Blue Melon Zoo

Minerva Ortiz

2009-08-11T19:49:00.006-04:00

Artist statement: "Being a Mexican-American has made me aware that cultural differences create conflict—while they also work together to create richer experiences and opportunities. Through my paintings I want to address the multiple sides of multi-culturalism; from the confusion, ambiguity, and uncertainty that come from trying to understand and tolerate multiple viewpoints, to the rich experiences and possibilities that diversity creates.
By using dichotomies such as: wet/dry, wild/domestic, raw/refined, fantasy/reality, inside/outside, sacred/profane, threatening/subdued, I want to create works that are complex, unstable, and perplexing; and for those same reasons, very rich.
In the latest body of work, I’ve tried to make tangible my sense that life is complex because it is motivated by the shifting relationships between complimentary and contradictory forces. Depending on how one sees it—and this changes for me constantly—relativity can be extremely liberating and/or terrifying. Because of this, I now deeply believe in the guiding force of intuition."

See some more of Minerva's artwork

Betsy Walton

2009-08-06T20:22:00.007-04:00

I just purchased a piece from this talented Oregon artist, Betsy Walton.

Love, love, love it!

Her beautifully layered mixed media pieces are an interesting combination of dream-like sequences with contemporary patterns and graphics and modern household images.

Check out Betsy's Blog

Olaf Otto Becker

2009-05-05T14:15:00.008-04:00

"I use the camera as a tool to understand the world around me...I try to look at something as though my eyes had opened for the first time."

Olaf Otto Becker's Ice landscapes of Greenland are documents of a quickly changing landscape where the effects of climate change are becoming painfully visible. Becker's dramatic photographs document the pure, unspoiled world of the glaciers. But what isn't so obvious in the photography, is how much is this pristine beauty is changing over time. Each of Becker's most recent images contain precise GPS data: seconds and minute degrees, similar to a scientific experimental set-up.

"When I am photographing, I am very conscious of what this same view might look like in fifty or one hundred years, even five hundred years," he says. "How will it have changed? Will all the ice and snow be gone?" During the last few years, the rate of ice loss has increased to 222 cubic kilometres per year from a previous annual ice loss of just 131 cubic kilometres. Much of this ice was lost during the extremely warm summer of 2007, when over 350 cubic metres of ice melted away in just two months. Becker's decision to include GPS data in the titles was done partly so he could return to the same location in the future, but also "for the future documentarians of global warming." Becker admits that his primary interest is in taking pretty photographs, but he's aware that his work is probably more important as documenting this moment in time.

See more of Becker's breathtaking images.

John Brickels - Art in the Park

2009-05-03T12:07:00.007-04:00

I've never come across anything like John Brickels fantastic sculptures. Each structure is so meticulously designed. Every detail, every rock, shingle and brick are so painstakingly perfect. You can get lost in all the details - some buildings have delightful little surprises hidden inside.

Check out John Brickels website.

Gary Stretar - Art in the Park

2009-05-03T11:37:00.005-04:00

Gary Sretar is another wonderful landscape artist that I came across at the Fair. These pictures don't even come close to doing his paintings justice. In person his large oils are so rich and warm with color.

Gary's art can be found at ArtPickle.

Janet Woodcock - Art in the Park

2009-05-03T10:54:00.004-04:00

I fell instantly in love with Janet Woodcock's black and white photography. I have a passion for farm animals, so I was over the moon when I saw her adorable barn animal photos. The animals are captured in an ethereal natural setting. I wanted a dozen photos (I especially love cows) but I thought my husband might just have an attack, so I'll need to ponder the specific ones a bit more. It's so hard to make a decision, because she also takes unbelievable scenic photographs of gnarly trees and quiet landscape, which of course is my other obsession.

Check out Janet's wonderful website. You can buy directly from her site.

William McCarthy - Art in the Park

2009-05-02T14:35:00.007-04:00

Art in the Park -- I love spending a beautiful spring afternoon looking at amazing art. Montclair Museum sponsors Art in the Park here in our lovely town of Montclair - and it never disappoints.

