MEETING THE ARTISTS:

During my visit, I met several talented artists who showcased their diverse art forms, which ranged from paintings and sculptures to photography and mixed media. Each artist’s studio was an oasis of creativity, offering an intimate glimpse into their lives and artistic vision. Here are a few highlights:

Ben Allanoff Art

Ben Allanoff is a true master of metals, bringing wire sculptures, metal collages, and paintings to life with his unique vision. One cannot help but be drawn into his art, as his creations possess a mesmerizing quality that sparks curiosity and wonder. During my conversation with Ben, I discovered his passion for collaborative art creations with other artists. This collaborative approach not only allows for the exchange of ideas but also results in artwork that beautifully combines different perspectives and styles. Recently, I had the pleasure of witnessing some of Ben’s work at an exhibition held at the Black Rock Campground store, where his art attracted attention from art enthusiasts far and wide.

Alex Maceda Art

Alex Maceda’s artwork is a tribute to the enchanting desert light. With acrylic and mixed media washes, Alex manages to capture the ethereal essence of the desert, creating paintings that emanate a serene and calming energy. The colors blend harmoniously, bringing light, depth, and movement to every piece. As I immersed myself in Alex’s artwork, my eyes were constantly guided around the painting, exploring the play of light.

Simi Dabah Sculpture Foundation

The Simi Dabah Sculpture Foundation presents a unique form of art that can be found throughout the desert landscape. These welded steel sculptures, created from industrial scrap, have become an integral part of the desert’s identity. What makes these sculptures even more special is the story behind them. I had the privilege of learning about the foundation and its origins from a representative who shared the heartfelt tale of the artist’s 90-year-old father. The artist left behind a legacy of beautiful art, crafted from discarded materials, for all to enjoy. These sculptures not only add a touch of creativity to the desert scenery but also serve as a reminder of the transformative power of art.

USEFUL TIPS FOR YOUR HWY 62 OPEN STUDIO TOUR VISIT:

1. Vehicle Selection:

To fully explore the Mojave Desert artists’ studios, it is advisable to drive an SUV or a car with high clearance. Some studios are located off the beaten path, requiring traversing rough roads. By choosing the right vehicle, you can ensure that no artists’ studios are left unseen due to accessibility issues.

2.  Time Management:

As the artists’ studios are scattered across the Mojave Desert, it is crucial to map out your route and allocate ample time for the tour. Grouping together the studios located within a day’s reach in specific areas will help you make the most of your visit. Prioritize the ones that align with your artistic interests to curate a personalized experience.

3.  Desert-Friendly Attire:

Given the dusty nature of the desert, wearing closed-toed shoes is highly recommended. Protect your feet from sand and dust while enjoying the artists’ studios by opting for suitable footwear. Additionally, don’t forget to dress comfortably and wear sunscreen to shield yourself from the desert sun.

4.  Navigation Assistance:

It is advisable to bring the map from the events catalog or download online prior to navigate through the Mojave Desert. In some remote areas, GPS may not work reliably. Having a physical backup or digital assistance will ensure you reach your desired destinations without any hassle.

5.  Hydration Essentials:

While exploring the Mojave Desert, it is essential to stay hydrated. Remember to bring enough water to replenish yourself as you delve into the artistic wonders of the region. Staying hydrated will keep you energized and allow you to fully appreciate the artistry around you.

6. Getting Hungry?

If you find yourself in need of a meal while exploring the desert, I highly recommend checking out these top favorites of mine: La Copine Kitchen, The Tiny Pony, The Copper Room, Snake Bite Roadhouse, The Red Dog Saloon, and MasOMenos. These establishments offer delicious food and unique dining experiences, allowing you to refuel and continue your adventure with satisfied taste buds.

Embarking on a journey through the artists’ studios in the Mojave Desert is an extraordinary adventure that allows you to witness the boundless creativity flourishing in harmony with nature. Follow the provided tips to make the most of your visit and immerse yourself in the captivating world of these talented artists. Let their artworks inspire you and leave you with a deeper appreciation for the Mojave Desert’s artistic soul.

To learn more about HWY 62 Artists, please visit: https://www.mbcac.org/pages/hwy-62-open-studio-art-tour

Links to local top favorite restaurants: La Copine Kitchen, The Tiny Pony, The Copper Room, Snake Bite Roadhouse, The Red Dog Saloon, MasOMenos

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Author’s Bio:

After immersing herself in the action sports design world for several years, Sherri Scott is now embarking on an exciting artistic adventure. Driven by a deep passion for the arts, she enjoys experimenting with various traditional and contemporary media in her paintings. Inspired by her exploration of the outdoors, she finds inspiration in both the picturesque landscapes and captivating elements of land and sea. A versatile artist and designer, with a strong background in designing for brands including her own successful apparel line, she brings a unique perspective to her designs. Her technical design skills and creative vision blend seamlessly to create her work. Today her deep appreciation shines through in her artwork, she continues to push boundaries and explore new artistic horizons.

