Past Exhibits
A VIEW OF OUR PAST EXHIBITS
In this national juried exhibit, Studio2Gallery seeks a duality of vision with the “quilts” of feature artist, Leslie Kell, in “Double Vision”. The artworks chosen envision expressions of double meanings, layers or processes. The viewer will be intrigued to take a second look and find a story unfolding, duplicity or inner sight.
– juror and ower, Tina Weitz
Leslie Kell's quilt series forges the artistic digital future by way of a tradition steeped in heritage. Using scraps of digital images, she envisions and pieces together wonderful patterns, recreating a folk-art into a new and storied medium.
In this series, Leslie mixes media with paint and print, depicting butterflies to symbolize the transformative power of the creative spirit. As the chrysalides become beautiful butterflies, so do the textile patterns of history emerge within her modern day photographic musings – offering layers from what we thought we knew or saw, and looking to what could be.
The eyes of the nation will be on our spectacular music scene March 2011 for South by Southwest, so how better to celebrate than with our fellow artists in a tribute to the music.
Studio2Gallery and our feature artist and juror, Brenda Ladd, are tuning up to celebrate the South by Southwest music scene in Austin, Texas with an “Eye on Music”. Thousands of visitors come to our fair city in March and music fills almost every street and corner downtown. Studio2Gallery is seeking visual artworks to offer tribute to our fellow musical artisans – to the music and the people who make it happen. – owner, Tina Weitz
“Eye for Music” Juror and Feature Artist, Brenda Ladd:
is a photojournalism instructor at the University of Texas at Austin, and owner of Brenda Ladd Photography. She has been an instructor at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography and is a member of the Texas Photographic Society.
A Photographer & Photo-Painting Artist, she applauds the heroes and heroines of the Music Community through her visual images. Exploring the passion of performance, the artist’s energy, and the enduring elements of emotion conveyed, Mz. Ladd's interpretations capture the connection of the visual and musical moment. The images seek to remind us of the Power of Music in each of our lives and, ultimately, the impact music bestows on the world.
a studio2gallery invitational exhibit with 4 artists showcasing App-aritions from iPhones
*iPhone-aphy
I love being an artist because you an make up your own words. iphone-aphy is the word I use for taking images with my iphone. The results are "App-aritions". This exhibit features the app-aritions of 4 well seasoned photographers who have thousands of hours of technology and expertise behind them. Yet, drawn like a moth to flame, we cannot deny the imagery of the iphone-aphy. – the proper term I believe is iPhoneography. photographer and owner, Tina Weitz
Leon Alesi Art Statement
I always loved Polaroids. The look, the feel and the fun it was to take them. First, I mourned the loss of my beloved Captiva film and then Polaroid film altogether. When I found the Shake It app, which mimics the Polaroid sensibility, I was hooked all over again. With the iPhone camera, I am excited to have a camera in my pocket at all times. The images I make with my phone are loose and of the moment. In this ongoing body of work my aim is to combine several images together to make a loose narrative. These vignettes seek to spark the viewer's imagination in a way that a short story emerges.
Catherine McMillan Art Statement
Apps are amazing; I use quite a few, PSE (Photoshop Express), Light, Shake-It, Filterstorm, Camera Bag and Hipstamatic. Like my colleagues, I have discovered a newfound joy in the simplicity of an all in one too, my iPhone. The art of photography is capturing and communicating something visual, it can be something you randomly see or something that you build. Being a commercial photographer, I have made a career of building images. The iPhone has helped guide me into a more casual approach of creating images. It's become an obsession of sorts; I play (key word because it is fun) with my iPhone every chance I get!
Most of these images are photos taken with the iPhone camera and then loaded up later on the before mentioned apps. Usually I start with curves in Filterstorm, then Camera Bag to pick out a camera, and then maybe a PSE or Filterstorm again for vignettes or borders, saturation, etc. – the possibilities are endless.
