Kelly Darke and her little brother colin

New mixed media jewelry

2011-11-05T07:10:00.000-04:00

new fiber work - lots of texture!

2011-09-23T11:00:00.003-04:00

I have been working on some mixed media pieces focusing on texture - I have been enjoying this work immensely. I think it is interesting that on the knit pieces you can see through the work - so, the color of the wall it hangs on will change the overall look of the piece. With some of these pieces I intended for the back of the piece to be visible, but not sure how practical that would be... but the idea that we hide or cover or somehow alter the image we present to the world, but if we could see behind the facade we would find a lot of interesting 'texture'.


Chaos (Red) 13 x 13

Chaos (White) 13 x 13

Comfort 30 x 50

Control 13 x 13

Hidden 13 x 13

Thinking of Mary 30 x 50

New Pieces for MSU Show

2011-09-16T09:37:00.002-04:00

Let me know your thoughts -- these are both hard to take pictures of because I used silver and gold paint that is ver reflective

Virtual art show: Layers

2011-09-03T09:58:00.000-04:00

I chose to show these pieces together because they all have so much texture, I would love to touch them - to closely examine the stitches, the layers, the processes. Each work is strong on its own and grouped together would make for a visually powerful experience.

Elisa D'Arrigo
Recollection... Pink (1)
2006
paper, cloth, acrylic paint, thread
28"x83"x6"

Frances Dorsey - Rice Paddies - image Rice Paddies 2005 installation view courtesy the artist
image found in article here: Fibred Optics: Cut from the Same Cloth
Richmond Art Gallery Jun 24 to Aug 28 2011
by Leah Sandals

Rice Paddies by Dorsey is created from pieces of dyed fabric and represent ideas of her experience growing up in Saigon in the 1950's while her father worked at the US Embassy. More information can be found here.

Elana Herzog

Untitled 2000 and 2003
Mixed fibers, metal staples, drywall, paint, plywood
Dimensions variable

Detail - Untitled 2000 and 2003

Cynthia Minden
first found on Daily Art Muse

Maurizio Anzeri
Nicola
2011 Embroidery on photograph
23 x 17 cm

Hang Nguyen - New Work
Where Do We Come From? Where Are We? Where Are We Going?
Tryptich, each panel measures 48" x 36" x 12"
Mixed media (yarn, thread, fabric, plastic, wire, acorns)

Detail - Hang Nguyen - New Work

Remi Veldhoven
photo curtain fabric 55 x 160 cm (hand woven)

Remi Veldhoven
sketchbook page _ collage (pencil on photo)

Remi Veldhoven
sketchbook page _ collage (pencil, threats and pen on photo)

The show is up!

2011-08-24T23:06:00.001-04:00

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And more work-in-progress

2011-08-23T06:22:00.001-04:00

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Works-in-progress / final count down

2011-08-22T05:38:00.001-04:00

Yes, these are flipped around

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Slowly but surely, work-in-progress re Rules

2011-08-20T08:35:00.001-04:00

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new mixed media jewelry, sterling silver, polyurethane, and fiber

2011-08-15T07:34:00.000-04:00

mixed media jewelry pins/brooches made with knitted acrylic yarn, sterling silver, polyurethane, and thread.

More works-in-progress

2011-08-14T00:10:00.001-04:00

The photos are kind of creepy because they are in my basement, but you can get the general idea

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Works-in-progress for Rules series

2011-08-13T07:17:00.001-04:00

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Test

2011-08-11T10:28:00.001-04:00

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Test

2011-08-11T09:43:00.001-04:00

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Artwork

2011-08-11T08:53:00.000-04:00

Some how I deleted a folder with a lot of the blog artwork -- I am trying to fix it, but it may take awhile

Works-in-progress

2011-08-11T08:19:00.001-04:00

I am still trying to figure out what happened to the pictures on our blog.

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Detroit Artists Market Small(er) show opening this Friday Aug. 5th

2011-08-03T13:07:00.000-04:00

Both Colin and Kelly Darke will have work in this show!

On August 5, the Detroit Artists Market presents its annual DAM Small(er) show. The show consists of more than 100 established and emerging artists. The show is ideal for new collectors because the pieces are small (8” x 8” or smaller) and the prices are inexpensive ($250 or less). The DAM Small(er) Show’s Opening Reception is August 5, 2011 from 6 – 9 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. The Detroit Artists Market is located at 4719 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201; (313) 832-8540; Open Tue-Sat 11am-6pm; www.detroitartistsmarket.org

Sunlight

2011-07-27T15:31:00.002-04:00

Wow, what a difference sunlight makes when taking a picture of my paintings

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Note -- most of my pictures on this blog are taken in my basement, so all of the paintings are a lot brighter

In-progress work

2011-07-27T08:06:00.001-04:00

Photos are not great, but posting these keep me honest

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Rules re-do

2011-07-26T13:05:00.001-04:00

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Portrait-in-progress Weiwei

2011-07-25T22:51:00.001-04:00

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New review at www.thedetroiter.com

2011-07-21T16:02:00.001-04:00

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A review of Re:View’s brandished

