Life got in the way

It has been far too long since I last posted. My mom's health, struggling to stay true to my creative pursuits and still make a living, battling a deep-seated depression over things that I can't currently change, but could if my finances improve.

But...in the middle if it all, I finally finished the first draft of my first romance novella. Waiting for feedback from my beta readers is torture.
It's odd, there was a strong feeling of elation and satisfaction, but also a "post-partum" sadness. Now what do I do? Struggling to find more stories.

So many things, so little time...

It's been quite a while since I've posted, but I'm ok with that, because I've been INSANELY busy!

I now teach mixed media art and stage/character makeup to high school students (kill me now - JK, most of them are awesome kids) I've been illustrating children's books, with more in the works, and as always, painting my heart out. Looking out for some more editing jobs, too.

Stay tuned, as I hope to have a lot more to write about in the coming weeks.

Endless Summer at Artists Corner Gallery, Hollywood

If you didn't make it out to Hollywood last Saturday night, July 1st, you missed one hell of a party, but not to worry, the show continues until this Saturday, July 8th. 

There was an angel hovering nearby.

Artists Corner Gallery, in the heart of Hollywood at 1546 Highland Ave., threw a Gala Artist Reception to celebrate their newest show, Endless Summer. Over sixteen artists and photographers are featured in this lively and varied show, and there is artistry for everyone's tastes. 

Bart Mastronardi, and the gorgeous photo he sold (above him) and his other sexy images.

Brenda Salamone with her "Orenda" and "Skye Pools."

Art by Chantal Giddens and elegant art enthusiast.

Dean Wood discovering Brenda Salamone's artwork  has hidden 3D.

Actor Dean Wood with the art of Chantal Giddens in the background.

The gorgeous Frida Davidsson wowed the crowd with her unique way of live painting an Asian deity, using her own body as a palette and brush. There was live entertainment with guitar tunes, and the cocktails and hot d'oeuvres were in constant flow.

Frida Davidsson begin her live paint session.

The resulting image.

The popular event meant the line was around the block with fans eager to see the freshest art out there. Get over to Hollywood, and check out the talent!

Popular venue! Worth the wait to see all the great art!

California Dreaming in the Live Art courtyard. Traveling  exhibit, "Treasures of the Heart," by Milena Mortati.

Photographer Bart Mastronardi talking to an Art enthusiast.

Endless Summer Gala Reception - Artists Corner Gallery, Hollywood

This coming Saturday, July 1st - join me, Artists Corner Gallery, and and a whole lot of great artists in celebrating Endless Summer! Be sure to RSVP to Gallery@artistscorner.us

ENDLESS SUMMER GALA RECEPTION

| Saturday July 1st | 7-11PM | RSVP: Gallery@artistscorner.us | Admission fee applies

Exhibiting artists: Berivan Ramsey | Brayden | Brenda Salamone | Chantal Giddens | Chloe Russell | Clement von Franckenstein | Frida Davidsson | George Hobbs | Jazz | Joey James Salehi | Linda Stelling | Lindy Kummings | Lionel Kahn | Messy Masterpiece | Mikayel Yeghiazaryan | Milena Mortati | Nikko Rey | Oliana Afano | Reena Tolentino | René Sheret | Rowan Daly | Vika

Expect a chic evening with collectors, curators, art critics and artists while enjoying:

• Hosted Hors d'oeuvres by Chef Gwen Kenneally
• Mixed Cocktails (Full open bar)
• Live Painting by Frida Davidsson
• Portrait "Treasures Of The Heart" by Milena Mortati
• Experience “The Glow Room” with Messy Masterpiece & LED Glow Installation by Joey James Salehi
• Live Music Performance by SYAM
• Unique VIP Guest Key for Exclusive AC Gallery After Hours Party at MA LOUNGE on Sunset in West Hollywood 10:30PM - 2:00AM (http://estrellasunset.com/)

*Dress code casual chic. NO sandals, NO shorts, NO tank tops, NO baseball caps.




www.acgallery.us
1546 N. Highland Ave. Los Angeles CA., 90028 | M-F: 9-6:30P.M | Saturday: Noon-5:00PM | Sunday: Closed

Books and Art and CORGIS, OH MY!

