Boxcar Gallery presents La Conquista, July 29th to August 28th 2010. This exhibition features the work of Boxcar members Javier Flores and Amanda Wahl. The opening reception will be Thursday, July 29th from 6-9pm and First Friday August 6th from 6-10pm. La Conquista will run through August 28th, 2010.

Amanda’s (amazing) painting, Untitled, 2010, pictured here.

Boxcar Gallery
554 Santa Fe Dr
http://boxcar-gallery.com

At Camp Wapiyapi, a retreat near Estes Park offering respite for kids dealing with childhood cancer, ill children and their siblings don’t escape the toll their suffering takes so much as they learn that they’re not alone with it. They get to take a break from it all and have what every kid wants – to relax and have a good time. And then, in one of the nicest ways possible, they give back to the community that took them in.

Place bids and enjoy the day today from 4 to 8 p.m.; for tickets, $15 per person (or $35 for a family), go towww.wapiyapi.org or call 303-534-0883.

Westword Article: Art for Wapiyapi @ Tennyson Studios.

“It’s #2 pencil, and I draw the circles freehand” -Nemo

Go figure. View more of Nemo’s crazy freehand at official Art By Nemo Homepage.

Quick and easy guide for you newbies to #denverart: Denver Art In One Day.

Please help me spread this message. Today, Denver is losing about 500 jobs.

In fact every day, Denver, you lose about 500 jobs.

But your creative sector is creating jobs. Every day, your music and art industries create good high-paying jobs deep within local communities. Together, your designers, artists, musicians, and creative talent make up for Colorado’s 5th largest business sector, in both revenues and jobs.

Why is your art so essential? Because your art and music industries are the largest sustainable exports in your city’s history. Because the global art and music industry is fantastically lucrative: 1% of the global art market share would double Denver’s economy overnight.

And yet you are cutting your creative education programs, Denver!

While art and music generate thousands of jobs, your government’s budget has forced schools to scale back, unavoidably attacking the Arts — English, Theater, Music, etc — in record numbers.

Right now, school is nearly in session. We need help. One in six children will be denied even a single art or music class. Help us enrich our neighborhoods and communities with sustainable, creative education programs.

Please donate $5 today and help Denver Art Society support our creative education programs.

This is an urgent affair. Schools need this money now. Sadly, the most artless schools are often the most in need of art’s benefits, art’s jobs, and art’s revenues.

Consider this. Your bands are performing across the globe. Your art is sold in every country. And yet you’re cutting creative education programs!

You’re losing jobs. Our creative sector sustained us through these last two years — creative education is the easy way to bring more jobs, more revenues for schools and parks, and more opportunities for our children for the next two years, and beyond.

We can reinvigorate creative education in Denver, starting today, but we need your support. You can help spread this message — and combat artlessness by raising awareness of the artless everywhere.

Please donate $5 or more today:

http://denverartsociety.org/donate.

Thank you for helping us get here.

Sean McGowan
President, Denver Art Society

More info.

Art Out Loud: 10 bands. 50 artists. One night. Learn more.

The Biennial has, so far, some amazing successes and failures. If you’re looking for the highlights, read this great article on the Three important Biennial art exhibits bring the Western world to Denver.

Thanks for keeping the Westword artsy and honest, Michael!

Now showing at Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. Denver artist Tony Ortega has long been renowned for chronicling the richness of the Hispanic experience. He utilizes his signature style of bold coloration, simplified forms, anonymous figures and cultural icons to explore community life, family, urban and rural sectors, youth culture, popular culture and cultural politics. Paramount in his artistic intent is the discovery of the relationship between humans and their circumstances. In a country where demographics are rapidly changing, issues of multiculturalism and hybridity are tantamount. Much of this exhibition deals with those who have crossed and continue to cross the borders, to secure a better life, obtain work, and to ensure the welfare and safety of their families. To Ortega the border is porous, with layered implications.

Through monotypes, serigraphs, charcoal drawings and a mural installation we get a glimpse of the melding of histories, traditions, culture and politics of our ever expanding and diversified population. Additionally, Ortega will create murals in collaboration with students from “I Have A Dream” Foundation of Boulder County and The Family Learning Center. Following their display at BMoCA during the exhibition, the murals will be on view at the Boulder Public Library and Denver Public Library.

FULL ARTICLE: Mi Frontera Es Su Frontera / Tony Ortega.

