The Miami International Art Fair HIGHLIGHTS Report I

My MIA Press Pass

I am back in the cold Northeast from a visit to Miami International Art Fair this past weekend where the weather was warm, and some of the art was hot.

Fortunately, I met a fellow blogger/artist F.L. Campello from the Mayer Fine Art Gallery whose work I was struck by and who quickly hooked me up with a press kit. The fact that bloggers have gained some respect was new to me, but makes perfect sense since we have the ability to start accessible information chains that can go viral rather quickly. So I am now considered viable press in these situations which is so very cool!

I returned with over 300 photos in tow of contemporary art that I can now break down and parcel out to you in digestible bits and pieces.
Overall the fair seem to have an overabundance of Latino artists represented. I'll begin this feast for your eyes and intellect with a few appetizers, click on pink links to see, read or learn more.

artist - Cornelis Zitman rep. Ascaso Gallery, Caraca Venezuela photo by m.diaz @ MIA

NOTE: a quick reminder (especially if you're new to following my blog), I don't prescribe to antiquated definitions of fine art vs. craft or that one is a higher art form over another- I can be free to do that since I am not confined to markets, or to inciting market value.

Regardless of being involved in education and the value of certain pieces to the art to the student, I am not driven by academic high-art-speak babble, which can unfortunately just be a guise for a lack of conviction and a way to bs around the human need for personal expression. So some of my top picks may be due to a variety of different reasons which can vary from the gallery's attitude, content, a specific appreciation for a technique or skill that is manifested in a particular element of art, or simply my personal taste.

My top picks may not be your cup of tea and will range from blue chip to University of Miami students, but hopefully you'll see some value in what I chose to highlight here since I certainly won't be posting all 300 photos.

Salustiano (B. 1969), Spain, Isabelle, Natural Pigments, Acrylic Resin on Canvas, from Kavachnina Contemporary gallery Miami,FL Photo by m.diaz @ MIA Salustiano (B. 1969), Spain, SMILE, Natural Pigments, Acrylic Resin on Canvas, from Kavachnina Contemporary gallery Miami,FL Photo by m.diaz @ MIA Valeria Rocchiccioli, Agua, Plastic photo by m.diaz @ MIA Valeria Rocchiccioli, Agua DETAIL1, Plastic photo by m.diaz @ MIA Valeria Rocchiccioli, Agua DETAIL2, Plastic photo by m.diaz @ MIA Spinello Gallery Enrique Gomez de Molina photo by m.diaz @ MIA Spinello Gallery Enrique Gomez de Molina photo by m.diaz @ MIA F.L. Campello, Lilith,Mayer Fine Art Gallery Nazar Bilyk, Rain, Black Square Gallery, Polyester resins, Glass, fiberglass toned as a Bronze, photo by m.diaz

This visit was incredibly educational for me not only in what is happening with some of 'the up and coming' and inspiring creative thinkers out there, but also in regards to some of the behind the art scene of gallery etiquette, conventions, loyalty, and their time, energy and economic investments, so once in a while I'll post a nugget of info in that regard as well.

- Ciao and enjoy!- Amarettogirl

On my way to MIA- Miami International Art Fair

Like a good blogger on Artful and creative living I am on my way to Miami tomorrow for the Miami International Art Fair!

I promise to come back chuck full of photos of more inspiring artists and hopefully some more inspiration to share! MIA features the Projects Gallery of Philadelphia Which represents this piece By artist Alex Queral, acrylic on carved telephone book

So stay tuned in with me while I blog about my trip and share what is sure to be some phenomenal artistic feats since I will spare you those that aren't! LOl!- ciao Amarettogirl

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Inspiring Artist You should Know: Denis Darzacq

Photo BY Denis Darzacq from his Hyper series Denis Darzacq is one of my top all-time favorite living artists. He is a French photographer that I would love love to interview (if I ever could be so honored). He is virally known for his most recent series 'Hyper', but I was introduced to him on the blogosphere with his earlier series entitled, 'La Chute (the Fall)'. Hyper is seemingly a continuation of his work in which he:

asks young street dancers from working class neighborhoods in Paris and Rouen to perform in the aisles of the "hypermarché," the massive supermarkets and global retail chains that have supplanted smaller shops in France and in many countries around the globe. Suspended in mid-air, these floating bodies bring an otherworldliness to common consumerism. Like baroque figures, the dancers rise and fall either victims or victors against the absolutism of globalized commerce. This opposition between being and having, between the person and the environment - a central theme in Darzacq's practice - questions the human cost of materialism.

