The Nut Cracker, 7 x 5, oil, 2008, $150
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Here is a quick little painting I did last week for fun. I am trying to build up my speed so once and a while I try to finish something as fast as I can. It forces you to work smart, since in painting one can get in the habit of creeping up on the effect.
The Nut Cracker, 7 x 5, oil, 2008, $150
The Nut Cracker, 7 x 5, oil, 2008, $150
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Diamond Skull discount!
While I think Damien Hirst is a genius in the marketing of himself as a product, his art is basically porn. Not very good porn, and porn that has someone else makes for him most of the time. I suppose coming up with brilliant ideas is enough, like "hey, let's stick a real shark in a vat of formaldehyde!"
Though he did recently make $198 million in a single auction of his work, which is a bit more than I have ever made. So, he has the last laugh.
He is fascinated with death, and likes to take dead animals and display it to satisfy this obsession.
I don't want to spend a lot of time on him, but one of his recent works is supposedly worth around $98 million. It is a cast of an actual skull in platinum and covered in diamonds (it costs about $20-30 million to make).
It did sell, but it turned out that it was bought by a group of investors that Hirst was himself a member. So, that is one way to get your prices up. Seems a bit shady. But if you are displaying death to make money..........
Anyway, I found one that is much cheaper, plus it lights up and has a motor to rotate it. It is less depressing and would be great at parties. It is only $39.99. They sell it at BudK and I suggest you go out and get yourself a great work of art at a discount price.
I have purchased things there before and they have been to my manly satisfied. I may have to get me one of these skulls for the studio.
Though he did recently make $198 million in a single auction of his work, which is a bit more than I have ever made. So, he has the last laugh.
He is fascinated with death, and likes to take dead animals and display it to satisfy this obsession.
I don't want to spend a lot of time on him, but one of his recent works is supposedly worth around $98 million. It is a cast of an actual skull in platinum and covered in diamonds (it costs about $20-30 million to make).
It did sell, but it turned out that it was bought by a group of investors that Hirst was himself a member. So, that is one way to get your prices up. Seems a bit shady. But if you are displaying death to make money..........
Anyway, I found one that is much cheaper, plus it lights up and has a motor to rotate it. It is less depressing and would be great at parties. It is only $39.99. They sell it at BudK and I suggest you go out and get yourself a great work of art at a discount price.
I have purchased things there before and they have been to my manly satisfied. I may have to get me one of these skulls for the studio.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Winter Drawing Class
I am getting in touch with my feminine side by teaching a class at the Women's Art Club. Turns out that while you do have to be a woman to be in the club, anyone can rent the facilities for teaching. So I canceled the sex change operation and have started the class tonight.
I was excited to have 12 people, but somehow only 6 showed up. Which according to my calculations is way less than 12- almost half.
It was a good class, and if anyone is interested, there are 9 more fun filled, information packed classes to go, and you may join in now- the sooner the better.
SIGN UP AND LEARN SOMETHING!
10 week class, starting Dec. 11, Thursday nights, 6 to 9. Class is $200. Rough dates I have figured so far: Dec 11, 18, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, and 26. The class will have to be limited to about 12.
The class is at the Women's Art Club Cultural Center, 6980 Cambridge Ave, Cincinnati, OH
You can email me if you are interested- richard_luschek@yahoo.com
Here is where we will be:
http://wacccbarn.blogspot.com/
http://www.womansartclub.com/thebarn.html
Click here for Directions to the Barn.
There is parking and the entrance is off the lot.
Learn to draw stuff like this:
Socrates, 24 x 18, charcoal on paper
I was excited to have 12 people, but somehow only 6 showed up. Which according to my calculations is way less than 12- almost half.
It was a good class, and if anyone is interested, there are 9 more fun filled, information packed classes to go, and you may join in now- the sooner the better.
SIGN UP AND LEARN SOMETHING!
10 week class, starting Dec. 11, Thursday nights, 6 to 9. Class is $200. Rough dates I have figured so far: Dec 11, 18, Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, and 26. The class will have to be limited to about 12.
The class is at the Women's Art Club Cultural Center, 6980 Cambridge Ave, Cincinnati, OH
You can email me if you are interested- richard_luschek@yahoo.com
Here is where we will be:
http://wacccbarn.blogspot.com/
http://www.womansartclub.com/thebarn.html
Click here for Directions to the Barn.
There is parking and the entrance is off the lot.
Learn to draw stuff like this:
Socrates, 24 x 18, charcoal on paper
Friday, November 21, 2008
Redo
I decided to edit this post due to it's extreme whinny tone. Though I did leave most of it intact.
Let us review last weeks events.
The Indian Hill show was packed. Too packed I think. There were so many people including the artists that it was hard to move. I didn't know where to stand. I want to point out that I am not a salesman. You see what I do, is I paint pictures that occasionally have a hint of truth. The goal is that at some point someone will see them in a gallery, the work will stand on its own, and some may want to take a painting home. These big art fair type shows are a different dynamic. Basically, I am not fond of standing with my art at art shows. I basically felt like an unattractive street walker.
Imagine you are downtown, on your way somewhere fancy, and you happen to notice the prostitute on the corner, you know what she is offering. You don't want it. If you look at her, God forbid you make eye contact, you may have to even acknowledge her. She winks, blows a kiss across the cold sore on her lip. You cringe and hurriedly walk on. Sad story, but you get the point.
