Elisa Contemporary Art

2012-02-04T18:48:00.000-05:00

I am delighted with all the buzz and excitement for our current exhibit, My Hero, featuring Superheroes in Contemporary Art.

One of our featured artists is Houston artist, Mitch McGee. Mitch McGee’s artwork lives between painting and sculpture. I wanted to share the process he goes through to create his current series of Birch (wood) artwork.

The first step is creating the illustration, digitizing it, parsing it out layer by layer and printing it out to size.

Each layer of birch is then hand cut

Then layer by layer the artwork is sanded, stained, glued and brought together to create the final dimensional artwork.

On average, it takes Mitch about 30-40 hours to create each piece.

However, the piece we have in our current exhibit, The Avengers, took 50!

Mitch and I recently appeared on cable TV's "Open with Rhina Valentin" on January 27th. You can see and hear Mitch talk about his work.
And I talk about the show, My Hero, on exhibit through March 31st , 2012.

After the show, we were photographed with Open Host, Rhina Valentin:

And the group behind the scenes who brings it all together including Shirley Arrieta, Dalia Gonzalez, Angel Ramos are captured here with Rhina and I

I loved that they all wore their favorite Superheroes shirts in honor of our exhibit!

Superheroes in Contemporary Art

2012-02-03T19:49:00.002-05:00

The inspiration for the current exhibit at my gallery, Elisa Contemporary Art, began about 2 years ago when I first viewed the artwork of Don Morris.

Don's brightly colored and undulating canvases caught my attention. I loved the color and movement of each canvas.

Then, as I started to move closer, I saw figures and words and learned that the interplay of colors and textures were created with comic books!

Upon closer examination...

each canvas comes to life with comic book superheroes who fly, struggle, and climb before us in small fragments and vignettes.

Words bubble from the comic book text and are clearly visible throughout the pieces, so the viewer can read the stories of our action heroes.

Don's series, “Our Heroes” was inspired by the Pop Art of the 60’s. Don recently had a solo exhibit at the Michael Lord Gallery in Palm Springs.

We are thrilled to have him part of My Hero, on exhibit at Elisa Contemporary Art, 5622 Mosholu Avenue, Riverdale NY through March 31, 2012.

2011-10-28T18:09:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday, October 23rd, 2011 was the inaugural Riverdale Festival of the Arts (www.RiverdaleFestivaloftheArts.com)

The event was the brainchild of three women -- me, Linda Manning and Tracy Shelton.

(Artwork shown, Franco Defrancesca and Allison Gregory, Elisa Contemporary Art. Photo by Byron Kates)

Together we created a live art and music festival geared to bring people together, connect them on an emotional level and help support the local community. And it worked!

It was a beautiful sunny Autumn day and we have over 1,000 people join us over the 5 hour festival!

I was responsible from bringing in the artists and artists organizations. I reached out to a number of local artists, posted calls to artists and contacted museum directors.

The result was a great mix of local and international artists and artwork, as well as presences from some local arts organizations.

My gallery, Elisa Contemporary Art, was joined by the Derfner Judaica Museum and Art Collection, The Bronx Museum of the Arts and No Longer Empty.

We had individual artists from Abstractionist Barbara Laube, to Photographer Anna Purves to Korean Artist Nu Ryu and studio mates Joy Langer and Jennifer Shotton and many others.

There were several areas set up for kids to create their own projects as well spearheaded by the Scribble Art Workshops, Bedrock Preschool and the Riverdale Y.

The stage hosted both local and international talent including Tenor Saxophonist, Eric Alexander, NYC Rock band, Sweet Fix, a wind ensemble from the Bronx Arts Ensemble and performances from local theater.

What we heard from participants and attendees was:

"The quality of the work, music, other exhibits was outstanding, and the whole feeling and vibe of the event was the most gratifying of all."

" Just wanted to thank you for a great day! The event was awesome...met a lot of great artistic people."

“It was great for people to see how much is going on in Riverdale. There haven’t been enough events that bring the community together."

What I also loved is the follow up that I have seen between artists -- the wanting to stay connected, stay in touch and support each other.

