A VISIT TO THE BROAD MUSEUM IN LOS ANGELES

We spent the past week in Los Angeles for my daughter's graduation from Loyola Law School. She took some time to show us around the city and knowing me like she does chose The Broad (rhymes with road). The museum is beautifully designed leading to my taking some photos of the setting rather than of just the works themselves. Enjoy!

Richard Diebenkorn  "Ocean Park #90"

 Peter Halley  "Collision Circuit"

Robert Rauschenberg  "Combine" with Jasper John's "Flag" in background and John's "Watchman" on the right

 Ellsworth Kelly  "Green, Blue, Red" with a section of "Blue, Red" on the right

 Roy Lichtenstein  "Femme d'Alger"

 Oscar Murillo  "Trade Today"

 Albert Oehlen  "Ziggy Stardust"

 Mark Tansey  "Wake"

Robert Therrien  "Under the Table"

 Andy Warhol  "Single Elvis" , "Campbell's Soup Can", "Torn Campbell's Soup Can" and "Two Marilyns"

 Jeff Koons  "Balloon Dog (Blue)"

Jean-Michel Basquiat  "Untitled" and "Horn Players"

For more information on the museum and photos of the collection go to The Broad.

"HOOKED ART 2014" OPENS AT UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT

Last weekend my husband and I traveled to Stamford , CT for the opening of "Hooked Art 2014".  It was a great turnout and a chance for fellow artists to share thoughts on both art and the business side of our work.  There is something about seeing work in person that gives you a sense of scale, texture, details and emotion that just does not happen in photos.  Please take the time to see this show if you get the chance, it really gives a good indication of how far the art of rug hooking has come and the direction it is moving in.

Here are some photos from the show:

View of left wall from entry

View of right side of gallery

Artists and juror pose for group photo

Liz Alpert Fay's award-winning piece"True North" in foreground 

Tracy Jamar's work "Land Parcels Quad" with award ribbon

Lara McGruder,  "Speak for the Dead"

Mary Jane Andreozzi, "Possession"

Susan Feller,  "Nurturing Friendship"

Constance Old, "red (for Gail Citrin)"

Gail Dufresne,  "Lizzie"

Alice Rudell, "House of Gold"

Leslie Giuliani, "Man" and "Man on a Ladder"

Michelle Sirois-Silver, "Recovery Method 2"

Rachelle LeBlanc, "The Gathering" foreground and section of "Revelation" in background

Molly Colegrove, "Lady in Grey"

June B Myles, "What Kerfuffle? aka The Banker"

Missy Stevens, "Many Circles" and "Running Bond: A New Day"

Linda Rae Coughlin, "Her Own Tears"

Beth Kempf, "Trickle Down"

Marilyn Bottjer, "Seeing Red"

Here I am with my work "Blue Collar" and "White Collar" on the right and Susan Feller's work "December 2013 Studies" on the left.

The show is at One University Drive at the Art Gallery at University of Connecticut, Stamford.  It will be showing through November 29.  The exhibition book is available through Blurb by clicking here.  Enjoy, be inspired by others, support the arts and have a great day.

"RUG HOOKING MAGAZINE'S" OUTSTANDING SEPT/OCT. ISSUE AND CONTINUED ABSTRACT WORK

Rug Hooking Magazine's latest issue really grabbed my attention.  The focus was on rug hooking as art and the magazine certainly delivered.  Those who do not see rug hooking in this vein should purchase this issue which will surely change their mind.

I skipped the wine as this issue was worthy of my favorite liqueur, Cointreau.

The issue starts with a look at adapting works of the masters in an article by Tamara Pavich. Who does not recall this in their studies of studio art?  Learning how the masters used color, light, paint strokes, composition etc. leads to an understanding of the process of making art.

The magazine continues with a look at contemporary artists who present a variety of styles. One commonality is these artists' pushing themselves and creating vibrant, creative and engaging works of art.

Leslie Giuliani wrote an article on the Modern Hooker.  Her mixed media-work, rugs and wall pieces bring an old craft into the art world of today.  Anne-Marie Littenberg's article on the human form contains both abstract and more realistic portrayals.  Anne-Marie also contributed an article on Rachelle LeBlanc's work.  LeBlanc's works are in their own category and to me have an etheral feel reminding me a bit of Andrea Kowch's works, one of my favorite painters.  Diane Krys writes on combining rug hooking and felting. showing work that would seem to be comfortable in both the high-end craft and fine art realms. 

I'm basically saying if you have any interest on the direction rug hooking is going today please buy this issue and enjoy all the artists and writers who contributed to it. The future of rug hooked work looks bright.

I returned to work on an as yet untitled piece inspired by the local Coat's thread company building.

in progress, as yet untitled,  Lori LaBerge  2014

I finished the hooking and am working on the area that will wrap around the large bobbins. A brown with blue upholstery fabric was chosen for the edges.  Stitching will be done with various colors which are in the hooked work.

At the sewing machine adding pink stripes to the upholstery fabric.

On the studio work table.  Thread spools will be stitched to the hooked work.  Here, placement is being decided.  I also have whipped edges to complete along with determining how the upholstery will be attached to the large bobbins.  Construction is always a challenge.

Look into the directions your favorite art form is headed, search out how construction of that process works and have a great day. 

GUEST BLOG: MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART, LA

Sadly, the Craft and Folk Art Museum in LA was closed this weekend in preparation for a new exhibition. I opted instead to go to the the Museum of Contemporary Art, or MOCA, on Grand Avenue in Downtown LA.

Many of the permanent works in MOCA's collection are, in a word, iconic.

 Works by Mark Rothko appear as colorful giants in one room.

The Rothko room leads into an equally large space with the monochrome works of Franz Kline.

I love the simplicity of these works by Piet Mondrian and Jasper Johns.

 

Pieces by Robert and Lee Krasner pop against the white gallery walls.

MOCA's current exhibition is a large, chilling grouping of work by Swiss artist Urs Fischer. The landscape of the exhibition is unpredictable; the variety of media in which Fischer works is astounding. You can learn more about Fischer and the exhibition on MOCA's website.

Fischer's work at MOCA is a collection of comical skeletal figures, harsh metal surfaces, imitations of white appliances, and soft blue raindrops. The work is surrounded by stark white walls with rough holes seemingly punched out of them by wrecking balls.

I ended my tour of MOCA in the courtyard where I'd begun. I was amused to see one of Fischer's skeletons admiring himself in a mirror.

Take some time this week to explore an art venue in your own town, whether it be a large museum or a small gallery. Have fun and have a great day!