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Art and Art Deadlines.com

Category: Emerging Artists

CALL for ENTRIES: Junk Metal Sculpture

Learn more about the Junk Metal Sculpture exhibit at the Shaviq Gallery!

THE FIRST CUT

There is nothing like the beginning.  My first class at Johnson & Wales was knife skills.  I will never dice a vegetable again…only brunoise.  I will never again cut matchstick size vegetables –only allumette.   This next call is from a burgeoning gallery and may give a few of you your first shot at metal sculpture.  For others, you might discover the beginning of a career in junk art.  Seize your beginning…

Check out this Call for Entries from the Shaviq Gallery (Rapid City, SD) for Junk Metal Sculpture.  The entry fee is cheap, the commission is unusually low, and the show length is long.  You can’t ask for better circumstances for art sales.  Take a look…

Learn more from the Shaviq Gallery!CALL for ENTRIES:
Junk Metal Sculpture
from Shaviq Gallery

ELIGIBILITY:  Open to all U.S. artists

MEDIA: Junk metal sculpture 

DEADLINE:  December 22, 2010

NOTIFICATION:  December 29, 2010

ENTRY FEE:   $25 for up to 6 ($6 ea. add’l)

JURORS:  John Lopez, Metal Sculpture Artist.  Sculptor John Lopez was born and raised in Western SD.  His western & rodeo theme bronzes have been well received & have sold all over the country from CA to NY.  For the past 10 years, John has been working on The City of Presidents project in Rapid City SD, creating bronze sculptures of the presidents. In the midst of a successful career in bronze sculpting, Lopez discovered scrap iron sculpting. See Blonde pictured above right.

James Van Nuys, a realist painter & sculptor, is one of the finest interpreters of the SD landscape.  Van Nuys was born in Whittier, CA and has lived intermittently in Rapid City,SD most of his life. He attended Wilmington College, graduating with a double major in art & music. Shawn Wilson, owner of the new Shaviq Gallery, designs beautifully unique jewelry consisting of natural stone, repurposed wire, bright colors of glass, broken jewelry, old buttons, dead watches, even tea bag tags.

SALES: The gallery will retain 35% commission

For all the details, visit the full Call for Entries!

Learn more from the Shaviq Gallery!

Save

ARTIST REPRESENTATION: Hudson Gallery

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CONQUER THE WORLD

I have kept most of my art-related  Rejection Letters over the years.  And along with those letters, I have kept a US map to mark off each show with the goal being to hit every state in the continental US before I make the move to conquer the world…and all of its delicious food, of course.  I’m making progress.  For those of you trying to conquer the Ohio art market, this next call for gallery representation is for you.

The Hudson Gallery has an open call for Portfolio Review.  Do you homework and then submit your work.  No entry fee and guaranteed response regardless of the outcome.  What do you have to lose?

CALL for SUBMISSIONS:  The Hudson Gallery

The Hudson Gallery will review portfolios from artists seeking representation. Please take a detailed looked at their web site and/or visit the Gallery prior to sending them your materials. Always do your homework. 

Learn more about the Hudson Gallery!Once you have some understanding of their curatorial interests and feel your work is an appropriate fit, please send images using the guidelines below. 

MEDIA:  They are interested in all media including painting, drawing, mixed media, printmaking, sculpture, and the fine crafts.

PORTFOLIOS:  They accept portfolios throughout the year, while occasionally calling for something specific. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of your materials. They do not take appointments to review materials or view portfolios during gallery hours. They do not accept email submissions.  All submissions will receive a gallery response.

SUBMISSION MATERIALS: 

10 – 20 images of recent work labeled with your name, title of the piece, date of completion, medium, dimensions, and retail price.

Learn more about the Hudson Gallery online!Support materials: include a cover letter, resume, artist statement, recent articles or reviews about your work, and announcement cards from previous exhibitions.

A self-addressed stamped envelope for return of materials.

NOTIFICATION:  Expect 1-3 Months for gallery response.

ATTN: Scott Hudson
HUDSON GALLERY
Portfolio Submission
5645 North Main Street
Sylvania, OH 43560

NO CALLS PLEASE.  Portfolios may be submitted in person at the gallery but will not be reviewed at that time.

