MAINSITE Contemporary Art

2006 Emergent Artists Exhibit opens 12/01/06

2006-11-19T13:08:00.000-08:00

MAINSITE Contemporary Art is pleased to announce:

EMERGENT ARTISTS 2006
Kristen Vails
Jesse Armstrong
Jeff XVALA
Sarah Atlee
and including new work by Bill Boettcher

OPENING RECEPTION:
Friday, December 1, 2006- 6-10pm
December 1, 2006 through January 13, 2007

Jeff Xvala works in oil sticks, acrylic, serigraphy and collage on large stretched canvas to create expressionistic abstractions that are both innocent and wise.
Xvala prefers to call his work 'tabloid art', which defined is the
condensed or compressed product of modern experience.
In his Artist's statement, Xvala said this about his work:

When I look at Pop Art I see consumer society; when I look at Tabloid Art I see society consumed. Tabloid is documentary. It's all really happening, sort of.
I do Tabloid Art. I find the lowest common denominator and do that, doing things just as they are. For it to come off just right, it should be raw - imposing and mundane - and slightly provocative.
When I do Tabloid Art, I don't think about modern, post-modern, or conceptual things. I believe in reduction. I believe in tyrants, hustlers, heroes. I believe in conflict, compulsion, and calculation. I believe I am selling what is easy to buy.
++++
Sarah Atlee's work is tightly rendered but surreally abstract. Atlee uses themes of friendship, family and humanity to create her complex compositions.
Atlee works with paint and collage to create her color saturated images of figures portraying comfortably charged emotions.
Sarah Atlee recieved her Masters of Fine Arts from Rochester Institute of Technology and has exhibited work in New York, Arizona and Indiana.
In her artist's statement, Atlee said this about her work:
When I make a painting it is like cooking. I open up my cupboards and look around for what my eyes are craving. I mix up the ingredients let them stew and hopefully something tasty results. I often use collage as a sketching process combining and synthesizing imagery from disperate sources.
++++
Jesse Armstrong is a contemporary ceramic sculptor.
Using monochromatic glazes and unconventional molded shapes like baby doll heads bananas, Armstrong creates functional and nonfunctional ceramic work that juxtaposes reality with surreality.
In his artist's statement, Armstrong had this to say about his work:
My current body of work explores context. To elaborate further, what occurs when an object's context shifts and is paired with other objects of a different contextual frame. The results are often the creation of new forms that impose drastically different socio-political implications.
++++
Kristen Vails works with imagery primarily of natural horses in landscape environments with acrylics on canvas, but with a surreal twist.
Vails seemingly simple images of horses are carefully abstracted to allow the form of the horse to appear as though it is movement, alluding to a sense of memory and mystery.
In her artist's statement, Kristen Vails had this to say about her work:
Growing up in small town Piedmont, Oklahoma my mind was constantly focused on horses, drawing, and nature. As I could not stray from these passions I attended the University of Oklahoma to further my concentration in art, all along building relationships with God and others that will last a lifetime. I strive to create art that embodies the nature of truth and continue to follow where my art may take me. In my experience within the art world, I have learned that art is not life, but rather life is art. My art is a reflection of my life.
++++
Bill Boettcher uses reclaimed wood and stone to create intimate and sensual large works that explore the natural curves and colors of his chosen media. Upon retiring from teaching biological sciences, Boettcher began exploring sculpture.
more about Bill Boettcher's work coming....

Sarah Williams and Mateo Galvano

2006-11-19T12:59:00.000-08:00

LANGUAGE
September 8th through November 18, 2006
OPENING RECEPTION:
Friday, September 8, 2006- 7-9pm
Mateo Galvano's work is inspired by his passion for language and his devotion to the personal feelings and emotions that are consistent with all humanity.
"When I work I become witness to a quiet and passionate sense of perception in which marks on the surface can travel or speak, and colors can conjure revelations. I expect to excite in the viewer a memory of soul, to tell without word or symbol an inchoate and benevolent language, a song. I paint to recall the future, to contribute to evolution by experiencing something discrete as a particle in the vast human sea."
Galvano's abstract paintings are atmospheric and bold, using colors that are both subdued and excited. Galvano works with the rich textures of oil paints and layers with delicate collaged papers and textures with drawn elements to create small, and larger, images that are detailed and masterfully produced.
"Painting is a path that is linked to devotion and to grieving. It is a way to honor all that is lost and a way to celebrate immeasurable or nearly hidden things. The current body of work is approached by looking through a veil, by observing mysterious nature to read the signs. Upon entering the seductive world of paint, canvas, paper, ink and brush and following slow paths of lines or drips, I invite storms resolved by tranquil atmospheres and the stillness of time and changing matter. "
This is Galvano's second exhibition at MAINSITE Contemporary Art. Mateo Galvano has exhibited his work in places including Santa Fe, New York City and Gordes France. Mateo Galvano lives and works in Columbus, Ohio.

TOPOLOGY COLLECTIVE
September 8th through November 18, 2006
OPENING RECEPTION:
Friday, September 8, 2006- 7-9pm

Sarah Williams work is inspired by science and her intense curiosity about the natural world.
Sarah Williams uses predictable mechanical photographic processes to print her images, but the real innovation of Williams's work comes in the creation of the negatives she uses. To make these negatives, Williams creates a detailed drawings on old cartography charts, graphing papers, and maps. Once the drawing is complete, Williams coats the paper with oil and bakes it in the oven, making it semi-transparent with an orange cast like that of a color negative. From these color paper negatives, she creates a photographic contact print and, as Williams explains, "utilizing a medium that is widely considered to represent reality, and abstracting it to communicate an outcome of mystery. Although I can control what colors will result in the final image, the variables of the drawings themselves, the paper types I use, and the length of time I bake each image creates subtle alchemical surprises in the final print. This element of controlled chaos serves as a constant reminder that science never will harness complete understanding of the natural or technological world."
In May of 2006, Sarah was selected as a recipient of a $2,000 Award of Excellence from the Oklahoma Visual Artist Coalition.
Sarah currently lives and works in Oklahoma City, OK. She received her BFA in Photography from the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico in 2001. Following her graduation from CSF, she lived in New York City for a brief period of time and returned to Oklahoma in 2002 to live and work as an artist.

