Futura comes down on Saturday, November 11, 2017 (11/11). You can still see the show and buy the work in a cash and carry. Paintings are $111 each. Eye Studio is located at 712 W. Manlius, East Syracuse, NY. They are not open today – hours are 11:00 am – 7:00 pm Monday – Saturday.
Here are the pictures from the closing reception last Friday night. I am so grateful to Ilene Layow for offering me this wonderful space and throwing such an awesome party complete with music by Jerry Cali, and that gratitude is extended to all of my friends, patrons and family who came to support my art career. Great time! <3 <3 <3
Trina Turk dress, Michelle DaRin jewelry bracelets, BCBGMaxAzria sandals
Futura, my exhibit of twenty-four encaustic angel paintings, is on exhibit in the gallery space at Eye Studio, 712-14 West Manlius Street, East Syracuse, New York (13057). They are open Monday through Saturday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm. There will be a closing reception on Friday, October 27, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm with free food and drink (wine!) Musical guest will be Jerry Cali.
Please come if you can. The goal is to sell all of the angels by the end of the party. Patrons can leave with their purchase, which is why I like the idea of a closing reception rather than an opening. They are priced at $111.
FUTURA angel encaustic paintings by Karen Tashkovski
Futura is the brainchild of my inner being, a series of twenty-four 8” x 10” encaustic angel paintings. They depict the pure, positive energy of the present moment while reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future.
They are meant to be whimsical creatures supporting me and those who view them with love, kindness and appreciation. Encaustic is heated beeswax infused with oil paint. Each brushstroke is a deliberate creation, a quick and conscious decision on my part to honor a distinct moment in time.
I am fasciated by a found object’s abundant meaning, and so I use keys, horseshoes, sea glass and ribbons to add dimension to these paintings – another source of love and luck that is a talisman to me as the artist that will, hopefully, resonate with the viewer and subsequent owner of the piece.
I had the title of the exhibition in mind for several years before embarking on this collection. It was as if these images revealed themselves when they were ready to do so, and I was just the facilitator of the experience, like a fixed point in the future that I could not see until it became evident that I was finally ready and then that future became the now. I am delighted to finally share this new series of paintings with you – an audience of art aficionados, family, friends, artists and art students of all ages.
I stopped by my art exhibit at Eye Studio today to switch out a tag. So amazing to see my work up on the walls of this new gallery space! I will post pictures soon.
Today I am sharing another encaustic exhibition and sale – I performed the switcherooney at Kimberly’s Salon and Spa in Eastwood. I took down the watercolor exhibit and replaced those paintings with hearts.
It is soooo exciting to see my encaustic heart paintings on these walls instead of cluttering up my dining room table the way they were all summer, lol. They look like they were meant for this space, perfectly matching the walls of the waiting room and the stone of the fireplace!
Eleven 6″ x 8″ paintings are available for sale in a cash and carry fashion. They are priced at $75.
Proprietor Kim MacMillan is planning a series of events for breast cancer awareness next month. There will be specials on services including mani/pedis! Call (315) 463 – 2725 for more information or to schedule an appointment, and/or visit the salon – walk-ins welcome!!! – at 2520 James Street, Syracuse, New York 13206.
Eye Studio is in a brand new location! It is around the corner from me at 712 W. Manlius Street in East Syracuse, New York (13057). The space is welcoming with a gift shop in front, office space, a kitchen for culinary classes and an immense studio space for creating art where wine and paint nights for adults take place, as well as ceramics classes, glass fusing and other art courses for all.
In addition, there is gallery space. Proprietor Ilene Layow is currently exhibiting her Green Lakes series of drawings, paintings, and glass works. Yesterday she offered me a show for next month! I will display Futura, my series of twenty-four angel encaustics.
Yes!!!! They have found a temporary home from their current location on my dining room table. I am beyond excited right now! The space is really a perfect location for this artwork. A match made in heaven!
We have scheduled a closing reception for Friday, October 27, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 pm. There will be wine and food, and a musical guest to be announced. Save the date. It would be just over-the-top amazing to see you all there. I am so grateful for all of the support I have received throughout the years. You are such amazing friends!