]]> http://denverartsociety.com/seanmcgowan/tony-ortega-mi-frontera-es-su-frontera/feed 0 http://denverartsociety.com/seanmcgowan/call-for-entries-its-not-black-its-white http://denverartsociety.com/seanmcgowan/call-for-entries-its-not-black-its-white#comments Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:50:34 +0000 Sean McGowan http://denverartsociety.com/?p=3281

Art show will be on display in the Playhouse lobby from September 10 through October 24, 2010.

The lobby is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:30-10 p.m., Sundays from 5-9 p.m.

Click here for full information.

Sandra Phillips Gallery
July 9 – 31, 2010
Opening Reception: Friday July 9 from 6-8pm

Artist Patricia Tinajero from Ecuador will explore the nature of things thru video and experiential installation. Tinajero is interested in objects as the product of metamorphosis, in particular the recycing of object, the capacity of those objects to survive cycles of production and consumption, use and abuse. Exploring the regeneration process reconciled in the dialectical understanding of process of the artist, these discarded materials weave into sculptural forms which become installations.

The RedLine Exhibit “Artist’s Footprints” will also include artist Patricia Tinajero in partnership with the Biennial of the Americas 2010.

The Sandra Phillips Gallery
744 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, CO 80204
303.573.5969
Tue – Sat: 12:30 – 5:00 PM
http://www.thesandraphillipsgallery.com

Solo Installation at Emmanuel Gallery
July 9 – September 3 2010
Artists Reception: Friday July 9 from 6:00-10:00pm

In “Personal Locator Beacon,” Vaughan will include 17th century cartouche designs colliding with industrial light components; decorative architectural medallions with pink electronic wire; crocheted white lace flowers, leading to twinkling LED lights and functional fans; the Golden Chalice Vine plant, whose scent creates amorous effects in humans, with infra-red electronic devices. As the viewer walks through the space, they trigger a ‘wave’ of fans and lights, and consequently a wave of neurotransmitters for LOVE and call signals to the outer world. “Personal Locator Beacon” alters the entire gallery, inside and out, to serve as a beacon for their love.

Summer hours for the gallery will be Tuesday – Friday 11-5 and Saturday from 12-4. For more information, please visit our website at emmanuelgallery.org or call. Emmanuel Gallery is honored to be an exhibit partner with the Biennial of the Americas.

Emmanuel Gallery
Auraria Higher Education Center
10th and Lawrence St Mall
Denver, CO 80204
303.556.8337

http://www.emmanuelgallery.org

Cherry Creek Arts Festival

Daily from Sat., July 3 until Mon., July 5
Price: Free

A three-day crowd-burst that draws throngs of grubniks and arty-farty types to booth after booth of visual and performing artist exhibits; Chinese yoga, tai chi and Zumba on Fillmore Plaza; and a cultural pavilion that will help kick off the 2010 Biennial of the Americas.

For more info, check Cherry Creek Arts Festival website or Westword’s resources.

The wonderful art pictured here is by Loretta Petraitis.

Opening Reception: Friday July 2nd , 7-11 pm

Ironton celebrates 11 years in Denver with our annual 4th of July weekend party. We have a lot to celebrate this year with the addition of two new artists to the group; Chase DeForest and Yoshitomo Saito.
The gallery will exhibit new work by each artist effectively illustrating the uniqueness of Ironton as a multi-discipline facility: 
Andy Berg, painting
Jeff Bludeau, woodshop
Dan Brandemuehl, stone sculpture
Chase DeForest, woodshop
Sharon Feder, painting
John Ferguson, steel sculpture
Hugh Graham, multi media
Matt Holman, cartooning
Jill Hadley Hooper, painting
Heidi Jung, painting, photography
Mike Mancarella, sculpture and fabrication
Patricia ‘Murph’ Murphy, painting
Yoshitomo saito, bronze casting
Kagen Schaefer, puzzle making
Robin Schaefer, painting
Andy Sweet, stone sculpture

The show runs from July 2nd thru July 30th.