That is how I felt most of the night. Though I did not have a cold sore.
I did sell two tiny paintings to other artists that were also showing their work. Selling to artists is always flattering- they were good artists too. The artist next to me was a lovely painter and person (not saying that just because she bought the painting- thought it helps). The first night of the show her 14 year old daughter was with her work as she was at another show. I thought this teenager did a much better job selling her mother's work than I did selling mine. Next year I need to get me one of those 14 year olds to watch my stuff while I go somewhere to drink.
Secret ArtWorks was a big success, though I, like all of the artists, donate their work, I may have gotten a commission out of it. Though they seemed surprised by my price. That is one problem I have with this event in which all of them are sold for $75. Some of them are worth that much or even more . Some I wouldn't pick up off the sidewalk if found laying in the street and I was in need of a 5x7 card to scrap gum off my shoe- but I am an elitist jerk when it comes to gum scraping.
Now that it is no longer a Secret, here are my cards:
A study in Green, oil on linen. This one I actually painted for this event.
The above image is an older piece that was a bit too small so I made a gold leaf frame for it to fill out the card. It is an evening view down Nassua street (Andies Deli is on the right)
These two were a landscape study I did at the back of Spring Grove Cemetery. It was an 8x10 that I cut it to make two 5x7s. I heard the same couple were able to get both of them which is nice. Last time I was at this spot, they had bulldozed this whole area for more funeral plots. This hill and the trees are gone.
Fund Raiser for "Friends of War Orphans" is still going on. Final bidding will take place tomorrow. Stop in for coffee, music and snacks. I have at least one bid on one of my paintings. They are three 8x10 landscape studies being offered for $100. There is plenty of other work that you can buy to help this cause.
ViewPoint Well, it is still up, and I don't know what else to say. Here is a photo of one of the big losers next to his losing entry. What a freaking handsome loser!
The fund raiser for the Womens Art Club Barn in Mariemont also sold some work. I think 6 paintings sold, one of which was mine. So that is nice. And for a change this fund raiser gives a very fair portion of the funds to the artist. How novel is that?
This weekend 8 of my works sold in these events.
Let us review last weeks events.
The Indian Hill show was packed. Too packed I think. There were so many people including the artists that it was hard to move. I didn't know where to stand. I want to point out that I am not a salesman. You see what I do, is I paint pictures that occasionally have a hint of truth. The goal is that at some point someone will see them in a gallery, the work will stand on its own, and some may want to take a painting home. These big art fair type shows are a different dynamic. Basically, I am not fond of standing with my art at art shows. I basically felt like an unattractive street walker.
Imagine you are downtown, on your way somewhere fancy, and you happen to notice the prostitute on the corner, you know what she is offering. You don't want it. If you look at her, God forbid you make eye contact, you may have to even acknowledge her. She winks, blows a kiss across the cold sore on her lip. You cringe and hurriedly walk on. Sad story, but you get the point.
That is how I felt most of the night. Though I did not have a cold sore.
I did sell two tiny paintings to other artists that were also showing their work. Selling to artists is always flattering- they were good artists too. The artist next to me was a lovely painter and person (not saying that just because she bought the painting- thought it helps). The first night of the show her 14 year old daughter was with her work as she was at another show. I thought this teenager did a much better job selling her mother's work than I did selling mine. Next year I need to get me one of those 14 year olds to watch my stuff while I go somewhere to drink.
Secret ArtWorks was a big success, though I, like all of the artists, donate their work, I may have gotten a commission out of it. Though they seemed surprised by my price. That is one problem I have with this event in which all of them are sold for $75. Some of them are worth that much or even more . Some I wouldn't pick up off the sidewalk if found laying in the street and I was in need of a 5x7 card to scrap gum off my shoe- but I am an elitist jerk when it comes to gum scraping.
Now that it is no longer a Secret, here are my cards:
A study in Green, oil on linen. This one I actually painted for this event.
The above image is an older piece that was a bit too small so I made a gold leaf frame for it to fill out the card. It is an evening view down Nassua street (Andies Deli is on the right)
These two were a landscape study I did at the back of Spring Grove Cemetery. It was an 8x10 that I cut it to make two 5x7s. I heard the same couple were able to get both of them which is nice. Last time I was at this spot, they had bulldozed this whole area for more funeral plots. This hill and the trees are gone.
Fund Raiser for "Friends of War Orphans" is still going on. Final bidding will take place tomorrow. Stop in for coffee, music and snacks. I have at least one bid on one of my paintings. They are three 8x10 landscape studies being offered for $100. There is plenty of other work that you can buy to help this cause.
ViewPoint Well, it is still up, and I don't know what else to say. Here is a photo of one of the big losers next to his losing entry. What a freaking handsome loser!
The fund raiser for the Womens Art Club Barn in Mariemont also sold some work. I think 6 paintings sold, one of which was mine. So that is nice. And for a change this fund raiser gives a very fair portion of the funds to the artist. How novel is that?
This weekend 8 of my works sold in these events.
Monday, November 10, 2008
A Big Week
This week is a pretty active one. I will have paintings in at least 5 local shows. If you want to attend any I will list them for you.