CHROME CHOCOLATE OPENING JULY 28th

2006-07-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

MAINSITE Contemporary Art PRESENTS:
2nd Annual Short Summer Show

7/28/06-8/18/06
Chrome Chocolate
...a collaborative entity

Opening Reception: Friday, July 28th, 2006, 7-9pm
The artists will be present and the public is encouraged to attend.

Exhibition Dates:
Opening Friday, July 28th, 7-9pm
Exhibiting through August 18th, 2006
+++++++++++++++++++
Established in 2005, Chrome Chocolate is a concept that proclaims in
working together, artists can achieve a unique cultural voice.
Designed to be a collaborative entity, Chrome Chocolate combines a
group of artists, with a focus on cutting edge work, to create and
collaborate in an installation format, with the intention to build a
bridge over the gap between high and low art.
Under the Chrome Chocolate name, each artist maintains the individual
direction of their work; in painting, design, sculpture, photography
and multimedia, while creating projects and installations charged with
relentless energy.
The artists in Chrome Chocolate combine art and graffiti, popular
culture and tradition, and the silly and the serious, offering
original or limited edition works of art at affordable prices.

"Chrome Chocolate delivers coherent shape to artistic freedom."

Chrome Chocolate is/are:
http://chromechocolate.com/index.html

Aaron Cahill: painting, drawing, prints, collage.
Layered collages, prints and drawings with images of graffiti, science
text books, and passages from personal sketchbooks
http://mainsite-art.com/aaroncahillonline/index.html

Keegan O'Keefe: mixed media paintings and drawings.
Found images, sketchbook drawings and abstract biomorphic forms on
densely saturated large scale works.
http://mainsite-art.com/keeganokeefeonline/index.html

monstercoop.com: photography, animation, mixed media.
this part of monstercoop combines photography with hand crafted
monster creatures made of felt and found objects and mixed media,
influenced by fear and fun and love
and disgust brought to you by the think tank at www.monstercoop.com
http://monstercoop.com/Site2/home.html

Adam Stewart: mixed media installations.
Mixed media works with images from an extensive collection of personal
journals and sketchbooks that translate everyday observations into
cartoon and abstract narratives.
http://mainsite-art.com/adamstewartonline/index.html

thedirtyfabulous: paintings and drawings.
Drawings on paper and painted metal works with images that reference
vintage pin ups, psychedelic art, Japanese prints, dreams, tarot
cards, and relics from the industrial revolution.
www.thedirtyfabulous.com
http://mainsite-art.com/dirtyfabulousonline/index.html

Art walk was GREAT!

2006-05-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

Hello!
We had a great turn out on the night of the art walk, despite the rain. Folks came and watched the 2 different video instalations and experienced George Hughes's remote control gold truck and Jen Taylor's striking long drawings.
This exhibit is showing through July 8th.

NEW SHOW! GEORGE HUGHES AND JEN TAYLOR 5/5, 7-9pm

2006-05-03T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hello!
We are getting ready for the opening on Friday night!
This show is very dynamic with to very powerful artists- George Hughes and Jen Taylor
the opening is from 7 to 9pm.
Don't miss it!
We have added lots of new images and photo galleries to the website so if you haven't visited in a whille you should check it out.

Emergent Artist Exhibition December 2- February 11

2005-11-16T13:52:00.000-08:00

Emergent Artist Exhibition
December 2- February 11

Opening Reception: Friday December 2, 7-9 pm in conjunction with Norman Gallery Association Winter Art Walk.
===
Artists Featured in Exhibition:
Ruth Ann Borum: painting
Garrison Buxton: painting, printmaking
Cate Kelly: sculpture, installation (Fuglies)
Sharon McCoy: painting
Daisy Patton: photography
Angela Renke: sculpture, installation
Mark Wyatt: photography
===
Ruth Ann Borum
Ruth Ann Borum received her Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, Oklahoma.
Borum’s current subject matter deals with obsession, excess, celebration, and the dual nature of sugar as friend and enemy. These themes are expressed through specific characters, towering cakes, streamers, tiny particles drifting down, and cupcakes galore. She is also exploring a female form with an elongated neck, while investigating beauty in the potentially grotesque.
Borum uses painting and drawing as her primary media. However, in the later part of her education, Borum discovered functional ceramics and has incorporated them into her body of work. She draws on the vessels, using those well loved re-occurring themes of skulls and the beautifully grotesque.
Ruth Ann Borum currently maintains a studio space in Norman and plans to continue her art career in Oklahoma.
http://www.monstercoop.com