Carol Schiraldi Art Statement
My iPhone has put the fun of photography back into my hands. It's small, it's sleek, it's sexy. It's easy to operate and easy to get away with. I love the joy of discovering new apps like Camera Bag, Plastic Bullet and Hipstamatic. I love Shake It Polaroid and the fake Tilt-Shift app. It's been said that photography, specifically the camera, is a great equalizer of sorts. It allows artistic vision to be separated from the technician in all of us. With an iPhone in your hands, you can go from artistic vision-from concept or idea-to finished product in a second or two. No Photoshop, no darkroom, no chemicals, no expense of films and such, only that vision come to life. It's that purity of vision that keeps me coming back to the fun of the iPhone camera. Never before has a camera allowed me to be so productive while freeing me from the shackles of being a technician. In the past, cameras were all about equipment, optics, and the necessities of the darkroom process. Now, there are boundless possibilities before our eyes whenever we "slide to unlock" them.
Tina Weitz Art Statement
I began to use my iPhone camera to fill in for those moments I did not have my high tech equipment on hand. As I continued to use the iPhone, a new love developed. I discovered the apps. I had lamented the departing of Polaroid Time Zero film almost 4 years ago, but found the new joy of Shake It, a beautiful tribute to the contrast and color of Polaroid. You even get the nostalgic click and whir, thank you developers. Then you watch (with fond memories of your Polaroid SX70 camera), as magic happens when the cloud of white begins to transform. This led to the next app, and the next, and the next… I hear the great debate about how valid an image from such an instant process can be accounted for- and I can resoundingly answer with diptychs and triptychs and tales of my travels and the anticipation I have with each iPhone lens safari I make. Simplicity, such as this, brings clarity to my subjects and joy to my artistic heart.
a national juried exhibit with Juror and Feature Artist, John Mark Sager
"…We wade through history, and swim in a multitude of ideas, eventually finding the stroke that we can call our own. Cross-pollination has always been a major factor in the arts. Literature, music and architecture have seeded my artwork, sometimes blossoming into fruition, always leaving a trace of growth. …"- Excerpt from feature artist and juror, John Mark Sager’s Artist Statement
Studio2Gallery and our feature artist and juror, John Mark Sager, open another chapter with this exhibit to share the love for and relationship we have with books. The possible ways a book can be reflected in art is as wide and vast as the stories a book can tell.
The book is an object – intimate and public at the same time. So it is with an artwork – a link between self and other. “What is the use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures or conversations?”
BIOGRAPHY
John Sager’s unique assemblages and collages have been exhibited in New Zealand, Colorado, Oregon, New Mexico and Washington, DC, as well as Texas where he has had five solo shows at Hooks-Epstein Galleries. He has received 16 jurors’ awards, including a major award from the McKinney Avenue Contemporary Museum in Dallas, “Best of Show” at the Waco Art Center and two purchase awards from Concordia University at Austin. He has been selected to display work at the Austin City Hall three times, and this year his work was included in a nationally juried altered book exhibit and catalog in Denver, Colorado.
Sager often explores spiritual themes. The Dadian Galley at Wesley Theological Seminary, HEB Foundation’s Laity Lodge and Seton Family of Hospitals’ spirituality center have shown his work, which has been featured in the Arte Sagrado nationally juried exhibitions. His sculpture was included in a gallery tour of New Zealand to mark the centennial of Joseph Cornell’s birth.
Since 1980, he has been a preparator for the Blanton Museum of Art at the University of Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art from Texas Lutheran University, where he had a 44-piece retrospective in 2005. He lives in Austin with his wife Joni and cats BeBop and Persephone.
REVIEWS
“Everywhere you turn, other disparate objects — old clock cases, a lunchbox (also rusted), monocles, a decrepit violin bow — are integrated into pieces of spiritually themed art.”
— Jonathan Padget, Washington Post
“Sager has continued to gather the detritus of other people’s lives and to assemble the disparate parts into evocative, thoughtful, and astonishingly elegant constructions.”
