I tend to look at digital art work quite a bit just to see what artists of our time have done with the technology available.  It’s quite interesting where everyone goes, and how each person uses it.

Tom Brown is a Baltimore artist who recieved his Bachelors in History from Towson and his Masters in Information Technology from Columbia.  It’s interesting to see an artist rise from a completely non-arts scholastic background and really utilize their schooling to create inovative works of art.

“Taking Over #8″
MS Paint
2007

This is from his “Taking Over” series. It’s the quiet minimalism that I’ve always been drawn to. It takes me to a calm, meditative state, where if looked at long enough begin to trick and move the eye.

“mantra-totem-mandala-spirits-animism”
MS Paint
2007

This one is less my taste but the energy, to me, is pulsating off the image. It also reminds me of areal views of city buildings and streets, or computer chips. (I’m sorry, I just realized I started thinking of the intro to the movie “Hackers”, ugh.)

untitled work in progress

This is a very nice blend between the two above images. The repetitive shapes are still present as well as an interesting palette, but it doesn’t scream as loud as “mandala”.
Tom has another peice in progress much like this one, and I really can’t wait to see what else he does to them, and what others he comes up with.

Call them pretty abstracts if you will, but there is something to be said for work that simply evokes an emotional response simply on its aesthetics.

In a world where everything is a loud statement, sometimes the most powerful and moving are the ones that say nothing at all.

Join us Sunday, March 30th, from 1-3pm as local artist Larry Stevens goes over some of the things that are NOT taught in art school, such as what you do when you’re finished and a job prospect or grad school have not claimed your time. This is perfect for students or artists who have started to get lost out there in the real world.

Larry will talk about marketing yourself, building networks, and making your art in the real world.

If you would like to register for this seminar/lecture please leave your name and email under “Comments” and you will be added to an email list reminding you that you’ve signed up. And as always this event is FREE!

Hope everyone gets a chance to go out and support local art!

He’s probably one of the most knowledgeable and intellegent artists in the Detroit area, and should be a curator of a museum somewhere.  But he’s just having a show of his work at Detroit Museum of New Art. 

I could have picked any Baltimore Area artist to write about and I will definately do so in the future, but I thought John Cynar would bring some interesting thoughts and ideas to everyone.

There is a dichotomy of concept and composition that John nails sqaurely on the head.  Notions of community, and communication in the past and of today ring clear. 

Churches and community buildings, where people interact physically are juztaposed with cold radio towers, cell phone towers and radars.

For me these are photographs that get me all riled up and agitated at the state of life today, and I’ll go off ranting and raving about people on their cell phones at resturants. But, before I do, I think these are really great images and should seriously be considered. For more information on John Cynar please visit the Detroit MONA.

I don’t know if any of you have heard of this organization, but Art Exposure is a regional group that promotes the showing of visual arts in public spaces.

They have their own artist bank and are constantly looking for new members and artists to show their work. This is a great opportunity for people who are looking for general exposure. For more information please visit Art Exposure.

When thinking of the artist, identity comes out as one of the biggest issues faced.  You are your work, you work is you in one way or another.

Eva and Franco Mattes, aka 0100101110101101.ORG , and their work in the Second Life’s detached reality is a really interesting look at identity and who we are as opposed to who we want to be.  In Second Life avatars of physical people can be anything from people, to birds, to a box.  The idea of identity is skewed into a whole new form, where you may be your art, but your art could be anything, or anybody but you.

Eva and Franco Mattes’ Portraits are less of portraits, but intimate and personal snap shots of a projected image of a physical person. 

Amy Weber   2006
Digital print on canvas
36 x 48 inches
Courtesy Postmasters Gallery

 For more information on artists Eva and Franco Mattes visit http://www.0100101110101101.org.  

 Josh Smith  is another artist who looks at the issue of identity, in a much different aspect.  I never liked Josh Smith’s work, I didn’t like the way he spoke about it either, but again a different aspect of the identity issue.

Untitled
2005
Oil on canvas
152.4 x 121.9 cm

I’ve come to the realization that I’m only one person trying to cover some of the arts in the Baltimore area, and that I may need some help. It’s kind of hard to be in four places at the same time.

So…here’s my proposition to anyone interested. If you go to a gallery opening, or have a friend with some really interesting visual art, or if you know of new arts projects in the area, email us with some pictures, and supporting text and we will publish your thoughts, insights, and images here on the blog.

This is after all a community blog, so by all means the community should be involved!

Send any what you’ve got to store17@utrecht.com with Attn Allison in the subject line, and I will add it to the blog.

Essays, reviews, critiques, whatever you’ve got, bring it on!

I hate to be the bringer of bad news, but, we have had to cancel the book binding demonstration. We really apologize to everyone who was geared up for it. I was myself. We will re-schedule and thank everyone for their interest. If you have signed up for the demo, we hope that you will be able to make it to the next book binding demonstration. An email and announcement here on the blog will let everyone know when it will take place.

However– Our next demonstration is a Mat Cutting demo with a representative from Logan Graphics. This is one of those really handy skills that can actually save you costs on matting and framig your work. We will also have a 20% off sale on all mat cutters in the store the day of the demo for your shopping pleasure.

Again if you would like to sign up or register for this event, please leave your name and email and reference mat cutting demo under “Comments”. Hope to see everyone there.

This was sent to us from the Baltimore Office of Promotion and Arts.  If you have any questions please contact Gary Kachadourian, or the contact listed at the end of the ad. 

Good luck!!

Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, located in
Annapolis, is seeking an experienced visual arts professional to serve as full-time gallery director.  Responsibilities include conceptualizing, planning and organizing year-round gallery schedule; designing and installing exhibitions; managing artist-in-residence program; and planning relevant public programming.  Must have minimum 3 years of gallery management, curatorial, exhibition planning or related experience; BFA or arts-related degree; excellent interpersonal, writing and organizational skills; ability to speak in public and represent the organization in a variety of settings; ability to manage multiple tasks and excellent computer skills. Salary commensurate with experience; excellent benefits.  Please send resume and cover letter (including salary requirements) to: lrose@mdhallarts.org.  Fax 410-263-5114. Or mail to Leslie Rose, Maryland Hall,

.  No phone calls please.  EOE.