Please visit her websites to view artwork at http://www.sherriscottstudios.com/ and http://www.yuccavalleylandings.com/

The post Exploring the Vibrant Mojave Desert Art Scene: HWY 62 Studio TOur appeared first on Art Business News.

The artworld is rich in complexity and diversity. While several art enthusiasts believe that artists make work that only their contemporaries can appreciate, this isn’t always the case. A great art journalist should be able to look beyond the work itself and identify what is important about it and why. And that’s the art journalist’s job to present this information compellingly to the public.

This guide serves as a directory of some of the top names in art journalism. It is a useful starting point if you are interested in becoming a journalist.

Top Eight Picks Worth Studying

To better understand art journalism, it’s essential to know the contributing writers to this field. Here are some of them:

Tyler Green — Photo Credit: Our Choices

 Tyler Green

Let’s kick off the list by mentioning this prominent figure. Tyler Green is considered one of the most important art critics of the 21st century. Through his work as a historian and author, he has brought the arts to light in various publications, especially when it comes to the impact of artists on national histories. Most notably, he is the producer and host of popular arts audio program: The Modern Arts Note Podcast. In his books, including Carleton Watkins: Making the West American, he takes a critical view of writing and art analysis.

Jerry Saltz

Jerry Saltz, the art critic for the Village Voice, has written extensively on contemporary art and criticism since the 90s. His articles have appeared in numerous publications, including New York Magazine, where he joined in April 2007, and Vanity Fair. Saltz has also published several books, including Seeing out Louder, Beyond Boundaries, and How to Be an Artist. His co-authored book De Kooning: An American Master has earned him the Pulitzer Prize. One thing’s certain, Saltz’s harsh criticisms are interesting to read and he is not afraid to call out the “pretentiousness” that plagues certain elite circles.

Christopher Knight — Photo Credit: Los Angeles Times

Christopher Knight

American art critic and writer Christopher Knight is recognized for his Pulitzer award-winning works, ranging from his critic note on LACMA’s precarious restructuring proposal to a Betye Saar’s artwork review. The L.A. Times’ art critic, Rabkin Foundation award winner, and three-time nominated finalist has made several appearances on such media outlets as CNN, PBS, and CBS. While covering global art, the Hartwick College alumnus centres on the California scene.

Robin Cembalest

Award-winning investigative journalist and one-time, long-serving ARTnews editor has covered art for over two decades. Some of her previous works have appeared in publications as varied as the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and The Village Voice. The Yale graduate has earned a reputation as a social media consultant and mentor for digital content creators. Among her initiatives is Art Writing for Art Professionals.

Jason Farago — Photo Credit: Apollo Magazine

Jason Farago

Art historian, editor, and Critic, Jason Farago, has carved a niche for himself in the art world. A regular contributor to The Guardian and other publications, the Even co-founder covers art and culture within and beyond the U.S. His sharp wit and insightful perspective have earned him wide acclaim from art enthusiasts. The New York-born art journalist has won the inaugural Rabkin Prize award, a prestigious annual international prize recognizing excellent art writing. He currently writes for the New York Times.

James Elkins — Photo Credit: Instituto de Historia de Arte

James Elkins

Art historian and critic James Elkins has been active for more than two decades. Known for being a theorist and practitioner of modern and contemporary art, the Ithaca-raised author also specializes in structural criticism. Elkins has published extensively on issues of art criticism, often incorporating the insights of philosophers, art historians, and literary critics into his books. He lectures at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His works include Pictures & Tears, Why Art Cannot Be Taught, and What Painting Is.

Adrian Searle

British art critic Adrian Searle’s career in art journalism spans over two decades. A one-time painter for the Nigel Greenwood Gallery, the art journalist took a different path when he became a contributor for Artscribe magazine. He has had works featured in Time Out, The Independent, and the Financial Times. Adrian refers to his transition from painting to art journalism as somewhat conflicting as he enjoys both disciplines. His curatorial projects include Glad That Things Don’t Talk and Promises Promises. Adrian has been a part of The Guardian’s establishment for 26 years, currently serving as its chief art critic.

Roberta Smith — Photo Credit: Artforum

Roberta Smith

A contemporary art critic for the New York Times, Roberta has written on art and culture for 40 years. Her essays on contemporary and visual art have been featured in various publications, including one from the National Gallery of Canada. The three-time award winner and wife to Jerry Saltz approaches her job with a fine-tooth comb, using her journalistic skills to uncover and highlight compelling works of art, from museum exhibitions to gallery shows.

The individuals represented here are just a few of the most successful art critics out there. Considering how challenging this discipline can be, their achievements are all the same remarkable.

Elements of Art Journalism

It is challenging to conceptualize art journalism, as it is a field that combines elements of art criticism and art history. However, at its core, it is a journalistic discipline that reports the creation, practice, and history of art. Below are some important elements of art journalism:

Research

This is the most crucial step for any journalist, especially those in art journalism. You can’t write anything that you haven’t researched. It is important to study works of art that interest you, even though you might not understand them initially. Doing so will help you to identify what is good about them and what may need improvement.