— Curator statement by Deborah Sokolove, director of the Dadian Gallery, Washington, DC
Named one of the “Top 10 Artists to Watch in 2004” by the Austin Chronicle
“RECOMMENDED ARTS: Also in Flatbed at the new project space named O2, John Sager crafts his ‘prepared atmospheres’ — nifty quiltlike collages from half-inch squares cut from old National Geographic magazines.”
— Jeanne Claire van Ryzin, Austin American-Statesman
“The Searchers and Birds’ Eye View are two lovely little collages by the consistently superb artist John Sager.”
— Jacqueline May, Austin Chronicle
“John Sager’s memory-laden found object sculpture evokes the nostalgia of past eras as it simultaneously
offers insight to the present.”
— Juror statement by Becky Duval Reese, former director of the El Paso Museum of Art
“John is one of the very best artists that I have seen in the Southwest, and his images are very startling to me. He is a brilliant and original seer, someone who is full of surprises for the viewer.”
— Juror statement by Richard Shaffer, the University of California at Santa Cruz
Chuang Tzu's Dream (Bad Trip) by Marc Silva
artifice: trickery, ruse, deception, a clever device, ingenuity
Assuming that you are a good person, consider the possibility, as you partake in Halloween festivities this year and put on a sinister mask, that perhaps the 364 other days of the year are the domain of sinister people who don masks of respectability, warmth and kindness, who conjure superficial fictions but succeed surprisingly often in passing them off as real. Consider the possibility that mainstream consensual ‘reality’ is in fact a thin façade concealing a web of hastily assembled and continually reinforced supports not unlike the back-stage scaffolding at a travelling carnival, with hawkers and performers intent on emptying their patrons’ pockets before the fraud is discovered.
–Excerpt from the art statement of feature artist, Marc Silva
Feature artist, Marc Silva, offers his view of illusion through masterful images of layered perceptions, and worlds merged. Studio2Gallery seeks artworks offering the artificial, illusion, ingenuity or masked perceptions. –Juror and owner, Tina Weitz
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For this exhibit, studio2gallery presents artworks inspired by the seasons to compliment the paintings of feature artist, Marilyn Rea Nasky and her color rich Aspen series. Juror and owner, Tina Weitz, selected the artists' visions of the imagery the seasons bring forth, as well as works relating to or containing poetry/text sprung from summer, spring, winter and fall.
Marilyn Rea Nasky creates visual images that communicate the mystery and transient beauty of our planet. She relies on visual memory, dreams and feelings for these images of landscape and natural organic forms. Though based on reality, her paintings focus on her feelings about the natural world. Marilyn is a Central Texas artist whose rich and varied life experience contributes to her work. Her home state of Colorado is the inspiration for the Aspen Series. She is also a Chroma Teaching Artist, working in Atelier Interactive Acrylics and Archival Oils.
50 Members of Austin Visual Arts Association exhibited in their annual members show. Juried by Tina Weitz and AVAA President, Donna Crosby.
Be inspired by a journey with the Aborigine and the influence of their music and life through 3 feature artists: Ron Crose, Omid Aski Laridjani and Eliot Stone. The artworks selected reflect the artists and their relations or observations of the world around them.
Studio2Gallery owner, Tina Weitz, looks to the written words in the art statement of feature artist, Mary Jo Kennard, for our next call, Doors, “…icons, or still lifes of a sort. Or one could make a case for the psychological implications of painting open doors, closed doors, darkened doors…”
Doors allow passage, are barriers, represent what lies beyond. They are metaphorical and allegorical (wiki).
Exploring the world and cultures of tattoo with guest artist, Sara Mae Short.
