Art Hound

artist crush: devin powers

September 5th, 2011 · No Comments

I happened upon Devin Powers’ work at Win Wilder Hall in Rockland, Me. A bit ironic because the artist is based in Brooklyn.

I love this quote by Powers on the essence of his work, “The big ideas and mysteries attracted me the most. I liked thinking about things just beyond the crest of understanding.”

I recently interviewed Justin Richel of Rangeley, Maine about his new large-scale work (including group show Wall Works) for New American Paintings. Some things I learned about the artist: the biggest misconception about his work is that it’s all light-hearted and whimsical, and despite the nature of his work he prefers vegetables to sweets. (As a self-professed sugar addict I find this last fact mighty impressive.)

First of all, it’s really exciting to see your work translated from paper to a large-scale installation in both the exhibit at the DeCordova and the CMCA Biennial. Do you see yourself doing more installations?

The shift in scale has opened up my practice to a whole new way of working. I’m really excited about the installation work right now. Doing the installation is a totally different experience than working in the studio. Working on site puts me in a position to make decisions quickly, rather than deliberating for hours over composition and formal choices, it’s really freeing. I just completed another install at the Ogunquit Museum of American Art here in Maine for an exhibition titled The Question of Drawing. It’s another incarnation of the “Whirling Dervish” with a few more parts and pieces. I’m really happy with the end result.

Your wall is in the museum’s cafe. Was it a different process of conceiving art for a place where visitors are thinking primarily about food not art?

Well, because of my subject matter, it really wasn’t a stretch for me to create art for the café space. It’s also hard to imagine anyone not thinking about art at the Decordova Museum, even in the café. The museum is quite special, it’s located on 35 acres of sprawling sculpture park nestled in a beautiful old growth forest. The museum itself has an interesting, and at times challenging, architecture. Fortunately the curatorial staff fearlessly makes use of every available space, inside and out, making for an entirely inspiring experience everywhere you look.

You sell prints on Etsy and through The Working Proof. How do you see this kind of business in the grand scheme of your art? If you were making $50K a painting, would you still sell prints?

This is an interesting question. At this stage in my career as an emerging artist, I think that it is important for me to reach as many people as I can. Selling prints is a way for me to make the work available to anyone who enjoys it. Art is for everyone, and I don’t think it should be exclusive. I think often folks get turned off by art because they think it’s only for the wealthy; not everyone can afford to collect art, however collecting prints can be just as rewarding. Any artist who is making $50K per painting is in a different stage in their career, which comes with a whole different set of guidelines. They are creating work that someone is paying a very high premium for. An artist who has reached this type of status also has a gallery who handles every aspect of sales, etc. You don’t typically find big name artists selling prints for $15-$30.

What’s the biggest misconception about you or your work?

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My work tends to be at first glance very light and whimsical, I think that a lot of people don’t see the underlying commentary or darker undertones. However I like this about the work. I want the viewer to be pulled in and delighted by the detail and color, and if they should want to look further into the work, my hope is that they see the message that is within. However I don’t think the success of the image depends entirely on my thoughts being conveyed to the viewer. Ultimately I’m satisfied if the viewer enjoys the work.

Read the rest of the interview on New American Paintings.

Jennifer Judd-McGee

November 18th, 2010 · 4 Comments

New work by Portland, Maine mixed-media artist Jennifer Judd-McGee. Judd-McGee was in the first batch of artists I took a liking to and she continues to evolve creatively and make great art. She’s one of those artists who’s been super successful on etsy (she’s had 1113 sales!), and she also has a first-rate blog about her life and artmaking in Maine.

And look at her beautiful photography of the Maine outdoors! This series is called ‘September Love.’

A Quick Visit to the Other Portland

July 12th, 2010 · 3 Comments

I spent a few hours yesterday afternoon checking out the art and design scene in Portland, Maine. I really wish I had had at least a full day there, but sadly we were just passing through. One of the few places on my wish list that I was able to visit was Eli-Phant, a shop full of handmade and designer goods. Next time I make it up to Portland I will be sure to hit up Angela Adams (which was closed), SPACE Gallery, Whitney Art Works, and The Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA.

While at Eli-Phant I was pleasantly surprised to find that they carry goods by many of my favorite designers: pillows and blankets by Donna Wilson, tea towels by Skinny LaMinx, posters by Nate Williams, and candle holders by Jean Pelle. It’s always so much fun to see stuff in person that I’ve been eye-ing online.

I also discovered some new designers, which is always the best! My favorite find at Eli-Phant were the wooden house trays by Emilie Ek (below). Aren’t they fabulous? The House, City, and Factory trays are available on the shop’s website for $58.

[Show as slideshow]

New American Realists @ Maine Gallery

July 11th, 2010 · No Comments

This weekend I was in Rockland, Maine and saw some gorgeous art on the more traditional side at the beautiful Dowling Walsh Gallery. Three artists really stood out to me: Stephen Hodecker, Bo Bartlett and Scott Kelley. These three realists paint prototypical American subjects that exemplify core American ideals of hard work, simplicity and natural beauty. Unfortunately, these paintings are beyond the reach of most modest art buyers.

Stephen Hodecker, who paints primarily with oil and egg tempura, was influenced by European and American realists, in particular Homer, Hopper, Sargent and Wyeth.

Bo Bartlett has been compared to American realists Thomas Eakins and Andrew Wyeth, whom the artist filmed for a documentary in the late 80’s. Bartlett splits his time between Pennsylvania, an island in Maine and Washington State. The stunning brunette in many of Bartlett’s paintings is his wife, Betsy Eby.

Scott Kelley lives on an island off the Coast of Maine and earlier in his career worked for the artist, Julian Schnabel. He grew up in a rural camp in the Adirondack Mountains and was inspired by the remaining isolated communities in the area. He paints with watercolor and gouache.

Live Drawing Rally @ Space Gallery in Portland, ME

October 3rd, 2009 · 2 Comments

draw your face off copy Sometimes I wish I could instantly transport myself to various parts of the country to take part in events that creatively re-interpret the way people interact with and experience art. After hearing about last night’s Draw Your Face Off rally at Space Gallery in Portland, ME, I really wish I could’ve made my way from Brooklyn to Portland last night!

The idea is simple: bring together some of the most talented local artists, invite the public to a live drawing rally and sell all of the work for just $20 each.

Thanks to The Pine Haven Collective for putting on the event!