Prøve "Playground"

21 N Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802

I got invited to participate in a show by the Prøve Collective at their gallery in Duluth. This will be my first show outside of the Twin Cities.

 

"Prøve Gallery, Duluth, Minnesota’s independent and artist run contemporary gallery, is proud to announce “Playground,” opening September 14, 2012.

With autumn now fully upon us, it’s time to return to school, work, and dwelling indoors. In honor of years past, when the return to school meant finger-painting, eating paste, and hitting other children with your lunchbox.

Prøve "Playground" addresses the idea of play, whether by approaching art in a playful way or by  incorporating lighthearted subject matter.  – we just want to have a little fun!" 

Lets Get Out Of Here ©JA2010

Artists In Storefronts

Whittier Alliance  - 10 East 25th Street

"Shoulders of Giants" ©JA2001

I have two works included in the second installment of Artists In Storefronts.  

"The Artists in Storefronts project turns vacant or under-used storefronts into vibrant, engaging spaces showcasing original work by Twin Cities artists. By bringing art to the walkable urban landscape, Artists in Storefronts helps to revitalize neighborhoods, increase community engagement, highlight local creativity, and stimulate the local economy."

The project runs July 21  through September 9 with artists taking over 25 storefronts and points of interest throughout the Whittier neighborhood.  

My work is proudly displayed at the Whittier Alliance headquarter.

(next door to Spyhouse - 25th & Nicollet)  

The opening reception is at the Black Forest Inn Banquet Hall July 21st starting at 7pm. There will be a silent auction featuring work from participating artists to benefit the AIS project.  I'll have a work included in the auction.  It's a great opportunity to own some original art and fund future projects.  There will be live upright piano karaoke with Nye's very own Andrew Crowley, refreshments.  Organizer, Joan Vorderbruggen will also lead you on an abbreviated  walking tour of several storefront exhibits as well as pop up gallery at 2613 Nicollet featuring work by legendary Guthrie costume designer Jack Edwards.

"How to Find a Meaning" ©JA2007

Participating artists and storefronts

 1.  35 E. Franklin: St. Stephens Shelter
 2.  2419 Nicollet: Candy Chang, "I Wish This Was"
 3.  2445 Nicollet: Marnie Erpestad
 4.  10 E. 25th St: Joe Aschebrock
 5.  2600 Nicollet: Paul Kamish, Elizabeth Garvey, Maren Misner
 6.  10 E. 26th St: Carrie Thompson, Angela Carlson Talle
 7.  17 E. 26th St: Laurel Turek, Scott Seekins
 8.  19 E. 26th St: Larsen Husby, Mac Balentine, Julia Caston, Mary Jane Mansfield
 9.  2609 Stephens: Candy Chang "Before I Die"
10.  2613 Stephens: GM Wurtzel's Pop Up Boutique
11.  2613 Stephens: Little Free Library
12. 2605 Nicollet: Audrey McMillan, Sophia Hicks
13. 2613 Nicollet: Jack Edwards Pop Up Gallery
14. 2710 Nicollet: Venus De Mars, Brenda Manthe, Jason Wade
15. 25 W. 29th St: Taylor Lindgren, Matthew Nygren

Events
July 21: Opening Reception, Black Forest Inn Banquet Hall, 7-10pm
Jack Edwards Pop Up Gallery Saturdays through September 8 12pm-3pm as well as 7-9pm Tuesday August 7 and Thursday August 16
GM Wurtzel's Pop Up Boutique Tuesday through Saturday 1pm-6pm
July 28: Walking Tour, 11am
August 7: 7:30-9pm "Hayden on the Backstreets" Live Classical Music in the alley behind 2737 Blaisdell Avenue
August 11: Guerrilla Girls Benefit, Cult Status Gallery, 8pm
August 16: Light Sabre Walking Tour, 9pm
August 22: Biking Tour, 7pm
August 29: Walking Tour, 7pm
September 8: Final Walking Tour, 12pm
September 9: "Bridging Festival" Closing Party Sunday, 3-6pm; 24th Street Pedestrian Bridge

DC / VA

United States National Arboretum

Just got back from Washington DC and Virginia. We had such a great time.  I was loving the amazing architecture I saw everywhere. There was also an abundance of nature and geographic beauty that I hadn't expected to see throughout the city.

While we were there I popped into a few galleries and saw some pretty cool work too. 

We went to the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town Alexandria,Virgina. The Torpedo Factory is a large three floor art center that houses studios, galleries and workshops in a former munitions factory located along the docks of the Potomac River.

In DC we hopped around to a few galleries. Gallery plan b, Touchstone Gallery, and the Fridge all had some awesome art up. I can't wait to come back and explore the city some more. Next time I'm hoping to visit the Long View Gallery too, and some museums.

working

I've been busy catching up on a lot of unfinished work.
Here's a quick peek after taking a break to clean the studio.

Anatomy of a Self-Portrait

 

I started “When My Good Eye Goes” in December of 2010.  John Schuerman had contacted me a month prior about participating in The Self-Portrait Show at Hennes Art Company. I was excited for the opportunity; working on it constantly, right up until the drop off date in March of 2011. 

I had a canvas that wasn’t working out so I just started working on top of it. I took a look at a photo and roughed an image in really fast.  Other than that, I didn’t use a mirror or the photo while I worked. I felt my way through the rest of the piece adapting and adjusting.  I typically work everything out in the process,  So I made my portrait in the same manner.

The title “When My Good Eye Goes” refers to my eyesight. I have the eye condition amblyopia, Which results in reduced vision. The brain, for some reason, does not fully acknowledge the images seen by the amblyopic eye (in my case the right).  Due to the difference between each of my eyes, my brain selected to develop the stronger eye;  which affects my depth perception. 

The main thought I had in my head while making “When My Good Eye Goes” was a  quote by Friedrich Nietzsche.  “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”  It’s something that I keep in my mind when I start to feel too fatalistic. 

I do a lot of over-painting and alteration in my work process.

Everything is in the completed work; the sketches, rough drafts, composition changes, abandoned ideas, palette changes, etc. This work is a great example of how drastic changes can be.

I love the color here at this stage. Although I am still happy with the finished work, I still prefer the rawness and vibrancy.

But in the end I wanted to achieve something a little more detailed and refined. There were incredible artists in this show. Knowing the caliber of the other artists, having a deadline for creating a new work and the subject of self-portrait; it was a lot of pressure to show up with something that exemplified who I am and what I do. 

I’m a competitive person. I think a little healthy competition is good, especially when you’re rooting for each other to succeed.  

I see other artist’s work sometimes and I just think “OH GOD,I’m not working hard enough!” Then I have an internal motivation to get over this newly raised bar.

For the most part though, I'm happy with how this one turned out.

John Megas wrote some really encouraging things about my work in his review for the show, Turning the Inside Out at Hennes Art. I'm very  grateful to have been involved with the show. It was an absolutely amazing experience. 

When My Good Eye Goes ©JAschebrock 2011

studio time

 

I've been working hard in the studio these days, so much so that it's overflowing onto the floors. Here's a peek at what I've been up to...