Resident Artist at the Museum of Art and Design

I've been holding off telling about this, as it is probably the biggest thing to happen this year. Over the summer I was accepted to be an artist in residence at the Museum of Art and Design (MAD) in Colubmus Circle, right at the corner of Central Park (8th Avenue and 59th Street).

The orientation was when I met the other artists. Six of us, in all. Two others are ceramic artists. One is a glass artist. And another works in a multi-media fashion with an interesting use of technology. As usual, I am the only male in the group. The orientation did not take more than a couple hours, but I wished it had continued on longer since this was the only chance I had to talk with the other artists. Now, I don't know much about the other groups of artists that have been at MAD in the past, but we seem like a very good group, social with one another, accommodating and pleasant. We even email each other in a group and are looking to find a time that we can all catch up. I'll try to press the issue because I really do enjoy each person.

The residency began the first week of September. For me, it was Wednesday, September 8th. I am scheduled to arrive by 10 am until 5 pm. But, I try to get in earlier. Usually around 9 am. And I like to stick around until after 6. This hasn't been the case every Wednesday.

The first day was a bit stressful, but not because of any demands. All the stress and anxiety came from my own wondering mind. I remember I barely slept the night before as questions, hopes, fears and the unknown filled my mind. When I began, I set up with hesitation, as I was not certain how I wished visitors to see my work and me working. I started off slow as I was not sure exactly how to introduce myself or how to begin conversations. On top of which several employees (mainly guards) not knowing who I was asking me questions, telling me I was not aloud to go here or there. I began to feel isolated.

By the end of the first day I was extremely exhausted, having worked on my art and talked with visitors all day. But, I found I was very pleased to spend time talking to people that were interested in my work. Besides elevating my ego I realized I had absolutely nothing to worry about. My interactions with visitors was intensive and genuine. Communicating is one thing I truly love doing. Especially if it means talking about my art and philosophies.

Now that I am a month into the residency I feel very comfortable. Everyone knows my face and is glad to see me. In return, I am ecstatic to see them and be there. What a wonderful environment! And many things said to me by visitors and employees have worked to create an even more positive experience.

Of course, being in this residency has taught me a lot already. I've been a good talker and listener, but I've learned several subtle aspects of communicating and networking.

Also, I'll end this posting by saying I am meeting some extremely interesting people from all over the world. Just this past week I met a woman and her husband from Brazil, who want me to come visit and give a demonstration or workshop in her studio. I met another woman that want's me to give a paper clay demonstration at a Co-op in Chelsea. And several people have been interested in purchasing work.

I am in a good place.

Published!

My artwork has been selected for publication in the Lark Books' upcoming book, 500 Raku. I'm very excited and happy about this. Well, as one can imagine.

The work being published is part of my Hollowmen Series. Hollowmen Series I is the first grouping of Raku fired figures which are inspired by T S Eliot's poem 'The Hollowmen.' I wanted to create figures which lacked a core, they were hollowed out without an essence, which led me to distort their bodies by eliminating the torso section. A whole exists in their center. They contort and twist in order to avoid detection, not wanting to be seen or to see the others around them.

My choice in Raku was because of the charred, dark surface that could be produced. Along with sections of spotted glaze the decrepid and somewhat ominous surface reinforces the contorted and desperately twisting form.

A Juried Exhibition

If I had written earlier I could have invited you to an opening reception, but instead I will ask you to check out my work in a group exhibition in Poughkeepsie, New York.

My work was selected by juror, Ayumi Ahorie, among 40 pieces. I didn't realize how competitive this juried show would be, but there were over 200 applicants.

The exhibition will continue at Barrett Clay Works until October 23, 2010. And there is a closing reception that Saturday from 4-6. I will probably not be able to make it, although I will be there in spirit.

Also, a friend of mine, Susan Beecher, is also in the exhibition. How I wish I could have been there for the opening. Not to say I didn't try. Oh, don't get me wrong, even though it is a two and a half hour drive, I did try to make it on September 18. The problem arose when I got to exit 16 on the New York Thruway. Traffic wasn't bad. Traffic completely stopped. We were stranded as they closed off all the toll booths and diverted us off the Thruway onto Route 32. Needless to say, 32 had some traffic issues. By the time I got up to New Paltz (Poughkeepsie is just across the Hudson) it was 7:30 pm. The reception was from 4-7. It took me four and a half hours to get up there. Mind you, I drive like a maniac, so sitting in traffic and almost doubling the driving time was torture on my speed demon soul.

