Chicago Artists Month- OPEN STUDIO: October 8th, 2010

OPEN STUDIO EVENT

October 8th, 2010- 5-9PM

Studio #609

410 S Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL, 60605

773/561-0825

Yes! This month has been nominated the ARTISTS MONTH. There is a lot of cultural activity in Chicago from art exhibits, neighborhood art walks, workshops, & open studios.
As part of these series of events, I joined the kick off party of the 40th Annual Pilsen East Artists Open House (http://gapersblock.com/), and walked along Halsted St. coming in and out of artist studios. I saw interesting work and performaces.
As continuation of Friday's mood, I went to Myopic Books in Wicker Park (http://www.myopicbookstore.com) to a presentation called "Two Way Tarot Mirrors", a collaborative writing project which is part of the Fifth Annual Chicago Calling Arts Festival http://www.chicagocalling.org). I never knew about the Chicago Calling Group. I received an invitation via FB, got interested in the title (as I am into tarot cards and actually collect them) and went without any expectation. And... it was a good! collaborative writing project event; the participant writers certainly knew how to get the audience engaged in the process- really interactive. I enjoyed myself.

MY STUDIO WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON ...

 

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2010

5:00PM-8:00PM

 

FINE ARTS BUILDING

410 S MICHIGAN AVE #609

CHICAGO IL 60605

773/561-0825

And ... "Not Quite There Yet" is about to close ...

Fragile Leaves & a Golden Bowl

Copyright 2010

Closing Reception:  July 16th, 2010 6-9pm

704 S Wabash Ave. Chicago, IL 60605

(708)369-4742

www.elephantroomgallery.com

The month at Elephant Room Art Gallery was hectic- opening reception, private viewing, yoga class with yoga instructor, painting class (both classes developed around the topic of the show), and the closing event. A well attended exhibit throughout the month by gallery visitors and passing by pedestrians who were able to view the show through the street glass windows. 


There was a nice size photo of "Contemplation on the Reader
http://www.chicagoreader.com/TheBlog/archives/2010/06/17/morning-art-beatriz-ledesma
and a nice short review written by Jeffrey Mcnary
http://neotericart.com/2010/07/01/art-review-—-beatriz-e-ledesma-not-quite-ready-by-jeffery-mcnary/#more-1041
Mcnary really captured the essence of my work
and part of me as well.


So... for those of you that came to the different events or were unable to attend 
but find the way to get in contact with me- thank you for your support;
for those that are interested in purchasing one of my paintings- thank you very much, you help to purchase art materials and my time so I can continue painting;
and for those that did not get their butts to the show ... you have one more opportunity to show up!
at the closing.

From the Earth, to the Earth, Breathing

Copyright 2010

There are two more events coming up this year in Los Angeles, CA
and in Dubois, Wyoming, and of course, my traditional December open studio event when I invite other artists to show their work at my studio. I will fill you in the details later on.
The series "Freedom for Sale" will be soon available for viewing on my web site.
Keep checking it.

Painting Meditation Workshop @ Lill Street Art Center

On a nice Sunday mid morning in June, I had the opportunity and pleasure to teach the workshop "Painting Meditation" at Lill Street Art Center. The class was composed of nine vivacious and creative participants who were ready to access their creative selves through meditation: Adriana C., Claudia R., Elizabeth N., Maaureen B., Michelle G., Peter C.,Sarah S., Shruti S., Lydia T. The class focused mostly on the process instead of the final product. It was a fun group to work with. Below are some of their artwork:

             

        

“Art Between the Covers" May 30 – June 13, 2010 Reception: June 13, 3:00 – 6:00 pm Auction: 4:00 pm Hamilton Hall The University of the Arts 320 South Broad Street, Philadelphia
Thinking globally but acting locally, Philadelphia Sculptors is sponsoring “Art Between the Covers,” a project to change the world - or at least the World Book. Thirty one local and national artists use their book smarts to create upcycled sculptural objects from volumes of the World Book Encyclopedia. Each artist draws inspiration from the content of their volume to transform the book into a work of art that comments on the world described within the pages. Installed at the University of the Arts for two weeks, the exhibition will then culminate in a live auction on June 13 to benefit the artist residency program of the Philadelphia Arts in Education Partnership. Lewis Wexler, of Wexler Gallery in Old City, Philadelphia, will contribute his talents as the auctioneer. Participating artists are: Maria Anasazi, Alice Austin, Christine Bailey, Loni Diep, Anne Elliott, Hannah Fink, Colette Fu, Elena Gans-Pfister, Ania Gilmore, Frances Heinrich, Warren Holzman, Leslie Kaufman, Ann Keech, Rebecca Kelly, Kim Knauer, Beatriz Ledesma, Deanna McLaughlin, Joan Menapace, Tecumish Munhake, Jean Plough, James Prez, Janis Purcell, Ellen Sapienza, Claudia Sbrissa, Holly Smith, Marci Selig Smoger, Libbie Soffer, Adrienne Stalek, Matt Stemler, Nicole Tomassi & Carol Wisker.      http://www.philasculptors.org/index.html

NOT QUITE THERE YET Invitation

If interested, you can read more about the show in post below

Rooftop Gardens

Some time last week I hear on NPR about a photography show featuring rooftop gardens in several Chicago buildings such as the Chicago Cultural Center, City Halls, and many others by local photographer Brad Temkin (www.bradtemkin.com). I got curious about it as I did not know about these buildings having a rooftop garden. The show presents large color prints of many Chicago buildings taken at different times of the year. A different look at Chicago architecture. Nice show. Check his web site as well for more information on Rooftop Gardens. The only weak point in the presentation of the work- the labels do not indicate what buildings are featured.
The show runs at the City Gallery at the Historic Water Tower from May 20 to September 6th, 2010
806 N. Michigan Avenue 
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 744-2400