2011-07-21T13:23:00.003-04:00

By Colin Darke
Until July 23, Re:View Contemporary presents selected work from Wesley Taylor and Chitra Gopalakrishnan, two recent Cranbrook Academy of Art graduates. In viewing art, I am thrilled when I discover artists who think deeply and create unique art. Namely, I love to see those artists that create art that mirrors their unique, inquisitive view of their world. Wesley Taylor and Chitra Gopalakrishnan are two such artists.
For me, the highlight of the show is their use of digital media. Their individual discoveries show that gifted artists can use a limited medium to engross viewers with distinct visual spaces. They add to the successes of Takashi Murakami, Mark Grotjahn, and Inka Essenhigh, each of whom create complex, layered, computer-sourced paintings that escape the limits of RGB color and digital printing.
That is, there are several contemporary artists that use a visual language that initially employs the RGB color available through computers. Through the use of simple, non-mixed colors, clean lines, and often text, these artists reflect a post-pop appreciation of our current commercial society. These works reflect our consumer society because they reflect our consumption of glossy, flat, imagery throughout any given day through our computers, iPhones, iPads, etc. While this style of work has an immediate impact, its impact often disappears just as quickly. So this work runs the risk of pure graphic design in the guise of fine arts.
Yet Taylor and Gopalakrishnan bring a depth to this medium, which captured my attention long after I left the show.
Their respective “show stopper” pieces are Gopalakrishnan’s “The Song” and “The Prefect Human Being,” and Taylor’s “Color Fields with Bullet Proof.” Gopalakrishnan’s work arrests you visually with bold colors and a complex interplay of disjointing imagery of dolls, tissue, and (what appears to be) parasitic worms. In fact, Gopalakrishnan’s anchor imagery is the detailed parasitic worm imagery that creeps into her pieces. She manages to use this imagery to create beautiful pictures. She also manages to avoid the problem of layering too much imagery into a piece, which several artists that employ these techniques do not avoid. Both artists create safe havens for the viewer to rest his or her eye to avoid being overwhelmed (in a bad way) by the piece.

Taylor’s “Color Fields with Bullet Proof ” is probably the piece that will grab your attention when you first walk into the gallery. This piece consists of 18 square canvases that balance each other through a complex interplay of contrasts and sharp and blurred digital imagery. I enjoyed this piece because it approaches the line of being too complex and being too much out of the graphic design arena, but it does not go over the line. The artist knows when to hold back and create an unique experience for the viewer rather than mimicking an experience the viewer will have when they surf adverstisments on the internet or in a magazine.
Another strong series of work is Gopalakrishnan’s “Sugar Allegories.” These are quiet pieces that are a stark contrast to the show as a whole, yet if you look closely she does use her worms to add an additional subtext. At first, these paintings are simple watercolor (possibly ink) brushstroke studies. But upon closer scrutiny the viewer is treated to the intricate dance of her parasitic worms.

Re:View Contemporary is located at 444 W. Willis St., Detroit, and it is open Thursday through Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. You can contact them at 313-833-9000, and its website is reviewcontemporary.com.

On Friday, July 22 Taylor will perform Quantum Leap from 7 to 10 p.m. as part of the closing reception. The gallery advertises Taylor’s performance piece as “an installation/performance project that translates key principles of complex science into music and visual art.”

Fixed one of the portraits

2011-07-14T23:16:00.001-04:00

So I am fixing the placement of his eye, and I am smoothing the lines and adding more color to his skin -- the last go around was looking too Pop. I also wanted to make sure he looked like a bad guy-- but I don't want him to look like he is out of a video game

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Almost there-- Rules, works-in-progress

2011-07-14T06:43:00.001-04:00

Location:Lake Shore Rd,Grosse Pointe Farms,United States

2 new works-in-progress re Rules series

2011-07-12T00:06:00.001-04:00

Let me know your thoughts

Review: DAM Unmentionables

2011-07-09T23:41:00.003-04:00

Until July 16, 2011, the Detroit Artists Market presents Unmentionables: The Underwear Show. Jack Summers and Gary Eleinko curated the show, and they used this platform to challenge established artists. They asked artists to create work based on this theme, so it was not a traditional call for entry process. Jack told me that because they “asked very established artists, [they] knew [the artists] would step up to the plate and ‘deliver’...which they did.”

The show’s theme creates a specific risk: artists would deliver immature work. It’s a theme that can inspire imagery that ranges from the erotic to the hamper. But the majority of the artists used the theme to challenge themselves as artists to create mature work.

My favorite piece is Topher Crowder’s Yelo Kiteh. In this piece, Crowder creates a strong, stylized image of an erotic, provocative African American woman etched on orange Plexiglas. He created the woman with belt buckles, wires, telephones, and other objects. She is seductive, and she conjures references of blaxploitation film and R. Crumb illustrations. Yet the medium and execution is purely original and purely Crowder.

I also enjoyed Claudia Shepard’s contribution to the show, Longing. It is a beautifully executed oil painting of negligee hung in a closet. The image initially strikes you as simply an attractive and delicate silk negligee.
You then notice that the negligee appears torn. Then you notice that the silk imagery is contrasted harshly with a background stained with a dark blood red. The execution, composition, and titling of this work intrigues me.

There was one piece that I found in poor taste because the artist used the theme to create a piece about sexualizing adolescents. The piece is by Julie Lambert and titled My Little Pony L.H.O.O.Q. The piece consists of several panties (which appear to range in size from an adult to a child) repeated over a toy “my little pony” doll. To dispel any question about the artist’s intent, she titles her work with “L.H.O.O.Q.,” which is a reference to a work by Marcel Duchamp. Duchamp titled one of his ready-mades, a postcard image of Mona Lisa with a mustache, “L.H.O.O.Q.” as a pun based on it sounding like “she has a hot ass” when read aloud in French.

That piece aside, this is a strong show that brings together an eclectic group of artists that work in various media and with widely different and intriguing points of view.

