Chroma Studios

Open Studios Art Opening!

manlewis — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:20:31 +0000

Love Consciousness, 20 x 20" oil on linen

It’s time for a celebration here at Chroma Studios! Friday, November 11th and Saturday the 12th from 5-8pm both nights. The art show features Chroma owner, Paula Manning-Lewis and her son, Bryan Beck. It will also be an open studio event with several of the Chroma Studio artists opening their studio doors to give you a peak at where they work and play! Please join us for some awesome art, great company and refreshments! This event is happening at our Central location, 1606 Central Ave SE, suite 201. If you haven’t been there before, we are upstairs from the Matteo’s restaurant, on the south side of Central, 1 1/2 blocks west of University. There is parking on both sides of the building. Hope to see you there!

Pencil drawing by Bryan Beck

“Messages”; Art Opening, Friday, May 13th, 5 – 8pm

manlewis — Tue, 03 May 2011 23:43:35 +0000

Though Chroma Gallery closed back in January 2011, our studios are still going strong! Next Friday, May 13th, 5 – 8 pm, we will have a special art opening at the original Chroma, 1606 Central Ave. SE location. Victoria is one of our studio artists and has been with Chroma for over a year. Recently accepted into the UNM graduate program, Victoria’s solo show will feature several of the paintings and prints she created in the past year while working towards her BFA. This show is in celebration of her graduation on May 14th. The show will be open for only one week after the opening, so if you cannot make it to the opening reception, you will be able to stop in to see the show May 17 – 20th from 10 – 4pm. Hope to see you there!

Going Strong at Three Years old!

manlewis — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:43:12 +0000

Today marks the third anniversary of Chroma Studios! April 1, 2008 we opened the doors as an art studio space. We had 10 studios in our original location at 1606 Central Ave SE, suite 201. Since then, we have gone through several changes. We grew into a large 12,000 square foot space and then downsized to a more manageable 6,000. After a two year gallery run, we are back to being just studio space again. Only now, we have two locations. The original Central location has 11 studios populated with painters, photographers, a web designer, a sculptor and a writer. The downtown location has 17 studios and is quickly becoming our band/musician location with a few artists mixed in for fun!

We have enjoyed the ride and would like to thank Albuquerque for help in making Chroma Studios a success!

Three Studios Available NOW!

manlewis — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:00:46 +0000

We currently have 3 studio spaces available! One studio at our Central location with a window that is perfect for a visual artist, and 2 studios are at our downtown location that would be the perfect practice studio for a small band or an artist who doesn’t need natural light.

More Information

Artist of the Week: Mickey Bond

manlewis — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:58:10 +0000

Mickey’s Bio:

My paintings reflect my daily response to nature’s beauty, her dynamic forces and the mystery of creation. I work in two styles: abstract landscape paintings and mixed media abstracts. Though both derive from the same plein air experience, the landscapes evoke a sense of place and mood whereas the abstracts explore an essential aspect of nature such as the sea, sky and land.

My mixed media abstract series “Bottom of An Ancient Sea,” suggests sea life as it might have existed in a mythic, primordial state, when New Mexico was underwater perhaps. I’ve imagined a place of glittering light and motion where life forms are inchoate and elusive. I know that my imagery was deeply influenced by a swim last summer over coral encrusted rocks in Hawaii, where a sea turtle led the way. I’ve layered translucent handmade paper from Thailand and Japan featuring banana, mango and unryu (mulberry) fibers with casein, acrylic paint and acrylic mediums, to form diaphanous layers and passages where forms float and seem to sway.

An abstract expressionist, I prize mark making highly and allow my compositions to grow out of direct contact with my painting media. I do use brushes but mainly non-traditional such as scrapers, cloths, sponges, knives and primarily my hands. Painting outdoors, I think of nature as my collaborator deeply affecting me and the mediums I use, sometimes with surprising results. Last winter, I discovered by accident how to make ice crystal prints on the surface of clayboards. A technique known to watercolorists but new to me, learning how to capture these delicate patterns felt like a secret bestowed by nature. My current plein air series “Trees Listening for Winter” explores the use of translucent colored crystal prints as underpainting.

I was born in Israel to parents from Poland & Bulgaria and later raised in west suburban Boston. After attending Colgate University as an undergraduate , I spent some years in Ann Arbor where I received my MA in American Literature from the University of Michigan. I have lived in Santa Fe since 1994. In New Mexico, I am represented by Matrix Arts Santa Fe located at 429 Sandoval & Chroma Studios Gallery 600 1^st Street NW, Albuquerque. You may also see my work in Arizona at Straw House Gallery (520-869-8626), located in the historic Amado Territory Ranch, 3001 E. Frontage Road, Amado.