ABOUT THE GALLERY:  Hudson Gallery relocated in 2006 into its current space in a restored building dating back to the mid 1800’s.  Located at street level in the historic downtown section of Sylvania, Ohio, the gallery is widely recognized as one of the regions premier venues for original art.

The gallery remains committed to its original philosophy of exhibiting the work of contemporary artists from this region next those with national appeal across many disciplines and media.   Their hope is to bring gifted new talent into the spotlight as well as showcase those artists demonstrating a lifelong commitment to the art world.

Not interested in representation?  Take a look at their Call for Entry for the NOW WOW show!

ART CONTEST: Charlatan Ink Art Prize

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GOBBLE, QUACK, OINK!

Sometimes you have to take a risk to have anything worth having.  On Thanksgiving, risk takes on a different status altogether.  We aren’t a turkey family.  We have dabbled in duck, but we usually succomb to consuming a honey glazed ham.  But, to all those that deep fry turkeys or make their own turduken, bravo!  It always takes risk to reap serious reward.  This call is no different.

Check out this Call for Entries for the Charlatan Ink Art Prize.  The entry fee is a whopping $50 per piece entered, but the judges are exemplary…and the Grand Prize is $25,000.  And I think the second place prize is even better.  Take a chance…

CALL for ENTRIES:  Charlatan Ink Art Prize

The Charlatan Ink Art Prize for the Visual Arts will be held biennially in New York from 2011 onwards, but in an innovative twist will be traveling every other year around the globe.  Possible venues for 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018 are in chronological order Brisbane/Australia; Graz/Austria; Cracow/Poland and Shanghai/China.

Learn more about the Charlatan Ink Art Prize!ELIGIBILITY:  The Charlatan Ink Art Prize for the Visual Arts is open to all artists practicing visual art.  Art works submitted for the Charlatan Ink Art Prize must conform to each year’s specified theme. Artists may interpret the theme in any way that fits with their art practices, however the theme has to be visually present within all artistic interpretations.

THEME:  ‘Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?’

MEDIA:  Accepted:  painters (in any medium & stylistic expression from classical painting to collages to illustrations to graffiti to drawing to print); photographers (film/digital); sculptors (3D works/jewellery); film-makers (video/film-camera/animation film); conceptual artists (working in all mediums mentioned above); and crafts (from pottery to weaving to carpet-looming).

ENTRY FEE:  US$ 50.00 (including TAX) handling + administration fee has to be paid for each work entered. Two works can only be entered in each year’s competition. An individual work may not be submitted more than once. Should this occur, the Charlatan Ink Partners reserve the right to disqualify the entry.

Sponsored in part by the Carlton Arms Hotel!DEADLINE:  February 15, 2011

NOTIFICATION:  After April 15, 2011

JUDGES: 

Anthony Lister‘s “tireless approach to living is an unrelenting approach to art. What is evident in his work is the inability to remove a man’s life from his creations.  Studio, gallery and museum shows aside, his name and imagery is on street corners worldwide accessing a massive audience by way of stickers, aerosol paint and all manner of markers.  His paintings, drawings, sculptures and happenings pull from his experiences as a youth in Australia and participating in the repetition as a father of two. Superheroes, skateboarding, graffiti, Australian gangster celebrities, television, jail birds, tattoos, the internet, pop and advertising resurface in his art practice.”  from Too Heavy For Superman by Joseph Allen Shea.

Judge Winston SmithWinston Smith:  From 1977 to the present: has worked on numerous Punk record covers, posters, logos and flyers for American, British and Italian bands including Dead Kennedys, D.O.A., Green Day, Lard, and spoken word projects for Jello Biafra. Also designed album art for Ben Harper, Tijuana No, Alternative Tentacles projects, Emily the Strange, George Carlin and others.  Books include three volumes of Collage Art published by Last Gasp of San Francisco, as well as works in countless other books as covers and inside (both as illustrations and for personal interviews), including illustrations for magazines such as The New Yorker, Playboy, Spin, The Progressive, Mother Jones, Amazing Stories, etc.

Marlene Antico has many years of experience in sourcing and collecting fine art for private and corporate collections.  As a professional art consultant, she assists her clients to develop a comprehensive, high-quality collection and in the sale of their artwork on a consignment basis when required.   Marlene Antico’s expert guidance ensures that both the experienced collector and the first time buyer derive satisfaction from their art purchases. She also works in tandem with architects and interior designers with sourcing work for their clients.

Judge JB BerkowJB Berkow: “I have been exhibiting and selling my work for more than forty years. In 1976 at age 27 I founded the most well-known cooperative gallery in the country, “Touchstone Gallery,” located in Washington, D.C.  My work is in the permanent collection of the Vatican Contemporary Art Collection…not bad for a nice Jewish girl! 

It has never been enough for me to show and sell my own work, for whatever reason I have always been interested in promoting other artists’ work. That is the reason that I went on to found “Frenchman’s Art Gallery and Studios, Inc.” in 1994 and opened “RosettaStone Fine Art Gallery” and “RosettaStone Corporate Art Consulting.”

Ed McCormack, a former columnist and feature writer for Rolling Stone, and one of the original contributing editors of Andy Warhol’s Interview, has written extensively on art and popular culture for the Village Voice and numerous other publications. Presently, with his wife Jeannie McCormack, he co-publishes the New York art journal Gallery & Studio.  McCormack’s most pressing present project is a memoir called Hoodlum Heart,” of which he says, “It’s all about what it was like to be the test dummy for the crash and burn generation, an epic work of shameless name-dropping and self-libel that is bound to create a scandal.”

Judge Bing DaweBing Dawe:  Since graduating from the University of Canterbury School of fine Arts in the mid 1970s Bing Dawe has exhibited extensively throughout New Zealand and overseas.  He has held over 40 solo exhibitions including a major survey exhibition at the Robert McDougall Art Gallery in his home town of Christchurch in 1999.  His work is held in most public and private collections in New Zealand. In 1999 he was the winner of a major national art award, The Visa Gold James Wallace Award.

Learn more about the Charlatan Ink Art Prize online!PRIZES: 

The Winner of the inaugural Charlatan Ink Art Prize for the Visual Arts 2011 shall receive the Charlatan Ink Art Prize Silver Ink Well and US$ 25,000.00 in Prize Money.

The artist with the second highest point score awarded by the jury shall receive the Charlatan Ink Encouragement Prize, which includes a 6 week artist residency at the Carlton Arms Hotel, New York*, a Canon G11 Camera and US$ 1,000.00.

Furthermore Endeavor Printing will print an exhibition catalog (softcover, max. 75 pages in an edition of 200) for an exhibition the artist might undertake within the next twelve months of the Second Prize win.

The artist with the third highest point score awarded by the jury shall receive a twelve months art expose on the CHARLATAN INK Website, hosting the artist’s portfolio.

To encourage galleries to forward to their artists all relevant information concerning the Charlatan Ink Art Prize, Charlatan Ink Publishing & Endeavor Printing have committed themselves to print for the gallery that has encouraged the Winner to participate in the Charlatan Ink Art Prize, a first class exhibition catalog in an edition of 300 copies (softcover, max. 100 pages).

For all the details, visit the Charlatan Ink Art Prize website!

ARTIST RESIDENCY: Printmaking

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FIRST CHANCES

People tend to applaud those that give second chances.  But what about those that give you the very first chance?  Well, not every first chance is a winner.  I may never forgive the person who gave the fried dill pickle its first shot on the menu, but there are lots of others that make up for that little snafu.

Check out this Call for Proposals from the Lower East Side Printshop for their Special Editions Residency Program.  It is a non-profit printshop that doesn’t require that you have printmaking experience to apply.  There doesn’t seem to be an application fee.  And, you know you wanna try your hand at printmaking…

ARTIST RESIDENCY:
Printmaking at the Lower East Side Printshop

Learn more about the Lower East Side PrintshopSpecial Editions Residency Program is a competitive national residency program for emerging artists to create new work through exploration of printmaking. The Lower East Side Printshop offers an opportunity to complete an important new body of work in collaboration with one of our two experienced master printers, fully sponsored by the Printshop.

Learn more about the Lower East Side PrintshopArtists, with or without printmaking skills, are provided with technical assistance, financial support, time and studio space to explore printmaking and complete a new body of work.

Experimentation and exploration of new materials and processes are welcome.

The Printshop documents the artwork digitally, in printed materials including the annual catalogue, and on the Internet.  The Printshop also provides exposure opportunities through on- and off-site exhibitions and studio visits.

Awarded artists work alongside other emerging and mid-career artists in the Printshop’s Collaborations Studio.