La Chute was inspired by the 2005 riots in the housing projects ("banlieues") around the outskirts of Paris where many young, disenfranchised, and mostly immigrant inhabitants were blamed for much of the unrest. Like Hyper, the photographs present dreamlike scenes of hovering bodies but in this case they are contrasted against the sparseness of the desolate landscape. La Chute is a meditation on uncertainty, possibility, and desire in the face over overwhelming adversity.

LA CHUTE N° 09 BY Denis Darzacq

Last year I was in a two woman show with fellow artist Nova Gutierrez in the 2/20 Gallery in Chelsea, New York run and owned by Miguel Herrera. The theme of the exhibit revolved around our interpretation of the title of the show, the words 'Unearthly Woman'. Many (not all) of the pieces that I made for that show were loosely inspired by Denis Darzacq and his photographic work.

The Laurence Miller gallery states about Denis Darzacq's work:

The photographs explore the tension between being and having, between the human body and the built environment. They offer a fresh, witty and intensely colorful commentary on global consumerism and freedom of spirit.

I did not use Denis' images as that is not what I mean by inspired.

In fact, that is definitely a topic for future art-making posts, since it is sad and frustrating and much too frequent how many artists struggling for their own content can confuse inspiration with outright copying.

However, using his ethereal capture of frozen moments of the fall, I began to develop my own picture references of the female figure falling as a metaphor for my displacement within dual and competing cultures and locations (place and time) that I feel as a Nuyorican but also as my gender explorations are redefined from that of my biological sex.

Falling to me is a fascinating subject one in which even NPR's show Radio Lab has explored (that I would highly recommend listening to). Falling is at once a loss of control as it is a release of control and it is a fascinating state of altering time. I wanted my translations to be quick and loose, as opposed to my usually tight illustrated style, and done with unresolved marks that pushed the flavor of frozen motion. In my humble opinion, it is that frozen motion that Denis Darzacq captures so masterfully.

one of the charcoal and acrylic paintings for the Unearthly Woman Exhibit one wall of my work for UNEARTHLY WOMAN from last year's Chelsea NY exhibit- quick charcoal & acrylic paintings a scale shift as this is one of the smallest pntgs compared to the larger ones by me

What I'm hoping to convey today with this post is how an artist and their vision can be a catalyst to developing your own unique response and to exploring a communal idea uniquely. In addition, I hope to introduce you to this outstanding artist, his work, and process as he has now made it to one of my top creative minds list.

I also found this fantastic video that shows Denis at work with his process and I thought it an excellent addition to this inspiring artist you should know post:

A Special Stop Motion...

A year and a half ago my student Colin Alexander (now an alumni) developed this stop-motion for my hub and my Advanced Portfolio animation assignment entitled, The Zoo. Colin and I have often maintained a similar art aesthetic in our conceptual attraction to animal/human relations. And after so many other wonderful animations this particular one still holds a very very very special place in my heart. Colin has also just started his own portfolio site as he attends (the school that I attended for grad school) The Maryland Institute College of Art for his undergrad degree. After spending a treat overnight visit with Colin this Thanksgiving break I've decided to share all these wonderful and inspiring treats with you!

Considering an Etsonian Sleep and a Night of Fiction...

Come with me to my imagined bedroom...a night full of fiction and design delight with objects coming all from ETSY!

