Art - Life - Travels

Article in La Estrella, newspaper in Panama

2013-06-14T07:26:00.001-07:00

http://www.laestrella.com.pa/online/impreso/2013/06/13/latina-afina-el-arte-en-florencia.asp

Thank you to artists Artistides Ureña and journalist Edgar Figueroa for the kind words and support.

SixPack Projects - KCET's Artbound

2012-11-09T01:36:00.000-08:00

SixPack Projects a curatorial group of which I am part of was highlighted in KCET's Artbound written by Evan Senn.

Check out the article and click "like" or share it and KCET could turn it into a video documentary!

http://www.kcet.org/arts/artbound/counties/orange/orange-county-art-indie-curators.html

2012-05-25T06:59:00.001-07:00

EFFETTO BIENNALE
Merida 2012

Celebrating the Equinox

The beautiful and ancient Mayan city of Chichen-Itzà

March 21, 2012

EFFETTO BIENNALE, Merida 2012
Opening reception
54 artists from 25 nations

Museo de la Ciudad de Merida
Merida, Yucatan, Mexico

Food for Thought

2011-04-02T23:13:00.000-07:00

This may sound like common sense and definitely not a new thought by any means. I have just become keenly aware of how important this is to me, my sanity, well being and life in general as well as how grateful I am to be able to do this often....

Meals with people you love are one of the most cherished things in life. Sharing a a delicious meal whether it's simple, homemade, or fancy with family and friends is the best nourishment for the soul.

The other day as I shared this delicious mole with a good friend, in the beautiful Placita Olvera, in a lovely patio under the stars on a warm March day. This meal lifted more than a week of stress...we talked about worries, memories, travels, our day, and of course laughed about many things. We had conversations with various of the other patrons eating in the patio on different topics...even the waiter who kept checking to make sure we were regularly sipping our drink to help the decompression of a busy day shared some wisdom with us of how worrying about a problem without solutions is a waste of time, if it has no solution all we can do is figure out how to live with it, and if the problem has a solution, it no longer is a problem. Quite a simple phrase but heavy concept, and quite difficult to put into practice...but all we can do is try to follow that everyday. I was told something similar years ago when the world was very dark and it helped. I guess I needed to be reminded...

Which then this made me think of priorities, we tend to get so wrapped up in our day to day madness of routines and work....and it is all worth it if we get to share meals and drinks with friends to decompress, relax and laugh about how silly our problems can be sometimes and be there for each other for the more serious ones.

Family, friends and food make life so sweet! Especially when you have them all at once.

Count your blessings and MFA's

2010-12-17T17:00:00.000-08:00

As the year ends and a few important things in my life have come to conclusion I think it's important to count and acknowledge blessings received. When I started to list them I realized how many there are and it made me smile. Here's a few important ones... life, health, happiness, laughter, great family and friends, opportunities, travels, knowledge, growth in wisdom, and new found strengths.

Also, one of the things that has concluded this year, specifically today are my studies for the moment...with an MFA. Which I've learned that as big things come to a close it's a bit heartbreaking and melancholy. Why? I don't know. Maybe because this thing that has cost a lot of time, effort, sweat, love and tears...aside from money and future debt ends so quietly.

In this process I've consciously or unconsciously questioned why it makes me a bit sad... What have I really learned? How will this help me? Was it worth it? Hopefully it means I learned a lot, it will help some way or another and yes, it was very much worth it. (I hope)
Today, I was trying to think of a new clever acronym for MFA and googled it and found a pretty funny list...here were my favorites. Which, quite appropriately some of them make sense.

MFA acronyms: (use according to situation)

Master of Fine Arts
Manned Flight Awareness
Minimum Flight Altitude
Measure of Functional Abstraction - Winner! This is the most appropriate description to how I feel right now.
Multi-Function Array
Maneuver Functional Area
Microelectronic Failure Analysis
Multi-Frame Assignment
Minor Fixed Assets
Methacrylated Fatty Acid
Matched Filter Acquisition
Mission Functional Area
Mid-Frequency Acoustics
Multifunction Attachment

When life gets overwhelming.

