January 2015 – The Art League

Picturing the Future in Space of Her Own

January 28, 2015

“Using art as the catalyst, SOHO is designed to teach at-risk girls and boys to value creativity, live healthy lives, communicate openly, progress academically and give back to others.”

When the girls of SOHO (Space of Her Own) in Alexandria were given cameras to use for their photography project, it wasn’t just about learning photography. Their mission was to articulate their goals, then use their photography skills to bring them to life — from staging photos to developing the film.

At the end of the lesson, led by photographer Alison Duvall, each SOHO girl filled out an artist statement with their reflections on the process:

What scenes did you create to show your future goals?

“To show my future goals I created the following scenes: police officer; teacher; and traveler because these are future things I would like to become. I also created a scene about having fun because it is important to have fun in your life.” — Brianna

“The scenes that I created to show my future goal was Rocio and myself portraying “cops and robbers” because I want to be in the law enforcement business.” — Marian

“The scene that I created to show my future goal to be a veterinarian was of myself taking care of a cat, played by my friend Marian.” — Rocio

“My scenes of being a model are about being myself. I can do anything. I have fun putting on costumes.” — Meybelin

Is there a timeline or storyline to follow the scenes you created?

“Yes, there is a timeline. We did my makeup, my hair, I practiced, I won a medal, and I took pictures with my fans.” — Destinie

“I first made sure that the patient was breathing by checking the heart. Then I checked the temperature using the thermometer. I went to see what happened to the patient. The patient went into surgery. After surgery I still wanted to see if the patient felt better, so I gave her a check up.” — Jaylin

“I tried to show different jobs I would like to have when I get older. Some of the jobs in my pictures are model, student, business woman, and policewoman.” — Tayhana

A contact sheet from the 2015 SOHO Photography Exhibit.

How will you achieve each of your future goals?

“First I’ll graduate middle school and high school, then enter college. In college I’ll major in science and medicine. After I graduate college I’ll go to medical school. Upon finishing my residency I will finally become a pediatrician.” — Alisha

“I will join the ROTC in high school and then go jogging every day to become physically fit. I would also like to visit Parris Island in the near future.” — Jenniffer

“My future goal is to go to college and study government. I plan to study very hard in middle school and high school to go to college. I would like to be the first person in my family to go to college and get my degree.” — Selena

What is the most interesting thing you learned about photography?

“The most interesting thing I learned was about the birds view, worm view and straight view. The second thing is how to operate a camera.” — Julie

“The most interesting thing I learned about photography was how to use an old camera that wasn’t digital. I also learned how to create a scene.” — Brianna

“The most interesting thing about photographing my friends and directing them was getting them into the right position. Another interesting thing was dressing them up how I wanted.” — Sandis

Describe your experience in the darkroom.

“When we went to the wet steps, it was cool to see the picture appear!” — Destinie

“My experience in the dark room was really exciting! We enlarged our photo with a machine and put our photos in chemicals. The room was awesome. It wasn’t totally dark since there was an orange light. When we left the dark room my eyes started hurting from the bright light.” — Brianna

“We had to work in the dark. We focused the picture under the enlarger. We learned the developing process where you place the picture in each tray and keep an eye on the clock.” — Jenniffer

“I was happy and excited because I experienced something new today.” — Sandis

You can view the SOHO Photography Exhibit 2015 through Monday, February 2!

What’s a Gelatin Monoprint? A Q&A with Katherine Rand

January 27, 2015

Danger Lurks, gelatin monoprint by Katherine Rand. (click for a larger image) — *Danger Lurks*, gelatin monoprint by Katherine Rand. Winner of the Third Place Award in the January All-Media Exhibit. (click for a larger image)

Katherine Rand, one of three first-time award winners in the January All-Media Exhibit, juried by Paul Reuther, told us how gelatin monoprinting works and about finding inspiration in the figure and art history in this Q&A:

*Moulin Rouge: La Goulue*, lithograph by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

What was your goal with Danger Lurks? Did you have any particular inspiration for the figures and the composition?
Katherine Rand: When I created Danger Lurks I was starting on another series of prints that featured ballroom dancers. I was toying with the idea of incorporating other figures in with the dancers. I thought that perhaps the audience or an announcer might add something to the composition.

