Cartooning…
Exciting Upcoming Art Exhibit: Contemporary Cartoon Artists
We are thrilled to announce tentative arrangements for an art exhibit later this year featuring the work of contemporary cartoon artists. Our friend Britt Aamodt will be releasing her book around the same time, driving this exhibit forward. Her book will be available at the Minnesota Historical Society Press.
The plan is to invite several talented artists, showcase large format cartoons, hold a cartooning Q&A session, and host a book signing event spread across three venues: Best of Times Bookstore, The Sheldon Theatre mezzanine gallery, and our gallery.
You might wonder if cartooning is a legitimate art medium. It absolutely is! And I would suggest keeping any doubts to yourself, lest you become the target of a parodied cartoon.
The beauty of cartooning lies in its versatility. It can lampoon or glamorize its subjects, be humorous or brutally frank, address real life or create an entirely new universe with its own rules. In other words, cartoon art defies definition.
This exhibit promises to be a lot of fun. I grew up reading the comics, and I still enjoy them today. I love the comics.
This event aligns perfectly with our past exhibits, including the Brown & Bigelow Pin-up exhibit in 2007, the Cream of Wheat original advertising art in 2008, and the original pulp magazine cover art in 2009. Stay tuned for more details as they unfold.
2010 Flyway Film Festival
Flyway Film Festival: A Red Carpet Sponsorship
Once again, we are delighted to be a red carpet sponsor of the Flyway Film Festival. Now in its third year, this event is really beginning to gain traction. The quality of the movies this year is very impressive.
The Festival kicks off on Thursday, October 21, with a gala event where sponsors, directors, actors, and organizers get together to nibble on snacks, drink some wine, and engage in creative discussions. The evening will conclude with an awards ceremony.
The films start on Friday, October 22, with the screening of "Baraboo," an intriguing film about life and the hands we are dealt. Over the course of the weekend, 21 films will be screened.
For more details, visit FlywayFilmFestival.org. See you in Stockholm in two weeks!
American Poverty and Catholic Charities USA wrap-up
Final Chapter of the Poverty Awareness Photojournalism Exhibit
This week marks the final chapter of the poverty awareness photojournalism exhibit entitled "In Our Own Backyard." This exhibit has crisscrossed the United States for the past 18 months and next week the exhibit finishes in Washington DC at the annual Leadership Summit for Catholic Charities.
Since this is the final and highest-profile stop of the tour, all of the large-format images are being reprinted and remounted, which is close to 120 images.
It is a very moving set of images, addressing all manners of poverty and everyday life. It is really hard not to stop and soak up the texture and realism of each image.
This has been a challenging and gratifying project. One of the best parts of this project has been working with Steve Liss. He is a natural-born educator and an amazing photojournalist who gets right into the thick of it.
Time for a Max Becherer update
Max Becherer Update
It has been 18 months since the last Max Becherer update. Just to refresh, we came to know Max five years ago when we hosted his photojournalism exhibit entitled "Through the Lens: Life in Iraq." Max has been in Iraq since the very beginning of the conflict (remember "shock and awe"?) and has seen action in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Gaza.
Max has since gotten married and splits his time between Cairo, Egypt, and California when he isn't in the field. He is still a combat photojournalist and remains extremely talented. Max's work has been featured in Newsweek, Time, The New York Times, The New Yorker, US News and World Report, and Men's Health.
Please visit Max's website and enjoy his talent. It is rare to see photography this deep in the action.
Russell Patterson, 1893 - 1977
Framing "Nude & Flowers" by Russell Patterson is a fascinating challenge indeed. With such a storied history, the frame should reflect the multifaceted nature of Patterson's career and artistic talent. Here are a few ideas to consider:
Classic Elegance: A rich, wooden frame with intricate detailing might evoke the sophistication and glamour of the magazine covers and Broadway costumes he designed.
Art Deco Influence: Given Patterson's time in Hollywood and his glamorous portrayals of women, an Art Deco style frame with sleek lines and geometric patterns could be a nod to the era's aesthetic.
Gilded Grandeur: For a touch of luxury, a gold leaf frame could highlight the vibrant colors and textures of the oil on hardboard, while also paying homage to his celebrity status.
Modern Simplicity: A minimalist frame in black or white could allow the artwork itself to be the main focus, highlighting Patterson's transition back to fine art in the 1960s.
Eclectic Mix: Combining elements from different styles, such as a modern frame with vintage embellishments, could represent Patterson's versatile and ever-evolving career.
No matter the choice, the frame should enhance the piece while respecting the legacy of the artist. It's like adding the final brushstroke to a masterpiece.
Happy framing! 🎨🖼️
1st cutting
Reflecting on the First Hay Cutting and Business Optimism
July in Minnesota means the first hay cutting of the season. In a normal year, most farms will have two cuttings and then leave some winter ground cover for the critters. The first cutting will have the most yield, but it isn't until the second cutting that the break-even point is reached.
For a farmer, the first hay cutting is an opportunity to reflect on the business (year-to-date), and also project the business going forward for the rest of the year. Stretching this metaphor to a near-absurdist level, it isn't that much different in the art industry.
Business is up, and the industry is cautiously optimistic. The nature of the business has changed, and the types of projects have also changed. Anticipating these changes and responding to them are some of the biggest challenges a small business owner will face.
We will continue to evolve, but we will also continue to provide the things we enjoy most about being in this business.
A new web-based product is under development and should be available before the end of the year (the evolving thing). There are also discussions taking place regarding an original art exhibit in the November/December timeframe (the enjoyment thing).
And of course, thank you for your patronage. Art is good.
Finally, a chance to use 'ubiquitous' in a sentence
The Artistry of Cash's Silk Embroideries
Cash's (sometimes called J&J Cash) is a UK company located in Coventry, England. For over 150 years, Cash's has been producing silk embroidered bookmarks, luggage and clothing labels, and name tags. You might assume that something as ubiquitous as a clothing label wouldn't merit museum-level custom framing.
But you would be wrong.
Cash's produces products that are clearly motivated by quality and pride in craftsmanship. These items are genuinely works of art, much like a beautifully machined watch—a labor of love.
One example is a silk embroidered horned owl, part of a limited run of coniferous forest animals Cash's produced. Other animals in the series include a peregrine falcon, an otter, and some wood ducks. Each piece is about the size of a business card, and each will have its own frame.
Cash's is currently producing a series of Beatrix Potter silks, which are perfect for the embroidery medium. The price is very reasonable, considering the quality and craftsmanship involved.