Garrison Buxton
A fascination with nature and the sciences reveals itself in Garrison Buxton's art--in the creative process as well as in the titles.
Buxton's inventive painting process, a type of "flash printing", requires a sound knowledge of the chemistry of inks, solvents, binders, papers, and paints.
Buxton's fugitive images allow for the universe’s spontaneity and chaotic indulgences to commingle with his contrived, calculated visions.
The surface color varies enormously in its character: sometimes solidly fixed, sometimes liquidly rippling, and sometimes a fine lacy mist.
The works are often titled after stellar and micro-cellular phenomenon, which reference Buxton’s appreciation, admiration, and respect for the interrelatedness of the macrocosmic and microcosmic. The more humankind learns about the infinitely large and the infinitely small, the more it understands the symbiotic, harmonious relationships that exist between all things.
However, regardless of how much we learn about our planet and the universes with which it commingles, there always exist an underlying mystery, where the unexplainable happens, where the secrets we have yet to uncover, and may never uncover, reside.
Buxton’s intuition guides him towards this place, leaving visual references along the path of this never-ending journey.
Oklahoma-born, Garrison Buxton graduated with a BFA from the University of Oklahoma prior to moving to New York City and earning his MFA from Pratt Institute. Buxton then taught printmaking at Pratt until 2004, when he left to found Peripheral Media Projects, Inc. (PMP), a print shop that specializes in graphic design, fine art printmaking, and textile fabrication. Buxton's home, studio and PMP’s facilities are in New York City.
His most current venture is co-creating a retail and online store called Antimart, Inc. Antimart carries products manufactured in socially responsible ways by individuals and groups working at the forefront of globally sustainable business models and lifestyles.
http://www.peripheralmediaprojects.com/
http://www.plandclothing.com/
http://www.antimart.net

Cate Kelly
Fuglies are creations that sprouted from the collective minds of Cate Kelly and Scott Henderson in April of 2004, as a way to reform the tossed-aside carnival prize, old confidant, or just a forgotten toy story. Fuglies bring new life to the child within who responds to the macabre wonder of giving a new existence to an expired past.
These handmade, re-used, trash treasures automatically form their own identity when turned inside out.
Their identities are further revealed with the artist’s embellishments of discombobulated parts.
While some may appear similar, no two are exactly alike. Unique as snowflakes and inept as “Frankenstein’s Monster”, these little plushmongers will no doubt bring out the alchemist in all of you.

Sharon McCoy
Sharon McCoy lives, works and makes art in her Oklahoma City studio.
“The closer I get to reaching my goals as an artist, the bigger my dreams become. I’m actually not sure I will ever be satisfied with any measure of success as an artist, only always wanting more. However there is one thing that really does satisfy me. That is using my art as a voice for what I believe. So that’s what I do for real satisfaction.”

Daisy Patton
There’s something intrinsically vulnerable about having your picture taken. The act captures, so complete and unbiased, the exact instant, whether the individual happens to be looking into the camera oddly or caught unawares. Doubly helpless is a stranger who is the photographer. The subject does not have any control, and basically, their essence has been stolen from that moment for someone else’s use.
It is this vulnerability that draws me to taking images of people. Intruding on these individuals is a form of voyeurism on my part as I watch, stealthily position, and snap before I can be stopped. Perhaps they see me or knew me; there is then a tacit understanding, a sort of give and take, between the person and myself. The viewer also is given a chance to role-play. Either they can inhabit the world before them, or they can envision what it was like to be the photographer, the voyeur.
While there is a lot of thought into the specifics of control, the images themselves are quick, brief, candid moments documented for posterity. This fluidity, combined with the push and pull of the viewer versus the subject, drives my documentary work. The concept of the mundane, where everyone lives the same type of boring life and performs the same boring behaviors and actions, interests me because of how subtly people react to these situations. It is my opinion that the human character is revealed here; people allow themselves to open up because of the lack of stimuli and the prying attention of others.
Some of my documentary photography is focused on certain individuals close to me. In this case, rather than gaining a brief glimpse into the subjects’ lives, it is more of an established relationship and a development of personality that is exhibited. Instead of intrusion, there is intimacy; instead of powerlessness, there is some control in how the person is portrayed. The contrast of the two sets of subjects is distinct but not necessarily noticeable. Overall, one theme remains: the need to construct a narrative, either quickly or drawn out over time.
http://www.daisypatton.com/

Angela Renke
I strive to integrate mathematic fundamentals with the language of visual symbol through abstract sculpture. Mathematical truths are viewed as universal understanding, a consistent form of communication. Humans have created a variety of languages, including mathematics, as a means to explain discoveries and form reasonable understanding of each other’s knowledge. I am inspired by Pythagoras’ notion of perfect numbers, as well as nature, and the individual’s idea of perfection. My art incorporates aspects of each of these components.
I create work that includes my obsessive perception of perfection, and allow perfect numbers to control the outcome of the work and ultimately define the perfection. A perfect number is one in which its divisors add up exactly to the number itself; they are a rare group of numbers. Based on twenty-eight is a series where the measurements, quantity of materials, and arrangement of the sculptures are all determined by the perfect number 28 and its divisors. Using this process allows my work to achieve perfection through a system that is structured and organized with an infinite diverse possibility for materialization.
I have found that utilizing formal geometry within my work holds a place within visual symbols, which can also be seen in nature. The circle is a shape that can almost always be found within my work. I have used man-made materials such as concrete and rubbers as well as natural materials to execute my ideas of relating humans to perfection, mathematics and nature.

Mark Wyatt
Mark Wyatt is a graduate student finishing a Master of Fine Art degree in painting at the university of Oklahoma. Prior to entering the graduate program, Wyatt completed his undergraduate work at Oklahoma university. He began his college education at the age of thirty seven years- after being disabled at his job.
He is a painter, print maker, and writer who specializes in experimental processes and techniques. Painting with a process on glass and developing experimental lithographic methods, he has exhibited regularly while a student and on Renaissance and Baroque Art.
The exhibit Mark Wyatt is presenting for the Emergent Artist Exhibition is a collection of polaroids that are manipulated and framed, creating little one of a kind windows into another world.