This brought to mind some of Toulouse-Lautrec’s famous posters. One in particular, Moulin Rouge: La Goulue, intrigued me. In the background is the silhouette of an audience, in the middle ground is the featured dancer and in the foreground is the shadowy figure of another dancer. This gave me a place to start.

I cut out some rough templates for background, middle ground and foreground figures, intending to use these to plan the layout for some of my ballroom prints. As sometimes happens, things did not go as planned. As I worked with these stand-in figures a new story line began to emerge on my gelatin printing plate. The middle ground dancer became a little girl next to the shadowy foreground figure and the background audience dropped out of the picture. Apparently my cast of characters was not interested in putting on a dance performance that day.

I did go on to create some ballroom dancer prints, without other figures. The dancers were happy to be the only featured characters. The Moulin Rouge-inspired characters live on only in this one piece, Danger Lurks.

Quick Step Trio, gelatin monoprint over ink drawing. (click for a larger image) — *Quick Step Trio*, gelatin monoprint over ink drawing by Katherine Rand. (click for a larger image)

For people unfamiliar with the technique, can you explain how a gelatin monoprint is made?
Creating gelatin monoprints begins with making a thin sheet of gelatin to use as the inking surface. Once it has hardened, printing ink is rolled onto the gelatin plate. I use mostly Speedball water-soluble Block Printing Ink for this.

At this point, different effects can be achieved by removing ink from the gelatin in some areas and masking it in others. A piece of printmaking paper is laid face-down on the inked surface to produce the print. The soft, slightly damp surface of the gelatin releases the ink without the use of a press.

Before and after: top, a gelatin plate with ink removed and masked. Bottom, Dancing Pears No. 3 by Katherine Rand. (click for a larger image) — Before and after: top, a gelatin plate with ink removed and masked. Bottom, *Dancing Pears No. 3* by Katherine Rand. (click for a larger image)

Why are you a printmaker? What is the appeal of monoprinting, specifically?
Printmaking has seemed a natural extension of the drawing I do. For the last seven years I have I have run the life drawing program for the Del Ray Artisans in Alexandria. My figurative prints have developed out of the figure drawing I do from our models there. I enjoy the one-of-a-kind approach of monoprinting because there is always something new to discover and learn with each print.

Above, a trace monoprint from life (left) next to an inked and masked gelatin plate. Below, the untitled work in progress.

What are you working on now?
Lately I have been doing a fair number of trace monotypes. This technique involves inking a Plexiglas plate, placing a piece of paper face-down on top of the ink and drawing on the back of the paper to transfer the ink. I often add some other elements to these trace monotypes using the gelatin plate. I usually use drawings I have done from life as reference for the prints I create. However, I recently did some these monotypes directly from our live models, which was a fun challenge.

Come see the January All-Media Exhibit through Monday, February 2!

Artist Opportunities #256

January 27, 2015

This painting is by Art League instructor John Murray.

Every Tuesday, we gather a variety of artist opportunities around the DC area. Find one below and enter today — good luck! Click here for past opportunities posts, and submit your opportunity listing here.

“When life gives you lemons, chunk it right back.” — Bill Watterson

Deadline tomorrow: Torpedo Factory opportunities

Want to exhibit at the Torpedo Factory? Check out the annual Torpedo Factory jury and the Visiting Artist Program, which both have the same deadline: Wednesday, January 28.