The Detroit Artists Market is open from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays. It is located at 4719 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201, just down from The Detroit Institute of Arts. Its website is www.detroitartistsmarket.org.

Better Picture of one of my hope pieces

2011-07-07T14:27:00.001-04:00

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Barely There –MOCAD’s mission accomplished

2011-07-06T00:04:00.000-04:00

For a college final exam, I worked with a group of students to conceive of and participate in a performance art piece. We clashed on every idea. Our final idea frustrated me, because I thought it was devoid of any conceptual or artistic merit.
The day of the final we were in the fine arts building’s basement. I only remember one other performance. One group displayed a very detailed, beautiful drawing. Then each group member took a turn and erased the drawing (I only later discovered this concept mirrored a conceptual piece by Robert Rauschenberg where he erased a William de Kooning drawing). I remember vaguely the other groups who had elaborate videos and performances.
My group turned the lights off, and then we took turns and walked across the floor- - the floor was dirty with sand and the room was cavernous. We all had different cadences—someone kicked a plastic ball – and at the end we all walked together in a muffled shifting through the room. In his class critique, the professor described our work as monotonous, frustrating, and borderline pointless. This, in his viewpoint, showed that we understood contemporary art and we received an A.
We deserved a D. Actually, in this professor’s contemporary art philosophy, we deserved an A. In my view, we deserved a D --- maybe a C.
I believe that there are two sides to conceptual art (at least for me to write about the subject, it is easier if I can simplify conceptual art into two categories). On one side, there are artists that demand that you contemplate deep issues through an unfamiliar, creative new language – their language to tell, or better yet, open up a dialogue of questions about difficult concepts. On the other side, there are artists that demand that you acquiesce to them knowing better. They are smarter than you. They think deeper than you. They are Artists, and you are not. This group irritates me since they often rehash ideas that other artists explored at the conceptual art’s birth. An idea can only be original once. So these artists bask in self-importance while they skim the top of substantive issues, which results in an insult to the viewer and to their predecessors in this field.
In my view, Barely There is great because you get to see both sides. In fact, I believe that you can get an immersive education in conceptual art if you attend Barely There.
My review of the show breaks down the pieces showcased by Barely There into three categories. First, I discuss one of the important historical pieces. Second, I discuss one piece that frustrates me, and which adds to the discussion regarding the purpose of conceptual art and the duty of the artist who puts forward conceptual art. Third and finally, I discuss two pieces that inspire me and sparked a conversation in my head about what is good about conceptual art. Because this show hits all three of these categories, I think it is a brilliant example of MOCAD’s mission to educate the public.
Art History
The show’s cornerstone piece is a pivotal video in conceptual art, the World Question Center, 1969. James Lee Byars created this piece. His performance work shows the value in conceptual art. It can force us to ask questions and add substance to what may be the seemingly mundane of the everyday. Namely, all of us have questions, none of us have sufficient answers, and this highlights the beauty of communal interaction. The piece consists of a group of artists, which includes Byars, who sat at a call-in center. Prior to the live broadcast on Belgian T.V., various intellectuals were asked to call into the broadcast with an important question. And that was it. Byars merely acknowledged the questions—Byers offered no answers.
Art Misery
There is one piece that is merely a blue pen without a cap positioned at an angle by a red pen cap. It is by Wilfredo Prieto and titled Infidelity. While it invokes an initial laugh at its title’s implication, this piece falls flat as an original conceptual piece when compared with the other pieces in the show. In my mind, this piece fails because it echoes Marcel Duchamp’s Fountain. In 1917, Marcel Duchamp entered a urinal into a show and titled the urinal Fountain. Through this act, Duchamp expressed his belief that the artist defines the art and not the viewer. He selected the urinal, he positioned it at a different angle, he created a new context for the object, and through this process he highlighted the value of the artist’s intellectual analysis of an object (his “readymades”) in contrast to an artist’s physical ability to create a piece of art. How does Infidelity add to this important piece?
I enjoy conceptual art, but the artist needs to challenge himself or herself before I can appreciate his or her particular idea. As noted, these discussions and these types of questions are only original once.
Art Ecstasy
There are two pieces that highlight particularly deep thought by extraordinarily unique and creative voices. The first is a remarkable multiple faceted piece that the artist presents in several stages. The artist was inspired by his thoughts on his father’s death. The artist is Pablo Helguera and the piece is titled Endingness, 2005. The artist provides an essay on memory, death, and his art practice. He also provides a movable art sculpture, which consists of geometrical shapes. The shapes are made of wax and framed with wood and the artist carved his essay into the wax. You can see the artist’s hand at work, and you can see an artist that is open emotionally to let viewers experience the artist’s process as the artist explores difficult questions. The final element is an orchestral score that the Detroit Symphony Orchestra performed at MOCAD.
The second piece was Love Lettering, 2002, by the brother and sister art team Rivane and Sergio Neuenschwander. Rivane is the sister artist, and her brother Sergio is a neuroscientist. This is a beautifully quiet piece. This collaboration illustrates what is great about conceptual art. It engrosses viewers through a single-channel video where color saturated fish swim through the screen with pieces of a love letter attached to their tails. The words are taken out of context, which highlights fleeting, fragmented memories of love and lost. You get the tragic sense of someone that tries to grasp a beautiful memory, yet is unable to grasp it fully. The piece also has an organic, industrial soundtrack, which accompanies the piece without competing with the gentle and quiet ephemeral strength of the main imagery of the piece.
There are other pieces, but these are the ones that resonated with me the most. The piece that frustrated me the most also sparked the most discussions after I saw the show a second time. Does that fact validate it? Please see the show and let me know your thoughts.