RESIDENCY INCLUDES:
1. 12 day-long collaboration sessions
with a master printer during a period of three to six months, plus, production/editioning service; independent studio access during the residency;
Learn more about the Artists Studio at the Lower East Side Printshop2. All materials, full access to tools and equipment;
3. up to $4,000 stipend;
4. Catalogue;
5. Printed and Internet publicity and free slide documentation;
6. Limited travel and accommodation stipends for artists who live outside of NYC.

ELIGIBILITY: Special Editions Residencies are limited to emerging artists only. The Printshop defines emerging artists as those who are under-recognized and under-represented, at early stages in their careers.  Students enrolled in any kind of degree program are not eligible.  Only artists who are current legal residents of the US are eligible to apply (i.e., Social Security cardholders).  Past recipients of the Special Editions Residencies are ineligible.

MEDIA: Artists from all disciplines and cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply, printmaking experience is not required.

DEADLINE:  December 2, 2010

NOTIFICATION: All applications will be evaluated for their artistic excellence by the selection panel consisting of five artists and art professionals. Selection will be completed in February 2011.  All applicants will be informed of the panel’s decision by email.

Tattered Edgings copyright Havard Homstvedt 2008 aquatint screenprint collageAPPLICATION CHECKLIST:
1. Up to 8 images
of recent work on a CD. Images should be in JPEG format, resolution 200 pixel/inch, maximum dimensions 800 x 800 pixels, RGB color mode.  Title each image as “your last name_your first name_#” (ex. Smith_Pat_3.jpg).  Images will be projected from a Mac computer.  Write your name on the CD.

2. Image list: your name, work title, year, medium, and dimensions

3. Artistic resume

4. Application form

5. Names and contact information for two references

Print out all documents & mail with your image CD.  Application materials will not be returned. Please do not send any add’l materials.  the Selection Panel will not review unsolicited material.  continues below

Learn more about the Lower East Side Printshop!

ABOUT THE PRINTSHOP:   Lower East Side Printshop, founded in 1968, is a not-for-profit studio in New York City that helps contemporary artists create new artwork and advance their careers.  Through the Printshop’s workspace residency programs, artists receive space and time to work, stipends, technical assistance, career development, and public exposure.  With its exhibitions, open studios, education, and other public programs, the Printshop serves as a junction for artists, collectors, museums, galleries, and educational institutions to access and engage in contemporary art.  With over 160 artists served each year, the Printshop is the largest print workspace in the U.S.

Questions? Visit PrintShop.org!

CALL for ENTRIES: Scroll Bowl V

Click to Subscribe to www.ArtAndArtDeadlines.com by Email!BOWLING FOR SCROLLS

I’m told the Super Bowl is in January.  I say, “I’m told” because a football would have to hit me square between the eyes to make me aware of when the season begins or ends for any sport.  Yep, I’m just not that girl.  Interestingly enough, the idea of the Super Bowl does conjure image of very specific foods for me despite the fact that I’ve never been to a Super Bowl party.  Hmmmm… Chicken Wings anyone?

This next Call for Entries is for the Scroll Bowl V sponsored by Magazine 22.  The only similarity between this Call for the Scroll Bowl V and the Super Bowl?  They are both in January and both have Bowl in the name, but I had to start somewhere, eh? *Editor’s note:  4 hours after this post went live, the venue and date changed.  See edits below noted in green italics…

CALL for ENTRIES:  Scroll Bowl V

Submit to Scroll Bowl V today!

SCROLL BOWL V will be the featured event at The 22 Magazine Launch Party, on April 2nd, 2011.  Harnessing the ancient power of scroll storytelling, some of world’s finest creators gather to show off their work on large and small rolls of parchment.  Scroll art is one of the oldest forms of storytelling, and the folks at The 22 Magazine want to make the experience of viewing a scroll more accessible to everyday life.

Check out the Scrollie Viewer on YouTube!MEDIA:  There are many different ways to approach art on scrolls, and they ask artists to push those limits-linear storytelling to abstract ideas.

Larger format works are shown on their huge SCROLLIE VIEWER, but they also appreciate smaller format or long scrolls that hang on the wall.  Solo, group collaborations, video or performance pieces are acceptable.  How each artist attacks the “page” is what makes these events fun.

WHERE:  The Scroll Bowl V will take place at Frost Street Art Space in Williamsburg (Brooklyn), an exciting new gallery and screening venue that provides live online streaming of events!  Click here for videos of the space. 