Analysis

Art critics are encouraged to interpret art. This means that they can present the artist’s work in a certain way to highlight their strengths and weaknesses. But it doesn’t mean that they have to interpret art in a negative light. A critic should always maintain objectivity. Research and analysis should be conducted to highlight a work’s merits and challenges. In that sense, art critics are artists too. That’s what makes them different from the average writer.

Contextualization

To fully understand art, it’s necessary to see it in the context of its history. It is also important to appreciate art within its cultural, economic and political environments. Without context, a work of art is meaningless. While it may seem easy to draw connections between artworks, their interpretations vary in many ways. You have to understand what motivates an artist to create a particular piece of work. That way, you can bring an average reader to appreciate it.

Conclusion

Becoming a great art journalist requires more than excellent writing and presentation skills. It demands a deep-rooted understanding and application of art history, techniques, and forms. Consider majoring in art history to ingrain yourself in the historical and cultural significance of art. You should also have a deep interest in various artists and their works. Develop additional skills, like reporting and researching, via journalism courses. This will prepare you for a career as a skilled art journalist.

About the Author: A professional academic writer and researcher, Laura C. Fields is the founder of BetterWritingServices, a platform that provides review services for students at all levels. Her passion for closing learning gaps has helped improve countless academic papers. She is the go-to expert on all things related to essay writing.

The post A Comprehensive List of Famous Art Journalists You Should Read appeared first on Art Business News.

World Square, a premier shopping center located in Sydney, Australia, recently partnered with creative hot shop VANDAL to commission a sustainable art sculpture. The sculpture was developed by artist Gabrielle Filtz and is titled “Weaving Thru The World”.

“The recycled materials used in the artwork consist of discarded fabrics, ribbons, and rope from old City of Sydney street banners, festivals, and flags – including Mardi Gras festivals. Collected from Reverse Garbage in Marrickville, I loved using discarded materials to create public art, rather than seeing it end up in a landfill.” Says artist Gabrielle Filtz from VANDAL.

World Square Marketing Manager, Marina Zarnitsyna says “Bold, bright, and unique artworks have overtaken the entrances and laneways at World Square, enticing passers-by into the precinct to explore the dynamic mix of over 100 food, fashion, lifestyle, entertainment, and essential service stores. The Spanish Stairs at George Street is one of the highlights of this bold and colorful project.”

Gabrielle Filtz wanted to not only create an oversized public art sculpture but also ensure the artwork could be created in a sustainable fashion. “I’m very proud of the sustainable use of recycled materials,” says Filtz. “I kept asking myself how the artwork can show Sydney, and the wider world, that we are creating a beautiful statement piece and also be mindful of the delicate ecosystem on this beautiful planet of ours.”

After multiple trips to Reverse Garbage in Marrickville, she was sure she had a colorful palette of recycled, reusable mediums to work with.

Filtz used Old City of Sydney street banners, ribbons, rope, and fabrics to create her masterpiece. By purchasing recycled materials from Reverse Garbage, she supported their recycling contributions and also gave life to Sydney’s cultural heritage for art lovers and city-goers to enjoy!

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“I decided that as an artist myself I outright to come up with a way to inhabit that space [and] bring people to the barren landscape.” Jim started painting local characters on large flat boards and hanging them on the fence near the vacant lot. Gradually, other local groups began to suggest other interim uses for the lot and small events began to pop up in the unused space. This is when Bliesner realized the vacant space would make a great platform for an art installation.

Typically, installations happen in museums where they decide on a concept and commission an artist to build it in a designated space. Bliesner thought “why couldn’t we do that?”

As a Plein air painter himself, Jim has also done other sculptures in City Heights with a focus on community engagement. Therefore, he decided this new installation should include other artists. “I [wanted] to see the local artists in City Heights emerge so I drafted an invite prioritizing [local artists] but included everyone. I was hoping for a cross-fertilization experience.”

Bliesner soon received a $2,000 fund from the Synergy Foundation and searched for artists to help him create the sculpture. He received interest from sixteen artists and gave them each $100 for materials to build the sculpture. The group of artists worked with a variety of materials including wood, chicken wire, old tires, scarves, and more. Artists include Edwin Lohr, Carlos Quezada, Marcus Montes, Tarrah Aroonsakool, Iain Gunn, Dianne Brunner, and Randy Lane, Vicente Rivera, Elida Chavez, Pete Evaristo, Melody De Los Cabos, and Mia Mercado a twelve-year-old emerging artist attending SCPA. Half of the artists are from City Heights and the other half from other cities.

The sculpture is planted in an old tire and filled with three 60 pound bags of cement with two upright bricks. “The variety [is] electric. The characters emerged for each artist’s personal struggle and design. The art became the art.” says Jim.

The sculpture will remain present until the lot is needed for future events. It can be viewed by locals from the sidewalk or driveby, making it a free “event” where art enthusiasts can gather and take in the beauty of the sculpture.

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