I really do believe that Art (and I mean that in the broadest sense of the word - from visual to audio and more) has such a strong power to connect us to each other, go beyond the differences and see the commonalities.

It does have the ability to create a community, a "village" even within a large concrete jungle.

I am honored (and exhausted) to have been one of the driving forces to make this event happen and to generate the awareness to make it a success.

My thanks to my partners Linda Manning and Tracy Shelton (the 3 of us shown here for the media event at my gallery).

2011-09-10T14:54:00.000-04:00

On this 10th anniversary of 9/11, our gallery exhibit celebrates the human spirit and the ability to persevere…when everything around us has so dramatically changed.

The exhibit opens on September 9th and runs through November 5th.

We honor the ability to make sense out of chaos. To dream big and reimagine our world and our potential. We honor theeverlasting presence of our loved ones.

And the importance of appreciating the simple pleasures of life.

We honor a day, September 11 2011, that has forever changed our lives, and our perspectives.

And we share the personal stories of our artists. The Human Spirit includes the artwork of:

Austin portrait artist, Ray Donley
Emerging artist, Krzysztof Pastuszka
Syracuse artist, Michael Barletta
Hawaii artist, Connie Firestone
Connecticut artist, Daryl Zang

"I peeked into the store and saw people whispering, some wide eyed with a hand cupped over their mouths. One person leaned against a rack of paints with their head down possibly crying. Then came an announcement over the store's PA. The owner insisted that everything was going to be ok and that staff should continue with their duties and customers should continue shopping."

What: The Human Spirit
When: September 9 – November 5th, 2011
Special Reception: Saturday, October 29th from 4-7pm
Where: Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery, 5622 Mosholu Avenue, Riverdale NY
Gallery Hours: Friday/Saturday 10 am - 6pm, and by Appointment (Days/Evenings/Sunday.

Hugo Garcia Urrutia's Mexican Tsunami at Art Santa Fe 2011

2011-07-09T11:50:00.000-04:00

I wanted to share an installation that will be part of Art Santa Fe 2011 by Hugo Garcia Urrutia's inspiring cutting-edge installation, "The Mexican Tsunami".

Hugo is an artist, architect, fellow gallery owner at Decorazon (in Dallas) and most importantly, a friend.

There is something eerie and viscerally arresting about Hugo Garcia Urrutia's installation piece: The Mexican Tsunami. Standing at 16 by 12 feet, a wall of over a thousand yellow sandbags heaves up off the floor and looms over the viewer, curling, at the top, like a wave that is about to fall. The effect is both direct and suggestive: the means of holding back the rising water are transformed into the crushing wave itself.

For Hugo Garcia Urrutia, born in Ciudad Juarez, the work of The Mexican Tusunami goes beyond aesthetics and politics. In 2010 his brother was a victim of the rising tide of violence sweeping across Mexico. For Garcia Urrutia, this project has been a way to "bring awareness of a now immune, desensitized, and in some cases defeated community, that is numbed by an ongoing wave of violence." Garcia Urrutia compares the current situation in Mexico to a tsunami, not least because it is a phenomena of "catastrophic" proportions.

His ongoing works for this project are an attempt to pierce through the numbness of a world that has become acclimatized to daily news of violence and disaster.

Garcia Urrutia's background in architecture is evident in the integration of strong and dynamic structural form. The Mexican Tsunami presents itself as a challenge to the viewer, its looming presence refuses to allow us to just walk by.

The installation will be at Art Santa Fe 2011 from July 7-10.

Forever connected to Art

2011-03-01T12:33:00.002-05:00

Over the weekend, I rearranged my own art collection at home. Or at least moved one piece to a place I would see it every day.

It is an Alex Katz aquatint that I bought myself as a birthday present years ago.

Whenever I look at her (and she is not a "typical" Alex Katz portrait) I am brought back to a moment in 1986...at an Alex Katz exhibit at New York's Whitney Museum of Art.

I was there with my dear friend Gretchen (today an uber-editor with lots of titles on the NYT bestseller lists).

