I think this is a new personal best (worst?) for posts in one day… two, two posts. In any case, there is a nice little piece on Back to Back in Fine Art Today (Fine Art Connoisseur Magazines newsletter/blog) so, if you can not make it out to the show, get a feel for it there:

http://www.fineartconnoisseur.com/pages/16018765.php

I generally hate doing multiple posts in a row about the same show but, this time it is a little different. Sloane Merrill Gallery is one of a small handful of new, commercial galleries that have popped up in Boston recently. Now, while we are no New York, Boston has a pretty solid scene of underground performance spaces and alternative art venues. In other words, there is no shortage of places for artists to hang out on the weekend or try out new ideas. When it comes to making actual sales, it is a different story. There are very few commercial galleries in town so, the emergence of three (I think?) new ones this season is pretty uplifting. That said, obviously times are still shaky for galleries everywhere and many around here seem to have responded by taking less risks and being sticking closer to their proven artists (not that I blame them).

Jeremy Durling, ‘Anika’

With that in mind I am truly excited that Sloane Merrill Gallery has stepped a little outside the traditional commercial gallery comfort zone and partnered with the, more community based, Boston Figurative Artists Center for this show. They put their reputation on the line and did a lot of extra work (I sat in on some of the jury process and there was a considerable amount of entries to sort through) to allow more local artists and talented amateurs to hang in the gallery with their regular roster of artists. Mixing a juried component into the regularly scheduled show is a pretty interesting way to get people excited about a new space and a great way for a gallery to give a little back to the Boston arts community.

Justin Hess, ‘Study of Alicia’

Come out this Friday (the 12th) for the opening reception or, for the next month or so during normal gallery hours to check out the show. I have not seen everything hung yet but, what I have seen looks great. Let the people that run the gallery know that their efforts are appreciated and if you can, maybe even buy a painting. I assume you will know my piece when you see the biggest, brightest thing in the gallery.

I just completed a new piece for a show at Sloane Merrill Gallery. The show opens next Friday, April 12th and there will be an opening reception at the gallery from 6:30-9:00pm. Check out the new piece and then see the official announcement below for more details on the show.

Please join Sloane Merrill Gallery in collaboration with the Boston Figurative Art Center on Friday, April 12th from 6:30-9pm for the opening of Back to Back!

The collaborative exhibition highlights the figure as an important subject in our modern world — one that is both beautiful and a struggle to capture. The theme of the show marries the often sacred and sensual use of the human back to represent form with the more abstract concept of what it means to be “back to back”. The participating figurative artists explored this theme in oils and their visual experiences will be shared at the exhibition opening.

Two of my favorites from the show: Tom Grady, ‘Spine’ and Damon Lehrer, ‘Green Chair Nude’

Back to Back has two distinct components — one half is an invitational and the other is juried. Invitational artists include: Damon Lehrer, Jon Nix, Leo Mancini-Hresko, Nick Ward, Rick Berry, Tony Apesos, Gene Dorgan, Paul Goodnight, Brett Gamache, Jim Burke, Freda Nemirovsky, Britt Snyder, Ann Hirsch, Tom Grady, Janet Monafo, Paul Rahilly, & Kelly Carmody.

Jurors are Damon Lehrer of BFAC, Liz Devlin of FLUX. Boston, Jon Nix, Fr. Iain MacLellan of Saint Anselm College, and Ali Ringenburg of Sloane Merrill Gallery.

More information at: http://sloanemerrillgallery.com/exhibitions/2013/1/29/back-to-back

Join the event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/146883525483652/

The opening for From Motion to Stillness was last Friday and, since I can not turn down a good opportunity for a road trip, I headed to Chicago for the occasion. I had a great time taking in the local art scene (which is a lot bigger and more interesting than Chicago locals have lead me to believe) and meeting some of the other artists who participated in the show. The event was packed and I have probably never been in the same room with this many talented figurative painters at once before, a successful opening. Didi Menendez did a great job organizing the show, maybe one day she can be convinced to put one on in Boston.

A reading during the From Motion to Stillness opening, photo by Jennifer Koe.

For those of you who are not in Chicago, I will post photos from the opening soon. For now you can check out some photos of the show, taken by Howard Tullman (scroll down to see the images):
tullman.blogspot.com/2013/02/from-motion-to-stillness-show-opens-in.html

While you are there, check out the rest of Tullman’s wonderful collection, including some of my older pieces, paintings by my brother in law, other artists in featured in From Motion to Stillness, and a lot more of my favorite figurative artists.