- THE INDIAN HILL ART SHOW
This is actually more of an art fair with a ton of artists set up throughout the Indian Hill Episcopal Church. It is a fund raiser, with a % of the sales going to the churches outreach programs.
Indian Hill Church, 6000 Drake Road, Cincinnati, Oh 45243
Friday, November 14 from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Saturday, November 15 from 10 am to 2 pm.
I have heard this is a quite an event. There will be free valet parking on Friday. There will be workers that will pick up and store work for you so you don't have to carry purchases. They will be accepting cash, checks and Visa/Master card. - SECRET ArtWorks Sale
Friday, November 14, 2008
6 - 9 p.m.
Westin Hotel Ballroom, Downtown Cincinnati
The 2008 Secret ArtWorks is a fund raising event featuring the exhibition and sale of 5” x 7” works of art from local, national and international artists. All works of art sell for $75 each. The ‘secret’ behind each piece is the identity of the artist – which is revealed after the work is purchased. Last year’s smashingly successful event was rated by CityBeat readers as top fundraiser of 2007!
Secrets are out! You can view the Secret Works of Art here. I have 5 cards this year. This page is updated regularly so check back often! Click here. - Fund Raiser for "Friends of War Orphans"
I have 3 paintings in this art auction benefit at the Starbucks in Old Montgomery (Montgomery Road near Montgomery Inn restaurant). I think there are around 10 artists involved in this event. Come buy some overpriced, over roasted coffee and check out the art.
All of my paintings are 8x10 landscapes with a starting bid of $100, one of which has a bid on it already. You can click here to see the art.
The works will be on display from Sat. November 1st through Sat. November 22nd. As in similar events, the bidding sheets will be up during the weeks that the show is on display, and the final bidding will take place on November 22nd, 2008 from 6:00-9:00 pm at a festive event.
Starbucks
9412 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, OH 45242
513-891-7666 - ViewPoint 2008
This show will be up for a bit. You can stop in and scratch your head at the award winning paintings.
Nov. 7 - 23, 2008
(Sat, Sun Only . . . . .2:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
Cincinnati Art Club's
Wessel Gallery,
1021 Parkside Place
Cincinnati, OH 45202 - Fun Razor for Women's Art Club Cultural Art Center
Art Sale- Raffle - Silent Auction
First annual fall fundraiser November 15, 6-9 p.m. Exciting evening of Jazz, light fare, and Art. Money raised from this event will benefit Phase Two of the renovation plan. On completion, we'll have more studio space to rent and an additional classroom.
If you don't know, the second floor of this building is the space that Carl Samson and I have had our eye on to start a full time Classical Drawing and Painting School. It is a great space, and as it is a historic old barn, they need money to update and restore this building.
It is not free, but $25 per person in advance, $30 at the door.
Women's Art Club Cultural Art Center
6980 Cambridge in Mariemont, Ohio - EXPOSED: Top Secret Artists of 2007
Juried from the 2007 Secret ArtWorks Event
This show is up for a bit longer as well. Though the work I had in the show sold, so you really missed the boat on this one.
October31 -November 21, 2008. M - F, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
At the ArtWorks Gallery
811 Race St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Monday, November 3, 2008
VIEWPOINT 2008
The Geisha, 24 x 18, oil on linen
VIEWPOINT 2008 40th Annual National Juried Art Competition November 7 - 23, 2008:
I was selected to show again this year.
39 area artists were selected and quite a few of them are from the Club. (Did I mention that I am a Signature Member? Well, I am!)
Artists from 24 States sent in images and 14 States are represented in the show.
Viewpoint 2008 Awards Night - November 7, 6p.m.- 9p.m
I am hoping the work wins a fabulous prize this year. Hope to see you there.
Public Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nov. 7 - 23, 2008
(Sat, Sun Only . . . . .2:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
Cincinnati Art Club's
Wessel Gallery,
1021 Parkside Place
Cincinnati, OH 45202
New Works
Thought I would post a few new paintings and some illustrations.
All works are for sale, please inquire if you are interested.
Morning News, 9 x 12, oil on line
This was not supposed to be a depressing picture, as I started it before the economy tanked. I think it is a happy feeling piece anyway.
Green Jar, 12 x 9, oil on linen
I was happy with this one, as I finished it in 3 hours. I think it turned out fairly well.
Coffee and Cigar, 22 x 14, oil on linen
I just started this one. This is about 3 days in. So it has a way to go. I have fixed a few things on it since this photo was taken.
Here is one of my latest illustrations. It was a Halloween release for Columbia Games. It is creature that digs up graves and eats dead people. Lovely. Just so you know, I posed for the reference photo for this illustration.
All works are for sale, please inquire if you are interested.
Morning News, 9 x 12, oil on line
This was not supposed to be a depressing picture, as I started it before the economy tanked. I think it is a happy feeling piece anyway.
Green Jar, 12 x 9, oil on linen
I was happy with this one, as I finished it in 3 hours. I think it turned out fairly well.
Coffee and Cigar, 22 x 14, oil on linen
I just started this one. This is about 3 days in. So it has a way to go. I have fixed a few things on it since this photo was taken.
Here is one of my latest illustrations. It was a Halloween release for Columbia Games. It is creature that digs up graves and eats dead people. Lovely. Just so you know, I posed for the reference photo for this illustration.