From the organizers:  “What this [change of venue] means for the artists is 1) A week long show instead of one night  2) documentation of the actual event via 4-7 installed cameras  3) live streaming of the event online and  4) more space and much nicer venue. ”

Submit to Scroll Bowl V today!HOW TO SUBMIT:  All submissions (in the form of images or links) can be sent to the22magazine@gmail.com. Please put “SCROLL BOWL SUBMISSION” in the subject line.

DEADLINE:  December 30, 2010 or until the show is full.  New deadline March 16, 2011.

ELIGIBILITY:  Artists in any location are welcome to submit.  Although they cannot fund anyone’s travel expenses,  the folks at The 22 Magazine will be happy to present your scroll for you if you cannot make it to the event.

Clear as mud?  Email The 22 Magazine for details!

Learn more about The 22 Magazine!

ARTIST REPRESENTATION: Call from fuelNYC

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FEED ME,
APPLE!

The Big Apple is a mecca for art, theatre and food.  I love the idea of being able to eat virtually any ethnicity of food at almost any time of the day, ha.  But for many, New York City is the holy grail of “making it” as an artist.  For those of you that cannot move to New York to pursue your holy grail, this next opportunity will get you a little closer.

Check out this Call for Submissions from fuelNYC.com for online store representation.  This FREE Call could also get you a Featured Artist spot on their site and a New York City group show or two.  What could you possibly have to lose by trying?

Learn more about fuelNYC online!ARTIST REPRESENTATION:
fuelNYC.com

fuelNYC.com is an online resource for art and culture based in New York City which offers many free services for artists, the community, and small businesses…including some art deadlines like here at AAAD!

Although they are dedicated to serving the under-represented artists, galleries, and businesses of Queens and Brooklyn, we also offer many resources for the international community.

Representation includes a Featured Artist Spot like this one of Kit BrownfuelNYC.com is currently accepting submissions for representation in it’s online store.  Representation includes a Featured Artist spot for one month on it’s home page and inclusion in two exhibitions annually in New York City.

COMMISSION: The store takes a 50% commission and pays in around 30 days. A simple consignment agreement will have to be signed with fuelNYC.

Work by fuelNYC represented artist JM Rizzi!ENTRY FEE:
There is no entry fee to be considered for representation by fuelNYC.
Work by fuelNYC-represented artist JM Rizzi pictured right.

MEDIA:
fuelNYC.com is looking for works on paper, prints, stencils, etc. with a $500 max retail price.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
Just send the URL of your website to fuelNYC through their Contact Page!

You won’t find this Call for Submissions on their website,  if you have questions,
Email fuelNYC.com!

ARTIST RESOURCE: Free Photography Showcase

Click to Subscribe to www.ArtAndArtDeadlines.com by Email! IT’S RAINING DUCK

What are the odds that I could find a reason to mention duck twice in one week?  When it rains it pours I suppose.  This week has just been a deluge of odd, free or inexpensive and/or unusual calls and opportunities.  Well, this little duck of a call is a tasty one…rivaling my own rare Thanksgiving specialty, honey curried duck.

Check out this Call for Submissions from the blog of Duckrabbit Digital.  Take advantage of this opportunity to have your photography featured.  Their blog seems to be picking up steam, and there is no entry fee.  Enjoy!

CALL for SUBMISSIONS:  Free Photography Showcase

Duckrabbit Digital is an online-artisan printing company, and they run a well-trafficked blog in conjunction with their printing business. They have started a new weekly series profiling photographers. 

Visit the Duckrabbit Digital Blog!They are looking for images that have interesting stories behind them, as well as being strong images in their own right.
(in other words, good photography)

DEADLINE:  January 7, 2011

ENTRY FEE:  None

ELIGIBILITY:  Open to All

If you are interested, e-mail Duckrabbit Digital your small photo (just one please), and tell us the photo’s story. They will notify you shortly if you have been accepted, and set up a date for your work to be showcased.

Any Questions?  Email Duckrabbit Digital!

ART PUBLICATION: Art Forum Ad Project

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COOKIE MONEY

Money is necessary to buy food… or the seeds to grow food… or to rent the land to grow the plants you pinched from someone else.  The point is that money is necessary at some point in the equation As a result, I am known for being particularly sensitive to entry fees and costs associated with putting your art out there.  But I ran across one opportunity, I just HAD to share with you.