See you there! (3636 Chestnut Pl, Denver). Learn more at Ironton Studios

Hours: 8:30 am–9:30 pm M–Th | 8:30 am–5:00 pm F | 8:30 am–4:30 pm Sat

Participating artists:

Judith Bennett
Remy Biggs
Rickie Christine Bland
Michelle Brewster
Jean Caggiano
Maria Careccia Pelissier
Ashlee Comerford
Vicki Cook
Doug Dawson
M. DiGiacomo
Jerry Dokken
Alix Evendorff
Christine Fontenot
Jan Fordyce
Christopher Fox
Ilona Fried
Lisa Gardiner
Margaretta Gilboy
Bill Graham
A. Miriam Green
Halie Hall
Martha Heppard
Kit Hernandez
Rochelle Johnson
Deb Kaylor
Vern Langhofer
Leona Lazar
Gayla Lemke
Sina March
Edward MCdonald
Georgene McGonagle
Krystal Mills
Elayne Moseley
Diane Nelson-Scott
Brian Rivera
Tina Rowe
Jennifer Rudkin
Drew Sarka
Kevin Singleton
Ed Sirokman
Jahe Smith
Bill Sprague
Bev Steigerwald
Jim Sternfield
Merelee Syron
Steven Whitcomb
Tom Whitten
Linda Wilcox
Annie Patrice Williams
Elizabeth Wonnacott
Stan Yan

More info: http://asld.org/events_exhibitions/Exhibition-Schedule.php

Rob Williams, Colors of the Dusk, acrylic, graphite & ink on wood panel, 48”w x 29”h, 2010.

Rob Williams is a mixed media artist who gives aspen trees new life with whimsical imagery and unnatural color palettes. The titles of his pieces are meant as “entrance points to evoke thought about different ways of seeing the world.”
Translations Gallery
1743 Wazee St
Denver, CO 80202
303.629.0713
Tues-Sat: 11-6
http://translationsgallery.com

“Candice II,” by Marie Vlasic, oil on canvas.

Through July 3 at Artyard Contemporary Sculpture, 1251 South Pearl Street, 303-777-3219, www.artyardsculpture.com.

Through July 4 at Pirate Contemporary Art, 3655 Navajo Street, 303-458-6058, www.pirateartonline.org.

Through July 10 at Walker Fine Art, 300 West 11th Avenue, #A, 303-355-8955, www.walkerfineart.com.

VERTIGO Art Space May 7 – July 30, 2010

Ralph began his painting career in childhood- and has well known accolades as a “Celebrity Portrait Painter” who has had an extensive career painting on private commission from true Royals, and celebrities from around the world. RW is recognized by the National Portrait Gallery of Smithsonian as the only painter Elvis has ever commissioned for a portrait. RW states: “My aim is to reflect contemporary man’s ultimate desire for self-expression and living on the edge”.

Vertigo has chosen a select few of the many painting styles RW has accomplished in an attempt to show the variety of trademark Ralph Cowan styles through the decades in his illustrious career as a painter.

Vertigo Art Space
May 7 – July 30
Artist Reception July 23 from 6-10pm
960 Santa Fe Dr
Denver, CO 80204
303.573.VERT (8378)
http://www.vertigoartspace.com

CORRECTED 15 JUL 2010 — I had falsely reported that the show closed on June 30, when in fact the show is scheduled until July 30, 2010 (-Sean McGowan).

This is pretty simple.

1. Watch the trailer.

2. Get a presale copy of the dvd and help produce the film at the same time.

(btw they are from Denver — and yes they actually traveled the country in a golf kart. check it.)

DENVER MODERNISM SHOW

Do you look at blank canvases and swoon?

Welcome to Modernism. These people throw a great show. Get yer entries in while you can.

How do you interpret Modernism?  Is your work an homage to the past or a continuation of those ideas?  Do you gain inspiration from the googie styles of the 1950’s’, or the sleek lines of Le Courbousier?  All genres, styles, and mediums will be considered, as long as they relate to the theme of “modernism”.

Seen by over 3000 art and culture lovers, who will be coming ready to shop at the Denver Modernism Show. The show runs August 27-29 and will be held at the Denver National Western Complex Expo Hall.  More info at denvermodernism.com.

Enter as many works as you like. Each entry is $10.00. Entry fees do not guarantee acceptance  into the show, which will be determined by our juror (to be decided). All entries should be made electronically, as emailed  jpegs; if you need an alternative submission method please contact  us for instructions. Accepted artists are responsible for delivery and pick-up of  their artwork to and from the Expo Hall.  If you  need to ship work, please contact art@denvermodernism.com for more  information.

Jpeg submissions, info and payments are due by the end of August 10.

To enter, visit our new online entry and payment page at www.denvermodernismart.eventbrite.com by August 10.