See more of Mickey’s work at www.mickeybond.com

Artist of the Week: Justin Thor Simenson

manlewis — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 15:53:49 +0000

JUSTIN’S BIO:

I have always been drawn to photos. The idea that you an capture a moment in time that will never happen again has inspired me to become a photographer.

I used a Nikon Coolpix 4300 for two and a half years. I was pretty happy with it for its convenience, but wanted more. I currently use a Canon Digital Rebel XT. I am really happy with this camera. I have 4 lenses a Canon 15-55mm, Canon 75-300mm, Cannon 50mm 1.8, and a Lensbaby 2.0. I also have a Canon AE-1 film camera with several lenses included a 50mm and 75-200mm.

My goal as a photographer is to share the beauty of the places I have been with others. I print my photography on a customer by customer basis. This is to insure that each customer receives exactly what fits their own personality and budget. I also like to get to know each person that has one of my photographs.

See more of Justin’s amazing photography at www.iminphotos.com

Framing sale!

manlewis — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:48:27 +0000

Through December 18th Chroma Studios is having a custom framing sale! 25% off our already low prices! We are open Saturdays noon-6pm or by appointment, Wed. – Fri. Give us a call or come by and see us! (We will be closed November 27th)

November First Friday: November 5, 2010, 6-10 pm

manlewis — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 22:50:15 +0000

This month we are having a silent auction for charity. Unlike many silent auctions that focus on one charity, this auction will benefit several charities. Those placing the winning bid on a piece will choose the charity for the proceeds on that particular piece. 50% of the sales will go to charity and 50% will go back …to the artists. There are many local charities doing great work right here in Albuquerque. Just a few to mention are the Roadrunner Food Bank, the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, the Wilderness Project, and Roberta’s Place.

The November First Friday Show will also be the beginning of our annual Holiday Art Sale. This show is always festive and fun with lots of fine art to choose from. Most of the pieces will be priced $250 and under! The holiday show will run through December 18th. In addition, please be sure to visit our friends upstairs at Better Body & Beyond. Visit the link to find more information on their grand opening.

Artist of the Week: Brendan Gould

manlewis — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 15:26:51 +0000

Brendan’s Bio:

Being whimsical is not just for children. I’ve explored thoughts that illustrate the strength of the meek, the backbone and the muse of the confident. I do this to celebrate the support of my wife and others who possess a quiet strength. My art attempts to illustrate a complicated adult whimsical world.

In this world there are many layers overlapping and affecting one another. In the process, I resort to deduction and decaying methods of paint handling in combination with translucent shadowy layers. I also try to create a visual representation of my favorite music and the constant rhythm that resides in me.

I graduated with a BA in Fine Arts from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa in 2002. I moved to New Mexico with my wife in 2006. Albuquerque has become my home. This land enchanted me from the first time I stepped off of the train coming from the mid west back in 2005.

Maxfield Parish, Rembrandt and Leslie Bell have influenced my work greatly. To the muses of our time, thank you.

Brendan’s Chroma Connection:

Brendan first came to Chroma in search of a studio space and has been a good friend ever since. He has the spirit of a child with the sense of humor to match. He always makes us laugh and his paintings inspire me to become a better artist. Brendan was a featured artist in the gallery in September 2009 with his show “A Little Support”. He also teaches a children’s art class here on Sunday afternoons.

Artist of the Week: Cari Pier

manlewis — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:47:09 +0000

Bio:

Da Vinci said, “Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art.” I know this to be true and am made aware of it with each piece I create. I always have an idea that begins in my mind’s eye, but the paint always emerges and evolves on the canvas with ideas of its own. My art is a collaboration. It is a gift from the great mystery, the source of which I feel closest to when I paint. I am consciously aware of IT and thankful for this awareness every day. I prefer to paint what I feel rather than what I see. A sacred place, poem, a dream, or song can touch me deeply and I try to express that emotion with my art. Some favorite descriptions of my work have been: spiritual, haunting, emotional, sensual and evocative. Each new piece is a page from my life and I want to use the time that I have been given to grow spiritually and to dream, believe and create.

Going deeper and getting closer. Consciously aware of things felt, but not seen.