2010-12-03T15:38:00.000-08:00

What does one do when life just gets overwhelming?

This is what I have attempted and it sometimes seems to help, and if it doesn't at least trying is a bit distracting.

...when there is so much to do and it seems time is running out.

I stop and go for a walk. Do the best to remember that it's me thinking that and there is plenty of time for everything...hopefully! ...and if not, then enjoy the time one does have fully.

...when the list of things to do makes you dizzy.

I wash the dishes and watch a funny movie. Then re-group and pick one thing to do.

...when you feel like either you are going crazy or having a heart attack.

Luckily neither one is happening so I have a glass of wine to celebrate.

Life is also blessed with great friends who know exactly what to say for each situation and know when they just need to make you laugh or yell at me as they pour a glass of wine. It's great and I am so grateful!

So, one must just take control with style.

New respect for St. Francis

2010-11-17T21:03:00.000-08:00

The reason I am posting these even though they from this last summer is because I dearly miss the smell and divine taste of the food in Italy.
During the few days spent in Assisi last June and the amazing food I enjoyed made me think of St. Francis of Assisi. St. Francis came from a wealthy family and gave up everything to follow his calling from God and as the Franciscan order their vows consist of obedience, poverty, and chastity. Three very difficult tasks. I really admire that especially now that I learned that this region of Italy has one of the best cuisines in the world.

The food adventures here were exquisite...

One of the evenings we were invited to dinner to the home of Giovanni Iovene, an artist from Assisi. His wife Bruna cooked one of the most amazing meals I've had. Enjoy the view...I can't find the words to describe how delicious was the food other than, it was Divine Heaven!

fried food is a beautiful sin...

delicious fish with feelings... yum!

and dessert...

Belated Food Crits - Italy Summer 2010

2010-10-04T17:55:00.000-07:00

First off....my apologies for the late and overdue blogs. It has been an intense, beyond busy summer and just getting semi back to "normal" whatever that means. But as the saying says, better late than never.

This last summer I was in Florence, Italy for a few weeks. During this time I managed to eat almost every possible food that crossed my path and was blessed with some spectacular meals both out in town and in friends' homes. I have a particular preference for Italian cuisine and will try anything once.

To start here are a few mouth watering images of basic staples in the food department according to me...

Cocktails/Wine... this is a delicious Aperol cocktail.

Usually enjoyed for apperitivo (before dinner, relax e vous drinks)

What is Aperol and to get one, you might ask?

Well, Aperol is an acquired taste. It's a very dry orange licquore that is mixed

with soda, Prosecco and fruits of the season over ice. Delicious on hot summer days!

Big food staple in Italy...cheese!!! All types, Parmiggiano Romano, Pecorino, Mozzarella, Mozzarella di Buffala...etc. It also does not hurt to have handsome Italian men selling it to you.

Coming up... dinner parties galore that includes, pasta, sea food,

traditional dishes of Assisi and desserts.

Stay tunned!

Assisi, Italy

Opening - From Rome to Santa Ana, Stamperia del Tevere - March 20th

2010-03-25T11:36:00.000-07:00

From Rome to Santa Ana, Stamperia del Tevere - Exhibit - Opening March 20th

2010-03-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

Alessandro Fornaci

2009-12-28T02:07:00.000-08:00

Co-founder of Stamperia del Tevere, Alessandro Fornaci, gifted artist that also has an incredible passion for printmaking and his work revolves around meticulously detailed figures of man and woman and symbols from ancient times to contemporary issues in society and politics. Some of the symbols used in his work are from Sumarian culture, religious, pagan, etc, and how these symbols relate to numbers and current affairs showing how we are closer to ancient history than we realize.

Recently he participated in a project in Urbino where he developed a contemporary version of Raphael’s School of Athens and working in the Stamperia.

For more info: http://www.stamperiadeltevere.it/fornaci_opere/index.htm

LUX-LEX

Tecniche: acquaforte, acquatinta, ceramolle.
Edizione: (10 P.S. - 7 P.d'A. - 6 PC. - I/XX) Ed. 43 es.
Misure: 500 X 250 mm. (500 X 500 mm.)

