Studio 1021 in Everything Long Beach

Studio 1021 was featured in Everything Long Beach, and they mentioned our upcoming show (Saturday, October 2)! Check it out:

Studio 1021 is presenting a one-night exhibition featuring the vibrant paintings of Patrick Farrand and the organic ceramic sculptures and pottery of Sonia Farrand. Come see the work of Studio 1021’s owners, while enjoying a complimentary hors d’oeuvre and cocktail reception. Support the Long Beach arts at this entirely FREE event.
The Studio 1021 one-night exhibition is Saturday, October 2, 2010, from 7-10 p.m. Studio 1021 is located at 1021 E. Broadway Long Beach, CA 90802.

Read more at:

http://www.everythinglongbeach.com/studio-1021s-painting-and-ceramics-exhibition/

Painting and Ceramics Art Show at Studio 1021!

Come join us on Saturday, October 2 for a one-night exhibition here at Studio 1021! Patrick and I have been hard at work in the studio, and we are excited to show off our newest pieces. For those who don't know, I (Sonia) make ceramic sculptures and pottery, and Patrick will be showcasing his newest paintings and drawings. Come support Studio 1021 while enjoying a complimentary hors d'oeuvre and cocktail reception at this entirely FREE event. And bring friends. We love friends.

1021 E. Broadway Long Beach, CA 90802
Saturday, October 2, 2010 7-10 p.m.

Click the image below for a map, and please spread the word!

Art Discovery: Leonardo da Vinci's Ultrathin Paint Layers

Leonardo da Vinci is well known for evoking subtlety and mystery in his paintings, but only recently did scientists discover a technique he used to accomplish this effect. Apparently, da Vinci layered up to 30 coats of paint on his work, and each layer was no more than a glaze. All together, the 30 layers of paint are still half the thickness of a human hair!

Though impasto (thick, visible layers of paint), is a commonly used painting style today, I think there are contemporary lessons to be learned from this discovery. If you are deliberately painting thickly to accomplish your artistic vision, that's one thing. But if you are using multiple layers of paint to mask imperfections (or lack of substance), then it might be time to look to the old masters and refine your approach.

Interestingly, this discovery was the result of new x-ray technology that can distinguish between paint layers without requiring a sample from the painting. After all, no one wants to gouge a chunk out of the Mona Lisa! Well, maybe Michelangelo would have . . . (a little Art History humor? anyone??)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/16/french-scientists-crack-s_n_649350.html

Twitter This: Social Media Creates Art

At the intersection of social media, technology, and art, there is The Hello Wall.

In London, a non-profit art organization called Wasted Spaces takes empty buildings and uses them as temporary showcases for art shows and installations. These days, commercial spaces can sit empty for long periods of time, but utilizing them for art exhibitions keeps the surrounding neighborhood from appearing like a wasteland. The ghost-town affect can have grave domino-like consequences for the community, but the art keeps things vibrant (often more successfully than when the building was rented to a business). We have a similar organization in the LA area called Phantom Galleries, and their installations have been a wonderful asset to downtown Long Beach.

The Hello Wall is "an installation that uses Twitter to let the public interact with the huge wall projection. Users can interact with the wall by tweeting to @thehellowall using words such as shapes (triangles, squares, circles), commands (more, less, shake) or just say hello to @thehellowall." The tweeted directives will materialize on The Hello Wall, so the artwork becomes the product of technology, social media and public interaction. I'm not a tweeter (yet), but this might convert me . . .

http://design-milk.com/the-hello-wall/

Sonia

Graffiti art or graffiti "art"?

These articles are particularly well timed, since someone tagged the wall of Studio 1021 yesterday. While we enjoyed their choice of a playful purple instead of the bland neutrals they usually use on our walls, it was still a nuisance. Even though we "erased" the work, it reminds me of discussions I've had in modern art classes, and I'd like to hear what you all think.

Is graffiti art?

Ultimately, this harkens back to the essential question of the definition of art. Even though the graffiti on our studio was upsetting to us, I'm not completely willing to discount all graffiti as a mere nuisance. I remember traveling in Germany and Switzerland and being absolutely blown away (in a good way) by graffiti. It exists on walls (there is/was one rather memorable wall with graffiti in Berlin), on trains . . . and I have to say, some of it was truly beautiful (in my opinion, of course). So, I follow the school of thought that graffiti can be art. However, I'm not compelled to say that, therefore, ALL graffiti is art. I can say that I appreciate the questions it raises about the definition of art, and I think it is always a fascinating discussion.

Think about performance, installation, and public art that has been controversial. What are some of the characteristics of the work that compel the viewer to evaluate or disregard it? In the 60's Ed Ruscha joined the canon of modern art with his "word paintings." He often painted words and sayings on his canvases; how different is this from painting on walls or other objects with a spray can? I'm feeling like stirring things up today. What do you think?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/08/positive-graffiti-the-mos_n_674761.html

http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2010/08/17/129251257/misrach

LONG POSE 9+ HOURS! MUST SIGN UP!!

To all Studio 1021 fellow artists!

To address various requests, we have decided to try to set up a 9 hour pose, broken up into three weekly sessions of three hours each from 6-9 pm. They will be held on the following days in September:

Thursday, September 2nd, 6-9
Thursday, September 9th, 6-9
Thursday, September 16th, 6-9

In order for this to work, you must sign-up by Friday the 20th of August, and there must be a minimum of 6 people signed up by then or it will be canceled. The cost is $50 for the three workshops and will include wine and light snacks. If the minimum attendance registration is reached by Aug 20th, the $50 fee must be pre-paid by August 27th (cash, check or PayPall accepted). I apologize for the “strict due dates,” but it necessary in order to assure Melissa, the model, time enough to book other work if it ends up not happening, for as of now she is holding these three dates for us.

To sign up, please respond with an email to info@studio1021.com and please include all necessary contact information.

As I mentioned above, the model will be Melissa, and there will be a potential fourth session to be held on the 23rd, if we decide as a group that we want and/or need it.

This is a GREAT opportunity to do a refined painting and/or drawing! All levels of ability are of course welcome! Let’s make this happen!! :)

Sincerely,
Patrick and Sonia Farrand

Paris' Art Scene Goes Underground . . . Literally in Caves!

Check out this fascinating article about a totally off-beat art scene in Paris! Tunnels that were constructed in the 17th century and also include catacombs from the era are being used as an unconventional canvas for art. A small but growing group of Parisian's steal away into the caves to explore the history, paint murals or throw a party. Some areas of the tunnels are restricted from public access, but that doesn't stop everyone. One muralist interviewed for the story has just unveiled his third mural in the tunnel, which took him one year to complete.

I love to hear about how artists bring their creativity to unexpected places. I think, when you open up to it, the entire world is a canvas. Yesterday, I was picking up some clay for my next round of sculptures and read this post on the memo board, "Art should not be held captive in museums. It should live among us."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704271804575405283969684798.html?mod=WSJ_ArtsEnt_LifestyleArtEnt_4