We were young, New Yorkers and just starting out in our professional lives. We stood and carefully analyzed one of the first paintings in the show when we overheard "Look, those two girls look like they just walked out of one of his paintings!" We laughed...and we loved it!

Years later, Gretchen gave me a wonderful coffee table book about Alex Katz and I bought Wedding Dress (38/75!)

I am forever connected to that moment and to that joyfulness. And we forever will be those girls!

It is truly part of the incredible power of art!

We Kicked off Superbowl Sunday with an Artists Reception

2011-02-07T17:43:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful and successful wine and cheese reception with Bulgarian Sculptor, Kaya Deckelbaum on Sunday, February 6th from 2-4pm.

Kaya shared her inspirations, artwork and even techniques. She brought along a sample of the wire mesh material which are the basis for many of her pieces.

And she brought a few new sculptures (which will be at the gallery for the balance of the show through March 13th.)

While I attend many other gallery openings and receptions, I am always delighted with those at my gallery, Elisa Contemporary Art, because of how people interact with each, as well as the art.

There were wonderful new connections taking place and an openness for all to join in.

It was an energetic environment to be a part of.

And a big thank you for all that joined us!

And thanks for those who are helping to grow and support the art community within Riverdale.

The exhibit, Distant Faces and Places, will continue through March 13th at Elisa Contemporary Art, 5622 Mosholu Avenue, Riverdale NY 10471. Gallery Hours: Friday/Saturday 10am-6pm and by appointment. For more information, visit our website at www.ElisaContemporaryArt.com or contact Lisa@ElisaArt.com

We hope to see you soon.

Distant Faces and Places Exhibit at Elisa Contemporary Art, New York fro...

2011-02-03T11:42:00.001-05:00

If you can't stop by our current exhibit, Distant Faces and Places, be sure to watch our video tour.

Here's a brief overview:
Journey to far away places and distant lands. And encounter a spirited few in the new exhibit, Distant Faces and Places at Riverdale’s only contemporary Art Gallery, Elisa Contemporary Art. Our current exhibit explores abstracted landscapes and figurative work in paintings and sculptures.

It is an invitation to escape into the worlds of our four artists and find a place to call your own.

From the art of Syracuse artist, Sharon Gordon, whose landscapes balance delicately on the fine line between abstraction and representation to the intensely pigmented exotic worlds of Canadian Artist, Marie Danielle Leblanc.

In the haunting paintings of Hawaii artist Connie Firestone, you'll sense a watchful presence and be captivated by the body and shadows of the wire mesh sculptures of Kaya Deckelbaum.

These four female artists create visions of alternate spaces and places to explore.

What: Distant Faces and Places
When: Now - March 13, 2011
Artists Reception with Kaya Deckelbaum: Sunday, February 6th from 2-4pm
Where: Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery, 5622 Mosholu Avenue, Riverdale NY
Gallery Hours: Friday/Saturday 10 am - 6pm and by Appointment. Sun. Feb. 6 12-5pm

Check website for additional events in late February to support the Arts to Grow programs for Riverdale Neighborhood House.

Enjoy!

Some of my favorites from the 2010 Art Fairs in Miami

2011-01-04T22:51:00.000-05:00

I spent 3 busy days in Miami in early December (with 46,000 other art lovers) taking in Art Basel Miami and the satellite fairs.

Here are just a few of the artists that I found inspiring:

The stunning photography of Japanese artist Shinichi Maruyama at NY gallery, Bruce Silverstein. His black and white images capturing water in motion are intricate and awe inspiring. According to his bio, the artist, born in 1968 has focused on this current series since 2005:

"For the past five years, in a group of astonishing images he calls the Kusho series, Maruyama has focused on the technical and formal characteristics of the photographic medium itself. Using the latest high-speed strobe technology, Shinichi developed a fascination for liquid and motion imagery. His latest work is a stunning, abstract collection of images made with sumi calligraphy ink, water, and tempera paint captured in mid-air."

Here are just a few images from this limited edition archival print series:

The beautiful, fragile watercolor portraits by Kim McCarty were both innocent and seductive. The work was on exhibit at several galleries including the David Klein Gallery in Birmingham, MI.

