Four Suites: You're invited!

Opening night, April 5, 2013
I have been looking forward to working with the other artists in the Four Suites exhibit for months. Obviously, the others have too. The installation took a considerable amount of time, and showed a lot of detailed thought and sensitivity to the ModernFormation space.

Static images don't really do justice to the atmosphere of the exhibit. Each artists' work stands very well alone, while showing a sensitivity to the space as well as the works of the the others. I must say, the show blends very well.

I hope that doesn't sound too overly self congratulatory. I'm sure it sounds at least a little bit.

Jean McClung installed several of her light sculptures in the back room of MoernFormations. The works play well in the darkened space, providing a white light focus along one wall. Laurie Trok installed two cut paper pieces, in the front and back rooms, emphasizing a subtle shadowy calligraphy. John Morris composed interludes of his small medium-based work along one wall in the front room. My work? Oh, it was composed of works from my Earths and Detritus series of collages.

Did you miss the opening of Four Suites? You're in luck! There is a closing reception on Friday April 26, from 7-9PM.

Four Suites closing reception
Modernformations
4919 Penn Avenue. Pittsburgh PA 15224
412.362.0274


Four Suites Installation
Four Suites, installation (back room at ModernFormations)
Four Suites, installation (front room at ModernFormations)

Unblurred + GA/GI = Supersized First Friday

There's always a host of venues open and fun activities on First Fridays along Penn Ave for the monthly Unblurred series. April brings with it the GA/GI (Geek Art/Green Innovator) festival. In addition to the usual venues participating in Unblurred, Penn Ave will be amping it up with more presenters, activities and showcases.

GA/GI sets the tone for Unblurred with its central theme of green and renewable technologies. Some of the Galleries along the Penn Ave arts district feature artists that work with found materials and new technologies. For instance, Studio 5013 is featuring OZMA instruments: Guitars made of found and reclaimed materials by Jeffrey Schreckengost. At the other end of the spectrum, Edge Studios will present Robotics Artist, Donald Jones from CMU's High Point Project.

There's more than art happening during the festival. Optimus Technologies will be talking about how the next generation bio fuel systems actually works. Plumb Media is having a meet-and greet of some of the co-authors from Baker Leadership's latest book. Empowered in Pittsburgh encourages young adults to extend their handprint and get involved in their communities. Stop by to find out more!

April Unblurred also sees the return of The Clay Penn. Awesome Books, as you might know, is transforming to Amazing Books on April 3. The original location of Awesome Books on Penn Ave is already closed and is making its transformation to The Clay Penn. Stop in and reacquaint yourself with Laura McLaughlin's great ceramic works.



Of special note, I want to mention that I, along with Jean McClung, John Morris and Laurie Trok, will be exhibiting at ModernFormations. An extra special note: the opening reception is on Friday, April 5 from 7-10PM.

This is far, far from a comprehensive list of what is happening on April's first Friday, nor is it meant to be a Best of... preview. A list of events for Unblurred is available on their page and GA/GI's two-day calendar is posted here.

Susan Constanse "Unreal Spaces" Opening at Image Box 10/1, 7-10

There are many things to see tomorrow night, with both the Gallery Crawl downtown and Unblurred going on. This exhibit "Unreal Spaces" (part of Unblurred)is a don't miss. I have seen some of the paintings in Susan's studio, and they are wonderful. I think it is best to let the artist describe the series, see below.

I am pleased to announce that I will be presenting works from my Unreal Spaces series at Imagebox. Opening in October, I’ll be exhibiting the newest work from this series. Hope you can make it for the reception on October 1.

Unreal Spaces series
Recent Works by Susan Constanse
October 1 – 29, 2010
Opening reception: Friday, October 1, 2010: 7-10PM
The show is available for viewing during the opening reception, all other times by appointment only. Contact Susan Constanse at susanconstanse@gmail.com to set up a meeting.
Imagebox
4933 Penn Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
(412) 441-0930

Artist Statement
Unreal Spaces series

I am a habitual pedestrian, using public transportation only for journeys further than two miles. In my walks through the neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, I became very aware of the structure of the streets, with its triangle blocks, breezeways and alleys. The streets echo back to the birth of the city, when pathways evolved along the contours of the land, seeking always the path of least resistance. The city has an organic quality to its structure, with houses and buildings evolving and decaying in their use and function. Much of the architecture has strange, almost purposeless, features.

The geography implied in Unreal Spaces references the architecture and contours of Pittsburgh. The works do not reflect a physical landscape but are a recording of foot travel and its purpose; an abstract auto-geography. As I travel between my home and various points around my city, I am fully engaged, taking the time to observe building facades and the odd corners and spaces between structures.
The paintings take several sessions over the course of a month. In this respect, the works are like a portrait, not of a moment but of a time span. The difference between a portrait and a photograph is just this distinction; that the artist records their observations over a period of time, providing a denser and more meaningful representation.

Light features highly in the work, specifically referenced in adding dimension and depth through veils, shafts and implied reflection. Palette, which is a subtle and complex vocabulary, is integral to my work. Color, in all of its values, provides a way of creating a subtext within individual works.

I am influenced by the design and color characteristics explored by painters like Klee and Kandinsky. Klee’s compositions and palette are emotionally orchestrated, implying movement and space beyond the confines of the individual works. Kandinsky is a master at reconciling objective and non-objective elements.