Not Quite There Yet- Solo Show @ Elephant Room Art Gallery

704 S Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Il 60605 708.369.4742 Contact: Kimberly L Atwood, Director I will be exhibiting a series of work entitled, Not Quite There Yet at Elephant Room, Inc. Art Gallery in the south loop neighborhood of Chicago- June 18th - July 22nd, 2010. This new series explores our attempts to find a safe space amidst a world of chaos and destruction. By exploring this aspect of life, the work inspires us to question what makes us feel safe and where we go to feel safe, whether that space is a state of mind or an actual place. The exhibition consists of several vibrant mixed media and oil paintings. Each piece exhibits an ethereal demonstration of chaos through brush strokes and painted forms that surround a window of calm and safety. Through this series, I propose to the viewer a spiritual path to finding safety amidst a society of materialism and violence. Not Quite There Yet is a reflection of a chaos that is relevant of our current society and the destruction we are experiencing in the world today. During the exhibition, the gallery will be hosting a workshop for local teens to work with me on creating their own versions of a safe space by painting on canvas. Their work will become part of my show Opening Reception: Friday, June 18th from 6 - 9pm Artist talk: Saturday, June 19th at 2pm Closing Reception: Friday, July 16th from 6 - 9pm

Part of the series can be viewed at
beatriz-e-ledesma.artistwebsites.com

Open Studio- Reflections

I do not have my studio open very often during the year but when I do, I have a lot of fun with my visitors.This was the case this past Friday; this time I did something that never had done before during open studios event- it was to be working while chatting with my visitors. What a nice experience! Everyone that came had very interesting observations and were willing to share with me their lives stories, besides they were curious about what I was working on, the technique, the colors, the imagery to be placed on it.
For those of you that are already followers of my work- thank you for coming again!; for those new to my studio and my work- thank you for coming and come again!
Some of you requested more images of my series "Freedom for Sale" so... here goes:

           

The Pattern Project

"Freedom for Sale #1", newest and ongoing series of watercolors on paper, originated back in  January 2010 when I participated in PianoForte Schubertiade Chicago, "a marathon festival celebrating the music of Franz Schubert..." 

The series has 12 pieces so far and I plan to post few of them in the days to come.

At the moment is in NYC as a part of a group show organized by ArtHouse Coop Gallery in their new space "Brooklyn Art Library". Opening night is this coming Friday May 14

The Pattern Project Exhibit 
Brooklyn Art Library

201 Richards St #16

Brooklyn, NY 11231 

May 14, 2010- June 25, 2010

Art Between the Covers- Global Creatures

Art Between the Covers 

(Global Creatures)

May 30 - June 13, 2010

The University of the Arts 

the exhibition will culminate in an auction to benefit the artist residency program 

of the Philadelphia Arts and Education Partnership (PAEP)

Every chosen artists was given an encyclopedia to play with. And ... I certainly had a lot of fun playing with it! The statement on the piece follows. Share with me your response.

Global Creatures -mixed media sculpture- is a reflection on transcending differences through a spiritual understanding.

   My encyclopedia was the letter I. I have always being interested in traveling so upon receiving the encyclopedia, I searched for the maps of the countries represented in the book -Iran, Iraq, Israel, India, among others. I reflected on the differences between countries and the religious ideology war that clouds the world today. I found myself wondering on the commonalities between the countries of the world and the word "insects" came to mind in conjunction with the thought of the rich spiritual tradition coming from countries like India.

   The insects (in the encyclopedia) were divided between friendly and unfriendly or enemy insects. I based the artwork on the lac beetle (friendly) who lives on the trees of India and from which we produce shellac and dyes, and the silverfish worm known as “the eater of books” (non friendly). 

   The depicted mandala at the front of the book attempts to integrate the meaning of this ancient symbol-- symbol of wholeness & healing of the soul --with roots in Tibetan practices--, with a white flower in the middle indicating the belief of this artist that peace will flourish in spiritual (no religious) understanding. On the back cover a 1200's Persian tile (image found on the pages of the encyclopedia) is the center of another mandala as a reminder that humanity, since the beginning of times, has attempted to communicate and to transcend above differences by spiritual energy released in the creative process.

Sharing My Artist Self

The idea of an art blog developed out of my desire to keep my friends up to date about my art practice as they are always asking about it. In a way this blog is created with them in mind. All that said ... the blog is open to cyber world and many of you reading it may have never met me. I do hope that what you all read here sparks your creativity in some way.

So ... now a little bit about my artist self...

A native from Buenos Aires, Argentina, my work is intuitive & spiritual, it forces the viewer to engage in a dialogue beyond conceptual constraints. My work is influenced by my spiritual practices, mystical beliefs, by surrealist & symbolist artists, and by the seminal ideas of psychoanalysis.  

My career as a painter began in the early 70s when I took refugee at the Buenos Aires Institute of Bellas Artes from the social political chaos my country was immersed. I then focused in drawing, painting, and sculpture. Two talented mentors: Luis Lopez (painter) and Osvaldo Rainoldi (sculpture)provided unconditional nurturing & support to my artist self. I will be grateful to them as long as I live.  

I arrived to USA in 1981; I settled in Chicago in 1992 and made it my home. Here in Chicago I completed courses in painting & ceramics at the University of Illinois at Chicago (while re-validating my degree in elementary education); at the Evanston Art Center I worked in printmaking under the guidance of Audrey Niffenegger; and in 1986 I enrolled at The School of the Art Institute where I obtained a masters degree in fine arts & art therapy. In 2009 I obtained a doctoral degree focusing on the use of art-making in psychotherapy treatment of adults.  

I am a prolific professional artist holding my studio practice at the Chicago Fine Arts Building.