Timeline:

Aug. 10 - Deadline for submissions

Aug. 17 - Notify artists of acceptance status

Aug. 26 -  Accepted artists deliver work to National Western Complex Expo Hall 2 – 6 pm.

Aug. 27 – Opening Night. Accepted Artist plus 1 guest admitted to VIP Reception & Party 5 – 10pm.

Aug. 29 – Closing Date: Artists must pick up work at National Western Complex Expo Hall 3 – 6pm.

The Fine Print:

Submissions: Please format all images as .jpgs at 72 dpi, no larger than 1920 pixels in any direction.

Requirements: All work must be dry and ready to properly hang.  Set-up diagram must accompany multiple-piece works.  All selected art must remain in place for the duration of the show.  Accepted art may be photographed for publicity purposes.  The curator retains the right to reject any work that is not as represented in the submitted image, or work that does not have appropraite hanging materials.  All work must have the artist’s name, the title of the work, the price of the work, and a contact phone number and email clearly labelled on the back.  Sculptors must provide their own pedestal if they wish to have one.

Delivery:  Delivery and pick up of accepted work is the sole responsibility of the artist.  If you need to ship work, please contact us at art@denvermodernism.com for further details.  Accepted work is to be dropped off at the Denver Coliseum Expo Hall,  4655 Humboldt St. (Washington exit off of I-70; refer to map on website for further details) on Thursday, August 26. 2010,  between 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.  Work must be picked up at the same location on Sunday, August 29, 2010 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.  As there is no on-site storage available, we cannot ensure the safety of any work left after that time.

Sales:  The Denver Modernism Show will handle sale and delivery of all artwork sold, and will retain a 25% commission on works sold.  Artists will be paid for sold work at the pick-up time on Sunday.

Liability:  The Denver Modernism Show will take all precautions to protect your art, but is NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS DUE TO DAMAGE OR THEFT.  We provide overnight security & professional handling staff.

More info here.

]]> http://denverartsociety.com/seanmcgowan/call-for-entries-denver-modernism-gallery/feed 0 http://denverartsociety.com/seanmcgowan/tosa-iron-artist http://denverartsociety.com/seanmcgowan/tosa-iron-artist#comments Fri, 25 Jun 2010 04:55:53 +0000 Sean McGowan http://denverartsociety.com/?p=3111

TOSA Iron Artist - June 26

Iron Artist is a live art competition.

Watch ten artists battle in a live art event to determine who will be the  TOSA Iron Artist. Each artist will have two hours to complete their artwork and all must incorporate the “secret material” into his or her creation.

Join in the fun at TOSA, 1644 Platte Street, from noon to 6 p.m. (the competition is from 2 to 4); admission is $10. Get details at www.theothersidearts.org or call 303-561-3000.

Artists Competing Include:

Tina DuMond
Charles Lefkowitz
David Dunn
Cara Thomas
Milt Denny
Amanda Willshire
Allison Whelan
Ondrea Svaldi
Donald Nash
Kyle Carpenter
Aaron Williams

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW!
ONLY $10 TO SUPPORT LOCAL ARTS PROGRAMMING

Our Mission:The Other Side Arts (TOSA) educates, inspires, and empowers emerging artists and under served populations through visual arts programming and artist development opportunities

900 pounds of string. Thermonuclear weapons. Be there.

Featuring the work of Maximilien Brice, Orly Genger, Janine Gordon, Pablo Helguera, Anne Hardy, Kcho, Gonzalo Lebrija, Viviane Le Courtois, Richard Meredith-Hardy, Ciro Najle, Martha Russo, Jim Sanborn, Ward Shelley, Jeff Shore & Jon Fisher, Don Stinson, Torolab, Steve Vaught (Fat Man Walking), and Willard Wigan. With a Titan IV rocket engine and two B61 thermonuclear weapons.

Energy Effects is presented by MetLife Foundation, in partnership with Denver’s 2010 Biennial of the Americas. Additional support from Scott Miller & Tim Gill and the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs. MCA Denver thanks the citizens of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District for their support.

Also see Objectophilia opening June 30 at 7PM. 1490 Delgany. Image: Gonzalo Lebrija, Entre La Vida y La Muerte, detail

Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
1485 Delgany
Denver, CO 80202
303.298.7554
Mon: Closed
Tue–Thu: 10:00–6:00 pm
Fri: 10:00–10:00 pm
Sat-Sun: 10:00–6:00 pm
http://mcadenver.org

Liberadores/Liberators at Museo de las America. The opening reception is Thursday, June 24 from 7-10pm.

