Graphic Design - Now In Production At Hammer

Yesterday I got to visit the Hammer Museum at UCLA to see the Graphic Design - Now in Production exhibit.  Wow, what a wonderful show.  The show reviews and exhibits graphic works that are pure inspiration.  The show ranges from typography to new media and everything in between.  Curated by Andrew Biauvelt from the Walker Art Center and the wonderful Ellen Lupton from the Cooper-Hewitt, they hit a home run in pulling together the wide range of work that we create and presenting in a compelling and informative manner.  

The show runs at the Hammer until January 6, 2013 so you still have time to take it all in.  Make sure you get the catalog from the show which includes articles that are sure to get you thinking.

Mike Tracy - Solo Show

My dear friend, Mike Tracy has a solo show coming up in Pasadena. Mike will be showing paintings from his series on toys that have become popular to all who love art. The series consist of paintings of small windup toys full of bright colors, bold lines and artist passion. This solo show will be presented at the Haus Gallery from February 25th through March 20th. A Preview Reception will be held this Sunday, February 21st from 4 to 7. To view examples from this series and Mike Tracy's other wonderful work, visit his website.

Haus Gallery
517 S. Sierra Madre Boulevard
Pasadena, CA 91107
626.356.2408
Hours: Thurs to Sat. 12-5
www.hausgallery.com

Getty Center Tour

The Environmental Graphic Design class I teach took a tour of the Getty Center in Los Angeles yesterday afternoon. Our behind the scene tour was hosted by Clyde Crossan, a former student of mine who is working as an exhibit designer at the Getty. Clyde was able to inspire the students and show them the interworkings that go on to get a show up and ready for the public. He showcased the two recent photography exhibits that he worked on A Record of Emotion: The Photographs of Frederick H. Evans and Urban Panoramas: Opie, Liao, Kim both which run until June 6, 2010. My thanks go out to Clyde Crossan and the staff at the Getty for giving us this chance to look around and learn.

The Getty Center has a wonderful collection of art and photography and should not be missed if you are in the area. The photography shows that are running showcase some beautiful work. The Getty Center is first class in all its exhibits and works that are on display. This campus of art designed by Richard Meier on top of a hill over looking Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean always makes a day special and exciting.

Mike Tracy - The Toy Show

Mike Tracy will be featured in a group show at the Lora Schlesinger Fine Arts Gallery November 21st - December 31st. An opening reception will be held this Saturday evening from 5-7pm. Mike will have many of his wind up toy painting from the "little monster" series on display. These little painting capture a radiance and energy of life that is reflected in bold brush strokes and a fervor of color. Mike's little monster series has been very well received and they have made themselves homes in many a collectors house. Lora Schelesinger Fine Arts is located in Santa Monica, CA. For additional information and directions please see their website or check out Mike at this link.

Still Life - Luis Meléndez at LACMA

Currently showing at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) is a wonderful exhibit of works by Luis Meléndez. Meléndez has been called the greatest still life painter of 18th century Spain. His work has been eclipsed by the more famous Goya for centuries. Meléndez (1715-1780) captured near-photographic images of his still life subjects. Working to gain an appointment by the royal court he was rejected due to politics thus focused on still life instead of portraits. The exhibit is composed of more then 20 paintings that show details of life during this period. You can almost taste the fruit and smell the flowers in his painting. The details are that precise.

Luis Meléndez: Master of the Spanish Still Life is showing at LACMA until January 3, 2010.

ArtWalk Spring 2009 Los Angeles in Coming

This weekend, April 18th and 19th, is the ArtWalk at the Brewery in Los Angeles. The hours are from 11 to 6. The local weatherman Dallas Rains is calling for sunny and in the mid 80s for the weekend so make a visit. And while you are visiting the Brewery art district, stop by and say hello to my artist friend, Mike Tracy. His studio in at 642 moulton #w16. Mike does wonderful paintings and drawings full of energy and passion, mystery and intrigue. The work below are some examples of Mike Tracy's work. Look for me on Saturday.

Getty Center Museum Visit

Yesterday I had the joy of visiting the Getty Center Museum in LA. One of my past students, Clyde is working there in the exhibits design department and offered to give a tour to my Environmental Graphic Design class. The class had a chance to see and explore the design that goes into each of the exhibits that the Getty puts together. We looked at the many ways to set up the exhibits and saw the long process that goes into making the exhibits at the Getty some of the best around. My fullest thanks go out to Clyde for showing us around and explaining in detail all the hard work that goes into getting the show ready for the public.

If you are in the area, make sure you check out the "Dialogue Among Giants - Carleton Watkins" exhibit that is currently showing. This exhibit explores the wonderful photographs of Carleton Watkins between 1850 and 1906. It is a great collection of images from Yosemite, San Francisco, and around other parts of California.

I completed the visit by seeing my some of my old friends Rembrandt, Monet, and van Gogh. The Getty collection is full, diverse and breathtaking.

Sagmeister - Urban Play 2008 Project

Stefan created another great piece from his now famous "Things I have learned in my life so far" for an art exhibit in Amsterdam this past week. The work titled "Obsessions make my life worse and my work better" was made out of 250.000 eurocents placed on a plaza in the city. It seems that within 24 hours of it being completed the police where called and they decided to pick up the coins. Talk about Dutch efficiency. To view and read more about the project check out Sagmeister's site and to read about the removal check out Scott Burnham's site.

Art Auction - Huntington Beach Art Center

I have four photos that will be in the annual fundraiser for the Huntington Beach Art Center. I am showing a group of photos from my Bridge Series #1. The art auction will start this Friday, May 9th with a free meet the artists, hors d'oeuvres and wine reception from 7pm to 9pm. The silent bidding will continue all week ending on May 16th with a live auction, martinis and food from 7pm until 9:30pm. Tickets for the May 16th event are available at the HBAC. Come out and enjoy this fun event showing your support for this great local art center. For more information click here.

Tales, Toys & Tales Art Show > Mike Tracy

My dear friend and fellow instructor, Mike Tracy has a show currently running at the San Luis Obispo Art Center in San Luis Obispo, CA. The show "Tales, Toys & Tales" opened last month and continues until May25th. I have come to love Mike's work for its passion and stories. Mike's painting are powerful and expressive. They challenge the mind to open, to explore, to ponder, to enjoy. To see more of Mike's work go to his website. If you are in the San Luis Obispo area go check it out. Mike also got some great press in the local paper. See the article here. Mike tells me he was also interviewed for the local NPR. I will put up the podcast link when I get it.