in the studio with danielle mysliwiec

I know I say this every time, but people, I love studio visits. I'm delighted to share this next one with you because not only am I really excited about Danielle's new work, but her studio itself is so cool! Danielle works in a converted shed in her wooded and beautiful Maryland backyard. Using oil and acrylic paint, masking tape, and gold leaf, she literally weaves her paintings on board. (My pictures do not do them justice, the texture and details must be appreciated in person!) Inspired by textiles from around the world and artists like Annie Albers and Sheila Hicks, Danielle's work is thoughtful, meticulous, and stunning. If you will be in Ohio next month, don't miss her show Forthcoming at Kent State University!

One of the patterns that inspired Mysliwiec's recent work

Danielle's colorful workstation

One of many textiles Danielle has collected from around the world

I couldn't pick a favorite....

It's amazing how her work changes depending on the light

I love the delicate works on paper... and seriously how beautiful is this studio?

So inviting :) Thanks for having us Danielle!

isa genzken at moma

Last week while up north for the holidays, I braved the Friday-after-Christmas-terrifyingly-intense New York City crowds to see the Isa Genzken retrospective at MoMA... Worth. It. What a cool show! Spanning over 4 decades of work, the exhibition is Genzken's first retrospective in a US museum and the largest to date. Working in a wide variety of mediums, the artist is inspired by historic events, popular culture, and the architecture of New York and Berlin. I won't say much more, the work speaks for itself, but check out a few snapshots below (in semi chronological order) and definitely visit the awesome MoMA interactives page for videos, interviews, and more details from the show.

PS. To learn more about Genzken, Artsy is a great resource!

sue johnson: american dreamscape

Happy Friday! In need of a fun, it's-almost-the-weekend, youtube break? Check out this video documenting American Dreamscape, Sue Johnson's recent exhibition at the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum in Roanoke, VA. Margaret and I paid a visit to Sue's studio over the summer while preparations for this show were underway, you can see some pictures from that day here. In the meantime, watch the video and see more of Sue's work at the gallery in CURIO, open through January 4. (I've shared a few of those images below, too!)

Sue Johnson, Entertainment Cabinet No. 1 (The Price is Right), 2013 on view in CURIO

Sue Johnson, Entertainment Cabinet No. 2 (Let's Make a Deal), 2013 on view in CURIO

Sue Johnson, Entertainment Cabinet No. 3 (Wheel of Fortune), 2013 on view in CURIO

Sue Johnson, Entertainment Cabinet No. 4 (Concentration), 2013 on view in CURIO

wolf kahn on book hill

Magenta and Silver, 2013, oil on canvas, 32 x 52 inches, courtesy Addison/Ripley Fine Art

Who doesn't love Wolf Kahn??  Lucky for us all, here on Book Hill there are currently two fabulous shows to see to get your Kahn fix. Addison/Ripley and Neptune Fine Art are both featuring solo exhibitions of the artists work -- it has been a treat for me to walk by their windows on my way to the gallery every morning! Take a look at some images from both shows; I loved the chance to see Neptune's prints from as early as 1969 alongside some of the more recent work at both spaces. The color, spontaneity, atmosphere, and realism of Kahn's landscapes inspired (...and discouraged) me big time back in painting class. Read more about both shows at http://addisonripleyfineart.com/ and http://www.neptunefineart.com/ and be sure to stop in next time you're nearby.

Two Strips of Yellow, 2009, oil on canvas, 18 x 32 inches, courtesy Addison/Ripley Fine Art

Mount Pinatubo, Lithograph with white pastel, Aside from the edition of 30, Sheet size: 22 x 30, courtesy Neptune Fine Art

Long Yellow, 2013, oil on canvas, 36 x 72 inches, courtesy Addison/Ripley Fine Art

(Left) Down the Slope, 2009, pastel on paper, 12 x 9 inches, Courtesy Addison/Ripley Fine Art, (Right) Barn Silhouette, 1969, Lithograph. Edition of 40, Sheet size: 20 x 22 inches, courtesy Neptune Fine Art

Beyond a Pond, 1992, Monotype, Plate size: 14 1/2 x 19 1/2 inches, courtesy Neptune Fine Art

alex prager: face in the crowd

Alex Prager, Crowd #4 (New Haven), 2013

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the preview for Alex Prager: Face in the Crowd at the Corcoran, thanks to my friend Violet over at Project 4 gallery! I first saw and loved Prager's work at FIAC in the Lehmann Maupin booth; Face in the Crowd is the artist's first solo museum show in the United States, and I think it is an absolute knockout. 

Crowd #5 (Washington Square West), 2013

Prager is a self-taught artist who decided to pursue filmmaking and photography after being introduced to the work of William Eggleston. For this show, the artist photographed scenes of people in congested public arenas, (the beach, a movie theater, an airport terminal) all staged by actors in costume on elaborate sets. The stories of various characters from the crowds are featured in the title film starring Elizabeth Banks (preview below), illuminating the portraits of individual characters within the complexity of the crowds.

Crowd #3 (Pelican Beach), 2013

Behind the scenes of Crowd #3 (Pelican Beach), 2013

Alex Prager, Crowd #11 (Cedar andBroad Street), 2013

Alex Prager: Face in the Crowd will be on view at the Corcoran Gallery of Art from November 23, 2013- March 9, 2014.

autumn and the sculpture garden

Last weekend my mom surprised me with a visit to DC! It was so great to have her here, especially while the leaves were looking like ^^that^^. Sunday afternoon we took a trip to the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, no photos allowed inside but here are some snapshots from our walk through the beautiful gardens. Afterwards we got some warm & frothy drinks and watched the sunset over the river in Georgetown... perfect fall day!

Henry Moore, Three-Way Piece No. 3 Vertebrae (working model), 1968

Auguste Rodin, The Burghers of Calais, 1884-89

Jeff Koons, Kiepenkerl, 1987

Judith Shea, Post-Balzac, 1991

Joan Miro, Lunar Bird, 1945

Giacomo Manzu, Young Girl on a Chair, 1955

Arnoldo Pomodoro, Sphere No. 6 (Sphere Within a Sphere), 1963-65

Barry Flanagan, The Drummer, 1989-90

Hi there! (Look at that carpet of leaves!!)

test project installation

Yesterday, the talented Julie Wolfe was at the gallery installing her work for CURIO; check out some snapshots below of Test Project as it came together in our front window! The installation consists of  jarred experiments made from local water samples, various natural and chemical components, and light. (Also, incase you missed it - I posted about out our studio visit with Julie this summer here.) I'll share more CURIO pictures soon, but for now... off to paint!