June newsletter for Kelly and Colin Darke

2011-06-29T07:30:00.000-04:00

Sibling Revelry: colin & kelly's art

Show Closings:

This is the last week to see a selection of pieces from Kelly's series: Daily Visual Journal, showing at St. Johns VanElslander Cancer Center -
You have only a few days to view the work before it is taken down on June 30th, 2011 -
located at:

St. Johns VanElslander Cancer Center
22101 Moross Road, Grosse Pointe, MI
(313) 647-3000

hours are Mon. - Fri. 7am - 5pm, but please call first to make sure they are open.

The Wordplay show at the Grosse Pointe Art Center closes July 9, 2011 (they are showing Colin's work Hope Halted--shown above.)

The Grosse Pointe Art Center is located at:

16900 Kercheval Rd.

Grosse Pointe, Michigan 48230

hours are Tue - Sat: 12 noon - 6 pm
Closed Sunday and Mon

New Media

Please join Kelly on her new Facebook fan page, Kelly Darke - Fine Art, for up to date information about new completed artwork, artwork in progress, links to interesting artists and art related information.
click here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelly-Darke-Fine-Art/136573807574

New Projects

Kelly is excited to announce a new project that she is working on that involves embroidery and formal gowns - like a bridesmaid dress... If you, or someone you know, has a dress that could be donated to her project, please contact her for more information. Also, if you donate a dress Kelly will donate 10% of her commission of the sale of the dress to a charity of your choice. More information about this project is coming soon.

Colin is preparing for a solo show and lecture at MSU College of Law. The show will be up throughout the Fall, and the opening and lecture will take place on October 12, 2011, 5:00 p.m., at 368 Law College Building, East Lansing, Michigan 48824. The show will consist of selected pieces from Colin's Hope Against Odds series of paintings and his Rule of Law series of paintings.

New Work

Kelly has a new painting for sale at Etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76417939/garden-original-oil-on-canvas
Garden - oil painting on canvas - 48" wide by 30" tall - original $4,300
prints of this painting are available through these sites:
http://kellydarke.artistwebsites.com
http://kellydarke.fineartamerica.com

my top 5 studio killers this past week:

2011-06-28T07:29:00.000-04:00

1. Sunshine! after two months of rain I couldn't resist some time in the sun...

2. Graduation parties

3. Carnival!

4. Twitter - tons of fun, but I get lost for hours reading and following links...

this ivy needs some serious help! little webby type stuff killing it, help!

5. my garden

Work-in-progress re Egypt #art #Detroit #ruleoflaw

2011-06-27T08:18:00.001-04:00

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links to inspiration resources I've discovered recently...

2011-06-20T19:44:00.000-04:00

blogs and books I've been stumbling across while taking the Blast Off class with Alyson Stanfield:

Mike Dooley and Notes from the Universe

37Days

Ali Brown

Jack Canfield book The Success Principles

4 hour work week

The Domino Project

Ralph Waldo Emerson writing prompts - trust30 - 30 day writing challenge ralphwaldoemerson.me

taking action, or not

2011-06-16T12:55:00.001-04:00

I was talking with a friend the other day about my art career and how I was taking a class with Alyson Stanfield to help my career Blast Off. I explained how I have a difficult time following through on my art projects since I don't have the deadlines and assignments of school - I want to finish them, but for whatever reasons, I don't. My friend asked if perhaps I was afraid of something. Hmmm, that's the second time that question has come up in recent weeks.

Is it really so scary to fail? or succeed? Or even try? It seems ridiculous to be afraid of success, but I suppose that would mean change and taking responsibility for your life - both of which are difficult and frightening. Our brains are so wired to stay within our comfort zone that when we are challenged, even by our own ideas and projects, we become anxious and uncomfortable, perhaps making our idea seem not so great anymore. Suddenly, there are seemingly good reasons why such idea might not work: it would take too much time, I don't have the right tools or materials, someone else probably thought of it already, or it's just a dumb idea anyway. So, as these 'very legitimate' (not really) reasons surface, we let our once great idea fade into the back of our memory only to resurface months or years later to which we say to ourselves, hey, that's a great idea, why didn't I ever do that? Oh that's right, it would take too much time, I don't have the right tools or materials, someone else probably thought of it already, or it's just a dumb idea anyway.

And so we keep ourselves within our comfort zone endlessly. I would like to think that we can decide to move beyond this state of inaction by taking the necessary steps to make change gradually and for the better. As I have been doing the lessons in the Blast Off class I have followed links to a variety of blogs and books that talk specifically about making these changes in a very deliberate way, not waiting for the right time or a bolt of inspiration, but taking action, every day, a little at a time. So, I'm taking steps, every day, to make some changes - so, if you notice my situation is the same next year as today, kick me.

making progress... a little bit at a time

latest Stitched Sketch... and amazing fiber art by Amanda McCavour

2011-06-10T07:42:00.000-04:00

quick image of my latest stitched sketch...