The great thing about a closing reception is the cash and carry aspect. You can buy the art and take it right off the wall and home with you immediately. The show goes up on October 2nd and will be available to view during normal business hours and by appointment. Contact Ilene at iteachart.twcny.rr.com or call (315) 345-4576 for that information. The hours of operation are changing for the fall season. They will be up on their website soon.
I am quite certain you will fall in love with this place then receive the impulse to take art classes. Art is the absolute best medicine for a happier you. <3
Karen Tashkovski, Blood & Sweat, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
Last month I created these baseball paintings. I finally got around to mounting them onto the chalkboard painted masonite today.
Karen Tashkovski, Vintage, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48Karen Tashkovski, Mint, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
They are very experimental. I did not set out to do a baseball theme – in fact, I bought the hardboards with the intent to do more horseshoes paintings. So, these just happened. They kind of came out of nowhere.
Karen Tashkovski, Golden Strike, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48Karen Tashkovski, Spin, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ masonite, &48
I love the texture of encaustic. The smooth areas juxtaposed with thick globby drips, the creamy wax and the gorgeous smell… It is an intoxicating medium. I added paper money to these, both real and imaginary. I also had this wonderful feather-infused rice paper that I loved incorporating. So cool!
Karen Tashkovski, Axis, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48Karen Tashkovski, Dusted, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
No plans yet regarding what to do with them. I guess find a place to store them until an opportunity presents itself. The serendipitous approach.
Karen Tashkovski, Cherry Bomb, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48Karen Tashkovski, Fly, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48Karen Tashkovski, Prime, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48Karen Tashkovski, Patina, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48Karen Tashkovski, Quicky, 2017, encaustic, 5″ x 7″ on masonite mounted on 9″ x 12″ chalkboard, $48
Last night Kim and I attended an art reception for local artist Jon Goode. He said his girlfriend surprised him with the show, titled Decades. She had unearthed some of his earlier works (in attic storage) and paired them with ones he has on display in his bookshop near my friend Kim’s hair salon down the road from me in Eastwood.
The result was this inspiring show of colorful mixed-media pieces of various sizes. There was an amazing food spread, a fully stocked bar complete with homemade wine labelled specifically for the show (!!!) and a DJ spinning vinyl.
The last time I had visited Apostrophe’s on Oak Street in Syracuse, New York, it was for Davana Robedee’s exhibit. Now that it is spring, the gallery is very bright in the evening in comparison to Davana’s opening and so, it was a very different vibe. Curator Holly Wilson had originally planned the space to be a showcase for Syracuse University student artists looking for a venue to begin their careers. She is now expanding to include the local Syracuse scene. Artists, like Jon, like me, who can rent the space for one to three week shows for a one-man gig or group showing.
It is a wonderful space and I may take her up on the offer. There is availabilitity this summer. If you are interested, contact Holly at yourfriendholly@gmail.com.
Jon’s show runs through next week. Hours of operation are limited, but I believe you can get a private viewing by contacting Holly’s email or galleryapostropheS@gmail.com.
Karen Tashkovski, Chance, 2017, encaustic, 8″ x 10″ on masonite mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard, $95Karen Tashkovski, Stepping Stone, 2017, encaustic, 8″ x 10″ on masonite mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard, $95Karen Tashkovski, Super, 2017, encaustic, 8″ x 10″ on masonite mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard, $95
Here are the pictures of my first dozen horseshoe paintings. They are 8″ x 10″ encaustics on masonite. I mounted them onto 11″ x 14″ chalkboard painted masonite, but cropped that part out to concentrate on the detail.
Karen Tashkovski, Hundreds, 2017, encaustic, 8″ x 10″ on masonite mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard, $95Karen Tashkovski, Premiere, 2017, encaustic, 8″ x 10″ on masonite mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard, $95
They will be for sale at Syracuse Yoga next month. The horseshoe is a theme at the studio. It is part of Sophie Tashkovski’s logo for the business. Luck is sort of infused into the positive energy I felt while creating them. And if like attracts like, then I am certain the new owners of these paintings will have their shazaam moments with these gems. They will feel the power of the spirit in which the art was created.