Remember my little $2 Art Contest?  I have been outdone by the $1.50 Art Forum Ad Project.  Yep.  $1.50.  You can’t buy a decent cookie for $1.50, but you can advertise your art…albeit tiny.  Check it out…

ART ADVERTISING:
The Art Forum Ad Project

This project, a conceptual artwork by artist Jeff Thompson, allows for 4,200 artists to have their work seen in Artforum magazine.

Check out Artforum Magazine online!Each participant, paying $1.50 USD and sending their image electronically, will then have their piece, along with all the other participating artists, in an advertisement. Of course, due to the number of artists needed to raise the money for this venture, the images themselves will be quite small… about 3/16″ x 3/16″. (think pencil eraser size, but square.)

FEES: You make a payment of $1.50 using PayPal and send an image of your work. The image is shrunk to the 3/16″. When $4,200 is raised, the ad is sent to Artforum to be published.

The final advertisement and all participating artists will be listed on a revised version of www.artforumadproject.com after publication.

SUBMISSIONS:   You can submit payment via PayPal to artforum@jeffreythompson.org, then send your image via email. Please send images sized no larger than 5″ x 7″, 300 dpi. Be sure to include your PayPal confirmation number with your image.

Have Questions?  Email Jeff Thompson!

*Editor’s Note:  This IS NOT endorsed by Artforum Magazine.  And no, I cannot guarantee this is not a scam.  Lots of these projects exist.  But, I would also like to remind you that you have wasted $1.50 before…I guarantee it.  So, if you’re feeling adventurous and don’t have the time or money for skydiving…take a chance.

FEATURED ARTIST: James Melcher

Click to Subscribe to www.ArtAndArtDeadlines.com by Email!DUCK of the MONTH!

The best thing about judging the $2 Art Contest is getting to play “I wonder.”  As in, I wonder what this artist is really like.  I generally look at an artist’s work first.  I don’t want anything else to interfere with my opinion of the work.  And although we are taught as children that you can’t judge a book by its cover, we are also taught “If it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck and looks like a duck, it is probably a duck.”  And, more often than not, I can figure out an artist’s philosophy from their work alone.  Sometimes I am surprised.  But what I always remember in the end…there are no two alike…all lovely little odd ducklings.  This month was no different.

Learn more about Featured Artist James Melcher!

And the winner is…

The entries I receive each month for the $2 Art Contest are incredibly varied. I see work from every imaginable media, from artists at every level of their careers–some polished and PR savvy, some more vulnerable, but honest.  This month, the winner is happy and optimistic, and since we are all headed into sometimes stressful and often melodramatic holidays… I thought we could all use some sunshine.

The Featured Artist chosen from October entries is James Melcher. Melcher’s work has a carefully chosen randomness to it that both makes me wonder and makes me smile.  I would own his work.  That is one of the many tests for any artist, wouldn’t you say? 

The beginning of the mosaic paintings at Tartooful!FEATURED ARTIST:
James Melcher

James Melcher was born in Cleveland, Ohio where he received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in ceramics from the Cleveland Institute of Art.  After graduating, James spent a decade first in Southeast Asia, then Italy, and finally New York City before moving to Canada in 1996. Vancouver, British Columbia is now his home,  and Melcher claims the spectacular mountainous landscape and glimmering glass towers as his daily inspiration.

While I am drawn to the Melcher’s line drawings.  I simply could not avoid the elephant in the room–the mosaic paintings.   I was not shocked to find out that the mosaic paintings began as an happy accident:

“This whole thing began when I unrolled old polka dot, acrylic on canvas paintings and started cutting them up. I was in a kind of creative block and really didn’t know what I was doing. I cut out circles and then cut them in half and like a kid started playing with fitting the pieces together. I ended up gluing these down to small canvases and called them cut-outs.” (pictured above left)

April Mosaic by James Melcher“The mosaic paintings began kind of by accident – A pile of strips, left over from all the trimming of the cut-out pieces, was collecting dust and I was going to throw it out. Instead I started playfully laying them together in rows – ‘April Mosaic’ (pictured right) is the culmination of that “Strips” series. This led to delving more into pattern and to more purposeful decisions about color combinations.”

