Sunday, March 17, 2024

Finally Fine Art

 


Yayoi Kusama at The Memorial Art Gallery ( above and below )


University Avenue and Goodman Stree, Rochester, New York

Finally, I have some time to see some fine art, just before I head off to Washington, D.C. for the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony on March 21st.  I  have been looking forward to seeing the Infinity Mirrored room by Yayoi Kusama now here at The MAG.  This mirrored room has been on view in many places for years and it is not the first time that I have seen it, but still, it is a great thing to behold!
Go and get your timed ticket today!


Infinity Mirrored Room by Yayoi Kusama

I have been a fan of her work for so many years!  I remember going to an opening of a show she did back in the mid- 1960s, and I was the only person aside from the artist who was there - so dots weren't such a draw back then!  I am glad to say that she is now one of the most famous artists on the planet.  
The mirror balls that suspend from the ceiling make an analogy to our universe - going off in all directions.

I am glad that The Memorial Art Gallery is making a real effort to showcase art by women who finally get some recognition. While I mention this, I should also say that we get to welcome Sarah Jesse who takes on the position of Director at The MAG, and I wish her well on her new position.  As we gradually pull out of the pandemic mind set, I am sure that institutions have to devise new strategy to bring in an audience.


Helen Frankenthaler at MAG

So you can go and see the well known artists like Helen Frankenthaler ( see above ) and then you can take a look at artists  who are just being recognized here maybe for the first time.  One artist I was not familiar with has a big work in glass that is quite complex.  Take some time to study Judith Schaechter's stain glass work now on view at The MAG.


Glass art by Judith Schaechter

Also great to see that my friend,  artist G. Peter Jemison has a new work  in the collection at The MAG.
He is a foundational figure in the arts and in the development of Ganondagan State Historic Site and Museum in Victor, NY.  His painting could be a logo for diversity in the arts.


Art by G. Peter Jemison

Thinking about diversity, I found a collection of images recently at The Rochester Contemporary Art Gallery that represents at the very least a diversity of performers and other artists caught by the illustrator David Cowles.  His show is called ROC Stars, and these are the portraits of people who have a unique connection to Rochester.  Many of them are well known performers like this image  I saw there of Cab Calloway.


David Cowles ROC Stars


Cab Calloway by David Cowles

And a funny thing is that this reminded me that my father, Arthur Singer made a similar portrait of Cab back in the early 1940s that really has a striking resemblance to what David Cowles did.  Take a look at my father's illustration used on this tee shirt:


Arthur B. Singer and a portrait of his friend, Cab Calloway circa 1940

While you have a chance, the paintings and sculptures at RoCo, are also very engaging, and one can wonder how Ronald Gonzalez makes all these small sculptures that look like they have been subject to extreme weather!  Cars and trucks in beds?  They are all the size of toys, but are not meant to be played with!


Sculpture by Ronald Gonzalez

My friend Cynthia Hawkins and her abstractions can engage the viewer and really have color and form on the move.  I certainly feel that this has been a great day to check out the arts in Rochester.  Very Rewarding!


Paintings by Cynthia Hawkins at RoCo
137 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604

















 








Monday, March 4, 2024

Our March News


 Mark Stash paints Keuka Lake view in acrylic
at
Pittsford Fine Art

This month I have a waterfall of news to share!  Starts off with a visit to Pittsford Fine Art, a gallery in the center of Pittsford, New York.  This building has had some recent renovations so on the ground floor is Pittsford Fine Art and on the second floor there is the new Pittsford Upstairs Gallery.  Pittsford Fine Art was having an opening by some of the members, including Mark Stash who paints the landscape above.

Mark Stash is known to us as the editor and developer of the magazine: "Life in the Finger Lakes" and this is the first show we have seen of the paintings he likes to do.  We want to know how does one have the time to publish a regular magazine and also do the detailed landscapes that we see of his at this exhibition?