Historical Society

Deadline: February 1. The Historical Society of Washington, DC’s juried competition and exhibition, “For the Record: Artfully Historic DC”, is accepting submissions of artwork and photography. Jurors will pick 75 artworks for the exhibit and the printed catalogue. The top five winning artists receive a financial award and their artworks will be formally accessioned into the Society’s permanent collection. More about “For the Record” →

Wrap Alexandria’s Traffic Control Boxes

Deadline: February 6. Up to three artists or artist teams will be selected to design wraps for 12 traffic control boxes located at intersections along Duke Street in Alexandria. The wraps will cover all four sides and the top of each box. To develop their designs, artists are encouraged to use a variety of media, such as photography, painting, collage, digital imagery, etc. Selected artists will be required to submit their artwork in digital format. The City will be responsible for the printing and installation of the box wraps. More about the competition →

Virginia artists

Deadline: March 13 (early bird February 16). The Bay School Community Arts Center in Mathews, VA invites all adult Virginia artists to enter Art Speaks on the Bay 2015, a juried exhibit with $3,200 in prize money. More about “Art Speaks on the Bay” →

South Atlantic Juried Exhibit

Deadline: March 20. This exhibit will be at the Montpelier Center in Montpelier, VA. The South-Atlantic Juried Exhibition is open to all professional artists who reside in Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Washington, D.C., North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. More about the exhibit →

“Red”

Deadline: March 30. Gallery Underground in Crystal City is asking artists to explore the color red for an exhibit opening April 27, juried by watercolorist Frank Eber. More about “Red” →

Philadelphia Craft Show

Deadline: April 1. The 39th Annual Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, a juried exhibition and retail sale, will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from November 12 to 15, 2015, with a Preview Party on November 11. The jury will accept 195 craft artists. More about the show →

Re-runs: the announcements below have appeared here before, but it’s not too late to apply!

Drawing & Print Competition

Deadline: January 31. The 26th National Drawing and Print Exhibition at Notre Dame of Maryland University: Drawings and prints (not photography) in any medium are eligible. All drawings and prints must be original works of art. Each artist may submit up to 3 works, online only. More about the competition →

2-D art

Deadline: February 12. Fresh Paint Magazine is looking for submissions from emerging and mid-career artists for our juried April 2015 Issue. Artists working in two dimensional fine art disciplines (except photography) are welcome to submit their work. Juror: Margaret Winslow. More about the magazine →

Bethesda Painting Awards

Deadline: February 13. The Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District invites eligible artists to enter the Bethesda Painting Awards. Artists must be 18 years of age or older and permanent, full-time residents of Maryland, Virginia or Washington, DC. More about the painting awards →

Lost & Found

Deadline: February 13. The Off-Rhode Gallery at Art Enables invites artists in the Washington, Virginia, Maryland area to participate in “Lost & Found,” a show featuring work created with found materials, or regarding items both lost and found. Off-Rhode Gallery at Art Enables is a gallery for self-taught and emerging artists however, this call is open to all artists working in all mediums (including photography) and preference will be given to self-taught artists. Read the call for artists →

Emulsion at East City Art

Deadline: February 15. This call for entry is open to all residents 18 years of age or over who reside or create art within 50 miles of East City Art’s headquarters located at 922 G Street SE. Artworks in all media are eligible; the theme is “Emulsion.” Download the prospectus (PDF) →

Emerging clay artists

Deadline: February 17. The May 2015 issue of Ceramics Monthly will feature the works of emerging clay artists. US and international clay artists who have been actively pursuing a career in ceramics for less than ten years are encouraged to apply. Read the rules (PDF) →

Art about first responders

Deadline: February 20. “Visions of Courage, Impressions of Service” at Lorton’s Workhouse Arts Center will express, through art, the values of the first responders and interpretations of police, fire and first responders from around the world. The exhibit coincides with the World Police and Fire Games in Fairfax. Entries are limited to 2-D art. More about the exhibit →

Paint Annapolis

Deadline: February 22. Paint Annapolis is a five-day juried plein air painting competition held June 8-14, 2015, that brings to Annapolis plein air painters from around the world. Artists are juried in to participate, and a judge awards prizes at the competition. More about Paint Annapolis →

Public sculpture proposals

Deadline: February 27. The Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) in Maryland is seeking up to 13 artists to participate in its Fourth Annual Juried Public Art Competition for a temporary outdoor exhibit from August 2015 – July 2016 . HCAC’s goal is to make art more accessible to the entire community by placing sculpture at sites throughout Howard County. Read the Request for Proposals (PDF) →

