Unexpected art, assemblages, and paintings by Canadian artist

This Canadian artist, who is equally at home with paint as she is with assemblages, once lived in Florida. I wish I had know her then, when my life was bringing me there several times a year. Carmen Hickson was a self-taught artist, who now has "three years of commercial art school" under her belt. She has remained true to herself and to her voice and she exhibits quite a talent. Recently she was successful in Canada's largest juried art show held in Toronto. This is work I'd love to see in person one day. Click on the title of this piece and it will bring you to her website. Be sure to check out her paintings, which are as magical as are the assemblages.

Vernissage for Helga Hornung

Ottobeuren

Ausstellung im Rahmen der Ottobeurer Konzerte

im Haus des Gastes

Helga Hornung & Philipp Reisacher

“Weiter als der Horizont”

Zum Konzertwochenende 60 Jahre Basilikakonzerte

www.ottobeuren.de

Vernissage: Freitag 18. Sept. 2009 19.30 Uhr

Im Dialog mit den Künstlern, Bernd Schäfer (Bürgermeister Ottobeuren)

Musik: Reinhard Reißner (Klassische Gitarre )

19. und 20. Sept. von 10.00 bis 18.00 Uhr

Helga Hornung

Phantasie und Traumwesen die beflügeln und den Betrachter verzaubern.

Bilderbuchreihe “ Derkleine Lalu” www.helga-hornung.de

Philipp Reisacher

steht mitden Füssen auf der Erde, mit dem Herzen hängt ersich in den Himmel

Cornelia Kleybolt, M.A. www.ph-reisacher.de

Intuit's newest program........bring your own popcorn

Tattoo Flash and Circus Banners Intuit will host a panel discussion with experts on tattoo history and circus banners and performers. The panelists are Freaks & Flash co-curator, Anna Friedman Herlihy; Amelia Klem Osterud, author of the forthcoming book The Tattooed Lady: A History (Nov. 2009, Speck Press); and former circus traveler turned artist, Glen Davies. This talk is free and open to the public.

Kris Lewis and Travis Louie........beinart stars.....

The International Surreal Art Collective boasts some of the very best artists in the world among it's members. Alex Grey and Ann Harper are two of my favorites. But now I learn of two more accomplished people to add to the list. Travis Louie’s new exhibition is at Roq la Rue Gallery.His " hypnotic portraiture is compelling for its blend of the hyper realistic with the blatantly unreal. Fantastical creatures gaze out from paintings so technically refined (using transparent layers of acrylic paint over a tight graphite drawing on a smooth flat surface) that they look uncannily like old photographs." This fact entices you take a second look. Kris Lewis, who is currently showing his portraits at David B Smith Gallery in Denver Colorado, has a romantic yet edgey quality to his work which makes the quirkiness quite appealing.

Painter, advocate, furniture maker

Gale Hart is my hero. This self-taught artist is a highly visible animal rights activist, and her paintings and constructions are well known and exhibited. Her show "Why Not Eat Your Pet" has received rave reviews and raised the consciousness of droves of onlookers. And she is one hell of a furniture maker! This painting called "Blinded for Your Good Looks" takes on the cosmetic industry and their unconscionable use of animals for product testing. The two tables need to be in my living room ASAP! Such energy and raw talent!

Before he was Paul........

Connecticut artist, Paul Pitt is known for his folk art paintings of scenes from a gentler time, populated with up to 250 men, women, children and animals. And always there are two running boys, one Black and one White, one of whom is wearing the ever present red scarf. But searching through an old barn this week, Paul's first efforts were rediscovered. These vintage paintings, over 30 years old, are much different from the idyllic scenes for which Paul Pitt is well known. The earlier works have an appeal all to themselves so I've decided to share them with you. Tell me what you think!

A link in the title will bring you to Paul's work as it is recognized today. He is in many permanent museum collections and his work has been on the cover of quite a few magazines. The older works are now available for purchase.