There are a handful of blogs I check regularly for inspiration and information about fiber artists and exhibits - one of them is little yellow birds written by fiber artist Joetta Maue. Today, Joetta posted images by fiber artist Amanda McCavour - her work is amazing! She creates sculptural pieces with thread only! You must check out her website. She is exhibiting in the show Play curated by Joetta Maue - showing until June 24th, 2011 at the Textile Center in Brooklyn, NY

iPhone flower

2011-06-09T20:29:00.001-04:00

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Pic of newest painting

2011-06-09T19:48:00.001-04:00

Here are some pictures of my piece Hope Halted at the Grosse Pointe Art Center's latest show, Word Play

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Great idea! Http://hatchdetroit.com

2011-06-02T17:42:00.001-04:00

Two young professionals in Detroit just launched a brilliant program to boost Detroit -- namely, you come up with the brilliant idea for retail space in Detroit, let the crowd vet your idea, and if you win you get $50k in startup capital.

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iPhone hummingbird

2011-05-27T19:20:00.001-04:00

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iPhone bird

2011-05-21T19:22:00.001-04:00

From below

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iPhone hummingbird for @semper_phi

2011-05-20T09:06:00.001-04:00

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Location:Beaubien St,Detroit,United States

iPhone bird

2011-05-19T22:08:00.001-04:00

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New work by Lindsay

2011-05-19T16:48:00.001-04:00

Age 2.5

I am actually going to use the colors in the image above in my next painting.

Revised Hope painting

2011-05-17T11:09:00.001-04:00

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Lindsay's new iPhone pic

2011-05-06T19:31:00.001-04:00

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Random iPhone sketches

2011-05-05T14:10:00.001-04:00

Location:Russell St,Detroit,United States

Another DAM good show: Northern Lights

2011-05-04T14:56:00.003-04:00

In producing a voyage to the unique beauty of Up North, the Detroit Artists Market’s latest show falls short. Perhaps because of its limited scope (a showcase of northern Michigan artists), co-curators John F. Korachis and Rebecca Glotfelty failed to produce (as promised) a coherent artistic statement that reflects the charm of northern michigan. And I am okay with that.

John and Rebecca showcased 20 northern Michigan artists whose work ranges from delicate, detail rich watercolor paintings to comical, readymade-esque sculptures. The show starts and ends with pieces that have the strongest points of view. Namely, the first few paintings (the paintings by Meredith Krell and Rick Kolb) have vivid colors (straight out of the tube primary colors) that depict postcard scenes of northern Michigan. The last few items are sculptures of a dog, a duck, and a deer’s head that Douglas Racich crafted out of found objects (the dog’s head is a boot). While an entire show of crafted sculptures would not resonate with me, I think that these pieces are a nice stopping point in the show. The show has quiet moments, funny moments, and confusing moments – like all worthwhile voyages should have.

One piece that I particulalry liked was Steve Toornman’s Lake News. This is a serene painting that captures a stolen moment on a magnificant lake. I am glad that the show did not cling on to easily recognizable images from northern Michigan, but I am equally glad that the show does highlight some of the great imagery of northern Michigan. (Fun Fact: two of the most successful pieces (in my view) were painted by two artists who are married—Meredith Krell and Steve Toornman from Charlevoix.)

Please make a point to journy to the Northern Lights, which closes on Friday, May 27, 2011. DAM is open from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, and is located at 4719 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48201, www.detroitartistsmarket.org .

iPhone political caricatures?

2011-05-04T09:02:00.001-04:00

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iPhone Flower

2011-05-03T08:23:00.002-04:00

This new drawing app is the coolest-- it even kind of looks like a watercolor

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iPhone bird

2011-05-02T22:51:00.002-04:00

I just purchased this app-- it's called LiveSketch. The one on the bottom is sideways. Hummingbirds

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Another iPhone bird

2011-05-02T11:28:00.002-04:00

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iPhone pic

2011-05-01T21:51:00.002-04:00

Not a good sketch, but here it is. I draw these with an app called Finger Paint

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daily visual journal pieces exhibited through june...

2011-05-01T14:59:00.000-04:00

some of my Daily Visual Journal pieces are on display in an exhibition of work by 3 art therapists. The exhibit is called "Pathways to Healing" and is showing at St. Johns Van Elslander Cancer Center located at 19229 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236.

Here is the information posted about the exhibit:

Art Therapy is a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well being of individuals of all ages. Art Therapy is based on the belief that the creative process involved in the creation of Art is healing and life-enhancing, making a difference in people’s lives.

Art Therapy at the VanElslander Cancer Center meets monthly for a two hour open group workshop. Anyone who visits The VanElslander Cancer Center is welcome to attend and share in the art making. It is lead by Jane Spaulding, a licensed counselor and art therapist. It has become a friendly gathering where companionship and personal support enhance the creative process. "I want our art makers to use the colors and creative thoughts they experience in art therapy to replace the worries and anxiety brought on by illness and every day stress". Art Therapy at Van Elslander Cancer Center presents the opportunity for everyone to find their creative soul through art materials and friendly support.

Kelly Darke, MEd and Margaret M. McGuinness, MA, MEd, ATR are Art Therapists using art making as a healing pathway to resolve challenges in their personal and professional lives. As artists, we create visual images of situations confronting us; these can be difficult or easy, serious or light-hearted – every area of life is open for interpretation through art. These images can be built on to develop a strong body of work, which can be shared with others as another form of art therapy.

Alice Neel

2011-04-30T22:00:00.001-04:00

Do you know Alice Neel's work? Great watercolorist

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iPhone bird

2011-04-29T12:47:00.002-04:00

Quick hummingbird drawing with my iPhone.