Paid to Expose
I was in the mood for nothing this weekend. I skipped two parties and an art opening that I had work in. I am officially becoming an old pecker head.
The good news is that my paintings in the Exposed Artworks show sold. I rarely sell when I go to these things, so I think the lesson here is that my work sells better if I am not around. I am not sure why that is, as I am so charismatic.
Here are the paintings that are in the show downtown. I built some cute frames out of lumber and added bolts in the corners for decoration. I then made the bolts rusty by keeping wet rags and salt on them for a few days.
Nut and Bolt, each panel 2"x 2", oil on linen
This is how they look in the frame, though this is before I stained the frame dark and made the bolts rusty.
The good news is that my paintings in the Exposed Artworks show sold. I rarely sell when I go to these things, so I think the lesson here is that my work sells better if I am not around. I am not sure why that is, as I am so charismatic.
Here are the paintings that are in the show downtown. I built some cute frames out of lumber and added bolts in the corners for decoration. I then made the bolts rusty by keeping wet rags and salt on them for a few days.
Nut and Bolt, each panel 2"x 2", oil on linen
This is how they look in the frame, though this is before I stained the frame dark and made the bolts rusty.
Monday, October 27, 2008
I will be EXPOSED
And for a change it will be something for which I can not be arrested.
I will be in a show at the ArtWorks Gallery featuring artists whose work was chosen as the top 100 Secret cards from 2007.
I will be showing a small diptych of a nut and bolt. The paintings are only 2" x 2" and are framed in custom frames I made out of 2x4s with real bolts as decoration for the corners.
EXPOSED: Top Secret Artists of 2007
Juried from the 2007 Secret ArtWorks Event
October31 -November 21, 2008. M - F, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
At the ArtWorks Gallery
811 Race St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Opening Reception & Costume Masquerade
(Dress as your favorite artist!)
This Friday, 10-31-08
6 - 9 p.m.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Hillside Trust
Last night I had the honor of showing my work at the Cincinnati Art Museum. It was a fund raiser for the Hillside Trust. The event costs $100 a seat and you got the chance to buy art that with a portion of the sale price going to the organization. Unfortunately it did not seem like people were in the buying mood and only a few small works sold. I will say that it was fun hanging out with the other artists, and the cheese selection was out of this world. I even got some of the the little deserts to take home for later. So there was that to be excited about.
The work will remain up on the site, so if you are interested check it out. Below is the painting that I had in the show.
The Bend, oil on linen, 35 x 20, $4200 (framed)
50% of the sale price will go to the Hillside Trust.
Ok, back to a discussion of the food at this thing. It was amazing, there had to be at least 7 types of cheeses. The pasta tray was fantastic. There was meat in some of it, but it was easy to pick through. Other art shows should study the food that the Art Museum has at their openings and copy. I suppose it is easier to pull off at $100 a ticket, but still I was impressed.
I should start another blog totally devoted to cheese.
I also should do some paintings with cheese as the subject. I really like cheese.
__________________________________________________________
Since you asked, Carol Abbot, who did a great job organizing this event, sent me some photos that I will post here.
Here is a shot of the cheese. As stated before, it was a wonderful selection. I bet you are wondering what was in the silver warmer. Some sort of chicken egg roll with a dipping sauce. As a vegetarian, I was unable to sample these, but others were complimentary.
Here is a blurry shot of my painting located between the stairs and a lively conversation. The shot is blurry because the light was so dim. It is still a nice photo.
We can only imagine that they are arguing over which is the best of the cheeses.
The work will remain up on the site, so if you are interested check it out. Below is the painting that I had in the show.
The Bend, oil on linen, 35 x 20, $4200 (framed)
50% of the sale price will go to the Hillside Trust.
Ok, back to a discussion of the food at this thing. It was amazing, there had to be at least 7 types of cheeses. The pasta tray was fantastic. There was meat in some of it, but it was easy to pick through. Other art shows should study the food that the Art Museum has at their openings and copy. I suppose it is easier to pull off at $100 a ticket, but still I was impressed.
I should start another blog totally devoted to cheese.
I also should do some paintings with cheese as the subject. I really like cheese.
__________________________________________________________
Since you asked, Carol Abbot, who did a great job organizing this event, sent me some photos that I will post here.
Here is a shot of the cheese. As stated before, it was a wonderful selection. I bet you are wondering what was in the silver warmer. Some sort of chicken egg roll with a dipping sauce. As a vegetarian, I was unable to sample these, but others were complimentary.
Here is a blurry shot of my painting located between the stairs and a lively conversation. The shot is blurry because the light was so dim. It is still a nice photo.
We can only imagine that they are arguing over which is the best of the cheeses.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Ohio Riverscapes Show, October 11, Noon to 7pm
I would like to point out that with the economy in the state that it is in, there are few safe place to invest your money. What a great time to invest your nest egg in fine paintings by Cincinnati's best painters (I am mostly referring to me).
My paintings are worth the same amount of money, if not more than they were before the recent stock market crash. Participate in your own economic bailout, pull your remaining cash out from under your mattress and come buy some art work.
Noon to 7 pm is a long time, so you had better at least come and visit to help the time pass. You know what else makes the time pass? People buying tons of paintings!
(I had written 12am to 7pm, which is even longer- I really need to proofread these things.)