You can also see the paintings in more detail and study up on the artists who participated in this months Poets and Artists Magazine available here: http://www.magcloud.com/browse/issue/510305 or, get it on your Ipad from Itunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/poetsartists/id599430729?mt=11.

The show will be up at the Zhou B Art Center until March 10th so, check it out if you have a chance.

It has been a busy winter in my studio, I have been working on a new piece to send out to the From Motion To Stillness
show in Chicago, I have a few secret projects in the works and coming up first, a solo show at The Distillery Gallery.

The show will feature all my new paintings and, a few of my favorite older pieces. Opening on Thursday, January 24th so, come on out to the party, enjoy a cold Narragansett Beer and see the paintings.

Join the event page on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/events/543876695624660

Read the official press release below.

The Distillery Gallery is pleased to announce a solo exhibition of works by figurative oil painter, Nick Ward.

Originally from a small town near Portland, Oregon, Ward has been a resident of The Distillery since 2007. The artist was awarded an Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation grant for painting in 2012, allowing him more time to focus on a growing body of work featuring portraits of everyday people from his life as models. Although quite realistic from afar, Ward’s paintings deliberately avoid being traditional “realism”. By allowing unfinished abstraction to exist in areas needing less attention while intentionally highlighting natural human flaws, especially in skin tone, the often large-format pieces offer a counterpoint to the retouched beauty we are offered everyday in our media consumption.

Please join us for an opening reception with the artist on January 24th, from 7-9pm at The Distillery Gallery, 516 East 2nd Street, Boston.

Open studios time is almost here again and it looks like it will be bigger and better than ever. There are plenty of new artists in the Distillery building and more of them are opening their doors than ever. There are also even more great artists right down the street at King Terminal.

So, come on out to South Boston on November 3rd or 4th and say hello. Check out some freaky studios, drink some free beers and maybe even look at a painting or two. The event is free to the public, rain or shine, noon to 6pm each day.

Head over to the official website for a full list of participating artists and locations.
southbostonopenstudios.org

And be sure to join the Facebook event page and share it with your friends.
facebook.com/events/384165701660559/

I have managed to get myself invited to a few shows coming up, that are both in spaces I have never shown before. First, From Motion to Stillness at Zhou B Art Center in Chicago, and now The BIG BAD at Nave Gallery in Somerville. Scroll down for more info on this show and be sure to help spread the word by joining the Facebook event page.

Read the rest of this entry »

People often ask me to participate in group shows with the stipulation that the piece should be small. I can understand that, they want to fit a lot of art into a limited space, it makes sense. Unfortunately, I have found that trying to reproduce the paintings I have been doing in a small scale just doesn’t work. Read the rest of this entry »

I am putting a piece (or maybe 2) into the Summer Vacation show at everyones favorite art space in Boston, The Distillery Gallery. Also included in this show are lots of other Distillery artists and some of our talented Friends (including Caity Veil who, I just bought this great piece from). The openings are always a good time with interesting art (obviously) along with fun people and (best of all) plenty of cold Narragansett beers. So, come out to Southie on Thursday July 12th and join us.

Click here to join the party on Facebook.

Continue below for the official press release.

The Distillery Gallery Presents:

Summer Vacation

July 12 – August 31, 2012
Opening Reception: Thurs, July 12, 7-9pm
www.gallery.distilleryboston.com
gallery hours: Mon-Fri, 9-5 or by appointment

The Distillery Gallery is pleased to announce a group exhibit of works
depicting or inspired by Summer, warm weather, and/or vacation.

Generally speaking, the gallery scene slows down during the mid-summer
months. Many commercial galleries close up altogether for some or all
of this time. The Distillery Gallery, instead of taking time off, will
exhibit the “Summer Vacation” group show.

Exhibiting artists include:

• Fran Azzarto
• Rory Beerits
• Pat Falco
• Phoebe Grip
• Theresa Mackin
• Joyce McDaniel
• Michal McKeown
• MRNVR
• Adam O’Day
• Caity Vail
• Beth Redmond Walsh
• Brigid Watson
• Nick Ward
• James Weinberg

Please join us for the opening reception on Thursday, July 12, 7-9pm

Caught up with me buddy Michael Grattaroti at Open Studios a couple weeks back and he just sent me over this video he shot that weekend while exploring The Distillery. The clip came out great so check it out!

Also, on a side note, what do you think about videos on the site? I have been thinking about doing a time lapse of a painting, is it worth the effort? Would anyone watch?