Museo De Las Americas

This Santa Fe Museum, in the heart of the ArtWalk, is a cultural icon of Denver.

Liberadores will showcases artists interpretation of the liberation narrative as it impacts their lives, countries and communities from throughout the Americas North and South. Featuring Xavier Cortada, Cuba, USA; Ana Maria Hernando, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cliff Fragua, Jemez Pueblo, USA; Liliana Folta, Argentina; Oscar Muñoz, Popayán, Colombia; Daniel Salazar, Denver, USA; Fernando Sanchez, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Paula Winograd, Bogotá, Colombia; Seth Wulsin, New York, USA/Argentina.

See you there!

Museo de las Americas
861 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, CO 80204
303.571.4401
http://museo.org

Boxcar is, quite possibly, Denver’s rawest art gallery.

Their coop and curators continue to amaze with the integrity and from-the-streets genius artists their gallery has been come to be known for.

This week they present Wanderlust, June 24th to July 24th 2010. This exhibition features the work of Boxcar veteran Sarah Quinlan and newest member Ira Fail. The opening reception will be Thursday, June 24th from 6-9pm and First Friday July 24th from 6-10pm. Wanderlust will run through July 24th, 2010.

Mixed media artist Sarah Quinlan’s newest work Wanderlust is a visual documentary of female undergarments. In her work she uses a combination of found ephemeral materials, female outlines and watercolors to search for the “perfect support”.

Artist Ira Fail’s current work, Birds of a Feather, explores the relationship between the female portrait, birds, and the old cliché “birds of a feather, flock together”. In the work he blends the two themes seamlessly to illustrate the common, delicate beauty of both subjects. His use of vibrant color varies the subject, and through his style allows us to enjoy the fantasy element of the work.

Wanderlust opens Thursday, June 24th, 2010 from 6-9 pm and First Friday July 24th from 6pm to 10pm. Third Friday July 16th from 12-8pm. Normal gallery hours are Friday & Saturday from 12-5 pm, or by appointment by calling 303.725.7047

Boxcar never fails to impress. They’re South on Santa Fe Dr. so make them your first or last stop on the ArtWalk.

Boxcar Gallery
554 Santa Fe Dr
Denver, CO 80204
Fri/Sat: 12-5pm, or by appointment by calling: 303.725.7047
http://boxcar-gallery.com

The weekend after Pridefest wind down at the 2nd Annual CinemaQ Film Festival at the Starz FilmCenter, June 24 – 27. Relax with four days of the world’s best new GLBT films including a 40th Anniversary celebration of MYRA BRECKINRIDGE.

Denver Film Society at the Starz FilmCenter, 900 Auraria Parkway, Denver, CO 80204

CinemaQ Film Festival 2010 (Presented by Coors Light) | 2010 Starz Denver Film Festival.

The department is responsible for running the financials of the organization and, though the community, you will be responsible for current accounting practices throughout the organization and future logistics planning for Denver to grow its art industry by 500% in the next five years.

The position includes membership to Denver Art Society and the occasional glass of wine but otherwise is for the purposes of furthering the DAS Mission of encouraging art for everyone’s sake.

We ask for a 12 month commitment with rarely more than one meeting a month.

Interested parties please send a cover letter, resume or CV, and contact availability time to sean@denverartsociety.org. Be sure to mention “Treasury Volunteer” in the header of your email.

Thank you — and let’s keep fighting for art for all.

The EventGallery 910Arts introduces the concept of collective art creation in an exhibition entitled “Lucid Skies: The Eye’s the Limit” featuring mixed media works from By:Us Art Collective.
Founded by photographer and painter Clancy Philbrick, By:Us is an assembly of international artists working in a variety of media with the goal of shifting the focus away from the individual artist. “By:Us is unique in that it does not stress any one individual artist,” says Mr. Philbrick, “and also considers the role of the viewer as equal to that of the artist in defining, enjoying and even creating art.”

Works in the Lucid Skies exhibition are two-and three-dimensional pieces capturing the grandeur of the sky and portraying the power, grace and connection of the marvel above us to all that live beneath it. They were fabricated by five artists who collaborated with each other on their creation.

