Art in Houston on a Hot Saturday in July

I just returned from a visit to The Big Show at Houston's Lawndale Art Center (yeah, I know, it opened weeks ago but I've been traveling).   Any Htowners reading this who haven't seen it yet should get your sweaty "arses" over there to check it out.   It's a fine range of creative pieces from canvas to crumbs hand picked by this year's Juror,  Paul Middendorf, Co-Director for GallerHOMELAND, Portland Oregon.   Plus, they keep the A/C cranked, so it's nice and cool while you explore the two-levels/three-galleries of this delicious exhibition. CultureMap did a nice audio/visual slide show of the opening.   And don't miss LAC's two night "Big Slide Show" event on July 28th and 29th where all the artists will discuss their works in person.

 

My favorites were Catherine Winkler Rayroud's bra and panty black paper cut-outs with nail scissors...frigging amazing piece of beauty, detail and patience.  Then there was the door of a 1970s kitchen oven with a photo of nude women lying on a golden sheet affixed behind the window of the door and hung flatly on the wall like a picture frame.  Look closely at the photo and the body types and positions of the nude women...it's awesome.   I also dug Sara Peters's large, looming yet restful milk carton with birds and cat.   And there's a black and white photograph located in the corner of the upper studio with one of the best names of a picture I've seen in a while, "kiddie-time riot" or something like that.  There are many other worthwhile works, so get up, get out and get over to the Lawndale Art Center at 4912 Main street, a wee bit North of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

 

 

Before hitting LAC, I dropped by the "Third Saturday", at Houston's Downtown Arts Warehouse Group.   Some inspiring work by their Artists in residence.  Australian born Claire Richards's expansive and depthnotically (pretend that's a word) stormy canvases temporarily remove your sense of time and space...especially the shiny ones.   Her "out of the cold refuge" and into-the-hot-frying-pan-of-Houston experience appears to be serving her art well.   Ms. Richards has an opening reception scheduled for August 20th at H Gallery (note to H Gallery's webmaster:  she's Claire with an "e" on your Artists Page ).   I recommend you take the time to see her weighty works in person.

 

EDGAR MEDINA 

 

I met and talked with Edgar Medina as well.   I found his collection searching for a direction, a direction that was bearing fruit.   Certain pieces expressed energy and comfort: energy in "HALLWAY"; comfort in "CANTERA".  Some of his recent canvas could have been inspired by the Venezuelan artist Felix Perdomo.    I look forward to keeping tabs on Edgar.

 

STELLA ROSE (CELEST TAMMRIELLO), DAVID HARDAKER AND SYD MOEN

 

Other notables were "Stella Rose", a multi-creative design and product brand by Designer and Artist Celeste Tammariello.  She manages to produce a variety of looks and feelings across various kinds of media.   Her drawings were pleasantly reminiscent of the well-known Brazilian artist Helio Oiticia (1937 to 80).  And there was Houston's David Hardaker of Hardaker Hardaker, a husband and wife partnership of artists who produce as well as show other artists in their Obsidian Gallery at 3522 White Oak in the Heights.  Last, near the end of the long hallway of studios was Syn Moen's place.  This designer/photographer/artist's "Little Planet" series is worth seeing - here or in Galveston where it's showing at The Blossom Street Gallery, 2411 Strand Street, Galveston, TX.

 

Ok, so now back to my own "Big Sweaty Project"...