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Morning Inbox

I woke up to this message from the Half Gallery, who’s owner was a judge on Work of Art: the Next Great Artist, that the 3rd place winner from the show is having an exhibition there. I have read comments that this should have been the grand prize—a gallery exhibition in New York—instead of a Museum exhibition. Maybe it doesn’t matter, maybe no one cares, and no one could predict that the Brooklyn Museum would take such flack for presenting a long format game show (a more fitting title for this brand of “reality show”) contest’s winner an exhibition—except when put in these terms. Anyway, the one contestant that seemed to be playing the game (correctly for the format) is having a show starting next Tuesday.

MILES MENDENHALL

August 24—September 14, 2010
Opening reception: Tuesday, August 24, 6-8 p.m.

* forgot the to link to the gallery

Grey Painting in Progress

Step 1:

Step 2:

The very beginning—oil and white chalk.

Splitting Light

Today, I took some pictures with a plastic prism. The prism I used has flat corners, so the light splits on either side with white light in the middle. The best angle for natural light does not last very long, so I’ll trying more combination with the prisms I have over the next few days.

Unhappy Hipster and a Link about Work of Art

I have been lost in painting (really more in my thoughts as the paint dries), and forgot to send in this caption to the Unhappy Hipster caption contest.

Despite her parents keeping the remnants of the old growth forest on which the house was built, she doubted their commitment to the environment. Who would speak for the trees, she would with the piano wire she held behind her back.

Work of Art: the Next Great Artist

I had also meant to write something about Bravo’s Work of Art.

But instead here is a link to Christopher Knight’s post on the show and the “new criticism” it has spawned as well as the video Television Delivers People by Richard Serra and Carlota Fay Schoolman (post here as well) at the end of the article are worth checking out.

Shooting Models

I shot some models tonight, three into ones with some transparency and a number object (pump) with mirrors. Above are two working images that resulted.

Kate Costello Edition

Kate’s limitied edition of Loner Mask is available at LAXART. A billboard on La Cienega Blvd, part of LAXART public art initiatives, is forthcoming.

Painters Painting (1973) – Quoting Newman

Painters Painting, a documentary from 1973 is on the Sundance Channel as I write this. It covers painters from 1940 to the present. There are some good lines in it. Barnett Newman gave his ornithology quote, “Aesthetics is for artists what ornithology is for birds.” On this occasion he said, as best I can remember, “even if they [aesthetics] are right and even if they can build an aesthetic analysis on an aesthetic system that can explain art or painting or whatever it is, is of no value, really, because aesthetics for me, must be like ornithology is for the birds.”

When looking online for the standard quote, I found this one which probably applies to me.

“When painters feel the need to make a shift toward self-discovery, they turn to black and white for a time.”

Light-box, Upside down Model

I used the same model from the previous model posting, but this time I placed it upside down on a small light table.

Portrait in Progress

I was recently asked why I was working on a portrait—something I don’t really do—and I answered, “for painting.” I am basically trying to learn about painting something without any straight lines. It doesn’t go with the new work. RIght now it is somewhere between gesso (some of the white is oil) and five layers (albeit very thin layers on and around the eyes). I don’t know when I’ll finish it, but I am planning on giving it as much time as it needs. As a student, I was told you can not fight a painting; you have to give it what it needs.

Suspended Light Box

This model is almost done. I still need to build a permanent support for the light housing, but I was able to shoot this picture.