Sara Mae was born in the Midwest. Studying art and theatre for most of her life and after much success as a stage-writer in Chicago for several years, Sara Mae moved to Las Vegas following LOVE. While living and working in Vegas, she started searching for a tattoo artist to create her next tattoo. Tattoos were always an interest of hers since she was a kid, seeing her Trucker Uncle with all his varied designs, which made Sara Mae wonder, how was that done? In Vegas, she came across local skin artist, Fred Giavanitti. When meeting up with Fred, she never imagined he would introduce her to a medium of art where the skin would be her canvas. Fred allowed Sara Mae to enter his shop as an apprentice spring of 2006. With the newly found art of tattoos, she would be doing more artwork then ever and tattooing would change the way she looked at art indefinitely. Whether it’s imaginative or realistic, making a drawing form to ones skin would be her most difficult art form yet. After a year and a half working under Fred at Tatlantis– Sara Mae then moved to Austin to pursue tattooing in a different state. Sara Mae currently works at Needlewerx Tattoo and Piercings the beginning of 2009 and still resides there.
“An intellectual says a simple thing in a hard way. An artist says a hard thing in a simple way.” Charles Bukowski
Tattooing has changed my life drastically and I never thought I could love something that's so damn hard and that could bring so much grief – slugs and bruises I take 'em on the chin. The abuse that comes from myself to get better at this art form will never go away. Tattooing just isn't art, it's a form of changing how you and others see yourself. At least for me it is. My Art/Tattoos stand for moments that I never want to forget, tattoos bring pain and joy and to me, to be able to create stories on the skin.
Studio2Gallery and juror and feature artist, Mo Scollan, painter and former owner/director/curator of 2040 gallery invite artists to share their vision.
Juror Statement: I think if you gave the same 50 artists an idea to interpret you would most likely have 50 wildly different pieces of work. In this show I invite you as an artist to create art that is YOU, your view, keeping in mind that my expectations are high and my mind is open. A few of my favorite artists are Sargent, Caravaggio, Lucien Freud, Susan Rothenberg, and The Bay Area Figurative Artists…but my appreciation is certainly not limited to painting. I have a great appreciation for functional art also. –juror, Mo Scollan
"Translations" navigating culture through paper -juror, Benné Rockett
Benné Rockett has served the Austin arts community as a visual arts writer, juror, and gallery director and owner. She is an internationally exhibiting visual artist, working in various mediums including concrete, encaustic and paper. As an activist, Benné initiated a number of exhibitions devoted to highlighting social issues impacting our daily lives.
Exhibited works, consisting primarily of paper, express the versatility and manipulation of the materiality of paper. Selected artists will address aspects of culture, one’s own or one visited, and can include references to language, customs, and beliefs.
Life is certain to have challenges and adversity. Our feature artist, Elizabeth Hoisington, writes of the layering of life: the difficulties, hope spiritual purification and surrender. She combines poetry with images in her new book, "Moving Towards Grace". This exhibit has symbolic artworks of the pain and grace that exists within our world. From the recesses of our minds, unfolding to that which brings us inner strength beauty and vision. -juror/owner, Tina Weitz
read the review by Austin Chronicle's Wayne Alan Brenner click here
"Organic: Basic Inspirations" a juried exhibit October 3-30, 2009
Studio2Gallery presents artworks from multiple artists which convey organic elements. Inspirations of organic life, organic material, organic food, organic chemistry, organic matter and other natural structures. Featured artist, Oscar Silva, offers his exploration of our theme with contemporary fiber sculptures. -juror/owner, Tina Weitz
Oscar Silva received his BFA in Studio Art from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas while studying under noted fiber artist, Jean Laman, and his MFA in Fiber with a minor in Sculpture from The University of North Texas in Denton, Texas under the tutelage of well known surface design artist, Shigeko Spear. He experiments through his art with natural fibers and mixed media to explore their inherent sculptural capabilities. Oscar often uses architectural design and natural fibers to investigate the confines of modern society, exploring the promise of pristine nature with that of industrialization. By using handmade paper and various fibers in conjunction with mixed media, it allows him to engage fiber with form while preserving its integrity.
