Last month I had the honor of having my painting "The Early Universe" in a juried show at Viridian Artists gallery in Chelsea, NYC. The "29th International & National Juried Exhibition" was juried by Johanna Burton, Director and Curator of Education and Public Programs at the New Museum. She sifted through over 1200 pieces of art submitted by over 400 artists and whittled it all down to a 25 pieces by 25 artists. Shockingly, "The Early Universe" made the cut. Like so many artists, I'm forever submitting my work via online call-for-art forms, paying $25-$50 entry fees, hoping for the best, resigned to the inevitable rejections, pressing on with art making in a psychic cloud of obscurity. Needless to say, what a confidence boost, right? Becoming intimately familiar with I-95 and the Lincoln Tunnel was a small price to pay for getting to show in a great Chelsea gallery, on the same block, incidentally, as a swank Zaha Hadid luxury condo overlooking the High Line. Attending the opening and meeting some of the other artists and Viridian staff was a blast, as was taking a sunset stroll on the High Line and grabbing a fantastic Argentinian meal nearby. It's good to get out once in a while with a quick dive into the NYC culture pool.
As a side note, this is the second time "The Early Universe" was selected for a group show, the first being this past winter at an InLiquid-curated show at The Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphia. I wonder what that means. Should I be making more of this type of work? Is it hitting some sort of curatorial pleasure nerve? It's currently back over my fireplace mantle.
A good shirt is crucial if one is to project proper artist vibes.