====

OPENING: VISIONS IN THE FLESH 10/21/05--7-9pm

2005-10-20T22:57:00.000-07:00

VISIONS IN THE FLESH
a photographic survey
Exhibition: October 21 through November 26, 2005

MAINSITE Contemporary Art is pleased to announce our upcoming exhibition VISIONS IN THE FLESH, a photographic survey, curated by John Seward.
This exhibition features works from five photographers, Greg Gorman, Jerry Uelsmann, Bill Perry, John Seward, Melanie Seward, displaying their approach to the human nude subject and providing the viewer the opportunity to see and compare figurative works, and how each of the five photographers presented in this exhibition approach the nude figure from a different perspective, each finding a method in presenting the subject with varying psychological overtones.
Greg Gorman says, "A great photograph asks as many questions as it answers". The photograph is perceived as the representation of a moment in time that existed or is real. . . after all, it must be real. The photo is the documentation of an event.

Greg Gorman sees the young male figure as transitional, not as boys but not fully matured men either.
Greg Gorman's male nudes photographs are from the series 'As I See It'. They bridge a misconception of nudes in art . . the female form is a thing of beauty and the male nude because of its external sexuality is considered taboo. As Greg wrote in his introduction, "The problem lies in interpretation. A nude should be accepted for its face value - an exploration of the human form in all of its natural glory".

Jerry Uelsmann uses photography to question what it is we see, or expect to see in a photograph. These perceptions reach into the mind of the viewer as psychologically we interpret the image individually.
Uelsmann states, "Ultimately, my hope is to amaze myself. The anticipation of discovering new possibilities is my greatest joy." Before the advent of Adobe Photoshop and other methods of conveniently altering pictures, darkroom masters and retouchers were creating new, altered images. Darkroom technique and composited imagery became the tool for Jerry Uelsmann. Through the combining of multiple negatives in the darkroom, Uelsmann's photographs question the reality of the image. Our sense of reality becomes confused which forces the viewer to analyze the information on a deeper philosophical and psychological level. Uelsmann said, "While it may be true, as Nathan Lyons stated, 'The eye and the camera see more than the mind knows', is it not conceivable the the mind knows more than the eye and the camera see?"

Melanie Seward's close-up nudes depict shape and form, yet uses recognizable features such as eyes, lips and nipples as sensual, psychological triggers of both question and imagination.
Melanie Seward focuses on light, form and tone while approaching a nude composition. She utilizes the models to study the novel or unconventional as she photographs. The sensual skin is stunningly presented and evokes a certain sense of eroticism by questions raised in recognizable components and their relationship with one another. Melanie Seward's newest series was created in Sicily at springtime and denotes a new beginning.

Bill Perry's large scale gelatin silver nudes are titled purposely in emotional terms such as 'Rejection', 'The Feeling of Pain', and 'The Prison'. These titles influence the viewer to analyze the figurative work with their psychological overtones. In many of the photographs, the tremendous emotion and power are directly confronting.
Bill Perry's photographs of close-up figures are emotional, ethereal and mysterious. Coupled with the printing process in which the images were created by exposing the negative through layers of tissue paper, the mood and mystique of the photograph is enhanced and magnified.

John Seward's double exposures combine the classical female nude with man-made elements; buildings, walls, automotive components and gardens that questions the juxtaposition of the nude with common spatial elements. John Seward created a series of in camera double exposures on color negative film using one model and various settings at Cadillac Ranch and in Santa Fe.
Of John Seward's new series, Greg Gorman said, "Despite the complexity of the technique John Seward utilizes to create his combination of images, his photographs appear deliberate and premeditated. The molding of his backgrounds and subject compliment each other, never detracting or conflicting with each image's individual harmony".

John Seward had this to say about the entire exhibition:
"Flesh is a fascinating subject in art and in life. The nude figure, both male and female, should not only convey a sense of beauty but also a sense of wonder on both an intuitive and philosophical level of thinking. Flesh in art and in life is beautiful, wonderful and sensual and should not become a source for religious or political condemnation. The more we are willing as individuals to accept, appreciate and understand the beauty of the human form as well as other peoples, cultures and ideas, the world can become a better place. Please enjoy the exhibition."

Jonathan Hils will lecture on Tuesday, 6pm, October 4th, 2005

2005-09-30T18:19:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that OU Sculpture Professor Jonathan Hils will lecture on Tuesday, 6pm, October 4th, 2005 at Mainsite Contemporary Art

This lecture coincides with his current exhibition at MAINSITE titled
Odds (@) Culture. This current work is the representation of the artist's concepts of the culture of war, from which he received a Fellowship from the
Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition to complete.
Please join us!

Jonathan Hils utilizes processes associated with the car industry; including powder
coated metal, chrome and polished brass to create his sculpture. Hils uses metal NASCAR replicas as American icons, to explore the current political situation and how politics are used to promote particular ideologies. Jonathan Hils received his BFA
from Georgia State University in 1997 and his MFA from Tulane University in
1999. Before coming to the School of Art at the University of Oklahoma, he
instructed sculpture and drawing at the College of Charleston and has taught
summer programs through the Sloss Metals Arts Program in Birmingham, AL and
the New Orleans School of Glass and Printmaking. His work has been exhibited
in numerous shows throughout the U.S. and was selected for the 2003
International Sculpture Center Members Exhibition and the 2002 North
American Sculpture Exhibition.

Jonathan Hils is also the recent recipient of the Oklahoma Visual Arts
Coalition's Annual Fellowship for 2005. Selected by a national Curator,
this $5000 award gives artists a major opportunity to advance in their
careers. This lecture is the community service aspect of the OVAC award.

j.Michelle Martin-Coyne-I Was An Inflatable Sun Reception

2005-08-20T10:04:00.000-07:00

And so it went.....fabulously!

New Shows

2005-08-05T21:48:00.000-07:00

We are looking forward to experiencing the installation of the saturated techinicolor world of j. Michelle Martin-Coyne.
MAINSITE is usually closed for the month of August for maintenance, but we were lucky enough to convince Michelle to give us the time to hang her work.
We will be open for appointment until the 10th, then we will re-open with our regular hours of Weds-Sat- 11:30am-5pm.
We will have a Mid-way reception for the artist- complete with cotton candy and the works, Friday, August 19th from 7-9pm.