Although, I did get to New Paltz in time to meet a friend for dinner. It was a good evening, despite the reception hang ups.

Oh, and I got to see Jupiter along with four of it's moons because student's were out star gazing. I happened to be walking with my friend when we stumbled upon them.

More blogs to come, I promise.

Included is an image of the piece that is in the juried exhibition.

How time passes.

I have not updated my blog in quite some time. I regret this. Although, over the past months much has occurred.

I have had various artistic advances and accomplishments, yet, I feel the most relevant have been more personal in nature. Starting this year I began walking throughout New York City. Focusing primarily on three of the five boroughs my exploration has been rather extensive. Walks were with a friend of mine, who also has been involved in much soul searching.

Now, for me to say I am very familiar with New York City would be disingenuous. Of course, that is not to say I am completely ignorant of The Big Apple, either. But, now that I have spent a fair amount of time exploring this city so close to my heart, I can honestly say I have seen more than many that spend their lives there.

Our walks would occur only once or twice a week. Generally, we would meet up at Penn Station or Union Square and begin walking. Sometimes with specific destinations, sometimes without. Walks usually would venture anywhere from 8 to 24 miles in each day. Locations included Flushing, all the neighborhoods of Manhattan, Yankee Stadium (before they tore down the old remnants of the real structure), Citifield, Prospect Park, Wall Street, Battery Park, The Cloisters, Chinatown (Oh! how we explored Chinatown!), Coney Island, and so many other places.

Our longest trek was when we met at Flushing and walked in a zig-zag down to Coney Island. It was a 24 mile walk in February, all the while I was sniffling because of a cold.

One of the themes on several of our walks included finding graffiti artwork. Information could be found online of specific pieces and locations, which we visited a few times. On one day in January we went to The Freedom Tunnel. A spot, I highly recommend checking out. Access was through a cut chainlink fence, which has been repaired since our visit. The tunnel runs over 50 city blocks underground. In the time that we walked maybe two trains came by. Light was provided from gratings up top, which provided spotlights onto walls which graffiti artists used to spraypaint their tags.

I must return sometime this fall as it is an ever evolving "gallery." I'm itching to redocument images.

Argillaceous: The Clay Invitational

I will be exhibiting at West Liberty University in West Virginia. The exhibition; Argillaceous: The Clay Invitationalat teh Nutting Gallery.

The exhibition begins on February 17 and will conclude on March 18, 2010. The opening reception will be on February 17 from 5:30-7:00 PM. While I will not be able to attend, I encourage all of my friends to drop everything they are doing and head down to the exhibition! Don't worry, I'll be there in my work!

Three Perspectives

I have been fortunate to have been chosen by the curator at Gallery North to exhibit my work.

My work consists of several vases and eight encaustic on porcelain pieces. The encaustic pieces were an experimentation of color and a varying finish to translucent porcelain. The application method attempted to use a limited palette to create an abstract, vibrantly active or subdued composition.

The exhibition is titled Three Perspectives:
Eleanor Berger, Nancy Bueti-Randall and Chris Vivas

January 15-ebruary 14, 2010
Opening Reception is Friday, January 15 from 5-7 pm

Gallery North is located in Setauket

Gallery North
90 North Country Road
Setauket, NY 11733
www.GalleryNorth.org
631 751 2676

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Lectures at Saint Joseph's College and Norwalk Community College

This past week I was fortunate enough to give lectures on my artwork and my artistic travels at two colleges.

First I spoke on my artwork and my travels to Europe and Japan at Saint Joseph's College in Patchogue, New York. The class was engaged and loved hearing me conclude my lecture with the story when I ran with the bulls and how it relates to my artistic philosophy.

Then I traveled to Norwalk Community College after being invited by one of the instructors. The lecture went very well, with many questions and comments. Critiquing each student's work was above what they expected from me, but I was excited to see what every student was working on. Great work!

A special thank you to Jaqueline Gelfuso and Mari Mogihara for the wonderful opportunities.

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