According to McCarty, these poignant watercolor portraits "depict adolescent and preadolescent children hovering between presence and absence, innocence and wisdom, and past, present, and future."

McCarty's work is in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art, UCLA Hammer Museum and the Honolulu Academy of Art.

I was fascinated with the intense, richly pigmented portraits by Spanish artist Salustiano. His uses up to 26 layers of natural pigment in his work to create the pure intense reds.

He created the cover image for a catalogue to accompany the recent exhibition entitled “The Missing Peace: Artists Consider the Dalai Lama,” which explored art as a catalyst for peace and inspired readers to actively engage in pursing peace in their lives through art. It is a good mission for all

And my hands down favorite was the work of Sandeep Mukherjee at Brennan & Griffen (the former LA and now New York gallery). The artist, born in Pune India and now living in LA. His most recent body of work incorporates painting and embossed drawing on Duralene. The result is a rich, jeweled body of work with an almost mosiac quality.

Mukherjee’s paintings aspire to become a conduit to another dimension of experience where the possibilities are many and ultimately open ended for the viewers to inscribe for themselves.

His work is in public collections including Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA: Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles, CA.

What Yoga has taught me in the world of Art

2010-12-18T16:56:00.001-05:00

Recently, I was featured in a newsletter created by my Yoga Instructor, Renee Diamond. The focus of her pieces are about how yoga has helped heal, change and transform lives.

Here's my story:

“To me, Art is like Yoga. It takes me on a heart centered journey to find peace, tranquility and the wonder of discovery”

Three years ago, I left my corporate career, after 15+ years at New York advertising and integrated marketing agencies and 6 years managing Interactive and Relationship Marketing Departments at Mercedes-Benz – to become an art dealer and gallery owner.

It started in 2006 with the death of my father, a health scare and management changes at my company.

I realized I needed to do something different…and something that I loved. On a vacation during that time in Hawaii, my husband came up with the idea of starting an art gallery and it lit a spark in me. As the daughter of an artist, I grew up with art in my home and around museums, and I knew the power of art to positively impact all our lives. After a year of exploration and research, I launched Elisa Contemporary Art in November 2007.

My gallery is focused on the healing and transformational power of art. I will only represent artists whose work makes me feel something – whether it’s joy, sorrow, pain or wonder – it has to make me feel. And I donate a portion of every gallery sale to charities helping underserved children heal through art.

Throughout this journey – both in my yoga practice and my business - I have learned so much including to:

Be open to the opportunities around me
Notice the miracles that happen every day
Be grateful for the “angels” who cross my path
Know that the strongest support may come from a community of like-minded strangers
Ask for help or the occasional “spot” during a difficult moment
Accept that there are many things beyond my control -- no matter how hard I try
Realize the more you give to others, the more you receive

While I’ve traded in my powerpoint presentations for power tools, my luxury company car for a cargo van, endless hours of “brainstorming meetings” for hours of seeing and feeling into art to find the perfect piece for my clients. I am amazed at the journey.

My Riverdale NY Gallery opened in 2008, I’ve participated in 8 high-end art fairs in New York, The Hamptons, Miami, and Boston; Curated 5 shows in Public Arts spaces in New York and 2 in private Design stores; and built an art consulting business.

I know without my Sunrise Yoga classes, I would not have had the courage and the openness to make this leap and follow my heart and my passion. It is the support and inspiration from those around me, and those who lead, that has helped keep me optimistic and motivated even during challenging times. It’s the belief – though silent in the yoga studio - that I am strong, whole and capable, even when I may experience doubt.

It continues to be a beautiful and graceful adventure.

Namaste

Photo Credit: Robin G. London http://robinglondonphotography.com

Just Back from a Whirlwind 3 Days in Miami

2010-12-04T13:16:00.000-05:00

From Wednesday morning through Friday afternoon, I covered 8 Satellite Art Fairs and the convention center. It was an incredible immersion in art, art lovers and in certain areas, attitude!

Before I get to the art, which will be in tomorrow's posting, I wanted to share some of the inspiring people that I met along the journey.

