Tag Archives: art exhibitions in Syracuse

art, art exhibition, art for sale, art in restaurants, found object, Karen Tashkovski, mixed media, painting

Honor Thy Master

Image March 26, 2017 Karen Tashkovski Leave a comment

20170326_125548 — 6863, 24″ x 30″, 1998, mixed-media, $200

I took a lesson out of my friend Penny’s playbook and re-worked eight paintings for my exhibition at Dolce Vita World Bistro that starts next week. Spent the last two days in intense artist mode, which I haven’t done in quite a while. It was a long time coming…and now I get it. I get what Penny feels. I get the lecture Anne gave me the last time we spoke – about making a commitment to painting because that is who you are. A painter. An artist. Much of what I told her about who and what I wanted to be seems inauthentic now.

20170326_114720 — Angel, 24″ x 30″, 1998, mixed-media, $200

Nobody knows the real me. Some of you know some of my secrets – but not all of them. It is strange to re-visit these paintings because I know what they are about, what they are still about and seeing them now as my future self, it is like I already knew the journey. I’m still on it, but, OMG, I am so much closer, if that makes any sense at all. It doesn’t have to. I know what I am talking about, lol, and so, I feel a profound sense of love for my old self. It’s weird and exhilarating, and just overwhelmingly emotional. I finally know where I am going and, of course, now that I know that, I can finally just enjoy the inspired action I will take to get there.

20170326_123321 — Me & Bob R., 24″ x 30″, 1998, mixed-media, $200

I added varnish to these paintings and chalkboard paint to the borders. Some were tweaked with twine knots and other mixed-media, a visual language insert to augment the journey, so to speak. These improvements are like the bridge that hurdles the gap between who I was and who I am now. Maybe I am not much different to the naked eye, but to me I’m vastly better, new and improved in mind and spirit. I am exposed and yet, still within the confines of my dreams where reality is soooo amazing. I love life as an artist. There’s truly no better way to live.

20170326_113050 — Flag, 24″ x 30″, 1998, mixed-media, $200

The series – did it have a name before? Because I don’t remember it. Regardless, I’m calling it Honor Thy Master. The original concept was the idea of the mandala as the first mark-making a human being creates. The circle and cross or X iconography on a white field is juxtaposed with torn postcards/notecards of artwork by Modigliani, Johns, Rauschenberg, Van Gogh, Michaelangelo…. I am honoring those master artists by adding their work to mine in combination with authentic mark-making. The addition of the chalkboard element, as always, is for the purpose of a third artist – the future owner of the work. My chalk marks will eventually erase and so, that person could add or subtract marks to the border with chalk themselves. In this way, we all join hands and make art together.

20170326_125344 — Footprint, 24″ x 30″, 1998, mixed-media, $200

I am so proud of the way it all connects. The twine is the rope that binds us in both love and angst; we are free to choose. It is powerful and yet so simple, so perfectly cast that it gives me such a thrill to put these puzzle pieces together – like, literally…really!?! So much joy in the perfection of it.

20170326_113458 — Blood, 24″ x 30″, 1998, mixed-media, $200

I will install the show next weekend. There will be a reception on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 6:00pm at Dolce Vita World Bistro. A unique dining experience! Antonietta Vigliotti has prepared a special menu for the evening. I will create a public Facebook event page for it and invite all of my friends and acquaintences, and they will be able to invite friends too – the more the merrier, although it is not a huge space. I think the dining room serves up to forty people at a time. Reservations are in order for the dinner, but you can come and hang out at the bar too! It will be amazing to see everyone! I can’t wait! <3

Dolce Vita World Bistro is located at 907 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, New York (13210). You can either call for reservations (315) 475-4700 or fill out the form on their web-site.

20170326_124643 — Landscape, 24″ x 30″, 1998, mixed-media, $200

20170326_121503 — Dream, 24″ x 30″, 1998, mixed-media, $200

art, art exhibition, art for sale, encaustic, Karen Tashkovski, mixed media

Waterbear

Image April 1, 2016 Karen Tashkovski 4 Comments

Davana Robedee just starts drawing. She is inspired by natural forms – strands of hair, the motion of ocean waves…. The drawings take on a life of their own. They become otherworldly, as though they are life-forms that can withstand space and time, much like the water bear, a microscopic species that can do just that!