529 GROUP SHOW OPENING 6/17

2005-06-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

MAINSITE CONTEMPORARY ART is pleased to announce the upcoming exhibition, 5 2 9 Group Show featuring artists Bill Munsell, Sue Clancy, Carolyn Cornwell Faseler, Betty Wood, George Hughes, Vickie Maenza, Tim Sullivan, Corazon Watkins and Dixie Erikson.

The 5 2 9 Group of artists formed together in the late 1990’s as a way to establish a collective of artists that would meet to discuss, critique and exhibit work on a regular basis. This accomplished group of individuals will exhibit their variety of art works, including painting, assemblage, prints, sculpture and photography at MAINSITE Contemporary Art beginning June 17th and exhibiting until July 29th, 2005.
An opening reception will be held for the artists Friday June 17th from 7-9 pm and the public is invited to attend. The artists will be present for the opening.

Bill Munsell-
When asked about his work, Bill Munsell said “I need to say these things. With the photographs and painting I respond to new life, and love, and new spirituality. In the assemblages I examine the intersection of myself, and my profession, with tragedies in stranger’s lives.”
Bill Munsell began as an artist, became an engineer, but continues to pursue his artistic endeavors. Bill Munsell has exhibited regionally and has obtained three patents for his engineering work.

Betty Wood-
“Natural history, the environment and preservation of its fragile beauty provides motivation for use of nature’s discarded collectibles. Wild wheat, grasses, weeds, feathers, and other objects with textures and interesting shapes are used as expressive sources for my artwork”, said Wood.
Betty Wood’s work has been exhibited in over 300 national and regional exhibitions. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma School of Art. Wood’s biography is included in the national marquis’ publication of Who’s Who of American Women, 2004-2005; 2006-2007. Her work is part of many public and private collections including the private collection of Former President Bill Clinton.

Dixie Erikson-
Utilizing mixed media material including maps, wall paper, and wrapping paper, Dixie Erikson assembles her collage compositions with an extreme attention to detail. Of her work, Erikson states, ‘ The present reflects the patterns of the past’. The imagery Erikson chooses to portray deals primarily with women and their link to past and present, using patterned papers and layering to create a mosaic.
Erikson’s work has been displayed nationwide, including exhibitions in Chicago, Illinois, Portland, Oregon, and Dallas, Texas. Erikson’s work is part of many private and public collections.

Corazon Watkins-
“Paintings are like personal journals that are open for the audience to read. Whether the meanings are boldly expressed or surreptitiously hidden, the audience is challenged to make its own interpretation.”
Influenced by her Filipino heritage, and her life in Oklahoma, Watkins utilizes the colors and imagery found in the natural world for her subjects. Watkins’ paintings are ‘expressions of the nostalgic thoughts of the past that are presented in bold color compositions and abstract forms.’
Watkins work has been exhibited world wide. In 2003, Watkins received a Fellowship Residency in painting at the Valparaiso Foundation in Almeria, Spain. Her work is part of many private and public collections, including the Mashburn Art Museum, the Fred Jones Museum of Fine Arts and the Salina Arts Council.

Vicki Maenza-
Maenza creates her paintings using acrylic medium on paper, canvas and Plexiglas, layering color and texture that is reminiscent of stained glass. Maenza allows the properties of the paint itself to emulate natural processes and topography.
“I am inspired by the visual and sensual world of nature and human experience” said Maenza.
Vickie Maenza’s work has been exhibited nationally, including exhibitions in Texas, California and New York.

Timothy R. H. Sullivan-
Sullivan said about his process, ‘ I take photographic negatives of different configurations of the human male nude and superimpose these negatives over reversed images, creating repetitive patterns, then juxtaposing the main image over the patterned background.’
Sullivan then uses this compilation of images to create brightly colored abstracted serigraphic prints of incredible depth. “Being dyslexic, I perceive form in unique ways. My perceptions are filtered through my dyslexia. It is my hope that these Rorschach-like images of the male nude transcend form and create unique spiritual meaning for the individual viewer.” Tim Sullivan has work in many permanent and private collections, including the Kansas City Art Institute, the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and the New York Public Library Print Department. Sullivan’s work has been exhibited internationally, including exhibits in Texas, New York, California, France, Finland and Spain.

Carolyn Cornwell Faseler-
Carolyn Cornwell Faseler utilizes acrylic paint which she works toward a heavy texture using palette knives, brushes and acrylic modeling paste. Carolyn Cornwell Faseler’s work is inspired by Renaissance still-life paintings, especially those that contain food.
“Flowers plus prepared and raw foods are pictured in the glow of soft candle light --- a dead fowl, fruits and vegetables to be washed, ceramic jugs containing pickled edibles and breads and rolls with hearty cheeses. These small environments are peaceful and ordered suggesting the good life as viewed in those times.”
Carolyn Cornwell Faseler’s work has been exhibited nationally including exhibits in Texas and Kansas and across Oklahoma.

Sue Clancy-
Sue Clancy’s playful images are created by hand-making paper, often hand dyeing and hand marbeling the sheets making the paper the ‘Art’.
“Paper is - in spite of technology- still one of our most important means of communication, yet it is so ordinary that we don’t even think of it. Thus it suits my sense of humor to deliberately create an image or object that makes me smile and laugh.”
Sue Clancy’s work has been exhibited nationwide, including her participation in group shows in locations like the City Art Museum in Washington D.C., the Whitney Museum in New York and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. Sue Clancy’s work is included in many private and public collections, including the Wexford Ireland Arts Centre in Wexford Ireland, the International Museum of Collage Assemblage and Construction in Monelo Mexico, and the Kennedy family private collection in Washington D.C. Her work is featured in the current issue of Fiberworks magazine.

