Feature Article @ Manhattan Arts International

Manhattan Arts International is featuring my work. If curious and having some time for the article reading... here is the link:


http://www.manhattanarts.com/index.html

The Fine Art of Friends

Usually by this time of the year I tend to get into a self reflective mood. I like to reflect on the few communities I am part of --The School of the Art Institute, ICSW, CCC, and my most dearest of all: FAB- a hub of creative people under the roof of the Fine Arts Building. I have carried my art and clinical practice there for almost 15 years!, always  in the same studio:  #609. I feel fortunate and highly grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a rich, dynamic, creative place.

On 11/11/11 the Fine Art of Friends exhibit on the 2nd Floor Gallery opened up to the public  Seven artists with studios at FAB -Karen Tichy, Zoe Spirra, Alenna Marie Sandy, Kathleen Newman, Anita Miller, Rich Lo and myself- invited one friend from outside the FAB community. The exhibit was organized by Karen Tichy. I invited my long standing art colleague & friend Bert Menco. The show runs till December 5th after which the FAB members show will take place to close the year 2011 in the big finale party on December 9th. I hope you take some time to stop by to view this show, the next one, or just to say Hi!. To learn more about FAB artists go to: www.fineartsbuilding.com

Ledesma(left)- Menco(right)

Karen Tichy

  

Art of Flowers @ Garfield Park Conservatory

Since the hailstorm in June this year that destroyed the roof of the fern room in the Garfield Park Conservatory (http://www.garfield-conservatory.org/), and by responding to their pledge for financial help, I realized to have left my visits to the conservatory "for later" and seldom I have made myself go all the way South to visit it. So when I received an invitation for the invitation of their art exhibit "Blossom II. Art of Flowers", I immediately made my decision to attend it,which is a surprise to me as I do not tend to be inclined to attend shows of this kind.

What I saw was an exquisite display of craftmanship in every painting exhibited. The artist's soul seemed to be pouring out of the flowers with the choice of color like the red in "Spring" by Brazilian artist Nilton Mendonca, or by their title like in Anna Killian's "Fragility of Home". Unfortunately, the entrance to the conservatory does not make for a good exhibit space, in my opinion; some of the paintings are placed so high up that it is not possible read the tag with the painting information and it does not make justice to the paintings viewing.

Besides viewing the exhibit, you can take a walk through the plants room as a bonus and real treat!! It is worth a trip.  The show runs till December 31st, 2011. You can view the work in their online catalogue here: http://blossomartcompetition.com/Catalog2.html