I went to the opening reception for The Millennia of the Waterbear last night at Apostrophe’s Art Gallery, 1100 Oak Street, Syracuse, New York. Proprietors Holly Wilson and Allison Kirsch opened the venue to establish exhibition opportunities for college students and emerging artists. They have currently booked art exhibits through this summer.

The gallery is open Wednesdays 2:00-4:00 pm, Thursdays noon-2:00 pm, and by appointment – call (614) 209-7503 to schedule your visit! This show ends on April 10, 2016.

Davana is a recent graduate of Syracuse University. She was my Encaustic professor at SU when I took the course in 2012. Her work with the medium is superb. At the gallery, she is displaying several functional lamps made of wire and wax. LED light does not heat up and so the union is a successful one! These lights looked more impressive as the sun went down. They are soooo beautiful. More so in person. You must experience them!

In addition, she has created a giant sculpture using plastic sheeting, as well as large panels of wax on plastic. These pieces contain the same lyrical line quality as her drawings but with the addition of the textural surface. Everything begs to be touched. I found myself reaching out even though I know how fragile wax is (it needs, like, a thousand years to gain strength, unless there is enough damar resin in the mix). The whole show has a brilliant cohesiveness.

Davana is the real deal. I love listening to her speak about her work. There is a clear vision to her visual thoughts. She really illuminates just like her sculptures – she reveals an extraordinary depth of character. The narrative provides understanding in a way that transcends the simple materials and abstraction. I am really in awe of what she has accomplished here.

Davana has another show scheduled for October 2016 in Old Forge, New York. She starts creating new pieces soon including some wax items that will melt before our eyes. Can’t wait to see where her mind takes us. Wherever it is – I am loving the journey!

art, art education, art exhibition, art for sale, Karen Tashkovski, mixed media, painting, sculpture

Pizza & Art

Image December 27, 2015 Karen Tashkovski 6 Comments

I’m not much of a drinker – I have a glass of wine socially, maybe, like, once a month (if that). I don’t really love the way it tastes and it gives me a headache afterwards so it’s not my “cup of tea”. And for that matter, alcohol in general.

I don’t eat bread or cheese. I don’t like spicy foods or garlic…. For these obvious reasons and probably others of which I am not yet fully aware, I rarely date Italian men for very long periods of time, lol. No wine, pasta, or pizza…no ice cream either. Am just not an Italian foodie, or foodie in general.

So what was I doing at a pizza-themed art show last night?

Yeah – there was a pop-up art exhibition last night at Spark gallery on Fayette Street in Syracuse, New York. Called The Passion of the Crust.

A tenner got me in to see pizza paintings and sculptures.

Many were painted on these pizza paddles. I loved the concept! It reminded me of a Project Runway fashion design challenge, only with artwork.

This would be a great art lesson for my Studio in Art students (or at least a sketchbook homework assignment)!

Some of the interpretations were kind of macabre…

And some quite literal.

Because it had been planned for the day after Christmas, many used religion to get their pizza messages across…

It really was a great concept. Dozens of artists sharing work on the walls in the gallery space. Music and pizza slices available in the back room.

A lot of the pieces had sold tickets on them, which was great, but unfortunately, there was no literature available as to making future purchases. I guess that is the very nature of a one-night only event. It’s kind of like a happening of sorts and I commend these artists on making this event happen. Syracuse has some really cool artsy people and part of what I am attempting to do with this blog is to make everyone aware of that. To bring the art scene to the public in a way that the regular Joe can understand it, like it, buy it, live with it, love it, etc.

The only person I knew there was Steve Nyland (above with the blue hair). He is an artist and art curator who lives and works in Syracuse and in Utica, New York. He said that many of these artists were from the Utica area.

Steve is curating a Star Wars and Star Trek art-themed show at the Syracuse Tech Garden next month! (Perfect timing, don’t you think?)

I really hope they decide to take this show on the road – like, get it seen in other venues, maybe a pizza shoppe or two. Get it resurrected? Call it The Dough Also Rises. Tastes like a plan….

art exhibition, Karen Tashkovski

Pop Up

Image August 26, 2015 Karen Tashkovski Leave a comment

A lot happened last Thursday evening. The third Thursday of the month has become synonymous with art receptions here in Syracuse, NY. And of course, there are all sorts of social things going on including some that suddenly popped up.

