Sunday, March 31, 2013

Interview with Jessica Gordon--April 2013 Featured Artist

Work of Jessica Gordon

Who are you and what do you do, and what is your background? 
My name is Jes Belkov Gordon, and I am an artist. I have made my career out of specializing in color. I graduated from the Atlanta College of Art with a degree in Painting in 1997. I’ve spent time painting murals and creative decorative finishes for people in their homes. I spent many years under the hat of “color consultant” where I help people pick paint colors for their homes and businesses based on personality profiles. I have a certification with the IACC-NA (International Association of Color Consultants/Designers of North America), where I studied color from scientific perspective of human reaction to the color environment. I now make paintings with the mergence of my color training and fine art study. I’m addicted to liquid color!


What's integral to your art and or art career?
Work of Jessica Gordon


The most important thing to me has been my studio outside my home. I require having a space that is only there so that I can make art. I have tried every room in my home. I have tried temporary spaces. I have tried everything imaginable. I LOVE having a sacred art space. I make more art that way. I’m comfortable and free when I go there. I’m not haunted by “other” things I “should” be doing. And I’m not faced with the tug and pull of family duties while I’m in my studio. It’s my own personal heaven!

What themes do you pursue and what medium do you use.

I am an acrylic painter and occasional mixed media artist, using paper as my sub-straight. Right now the most important theme in my work it authenticity. I used to paint what I thought was clever or what I thought would be well received. That gets old and painful. It’s important to me that I paint for the love and joy of painting. While my father was dying of cancer, he was actually prescribed painting. He was told to make art and that it might help him to heal. He never did do it. My mother was an artist, but never pursued it seriously, and after her death I felt like I needed to make my art my life’s focus again. Because of my experience with my parents, I paint intuitively. I paint with my soul. I paint me. Writers are told to write what they know; as an artist, I feel like I need to paint what I know. I know color. I love color. So right now, my work is about using forms of color to express the joy I find in painting. I’m also expressing the beauty in the seemingly broken, chaotic parts of life.

What makes you angry, what makes you happy?

Simplicity makes me happy. Painting makes me happy. Watching my son (whom I homeschool) learn something new makes me happy. Listening to my husband perform music makes me happy. Cake makes me happy. Drinking tea with girlfriends with good conversation makes me happy. Painting with others makes me happy. Going to art museums and galleries makes me happy. Indian food makes me happy. Vegan food makes me happy. I don’t like to talk about what makes me angry, I’d rather paint through that and talk about what makes me happy.

Who and what inspire you in your work and or in your life in general?
I’m inspired by everyday people. We are amazing creatures. I see friends and family going through so much pain and trouble, and yet I see them expressing kindness and love and laughter; that inspires me. I’m so inspired by other artists and what they create. I love going to artist panel discussion and talks. I’m inspired by music! What’s better than blaring the music and dancing around the studio with a brush in one’s hand… I mean, come on! That’s just the BEST!


What superpower would you want?
Work of Jessica Gordon


The power to heal physical ailments; that’s the superpower I’d want.

What is your favorite artists and or other person?

Judy Chicago, Miriam Schapiro, Faith Ringgold, Georgia O’Keefe, Josef Albers, Paul Klee, etc, etc, etc…

What advice would you give to other artists.

Seek out some intuitive painting or creative techniques. These tools are so important to have in our back pocket for those days when excuses and blocks make creating difficult. I find that it’s always best to work on a couple things at once, so you are taking any one painting or piece too seriously. Don’t force it; meaning that when you feel like you don’t know what to do next with something that you are working on, take a break and ask the piece what it wants. Journaling a conversation with your piece can go a long way… I highly recommend it. Believe in yourself, and don’t quit. I think it’s important that when you are in the arts, you know that other people’s opinions are just that; opinions. If you are creating something that you love and are addicted to creating, then it has a place in this world. High art
isn’t always the best fit for all of us; there is an audience for everything! Do what you love and never give up!

Contact details if any?

Jes Belkov Gordon
410-507-7991

You can find me at Sycamore Place Gallery & Studios in Decatur

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

WCAGA is a part of The Georgia Women's Conference 2013


This year the WCAGA Members Art Show "Crossing into Abstractions" plays an important role in the Georgia Women's Conference 2013. The Conference theme is: The Female Perspective in Art, Scholarship, and Politics. Topics include, but are not limited to: academic papers and dissertations, political issues and themes, literature and poetry, women's health, fine arts, career advancement, international topics, financial advisement, LGBTQ, transgender issues, and more! 