I was going to type all of that out, but just read the above image that Brain Joiner put together. I did replace the image with one of my paintings- even though the painting will not be in the show. It just fit the spot so well. Paintings like that one will be in the show, only smaller and cheaper. That is the ole bait and switch, but instead of doing it with price, I am doing it with quality.
As you can see, refreshments will be provided by Hyde Park Biggs. Nothing sell art like cubes of cheese.
In case you are confused as to were this is, I am supplying a photo of the building, it is on Riverside Drive, which used to be Eastern Ave I think. It is near the Koka coffee shop.
There is a view of the river from this building, so you can take the art outside to compare it to the real thing if you like.
My paintings are worth the same amount of money, if not more than they were before the recent stock market crash. Participate in your own economic bailout, pull your remaining cash out from under your mattress and come buy some art work.
Noon to 7 pm is a long time, so you had better at least come and visit to help the time pass. You know what else makes the time pass? People buying tons of paintings!
(I had written 12am to 7pm, which is even longer- I really need to proofread these things.)
I was going to type all of that out, but just read the above image that Brain Joiner put together. I did replace the image with one of my paintings- even though the painting will not be in the show. It just fit the spot so well. Paintings like that one will be in the show, only smaller and cheaper. That is the ole bait and switch, but instead of doing it with price, I am doing it with quality.
As you can see, refreshments will be provided by Hyde Park Biggs. Nothing sell art like cubes of cheese.
In case you are confused as to were this is, I am supplying a photo of the building, it is on Riverside Drive, which used to be Eastern Ave I think. It is near the Koka coffee shop.
There is a view of the river from this building, so you can take the art outside to compare it to the real thing if you like.
Sketch Group Visitor
There is a select group of artist friends of mine that I meet with every Tuesday evening at one of our studios to sketch from the figure. Lately we have been meeting at my studio. It is a great opportunity for us to study the figure, in an attempt to understand form- in addition to a lot of discussion. It also helps to share the costs of a model (we pay $12 and hour if you are interested in posing email me). Much of the discussion is random thoughts peppered with insults and cheap shots. Occasionally something profound is said, but usually that is not the case.
A few weeks ago we found out a local artist who is studying traditional painting in Florence Italy. Eager to meet a new talent, we invited Shane Wolf to sketch with us. It was great fun to meet a new local painter that is getting some good training and doing such great work. While the methods and techniques are sometimes different, the goal and the results are the same.
Though I do question his abilities as a painter, he did refuse my challenge to wrestle.
I took some photos of the group that night and thought I would post them.
This lovely group shot was taken by our model, Allison.
Group from the back, left to right is of course-me first (I look fat here), then Shane Wolf, Carl Samson, Carolyn Manto, next row is Joe Slucher, and Clem Robins and in front is Ulysses J. (Ully) Marin. It is a handsome group, though Clem has that "cat that ate the canary" look to him.
Please note: Before emailing me to ask if you can be in this group, we have limited space and allow other artists to draw with us only if they have very special qualities. Usually they are hand picked and have to go through a rigorous hazing period. If you are thinking you would like to contact me to ask if you can be in our sketch group you had better have some amazing skills- or at least be willing to bring lots of alcohol.
A few weeks ago we found out a local artist who is studying traditional painting in Florence Italy. Eager to meet a new talent, we invited Shane Wolf to sketch with us. It was great fun to meet a new local painter that is getting some good training and doing such great work. While the methods and techniques are sometimes different, the goal and the results are the same.
Though I do question his abilities as a painter, he did refuse my challenge to wrestle.
I took some photos of the group that night and thought I would post them.
This lovely group shot was taken by our model, Allison.
Group from the back, left to right is of course-me first (I look fat here), then Shane Wolf, Carl Samson, Carolyn Manto, next row is Joe Slucher, and Clem Robins and in front is Ulysses J. (Ully) Marin. It is a handsome group, though Clem has that "cat that ate the canary" look to him.
Please note: Before emailing me to ask if you can be in this group, we have limited space and allow other artists to draw with us only if they have very special qualities. Usually they are hand picked and have to go through a rigorous hazing period. If you are thinking you would like to contact me to ask if you can be in our sketch group you had better have some amazing skills- or at least be willing to bring lots of alcohol.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Top 100 Secret ArtWorks
If you are not familiar, Secret ArtWorks is a fundraising event featuring the exhibition and sale of 5” x 7” works of art from local, national and international artists. All works of art sell for $75 each. The ‘secret’ behind each piece is the identity of the artist – which is revealed after the work is purchased.
Second year in a row, my work was selected to be published in the Secret ArtWorks top 100 Catalog. I did 3 secret art cards for them, and oddly they picked my least favorite, but it got in there. Here is the one that was chosen for the catalog, which will be on sale at the next Secret ArtWorks event on November 14.
My Secret Card from 2007, Selected for the top 100 cards of last year.
Bunny and his Peeps, 7x5, oil on canvas
Mark your calendar!
Second year in a row, my work was selected to be published in the Secret ArtWorks top 100 Catalog. I did 3 secret art cards for them, and oddly they picked my least favorite, but it got in there. Here is the one that was chosen for the catalog, which will be on sale at the next Secret ArtWorks event on November 14.
My Secret Card from 2007, Selected for the top 100 cards of last year.
Bunny and his Peeps, 7x5, oil on canvas
Mark your calendar!