Virgin with Child

Tecniche: acquaforte, acquatinta.
Edizione: (1 P.S. - 15 P.d'A. - 1/20 - I/X - "I/XX 2008") Ed. 46 - 20 es.
Misure: 158 X 190 mm.

Bug Dad

Tecniche: acquaforte, acquatinta, bulino, linoleografia.
Edizione: (10 P.S. - 5 P.d'A. - 3 PC. - "I/XX 2008" - "A/L 2009") Ed. 48 es.
Misure: 338 X 463 mm.

Frank Martinangeli

2009-12-28T01:49:00.000-08:00

Co-founder of Stamperia del Tevere, Frank Martinangeli is a very talented artist that has an immense passion for printmaking and his work that revolve around the themes of the relationship between nature and man; how throughout history man is destroying nature through technology. His way of expressing this message is through experimental printmaking techniques using leaves and found objects such as computer motherboards, cans, bottles, metal nets, etc. His work has the most amazing beauty and harmony that show a very dark subject as to how we are destroying our home with such delicacy. Also technically his work is full of beautiful detail in the intricate way he uses plates like puzzle pieces.

Currently he is experimenting in the world of metalsmithing and jewelry. He is working on a beautiful series of jewelry pieces that are the core of his work. Man and nature using silver and computer pieces. He will be having his first jewelry exhibit on December 12th at Galleria 105 Art.

Here are some images of his work and jewelry. Enjoy!

For more info http://www.stamperiadeltevere.it/martinangeli_opere/index.htm

Urbanizzazione
Tecniche: acquaforte, ceramolle, maniera a sale, circuiti prestampati.
Edizione: (P.d'A. 1/3 - 1/5) Ed. 8 es.
Misure: 555 X 400 mm.

Atomo
Tecniche: acquaforte, ceramolle. craquelé ,circuiti prestampati.
Edizione: (P.d'A. 1/1) Ed. 1 es.
Misure: diametro 445 mm.

Geneticamente Modificata

Tecniche: acquaforte, circuito prestampato.
Edizione: (2 P.d'A. - 1/5) Ed. 7 es.
Misure: 295 X 258 mm.

Stamperia del Tevere - Rome

2009-12-02T10:23:00.000-08:00

Stamperia del Tevere is an experimental studio, gallery, workshop, classroom and more!

The two heads of this operation are Frank Martinangeli and Alessandro Fornaci and partnering with them as well are Andrea Pacini, Alessia Consiglio and Giulia Zingali.

All five artists are passionate printmakers and native Romans. Frank and Alessandro have known each other since they were very young and their passion after studying at the Instituto Statale d'Arte Silvio D'Amico di Roma, their dream was to open up their own space and so in 2000, the Stamperia del Tevere opened its doors. This is a small studio/gallery where great works are made and amazing people gather. I've been hanging out there quite a bit on my weekend get aways to Rome and you can't help but to feel inspired by all the creativity, stimulating conversations, learning and watching artists at work.

The Stamperia holds workshops for anyone who wants to learn printmaking and all the techniques involving etching. They have students from all walks of life and for different motives. Some are artists who want to learn another medium; and others are people who just want to learn something creative to express themselves or as a stress relief.

On the gallery end, they have portfolios filled with beautiful prints of artists from all over the world, and about each month or so exhibitions are organized highlighting local and international artists.

Then are the openings which are very popular and usually full of people, wine, great food, laughter and great work. As you can see in some of these pictures from an opening last week of the great work by two very loved students of the Stamperia, Mauro and Luca.

This is a photo from the opening of some of the crowd, the two artists of the opening and some of the Stamperia gang.

What can I say this is a very special place with a very bright future that I was lucky to encounter through the artist in residence program at Grand Central Art Center, part of CSU, Fullerton.

I will continue this blog with profiles of each of the artists that are part of the Stamperia del Tevere so stay tuned.