“I continued to cut up old works on canvas to make new mosaic paintings until I ran out of old work! Now there is more of a conscious plan and design although I also let the work “speak” to me and go where it tells me to go! There is still the occasional coming together of pieces on the studio floor and that’s where new ideas are born.” –James Melcher

After studying the work & the process,
I went to the food for the real scoop…

Patterned Mosaic Painting by James Melcher

Favorite Food?
Premium cut steak and potatoes
with an occasionally guilty binge of Doritos.
No deep, dark happiness issues there.

And what of his favorite artists?
The inspirational mentors?

Matisse, Mondrian, Warhol, Gehry.
Not a particularly optimistic lot,
but I can see the stylistic/artistic inspiration.

I was certain he was hiding something.

How does he classify his own work?
Modernism, Color Field, Pattern painting.

What makes this artist tick? 
Where is the quirk? 
Where is the secret?

http://jamesmelcher.net/stu-exh/exh-9.htmlAnd then I got to the final quiz question…What is your next big project?  And then I found my answer within his:  “I have Four!  The Artist Project in Toronto – March 3-6, 2011 is a BIG Project that I am in the full swing of producing and getting prepared for…Getting my book “Memory Mosaic” published…Moving to Europe…And, I would love to complete a large-scale art installation somewhere!”

Eureka!  The king of random pattern is fueled by frenzy.  This artist does not suffer from the motivational anorexia of which I warn.  His life will not pass him by.  He is caught up in his own whirlwind of pattern and placement.  Lookout world James Melcher’s headed your way.

Learn more about James Melcher online!

Want to be a Featured Artist on www.ArtAndArtDeadlines.com?
Check out the $2 Art Contest!

ARTIST RESIDENCY: Blue Sky Project

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BEAM ME UP!

It is getting cold in the Smokies, folks…and I LOVE it.  And I love to tell you about exotic getaways that will allow you to learn a new culture or climate.  Remember the residency call for Roswell, NM?  I was all set to bake alien shaped cookies (like these from organic bakery Beautiful Sweets).  Well, this next Call for Residency applications is a great opportunity, and it may even be a new climate for you…but it isn’t likely to be any warmer.

Check out this Call for Submissions to the Summer Residency Blue Sky Project.  This is an eight-week chance to make a difference with your art. 

CALL for SUBMISSIONS:
Summer Residency Blue Sky Project

Learn more about the Blue Sky Project online!

Blue Sky Project invites professional artists from around the world and Dayton-area teens to create new works of contemporary art.  This eight-week Artist-in-Residence Program hosts artists who have a demonstrated commitment to innovation and exploration and are interested in collaborating with fellow artists and young people as a means of creating new works.

ELIGIBILITY: Visual Artists, Artist/Activists, Filmmakers, writers, dancers, musicians, theatre performers, and people working in other creative media are encourage to apply.

As a Blue Sky Artist-In-Residence, you will cross-pollinate with other practicing artists, collaborate with teens, expand your ideas and add artistic breadth and depth to the Dayton community.

LOCATION:  Relocated for 2009 to Ohio from our original location in Illinois, artists gather for eight weeks from mid-June to mid August at the University of Dayton, located 2 miles from downtown Dayton.

Afro-Galaxy Automythography Collaborative by Resident Artist Mequitta Ahuja in 2007DETAILS:  Monday – Thursday, from 10-3:30 are devoted to intensive collaborations between each individual artist and a small group of six to eight local teen participants, culminating in a final exhibition. Artists-in-Residence invent the remaining structure, working together or individually on projects. Their hope is that the projects will seep out, intervene, enhance and impact the community.

SUBMISSIONS:  Your recent studio practice & new ideas should provide the foundation for your activities. Because of the collaborative nature of Blue Sky, your project must have an open-ended structure. 

BUDGET: Your project must be achievable in eight weeks, within a $1,000 budget (excluding final exhibition expenses) and must engage others in its articulation and production. The rest is up to you.

DEADLINE:  January 17, 2011

Previous projects have included: sculptural sound installation, self-published zine of local interviews, performance, musical composition, dance installation, filmmaking, photographic re-imaginings of local sites and nature interventions.  See Afro-Galaxy Automythography Collaborative by Resident Artist Mequitta Ahuja in 2007 pictured above left.

For complete details, visit the Blue Sky Project website!

The Blue Sky Project is a program of Involvement Advocacy!