I heart Williamsburg

I just got back this week from a wonderful holiday with family and friends in New York City.  We stayed in Williamsburg at two different apartments that we found through airbnb. All of us loved Brooklyn with its wonderful neighbourhoods, the food, people, markets, galleries... ah, can't wait to go back and wander around some more. These are a few random snapshots of places and things I wanted to remember. I will scatter some good links throughout the post like this one for City Reliquary.

Williamsburg Bridge sign... looks like there is an 'h' here

Chris on the bridge with the artist, Peter Brock's work above and behind. Notice the dot on his bag too. Saw his wonderful show of mixed media sculptures at the Black and White gallery

funny lego sign on our way to the Brooklyn Flea

great sign on the Wythe Hotel

one of the apartments we stayed in, at the foot of the bridge

i think this was a barber shop

good place to make jewellery

comic store in Brooklyn, fun sign and art in window.  don't think they sell bread

fun table in little Italy

lovely little place in Brooklyn

ceiling at 30 Rock in front lobby

mural in progress above the highline

turtle pond in Central Park, bit creepy

Printing at Catch-23

After my big press break I was a bit stressed about how I was going to do all the printing for my upcoming show at Renann Isaacs Contemporary Art.  Thankfully, Ryan Price at Catch-23 offered me the use of his press and studio to print some of the plates that I had all ready to go. This space was my old studio quite a long time ago and it was a bit funny working in there at first but then once things got going was very nice.  Lots of good memories and great to have a bit of time to look at some of Ryan's wonderful drypoints and drawings. I am posting a few photos (which don't do his work justice) but you should look up his work.  The studio is also home to Ryan and Nadine's custom framing, Catch-23 and they do beautiful work.

R.I.P. Maurice Sendak

R.I.P. Maurice Sendak

Wild thing, state I 2002
Title Notes: 005-001
Creation Notes: This print was worked on over a seven year period (1977-1984), with only State proofs pulled. It was abandoned for editioning in 1984. The State proofs were signed in 2002.
Print, intaglio
Technique: etching, drypoint, aquatint with roulette additions
Support: white, wove, mould made, Lana paper
Manufacturer's Mark: no manufacturer's mark
Edition State: state I
Impression: 3/6
Edition: edition of 6 (no proofs)
Publisher: Tyler Graphics Ltd
Place Published: Mount Kisco, New York
Date Published: 2002

Edition Notes: Collaboration with artist and project supervision by Kenneth Tyler. Copper plate preparation by Rodney Konopaki and Paul Sanders. Proofing and edition printing by Tyler. One colour printed: black.

Printmaker/ Painter

Today at Renann Isaacs Contemporary Art (Saturday May 5th, 2-6pm) there is an art opening for her new show 'painter  printmaker, printmaker painter' featuring the paintings and prints of  Stu Oxley and  Neil Shawcross.  The work looks wonderful, check out the catalogue online here http://issuu.com/renannisaacscontemporaryart/docs/oxley-shawcross

for a preview.

Renann has also sent out a lovely interview with Neil at the Ulster Museum featuring his 

brilliant portrait paintings.  You can watch that here.

Wish I could post some pics of both artists fabulous work, but it's just not going to happen.

Peruse the catalogue and check out the show if you can.

The Craft of Being an Artist by Sarah Thornton

Click on the blue title to read the full article

Canadian Art -- The Craft of Being an Artist

Source: canadianart.ca

Have you ever noticed that, upon graduation from art school, many artists are hesitant to declare themselves as such? It would appear that a degree is not enough. In her second column for our site, author Sarah Thornton looks at credibility as the crux of being an artist.