the past year.

Nexus Gallery @ Crane Art Center

Rik Viola @ Philadelphia Sketch Club

Darla Jackson @ CFEVA.

Scott Pelnat @ CFEVA event.

Jack Kelly @ Scott Pellnat’s Art House.

Karen Davis @ TwentyTwo Gallery.

Karen Stone @ Hopkins House Gallery in Camden curated by Bruce Garrity.

Karen Stone @ Hopkins House Gallery. The two works above are part of a show about new directions in painting as part of the symposium “To Be or Not To Be: A Painter’s Dilemma” @ Rutgers University.

Wall drawing made with hair by Brenna K. Murphy @ Center for Emerging Visual Artists on Rittenhouse Square in a show curated by Brooke Hine last summer.

Brenna K. Murphy @ The Icebox in the Crane Center for the Arts InLiquid auction.

Brenna K. Murphy @ Moore College of Art and Design for the CFEVA Introductions ‘09 show. Murphy has installed hair art @ Eileen Tognini’s house.

Hair on paper circles @ The Crane Center for the Arts installed in the hallway. Artist unknown. The Jullius Scissor Salon on Locust Street has a huge hair sculpture in their window.

Hair is such a meme!

Betsy Alexander and Burnell Yow! of Ravenswing Studio are art collectors, their home is filled with beautiful objects of all kinds and even had a recent story about their eclectic decorating style in the Philadelphia Inquirer. The duo have recreated their art house at Salon des Amis in Malvern, asking all of their friends who have contributed to their collection to show new work in the gallery. Sunday was beautiful weather and a large gathering of their friends arrived at the gallery to find the space filled with work by more than 40 artists.

Luminary artist, Alden Cole @ Art House in Salon des Amis.

Linda Lou Horn @ Salon des Amis for the Art House opening in Malvern.

Philly photographer, Armond Scavo with his work at Salon des Amis. Scavo has just published a book of photographs of Rittenhouse Square, a favorite locale for artists to find inspiration, Through an Artists’ Eye - Philadelphia can be purchased from Scavo’s website.

Eileen Feigenbaum, “The Blue Lady”, oil on canvas.

DoN Brewer, “light being (Rick Selvin)”, digital photograph.

The art crowd for Betsy Alexander and Burnell Yow!’s Art House @ Salon des Amis in Malvern.

Thank you Betsy and Burnell, it’s already nice just being friends with you both but when you do something so special like this art show it re-enforces the bond even more. Salon des Amis means House of Friends - so apropos!

LoVe

DoN