The view that Mark paints,  which greets a visitor coming into the gallery,  is a kind of painterly realism that is tactile and full of vitality.  A sweeping vista down Keuka Lake is life-like and I really appreciate his handling of the sky!


A selection of paintings by Mark Stash

This is a kind of artwork that can inspire one to pick up a brush and try it for yourself!  There are so many fine sites in our area, and I know as a painter that I will go out and do some landscapes myself...  While we were at the opening I had a chance to chat with another one of the exhibiting artists - Bill Finewood.  Bill is an illustrator and also was a colleague of mine when we were both teaching at Rochester Institute of Technology.  Bill has done some very fine paintings that verge on photo realism, and it was really nice to see a group of his recent works.


Macintosh Apple by Bill Finewood

Pittsford Upstairs Gallery had a poetry reading when we walked up and there are selections of art and craft on view including some striking flower portraits that I admired.  These paintings by Judy Baker had unique treatment of color applications that I had not seen often and they had a certain impact.



Flowers by Judy Baker on view at Pittsford Upstairs Gallery

Both of these gallery shows were worth the visit and I will be sure to keep that in mind when I want to go out and see some recent artwork.  When I was back at home I received a package with a book: "Wings of the Gods" by Peter Gardella, published recently by Oxford University Press with cover art by my father, Arthur Singer ( 1917-1990 ).  I was so happy to get this new edition with the beautiful Albatross that my father painted so long ago!


Alan Singer holds a new copy of "Wings of the Gods"
by Peter Gardella

This month has so many great features, first and foremost for our family is the fact that we are going to drive down to Washington, D.C.  for the award ceremony in the U.S. Capitol Building, where the Ghost Army will be celebrated for their participation in World War ll.  The Congressional Gold Medal will be given to the members of the Ghost Army, a battalion whose contribution to the war effort was determined by the deceptions they created on the battlefield in Europe.  My father was part of this effort as were other artists and theatre people, a few of the soldiers are actually still alive who were in the war, and that is something we do not want to miss!


The Ghost Army book by Rick Beyer
Cover artwork on top is by Arthur Singer


The participation of artists during the war effort was mainly centered around camouflage, but it was more than that.  You can read about it in this book by Rick Beyer.  Rick was on hand in January when we had the opening of the exhibition "Our Nature" in the Rundel  Building of the Central Library in downtown Rochester, New York.  You can find a video survey of our show on my website: www.singerarts.com.

And check this out!  A new issue of Explore Art Project is out and my artwork is featured there, including a wonderful interview with the founder and editor Renee Rose.  Here are some live links to visit if you want to know more!

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/exploreartproject












Saturday, January 27, 2024

Just To Say


Catherine Smith"Big Night at RoCo"
( SOLD )

Vitality is on view at Rochester Contemporary (RoCo) and it seems that we are lucky to have such a vibrant art community!  This annual show gives one a cause for hope in this year of political division and deadly serious world news...  Thinking of what people are capable of - not only the bad stuff, but the creative impulse,  that is what keeps me afloat.

Time to step in and see what is in store.  I know there are only a few days left to see what the members have brought forth.  I am immediately reminded of the poetry of WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS, when I read the sign from Judy Livingston about art and design.

Art & Design by Judy Livingston
( SOLD )

WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS tells us in his poem about "The Orchestra", that "birds twitter now anew

But a design surmounts their twittering.  It is a design of a man that makes them twitter.  It is a design.

And all along in this poem it is about our efforts in a creative mode that makes an exhibition like this so enjoyable.  The variety and capacity of the gallery to offer something for everyone.



33rd Annual Members Exhibition now at Rochester Contemporary
137 East Avenue, Rochester, NY

When I walked into RoCo I found many pieces on the walls ( over 400 ) and there was a pussycat padding around on the floor.  RoCo Director, Bleu Cease told me the story of how the cat came to the art gallery, and I thought - "How Unique".  

