The work of artist Rick Garcia
My most recent cover story for Venü Magazine, The Art and Heart of Rick Garcia, Winter issue, 2019-2020.
An internet search of artist, Rick Garcia, will show only the lightest of online footprints revealing his website, a couple of YouTube videos, and his work at C. Parker Gallery in Greenwich Connecticut. Yet Garcia has created for some of today’s most highly visible organizations, corporations, events, and causes.
His work has garnered worldwide attention with images that are sometimes joyous and other times heart-rending. He is prolific. His palette is vibrant, often reflecting his love of the tropics, and with an economy of line he displays great skill in illustration. He has an approachable manner and an easygoing way of expressing himself. In other words, he’s pretty cool.
Rick Garcia has worked three times as the official artist for the GRAMMY Awards, setting the look and feel of the live ceremonies and gracing the covers of the organization’s program covers, CDs, posters, and apparel. In 1998 and 2003 he was commissioned by The United Nations Postal Administration to bring awareness to the dangers facing the rainforest and its inhabitants. The stamps he created earned his series the title of “most beautiful stamp series of 2003”.
Read More»Ninth Street Women and the MFA’s Big Show
- At November 05, 2019
- By Lisa
- In Art, Editorial
0
When women are left out of the annals of art history only half of our collective human history is being told. A study of art history shows us not only visual representations of any given artist’s oeuvre –– and it’s not just about analyzing the technique or talent of that artist –– but art history also gives us the cultural, political, and historical stories behind those works.
For centuries, women artists have struggled to receive recognition for their accomplishments and contributions. Despite activism toward social and professional equality, women remain underrepresented and undervalued in the art world.
As Murray Whyte of the Boston Globe points out, “the best strategy for career success for woman artists appears to be to live long enough to see it. Though waiting — and waiting, and waiting — has never been much of a guarantee.”
Whyte also includes some statistics: ninety-six percent of all art sold at auction is by men. While forty-six percent of American artists are women, only thirteen percent of American art museum holdings are by women.
In my hometown of Boston, MA, strides are being taken to draw attention to women artists from our history as well as those working in the contemporary art world. Like others who write about this subject, I’m struck that there still seems to be a need to differentiate “women artists”.
Read More»Forest Bathing – Our Connection with Trees
- At October 22, 2019
- By Lisa
- In Experiences, Features, Wellness
- 2
There is a concept, known as biophilia, introduced by American biologist E. O. Wilson in 1984, that humans have an innate need to connect with nature. Wilson believed that because we evolved in nature, we have a biological imperative to be close to it, and this affinity with the natural world is fundamental to our health and well-being.
Experts in forest therapy say that being in the forest reduces stress and blood pressure, strengthens your immune and cardiovascular systems, and boosts your energy, mood, creativity, and concentration. In addition to the philosophy of forest bathing, or what the Japanese call shinrin-yoku, there is some compelling science behind it as well.
Read More»Women, art, and the future
- At October 14, 2019
- By Lisa
- In Art, Current Events, Editorial, Experiences, Features
- 0
I have great business associates — it turns out that most of them are women. On a Tuesday afternoon in October, I had the good fortune to speak with two of them. The conversation was familiar and light. We were coming down from our summer vacation high and now enthused by what we see as an active future. We’re making connections.
There was talk of arts and artists, lovely autumn weather and summer getaways. We spoke about climate change, politics, publishing, and the things women are doing to stop the madness permeating our society. The world needs healing and women have ideas.
Read More»Artist Katie Swatland
Artist Katie Swatland has an amazing story. It was my pleasure to help her tell it.
My most recent piece for Venü Magazine:
Katie Swatland’s Alchemy Visions, Curiosity Without Bounds:
In the winter of 2016, artist Katie Swatland covered all her clocks to eliminate the illusion of time, hung a “do not disturb” sign upon her studio door, and stepped into a journey of self imposed artistic isolation for 29 months. She re-emerged on June 11, 2018 finally feeling the need to share the fruits of her labor – the Alchemy Visions collection – nearly complete with the exception of three final works.
She is an intriguing individual, as is evidenced not only by her art but the way in which she sees, reflects, and interacts with the world. While many artists proclaim their work to be multi-disciplinary – it’s quite trendy these days to do so – Swatland is the real deal. Because of an intense curiosity about the world and its cultures, her art is informed with layers of meaning – expressions based on ancient philosophies, the natural sciences, history, folklore, and mythology.
Having trained for sixteen years in the art of oil painting, Swatland also received a degree in mechanical engineering and has a passion for theoretical physics. It is this background in scientific learning, I believe, which allows her to intellectually explore and ask methodical questions of nature and the unknown.
The start of Alchemy Visions began, as most journeys do, with a first step …
Read More»Artist Opportunities – Venü’s Artist Profiles
- At September 18, 2018
- By Lisa
- In Art, Current Events
- 0
Dear Artists and Galleries,
Venü Magazine is providing an outstanding opportunity for artists this season.
Introducing Artist Profiles!
We have been asked by many of the creatives we meet at gallery openings, or the art fairs we attend nationwide, if we could offer artist profiles inside the pages of Venü. To meet these needs, we are happy to now provide the chance for artists to display their artist profile or statement, contact information, and photos of their work in a full page or two-page spread.
Artists, your work will be beautifully laid out for the readers of Venü many of who include art enthusiasts, collectors, and major galleries. Not only will your profile and work appear in our beautiful satin covered print edition, but online as well – our digital magazine is always available and can be used as a new powerful marketing tool standing as one of your Press Pages for outreach.
Read More»Summer Issue of Venü Magazine
I’m so excited about this issue of Venü Magazine. Knowing how difficult it is to be in the publishing industry these days, I have to take my hat off to Tracey Thomas and her staff. The amount of work that goes into creating a magazine is certainly a labor of love. Venü issues are not only available online but the beautiful print editions, with their satin sleek covers, are wonderful to hold and read. Many people tell us that they keep past issues as collectables. Additional thanks also goes to Nichole D’Auria for always making my stories (and all the stories in Venü) look so gorgeous with her layouts. And thanks to the editors who make our stories so much more readable and grammatically correct.
For this summer issue of Venü Magazine, my article on the work of artist Betsy Silverman graces the cover. This is the second time I’ve interviewed Silverman and like the first interview, I’m still inspired and impressed with her eye for architectural perfection and attention to detail. Silverman creates highly detailed and vibrant scenes of Boston using only carefully curated and cut pieces of paper. All from recycled magazines. Not a single brush stoke of paint nor a hand drawn line exists in her work.
Read More»Boston Design Week Gala
- At April 13, 2018
- By Lisa
- In Art, Current Events
- 0
Last night’s AD20/21 2018 Gala was a fantastic evening. April showers brought the who’s who of art and design into the beautiful historic Cyclorama building on Tremont Street in Boston. Delicious food, wine, champagne, art, and home furnishings … who could ask for more?
I attended with Venü Magazine‘s publisher, Tracey Thomas, for a celebration of Boston’s Design Week which runs through the 15th of this month. 100% of ticket proceeds from the Gala went to support the ASID New England Scholarship Fund. ASID New England recognizes the outstanding achievements of local undergraduate and graduate students by awarding scholarships to help them complete their interior design education.
Read More»
RSS - Posts