Exhibitions:

Most recently was Ritorno a Roma, photos by Tom and Lisa Dowling of their time in Rome.

Currently is the work of Contraposizioni/Fabricazioni by Mauro Manni and Luca Fabbri which had a successful opening this last Saturday. Below is the announcement and then some pictures of the opening.

Here are a few more pictures...enjoy!!

http://www.stamperiadeltevere.it/

Artist Profile #2 - Marsha Steinberg

2009-10-30T12:45:00.000-07:00

Marsha Steinberg was born in Los Angeles, California; she lives and works in Florence, Italy. She has her Bacherlor's of Art degree in painting from California State University, Northridge and a degree in painting from the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze (Academy of Fine Arts in Florence). She also received her MA in Etching from California State University, Northridge. Currently she teaches drawing and coordinates for the California State University, International Program and teaches all painting levels and watercolor at the Art Institute of Florence, Lorenzo de’ Medici School in Florence.

Marsha is an inspiration as an artist and as a person; she lives life to the fullest. I have known her for about 6 years now; she was my painting professor when I studied in Florence back in 2002-2003. I learned a lot about art history and painting in just two semesters. During that year, not only did I learn from being abroad, but I lived, breathed and ate art. Since then, Marsha has become a very good friend and mentor to me. She teaches with her heart and soul and gives her students her sincere honesty at all times and as a professor she is one of the very best that I have ever had. There are many of her students all over the states and Europe that will probably testify to this. :)

Above all, she is a very talented painter, her life as a painter goes back to the early 70’s. She has a large body of work: paintings and etchings. She is an abstract painter with amazing brush strokes that convey a lot of emotion that, together with the color combinations, create the most amazing moods and emotional paintings.

Some of her series include empty spaces where her work included a section of the canvas in white. She also has another body of work dedicated to bulls of which you see a couple of samples below and currently is working on a commission by Atria Senior Living Group in Manhattan, New York.

Some of her solo exhibitions include: Borghese Palace Art Hotel, Florence, California, "Dipinti", 2007, Film "The Interpreter", oil painting, New York, 2005, California State University International Program, Florence, Italy, "Dipinti", 2001, Comune di Campodimele, Latina, Italy “Dipinti” 1997, Spazio espositivo del Comune di Prato, Italy, “Dipinti e acqueforti” 1993, Quartiere Fieristico di Bologna, Italy, “Arte Fiera 92”, Associazione Italo-Americana di Bologna, Loggia Rucellai, Piazza Rucellai, Azienda Autonoma di Firenze, "Dipinti e acqueforti", 1989. Group exhibitions include: Danette Koke Fine Art, Ramscale Gallery, New York, 2009, Consiglio Regionale della Toscana, Florence, "Creazione dal nulla", Comune di Ravara, Villa Ogliana, Castello di Rivara, Centro d'Arte Contemporanea, Piemonte, "Blog on Arthur Rimbaud" 2005, Florina Museum of Contemporary Art, Florina, Greece, “10th Period Engravings Collection Exhibition” 1999, Cox Gallery, Lydy Art Center, University of Drury, Springfield, MI, “Materials: Crossing Borders” 1999, Comune di Firenze, Florence Italy: “121 Artists in 14 Tele” 1998, Faculty Exhibition, The Art Institute of Florence, Lorenzo de'Medici in affiliation with William Angliss College, Australia, 1996, Palazzo della Regione, Biella, Italy, "Premio Internazionale Biella per l'incisione 1996", Temple Gallery, Temple University, Rome, Italy, “Faculty Exhibition, Art from American University and College Programs in Italy” 1994, Galleria "Via Larga", Provincia di Firenze, Florence Italy, "Monotipi Americani" 1993, Musee d’Art Contemporain Chamalieres, Chamalieres, France, “Deuxieme Triennale Mondiale d’Estampes” Petit Format 1991, Studio d'art "Il Moro", Florence, Italy, "Mostra in Bianco e Nero" 1988, Galleria Tornabuoni, Florence, Italy, 1979, Sabbioneta Mantova, Italy, Lubiam Confenzione S.P.A. - Accademia di Belli Arti, "VII Premio Lubiam", 1978.