On December 1st, as I searched for the art shuttle to the Wynwood area, I met a couple who now live in Michigan. While their art collection is extension, over 100 pieces I was told, I was most moved by their passion for art. For them, it was about meeting the artists, learning about the work, being a part of some incredible art related experiences. They have created a building to house and show their work, and the joy they receive from collecting and curating the work was palpable.

On December 3rd, I met a young collector who left friends behind to enjoy several days on his own surrounded by art...at his pace! He didn't want to be rushed by others, he only wanted to experience it on his terms. He was on his way back to a Japanese Gallery for a second look at an artist he really liked. He told me about an upcoming move from the east coast to Atlanta, where he hopes with more space, he'll be able to showcase much of his work (which has been in storage and "under appreciated" or "under visited" for far too long).

While the art fairs and Art Basel Miami is about always about the art, it was refreshing and reassuring to meet those who truly exude a heartfelt passion about feeling and experiencing art at a very pure level. Not for investment, not for status, but for pure love of the experience!

New Holiday Exhibit -

2010-11-27T11:08:00.000-05:00

Our new holiday exhibit, 40 under 4, opened on Black Friday to kick of the holiday buying season. It will run through January 16th. And we'll have special Holiday hours including Sundays from 12-4pm on November 28th, December 5th and December 12th.

For me, art is an incredible gift because it allows you to immediately escape to a new place or travel into a different space. It is like the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland!

Stop by or visit us online and you'll see Elisa Contemporary Art we are filled with incredible and affordable artwork from artists from around the world. The exhibit, 40 Under 4, includes works on paper, mixed media paintings and sculpture – all by contemporary artists – emerging through late career.

Some of the highlights include:
* New Mixed Media series by Rosalind Schneider based on her Alaska Journey
* Richly pigmented landscape paintings by Canadian artist, Marie Danielle Leblanc
* Chinese Character Inspired figures by Taiwan artist, James Chen-Feng Kao
* Deep colored and playful paintings and works on paper by Austin-based emerging artist, Allison Gregory and New York Artist, Melinda Hackett
*A new series of acrylic and painted paper collage imagined worlds by Nancy Tobin

The show will also feature mixed media works by Turkish artist Yasemin Kackar Demirel and Egyptian artist Carole Naggar, drawings by Laurel Garcia Colvin, moody landscapes by Syracuse artist Sharon Gordon and energetic journeys by Amy Cheng, as well as copper botanicals by Rhode Island sculptor, Susan Freda.

What: 40 under 4, A Group Holiday Show – Over 40 artworks priced under $4,000
When: November 26th- January 16th
Where: Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery, 5622 Mosholu Avenue, Riverdale NY
Gallery Hours: Friday/Saturday 10am – 6pm; And by Appointment.
Special Holiday Hours: Sundays 12-4 pm on 11/28, 12/5, 12/12

Visit our website, www.ElisaContemporaryArt.com for a video tour and images!

Emerging artist walked into Gallery today and unrolled his canvas

2010-08-06T18:09:00.000-04:00

As a gallery owner, I am often amazed that artists don't realize that they are each a brand, and as such, must carefully represent themselves and know their target audience.

Today, a young emerging artist came into the gallery and unrolled his canvas. It was his only painting (he had had 2 other pieces that he sold on the street). He was fully prepared for me to say that I loved this unstretched (very large canvas - size was TBD because he had not measured it) and wanted to put it immediately on the wall! This however was not the case.

I asked him to tell me about his vision for the work, how he created it and what his intent was for the viewer. He could not initially verbalize any of this, but over time (and a conversation similar to pulling teeth), I learned that he painted the canvas in one day, outside a park in NY...he was inspired by the movement around him, the noises coming from the park, the changes in the sunlight throughout the day. Though he worked in Acrylic, he poured lots of water onto the canvas to give it a washed out affect...so much so that at the end of his day (at 2am) as he rolled up his canvas it was still wet. He had painted another piece in Central Park which had a totally different look and feel (I saw this piece on a 1 x 3 business card).