I came across some really wonderful artists.

William McCarthy, is a landscape artist who paints strictly from memory. He told me that all of his pieces are painted indoors. He sketches his pieces first in a little notepad. His sketches are probably no bigger than the size of a business card. When he's satisfied with the detail, the then paints amazing oils from his tiny sketches. His colors are gorgeous.

Check out William's website.

Kenyon Bajus

2009-05-02T07:37:00.009-04:00

Kenyon Bajus's art is obviously politically charged and controversial at best. "Kenyon's work can best be described as graphic satire. From social and political commentary to pop-culture subvertising, each piece is laced with a polluted sense of humor and sarcastic wit bordering on offensive... but I do think his work is interesting whether you are on board with his political views or not.

You can see more of his work on his website.

Jennifer Davis

2009-04-16T06:35:00.000-04:00

Jennifer Davis paints with a soft soothing palate. Her paintings invite you into a dream like setting with whimsical characters and creatures.

Her newest work, however, is much more dark and biting. Portraits of beasts or monsters are shown with a bulls eye on their chest. And while each creature seems a little more sinister, her sense of humor resonates though little nuances - such as a tiny bee-like creature buzzing around, creatures sporting a bow or stars and another visible though the spokes of a bicycle - still all painted in her usual pastel palate but with black backgrounds and undertones. I love the contrast.

You can check out Jennifer's website & blog.

Her work is sold at Halogen and some of her small pieces are sold at Enormous Tiny Art.

Lauren Woehler

2009-04-05T15:42:00.008-04:00

Lauren Woehler is a mixed media artist that works with acrylics and watercolors. She's another fantastic artist that I discovered on Etsy. Her paintings are so soft and are all so different in style. I really love this top painting.

See more of her work on her website & blog.

Eleanor Hardwick

2009-04-02T10:39:00.000-04:00

WOW! It's hard to believe English photographer, Eleanor Hardwick is just 15 years old . Her photography is incredibly mature.

Her hobby progressed into passion as she became interested in fashion and portraiture. Eleanors photos are generally staged with the use of props. Her choice of subject matter is so interesting.

She is completely versatile - her photos sometimes seem dark and moody or haunting and other times show a fun and whimsical side. She is able to capture something beautiful in each and every photo.

Eleanor Hardwick's websit e

see more of her amazing work

Jesse Reno

2009-03-26T21:07:00.000-04:00

I stumbled across Jesse Reno's work years ago on Ebay. His works is fantastic - complex and multi-layered.

In the latest series of paintings by Portland-based artist Jesse Reno, shamanic beings struggle to find their place in a world simultaneously on the verge of expanding and collapsing. Totem animals and Native American figures reverberate memories of people who once lived as one with nature. Marked by symbols, these figures seek their dreams in the growth of trees and the passing of spirits. On their quest to find their true selves, they collect feathers and relics left by encounters and past lives. They learn to transcend the boundaries of the rational world evolving into a collage of what they have become and encountered. Reno, presents us with a journey leading inward to ultimately expand outward: "If you have moved wisely your dreams will still grow when you are gone."

Jesse Reno's website

Andrea Land

2009-03-04T19:15:00.010-05:00

Artist's Statement - In My Room:

"I enter into the process of creating a photograph on both a conscious and subconscious level. My portraits of children contain various layers of information relating to the artist, the subject and a mutual exchange between the two. The work seeks to explore the psyche of complex individuals. Each young girl, while physically existing in the natural world, also thrives in another realm, an insular dream state, with her gaze turned inward, The photographs exist as both fictional and autobiographical creations (growing up in an all female, Midwest household). Relating to the temporary situation of childhood, I am fascinated by young individuals' imagination and intensity of experience. My curiosity about childhood, as a state of limbo and a game of illusion, creates additional layers with which to contemplate. Visually exploring the girls' stances and embellished environments, the audience enters into a private world of vulnerability, isolation, imagination and memory. A delicate balance exists between and the real and the imagined, the beautiful and the grotesque."

Andrea Lands website

Sharon Montrose

2009-03-04T12:55:00.009-05:00

The simplicity of these photos is so lovely.