There are few things that I can think of that are more enjoyable than a night filled with art. Add some incredible books, prints, cards, gifts, and most of all, Corgis, to that art, and it's a pretty stellar evening.

Gallery Nucleus is hosting a delightful show of Corgi-inspired artwork, as part of their current Flora and Fauna exhibition. 

Darling Little Stumpies!

Tonight's event brought together the art, the artists, dog-lovers, Corgi enthusiasts, and a wonderful Corgi rescue, Queen's Best Stumpy Dog Rescue. Several dog owners brought their sweet pooches to the event, and the Corgi love was everywhere. 

Sweet Maxine

If you are looking to give a Corgi a fur-ever home, contact this rescue!!

The gallery is a fantastic space, is available for event rentals, and there is a wonderful gift shop/book store which specializes in fine illustration and animation artwork.

The Corgi art will only be up until July 9th, so make the short drive to charming Alhambra, and see the art!!!

Gallery Nucleus is located at 210 E Main St, in Alhambra, CA 91801 and 

can be reached at 626.458.7482

Go with the Glow

With a combination of Hollywood, Saturday night, a prominent gallery, and a hot young artist, I expected the air to be thick with pretension. Instead, the Gala Preview Reception for L.A. artist Messy Masterpiece at AC Gallery was lively and welcoming, and the gallery hosts - Carlos, Luis, and Shya - are warm and genuine.

While her artist nom de pinceau is Messy Masterpiece, to me, her works are more like Creative Chaos. There is a balance and symmetry that belie the "Messy" label, and each piece is a new mini-adventure. Add backlights and 3D glasses to the mix, and it feels like you can reach inside and grab the subtle words and images layered within the paint. 

An artist since childhood, Messy Masterpiece's early forays into the art world were still life, landscapes, portraiture, etc., and were influenced by her realist painter mother. But those pursuits didn't feed her soul, and her passions turned to abstract art. I spoke with the artist about how her current work came about, and like with many in the creative pursuits, it just sort of...happened. When in her apartment filled with the artist's own paintings, a friend viewed them while wearing 3D glasses and discovered a whole new way to see them. With the installation of "The Glow Room" at AC Gallery, the images are taken to a completely different level. This is art that is meant to be viewed in the dark!

Messy Masterpiece expresses her passions mainly with aerosol paints and acrylics, layering in words, song lyrics, stenciled images, jumbled wooden letters, ribbons of shiny iridescence, and more. Her pure joy at creating has coalesced into a large body of work that appeals equally to connoisseurs of street art style and to those preferring high-end contemporary pieces to enhance their spaces.

"Messy Masterpiece works come from basic human need to create and from passion and interest. Even playful gestures are sort of complex hidden stories. Every aspect of her paintings interests me," said Gallery Director and Curator Carlos Benitez.

Don't miss re-Imagined, the art of Messy Masterpiece, now through June 24th at AC Gallery, 1546 Highland Ave, in the heart of Hollywood.

Illmatic by Messy Masterpiece

The Glow Room

Bustin' Out All Over

Been a pretty busy June, and it's barely started. And it's about to get even better. My pastel still life of faceted gemstones, Brillanti, won 3 awards at the San Diego County Fair's Exhibition of Art. Along with that, Kaleidoscope Dreams, an oil painting from my Geomorphic Abstractions series, also won an award. 

I currently have 12 paintings at Jameson Gallery, at Creative Arts Group in Sierra Madre, CA. I will be rotating out 3 of them as they've been chosen for a yet-to-be-named Hollywood gallery for a summer show. More on that later. 

Finished a painting I've been struggling with for a couple of months, and made a few tweaks on one that I just wasn't satisfied with. 

Next project will be filming a painting start to finish. Not sure what it will be or what size, but it will happen. 

Just remember: 

The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. ~Aristotle