Secret ArtWorks 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Sara Pearce Is Leaving the Enquirer
It is unfortunate news, but the Cincinnati Enquirer is no longer going to have an arts editor. They offered buyouts for many of their employees. So after 25 years Sara is leaving . I think a lot of people are leaving, including Jim Borgman.
I had just this week complained to the paper about how terrible the art blog is. Sara had originally set up a very nice blog, that was attractively laid out, easy to navigate and pretty fast. There was some fun discussion on there at times. The Enquirer had her move it to their painfully unattractive and slow site, with all of their other blogs. After that, the comments were slim to none, as the site was just not very good.
I am not sure why, as papers have to be struggling to compete with all the online news and blogs, they should at least make sure their online presence is a powerful one.
While I did not always agree with Sara's opinions (she likes a lot of "art"), she will be missed. She did write a pretty good review about my last show. Though, I thought the article "lacked bravura and polish" that can be found in some of her other work.
She will still be around on her personal blogs.
http://stateoftheartcincinnati.blogspot.com/ - it's a shell at the moment but she told me to keep looking, as it will fill up.
She also created a second blog about the local crafts scene called "craft lust". For some reason that title seems like a disaster waiting to happen. I generally think it is a bad idea to put "lust" in a website title. You are going to place yourself in some weird search results on google- some freaky people may end up at the site, like those that are sexually turned on by crafts (crafts can be pretty hot), but that will make for some interesting comments on that blog.
blogspot.com (http://craftlust.blogspot.com/) with a mirror site at wordpress.com (http://craftlust.wordpress.com/). Why two of the same blog? She wants to see which site she- - and we - like better.
I will do my best to post my opinionated comments on those blogs when they get running.
I'm not sure how it will work getting local news on the arts now. The Enquirer will probably just have a sports writer do an occasional article on the arts. That should be great. They can use cool sports saying to describe the art, like that it is a "home run", a "Strike out", or just say things like "Boo Ya!".
I suppose we should be happy we still have CityBeat, which is really pretty unfortunate. Unless you are a communist.
I had just this week complained to the paper about how terrible the art blog is. Sara had originally set up a very nice blog, that was attractively laid out, easy to navigate and pretty fast. There was some fun discussion on there at times. The Enquirer had her move it to their painfully unattractive and slow site, with all of their other blogs. After that, the comments were slim to none, as the site was just not very good.
I am not sure why, as papers have to be struggling to compete with all the online news and blogs, they should at least make sure their online presence is a powerful one.
While I did not always agree with Sara's opinions (she likes a lot of "art"), she will be missed. She did write a pretty good review about my last show. Though, I thought the article "lacked bravura and polish" that can be found in some of her other work.
She will still be around on her personal blogs.
http://stateoftheartcincinnati.blogspot.com/ - it's a shell at the moment but she told me to keep looking, as it will fill up.
She also created a second blog about the local crafts scene called "craft lust". For some reason that title seems like a disaster waiting to happen. I generally think it is a bad idea to put "lust" in a website title. You are going to place yourself in some weird search results on google- some freaky people may end up at the site, like those that are sexually turned on by crafts (crafts can be pretty hot), but that will make for some interesting comments on that blog.
blogspot.com (http://craftlust.blogspot.com/) with a mirror site at wordpress.com (http://craftlust.wordpress.com/). Why two of the same blog? She wants to see which site she- - and we - like better.
I will do my best to post my opinionated comments on those blogs when they get running.
I'm not sure how it will work getting local news on the arts now. The Enquirer will probably just have a sports writer do an occasional article on the arts. That should be great. They can use cool sports saying to describe the art, like that it is a "home run", a "Strike out", or just say things like "Boo Ya!".
I suppose we should be happy we still have CityBeat, which is really pretty unfortunate. Unless you are a communist.
Beware: Art Buying Scam! UPDATED
I got an email today that had me very excited. It was an email that asked about two paintings of mine. I was busy, read it quickly and just got the fact that someone was interested. Then when I sat down to answer the email I figured out it was a scam. Still hopeful, I googled the address and found a blog post with a discussion of this very thing. So I thought I would post here to help get the word out.
We rent rooms in our house, and my wife gets similar scams like this all the time, asking about the room and and wanting to send a check right away. Usually the English is not so good, they are short and impersonal, or long and too personal.
The scam is that they send a check for more than the amount and ask that you send them the difference. I doubt many people fall for this, but either way, I can see it wasting a lot of time.
Here is the email I received.
Dear Seller
My name is Brian,I reside at 144 broad street,cumber land,R.I. 02864,
USA? I got your Tired Painter | Oil on Linen | 18 x 14 and Dental
Impressionism | Oil on Panel | 9 x 13
the ad site and i' am willing to purchase it, i want you to please
get back to me with the
LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE THE REAL OWNER
YOUR FINAL ASKING PRICE
THE PRESENT CONDITION AND I NEED MORE PICS
As for the Shipping i will take care of that through pick up .
Best of regards
There are sentences in there that don't even make sense, and one isn't even finished. I initially thought he was so excited about my work, he was typing with a frenzy. Just a foreign scammer.
Also, who the hell says "Best of Regards?"
Just so you know, I answered with this:
Tired Painter is $15,000 and Dental Impressionism is $12,000.