George Hughes-
George Hughes’ compositions are self-described as having “multiple cultural and poetic undertones that defy singular interpretation.” Hughes is fascinated with the “relationship between the human body and mechanical objects”. George Hughes begins his paintings by layering washes of color as backgrounds in a very abstract expressionist manner. He then begins aggressively, but competently “chopping, slashing, scraping and scratching (the canvas).” Layers of oils prevail in his work, but Hughes also incorporates acrylics, photographs, and text to “ignite the surface and also to texture it.”
Born in Accra, and raised in Sekondi, Ghana, Hughes has worked and exhibited in Toledo, Ohio where he taught at Bowling Green State University, the University of Toledo, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, The Hague, The Netherlands. George Hughes is an assistant professor of painting at the University of Oklahoma.

This exhibition can be seen June 4th through July 29th 2005 at MAINSITE Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main, Norman.
An opening reception for the artist will be held Friday, June 17th from 7-9 pm.

LINKS WE LIKE

2005-04-27T13:14:00.000-07:00

Here are a few links that we like- maybe you will too!
As it is with this blog, you have to cut and paste the link in your browser address bar...

http://www.markryden.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A1164971
http://www.eyestorm.com/
http://www.marlboroughgallery.com/artists/desiderio/artwork.html

OPENING FRIDAY NIGHT 4/29-6PM (IT'S THE ART WALK)

2005-04-26T13:03:00.000-07:00

MAINSITE CONTEMPORARY ART welcomes Lance Jones and Benjy Russell, Friday, April 29th, 6-9pm, with an opening reception for the artists, in conjunction with the 2005 Norman Gallery Association Spring Art Walk. The artists will be present for the opening.
Exhibition Dates: April 29th - June 10th, 2005.

Dallas Artist, Lance Jones’s paintings explore the processes of capturing a moment in time and have been referred to as examples of “eloquent negative space”.
Jones chooses his subjects, which usually include plush toys, photographs them, then digitally enhances the images until only he can recognize the original shape. The artist then carefully and skillfully executes the painting of the digitally enhanced image, interpreting a combination of the human made and the computer-generated.
When asked about artistic process, Jones said, “My work captures transient glimpses of human presence that transcend time and space. Technology provides a controlled filter by which the world around us may be interpreted. Records of human presence become pieces of data to be altered through dissection deconstruction and manipulation.”
The results are abstractions that portray simple color studies as meditative and poetic glimpses of the artist’s inner-space.

Oklahoma artist Benjy Russell’s large scale photographs are elaborate and extraordinary. Russell enjoys the process of constructing his subjects, almost like stage productions, and creating surreal universes of his own design. Russell also discovers environments that convey the same experiences as he manufactures.
What is particularly extraordinary about Russell’s work is that every effect in an environment he presents is created in the camera- Russell said, “Each work is shot ‘as is’ with a few exceptions.....there are many ways to trick the camera. I try to use the computer as a touch up tool only. Most of my favorite work happens when I get to build the set for the shoot.” The results are images that create tension at the edge of sur-reality and magic.
http://www.artistnow.com/optical_assault
http://www.lancejonesonline.com/
COME AND SEE US!

LOOSE SHOES PERFORMS SAT. 7PM

2005-04-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

Artist Lanny Fiegenschuh will be giving a gallery talk, along with the musical performance of "LOOSE SHOES", Sturday, April 9th at 7pm at MAINSITE Contemporary Art.
We hope to see you there!

Saturday April 2nd ANVIL SALUTE 7:30pm

2005-03-27T05:55:00.000-08:00

Anvil Salute will synchopate a cacophony in the gallery next weekend
Join us!

James Michael Starr Gallery Talk

2005-03-26T05:53:00.000-08:00

James Michael Starr had been good enough to agree to speak for free in the gallery today- about his work habits, his inspirations and he will answer questions.
Join us!

Cluster Chord Cinema Edition 3-23

2005-03-22T05:49:00.000-08:00

Cluster Chord will adorn the walls of the gallery with their lingering musical compositions Thursday, March 23rd at 7:30pm

NEW EVENTS 3/9/05

2005-03-09T10:27:00.000-08:00

Mainsite would like to announce our upcoming events!
NEW WORKS: JAMES MICHAEL STARR, LANNY FEIGENSCHUH, CLAUDIA WILEY, DORIS RUDEL
Sculpture, Assemblage, Collage, Installation
Opening: Friday, MARCH 18TH 7-9 p.m.
Exhibition Dates: MARCH 18TH through APRIL 23RD, 2005

GALLERY TALKS:
~ JAMES MICHAEL STARR: SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH, 2PM
~ LANNY FIEGENSCHUH & SPECIAL MUSICAL PERFORMANCE BY LOOSE SHOES: SATURDAY, APRIL 9TH-7PM

MUSICAL EVENTS:
~CLUSTER CHORD, CINEMA EDITION: THURSDAY, MARCH 24TH-7:30PM
~ANVIL SALUTE:SATURDAY, APRIL 2ND-7PM

You are invited to attend any and all events and admission is free.

AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF UPCOMING EVENTS PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AND SIGN UP FOR OUR EMAIL LIST- WWW.MAINSITE-ART.COM

"Artejane", Claudia Wiley

"The Kitchen Dance of Ganesh", Lanny Fiegenschuh

"Cold Eye", detail, James Michael Starr

Here's a little information about our featured artists-
JAMES MICHAEL STARR-http://www.jamesmichaelstarr.com/ Starr’s assemblages, collages, and sculptures are made using such things as antique images from old books, aged wood boxes, doll parts and some natural elements like star fish, creating evocative and extraordinary works that speak of the soulfulness of universal humanity.
About his choice of media, Starr said, “My work is largely about appropriation- I rarely if ever incorporate anything of my own creation into my work, acting instead as agent to combine scavenged elements I consider to be beautiful and which become even more so when they are brought together. The only thing I feel I can add to the grace of these decaying objects is a little of my own handwriting, something to prove that I was a part of the ceremony of the work.”
Starr’s adoration of these decaying objects is evident in his conception of the imagery, which pertains mostly to the mysteries and truths of religion and spirituality.
Starr said, “I think the choice to create assemblages reflects one of my fundamental spiritual beliefs: that myself and the world around me may be faulty, faded and subject to decay but not beyond redemption and restoration.”
Starr has exhibited internationally, including galleries in Canada and France, as well as nationwide. His work is part of many public and private collections.
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LANNY FIEGENSCHUH- Fiegenschuh’s new found object sculptures and collages are constructed with familiar objects in visually inventive ways. Using things like table legs, toasters, thermoses or trays, Fiegenschuh portrays his images of the universe in an intensely personal, yet satirically humorous way, that forces the viewer to reevaluate the objects as functional, and see them in what Fiegenschuh describes them as “reassembled realities”.
When asked about his work Fiegenschuh said, “My work often rewrites or alters history in an attempt to connect images from the past cultures (both civilized and so-called primitive) to modern hi-tech western society.”
Fiegenschuh worked on the railroad as a construction worker and a beloved director of the Western Nebraska Arts Center before becoming an art educator in Oklahoma. Fiegenschuh has exhibited his work nationally and his work is included in many public and private collections.
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CLAUDIA WILEY- Wiley’s new work is a combination of found object sculpture and installation, utilizing things like chairs, light, discarded clothing and children’s toys to provide a conceptual journey through, what the artist describes as, ‘caves and carnivals’, purposefully evoking memories of childhood dreams and adult surreal realities.
By using traditional crochet and other handwork, Wiley creates her own species of animals and free flowing triple layer cakes that manifest a toungue-in-cheek humour while maintaining a seriously contemplated package.
“I like to experiment and work with lots of different media, and the ideas I have dictate the media that I use. I am a collector and I have said that my work is like when I open the closet and and whatever falls out on my head is what is created, but the thing is I have a big closet.”
Claudia Wiley has worked as and artist in residence and in art education programs in Oklahoma for many years. Her work has been exhibited nationally and is part of many public and private collections.
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DORIS RUDEL- Rudel’s work consists of fabric and found objects sculpted to create 3 dimensional works that mirror ancient artifacts from distant primitive cultures.
Rudel is a world traveler and an incredible student of ancient culture. “My first observations and responses to these adventures are that in all times and places, humanity has been projecting its visions into works of arts.”
Another of Rudel’s inspirations is the canyon in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota where she lives.
Rudel’s work has been shown nationwide.

THANKS FOR READING AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU IN THE GALLERY!

IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT YOU SHOULD HURRY

2005-02-11T10:13:00.000-08:00

Our current showing of new works by David Crismon and Haze Diedrich will be exhibited for only a few more weeks!
Don't miss this amazing exhibit!

ARTIST DISCUSSION TONIGHT 2/3/05 @7pm

2005-02-03T13:02:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Join us in welcoming artist David Crismon this evening at 7pm, when he will speak about his work, show us some slides and answer some questions concerning his work and the history of art and the images he utilizes.
Oklahoma artist, David Crismon is exhibiting new work at MAINSITE Contemporary Art, beginning January 28th and showing through March 12th, 2005.

art links that we like

2005-02-02T13:13:00.000-08:00

Here are some links to keep from doing the things that you think you really need to do-
but we think looking at art is a need, soo...

remember- cut and paste the whole link into the address bar at the top of your browser and hit enter to take you to the link.

http://www.davidlevinthal.com/works.html
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/cornell/
http://www.art-forum.org/z_Witkin/gallery.htm
http://www.jamesmichaelstarr.com/
http://www.zittel.org/

opening news

2005-02-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

The most recent opening was a huge success. And as always- we are amazed at the turn out that we receive and love all of the kind words. Let the art love go 'round!

Now we are gearing up for our first ever night time artist discussion- with David Crismon, Thursday February 3 at 7pm.
It will be very interesting, and one of the many reasons being that David is a professor of art history, with a huge student following, which to us means that he knows his stuff!
Join us for that!

OPENING TONIGHT 1/28/05

2005-01-28T10:19:00.000-08:00

Tonight, we are pleased to host an opening reception for artists David Crismon and Haze diedrich.
We have been hanging the show this week and have been having a hard time concentrating because the work is so amazing!
Come join us in reveling with these two wonderful artists- 1/28/05, 7-9pm

1/14/05 January 28th Exhibition

2005-01-14T21:14:00.000-08:00

MAINSITE Contemporary Art is pleased to announce the first show of 2005, beginning Friday, January 28th and showing through March 12th, with New Work from David Crismon and Haze Diedrich.
We will host an opening reception for the artists Friday January 28th, 7-9 pm. We will also host an artist discussion with David Crismon, Thursday, February 3rd, at 7pm. Admission is free and the public is invited to both events.
For your reading enjoyment, here is a little information about each of the artists-
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The imagery for Oklahoma artist David Crismon’s new work comes from his love for, and extensive knowledge of, art history.
David Crismon finds images of historical paintings, originally created by the likes of Vermeer and Rembrandt, and enlarges them through photocopying and digital scans.
Crismon manipulates the scanned image digitally, layering, and mixing in interferences, creating his own off register representation of these historical images.
He then, almost painstakingly, paints each work on metal, transferring his skewed composition with extraordinary detail and expertise, not dissimilar from the old masters he so lovingly looks to for inspiration.

