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.