I ventured out to Republic Plaza in downtown Denver to attend the opening of a printmaking show.  The show was curated by Mark Lunning, the owner of Open Press Gallery in Denver.  It does seem like it's print season with the show at Foothills Art Center just closing...there is an ongoing print presence in the area and it's exciting.

The show is great because it exhibits multiple works from the artists.  This always gives you an opportunity to look at the common threads in a body of work (remember the word "cohesive").  Although I can't accomplish this task, I often like to guess what order the pieces were created to see if there is a building that takes place over time.  I also ask myself if the conversation between the artist and the viewer is intensifying or diminishing.

One of the important things for any opening is the attendance of the artists.  Most of the artists if not all were in attendance and I think that speaks volumes not only to honoring their own work, but also being respectful of Mark Lunning whose gallery gives printers a place that is exclusively theirs to exhibit and learn.  Many of the artists do their work at Mark's studio.

If you get out to see the show check out the following: Jan Higgins "Man with Torch", shows intense emotion.... Josh Bales "Time Monster", full of whimsy...Reed Weimer's "Six Squares #1 and #2", these linocuts are fun and show progression...Finally, Mark Lunning's pieces "Thought Dot Pattern #14", "Aspen Aspens" and "Foothills Road".

I feel I got more from this show having just attended the artist talk at the Foothills Art Center.  I walked in to this show with more information.  I was able to look at the piece and have a better understanding of how the pieces were created and that increased my appreciation for the work.  The other thing about increasing my knowledge of print work is how can I apply these techniques to my own work to enhance, embellish, and renew my own creative spirit.

Everything builds on everything else...
Greg

coaching artists to success