At the opening of "Crossing into Abstraction"
Barb Rehg and Don Dougan curated this show. Don Dougan is an Instructor at the Georgia Perimeter College and the Gallery Director of Clarkston Fine Arts. Barb Rehg is an accomplished Local Artist and the Exhibition chair for WCAGA.  Included in this show are Loretta Paraguassu, Kathy Meliopoulos, Dory Ingram , Helen DeRamus, Jane Jaskevich, Linda Hudgins, Corlia Kock, Ann Rowles, Ann Rhodes, Sally Eppstein, Patricia Bohannon, Eileis Crean, Norma Hendrix,Edna Shipp, Angie Dachs,Teresa Libbey, Kate Lehman Landishaw, Karen Phillips, Laura Monk,Vicki Bethel, Kate Colpitts, Cecelia Kane,Ellen Fennel Blythe, Barb Rehg and Claudia Wilburn. 

This year's Members Show examines what it means to work with abstraction, reach out to abstraction and to immerse in abstraction. A wide range of themes are visible in the art work selected for this show. This show answers questions on how far you can take form, color, and shape and still be considered abstract.

A scheduled event of the Georgia Women's Conference is the Continental Breakfast with the artists of
the Women's Caucus for Arts of Georgia,Saturday, March 23, 9 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. in the Jim Cherry Learning Resource Center Gallery. 

Looking forward to see you there.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Material Witness--THE JURORS

Lisa Alembik

Judy Parady, President of WCAGA, brought together three women that stand out in the Art World. The Jurors of WCAGA Material Witness Are Lisa Alembik, Lynn Marshall-Linnemeir and Marcia Wood.

Marcia Wood
Lynn Marshall-Linnemeier



Lisa Alembik

Lisa Alembik is an artist, educator and curator. She is the director of the Dalton Gallery at Agnes Scott College, where she has curated exhibitions such as “Groundstory: tales from the shade of the South...read more.

Lynn Marshall-Linnemeier

Lynn Marshall-Linnemeier is a visual mythologist, a memory keeper. She is guided by the idea of the journey, unmapped spaces and the magic that occurs when one goes looking for history and ancestors... read more.

Marcia Wood

Representing emerging, mid-career and established artists who are based locally, nationally and abroad, Marcia Wood is dedicated to the exhibition, promotion and support of contemporary art... read more.

For more information the National Art Call -Material Witness- www.wcaga.org

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Georgia Artists: A Juried Exhibit. Call for Art.

Abernathy Arts Center will host our 6th Annual  GA Artists: A Juried ExhibitMay 3 – June 14, 2013.  The show is open to all Georgia residents who are at least 18 years of age. Mediums accepted will include oils, acrylics, watercolors, mixed media, drawings, pastels, photography, pottery, sculpture, printmaking, and wood. Deadline for entry: Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Acting as the 2 Jurors this year will be myself, Lauren Bernazza, Curator & Program Director of the Abernathy Arts Center and Jacob Gunter, Education Director & Gallery Coordinator at Binders Art Supplies.  Once accepted works are installed, our esteemed Judge for 2013, Anne Lambert Tracht, who is President of Consult Art Inc. and also serves on the board of the Atlanta Metropolitan Public Art Coalition, Burnaway, Living Walls, and the Judith Alexander Foundation will judge the exhibit and give awards for Best of Show, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places as well as four honorable mentions.

Here is a link to the Information and Prospective on the Fulton County Site

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

URBANfront Gallery Submissions




Calling all Artist/ Designers/ Sculptors & Furniture Designers (Midtown Atlanta)

Call For Artists|Designers|Architects URBANfronts encourages design conversations in a public forum utilizing empty retail space to display stimulating art and design for an otherwise abandoned or empty space. It provides an expression of AIA ATL's commitment to public education and awareness by offering an exhibition platform to display the works of local designers. URBANfronts is focused on producing collaboration and creative partnerships with other Art & Design groups and fostering youthful talent through design students and enthusiasts both exhibiting and attending the event. http://www.aiaatl.org/urbanfronts/

Examples of possible Design Interventions: Works in Art, Architecture, Dance, Fashion, Furniture, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Music and Design Presentations/ Discussions.

Each selected Storefront and Installation designer will be featured on the URBANfronts website and exhibition booklet, and will have the prestige of their work being featured as part of the premier AIA URBANfronts exhibit.

URBANfront Gallery Submissions are invited for the following:
 Storefront Installations - Work to be viewed from exterior only
Storefront Installations will offer the designer a temporary storefront space to display existing pieces of artwork ro to design a site specific installation
 Still or Interactive Installations which can be accommodated in a 10'-0" x 10'-0".
Work will be exhibited within the main event space open to the public for walk through.
 Dance Submissions invited for dance proposals for the Opening Reception.

More information on property locations will be provided in the near future!

Submission Guidelines
Deadline for all applications is Friday, March 15, 2013.Selected artists will be notified by Friday, March 22, 2013.
Artists to install the installations between April 01 -- 06, 2013 in coordination with properties.

Website - http://www.aiaatl.org/urbanfronts/
  

Monday, March 4, 2013

March 2013 Newsletter is here

WCAGA2013 March Newsletter available on our Website. And Back issues for 2012.

In the March 2013 Issue

● Members Exhibitions
● ArtShare
● Reading Club Meeting
● Drawing Marathon
● 2013WCA Conference
● Call for Art
● General