So lets start with full immersion into the fantasy- money is not a factor! Now, that the fictitious story is established, lets dream- since that is precisely what I do most in my bedroom. And I need to do that on a bed so the most important aspect of my room - the bed...say one had, oh say $10,ooo. to spare on a hot new bed...well I'd say this one is Sizzling! Check out this handmade wood tree bed by Attila Designs. Phenomenal Wood bed by Attila Designs from Finland on Etsy!

Then some tree pillows handmade by HomeCentric, and ooh a cozy cozy armchair slipcover by Biscuitscout who knits with multiple strands of wool and huge needles to create giant over sized knitting...whew now that is hot.

Wish tree Pillow by TheHomeCentric on ETSY!Hand Knitted Cream Aran Armchair Slipcover by BiscuitScout on Etsy!

Now its time for some art on the wall...

Watercolor painting of two turkey feathers by AmberAlexander on Etsy!

And every bedroom needs a self-portrait and in this case I think we need one to keep our wood theme going... So check out this wolf portrait cuz like I said its a fantasy night of fiction and I'm the wolf and them there feathers are all thats left of my dinner! Also a romantic bedroom lamp to inspire the secret- super unique by Creative Pal.

Beautiful Winter Wolf by Firewriter on Etsy!Shadowland Slumbering Nigtlight by Creative Pal on Etsy

Lastly my paws are going to need something soft to step on and all while maintaining the outside/in theme...

Pebbles Wools Felt Rug Carpet handmade by Krita in India available of Etsy

My Kate Cusack Inspired Plastic Wrap Marie Antoinette Wig!!

Every year I take on a very large and taxing wearable art/sculpture costume for a 15 min. walk of fame (thanks for pointing that out Mr. Warhol) in the Halloween parade at the school where I work. I mean how can I be a VISA teacher and not?

So last year I was a pretty gigantic butterfly and you can check that out here, but this year I decided to take it easy on myself and use some parts and pieces of old costumes. Since this year the murder mystery party that my hub & I are throwing is on a French Revolution theme - I decided to be Marie Antoinette. Honestly, I wanted to be the decapitated Marie but I just couldn't find anyone to sell me more hours in the day, so I had to settle for the regular intact Marie.

I was SUPER inspired by the phenomenal and beautiful plastic-wrap wigs made by designer Kate Cusack for Tiffany (which you should totally check out)and wanted to try my hand at it using only a 10 hour time frame. Here is the result:

My Marie Antoinette Wig made with plastic wrap and bags inspired by Kate Cusack

Note- If you want to blog about any of these images please be sure to give credit and link back to this site, Thank You :)

I'm planning on making a tutorial for this wig in November so that you can have your own masquerade ball any time of the year or set up for next Halloween early!

Tomorrow I will walk the parade in a pretty big get up- The skirt is an old wood frame skirt that I made to be the Queen of Hearts some years ago and it is MEGA big- so stay tuned for some pics of the WHOLE get up and my leeched white face!!

-Ciao Amarettogirl

October Winds

There are some new brightly colored leaves blowing on the horizon for this site during this awesome month of OCTOBER, my 'favoristist' month ever!

So let me start laying it out for you...WAIT FOR IT...

• HALLOWEEN DELIGHTS...I am the founder of the Black Hat Society and every year for the past 7 years my hub and I host a costume required annual Murder Mystery Dinner for All Hallows Eve...check out my hand-sculpted marzipan candied witch fingers! So get ready to see a NEW HALLOWEEN card and a line up of past favorites getting reprinted. Yikes!

• Author Interview and Podcasts!!! This month marks the release of Author, Rosie Molinary's new book Beautiful You: A Daily Guide to Radical Self- Acceptance and I have received a review copy (without payment) and been fortunate enough to land a phone interview! So as part of her blog tour I will featuring a review, the audio podcast interview, Q&A post and most likely an AWESOME giveaway all on OCTOBER 12th so be HERE!

• NEW ART! I've become a bit obsessed with working with inks lately and playing with computer manipulation so stay tuned for some of those!