Our art community can provide something for all ages including children, so just look for Dina Toto's fabric work below, or Craig Wilson's sculptural bird ( below that )...


Dina Noto ( fabric construction )


Craig Wilson's "Morning Glory"
Welded steel

Some artworks in this annual exhibition point to our future, as in the framed photo called: "Save Seeds;Save The World" which has a power as an image and a concept  with a bigger horizon.  Talking about a big horizon I also found the painting "Three White Birds" to be quite engaging ( first I saw Two white birds...).

Save Seeds; Save The World





"Three White Birds" by Hayley Davis

I would love to walk around the gallery and find out what attracts you!  There is a wonderful variety of styles to look at and forms and colors to contemplate.  I was attracted to artworks by people who I know, and many new names that I found in the exhibition.
Congratulations to all of those members who support RoCo and the efforts made to keep the art community involved and active.  We owe a lot to our community for their support and this makes Rochester a hub of activity and engagement! 


Richard Figueras work "Untitled"

 










 

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Winter Wonders

 


Introducing "OUR NATURE" to the Rochester community.
A wonderful show with art & design from the Singer family:
Arthur and Judy, Paul & Alan


This winter I have been working on the presentation and curation of a major  exhibition and if you are in the area, please come out to see what we have done.  In the Mascioli Gallery at The Rundel Library located on 115 South Avenue in downtown Rochester, New York, we have a far ranging show filled with art and design that I think is unique.

My father and mother were both working artists, and they also had their artwork published in books over many years.  In this exhibition my brother Paul, who is a graphic designer, contributes a timeline that will help orient the viewer to the chronology of when important steps in their careers occurred.



Timeline helps orient the gallery-goer  in the Mascioli Gallery

We call this show "OUR NATURE" because it says something about the family dynamic and also about our interests in portraying many aspects of our natural surroundings.  My father, born in 1917 got started early, because he loved to draw the birds and animals that he saw when he visited  The Bronx Zoo.  My father grew up in Washington Heights - on Audubon Avenue in Manhattan!  Later he met my mom in college at The Cooper Union and they married before the war years in the early 1940s.



The Ghost Army was a battalion dedicated to deception in World War ll

Of my father, Arthur Singer, it could be said that because of his creative abilities as an artist, it saved his life!  During World War ll my father was drafted and served his country in Europe as part of the now famous "Ghost Army".  This battalion was top secret during the war, and they practiced deception on the battlefields.  

At the opening of our show in the Mascioli Gallery, our guest speaker, Rick Beyer, spoke about what the Ghost Army did, and how they performed their magic.


Rick Beyer, author and documentary film maker
for "the Ghost Army" of World War ll

Once the war had ended, my father and mother got down to raising a family, and we grew up on Long Island.  My father and mother embarked on their careers - my father was in advertising during the day and worked on his paintings and illustrations at night.  My mom was a painter, and textile artist, and she was the one to make the meals and do the gardening - which later became her passion.

In the  exhibition "OUR NATURE". we focus in on the books that the family has produced.  Early on in the 1950s, my dad had a contract with Golden Books, and he produced over many years a dozen guide books and big picture books like his "Birds of the World".


Arthur Singer's early published work included his "Birds of the World"

My brother Paul Singer, and I watched our parents work and we tried doing art ourselves,  learning to be patient and seeing the results.  The medium matters, as we found that color pencils could do a lot, and that paints and brushes needed discipline!

My mom worked with anthropologist Sonia Bleeker on her books about native peoples and below is a cover of a book published in the mid-1960s.  


My mom's given name was Edith, but the family called her Judy!

My brother and I also produced books after we graduated from college.  My brother is the graphic design person who worked on our poster for this show, and also the great timeline which you will see, leads a viewer through the family history from early in the 20th century to the present.  My brother, Paul, also as a designer worked on numerous guide books and also wrote about my father in his biography of Arthur Singer, a Master of Wildlife Art, published by RIT Press.