Karen Tashkovski, Play, 2017, encaustic, 8″ x 10″ on masonite mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard, $95Karen Tashkovski, Opportunity Knocks, 2017, encaustic, 8″ x 10″ on masonite mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard, $95
I am soooo excited to share these with you. I had friends over while painting them, which is so unlike my former hermit-ey self who needed to create in secret in order to manifest a wow moment. I now love the feeling of camaraderie while in artist mode – the amazing vibe I got from my friends encouraging me to forge the path and complete the task of making art again. Art with a purpose this time and that felt supremely good.
Karen Tashkovski, Lady Luck, 2017, encaustic, 8″ x 10″ on masonite mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard, $95Karen Tashkovski, Half a Mil, 2017, encaustic, 8″ x 10″ on masonite on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard, $95
Pictures really do not do them justice. You must experience encaustics in person. So much beauty in the texture. It has this quick momentum to it that justifies gesture. The drips, the rawness of the terrain from smooth to rough and back again. It speaks volumes. I remember the first time I experienced a Jasper Johns painting at the MOMA. It was love at first sight.
Karen Tashkovski, Genius, 2017, encaustic, 8″ x 10″ on masonite mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard, $95Karen Tashkovski, Gusto, 2017, encaustic, 8″ x 10″ on masonite mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard, $95
I did not learn how to do it until 2012 when I took a grad course at Syracuse University via hosting a student teacher at work. As I was learning, I struggled with the concept that I was/am a professional artist creating work for a class – did that make the work student grade, as I was learning or was I intuitively just good at encaustics?
Karen Tashkovski, Bananas, 2017, encaustic, 8″ x 10″ on masonite mounted on 11″ x 14″ chalkboard, $95
I know the answer. We are always learning and growing as artists. I now have pure confidence in myself and in my ability to dismiss that silly query. I am in love with this body of work and that is not just good enough, it is everything. It is about my hand making choices that resonate with the energy of the moment; it is the look, feel/touch and the smell of it all. The fragrance of beeswax lingers in my house. I just love it all. It is, like, in a word, glorious. It just fits. <3
The art reception for Honor Thy Master at Dolce Vita World Bistro was last night. This was the perfect opportunity to break in my blue BCBG Max Azria dress. I bought it a year ago to wear to a wedding in Florida. I decided to wear something else that day instead – you must know me by now to know that I had three possibilities at the ready (I went with the Jill JIll Stuart black jersey gown). In addition to the never worn dress, my new BR cardigan was freshly delivered from www.bananarepublic.com, and so, coupled with sandals and gold hoop earrings, I was ready to be ready to have a great time at my party.
It was magnificent! I am soooooo grateful to have support from wonderful friends and family. We filled the restaurant. It was an incredible thing – surreal might be a better word – to see people from work, fellow artists, students, my parents and my besties all dining together, all coming together to view my art and to enjoy a three-course meal, which included some amazing cheesecakes for dessert – OMG!
I didn’t actually eat – I table-hopped, chatted and laughed, and took all of these fun pics! It was definitely one of the best art parties I have ever had, really and truly. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you for coming and sharing your Tuesday evening with me. <3
This was a successful experiment. Magical, more like. Bringing people together and offering them a special menu created for the event. Making an art show more of a happening in a way that benefits the venue and its patrons, as well as the artist. There was actually interest in my work – potential sales. Yes! My dream of finding homes for these paintings is coming true.
So it was and is a win-win. I loved sharing my art message with those who asked. It is a funny thing to verbalize one’s visual language. Mine is a personal vision and it requires a certain amount of vulnerability for me to do so. As I reflect on this series of paintings, its meaning has shifted. It happened gradually at first, with the changes I made two weeks ago and now I discover something new every time I look at them, as if they are still in flux, changing and growing emotionally as I am. It’s almost as if I can feel myself moving even while sitting here writing this. I can feel the momentum of the planet and it is like when you watch those films that fast forward the life-cycle of a tulip in bloom. Evolving exponentially.
I heard that an artist’s energy resides in their work and people of like energy are the ones who are attracted to it. Therefore, an artist in despair will find their patron in someone of a similar disposition. My paintings speak of the need to seek solace in love, and are in the spirit of taking that leap of faith in order to find it.