She is part of the following museum collections: I Nuovi Primitivi, Museo alla Pace dedicate a Galileo Galilei, Vico Nel Lazio, Italy, Musem of Contemporary Art, Florina, Greece, Modern Art Gallery, Municipality of Empoli, Empoli, Italy and numerous private collectors in the US, Europe, mostly in Italy.

Here are a few samples of her work. Enjoy!

Oil on Canvas
5x5'

Oil on Canvas
2x2'

Oil on Canvas
3x2.5'

Oil on Canvas

Oil on Canvas

Ciao SolArt!

2009-10-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

SolArt in Italy

My SolArt family came to visit Italy, they did a lovely tour that started in Milano, Venezia, Firenze and Roma. A couple of day trips in between to Pisa, Siena and San Gimignano. I did not see them until they arrive in Florence on October 10th...we had a fabulous time and was able to show some friends from SantAna, my home away from home.

In Florence we managed to covered the basics of Santa Croce, San Miniato al Monte, Duomo, La Carraia gelato, Il Campane dinner, n'duya panino, S. Ambrogio Caipiroskas (alla fragolla), some dancing, home cooking and shopping. Most of all to do all this we walked and walked. I was informed I have a habit of walking quite fast. (sorry girls!)

Then off we were to Rome, we started with a Mundo quick tour of the fountains, a couple of churches and gelato.

Then we headed to Trastevere to visit my friends from Stamperia del Tevere and had dinner at Da'Paolo's which had the most amazing wild boar pasta, great wine, and home made Tiramisu by the owner himself with his own bare hands! (I'm not kidding) Then finished the evening with a coffee and home grappa. Good stuff ey, Sali?

Next day we started our tour through Rome that was stalled by a protest against racism that closed down the Colosseo. So we headed to Villa Borghesse and went for a bike ride, glass of wine, lunch and nap in the park. To find that Galleria Borghese was sold out for the day. So then we ended up in one of the first features of the Rome Film Festival at Casa del Cinema.

It is now Saturday and we it was time to hit the Vatican, need I say more...

Here are a few highlights of the Vatican.

Finally on Sunday we had lunch in the home of Silvano and Lucia Martinangeli, parents of my good friend Frank Martinangeli. Lucia made an amazing array of food including Roman style lasagna that is served by the kilo. (It was exquisite!!!) that we ate and ate. We then tried a variety of sweet liquores some of which were home made. Our judges panel voted the Fragolino to be the best. We had a grand time... (girls, I need photos please)

For now this is a picture of Frank and Virginia until I get

pictures of the actual lunch. :)

Stay tuned for two upcoming artist profiles and Stamperia del Tevere,

I'm still working on those...I have not forgotten.

Do ya 'nduja? Yes!

2009-10-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

New discoveries...so thanks to Iliaria and friends who know a lot about good food I tasted for the first time 'Nduja Calabrese, in a sandwich. It was absolutely amazing!! It comes from Calabria, a region in the South of Italy. It's a mix between Italian spicy sausage and Mexican chorizo. Mixed in my panino with pecorino, prosciutto and salumino picante accompanied by a beer on the steps of the church in Piazza S. Spirito. It was a delightful late night dinner.

The wonderful world of 'Nduja, it's a sort of pasty stuff that you can spread over bread for panini or add it as a topping on a pizza or on pasta. I have yet to try it on pasta. Just over the weekend I shared my discovery with another group of friends, and what do I get today? A great gift of my very own 'Nduya vacuum packed. (Grazie mille Filippo & Rita!) This is the picture of it...I know it might look a bit odd and more like some sort organ ready to be shipped to a hospital but it is actually filled with delicious ground meat, spices and lots of pepperoncini (chili peppers).