So, we invite you to come and see our show in Rochester, and you will learn much more about the artwork we made, and the impact we have had on our community, and I may even plan to do a guided tour through the show!  Here is a link to my website where we have a video that takes you through part of the show, so enjoy!If you would like to get a better idea of what our exhibition is about, I attach a link for a short video walk-through, and also the talk that Rick Beyer gave at our opening.






Friday, December 29, 2023

Some More Than Others

 


New Studio view in the Egypt Hills, Perinton, NY


As this year draws to a close, I have to say that this season really stands out for me in a number of ways.  This is a year of change for all of us, and I first consider the way the globe is heating up, and here in upstate New York ( see above ) we are having warm weather and it is WINTER!  What is going on?

With great luck my wife and I haven't gotten Covid, or RSV and  the flu so we've missed all that so far, and we have to be thankful that we are not living in war zone!  The daily news has some horrors to deal with all the same!  This year has seen some dislodgment for me as I had to move out from The Hungerford Building in Rochester, after more than thirty years on the fourth floor....



My old studio space, fourth floor of the Hungerford Building

When we moved the studio it took months to pack up the art supplies and paintings, and now I have to unpack!  So most of this year will be about change!  For me I have a new studio view that is all natural as you can see at the top of this post.  I did like the light however in my studio space in the Hungerford, but the rent was too high!

Looking forward there is much to be thankful for and not the least of it has to do with a new exhibition we are planning to open in January, 2024 called: "Our Nature".  This is a rare opportunity to bring together almost ninety items to be displayed in the Mascioli Gallery of the Rundel Library in downtown Rochester, New York.


Opening Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 at 4:00. pm 
Mascioli Gallery, Central Library, Rochester, NY

Artwork by my father, Arthur Singer will be presented along with pieces by my mother, Judy Singer, and brother Paul, along with my work.  Since this is a library show there will also be a focus on the books we have  produced over a period of almost 65 years!  Speaking of books, I am also happy to report that I will be having a launch of my new edition of "WheelHouse" - an art book published by ArtVoices Art Books and I can sign a copy for you if you are at the opening!  Below you will see the cover of my new book which I am proud to say has taken years to bring to the public.



New edition, hardback book called "WheelHouse" 
featuring artwork from my studio starting back in the early 1980s all the way to the present..

So, there is much more work for me to do, especially since I  still have to unpack and organize my new studio space, and as far as I know, most everything arrived in good shape.  I don't have to go far from home to my new workspace, it is only a few feet away from my door, and it has a lot of potential!



New Studio at home in the Egypt Hills


So for now, I want to say that I will be getting back to a schedule and that I hope to be able to visit people and see other shows that I can write about!  So Have  a GREAT NEW Year!  2024,  Here we come!




Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Come Into The Library

 


12th Annual Juried International Exhibit


Once the weather gets cold, it is time to come into the Library to see this very creative show which features many hand-made artist's books and interesting kinds of paper sculptures from  around the country and abroad.  These books tell a different kind of story, many of them are not dependent on an engaging text, but more often they use the nature of the book to expand upon.  


Elaine Downing: 2022: A Diary of Temperatures

The creative impulse could take the notion of folded paper and make it sing a new song. Here is a grouping of  colorful fan like sculpted paper pieces that  cross over to another land -maybe of palm trees in a breeze.


Rosemary Rae

Rosemary Rae from El Cajon, California creates a fantasy with sculpted pieces of Medieval Art that spring out towards you in a wild grouping.  Color is not an issue here, but rather shape and form - taking a two dimensional flat surface and populating it with ancient art.  This has an historical  look backwards and forwards.



Percy So from Hong Kong gets into classical geometry in "Conversations with a Stone.   I am  wondering whether these are models for something much larger.  Scale does matter here, and most of the works by these artists could be held in the palm of your hand.  