He told me he thought he could continue to sell his work on the street, but it was too much of a hassle...or that maybe he should just open up a gallery of only his work (I mentioned overhead, insurance, ways to build traffic and more)

I told him to come back to me when he had a series of pieces (at least 3-5) and more of an artistic focus for his work and a vision statement about who he is as an artist.

We would all love the business of art to be simple...just create it and they will buy.

However the reality for both the artist and the gallery owner, is it continues to be a business...one done for love and passion...and must be taken seriously by all involved. As an artist, be sure you know who you are as a brand, what makes you/your work/your vision unique, and most of all, be able to communicate that when asked.

Local Emerging Artists in New Gallery Exhibit - opening June 18th

2010-06-09T18:42:00.000-04:00

Elisa Contemporary Art gallery in Riverdale will be celebrating the fresh vision of five local emerging artists in a new Summer Group show, Emerged, opening on June 18th and running though September 12

Come enter the inspiring worlds – both real and imagined – created by these young artists. Featured artists include:
Michael Barletta, Yasemin Kackar Demirel, James Chen-Feng Kao, Krzysztof Pastuszka and Rosa Ruey.

You’ll meet new faces, encounter new ideas and be wisked away to many whimsical and intriguing worlds.

Two Special Receptions will take place at the Riverdale Gallery: 5622 Mosholu Avenue, Riverdale NY:
Opening Reception on Wednesday, June 23rd from 6-8 pm
Closing Reception on Tuesday September 7

5% of gallery commissions from sales will be donated to one of the support charities helping underserved children heal through art. We currently support Free Arts NYC or Creative Arts Workshop for Kids.

Elisa Contemporary Art is located at 5622 Mosholu Avenue (near 256^th Street/Riverdale Library), Riverdale NY.
Gallery Hours: Friday/Saturday 10am – 6pm; And by Appointment.

What: Emerged – A Summer Group exhibit of Five Local Emerging Artists
When: June 18^th – September 12th, 2010
Opening Reception: Wednesday, June 23rd from 6-8 pm
Closing Reception: Tuesday, September 7th from 6-8pm
Where: Elisa Contemporary Art Gallery, 5622 Mosholu Avenue, Riverdale NY

For more information, please visit our website at www.ElisaArt.com

PBS Documentary, Herb & Dorothy

2009-10-16T14:04:00.000-04:00

Just watched the PBS documentary last night called Herb & Dorothy. It is truly wonderful and a passionate tale about the art-collecting couple. It's the story of postal clerk, Herbert Vogel and librarian Dorothy Vogel, a couple who used meager means and a self-trained aesthetic sense to quietly build one of the most important collections of contemporary art.

I highly recommend it!

High Line Open Studio Tours

2009-10-15T09:07:00.000-04:00

High Line Open Studio Tours opens to the public tonight and continues through Sunday:

THURSDAY(15th) - FRIDAY(16th) 6-9pm
SATURDAY(17th) - SUNDAY(18th) 12-6pm

For more information, go to their site: http://www.highlineopenstudios09.org/

October -- National Arts & Humanities Month

2009-10-14T20:20:00.000-04:00

It seems appropriate that my first blog posting should highlight President Barack Obama's new proclamation that October is National Arts & Humanities month.

Here are just a few key quotes from his statement:

Throughout our Nation's history, the power of the arts and humanities to move people has built bridges and enriched lives, bringing individuals and communities together through the resonance of creative expression. It is the painter, the author, the musician, and the historian whose work inspires us to action, drives us to contemplation, stirs joy in our hearts, and calls upon us to consider our world anew

In neighborhoods and communities across the Nation, the arts and humanities lie at the center of revitalization, inspiring creativity, ideas, and new hope in areas that have gone too long without it.

An education in music, dance, drama, design, and fine art reinforces skills in fields like math and science, and it can help students reach their full potential. In an ever-changing world, we must prepare our students with the knowledge, creative skills, and an ability to innovate so they can compete and succeed on a global stage.

Read the full statement here, http://bit.ly/44HzO

Let us celebrate this month...and the power of art every day!