July 2006

Good Boy/Bad Boy
An Account of Manic/Depression

My work is two-pronged, ranging from the humorous and absurd to the
dark brooding of introspection.

Even though I take prescribed meds my work slips out between the cracks of my calm exterior. I have always been a manic /depressive and would not want to change to be ‘normal’. The ‘tip-point’ on my work thrives on this duality.

I met an artist from Mexico, Lucia Maya.She too was manic-depressive. She had a profound influence on my work in accepting this duality as a font of creativity. These duality components are socio-personal actions-reactions vs the comical absurdities in life.

I want viewers to see a reflection of their own pitfalls and concerns, bringing recognition that we all are in the same condition and share that duality together.

Charlie Spear
www.charliearts.com

June 2006

I use the sewing machine as a tool to put materials together, sort of like a collage. The idea of juxtaposition is really exciting to me, and I try to push myself to mix together different materials.

The idea of collage for me is sewing together paper, like junk mail, old newspapers and receipts, and other everyday items with fabric to make a number of pieces such as dolls; household objects, like cups and tea pots; to abstract shapes and garments that are not meant to be worn.

My affinity for the human figure has inspired me to make clothing. I see clothing as sculpture and art, and by experimenting and using mistakes that happen I sew together patch worked pieces of fabric to make up garments that I think appear to be more like sculpture or art rather than just a garment.

I find the process of making things with my hands in a improvisational manner really satisfying.

– Danny Mansmith

May 2006

Art is my mode of expression, the way I communicate my ideas and feelings to others. I am very conscious of my surroundings and know that each person experiences similar situations differently. I believe that anger and/or avoidance are often the way many try to deal with problematic situations. For society to evolve, we need a more honest approach. Calamities must be dealt with in a straightforward manner if improvement and healing are to take place.

My paintings are an expression of my ideas regarding problems that concern me. Guns emerging from the terrain as cacti, or rock formations, are used to transform a tranquil landscape into one riddled with threatening debris, and this raises questions concerning the legacies that we are leaving for posterity.

More recent paintings deal with integration and transitions. Landscapes are often altered and painted in bright colors. The intent is to give the observer a view of possible underlying problems, but with the hope of expressing optimism and the need to adapt to the changes occurring worldwide.

April 2006

During the month of April, I will be painting a mural in this window. You are welcome to watch as I work.

My works are narrative in nature, telling stories and creating connections through symbols and sometimes jarring combinations of images. The work combines plant forms and other forms from nature, architectural references, objects both real and imaginary, objects traditionally associated with women through history, and most currently, the hand, to weave a narrative that is oblique, often personal, and sometimes political or issue-oriented.

My most current work, the works of the “Tikkun Olam” series (Hebrew for “heal the world”), investigates the image and symbolism of the hand in its many gestures and roles, especially as it is used in cultures to express healing; healing is reflected as both personal and worldly. The works are intended to create prayers for world healing. After the events of 9/11, my confusion and despair served to push my work to aspire towards a supplication for healing. Many of the new works use the symbol of the hands blessing and praying, asking and making a plea for peace, or at least resolution to conflict. Hebrew words and prayers appear painted on the hands to convey these prayers.

“Tikkun Olam” Significa curar al mundo.

Durante el mes de Abril, Beth Shadur estara pintando un mural en la ventana de esta galeria. Este mural tiene como objetivo la creacion de oraciones curativas para aliviar la condicion del mundo. El artista extiende una invitacion al publico a que la observen segun trabaja.

Su obra es narrativa puesto que cuenta historias y crea conecciones a traves de simbolos e imajenes reales e imajinarias. El trabajo que la atista hace bajo el nombre de “Tikkun Olam” investiga, entre otras cosas la imajen y el simbolismo de la mano, especialmente del modo en que es usada para expresar el acto de curar. Oraciones y palabras inscritas en Hebrew aparecen en las manos para acentuar la intencion cuativa del artista hacia el mundo.

March 2006

Austin Special was founded in 1953 by a group of parents as a community-based social service agency. Today the agency offers a variety of services from job training to residential programs that serve a population of over a 100 physically and developmentally challenged adults who live mostly in the west side of Chicago.The Art Program is almost ten years old.

Twice a week I meet with 20 to 30 artists from the Work Center. The artists range in age from 30 to 75 and work in a variety of mediums and sizes. The idea of the windows came with one of the clients who saw other artists using discarded windows as canvases.

The windows selected for this show are a representation of the art that is produced at Austin Special. The installation is based on the idea of a mosaic of places, people and interests that reflects the different artists participating in this project.

Please note that Art On Armitage does not handle financial transactions and takes no commissions on the sales. 40% of the sales go to the artist and the remaining 60% goes into the art program for art supplies.

In the name of the Austin Special artists, I want to thank you for your interest and support.

Eduardo De Soignie.
Austin Special. Denise Badowski, Director: 773 282-4744
Eduardo De Soignie, art facilitator. Voice mail: 773 395-9955

MOSAICO

Austin Special fue fundado en 1953 por un grupo de padres como una agencia de servicio social comunitaria. Hoy dia la agencia ofrece una variedad de servicios como entrenamiento laboral y programas de residencia que sirven a una poblacion de mas de 100 adultos con inpedimentos fisicos y mentales que viven en el oeste de Chicago.

El programa de arte tiene casi diez anos de fundado. Dos veces por semana yo me reuno con 20 o 30 artistas del Work Center. Los artistas oscilan desde los 30 a los 70 anos de edad y trabajan en diferentes tamanos y medios. La idea de las ventanas vino cuando uno de los clientes vio a otros artistas usando ventanas como si fuesen lienzos.

Las ventanas seleccionadas para esta exibicion son una representacion del arte que se produce en Austin Special. La instalacion llamada Mosaico, como su nombre indica esta basada en la idea de un mosaico de lugares, personas e intereses los cuales reflejan los diferentes artistas que participaron en este projecto.

Las ventanas y muebles pintados estan disponibles para la venta. Si ud esta interesado en adquirir alguno de ellos, por favor llame a la agencia Austin Special y pida hablar con la directora Denise Badowski. Para Espanol, puede llamar a Eduardo De Soignie, y dejar un mensaje claro con su numero de telefono para contactarlo.

Para su informacion, Art On Armitage no es responsable por las ventas y no toma ninguna comision como galeria. El 40% de la venta va directamente al artista y el otro 60% se usa para comprar materiales de arte.

En nombre de los artistas de Austin Special, les quiero dar las gracias por su interes y apoyo.

Eduardo De Soignie
Austin Special. Denise Badowski, Director: 773 282-4744
Eduardo De Soignie, art facilitator. Voice mail: 773 395-9955