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Happy Easter

2011-04-24T07:54:00.001-04:00

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Inspiration

2011-04-23T07:23:00.001-04:00

Egon Schiele --

iPhone again

2011-04-22T14:57:00.002-04:00

I am actually beginning to think that these quick sketches with my iPhone may have value re exploring how different colors work with each other. Let me know your thoughts

IPhone Portrait

2011-04-21T06:57:00.002-04:00

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Collab with daughter on iPhone

2011-04-20T06:36:00.002-04:00

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Current inspiration

2011-04-20T03:24:00.001-04:00

What about Julie Mehretu--do you find her inspiring? I think she has a methodical approach with dealing with space that results in really fresh abstract cityscapes/architectural imagery. Also, she has Michigan roots.

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more Inspiration...

2011-04-19T08:13:00.000-04:00

ok, since Colin keeps posting his inspiration I figured I needed to post mine since it is completely different - I can appreciate the art that inspires Colin, but I really don't find it exciting... so, here are some of my inspirations of late:

Frank Gehry sketches:

Andre Petterson at Foster White Gallery:

and always Franz Kline at MOCA:

Inspiration for today

2011-04-19T05:03:00.001-04:00

Sandro Botticelli

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Always inspired by ...

2011-04-16T17:05:00.001-04:00

John Singer Sargent

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Portrait-in-progress/ I think it's done

2011-04-15T06:30:00.001-04:00

Thoughts?

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Portrait-in-progress 3

2011-04-14T00:29:00.001-04:00

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Portrait-in-progress 2

2011-04-11T22:59:00.002-04:00

The proportions are a little off, but fixable -- I am really back and force with the colors. It's acrylic, so I want to do thin layers. I like the eyes.

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Portrait-in-progress

2011-04-11T07:16:00.001-04:00

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Current Inspiration

2011-04-08T22:54:00.001-04:00

Kandinsky

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The Detroit Institute of Arts - Contemporary Art

2011-03-31T10:30:00.000-04:00

I visited the Detroit Institute of Arts recently and saw some amazing work that was new to me - not sure if the pieces have been at the DIA for a while, but this was the first time I saw them.

a very interesting collage type work by Raymond Johnson called "January/February"
- I love the use of multiples - lots and lots of little pieces - layers of painted wood and paper on board - grouped together to create a whole. The small painted pieces are arranged like a puzzle but remind me of a building or group of buildings - crowded but colorful and comfortable.

From 6:00 to 6:45 A.M.
Ross Bleckner
I was really excited when I saw this painting - it's beautiful and simple. It looks like the entire painting (it's huge 90 x 72 inches) was painted with a relatively small brush. The texture shows every brushstroke and the movement of the artist as he worked. The glow of the center is just beautiful.

Black Absence
Ghada Amer
fiber and paint is the most amazing combination. I was intrigued by this piece from a distance and when I got close I was overwhelmed with emotion - not sure what emotion, but there is something so strong about fiber work - sewing, hand-stitching, all of it - that thrills me - seriously. I searched for more images by Ghada Amer online and wasn't too excited by what I found and disappointed that I could not find any more information about this piece at the DIA - maybe I'll email the museum to see if someone could help with that...

... now to get ready for my personal art tour of chicago...

Hope-in-progress

2011-03-13T00:12:00.001-05:00

Possibly progress

Re:View Gallery

2011-03-12T16:44:00.001-05:00

Check out latest show at Re:View in Midtown--- I love the pieces below

Hope-in-progress

2011-03-08T10:34:00.001-05:00

Still in progress, and still poor iPhone photo

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More iPhone pics of works-in-progress

2011-03-03T06:48:00.004-05:00

Let me know your thoughts -- keep in mind, these are taken with my iPhone in my basement, so the actual pictures are not this dark.

Draft 2 -- Gadhafi

2011-03-02T08:20:00.003-05:00

Here is a new draft (step 2) -- where I tried to make it look more like Gadhafi --- thoughts?

Rule of Law -- draft

2011-02-28T23:43:00.003-05:00

Here is a draft of a new painting. Let me know if I am heading in the right direction or start over. Thanks

Rule of Law

2011-02-18T22:38:00.001-05:00

I started a series of portraits based on events that make me think about the "rule of law" and individual liberties, etc. I plan on painting the portraits or scenes quickly, "in the moment," to get my initial reaction, and then writing a short essay about the event and how it impacts my thoughts of the law.

Below is the first piece, based on this story that I read: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/28/world/africa/28uganda.html

This is a story about an outspoken Uganda gay rights activist whose name and picture were published in a local newspaper that encouraged violence against several local gay men. He was subsequently beaten to death. Just horrible.

Let me know your thoughts

Review: “Not your Grandma’s Fiber Show” -- closes March 3

2011-02-18T21:59:00.010-05:00

Grandmas versus artists—artists win!
A review of a fiber Art show at Janice Charach Gallery
By Colin Darke and Kelly Darke

Crocheted tissue box cozies were no where to be found! After all, this is “Not your Grandma’s Fiber Show.” I still had my doubts, but my sister, Kelly Darke, is a fine artist who creates contemporary fiber work. I saw the call for entry, forwarded it to her, she had a few pieces accepted, and I met her at the opening of “Not your Grandma’s Fiber Show” at the Janice Charach Gallery at the Jewish Community Center, which runs through March 3. (Warning – the iPhone pictures of the show below do not do this show justice!)

In my mind at least, fiber art has been the province of little old ladies with a lot of time on their hands. This show, however, shows that true artists can use any medium to get there message across. While I did not love every piece, I did explore and critique each piece as a piece of art rather than a kitschy decorative trinket. The pieces that I did not like were because the subject matter was juvenile, the composition was too heavy on one particular side, etc. There were no pieces that I did not like because I found them decorative and Grandma-esque.

