Monthly Archives: January 2024

art, art exhibition, art museum, collage

Upside-down, You’re Turning Me

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This is not the first time that I’ve seen an art show devoted to the visual representation of the emotional journey facing an artist with a parent in declining health (see this). But it is still a good show.

David Edward Johnson’s art exhibition is currently on view in the Member’s Gallery at the Everson Museum of Art. He has created large scale collage works incorporating street signs, rubber tires, old family photographs, and stencils that create disjointed memories.

The photographs I took are details from these pieces, which I think further enhances the whole upside-down and backwards, past-present-future mash-up that depicts a failing mind slide into dementia.

I really love how my compositions have become new compositions. I gravitated to the stencils and noticed that letters had been repeated. A western theme dominates, a kind of masculine Americana. In this way, I feel like I’m piecing together a puzzle that, when put back together, will satisfy my sense of who Johnson’s father is. Is that cheating?

Finding meaning in art is the ultimate existential quest. The question is always: do you want to be right or do you want to be happy? Or do you want to luxuriate in that space between the two, the space that contains dreams and altered realities, etc.

David Edward Johnson: No Roses in December continues through March 31, 2024. Click here for more information or call (315) 474-6064.

New Winter Hours through March 31:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:00am – 4:00pm (Pay-What-You-Wish)
Thursday: 11:00am – 8:00pm (Third Thursdays are Pay-What-You-Wish)
Friday: 11:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday: 11:00am – 4:00pm

David Edward Johnson: No Roses in December is part of the Everson CNY Artist Initiative, an exhibition program that celebrates the multi-faceted talents of regional artists. The CNY Artist Initiative is made possible with support from Terry and Bill Delavan.

8th grade art, acrylic, art education, Karen Tashkovski, painting, still life

Italian Foodie

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Here are some of the thirty-six paintings created by my 2023-2024 8th grade Studio in Art students. They used my images taken at Vince’s Gourmet Imports, an Italian grocery store and deli in North Syracuse, New York.

These are acrylic paintings. Students were graded separately for drawing and composition versus paint application due to the timing of the lesson – half was in first quarter and the other half was in the second quarter of the school year.

My trick, as always, is to mix raw sienna into each color. White first, then raw sienna, and then whatever mix will get them the desired color. I first put a raw sienna wash on each of these 16″ x 20″ canvas panels. This helps students with darks and lights, helps them to maintain a good contrast.

It was also encouraged to mix a color’s complement to it to get a darker hue rather than adding black, which is something that confuses students due to early lessons of tints and shades.

They did a really great job this time around. I think this is the third time I used Vince’s photos for the still life painting. These past few days waiting for the last stragglers to finish the project and steering the others into the next project were rather challenging, but we got through it.

Monday marks the debut of second semester. On deck: India Ink, clay and possibly papier-mache. 

fish fry, ISO - fish fry, Karen Tashkovski

ISO Fish Fry – Eclectic Eats

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On a recent excursion to The Eclectic Chic, an antique store in Oneida, Janine and I decided to try the fish fry at the restaurant inside the store. It is located on the left side of the store.

Presentation: I had the potato chips and my friend had the fries – we shared them. The chips were homemade! They came in these darling little mini fryer baskets. The coleslaw was a pretty pink, the fish presented on a toasted brioche roll. 

Taste: So good! They use canola oil in the fryer. The french fries had a crunch to them. The fish was crispy on the outside and flaky/juicy on the inside. Perfecto! The coleslaw had a lovely sweetness. I really enjoyed this meal.

Restaurant Experience: The restaurant portion of the antique store is quaint, as though you’ve just stepped into an episode of the Andy Griffith Show. It is called Eclectic Eats. Everyone is so friendly. They take pride in what they do. There was joy on the face of the chef as he prepared the meals. The food is made to order and took about twenty minutes. We browsed the vendor shoppes as we waited while carrying those buzzer thingys, like they have at Panera, to corral us back to the restaurant when the food was ready. 

There are daily specials including prime rib, burgers and sandwiches. Lots of choices. Fish is on the menu every day, not just on Friday. It is like this amazing secret delicious place. Go once and you will decide to be a regular. It’s just amazing!

Location: Eclectic Eats is inside The Eclectic Chic Antique store, 2044 Glenwood Shopping Plaza, Oneida, NY 13421

Parking: Tons of parking!!!!!! It’s in a shopping plaza.

art, collage, encaustic, found object, Karen Tashkovski

Portrait of the Artist

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This is the current state of my dining room. Finished paintings and art supplies. Messy but very satisfying. More to come – stay tuned.

found money, Karen Tashkovski

Penny for My Pocket

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I love a good penny find (Green Lakes State Park parking lot). Up to twenty-six cents for 2024.

found money, Karen Tashkovski

On the Board – 2024

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I am officially on the board for 2024. I found a quarter today! Let’s play!

found money, found object, Karen Tashkovski

Found Money 2023

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I found one more penny yesterday. 

Found money total for 2023: $6.46

Now we start at zero for 2024. Happy New Year!