That used to feel sad to me, but it doesn’t anymore. There is no fear of despair in that journey. Only a sense that the best is yet to come.
Last night was very special. I will treasure that feeling of friendship and camaraderie for a very long time.
Honor Thy Master will remain on display until the end of April 2017.
So, here’s something crazy weird and great – I will be exhibiting artwork in three locations during the month of April 2017. Showing watercolors – the ones with the baseball themed titles – at the Half Moon Bakery and Bistro in Jamesville, New York. No date as of yet for the reception, but I am hoping they will do a baseball cake or cupcakes for it. That will be fun for spring, right?
I’m installing an exhibit at Dolce Vita World Bistro in Syracuse, New York on April 2, 2017. It would be nice to keep them up longer than a month, but no deets on this yet. I would love to have a gathering one evening, maybe fill the dining room with friends and have music too, but I haven’t planned that far ahead. Art shows are a great excuse for a party! I will either exhibit the encaustic crown series from 2012 or something more retro – oil & collage paintings from 1998. I don’t remember what I called this series. I made them in the 2nd bedroom of my apartment on Woodbine Ave. during winter break that year. Does anyone remember anything pre-new millennium?
Crowning Glory, 18″ x 15″, 2012, encaustic, $125Karen Tashkovski, Life. Liberty. Happiness., 1997, oil & collage, $675
And finally, my 1997 oil & collage series of paintings Messages (From the Other Voice) isup in the Chittenango Middle School library, Chittenango, New York, for the next two months!
So happy to be able to share my artwork in public spaces (you know, to captive audiences). New work is actually coming soon. My sister is opening a yoga studio around the corner from my house. I will be making encaustic paintings to exhibit and sell there. I’m going to be turning my kitchen into an art studio during spring break next month to get those (horseshoe paintings and maybe hearts too) ready for Syracuse Yoga’s opening in May 2017.
Visiting Novado Gallery for the first time was like entering a magical place akin to Oz for Dorothy or the Wonka factory for Charlie in that I had been privy to the adventure of it long before the opening in December 2016. Anne Novado relocated to Jersey City, New Jersey from Syracuse, New York a year ago with a plan to open the gallery at 110 Morgan Street in the Modera Loft building within three months. That plan took additional time due to paperwork and construction. I had visited Anne twice before in that time; the last time I could only peer in the window to see this vast space (3,000 square feet) and imagine what it might look like filled with art.
And…so, on Sunday evening, I got to experience the full fruition of a dream. A beautifully artful space organized by Anne’s keen eye and aesthetic to deliver the Jersey citizens and surrounding area cool people (including NYC, only a hop, skip and train ride away) with many wonderful options of artwork to buy, enjoy and collect. It is a magnificent space filled with a lot to love!
She and business partner Steve Pearlman plan to have monthly exhibitions, as well as a stable of artists’ and artisans’ work displayed throughout. The current show is called Identity and features work by Lacey McKinney, Carrie Will, David Samuel Stern, Brandy Kraft and Alyssa McClenaghan.
The original opening was snowed out due to a bizarrely timed blizzard. It has been rescheduled for Friday, March 3, 2017 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will include food, drink, entertainment and a ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Fulop in attendance!
A portion of the proceeds from sales of the artwork will be donated to Women Rising, Inc. of Jersey City. Identity runs through March 9, 2017. The next exhibit, tentatively titled The Power Show, will feature Jim Ridlon, Dusty Herbig, Brian Gustafson, Rainer Maria Wehner and Maurizio Zuluaga.
Anne is also a working artist. If she is not drawing or painting, she spends her off-time away from the gallery doing studio visits. If you are a local artist looking for gallery representation or interested in more information about the gallery, you can contact her at (201) 744-6713.
Current gallery hours are Wednesday and Friday 11:00am-6:30pm, Thursday 11:00am-8:00pm, Saturday noon-5:00pm and Sunday noon-6:00pm and by appointment. The gallery specializes in industrial and live-edge furniture and contemporary functional and decorative ceramics, as well as mixed-media fine art. For more about the gallery visit www.novadogallery.com <3