About his work, Crismon says, “We are constantly going back and revising what we saw in the first place.
I feel it is appropriate to use an old process such as painting to speak about a new process or technology. Digital imaging scans and photocopies are just some of the tools that disseminate visual information and to a large extent determine how modern experience is perceived. By using and quoting from these sources, I want to show history disappearing from fact into mere data.”

David Crismon’s work has been exhibited in many solo and group shows nationally. The artist’s work is exhibited at Craighead Green Gallery in Dallas, TX, Chiarascuro Gallery in Santa Fe, NM., and Michael Berger Gallery in Pittsburgh, Pa. David Crismon also teaches painting and art history at Oklahoma Christian College in Oklahoma City.

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Colorado Artist, Haze Diedrich’s paintings are patchwork abstractions of color, using shape, line and pattern to build up layers of oil paint. Diedrich maintains and scrapes away those layers to both reveal and conceal colors that are inspired by the world around him.

About his work, Diedrich says, “The patchwork technique of building up layers of color comes from many influences. I live in Colorado where the color of sky and land seem to absorb every bit of the sun’s light. I am constantly looking at the relationship of the cool colors of the mountains and the dry colors of the prairies. I like how the colors of the variety of trees play with the ever changing colors of the sky.”

Diedrich states that his experience with painting is largely influenced by how pattern has been represented in the art of minimalist Sol Lewitt and the color field painting of Brice Marden.
Diedrich believes that art is a storyteller’s passion. He accompanies each painting in his portfolio with a poem, that he has written, which in part, develops into the title of the painting.

On abstraction, Diedrich says, ”I have removed the figures and the simple cause and effect story to explore how we remember an event through color and shape, texture and surface history.”

Diedrich has exhibited his work in Minnesota and Colorado. It is his first time exhibiting in Oklahoma.
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Please join us in welcoming these wonderful artists to the MAINSITE.
Thanks!

Art References

2005-01-14T13:55:00.000-08:00

Because David Crismon and Haze Diedrich both referred to artists as their influence, we thought we would include links to information about some of those artists mentioned. As is the nature of this blog, you must cut and paste the link in your browser address bar and hit return to go.

http://www.guggenheim.org/artscurriculum/lessons/sf_lewitt.php

http://home.sprynet.com/~mindweb/lewitt.htm

http://www.artnet.com/artist/10484/Sol_LeWitt.html

http://www.guggenheimcollection.org/site/artist_bio_101.html

http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/
ArtistWorks?cgroupid=999999961&artistid=1578

http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/
Biographies/MainBiographies/V/vandyck/2.html

http://essentialvermeer.20m.com/

http://howtopaintavermeer.fws1.com/

STUDIOS FOR RENT

2005-01-11T22:56:00.000-08:00

MAINSITE has 2 lovely artist's studios for rent, each for $500 per month. These studios are meant to be worked ina nd not lived in- they share a communal bathroom and shower with 2 other studios.
Call 405-292-8095 for details.
Here are some pictures-

Each studio has a big central skylight

This is an image of the bigger studio on the west side.

The hall facing north

The studio on the west side

The hall back to the communal bathroom and shower room and back south door that leads down to the courtyard and out to the alley

Momentum Winners from MAINSITE

2005-01-10T11:35:00.000-08:00

MAINSITE is lucky enough to represent some of the artists that showed at OVAC's 2005 Momentum.
One of our lovely interns and good friend, Ruth Ann Borum, won the Juror's Choice award (of COURSE).
Not only that!- but currently showing at MAINSITE is work by Billy Reid, who won BEST OF SHOW. Also included in the show were three other MAINSITE artists- Sarah Williams, Daisy Patton (our other lovely intern), and Garland Grantham. CONGRATULATIONS EVERYBODY! Featured on this post are pictures from the night-

This is Garland in front of his painting that was in the show. MAINSITE is currently exhibiting a selection of cyanotypes by Garland Grantham.

This is Ruth after she was given her award.

This is Billy beaming after he found out about the award. This picture also includes the back of Bonnie, his wife, who is due to give birth to their first child any day now.

MAINSITE is very proud to represent such a great group of wonderful emerging artists.

Links to things that we think are interesting

2005-01-08T21:54:00.000-08:00

For some reason these links aren't live so you will have to cut and paste in your address bar on your browser to go to the site.

http://www.thearmoryshow.com/index2.php
http://www.bellwethergallery.com/
http://www.rivingtonarms.com/
http://www.dwr.com/

Looking Ahead

2005-01-07T10:16:00.000-08:00

The card for the next show are at the printers- they will be going out in the mail soon.
The opening reception for the artists will be January 28th, 7-9pm.
We hope to see you there.

News 1/6/05

2005-01-06T11:10:00.000-08:00

Blogging is new for MAINSITE so we are posting 2 in the same day for the fun of it-
MAINSITE has been closed for the holidays but has now reopened and we are getitng back in the swing of things.
We intend to offer many interesting exhibitions as well as musical events and lectures in 2005, with the purpose of informing and entertaining anyone who is interested in coming!
MAINSITE has 2 beautiful studios upstairs that are available for rent. Call 405 292 8095 for more info- we will post some pictures of them soon.

What's showing at Mainsite 1/6/05

2005-01-06T10:54:00.000-08:00

Currently, MAINSITE is exhibiting our 2004 EMERGENT ARTISTS group show- featuring BILLY REID, ERIN COCHRAN, KATRINA TULLIUS, MEGAN AKERS, GARLAND GRANTHAM, and ASHLEY NICOLE SMITH.
this exhibition will run through January 22nd.

Our next Exhibition will feature works by DAVID CRISMON and HAZE DIEDRICH, with an opening reception for the artists Friday, January 28th, 7-9pm. Please feel free to join us! Visit our web site: http://www.mainsite-art.com