Oscar's artworks have been exhibited in galleries throughout Texas, Michigan, and New Mexico. He has won numerous awards as well as an International Award for Sculpture. His work is to be found in private collections in Washington DC, Chicago, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Currently, he is preparing for exhibits for the Texas Federation of Fiber Artists Conference at the Center for Contemporary Craft in Houston, Texas, The Rockport Center for the Arts, Rockport, Texas, The Alumni Exhibition at Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas as well as The University of Texas at Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas.
with feature artist and co-juror:
Oscar Silva, Staples, Texas
and selected artists:
Deborah Osborn Berra, Austin, Texas Michael H. Burton, Lincoln Nebraska Georgie Cunningham, Bulverde, Texas Rebecca Degagne, Arcata, California Sue Fawver, Jersey City, New Jersey Pamela S. Glenn, Austin, Texas Kay Hughes, Austin, Texas Eun Yeong Jeong, Champaign, Illinois Kris Kessey, Fresno, California Leslie Kell, Manchaca, Texas Mary Jo Kennard, Austin, Texas Lisa Kerpoe, San Antonio, Texas Tomo Kobayashi, Grand Rapids, Michigan Marc Leone, Ft. Thomas, Kentucky Patricia Lyle, Round Rock, Texas Kim Matthews, Minneapolis, Minnesota Marilyn Rea Nasky, Volente, Texas Catherine Rozmarynowycz, Sheffield Lake, Ohio Doug Russell, Laramie, Wyoming Katie Ryan, Los Angeles, California William R. Selman, Austin, Texas Robin Tripaldi, Austin, Texas
Oscar Silva at studio2 artfest
Many thanks for participating and the support we received from the artists at studio2 artfest.
Feature artist, (Robert) Bob Cook started furiously painting upon his retirement from business. He began with pencil drawings and now showcases his diverse nature by working regularly in pastel, watercolor, acrylic and oil. As if that wasn't enough, Bob also produces fine art photography. He has received training in workshops led by Brian Bomeisler, Albert Handell, Bob Rohm, Anne Templeton and Vicki McMurray. He completed the Texas State advanced painting curriculum as a visiting graduate student and has also studied at the Southwest School of Art in San Antonio. Bob is a juried Artomat artist who paints pocket sized monsters for sale around the country in Artomat venues. -juror/owner, Tina Weitz
Creatures. Wiggly, swimming, furry, crawling, flying, creatures. Legendary creatures. Their presence can create comfort, fascination, companionship, symbolism, fear, amazement, and even the power of love. Feature artist, Jill Alo. -juror, owner/Tina Weitz
A juried exhibit with the Creative Art Society, answering the question, "What Are You Doing, Texas?"- juror/owner, Tina Weitz
review: a bit of nostalgia from the Daily Texan: click here
In 2005, "A Passion for Polaroid" was exhibited at studio2gallery, and I feel, was one of the best exhibits in over 50 exhibits I have jurored, curated, or collaborated on. Many Polaroid enthusiasts understand and crave the joy of the magic found in this self developing film. Now with the world's eyes on our resources for Polaroid, I feel it is especially important to feature this wonder of photography film. I personally have created stain-glass Polaroids, hand-manipulated Polaroids, hand-colored Polaroids, mixed media with Polaroid, and have made enlargements from Polaroids.
Our artists will show you their Polaroid Passion, and hopefully this film will live to see a future for "A Passion for Polaroid III". – juror/owner, Tina Weitz
Most of us have heard of Jean-Leon Gerome, Alphonse Mucha and John William Waterhouse. But who has heard of the models they worked with? Muriel Foster worked for John Waterhouse for 23 years and it was her image in much of his most important work. They shared a unique relationship for decades. Those of us who are moved by art and care about art should seek to understand and acknowledge these relationships. Explore the creative collaboration between models and artists. – juror, Rick Fink, Austin, Texas
- juror, Jacqueline May, Austin, Texas
Join us in celebrating the re-opening of studio2gallery! -juror/owner, Tina Weitz
