Art in Washington, DC is not confined to the National Art Gallery. In fact, in most places that’s the case. One just has to be aware and open to the surroundings. A subway station. An electrical box. A garbage can. An underpass. An alley. All can become little make-shift galleries, thanks to law-bending artistic citizens.
As a former Art Gallery Manager, and a sometimes-artist in some ways, it’s practically heretical that I hadn’t been to the National Art Gallery until last weekend, but such was the state of affairs when there were always more pressing matters like cocktails at The Jefferson. In truth, I’ve been to the Portrait Gallery, but that’s it. This time around I only managed a quick walk-through of the West Building of the National Art Gallery, but it was more than enough to soothe the soul, as beauty always does.
The common spaces and in-between places are just as beautiful as the art upon the walls – and sometimes more-so, as they immerse you completely in the experience, rather than forcing you to peer into a single-windowed world.
Whenever I find myself at odds with the universe, a glimpse of something beautiful realigns everything.
My artist pal Paul Richmond (who so generously and graciously immortalized me a distant summer or two ago) is embarking on what may be the greatest ride of his life. He’s one of 25 gay couples heading to Washington, DC to get married as part of the “C-Bus Of Love” – a project sponsored by MarriageEvolved. He and his fiancé Dennis will travel to the Supreme Court with 24 other couples to get married in June, as the court makes its determination for marriage equality. (Be sure to check out the C-Bus site, especially the page with the couple bios – my favorite.)
Mr. Richmond must have had an eye on the future when he originally painted a work entitled “Noah’s Gay Wedding Cruise.” According to the artist himself, “I painted a grand ark/cruise ship filled with happy gay and lesbian animal couples and a few human guests too (like Ellen DeGeneres/Portia de Rossi, and Elton John/David Furnish). There are even some drowning sinners (such as Ann Coulter, Larry Craig, Sally Kern, and Fred Phelps)!” It was a witty, colorful way of expressing some very serious topics, done with the whimsy, humor, and sharp political intent inherent in Richmond’s most powerful work.
In honor of his dedication to the cause at hand, Richmond has updated his piece to include the founders of MarriageEvolved, Joshua and Steve Snyder-Hill. The new “Noah’s Gay Wedding Cruise: MarriageEvolved Edition” will be available on Richmond’s website (in three different sizes), and 100% of the proceeds from sales of the limited edition print will go toward the ‘C-Bus of Love’. Please check out the story of this worthy adventure, and donate if you can. When you think about it on the human level, when you see and read about these couples and realize their love and dedication and commitment – it seems inhumane and criminal to deny them the right of marriage.
This exquisite tray was made by my artist friend Eileen. (She has her own blog at http://eileensfoodforthought.blogspot.com, which offers excellent insight into her health issues, and helpful hints and recipes that have worked for her over the years.) She is one of the people who understands the creative fire and passion that drives some of us to do what we do. In her case, it finds fanciful fruition in pieces like this. Designed as a sushi tray, it can (and will) be put to other uses, as it’s too pretty not to use at every possible opportunity. Made by her own hands, the designs were imprinted by a shell or object from the ocean in Ogunquit, a favorite destination for both of us. Because of that, this piece is even more special to Andy and myself.
Eileen had been kind enough to grace us with another of her items a while ago, a beautiful vase that I’ll feature again, and this new addition is a wonderful complementary piece.
It’s also a work of art on its own, and I chose to photograph it surrounded by a plush blanket, because I liked the juxtaposition of the rigid clay against the soft fibers.
The tray itself is a glorious riot of texture and color ~ the polished finish of the top, the rough unfinished earthen texture of the bottom ~ the imprints of shells and objects that hold such soft, sea-inspired color. I hope it’s not too New-Agey of me to say that when holding it I feel a little of her energy transported, the goodness and kindness of a kindred heart, and our shared love for a day beside the beach.
She and her husband were scheduled to spend a night with us on their way to Ogunquit, but a surgery she needed to have prevented them from making that trip. I know that she’s been unable to make it to that beautiful place by the sea a few times now due to health set-backs, so the last time we were there we collected some sand, bottled it up, and sent it along. I wanted a little bit of the beach to find its way to her. Given her severe immobility, it’s amazing that she’s been able to create what she has, but the creative fire is not easily put out. Thank you, Eileen, for sending some of your beauty our way. It will be treasured every bit as much as your friendship. (And one day soon we hope to see you and Raph in Ogunquit again.)
One of the best parts of not having to host 1st Friday anymore is the freedom to see any and all of the shows that go on every 1st Friday in Albany. Today, that means getting to take my time and peruse the Upstate Artist Guild’s ‘Skin Show’. It is especially fun for me as the featured artist will be none other than one of my favorites, Newbold Bohemia, and his allegorical figure photography, which must be seen to be believed.
Check out his website at http://
www.newboldbohemia.com/ , where a more descriptive analysis of his work is explained:For Newbold Bohemia, an image is not captured in an instant, it is cultivated over time. While other artists exploit the documentary nature of photography, Newbold subverts reality by creating falsified and forged documents. His images are openly staged and/or manipulated after being captured.
“Photos are just a material like paint, wood, or clay,†says Newbold. “I plan, create, and capture images in my studio or in the field. I color them, paint them, and combine them — either physically or digitally — to create something new. I try to create not only an image, but an entire world within my image,†explains Newbold, “a world that is fictional but hopefully truthful. As Emerson said, ‘Fiction reveals truth that reality obscures.’ â€
Even the name Newbold Bohemia is a fabrication. The name reminds Newbold to create art dedicated to the four pillars of Bohemian society — “Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Love.”
The Skin Show, with featured artist Newbold Bohemia, will be on display today at the Upstate Artist Guild, 247 Lark Street, Albany, NY 12210, from 6 to 9 PM.Â
The amazing artist Paul Richmond is featured prominently in the current issue of the art magazine Noisy Rain, the entirety of which can be found HERE. It showcases a number of his Cheesecake Boys and other works, all of them gorgeous, colorful, and fun. I have to say that his rendition of me is one of my favorite of all-time – as much for its collaborative aspect as for its cheeky notion. It’s been a little over a year since he so generously immortalized me as one of his Cheesecake Boys. I’m in some great company (hello Michael Breyette!), of which I’m not at all worthy, but it’s totally fun to be part of his world.
The ever-amazing and awe-inspiring artist Paul Richmond has completed his immortalization of me as a Cheesecake Boy. I’m totally not worthy, but Paul is so good at what he does that he makes anyone look good. His cheeky play-off of the classic Coppertone ad is given a delightfully devilish twist, evoking Provincetown beaches, summer sun, and loads of fun. It makes me mourn the coming of winter even more, but another spring and summer will follow, and with them an exhibit at the Lyman-Eyer Gallery in Provincetown, MA. For more on the piece, check out Paul’s site here. A very special thank you to Paul, for making my cheesecake dreams come true.
