Fantastic Discovery!

Christopher Chang, in his studio

 I rediscovered Christopher Chang today.  He is one of the most extraordinary artists I have ever met.  He was part of the protest at Tianamen Square in Beijing China on June 4th, 1989, called the Tianamen Square Massacre, which China forbids its people to talk of, and has conveniently eliminated the incident from its history books.  It was a sad situation which we in America watched unfold, this crushing of a democratic movement by young students.  They even erected a "Goddess of Democracy," curiously resembling our Statue of Liberty, which they formed out of styrofoam and plaster.  One young man stood in front of a line of tanks to stop the madness.  In the end hundreds died, some say thousands, and nothing came of it except a burning desire for some to escape that madness.  Christapher's art was sometimes used as propaganda in China, and so somehow he got to the United States, where eventually I was to meet him in the art world.

This was about the year 2000, years after the Tianamen tragedy, but Chris's perception of the world through his life experiences was evident in his passion for his new life, and art life, in the USA.  And so I happened upon his workshop in the Granite Street Gallery in New London, Connecticut.  It was a quaint eclectic group of artists whom I painted with and exhibited with for a couple of years, taking the few workshops with Christopher.  His portraits were extraordinary, rich with texture, stroke and color.  His use of green enchanted my sense of color and to this day when I load my brush with green to apply it to a portrait I think of him.  An interesting legacy--green paint--Christopher Zhang.  But I always tried to paint directly in back of him so that I could see every stroke, every loaded brush, every bodily nuance.  His painting process was dab--jump back--dab again--jump back, stop and stare.  I thought this behavior quite strange and did not understand it at the time, but now I do, as the whole of the painting must be constantly observed for its composition based on the gathering of strokes of color.  And one must not be too judgmental with oneself, but forgiving else the painting will look too labored over and lose its freshness and liveliness.  It's a delicate balance, the seeds of which I learned from Christopher.  I was just one of probably thousands of students by now, but this was my first portrait in oil, and I think my first attempt at the medium, having been mostly a watercolor painter, and new to painting at that.

And so can you imagine that when I visited his website, being curious about him after mentioning his name in a bio I am doing for a teaching job, that right there on his studio wall was his version of the portrait I have in my studio, which I painted at the New London Gallery with him!  I quickly went to my "stash" of unfinished or "unloved" paintings (dogs I call them) and pulled out my "Mustachiod Man" like Chris's.  The model was interesting, but I always hated his open shirt and thought that someday I would change that, update his face to the level of expertise I possess now, frame it and add it to my show collection.  Now I am inspired to do that ... it's on my "todo" list with the hundred other things.  Anyway, here is Chris's and here is mine.  What a world. You can visit his website at www.chriszhangstudio.com

Christopher Zhang's Studio in East Lyme, CT

Christopher Zhang's "Man with Mustache"

Judy Burgarella's "Man with Mustache"

As I look back on this painting which I hate every time I came across it, it's really not too bad.  A little void of contrast, color and values, but I think I will put other clothes on him, darken the background like Chris's, and put a little more color on his hair and mustache.  Maybe.  Someday.  But other shows are calling so I'd better get cracking on some interesting paintings.  Stay tuned, and happy New Year to all!

Below is the latest version of my show schedule:

Ongoing

• Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center, 1245 Main Street, Sebastian. Open Tuesday, Thursday and most Saturdays, 11:00am-3:00pm (Featured Artist for January 2015)
• Sebastian City Hall, 1225 Main Street, Sebastian
• Indian River County Main Library, 1600 21st Street, Vero Beach  772-770-5060
• My art studio (by appointment only)

Future Shows
(As of 1/1/2015)

• Jan 1-30 - Artist of the Month, Dale Sorensen Realty, 1961 14th Ave 772-492-5300 
• Jan 1- 30 - Artist of the Month, Sebastian River Art Club, 1245 Main St., Sebastian
• Jan 6 - 11:00-4:00 Plein Air Paintout on Veteran's Island, Vero Beach
• Jan 9 - April 9 - Indian River County Courthouse, 2000 16th Avenue, Vero Beach
• Jan 17-18 - Sebastian Fine Art & Music Festival (www.sebastianartshow.com), Riverview Park, Sebastian.  Tent Show, over 120 exhibitors, food, music.
• Jan 23-25 - Vero Beach Art Club's "Art By The Sea" at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, 3001 Riverside Dr, Vero Beach. Jan 23 5-8pm (Opening Reception), Jan 24 10-5pm, Jan 25 10-4pm
• Jan 24 - Sebastian River Art Club Park Show, Riverview Park, Sebastian. Tent show, 10am-4pm
• Feb 7 - Sebastian Art Studio Tour.  One of 13 Sebastian Artists whose studio will be open to the public. 9-5 pm  www.SebastianArtStudioTour.com ~ www.SebastianArtStudioTour.blogspot.com
• Feb 13-14 - Vero Beach Art Club's "Art on the Island" at the Marsh Island Club, 9155 Marsh Island Drive, Vero Beach.
• Feb 14-15 - Sebastian River Art Club's Competitive Show, Riverside Park, Sebastian. Tent show, 10am-4pm
• March 13, 14, 15 - Vero Beach Art Club's "Under the Oaks" fine art and craft show, Riverside Park, Vero Beach. An award-winning tent show with over 250 exhibitors. www.verobeachartclub.org
• March 20 - Treasure Coast Art Association's "Essence of a Woman" 223 Avenue A, Ft. Pierce info to come
• May - Florida's Finest en Plein Air info to come

Judy Burgarella

Blogger

One last painting before Christmas!

