RIP Melanie Boyer

Sunday was a powerful day.  A memorial service for one of my dearest friends was held almost a year since her passing.  It was a perfect day and I could feel Cat smiling and shedding grace on all of us still here.  Although the year has flown by it has tempered the tears and emotion and waiting a year does not detract from the tragedy but makes reflecting not so harsh.  It was so great to see so many old friends and former students come together to honor a wonderful woman taken too soon.  The beach pavilion and the jetty that Cat walked upon just days before her passing was filled with Love.  I left with a sense of peace.

I was determined to start this week making art.  Charged up from my Miami Art Fair trip and charged with Cat's Love I decided to check in to Facebook before getting started with new work. The first post I saw referenced a former neighbor and childhood friend of our family.  At first the post seemed like an old friend posting a Throw Back Thursday photo but it is Monday and the post read "I can't believe you are gone."  I clicked on her name and now on her page I saw the posts on her wall.  RIP Melanie Boyer with a  short newspaper article confirming my worst fears.  This young woman 32, a mother of a five year old son was gone, a victim of a horrendous car accident.  

Melanie grew up with our son and lived a couple of houses away from us.  She was like a daughter and part of our family.  There was a deeper very sad childhood trauma the dear Mel endured that was so etched in her soul that life was always a challenge.  Her son brought her happiness and the reason to keep plugging forward despite moments of wanting to give up.  

Started this day with another moment of disbelief.  My husbands childhood friend's wife was reported missing in Lasalle, Ontario, near /Windsor.  So out of character for this woman so it was hard not to think the worst.  The frigid cold and very desolate farm roads take many lives during the winter.  Fortunately our friend was found no details yet and one story ends well.  Another may have been saved if Melanie had fastened her seat belt.  

We never know when we are to be called home either by illness, accident or God forbid, sinister means.  Find life and happiness in every moment.  Be as present as you can be and do good things for others.  Melanie was troubled but was learning how to let go of her past, she was a nurse and touched many with her gifts.  RIP dear one.  You are loved.  My deepest sympathy goes out to her family during this very sad time.  Pray for her five year old son.

Some Art Wynwood highlights

Maybe it's just me.  I see so much art that I am finding it more and more difficult to find work that is compelling.  This years installment in many ways is very safe and somewhat commercial.  I bet much work is being sold which is a good thing.

Bernice Steinbaum's exhibit is stellar.  Bernice has gathered new art that straddles design and fine art.  It is great to see artists the caliber of Carol Prusa creating her work as 3-D lighting there is nothing lost in this transition.  Stunning.

Here are some pieces that caught my attention.  Enjoy the show, still up through Monday and still a great way to see lots of work.  I'm sure many will find much to admire.

And if you would prefer to enjoy this amazing winter day outside the famous Coconut Grove Art Festival is in full force!

Wandering around Wynwood

On a cloudless perfect winter day I headed with an artist friend Hegina to the Wynwood art district a couple of hours before the VIP opening for Art Wynwood 2015.  We couldn't resist our first stop at Space 3, a cavernous warehouse with several tall ceiling white separate rooms.  We were greeting by a legion of muscular large men dressed in black, NYC bouncer types.  Asking if we could just poke around these guardians of the art, unthreatened by us they welcomed us in.  

The rooms were filled with scaffolds, industrial lighting and cans of spray paints.  The fumes of the paint lingered in the air while some artists continued working on their murals, others finishing up.  We walked into the last minute preparations for an event, which turned out was to be an auction of a serious collection of the history of graffiti art,  The men in black were in fact guarding the artwork which I noticed in a catalog were upward of $25,000.00 each.

Wynwood has been transformed from the seedy warehouse into kitchens and coffee houses, boutiques and yes, warehouses covered with paint everywhere you can look.  The artwork the most extensive collection of murals I have seen in my travels.  Major players complete with plaques of artist names and date of the mural.  The murals and outside cafes are the draw here as I overheard a wide range of languages on site.  

Art Wynwood discussion will have to wait for a later edition.  Go to the Fairs this weekend, Art Wynwood, coconut Grove art show and Janet Gold's opening will promise to keep me hopping around this weekend.

Here are some visual encountered on this field trip....  The first group of images is Wynwood walls a park of murals.  The Project Space 3 follows.

Powerful Performance

Many readers may not realize that I studied ballet most of my early years from six to about 14 years old.  The control of motion and release of emotion  is powerful here and I am pleased to see  the artist Hozier taking the risk to bring his message to the screen.  David Chapelle is among my favorite photographers for his ability to go for the juggler.

Sergei Polunin "Take Me To Church" by Hozier Directed by David LaChapelle Choreography by Jade Hale-Christofi

Happy 102 Birthday Henry

To be able celebrate a birthday over 100 years is nothing short of miraculous.  I have had family live well into their 90's but never cross this incredible threshold. Last nights dinner in honor of a dear friend and artist Henry Moretti who is 102 years old is still resonating.

The sculptors hands were still beautiful and  lean and I could feel the stories emanating from them.  The gathering of artists and lovers of art in his honor was celebrated in the home of Matt Carone, himself a driven painter, our former art dealer and master chef of Italian cuisine.  Stepping into his home like entering into the perfect setting to view an amazing collection of art, enjoy wonderful friends and savor fine food and wine.

And Henry was there not remembering who we were and where he was.  Leaving home can be a frightening experience for the elderly.  He sat and watched us, gingerly ate his dinner and by the end of the night appeared to be more present.  I think it was the eclair and chocolate that perked him up but Henry was back with us.

Do I want to live to 102?  I am not sure but I will be happy to know there are still loyal friends around who will celebrate every moments of life that remain.

From left:  Hegina Rodriguez (painter) Sal Zagami (sculptor) and Henry Moretti.

Thank you Matt for an inspiring gathering.

The Artist is Present

I just finished watching Marina Abramovic's The Artist is present video on Netflix.  Having experienced the retrospective at MOMA brought me back to the time of sharing this moment with friends Jimmie and Gisella Stone and their children. The documentary was like returning to the atrium, complete with all of the emotional connections.

I had never witnessed an artist exhibit of such profound scope and interactivity.  The brilliance of the installations seem even more impressive after watching the preparation of launching this show, not to mention the life stories and journeys traveled to create each work.

At almost two hours I watched the film in two sessions in order to allow for my full attention.  I learned many new things today and I am grateful for that.

Subscribe to TRAILERS: http://bit.ly/sxaw6h Subscribe to COMINGSOON: http://bit.ly/H2vZUn Marina Abramovi The Artist is Present Official Trailer #1 (2012) Documentary HD A documentary that follows the Serbian performance artist as she prepares for a retrospective of her work at The Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Here are a few moments of this inspiring documentary.  Available to view on Netflix or iTunes.

artist interviews

http://the-talks.com/topics/#art

A handy link so when you need to write a statement you can research a lot of different approaches.

About my new website: a work in progress

The collections of work presented to you here reflect many years of making art mapping my journey as an artist.  I am in the process of collecting, digitizing and archiving work I have made since the late 60's.  The return to photography is not a new departure but a part of my history.  I began taking pictures in the late 60's processing and printing the film and there are some vintage prints that have survived, some in great condition. 

The website will become my vehicle to share both new and past work, reflect on art and music I encounter, interesting reads and in the future galleries of other artists work for sale on the site.  

More Chiluly.

Slight learning curve.  I want the images to be clear and correct color.  Made some adjustments and now another batch.

The perfect visit

I have been fortunate to be able to experience Dale Chiluly’s tropical garden installation not once, but twice.  The gardens are scheduled to be open Thursday and Sunday nights for the lighted glass installations.  Best to check first before making the trek down there as we should have but the day was perfect, cool, balmy and a sunny winter day.  The drive through Coconut Grove through to Old Cuttler Road to the gardens is one of my favourite drives.   The canopy of old oak trees, massive tropical plants, coral walls  and 35mph speed makes the trip an inspiration.  The area along the bay, the Grove all the way to Fairchild is among the oldest neighbourhoods in South Florida.

The gardens are nothing short of spectacular.  Thankfully the tropical foliage has all grown back since the place was devastated after Hurricane Andrew and the gardens are lush and this season presents lots of flowering plants.

Dale Chiluly  has incorporated his knowledge of the gardens and site specifically designed much of the work to compliment the environment.  He has expanded his color palette and forms to take growth among the plants and trees. 

I am pleased to be able to begin my blog by sharing such an incredible experience with you.

Crisp and sunny day,

It is the perfect day to see the Chiluly installations at Fairchild garden in S Miami.  Looking forward to seeing the work both in daylight and lit up at night.  Lots of photos will be posted tomorrow.

Significant issue to all artists, plagiarism

I was just about to close down my computer when I noticed this article. I guess I may have to remove my mixed media piece "When There is a Hole in your Soul" a portrait of a president spitting out saw blades.  New to blog posting so I hope the link works.

http://hyperallergic.com/176138/luc-tuymans-convicted-of-plagiarism-for-painting-photo-of-politician/?  I have my doubts about this working so I'm sure if you google the text above to get a better link.  Until next time and hopefully learning more about how this all works.

This blog is about me, well not all about me but rather me connecting to a moment and sharing that moment with you.

Visual Voyages Blog

Aside from my family the two things that I love are art and travel.  Wherever I travel whether throughout my community, state, country or the world I look and find art.  As an instructor for 40 years education is forever in my soul and art and travel provide endless opportunities to share and teach.

Reflecting on all things visual through a blog is a new way for me to chronicle my journey.