Materials
Paintings. The paint is applied in thin layers, building from broad foundations to greater complexity in color and in hand. The paintings are allowed to mature and are finished with Dammar varnish.
Works on paper. The works on paper allow a casual exploration of themes and materials.

Sacred Art @BoxHeart in Pittsburgh

July 24 - August 18
The Sacred Art Exhibition
BoxHeart Gallery
4523 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
P. 412 687 8858
F. 412 687 6338

Exhibition exploring "the sacred."

Public Reception: Saturday, July 28th: 6 PM - 9 PM, free and open to the public.

The Sacred Art Exhibition is an Annual Event in the Bloomfield Community. The arts enable contact with The Sacred on an intimate level. By creating, The Sacred is manifested by the hands and a new life is brought into existence. Selection for this exhibition required that artists submit pieces that explore their personal interpretation of The Sacred. All interpretations, both traditional and nontraditional, are considered. The Sacred Art Exhibition is looking forward to a successful 11th year. Come to our community and explore this intriguing cultural event! More information

Juried Participants:
Bonnet, Cory - Painting - United States (PA)
Broderick, Donna - Textile - United States (PA)
Catale, Sharon - Textile, Mixed Media - United States (PA)
Chaison, Emily - Painting - United States (OR)
Clancy, Rose - Sculpture - United States (PA)
Constanse, Susan - Mixed Media- United States (PA)
Donnelly, Carol - Painting - United States (PA)
DiFalco, Gerard - Mixed Media - United States (PA)
Fleisch-Hughes, Diane - Painting - United States (OH)
Grant, Tatiana - Iconography - United States (CA)
Hughes-Saurina, Donna - Painting - United States (PA)
Kukic, Jasmine - Collage - Canada
Lawrence, Dhira - Painting - United States (OR)
Magalhaes, Nzuji de- Textile, Mixed Media - United States (CA)
Marze, Fran - Painting - United States (PA)
Montanaro, Marina - Drawing - Switzerland
Neapolitan, Cella - Photography - United States (TN)
Noe, Rita - Digital Photography- United States (IA)
O'Brien, Lynn - Painting - United States (OH)
Petrea, Rick - Sculpture - United States (GA)
Redmond, Jamie - Photography - United States (CA)
Ricker, Thad - Digital Painting - United States (OH)
Slepian, Marian - Sculpture - United States (NJ)
Sobye, Reinhardt - Film - Norway
Staub, Cassie - Photography - United States (PA)
Voegtle, Petra - Textile - Germany
Waterston, Elin - Textile - United States (NY)
Zinicola, Jr, Tony - Mosaic - United States (OR)

Susan Constanse
Oranje
MySpace

Addendum: Read Kurt Shaw's review here.

BARE III @ SPACE 101

SPACE 101 Gallery
The Brew House Association
2100 Mary Street
Pittsburgh PA 15203
412-381-7767

BARE III


SPACE 101 Gallery will be exhibiting BARE III. The exhibit takes place from June 8, 2007 – June 30, 2007. A free opening reception will take place from 7:00-10:00pm on June 8.

With a strong desire for better realism, the artists of the Renaissance began an intense study of the human body. Adopted by academies throughout Europe, using models became the traditional path taken by artists throughout the ages. Drawing from the figure continues to be at the center of visual art study.

In fact, figure drawing sessions are increasing in numbers in Pittsburgh and other cities. The sessions provide a community for professional artists and dedicated enthusiasts to come together and share vision and technique. Drop in model sessions, like Barely Brunch, are an opportunity to hone sight as well as drawing.

Once each month, for several years here at The Brew House, a group of people of all ages, from all walks of life have been coming together (in rain, snow, sleet, and sunny picnic weather) to draw the figure. A retired secretary, a practicing physician, college instructors, students in transition, graphic designers, illustrators, arts administrators, and even an attorney draw, paint, and even sculpt together. Using various techniques and methods, they indulge in an age-old tradition in an attempt to hone their skills, to capture the essence of the human form, to relax, and just to enjoy themselves.

Each one has selected a few special pieces done in these sessions over the years, as well as some successful gesture drawings, shown informally in the small gallery. The Brew House Association will be exhibiting work produced during the Barely Brunch open model sessions in June 2007. The model sessions are held in various sites throughout the Brew House and are open to all ages, mediums (except photography) and skill levels. The exhibit will take place in the SPACE 101 Gallery located on Pittsburgh’s Southside.

Artists
Pat Barefoot
Olwyn Best
Rich Brown
Susan Constanse
Steve Dines
Kristen Divers
Jon Fesz
Jill Fisher
Fran Fredrick
Kim Freithaler
Karen Hartman
Silvia McGavin
Seth Rich
Nancy Schuster
Paula Simon
Jenine Smith
David L. Smith
Heidi Wettlaufer
…and others

women's work

The opening reception for women's work was on March 2. It was a great night. Janis Burley-Wilson selected the work for the show. The work she chose for the exhibit showed a lot of diversity. So often, these group shos tend to be the same people showing with the same people. It was nice to shake up the mix a bit.

The exhibit:

women's work
March 2 - April 20, 2007
709 Gallery
709 Penn Ave
Pittsburgh PA 15222

The show closes on April 20, which is the next Downtown Gallery Crawl. It's a great time to see all of the visual arts venues in the cultural district.


I love galleries that provide seating. It makes it so much easier to stick around...
Susan Constanse -- A Venial Journey
Christiane D
Vanessa German

Margaret Burley

Monique Luck
Sarah Beitler