Before this goes any further, could you please write at length why you like each of the paintings. I like to know what it is people enjoy about them before I sent them art work. Your email was short and I would like a lot more information about your art collecting past and the kind of work you like. I would love to see some photos of work you have in your collection or at least to know some painters that you collect.
Thanks
The Seller
If you are interested in those paintings, they are available for a much cheaper price than that. I hope this helps and keeps folks out there from wasting their time.
Best of Regards
_________________________________________________________
Update to my scam buyer. He replied to my email and has said he will buy them. Here is his reply:
Thanks for the mail am still interested in purchasing the ( Tired
Painter | Oil on Linen | 18 x 14 and Dental Impressionism | Oil on
Panel | 9 x 13. ),as for the price i will go for $27,500 to keep away
any interested buyer from buying and please kindly remove it from the
site and count it sold to me,cos presently am off the shores of
Norway for my honeymoon.
So i will have to instruct my colleague in USA to send you a check
drawn from a US bank via a courier service, since that is the only
means of payment I can offer now due to my present location
So kindly send me this information so that you can get the payment
Full Name To Be Written On The Check
Full Contact Address,City,State And Cod
Home Or Mobile Phone #
Permanent Email Address
So that I can instruct my colleague to send you the check to enable me
get it on time. Never bother about the shipping I will handle it
myself. I look forward to hear from you as soon as possible and please
note that the shipping company advice me to include the shipping
funds together in the same check
Many Thanks
We rent rooms in our house, and my wife gets similar scams like this all the time, asking about the room and and wanting to send a check right away. Usually the English is not so good, they are short and impersonal, or long and too personal.
The scam is that they send a check for more than the amount and ask that you send them the difference. I doubt many people fall for this, but either way, I can see it wasting a lot of time.
Here is the email I received.
Dear Seller
My name is Brian,I reside at 144 broad street,cumber land,R.I. 02864,
USA? I got your Tired Painter | Oil on Linen | 18 x 14 and Dental
Impressionism | Oil on Panel | 9 x 13
the ad site and i' am willing to purchase it, i want you to please
get back to me with the
LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE THE REAL OWNER
YOUR FINAL ASKING PRICE
THE PRESENT CONDITION AND I NEED MORE PICS
As for the Shipping i will take care of that through pick up .
Best of regards
There are sentences in there that don't even make sense, and one isn't even finished. I initially thought he was so excited about my work, he was typing with a frenzy. Just a foreign scammer.
Also, who the hell says "Best of Regards?"
Just so you know, I answered with this:
Tired Painter is $15,000 and Dental Impressionism is $12,000.
Before this goes any further, could you please write at length why you like each of the paintings. I like to know what it is people enjoy about them before I sent them art work. Your email was short and I would like a lot more information about your art collecting past and the kind of work you like. I would love to see some photos of work you have in your collection or at least to know some painters that you collect.
Thanks
The Seller
If you are interested in those paintings, they are available for a much cheaper price than that. I hope this helps and keeps folks out there from wasting their time.
Best of Regards
_________________________________________________________
Update to my scam buyer. He replied to my email and has said he will buy them. Here is his reply:
Thanks for the mail am still interested in purchasing the ( Tired
Painter | Oil on Linen | 18 x 14 and Dental Impressionism | Oil on
Panel | 9 x 13. ),as for the price i will go for $27,500 to keep away
any interested buyer from buying and please kindly remove it from the
site and count it sold to me,cos presently am off the shores of
Norway for my honeymoon.
So i will have to instruct my colleague in USA to send you a check
drawn from a US bank via a courier service, since that is the only
means of payment I can offer now due to my present location
So kindly send me this information so that you can get the payment
Full Name To Be Written On The Check
Full Contact Address,City,State And Cod
Home Or Mobile Phone #
Permanent Email Address
So that I can instruct my colleague to send you the check to enable me
get it on time. Never bother about the shipping I will handle it
myself. I look forward to hear from you as soon as possible and please
note that the shipping company advice me to include the shipping
funds together in the same check
Many Thanks
Sunday, August 31, 2008
A day with Chinese artists
Last Tuesday, I had the pleasure of being invited by Jan Brown Checco to spend the day with some artists visiting from China. I met them at Jan's house, who I oddly had never met even though she lives less than a third of a mile from my house. We had coffee and I was given wonderful little books showing each of the artists work.
We then went to my studio in Eden park and I discussed my work. As none of them spoke much, if any English, it was interesting having these discussions through an interpreter, who I thought did an amazing job.
We had lunch in the park and then set up to draw and paint. At this point we were joined by Carl Samson. I worked on the same painting the entire time, but the Chinese artists buzzed around doing tons of sketches. It was fun to watch them work. Doing drawings of the ducks and all of them did wonderful sketches of me working. Of course how could they resist.
Here is the 8x10 sketch I did at the edge of the pond. It needs some ducks in it. I may go back to work on it.
It was a lovely time except for some idiot with a gas powered remote control monster truck. Unfortunately I did not have my sword, or I would have handled the situation. I thought it best to show the Chinese my peaceful nature. I will hunt him down later.
After dinner, we went to Carl's studio where we all drew from our favorite model Lisa.
Friday Laura and I went to an opening at Xavier of collaborative works done by artists from Cincinnati, China and Munich.