Richmond Gallery seeking proposals

Deadline: March 1. 1708 Gallery in Richmond, VA is currently accepting proposals for 2016 and 2017. National and international artists and curators are encouraged to submit proposals to exhibit work in all mediums (including but not limited to: video and film, new media, installation, sculpture, performance, painting and social practice). More about 1708 Gallery →

Hamiltonian Artists Fellowship

Deadline: March 2, 2015. The 8th annual open call to the Hamiltonian Artists Fellowship is now open. Advancing the professional development of emerging visual artists, the two-year program serves as a steppingstone for the next generation of contemporary artists in Washington, DC. More about the Hamiltonian Fellowship →

Torpedo Factory loading dock mural

Deadline: March 31. This is an open call for artists to design and execute a mural to cover the exterior of the Torpedo Factory Art Center loading dock. More about the mural →

Interactivity: Sight and Sound

Deadline: April 17. Sounds, music or voices seen as colors is referred to as synesthesia. Artists are invited to consider this concept and propose an exhibit of works that might connote or express it for an exhibit at Montgomery College. More about “Interactivity: Sight and Sound” →

Q&A with Painter Michele Reday Cook

January 22, 2015

Michele Reday Cook is one of three award winners in the January All-Media Exhibit, juried by Paul Reuther, all of whom are first-time award winners at The Art League. She’s also one of two awardees from our friends at Del Ray Artisans, where she is the immediate past president.

Reday Cook is like many other artist members of our gallery in that she came to art later in life — although she has always been surrounded by it. Read our Q&A for more about this artist’s career and her Best-in-Show painting, Ghetto in Paradise.

Ghetto in Paradise, oil, by Michele Reday Cook (click for larger image) — *Ghetto in Paradise*, oil, by Michele Reday Cook (click for a larger image)

What was your goal with Ghetto in Paradise?
Michele Reday Cook: I wanted to explore the juxtaposition of poverty adjacent to wealth, and the way in LA you can live in a dump, and be surrounded by great wealth, good fortune, natural beauty and year-round wonderful weather…

What location is pictured? What made you want to paint it?
Los Angeles, late 1970’s, eastern edge of Santa Monica, off Pico.

I took a couple of photographs from the window of my sister’s apartment, at a time she was hospitalized and not expected to survive. Weird view, crummy apartment, very stressful time in beautiful LA (my sister’s fine—a medical miracle!) I thought the scene kind of captured that incongruity of that low-rent, shabby neighborhood next to wealthy Santa Monica. Also how incongruous beautiful weather and surroundings seem when one is experiencing a crisis.

Ghetto in Paradise (detail) by Michele Reday Cook — *Ghetto in Paradise* (detail) by Michele Reday Cook

Why are you a painter? Do you also use other media?
I don’t know why I’m a painter. It runs in the family—musicians, painters and photographers. I think it has to do with needing to capture or remember certain scenes for myself by recreating them. I came to art later in life, in my 40’s. (My mother was pleased that I’d finally accepted my destiny.)

I started in watercolor; I do some abstract acrylic works on paper, and some sculpture too, but I mostly work in oils these days.

What’s your creative process like, from an idea to a finished piece?
Agony! Frustration! Sometimes a painting comes together quickly, and I try to recognize when that happens and stop before I ruin it. But its usually just trial and error, trying to get on canvas what I see in my mind and that I want viewers to experience. Basically, I paint what I see, and what captures my interest.

Playing Hooky – John S. Sleeps In, acrylic, by Michele Reday Cook — from the May 2012 “Bedtime Stories” exhibit juried by Judy Greenberg. — *Playing Hooky – John S. Sleeps In*, acrylic and mixed media, by Michele Reday Cook — from the May 2012 “Bedtime Stories” exhibit juried by Judy Greenberg.

I do take classes at The Art League and find them very helpful. Great teachers who look over your shoulder and point out where your painting could use some work! Everyone needs that.

I paint scenes from coastal Southern California, where I spent much of my life, and of the Blue Ridge Mountains where I spend as much time as I can these days. These are places that are meaningful to me.

