10,000 Faces of Love

I started a new blog called 10,000 Faces of Love. It's a series of paintings that I started in February of 2012 and recently decided to continue. These paintings were inspired by relationships that I had and the feelings and emotions I experienced related to those. The titles for these pieces are also inspired by true situations and conversations.

Enjoy! And let me know your thoughts.
www.10000facesoflove.blogspot.com

"Good Night Into Infinity": official photos

Eventually It Subsided 

Distressed black paper, microbeads, glitter, thread on wall.
Dimensions vary, approximately 9 ft x 9 ft.
2012.

Get A Little Rest

Flower pods, thread, LED lights.
Dimensions vary, approximately 20 in x 20 in.
2012.

Good Night Into Infinity

Acrylic, glitter on wall.
4 ft x 4 ft.
2012.

I Haven't Had A New Thought In A Hundred Years

Paper, silver paint, thread.
30" wide.
2012.

It’s Called Shine

Black paper, microbeads, flocking powder.
12" x 12".
2012.

May Be I Need Some Ambiguity

Paper, chain, thread, mirror.
2012.

My Pearl Necklace

Charcoal, pearls, paper, t-pins on wall.
Approximately 4 ft x 6 ft.
2012.

My Winter Blanket 

Distressed black paper, microbeads, glitter, thread, white ink. 

4 ft x 6 ft. 

2012.

In A Cozy Place, Ready To Catch Up On Sleep And Feeling Ok

Air dry clay, wire mesh, beads, lamp.

4" x 18".

2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Came. I Am Alone

Distressed black paper, microbeads, glitter, white ink, thread. 

28” x 20”. 

2012.

All The Incredible Moments

Paper pulp grape seeds, spray paint, acrylic. 

6” x 6”. 

2012.

 

Sorry For The Very Very Delayed

Black paper, microbeads. 

16” x 16”. 

2012.

I Now Have Insomnia

Air dry clay, beads.
1” x 1” each.
2012.

I Promise To Share Openly Along the Way

Distressed wedding dress, worn by the artist.
2012.

A Full Moon Would Be Perfect

Foam, two-part plastic resin, drywall, wall paint, spackle, grape juice, icicle.
Approximately 4ft x 4ft.
2012.

"Night Sky" - a juried group show at Evanston Art Center

I am honored to be included in a group show titled Night Sky at Evanston Art Center. The exhibit is juried by Karen Hanmer and Vera Scekic.

"Night Sky argues for the relevance of a quintessentially human activity: looking up at the stars. The purpose of the exhibition is to reacquaint viewers with an experience that is in danger of extinction and explore the possibilities for reconnecting with a vital part of our biological, historical and cultural heritage." 

The opening reception is on Sunday, June 3rd, 1-4pm. There will be an artist panel discussion at 2pm, which I will be participating in.

A diverse group of 13 artists are participating in the show with different takes of the theme of Night Sky. I have two pieces. One of them is discussed in my previous blog post. The work will be for sale.

Please come out and bring your friends! This will be a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon in beautiful Evanston, IL.

Good Night Into Infinity - Opening Night

The dress was a part of the show and is titled
I Promise To Share Openly Along The Way.
I was carrying a bouquet of grapes.

My show of new work, titled Good Night Into Infinity, opened on Thursday, May 3rd in DeKalb, IL. What can I say: I had a blast! This event meant so much to me, it felt like I was organizing my own wedding. I didn't just make the art-work, I also did the event planning for it, which was exciting and a learning experience as well. I have converted my artist studio into a temporary gallery. That means: painted the walls, the floor, built extra walls and altered the space to contain site-specific installations. I made the invitations, prepared the space, cooked themed food (black with sparkles), set the table and set up the DJ.

The color theme of the show, as well as food, was:
black with sparkles. Black beans, black rice salad,
cupcakes, blackberries, blueberries, grapes,
grape juice and sparkling (hint-hint) water.

DJ Hummingbirdd spinning the best tunes at the afterparty.

 I wanted to create an experience for my guests which would offer something extra in addition to looking at the work. Let's face it: looking at art requires an effort. We need to concentrate, pay attention and may be even involve our brain and emotions. We have to find motivation to get up and trasport ourselves to those galleries, museums or friends' studios when we could be drinking beer or watching movies. So, the way I see it now - I appreciate the extra incentives or little surprises at the art openings. That's why I wanted to create "themed food" and have music for the after-party. And of course surprising everyone with my "outfit."

The opening was well attended mostly by local colleagues and friends as well as some guests from Chicago. I got a lot of good feedback and felt a true sense of accomplishment and pride for my work and the event that I put together. This was the biggest event I ever organized, especially with myself being at the center of it. I've never felt more satisfied with anything else I've done.

In the weeks and months preceding the exhibition I've been experiencing a great sense of flow: feeling focused, purposeful and joyful. I am so thankful for having a chance to pursue my true calling of being an artist and being fulfilled on this path.

A Full Moon Would Be Perfect

The talk of the night was the piece titled A Full Moon Would Be Perfect, which was a site-specific, time/temperature-sensitive installation. It involved an icicle suspended and dripping into the pull of dark water below.

A few more pieces posted below. More pictures can be seen here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150854967076170.437570.585386169&type=1&l=9dbef9bb24
My next goal is to have this show in a more prominent location, such as Chicago. I am currently looking for a space to do that.

May Be I Need Some Ambiguity

Good Night Into Infinity and Get A Little Rest

All The Incredible Moments

Close-up of Eventually It Subsided

Frank looking into In A Cozy Place,
Ready To Catch Up On Sleep And Feeling Ok

Anthropology of Lost Dreams

Two days before the show, I am still finalizing the titles for the work. I have most of them down but some pieces are still waiting for the perfect name. What’s special about these titles is that many of them are actual quotes from my diary or from the emails written to me or by me.

I went back and reread some of the most emotional email exchanges. I knew it would be sad but I was open to it and I was curious what I would find. It was like treasure hunting. I was trying to concentrate on the formal aspects of the language, but of course couldn’t help getting lost in the past drama.

I have to say that I was surprised by the clarity and ease with which I could now follow these conversations. I wasn’t constrained by fear and stress of delivering the perfect content or interpreting the messages in the most hopeful way - I could just see them for what they were.

I gathered quite a list of “titles.” Some of them will be used in this show. The amount of good titles makes me want to make more pieces just to be able to name them!

Here are some of my favorites:

“All The Things You Say Are True”

“Today I Can’t”

“If We Ever Get The Chance”

“Whatever Comes Naturally Is Fine”

“If All Things Were Figured Out”

“I Haven’t Had A New Thought In A Hundred Years”

“Soon I Will”

“Sorry For The Very Very Delayed”

100 Hand-made Postcards for "Good Night Into Infinity"

I decided to create hand-made postcards for my upcoming show "Good Night Into Infinity." Today I screen printed the text on 100 cards and then spend a couple hours dipping them into "silver" water, squeezing them and hanging/laying to dry. Each one is decorated with glitter and/or silver microbeads. They have quite a somber look and go perfectly with the theme and visual appearance of my show. In my work I use distorted black paper. That's why I chose to make the cards this way.

If you see me during the upcoming week you will probably get one of these from me. If not, you will be able to get one at the show on Thursday, May 3rd at my studio (temporarily converted into a gallery) in DeKalb!