The eventgallery 910Arts
910 Santa Fe Drive
Denver, CO 80204
303.815.1779
Tue-Fri: 10:30 am – 2:30 pm
Sat: Noon – 5:00 pm
http://910arts.com

Call for Entries

Andy Warhol changed art, by changing the definition of what could be considered art. His influence is immeasurable. If your work reflects Andy’s pop sensibilities… if it was influenced by the Warhol-style pop art of the 1960s and 70s, then we want you in this show!

Entry fee: $10 per piece (non-refundable and does not guarantee acceptance).
You may register and pay fees online at: www.warholove.eventbrite.com
Jpegs (not TOO big or TOO small) should be emailed to dana.cain@att.net labeled with titles.
If you need an alternative submission method please contact dana.cain@att.net .
Accepted artists are responsible for delivery and pick-up of their artwork to and from Niza Knoll Gallery, 915 Santa Fe Dr., Denver CO.

JUROR: Dana Cain, organizer of the Denver Modernism Show

Artwork must fit through the door at Niza Knoll Gallery and ready to hang. Niza Knoll Gallery retains a 35% commission on work sold. After the show you must pick up your work on Monday, August 30, from 12noon – 6pm. Storage fees will be charged if you fail to pick up your work in a timely manner.

Jpeg submissions, entry forms and payment are due by Sunday, July 25.

Timeline:
July 25 – Deadline for submissions
July 28 – Notify artists of acceptance status
July 29 – 31 – Accepted artists deliver work to Niza Knoll Gallery, 915 Santa Fe Dr. Delivery Hours: 1 – 5 pm.
Aug. 6 – Opening Date: First Friday during the Andy Warhol Birthday Celebration.
Aug. 20 – Third Friday Artists and Curator’s Reception.
Aug. 29 – Closing Date: the final day of the Denver Modernism Show.
Aug. 29 – 30 – Artists pick up work 5 – 6pm Sunday or 1 – 5 pm Monday.

More info at http://danacain.com/Andy%20Warhol%20Celebration.html

This show is designed to showcase the strength of the local art community during Denver’s
Biennial of the Americas. If you don’t already have plans to show work during the Biennial,
this could be a great opportunity. Exposure for this show should be fantastic.

Work in any medium accepted.

Juror: Ken Hamel
Director of DenverArts.org, Denver’s premier online resource for the visual arts.

Deadline for Entries: July 3
Artist’s Reception: July 9, 6-9pm

Core’s Juried Show Details…

The artwork must fit through the door ready to hang with wire. (NO SAWTOOTH HANGERS). We accept art for open entry shows 2 weeks in advance of the deadlines noted during our regular business hours. Each show is juried by noted artists, gallery owners, educators or art critics or the membership of Core. You are encouraged to submit your best work. We will call all entrants to tell them if they are in or out of the show. Those who are not juried in must pick up their work within two weeks of the opening. (Please no pick-ups the night of the opening). After the show you must pick up your work on the last Sunday of the show from 3 to 4pm. Storage fees will be charged if you fail to pick up your work in a timely manner (see your entry form). Thank you for your entries, your fees help us to show new work and help support our outreach programs.

Application Instructions:

Please print & fill out for yourself; three copies for each piece. Numbers will be put on at the gallery. $10 per entry.

Download the application or learn more.

PRICE: $95
If interested, make a check out to the Denver Art Society or email me at sean@denverartsociety.com. Thanks everyone!

Bumper sticker prints costs $15 – in a check made out to “Denver Art Society Donation”.

Like the poem, it depicts the struggle of life against death – light against darkness – and, in this case, I do it visually. The picture doesn’t show a couple small hands near the bottom of his legs coming out of the blackness.

It is framed and ready to hang either vertically OR horizontally. Looks great both ways.

HOW DID I MAKE IT?

Funny you should ask. First I drew a few sketches. This was the first one and grabbed me the most:

Then I drew (with lots of erasing) a large format version on some railroad board with the idea of making a stencil. I focused mostly on getting the structure, or the form, correct:

Then I cut out only the part where the light would hit the figure, leaving the rest to the dark recesses of the undefined blackness of the imagination. Looks weird here, in reverse, with the figure in brown and a white easel behind it:

And then the easy part: spraying it! An old artist’s trick is to tape around the edges so when done you can untape to see a beautiful, perfectly framed piece of art when you’re done. Very satisfying.

That’s it!