Kelly and I decided to review the show together. We took Kelly’s pieces out of the equation, because if we read a review and saw the “critic” praise their own work, we would gag. Rather than discussing the show together, we wanted to see if we could form a consensus by separately answering four questions about the show and then comparing our responses.

1. What was the overall theme or feel of the show?

CTD: The overall feel of the show was workmanship. While you can step back and view the art work as representational or abstract, colorful or dark (mainly dark), my initial reaction was at the textural pull of work that was labor over. None of these artists just threw a piece together without thinking deeply about the process and the final, crafted piece.
KMD: There was a lot of work that expressed experimentation of traditional techniques and pieces that combined techniques. I'm wondering if having the student work from Eastern Michigan University has something to do with that impression since students are usually encouraged/eager to try new things. All the work is very well constructed, which makes for a strong overall show.

2. What were your favorite pieces?

CTD: I enjoyed Three Graces, by Margie Erlandson. This is a strong piece that grabbed my attention right away. Initially, I was drawn to the bold red and the delicate black drawings of objects that appear to start a story (three empty chairs, repetitive circles, possibly a dreidel). Then, I was drawn to the texture of the fabric that provided the base for the imagery. To me, it translated as someone using a family blanket to sketch out an important story to another member of the family or guests (us the viewers).

My favorite piece was C’est La Vie, by Diana Segovia. This piece was a collection of nine small crocheted silver squares with delicate red birds sewn into them. This was a piece that showed what I found compelling about the show. These were pieces that seemed like they could be blown away by a strong breeze, or accidently destroyed by a strong-handed artist. Yet, the final piece hovers gently on the wall because a caring artist took her time to show us the importance of the process, the materials, and the medium. The lights of the show danced off of the silver squares as the simple lined bird found its grounding.

KMD: It's really difficult to choose... although, my ultimate favorite piece is the mixed media dress combining different knitted pieces with silky fabrics - the combination of textures and colors is awesome and the asymmetrical drape adds more interest. I would love to wear this dress - with the knit coat - I don't know where, but it would be amazing.

collection of small knit/crochet pieces (vessels?) - I was very intrigued with the hanging pieces. I liked the intimacy of the delicate, small stitches - I really wanted to touch them, but that would have been inappropriate, I think.

I was also very intrigued by the postcard collages by Rayna Gilman - I like the compositions and the way the pieces have a uniform look - very professionally constructed.

3. What was your least favorite piece?

CTD: There was one piece, which I did not even take a picture of, that was a quilt with graphic imagery that seemed to be inspired by a comic book (cartoon dogs attacking). It simply tried too hard. It was reminiscent of middle school art created by an artist that can draw well, and wants to shock his or her viewer, but has not lived life deeply enough to provide imagery with substantive meaning and rather focuses on cliché imagery. It was crafted well, but I think the artist would have been more successful if he or she ignored their initial instinct to do a cartoon of a rabid dog and focused on finding a new way to visualize a person’s fear of seeing a dog that could pounce at any moment.
KMD: I'm not sure there were any pieces I didn't like - the whole show is very inspiring. If I had to choose I would say the knitted/crocheted bags. They didn't feel as strong to me as most of the other pieces. Also, they were a little too dense with textures for me.

a. How would you improve it?

CTD: The artist may be able to accomplish this by simply putting a translucent dark fabric in front of their piece so that a viewer would have to search for the imagery and then once found reflect on the feeling of being frozen with fear. I think this would allow the viewer to be a part of a dialogue with the artist rather than the artist just yelling at the viewer that he or she is angry and violent.

4. Are you looking forward to future shows at this venue?

CTD: Definitely.
KMD: Yes!

a. Why or why not?

CTD: The space itself is large (2 floors) and allows you to easily navigate several pieces without getting stuck in a crowd of people. And, more importantly, the director showed a keen eye to present a variety of pieces that were anchored by a central theme but provided a texture of approach and point of view that gave me a new appreciation for a medium that I had never really considered.
KMD: This collection of work is very professional (especially considering it had so much student work - great student work). The gallery director did an excellent job with this show.

fiber work in progress

2011-02-04T12:12:00.000-05:00

I have been taking photographs of flowers for several years to use as reference for my paintings. I choose the photograph that has a unique composition or one in which I find the shapes of the petals and leaves interesting. After I choose the photo I create a drawing of it with pen or pencil. This allows me to get a better sense of the shapes and shadows. Cross-hatching has always been my absolute favorite way to draw shadows - the texture of the cross-hatch lines is powerful. It can be subtle or dramatic. It's these lines that gave me the idea to create the same sketches in embroidery. I thought it would be very intriguing to use thread as the line and stitch the cross-hatching. I'm thoroughly enjoying the process and feel the finished pieces are strong.

Now, I would like to see all the pieces together: the photograph, pencil sketch, painting, and stitched sketch. The evolution of the image of each flower is something I would like to see - how did I change the flower in the first sketch? how about the painting? I often choose colors different from the original photograph. And how is the stitched sketch different? How are all the images the same? With all the different media, how does my style show through? What elements are clearly me?