Venice Biennale 2009

2009-10-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, Oct. 25th I went with a small group and Marsha to visit the Venice Biennale for a day. The Venice Biennale is an art exhibit that started in 1895 to promote artists and art movements happening around the world. It is the most prestigious art and cultural institutions. Both the biennale and each participating country bring their best curators and artists. This year the Director of the 53rd Exhibition is Daniel Birnbaum, Rector of the Staedelschule Frankfurt/Main and its Kunsthalle Portikus since 2001. The title of the show is Making Worlds.

“The title of the exhibition, Making Worlds – says Director Daniel Birnbaum – expresses my wish to emphasize the process of creation. A work of art represents a vision of the world and if taken seriously it can be seen as a way of making a world. The strength of the vision is not dependent on the kind or complexity of the tools brought into play. (http://www.labiennale.org/) Here are a few highlights and favorites from the Palazzo delle Esposizioni and Giardini which contains a building for each participating country. Unfortunately we were not able to see everything in one day, so I will plan to go back and cover the Arsenale and the other countries that are placed throughout the city.

Miguel Barcelo - Spain

Funny psychedelic bar. Just be careful to not mistake your coffee for hallucinogens.

A piece from the Scandinavian countries building.

Tomas Saraceno - Argentina

Lives and works in Germany.

Galaxies forming along Flaments, like Droplets along the Strands of a Spider's Web 2009

TBA (Need to find title and artist in my notes)

Russian Building

Dale Chilhuly installation. Venetian Building.

I will be adding more later as soon as I find my notes!

Florence = Firenze

2009-09-23T10:35:00.000-07:00

First week and a half in Florence...

These are a couple of pictures from last Sunday's antique market at the Fortezza di Basso. It was a bit pricey but I managed to find a couple of deals. This one below I thought was interesting, an alligator purse...with the alligator head attached and little feet. Creepy!

This is Ilaria with some awesome vintage shades.

Ponte Vecchio at night is
absolutely breathtaking. Sorry
it is a bit blurry.

Quite street in front of Palazzo Pitti
as I wait for Ilaria and Matteo. I'm
a big fan of sitting on the sidewalk
and watching people.

Artist Profile #1 - Rome Part II

2009-09-16T06:21:00.000-07:00

ARTIST PROFILE #1

Virginia Sobrino - photographer born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, currently lives and works in Rome, Italy. Virginia is a very talented artist with a great eye for capturing sensitivity and beauty in many things and places whether it’s architecture, people or nature. She is currently working on adding a digital layer to her photographs that gives her work a different life.

Here are some of my favorite images from her website, hopefully she will soon have her latest work online for all to see. It was a pleasure to get to know her on my recent visit to Rome last week, she is the wife of Frank Martinangeli one of the artists of Stamperia del Tevere who were guest artists at Grand Central Art Center in Santa Ana in

2008. They were amazing hosts and we will revisit Rome later on.

Website: http://www.vixbebri.com/index.html

Stay tuned…I will do a more in depth profile on the four artists that run this amazing etching/printmaking studio in Trastevere.

On other things well....here's a couple more pictures from Rome. Florence pictures are coming soon.

This is Iro, Frank and Virginia's an awesomely sweet dog.

This was a stand at the Campo dei Fiori market in Rome. This man was selling the coolest kitchen gadgets, who doesn't need potato spirals and carrot swirls.

Rome! By all means, Rome.

2009-09-10T16:42:00.000-07:00

First day in Rome, hosted by Frank, his wife Virginia and Alessandro. Then the visit to the studio Stamperia del Tevere that I had been longing to visit. The two of the four artists of this studio were artists in residence at Grand Central Art Center last fall 2008. In their studio they produce beatiful work and also offere printmaking workshops. Alessandro and Frank who you will see below as well as Virginia. Went for a walk and visited a few churches in the Trastevere quarter, drank out of a few public fountains. Which by the way Roman tap water is sweet and very fresh. Then after another great dinner by Frank a beautiful evening tour of Rome.

Stamperia del Tevere

Some printmaking techniques of preparing the plates with direct fire.

Drinking out of a fountain...

Alessandro, Virginia and Frank.

Alessandro, Frank and myself.