Pumped out the below painting last night in two hours.  My brush was on fire!  I needed a nice reference photo that would still look good if it was drastically reduced, and this is it.  Hopefully this painting will make the Press Journal's Cultural Connection section, as part of my press release for my Dale Sorensen show in January.  I painted this on a 4"x4" canvas last year as a donation to the SRAC's Food Pantry fundraiser, and thought it would make a good large gallery-wrapped piece, which I think it did.  I used my new ot light to work on it at night, and it worked beautifully.   

"Sandhill Crane" oil by Judy Burgarella

So Merry Christmas to you all, and stay tuned for more new paintings to come!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

The Christmas Push!

I had to put the push on painting some really fun small giftings, in order to get them to their destinations on time.  The following two are mini paintings fashioned for use as ornaments for the Sebastian River Art Club's fundraiser for the Food Pantry.  I developed this program last year, got the little canvases and other supplies, nagged the SRAC members to paint, had a "backing and hanger" assemblage party.  We filled up 2 trees with these little beauties, then had an opening reception to launch them ... the result of which we were able to donate $700 to the Food Pantry for the holidays.

This year, since I am busier than a one-armed paperhanger with family obligations, some wonderful hearty hands pitched in and took over the responsibility.  I think the paintings are even better this year, and I can foresee this program going over the top each year and becoming quite famous locally.  These little masterpieces are sold for $10 each, and all proceeds go to the Food Pantry in Sebastian.  What a great way for artists to give back and utilize their talents for the good of others.

"Red Hibiscus" mini Acrylic

"Boat Reflections" mini Acrylic

The next painting was for my daughter Tracy and her hubby Turhan, who live in Chandler Arizona.  They lost two beloved cats this year, and Maggie, their Scottish Fold cat, was also failing.  I happened to come across this lovely box in TJ Max, and got the idea to make her a painting to put in the picture frame area.  She already had full-face paintings of all their five cats from last Christmas, but this one would be profile and more contemplative--with less of an "angry cat"-like look that Maggie always had.  Maggie had a craggy nose, flat ears, and a rather mean disposition, so I tried to capture the softer side of her for them to remember her by after her passing.   I finished it quickly, packed it up and mailed it best fastest way, hoping it would get there before Maggie's passing.  It arrived the day after and so was a bit sad for them.   The painting was only 3"x5", but painted with much tenderness and love.

As Christmas approaches my mind begins to focus on my soon-to-come after-Christmas art obligations, which seem like many right now.  And so I must find time to paint for them, in between working for my daughter's www.CrimsonKeyEstateSales.com company, and babysitting for her and Cass's adorable daughter, Salem, pictured below.

And so visit this blog again soon as I bang out paintings for January, when I will be the featured artist in the Sebastian River Art Club's Art Center's "Orange Room" (quite a challenge gathering paintings that go with orange!), and also the Featured Artist in Dale Sorensen Real Estate's office in the Vero Beach Arts District, where my daughter Robin also works as an agent.  Come see my work there during the Gallery Stroll, January 2nd, 5-8 pm.  Then the next month my art studio will be part of the 11-studio "4th Annual Sebastian Art Studio Tour" on February 7th, 10-5:00.  This is my second year participating in this event, although I helped out with publicity on the others.

As I sign off today, all those who see this posting I wish a Merry Christmas, and a new year filled with good health, peace, love, and art.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Little Lucy Finished!

Finished this oil portrait of "Lucy," Ruth Steer's great granddaughter.  Ruth had started the portrait even though she had limited time left on this planet.  She tried her best to get it done but her time just ran out.  She was a great lady, an accomplished artist, and I felt privileged to be her art instructor and friend.  She gave me much wise advice on many topics over the years, and I admired her strength, courage and upbeat attitude in spite of her condition.  I hope she would be happy with what I've done to the remains of her painting, which is posted below.

"Lucy" Oil painting by Judy Burgarella

  Another one of Ruth's old wooden paintboxes is on the easel, the design of which I'm very excited about--something really different, but I think it will take a long time.  Also, I recently purchased an old wooden ironing board which will be converted to a wonderful conversation piece--can't wait to work on that one too.  Life's a banquet when you paint--full of adventure, color, and new ideas that just keep rolling around in your head just waiting to come out through your paintbrush!

Friday night I attended Gallery 14's "Our Beautiful Waters" and took 3rd place prize for my "Waiting to Sail" below.  It's always nice to add to my string of ribbons, but it was also nice to receive some gift certificates to places where I don't normally shop. Gallery 14 also featured my "What Lies Beneath" prominently on their front wall.  Finally someone appreciates that whacky manikin creation of mine.

"Waiting to Sail" oil by Judy Burgarella

Last week I finished this tiny painting for the Sebastian River Art Club's ornament tree.  All proceeds from the sale of these little jewels go towards our Scholarship Fund.

"Orchid" tiny oil painting by Judy Burgarella

Got to get crackin' on projects I'm working on for Bob and daughter Tracy right away for Christmas.  They both involve painting on something, which is always great therapy for me to have a goal that involves brushes and paint.

If you're reading this, I hope this inspires you to pick up the brush if you hadn't already.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger