Some stuff that I am doing (shameless self promotion post)

October is always a busy month for the arts. This month's first Friday is a good example. On October 2, there were gallery crawls in Downtown, on Penn Avenue and in Shadyside. It's a good thing that galleries have regular hours so that you can catch all of those shows that you missed on opening night. Right?

Unblurred

Click on images for detail

I have a two-person show at Most Wanted Fine Art during the month of October. Above, far left, is an installation shot from the gallery. The works on display are from the Unreal Spaces series and are some of my newest works. T.I.N.A. is the artist that I am showing with (center image). His work is very political/commentary/social. Interesting is that he is using a pochoir technique for producing original multiples. The exhibit is at --

MOST WANTED FINE ART - 5015 PENN AVE.
T.I.N.A. and Susan Constanse displaying their newest images just in time for the "G-20 reply". Meet the artists Friday night! Please stop by the space or make an appointment Wed-Fri 1PM-6PM, search "MWFA" on www.youtube.com.

While I was on Penn Avenue for the October Unblurred event, I didn't really get out to take a look at the other exhibits. I did pop across the street to Artica to say hello and was pleasantly surprised to find a collection of Vanessa German's assemblages (far right).

Orange Balloons, an aRt-O-noMic open studio event




I like having open studios. It gives me a chance to show off my newest work. My studio is such a great big place that I always ask a few artists if they would like to bring some work in and set up in the studio for the day. This year, in addition to my wonderful studio mate, Christine Bethea, Michelle Gregio and Laurenty Josep will be joining us for the day.

How do you find us? We are near the Bloomfield end of the Bloomfield Bridge, next door to Iron Eden and across the street from Paul Lumber. Look for the orange balloons!

Orange Balloons, an aRt-O-noMic open studio event
Bloomfield, 4073 Liberty Ave – 2nd floor
Sunday, October 18, 2008: 12PM – 6PM

soulpurpose



This little show in 709 Gallery ended up being a really terrific survey. The work presented is from a wide range of artists whose practices include glass, painting, drawing, assemblage and collage. The exhibit was meant to showcase Pittsburgh artists to the dignitaries and luminaries visiting our fair city for the G-20 Summit. But that doesn't mean that we, as citizens of this fair city, can't enjoy the selection too.


Christiane Leach


Vanessa German (foreground)


Susan Constanse


Installation, left wall


Josh Hogan


Christine Bethea

soulpurpose, 709 Penn Gallery, Closing reception, November 6
The Trust’s Education and Community Engagement Department will also host a survey of 15 local artists in an exhibition and sale called “soulpurpose: Local Artists Showcase.” The exhibition at 709 Penn Gallery will run Friday, September 11, through Friday, November 6, 2009. Participating artists include: Leslie Ansley, Christine Bethea, Margaret Burley, Susan Constanse, John Flatz, Vanessa German, Rita Gregory, Gary Guydosh, Josh Hogan, LaVerne Kemp, Christiane Leach, Saihou Njie, Sandra Moore, Susan Ragland, Mark Traughber and Richelle Wilson.

Threaded Line @ 709 Penn Gallery

from Lee Renninger's site --

Sous Ses Jupes is a metaphorical piece-one that seeks to reveal a complex, hidden layer beneath the larger, overlay of French history and culture. In this work, the bodice is made in a style that was popular during the reign of Marie Antoinette-a complex period of splendor and violent upheaval. The porcelain flowers as well as the gold thread, blue embroidery and white “tulle” all represent archetypal elements of France's cultural achievements-achievements that have been its real gift to the rest of the world. What lies beneath the skirts, though, is a different story.

These materials—a web of raffia and paper, red and brown and black—are earthy and ethnic as well as transient and coarse. They reflect the gritty and passionate, colorful and dangerous aspects of these ?other? cultures—hiding just beneath France's perfect skirts.

What struck me when I walked into the gallery was the overwhelming beauty of the work. I'm glad that I took the time to look up the artist's site to find this explanation. A friend relayed to me that the colored papers that embellish the skirt are actually pastry wrappers. In the context of the above statement, the wrappers take on a different meaning, especially when applied to the couture of Paris.

The works at 709 Penn are lovely, as are the works on Renninger's site.

Threaded Line
Lee Renninger
709 Penn Gallery
709 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh PA 15222
Gallery Hours:
Tues - Fri: 12-8PM
Sat: 12-6PM

709 Penn Ave

invites you to Radical Riffs: Contemporary Music Series at 709 Penn Ave

New Music for Guitar From Latin America
Thursday, August 2nd
7:30 pm 709 Penn Ave

Featuring:
Colombian guitarist Guillermo Bocanegra will offer a recital this Thursday with music by some of the leading Latin American composers of our times. The concert will include pieces by Leo Brower, Graciela Paraskevaídis, and Pittsburgh-based composer Federico Garcia, among others, and will feature the Pittsburgh premiere of Carlos Mastropietro's "Violín Hechizo", a piece that is rapidly winning over players and public alike around the world.

Radical Riffs
Curator, Eden McNutt