On display at the Janice Charach Gallery

Sketchbook Project 2011

2011-01-29T09:50:00.003-05:00

Have you heard of the Sketchbook Project? I participated in it this year - they describe it as "...like a concert tour, but with sketchbooks." Basically you choose a theme for your sketchbook, they send it to you in the mail, and you do your thing to your book then send it back to them, then the sketchbook goes on tour to different venues for people to check them out (like in a library). My theme was "this is not a sketchbook", so I decided to use fiber. I took the book apart and removed the paper - I printed text from a book onto fabric - then I used the sewing machine to stitch over all the unwanted words to create a new story or "found poem" - then I stitched the fabric pages into the book cover that I printed with a knit pattern.
... here are some pics of my sketchbook (with more pics here) :

Not Your Grandma's Fiber Show at Janice Charach Gallery

2011-01-04T14:13:00.000-05:00

I am very excited that my latest work, stitched sketches, will be a part of "'Not Your Grandma's Fiber Show" at Janice Charach Gallery! The show will be on exhibit January 16 - March 3, 2011 with an opening reception on January 16th at 1pm for the general public. Please visit the gallery website for more information.

New fiber work - stitched sketches

2010-12-21T18:08:00.000-05:00

ArtPrize at LaFontsee Gallery

2010-09-25T15:32:00.000-04:00

Visual journal sept 5-8, 2010

2010-09-10T09:51:00.000-04:00

Visual journal august 11-14, 2010

2010-08-21T21:12:00.000-04:00

Visual journal august 7-10, 2010

2010-08-11T16:50:00.000-04:00

That DAM Show Preview

2010-08-10T20:49:00.007-04:00

I visited the Detroit Artists Market today to see the set up for THAT DAM BOX SHOW. It looks awesome! I am really impressed by what some artists created. Here is a look at my piece (last four picture) and some of my favorites.

Inspiration, where are you?

2010-08-09T10:37:00.002-04:00

I have been searching the internet lately for inspiration. Inspiration for creativity. I'm looking for some cool techniques or amazing artists to make me gasp - to make me feel in my gut that emotion - it's like being excited - like I've just discovered a treasure... I don't know how to describe it, but I know when I see something and I have to save it so I can look at it over and over again - like when you get a new album and listen to it nonstop for a week. (are they even called albums anymore?)

This search for inspiration often, at least lately, involves texture - like knitting or multiple layers of fabric or multiple layers of one main element. I'm fascinated with stitching - not cute country crosswork - but work like Tilleke Schwarz - it's embroidery, but unexpected - it tells a story somehow - visually - non-linear. (this piece is "Tree of life",1994, 75 x 70 cm)

I like the texture created by the shadows in this work by Elisa D'Arrigo. Her work soft from a distance but she often laminates the material to stiffen it - I like the contrast of what the piece looks like and what it would actually feel like. (this piece is "Recollection…pink (1)”, 2006)

And my favorite blog lately is by Abigail Doan - I discovered her work a few years ago and fell in love. On her blog she is always posting amazing work and artists and shows... there is something so visceral about fiber work - I can't get enough.

what inspires you?

Visual journal august 3-6, 2010

2010-08-08T10:36:00.000-04:00

I can't decide if I like these pieces or not - I find them intriguing and maybe unfinished, but I feel if I add anything they will be overdone... Hmmmm

Visual journal July 30 - August 2, 2010

2010-08-06T16:42:00.000-04:00

Hope Series

2010-08-02T23:12:00.003-04:00

Here are better pictures of my latest work --- let me know what you think

Visual journal July 26-29, 2010

2010-07-30T18:09:00.000-04:00

Hollyhock oil painting

2010-07-27T20:41:00.000-04:00

18x24 oil on canvas - I'm working on a series of at least 20 right now so I'm experimenting with backgrounds a little more.

Visual journal July 21-24, 2010

2010-07-27T07:14:00.001-04:00

Wordage

2010-07-23T17:45:00.009-04:00

So I stopped by the Wordage exhibit at the Detroit Artists Market, and our old art teacher Jack O. Summers did a great job curating this exhibit. It was cohesive and had strong pieces on either side of the gallery that anchored the show. The show highlighted diverse artists who had unique styles, and almost every piece was captivating. I really was drawn into the pieces and intrigued by the hidden meanings or stories of the pieces. I have found that artwork that employs text often comes across as too commercial, too tacky, or too simplistic (trying to walk the viewer through a painting too the point of making them feel like an idiot). But Jack avoided the clichés and put together a sophisticated, fluid, and inspiring show. I didn't get the names of the artists who did all of the pieces that I liked, but here are pictures of the two pieces that I thought were the strongest of the show (the one with the red boot is by Dick Goody and the large "Don't Care" panoramic painting is by Lynn Galbreath).

Visual journal July 17-20, 2010

2010-07-22T17:46:00.000-04:00

Visual journal July 13-16, 2010

2010-07-16T13:48:00.001-04:00

I've been creating a lot of backgrounds at once to have pieces prepared ahead of time. I've been working on similar ideas.

Visual journal July 9-12, 2010

2010-07-12T18:54:00.000-04:00

Work-in-progress/process -- Hope series

2010-07-11T17:49:00.003-04:00

Again, the picture that I took (in my basement with an iPhone) is darker than the actual pic, and there is a glare from the light in the middle, but you get the idea -- background is an abstraction of the Detroit river. Let me know your thoughts.

Visual journal July 1-4, 2010

2010-07-07T21:04:00.000-04:00

ArtBlast

2010-07-03T14:45:00.006-04:00

So the show at Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center ended up including only three of my pieces, rather than ten, because of space limitations. I am still happy with how everything turned out.

All in all, it looks like they are going to have a great event. I took a few pictures, which does not give the decorations at the BBAC justice -- it really looks good and I am sure it will be a success.