October Open Studios Event

It’s almost time for our monthly open studios event! We have a new artist joining us this month. He recently moved into studio #3. His name is Jamie Wynter and he’s an abstract painter.

Abstract painting by Jamie Wynter

Jamie started painting a couple years ago when he was living in Santa Cruz ,California.  He’s interested in hard edge abstract paintings and plans on completing two painting series. The first will be called “Neon on the wall” and the other will be called “Ice on the dune”. Jamie’s artistic inspirations are William Blake, Alex Grey, Charles Bukowski, Death grips, his mother, and nature.

In addition to Jamie Wynter we have 3 other artists opening their studios tomorrow from noon-5pm. Dee Alexandria, Cynthia Zeedyk and Paula Manning-Lewis.

We are located at 1606 Central Ave SE, suite 201 (upstairs). Our building is 1 1/2 blocks west of University Ave. Enter from Central eastbound lane, turn into our parking lot right after passing Ash Street and Yasmine’s Cafe on the corner. Parking is free in our parking lot or there is metered parking in the front of the building. Follow the signs and sidewalk chalk to find the entrance. See you there!

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Artist of the Week: Mickey Bond

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 http://www.mickeybond.com

Artist of the Week: Justin Thor Simenson

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 http://www.iminphotos.com

Artist of the Week: Brendan Gould

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

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.