Do Not Overcomplicate Things

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simple

There is a new tendency in our society to overcomplicate things that are by nature simple. Why take 100 steps and many turns to reach something that is reachable with 3 steps? I am not talking about the common core curriculum in case you are wondering, but since you mentioned it, that’s a good example. It happens in music performances too. Watching the Grammy Awards (no, it is not a competition for grandmothers. That would be the Granny Awards; although most of these artists are really old) I can tell how songs that are not necessarily good were over-adorned to make them somehow ‘better’. You know a true musical artist when they can sing and don’t need too much around them to be good. It happens in visual arts as well. We can tell when a painting or a sculpture, or whatever it could be art nowadays is overcomplicated. We see it in how people organize events. I’ve been in too many corporate meetings that get nowhere because people can’t reach a decision on things that are simple.

I grew up in a household where we didn’t have an issue making or doing good things that were indeed simple. For us it has to look good without too much. We never had a need to gold-plate what was already beautiful in its simple form. One of the most important aspects I learned is being satisfied to provide a great atmosphere for our guests by being there and relating to them. I interact with people in all my shows because that’s the right thing to do. It is more valuable than art on the wall, expensive wine, and gold-plated glasses, while the artist stand scare or overconfident in a corner expecting some kind of recognition instead of acknowledging the people who makes the show successful. People need people interaction. I don’t care how much society wants to complicate an event, at the end what people need is people, a friendly conversation, a smile, someone they can relate to.

In 2010 I had my first opportunity to show my work. I learned a few things about putting together a show and I follow that plan for my shows since (see How To Prepare For Your Show) I have now my first chance to give back and organize a show for a few friends. I am not going to participate directly in this show as an artist. Although my work has a permanent exhibit area in the gallery this is their show. It indeed provides curator experience for me which is great. Nevertheless, I do not overcomplicate things. I have a good idea of the work I’ve seen from the artists, designed the blueprint of the show, created a to-do list for them and for me and all we need to do is to work on each of the pieces and put them together. There is no need to over-adorn what is already good. The reception requires a few more details but I already noted the vision for it. Again, it doesn’t have to be complicated. It is going to be great and I can’t wait to give you all the details so you can join us.

The End is The Beginning

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Photo Dec 05, 12 06 59 PM

On Saturday, January 24, 2015 we are closing what has been my longest and biggest show yet. It opened back in November 2014. The Gallery at Elemar is a very spacious and beautiful place to show and to hold events. We are closing with an art discussion in which I’ll be presenting on the healing and learning benefits of art. You are invited to join us.

Having an exhibit take a lot of work. I don’t have an agent or an event planner to do it for me. I get help from my family, friends, and acquaintances as advisors but I plan most of it. It is time consuming and very stressful at times. Generally my solo shows had been a day or two. Sometimes they begin and end with the reception. It is the first time I have an exhibit for this period of time and after the closing I still hold exhibit space in the gallery for an undetermined period of time. You can still see my work there after the show. That’s one good thing about closing this show. On the other hand, I get to go back to public speaking that day. The exhibit will be up after that because on Tuesday I’m giving a short presentation to the New Haven Rotary Club. After that, I go back to the gallery in March for another presentation about media for artists (more information on that coming soon). The end is the beginning.

IMG_4539

IMG_4538Closing this exhibit is also the beginning of planing the next solo show. I am participating in group shows through the year but I don’t plan those. I just participate. That gives me time to get ready, put together a new collection, and put together all I need to make it happen. It is going to take some time but the most important thing for me is to be able to see it before it happens. It all begins with the art pieces and how they come together. That’s a constant work in progress. It is great to see it all unfold.

The Day Has Come!

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You know what I am going to say. After months of planning and preparation, long hours and little sleep, the day is finally here. The show opens tonight! You are more than welcome to join me and witness the results of all this effort at 6:00 pm at The Gallery at Elemar, 2 Gibbs St., New Haven, CT.

the show

In November 2011 I had my first solo show. After that, each year I had a show. This year is different. The place is larger and the expectations are bigger. You can imagine my nerves. Yes, I get nervous and very excited at the same time. Each show is different and has its own expectations. However, this show is in a larger place, with a larger audience, and the expectations are higher than ever. I just want to see who comes.

While it is true we are not in control of our circumstances, it is also true that we are in control of how we react to our circumstances. For me each show is a celebration. I celebrate and enjoy each one no matter the outcome because I always feel the blessing of God, and the support of my family and friends. For me, that is the best case scenario. Everybody else who comes to celebrate is an extra blessing. It would be a great blessing if you could make it too. You won’t be disappointed. I know I won’t be.

The Creation Process

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Photo Sep 08, 9 11 01 AM

Accession Concrete (Cement) 24″ tall

I’m generally inspired first by the pose. The theme, subject, or name of the piece come at the end when the piece is already finished. Most of my pieces get a “name” or “title” when I list it. Like a child you are just waiting last minute for a sign of the perfect name. I start with the pose. The title will come.

The first step is to create a wire armature with the pose to hold the modeling clay. The sculpting begins. I like to apply the modeling clay as if I was covering bone (the wire) with muscles, tendons, and flesh. It is a lot of fun to work on the muscles and the details of the skin, the bones showing a little, the tension and the relaxation of the position. Those little details make a huge impact in a sculpture. I like to add a little craziness around the piece. It is part of my style.

When the sculpture is done, it s not really done. Modeling clay never hardens. The second part of the sculpting process begins: the mold. I use liquid rubber and then keep it together with either plaster or some kind of fiberglass material. I used plaster for this. Once the mold is ready, which is a negative holding all the details of the piece, I discard of the original and reuse the material (I can hear you screaming right now). Casting is next. For this piece I used construction cement. Once dry it is concrete (just technicalities of the terms). I could cast in other materials as well: bonded marble, bonded bronze, etc. It is what is called cold cast. The final process is to prepare for display. it is when color and final texture is applied. And done! In the video on this page you can see glances of this process. You can also watch it in youtube.

When I looked at the final piece I thought about victory. It was like the piece saying: “I made it! I conquered! I reached my goal!” So I gave it a title accordingly: Accession. It can be defined as atteinment or acquisition, as in reaching or achieving a position or rank of power. I believe it fits. Accession is displayed at The Gallery at Elemar, New haven, CT and available. The Gallery at Elemar is the host for the show TORSOS and the reception is Saturday, November 22, 6-9pm. You are invited!

 

Torsos

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Since my first solo exhibit in 2010 I look forward to this time of the year. Saturday, November 22 is the opening reception for my show TORSOS at the Gallery at Elemar (2 Gibbs St. New Haven, CT) from 6-9pm. You are invited!

Torsos

As I prepared for this show I read about women psychology.  I am not sure how to feel about the research and statistics in this subject. A little scary I confess. According to studies “80% of women in the U.S. are dissatisfied with their appearance”. This affects their confidence, relationships, and the generations to follow.

I’ve been blessed (for lack of a better explanation) with “I don’t know what” for women to open up to me in their dissatisfaction with themselves and speak to me as if they were talking to another female friend or a dad, or a psychologist. One thing always comes to the conversation is how they dislike different body parts of their whole appearance. They look at my work and try to compare themselves generally in derogatory ways. I believe we are all a work of art and the human body is a book where different stories have been written, each one different, and all beautiful.