• New BLOG face! I'm designing a new banner and refreshing the look of this site....woo hoo

• Introducing a new feature on BODY LOVE and being a BODY CHAMPION inspired by two my favorite blogging Latinas, Elsita from the Hidden Seed and Rosie as in the author of Hijas Americanas & Beautiful You! In fact, You can scroll down to the next post to check it out NOW.

• New sister links to this site!

I'm super excited to start posting the new entries routinely! Its going to be a busy month so check back often - and remember it might look different!

- Ciao

Inspiring Contemporary Artists @ The Opera Gallery in Soho NYC

So at the very end of my Soho day trip we passed one of the many galleries in the city and I said, 'Woah! Wait a minute I think that's a Sas Christian painting!" We quickly crossed the little cobblestone street and sure enough it was a Sas Christian painting there in the flesh.

The Opera Gallery between Mercer and Greene currently has not only some of Sas, but Colin Christian's, Lori Earley's and Camille D'Errico's art work all of which are some of my ultimate faves!

I discovered many of these artists who are now all pretty big names from earlier exposure from my art mag subscriptions Juxtapoz and Hi-Fructose! I own a Sas Christian book of her art and a print that was gifted to me but to see one up close and personal was priceless. many of her paintings are around 50 inches in size.

Fast Forward by Sas Christian Fast Forward Oil on Linen by Sas Christian Burn by Sas Christian Oil on Linen photo by m. diaz Hardcore Pink by Colin Christian Cosmic Kitty by Colin Christian photos by m.diaz Denise by Lori Earley photo by m.diaz Weeping Camel by Camille D'Errico photo by m.diaz

Hope you enjoyed this little contemporary art tour as much as I did ;)
- Ciao Amarettogirl

Chelsea Gallery Tour Part II

Baby Chick Starter kit by My Pet Chicken

Ok so- the performance that I am in is only 48 hours away! I hope I don't get stage-fright! I'm still on antibiotics, I'm lusting to get some new drawings done AND I ordered the baby chick starter kit! WOO HOO!!!

Soon I will show you the locale for the coop that I'm going to design and build so stay tuned. Tomorrow will be a full dress rehearsal and Thursday and Friday we're on. I play Betty Chumley (Doctor Chumley's wife) in Harvey (yes the same 1950 Harvey film with Jimmy Stewart).

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During the Chelsea tour I just so happened to stop in front of the Claire Oliver Gallery in which I had seen Judith Schaechter's work before and to my surprise there was a new, freshly mounted Judith Schaechter exhibit entitled Beauty and the Beef just mounted!! I hope you like my pics!

Using traditional copper foil and soldering techniques, Schaechter balances tradition and medium that harken back to the middle ages with an unmistakably contemporary style, aligned with those of underground comics and political satirists.

-The Claire Oliver Gallery

Judith Schaechter's You Are Here Stained Glass Lightbox Judith Schaechter's The Cold Genius (detail) Judith Schaechter's Widow Graphite on Paper Judith Schaechter's The Minotaur (detail) Judith Schaechter's Lockdown Stained Glass Lightbox

Paper-Cut Stop Motion Animation Inspo

Anyone who really knows me knows I am a book fanatic and I love to write. In fact, at this moment I am drowning in books on my side of the bed and have to walk over stacks and piles that block my path. I would say my weekly shopping addiction is in the form of books and magazines (and why yes the kindle and nook would solve some of the obvious three-dimensional problems and I might one day look into them) I love the feel, smell and handling of a physical book in my hands.

Anyway, I digress. I live with the dichotomy of creating visually artistic work when I'm not writing and writing when I not creating visual art...and you all know I love me some stop-motion!

I bring all of this up, because The New Zealand Book Council has cleverly brought the two together with this phenomenal and very inspiring little ditty- if you have 2 minutes and 11 seconds you need to treat yourself to this:

Produced by Colenso BBDO
Animated by Andersen M Studio

One day I will finish my hub and I's stop-motion...one day...

-Ciao Amarettogirl