Monday, October 30, 2006

Position Your Artwork

Abstract Earth Gallery has a unique feature that allow the viewer to preview what a work would look like on a wall (allowing you to position the work). You can even upload pictures of your own wall to see what the work could look like in your home or office.

Just click on any of their artists' names and then click the "on the wall" option.

I bet the jury is out on just what this does to the whole "art buying process," -- and this coming from one of the world's worst art hangers, never really thinking how it looks on my wall, or if it fits a motiff or whatever - I buy artwork for many reasons, key amongst them is "do I like it?" but never "will it look good in my house."

But then more often than not, I just hang it, or if undecided, it just stays around forever waiting for a decision - such as my "decades-long waiting-to-hang" of a really nice Vija Celmins drawing that I've had for ages and it has never hung yet!

Exposing the Ripper

And nu, during my recent flying to and from New Mexico and then to and from New Hampshire, I read "Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper -- Case Closed" by Patricia Cornwell, who's not only a bestselling author, but also the Virginia Institute of Forensic Science and Medicine chairman of the board.

In the book, Cornwell accumulates a spectacular amount of circumstantial evidence to prove that British painter Walter Sickert was the infamous Whitechapel serial killer, including some interesting analysis of Sickert's paintings.

Although Ms. Cornwell's detractors and Sickert's defenders are many, the tantalizing evidence of DNA is too hard to dismiss, and I for one do not believe in coincidences. Apparently, Sickert has been a suspect for many years, and Cornwell has just tied the case into a tight, if not so neat, package.

This book is a terrific read, and Cornwell has convinced me that the case is closed!

Art for Children's Healing

Alexandria's Elizabeth Stone Gallery pass info about an original Art, limited editions, and children’s books event to benefit children with Neurofibromatosis and their families and Neurofibromatosis Research

The Art exhibition, reception and book signing is Monday, November 6, 2006, 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm and you can meet Charles Santore, Award-Winning children's book author and illustrator, and Emily Arnold McCully, Caldecott Medal 1993.

Where: Bryn Mawr Hospital
130 South Bryn Mawr Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
The Rotunda - South Bryn Mawr Entrance

Visit Elizabeth Stone Gallery for details.

At GRACE

Lots of openings this week. Add to them "Arts Council @ GRACE" juried by my good friend Jack Rasmussen.

The show opens November 3 and runs through December 1, 2006. Opening Reception and Juror's Remarks, Friday, November 3, 6-8 pm at the Greater Reston Arts Center in Reston, VA. Details also at the Arts Fairfax website.

At the Czech Embassy

I've been hearing good things about the American debut of Mila Judge-Furstova at the Czech Embassy in DC. My good friend Sharon from Authentic Art went to see it and had this to say.