Sandwiched in between my art reception at The Syracuse Tech Garden and the vigil, and subsequent wind down at Delphia’s in Chittenango for my dear friend Lynn Kurz (where I met her beautiful family for the first time), was a pop up art show at the Point of Contact Gallery in Syracuse, NY.

It was a juried show filled with some of the most incredible art by local artists! My friends Angela Arrey-Wastavino and Davana Robedee showcased their work, as well as several others – some work I’d never seen displayed locally before. Really brilliant stuff!

There was a silent auction for a series of 8″ x 8″ pieces made by the exhibitors. I won this piece by Dana Bonn called Neon! I love it because of the numbers on it – love text/numbers in art anyhow but this is 768. Seven is just a lucky number and six-eight is my birthday (June 8th) so that is really cool!

The show is already down, I’m sorry to report. It was literally there and gone in like two days. Such a shame, but I am so glad I got a chance to witness it. Art in Syracuse is nothing to be afraid of – I mean, for those of you non-artists who think the scene is some dark underworld type thing. It is welcoming. I feel that part of my job as an artist and art blogger is to introduce you to these events. While this one may be over, another will surely suddenly pop up again in the future!

art exhibition, art for sale, Karen Tashkovski, watercolor

The Art of Craft

Image July 26, 2015 Karen Tashkovski 2 Comments

The above is my favorite picture taken at Craft & Craft at the Everson Museum of Art. Taken by my friend Doug from that perch/Juliet balcony of the third gallery upstairs.

It was such a great experience selling artwork at the Everson! My set up was right in front of the spiral staircase.

The amazing architect I.M. Pei designed the building. He also designed the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame –

and the glass pyramid entrance to The Louvre.

It was a beautiful day on Thursday and one that I will never forget. I have always dreamed about doing something like this and so, it was a dream come true. Loved every minute of it!

Thank you to all who attended including my Facebook friends, besties and loved ones. I’m also so grateful to the staff of the Everson who helped me with the set up. Everything was so well organized and it was so much fun.

And a special thank you goes out to my mother who came with me (we got there at 3 pm) and was my greatest supporter! I didn’t get her home until 8:30ish so it was a long day. She is a jewelry designer and had a few baubles for sale as well.

This event was meant as a kick off to the Downtown Syracuse Arts & Crafts Festival.

The Arts & Crafts Festival continues today until 6 pm, so if you are a local, please get down there and support the arts. So many talented people to discover!

art exhibition, art for sale, cats, fashion, Karen Tashkovski, watercolor

Crafty

Image July 21, 2015 Karen Tashkovski Leave a comment

Pumped, 16" x 12", watercolor, 2002, $95 — Pumped, 16″ x 12″, watercolor, 2002, $95

So far, my entire summer has been a giant ball of butterflies in my stomach. I’m happy – all the time, and excited about all the great things that are happening. That WILL happen.

My little sister is a yoga instructor/interior designer/flea market furniture refinisher/furniture designer/a lot of other things! She let me borrow a bunch of items to use to enhance my display at the Craft & Craft function at the Everson Museum of Art, 401 Harrison St. Syracuse, New York 13202 this Thursday from 5 – 9 pm.

This is what it looks like now all tossed into the trunk of my car. Hopefully I will create a cute set up that matches my modern, vibrant watercolors with these brass vintage bamboo-patterned fixtures.

Dark Magic, 18" x 24", watercolor, 2002, $200 — Dark Magic, 18″ x 24″, watercolor, 2002, $200

I just found out that I will be inside, rain or shine, in the Sculpture Court (main floor), so that is great news. It’s just one table of unframed paintings in all different sizes and it will be a BOGO sale, meaning you will get two for the price of one but no half price onsies. You will have to buy two. And see? It’s a win-win. You get two, and I have to say that my watercolors do look best in multiples, or you can give one as a gift! I get to go home with less artwork, which is the goal.

Blue Star, 10" x 7", 2002 — Blue Star, 10″ x 7″, 2002

Yes, making money from sales is an obvious goal but the one that really tickles me is the idea that people will enjoy my artwork. That it will have a home where it will be loved, cherished, what have you, for many years to come.