Sharon's got a great blog

Check out her work

Anne Buffum

2009-03-01T08:17:00.017-05:00

Anne Buffum is one of my favorite artists. I've been following her for years. Years ago I discovered her on Ebay and in recent years she got picked up by Marcia Weber Gallery. I already have four of her pieces and am completely devoted to her work. She's totally self taught. Her work is ever changing and I'm always drawn to the interesting stories her painting tell.

You can find and buy her work here.

Pardon the bad photography... this bottom painting is one of Anne's paintings that I have - that I love!

Elinor Scott-Sutter

2009-02-25T08:48:00.005-05:00

I'm on a photography kick lately. I'm redecorating my bedroom and I'm looking for some art to go on my walls. I've been drawn to photography and in my quest have found a lot of really beautiful photography.

Elinor is another wonderful photographer. She specialized in Poliroid photography.

Her photo's are so soft and dreamy.

Check out her website

and here

Tabitha Bianca Brown

2009-02-10T20:54:00.013-05:00

Art does not need to be deep. If I like a subject, I paint it. If I like a color, I use it.

Art is a way of expressing life's complexities AND simplicities.

- Tabitha Bianca Brown

I received an email from a friend this morning - so excited to show me a new artist whose work she just discovered and fell in love with. I was familiar with Tabitha's work because I was debating about buying this particular friend a print from this very artist. Artwork is so personal - you just never know if two people will feel the same way about an artist or a painting.

Tabitha's gallery

Her work is sold here

Beverley Ashe

2009-02-07T08:23:00.014-05:00

Beverley Ashe - "I'm not interested in conventional forms of beauty - rather in the kind that has scars deformities, crooked teeth, the occasional malignance. My angels are not perfect beings - but instead reflect stages of growth where hard lessons are learned and spirit is transformed."

Her paintings are all so beautiful and rich...

Check out her website

Check out her work for sale

Sharon France

2009-02-01T20:05:00.004-05:00

I spotted Sharon France years ago on Ebay. She paints the simple scenic calm of rural America. Each painting is so peaceful and serene. Her paintings suck you in. You almost feel like you're wandering the grounds of a beautiful old mid western farm in an early, hazy, warm summer morning.

Check out her website.

Check out her Art on Ebay.

Caryn Drexl

2009-01-31T22:36:00.006-05:00

Of course I scour Etsy as much as the next person. There is great art to be found. I've bought many pieces on both Etsy and Ebay that I was incredibly happy with. Caryn Drexl is one of those great finds. She is a "self taught photographer, taking mostly female based conceptual photography."
I ordered this first print from her and was blown away by how fabulous this was when I received it.

I also love this one.

Check out her website

and her Etsy site

Nigel Conway

2009-01-30T10:53:00.003-05:00

Last night was one of those nights that I was up until the wee hours of the morning exploring. And then I stumbled upon Nigel Conway's work... which I knew would make today's feeling of being sleep deprived all worth while. His paintings are sweet, beautifully whimsical portraits. One more wonderful than the next.

Check out his website: http://nigelconway.com/#

Lori Field

2009-01-28T13:08:00.002-05:00

Encaustic is probably my favorite medium. It is a medium, however, that many are not familiar with. It's an ancient art form that dates back to the 4th c B.C.. The technique involves using heated wax to which pigments are added. The hot wax is then applied to a surface - usually clay board, Masonite or wood - then it's reheated to fuse. Encaustic is highly archival and extremely durable because the wax is impervious to moisture so it will not deteriorate, yellow or darken. Another plus is that encaustic paintings do not have to be varnished or protected by glass.

Lori Field is an mixed media/encaustic artist. Her work is dreamy and fantastic and her colors are so rich and vibrant. Visually there is so much to take in. The main images of her pieces are all hand drawn with colored pencils. She then collages them together with other collage elements on top of a beautifully prepared encaustic background. I've seen her work up close and it is absolutely breathtaking.

Check out her work: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41178805@N00/

Her work is sold at:

http://www.sitemason.com/page/e6eBUI