"Unsweetened Flaxmilk" by Ben Rubin

It is rewarding to see one of our graduates from R.I.T. up on these walls, and I enjoy the look of this sprawling paper craft and the stories that unfold.  This work is like a layout for a multipage journal with a sense of humor.


"Garden Herbs" by Laurel Rogers  & Jennifer Scheuer's "Silent Conversations

These artist books remind me that years ago I worked with cyanotypes to make my own books but I did not get into the fancy cutting that Jennifer establishes here in this "Silent Conversations".  I like the depth that references the space of a room, and in fact it turns a book into a room!

There is so much to see in this show that I hope you take the time to go over to the library to see this show which runs to January 6th, 2024.

And I want to say that I am very pleased to write that we have the show that follows on the heels of Art of the Book.  


"Our Nature" is a  exhibition with a wide ranging number of pieces of art - some are illustrations from more than fifty different titles that the Singer family has produced, and we are still at it!

We will also be having a guest speaker coming to The Rundel Library in downtown Rochester,NY.
Come on over January 16th, 2024 to hear Rick Beyer talk about "The Ghost Army" of WWll
Rick is a documentary film-maker who did the PBS video on the "Artists of Illusion"
The Ghost Army of WWll
Rick Beyer will speak at 4:30 pm




Sunday, November 26, 2023

Post Thanksgiving News

 


Watch Out

My Hungerford Clear Out

We have much to be thankful for...

This year has been disruptive, not only international events ( and wars ), but local ones as well. It wasn't that long ago that I remember sitting in at a meeting at Rochester Contemporary and listening to the talk about artists and others who were leaving the Hungerford Building because of a steep rise in the rent bill each month.  I didn't want to think about what it would be like if I decided to move too... But I no longer had a lease on my space. ( see the photo above ).  The new owners of the building didn't offer me a lease and so I had no legal rights to be in the space, just paying a much larger bill!

I Know that rental property is a business and I have been a loyal customer for over 30 years!  But imagine you are a business owner - would you treat a customer this way?  And there was no explanation offered as to why there was no lease.... So eventually I decided it was time to go..  Now, five months later I have a studio space that is close to home!  ( see below )

To move out I put everything in boxes..

Luckily we have a little building on our property that absorbed most of what I had stored in my studio at The Hungerford, so we are lucky!  But what about those folks who were forced to move and don't have this kind of extra space?

It will take a lot of effort to sort out what is in all those boxes!  But we have a lot to be thankful for... like the fact that I now have a new project and it is called organization!

Also I want to say that the show must go on, and in that context - I can invite you to see my painting in the Annual Members show at RoCo which will start  this December, coming soon!  I have a painting I call "Dynamic Equilibrium" which is found in the kind of geometric abstraction that I have been working with these past few years..  ( see below )


"Dynamic Equilibrium"
acrylic Gouache on board

So I am thankful for being part of this large exhibit at RoCo which has over 400 participating artists.  We do have a vibrant community, even with the events that happened at The Hungerford Building... If you had wondered why I have not been posting to this Blog, I also have another project which I want to talk about and that is a very large new exhibition that will be presented in the new year at The Rundel Library, which will have artwork and so much more from my family.  When I say my family, I mean my father and mother who were both artists, and my brother and I.  The title I gave this show is called: "Our Nature"


My mom, Judy Singer and dad, Arthur Singer

Yes, there is a lot to be thankful for even with major disruptions!  Like I can thank my parents for bringing us up with great care, and instilling in us the respect we have for others in our environment.  As you will see if you come out to view our exhibition, when it opens - we have been a productive family of artists.
And I will write more about this show as we get closer to the Opening which will take place on January 16th, 2024.

Finally, I want to Thank you, if you are reading this, and I hope to be back writing more posts about the visual arts in western New York!  We have so much going on here, and it is my pleasure to serve as part of this larger community!