Blue Mandala, 18" x 24", watercolor, 2001, $200 — Blue Mandala, 18″ x 24″, watercolor, 2001, $200

I’m not sure if I told you about my cat situation, but my two knuckleheads had a falling out. A couple months ago, Georgie got a plastic bag caught around his waist and was running around the house screaming up a storm. He looked like a bull with a rodeo cowboy riding him as he tried in vain to buck off the bag. Naturally, Pablo was chasing him up and down the stairs and throughout every room until I caught up with Georgie and helped him out.

This was approximately less than five minutes of our lives but it took its toll on the siblings’ relationship because after that Pablo wanted to attack Georgie.

It got pretty awful. For three weeks, I was living like the Sister Wives with my pets. One spent twenty four hours living in the kitchen and back porch while the other had the rest of the house and a spot in my bed, and then the reverse. I tried to give them equal time but whenever Georgie was in the kitchen, he managed to bust in using his giant thumb paws – and then the fur went flying. Very stressful!

I tried these $35 calming collars, but Georgie just ate his. Finally, I brought Georgie to live with my sister and they ended up falling in love with each other. I visit him and it really is all good. Georgie just has a new home where he is equally loved, cherished, what have you for many, many years to come!

Just me and Pablo here now. So I am no longer a stereotype! And to add to my sister’s list of attributes, great cat mommy is at the top of the list.

Hope to see you on Thursday, July 23, 2015 at Craft & Craft! $10 for members, $15 non members. There will be food and drink and art – bring money!

And P.S.: for those of you who miss my outfits of the day on Instagram – I will be wearing a new BCBG Max Azria dress at the event. Can’t wait!

art exhibition, Karen Tashkovski

Everything is Golden

Image June 7, 2015 Karen Tashkovski 2 Comments

There’s really nothing I like better than a solo exhibition. It’s a chance to see an artist’s body of work and learn their point of view. It’s an opportunity to understand the visual and maybe connect with it and the artist in an emotional way.

Susan Roth is exhibiting abstract work in three of the four main galleries at the Everson Museum of Art. She works with Golden Artist acrylics and has a personal relationship with the company. She’s suggested products based on her needs, as written in one of the artist statements on the walls of the show.

I think these blurbs help the average Joe non-artist/non-patron understand how important her work is. That she spent a lifetime experimenting with materials to the point that she designed some as well. It’s just beyond cool.

There are paintings and sculptures and combinations of these. Unusually shaped canvases that make you want to reach out and touch them.

Are they hard and crumbly like pumice stone or smushy plastic a la Silly Putty? They really draw you into Roth’s universe and the more you look, the more you want to remain transfixed. Each piece dedicates itself to the next and you witness a visual life. Not sure if I would get the same response if I only viewed one of her pieces, but they are just incredible all together in this space.

I was at the member’s art reception on Friday night. The show, sponsored by Pathfinder Bank is titled Handmade: The Art of Susan Roth, and runs through August 30, 2015. The Everson Museum of Art is located at 401 Harrison Street, Syracuse, NY. Go to http://www.everson.org for more information.

On Saturday, I attended an art reception at Wine 105 – Art & Wine Pairing: the Not So Still Lifes. I was there before for the Diana Godfrey show. This time Mark Raush is exhibiting his large scale flower still-lifes.

They are also acrylic paintings, filled with gestural lines of vibrant color and texture! I think Raush’s work is the kind people want in their homes – a statement piece the average Joe can understand.

They are artsy-familiar, if that makes sense. I wish I could do a trade with him. art for art, but these pieces command thousands. They are in the $7,000-$8,000 range (they take Visa and Mastercard), while I am currently selling paintings at around $200-ish.

Anne Novado curated the exhibit. She also coordinates shows for Gallery 4040 (4040 New Court Ave, Syracuse, NY), which has another opening this Friday night. Mark Raush has more to show us there, as well as Arlene Abend, Katya Bratslavsky, and Walter Melnikow. Wine 105 is at the corner of Hawley and Green Street (and Catherine Street) in Syracuse.

	Karen Tashkovski on Teacher Appreciation
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