What is your first memory of experiencing art?
3 memories: Watching my dad paint. My favorite art books as a young child: “Art Treasures of the Louvre,” and “Hammonds Nature Atlas of the World.” Also growing up in Japan in the 50’s as a child– a culture in which visual art was everywhere, in nature and in the way everything was made into an art form. And of course, being raised in a family in which pursuit of the creative arts was expected from birth!

Marina Study, oil, by Michele Reday Cook — from the 2011 Art in City Hall exhibit. (click for a larger image) — *Marina Study*, oil, by Michele Reday Cook — from the 2011 Art in City Hall exhibit. (click for a larger image)

What was it like growing up in that family? What made you eventually “accept your destiny”?
As children in Japan, we had soft pastels (Cray-Pas) which we thought were “crayons” — you can imagine my horror when we arrived in the US and I was given Crayolas and told these were crayons. But I was hampered in my early artistic efforts by being extremely near-sighted. Efforts to learn piano failed for total lack of interest and ability. I was pretty uncoordinated, and had to find something besides constantly reading. Theater turned out to be the obvious choice.

Show business is a hard business, and eventually I had to give it up and get a “real job.” I went back to school for my BA in theater arts and MA in clinical psychology, got married, moved to Alexandria, had kids … I’d been cartooning for years, a sort of diary/blog to entertain myself and co-workers, and began to feel the stirrings of need to pursue more serious artistic goals.

By then my sister Liz was already a successful artist. When my kids were little, I’d always take them down to the Torpedo Factory. I realized I ought to be an artist after all, and began to imagine my future as a painter. My parents and sister encouraged me, saying things like, “… finally — we always knew you were an artist — now apply yourself!” And mother did actually say she wondered why it took me so long to accept my destiny as a painter.

You know the rest: many Art League classes, getting into shows, selling — and most affirming, receiving recognition for my art. I’ve just “retired” from seven years on the board at Del Ray Artisans, as curator director and president, to devote more time to becoming a better artist.

By the way — my daughter is a photographer. Must run in the family!

What are you working on now?
I’m trying to finish up some portraits; working on a couple of landscapes of mountains…taking a sculpture class. I’m in a small group show in February at Del Ray Artisans, and I’m busy putting together an exhibit of my work for that show.

Lessons in Frozen Watercolor

January 21, 2015

We loved this blog post by Susan Abbott so much we asked her if we could repost it here:

What I learned painting in 17 degree temperatures today:

when it’s cold enough out, watercolor crystallizes on your palette, and then solidifies on your paper
these crystals make some interesting textures in your painting
when you bring this painting back into a warm studio, the crystals melt, merging all your nuanced brushwork into one big puddle
sometimes, if not always, getting very messed up improves a painting

— Susan Abbott

Susan Abbott is an artist and Art League instructor who blogs at A Painter’s Year. She left this week for the Bahamas, where she and her students will be painting in warmer temperatures this February. At the time of this blog post, the trip is waitlist only, but contact us if you’re interested! Find the details here.

Blue Sunday by Susan Abbott — *Blue Sunday* by Susan Abbott

Artist Opportunities #255

January 20, 2015

This painting is by Art League instructor Patrick Kirwin.

“Ability is of little account without opportunity.” — Napoleon

Beer Can Contest

Deadline: January 24. Our friends at Pizzeria Paradiso are holding a Beer Can Art Contest on January 25. The art must be made primarily of craft beer cans. See this page for the rules and prizes.

Lost & Found

Emerging clay artists

Public sculpture proposals

Richmond Gallery seeking proposals

Re-runs: the announcements below have appeared here before, but it’s not too late to apply!

Anacostia River photography

Deadline: January 23. Vivid Solutions Gallery seeks submissions to a group photography exhibition highlighting the Anacostia River, to be on view March 13 – May 1, 2015. The exhibit coincides with Celebrate the River, a celebration of the Anacostia River that will serve as the closing day festivities of The National Cherry Blossom Festival, taking place near the gallery in Anacostia Park on April 12. More about the photography exhibit →

Don’t forget: Torpedo Factory opportunities

Deadline: January 28. Want to exhibit at the Torpedo Factory? Check out the annual Torpedo Factory jury and the Visiting Artist Program, which both have the same deadline next week.