Here we are in my studio- Pictured left to right: Tang Qin, Jan Brown Checco, Huang Jing, Me (That is not a Chinese name- I mean it is me, Richard Luschek), Jigang Qin, and He Zhenahai.
Tang was as cute as can be, and does lovely work that looks like late impressionists paintings- She is the student of Huang. Huang does expressive paintings, my favorites seemed to be influenced by the work of Klimt, the other two artists are sculptors who have both done major public works in China.
I would love to be able to visit them in China and do some landscape painting in their beautiful country.
We then went to my studio in Eden park and I discussed my work. As none of them spoke much, if any English, it was interesting having these discussions through an interpreter, who I thought did an amazing job.
We had lunch in the park and then set up to draw and paint. At this point we were joined by Carl Samson. I worked on the same painting the entire time, but the Chinese artists buzzed around doing tons of sketches. It was fun to watch them work. Doing drawings of the ducks and all of them did wonderful sketches of me working. Of course how could they resist.
Here is the 8x10 sketch I did at the edge of the pond. It needs some ducks in it. I may go back to work on it.
It was a lovely time except for some idiot with a gas powered remote control monster truck. Unfortunately I did not have my sword, or I would have handled the situation. I thought it best to show the Chinese my peaceful nature. I will hunt him down later.
After dinner, we went to Carl's studio where we all drew from our favorite model Lisa.
Friday Laura and I went to an opening at Xavier of collaborative works done by artists from Cincinnati, China and Munich.
Here we are in my studio- Pictured left to right: Tang Qin, Jan Brown Checco, Huang Jing, Me (That is not a Chinese name- I mean it is me, Richard Luschek), Jigang Qin, and He Zhenahai.
Tang was as cute as can be, and does lovely work that looks like late impressionists paintings- She is the student of Huang. Huang does expressive paintings, my favorites seemed to be influenced by the work of Klimt, the other two artists are sculptors who have both done major public works in China.
I would love to be able to visit them in China and do some landscape painting in their beautiful country.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Baker-Hunt Art Center Flower Show- Aug 16, 5-9pm
My huge solo show is still going on at UC Clermont college (see the post below)
A well known Cincinnati resident said "It really is the show of the year and if you don't see it you really have some serious lack in taste and morals".
OK, I am the one that said it, but it's true.
Now, if that isn't enough Luschek for you, I have 5 paintings in a show at the Baker Hunt Flower Show. It is a charity event with proceeds going to Hospice of Cincinnati. There are quite a few people in the show. Somehow my name didn't make it on the card. Can you imagine? They left me off. Don't they know who I am? I have a solo show! In Batavia! Don't they know I own a sword?
Well, I am in the show, so if you are dying to buy one of my paintings and/or you want to donate to Hospice, go check it out.
Baker Hunt Foundation
620 Greenup Street Covington, Kentucky 41011 (859) 431-0020 Fax (859) 431-9358
Here are some of my paintings currently on view.
Blue Watering Can, 20x16, oil on canvas
Tulips by the Studio, 7x5, Oil on panel
Summer Rose, 5x5, oil on linen
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Solo Show at UC Clermont College
Paintings by Richard Luschek
Verisimilitude- (vÄ•r'É™-sÄ-mÄl'Ä-tÅ«d', -tyÅ«d')n.
1. The quality of appearing to be true or real.
2. Something that has the appearance of being true or real.
[August 1-29 August]: A selection of oil paintings by me. The show will include still life, portrait and local landscapes. There will be a lot of brand new work. So new in fact, that some of it will still be wet. I still have one painting I want to finish by the opening, it is not looking hopeful, but I am trying.
Artist reception will be Friday 8 August @ 6:30 - 9:30 PM. Hope to see you there. There will be snacks, but UC doesn't allow the serving of alcohol, so we will all have to go elsewhere for drinking.
At the UC Clermont College Art Gallery, 4200 Clermont College Drive, Batavia, OH 45103.
Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Closed Saturday and Sunday
More info @ 513.558.1215 & www.ucclermont.edu.
Click here for directions.
I will be standing by the road near this sign for the duration of the show. Make it worth my effort and come and see my work.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Painting In Situ
As I am the proud owner of the largest, single private collection of Richard Luschek art, it is nice when someone else out there joins that elite and club of intelligent* art collectors with tons of taste who own some of my work.
I have been thinking of selling off most of my collection, so I was happy when someone walked into the Rottinghaus gallery and decided to buy one.
Here is a picture of it installed in the house.
Looks pretty good in the space don't you think? I fits perfectly in the molding above the fireplace- like it was made for that spot. The painting is 2' x 4'. It looks small in this house.
Of course I can't really tell you where the house is or who owns it. All I can say is that the password to their security system is "Swordfish". I made that up, but I have to say, if I had the money to have a security system, I would totally use "swordfish" as my password.
*I think it is hilarious that when ever I type a posting like this, I almost always misspell the word "intelegent".
I have been thinking of selling off most of my collection, so I was happy when someone walked into the Rottinghaus gallery and decided to buy one.
Here is a picture of it installed in the house.
Looks pretty good in the space don't you think? I fits perfectly in the molding above the fireplace- like it was made for that spot. The painting is 2' x 4'. It looks small in this house.
Of course I can't really tell you where the house is or who owns it. All I can say is that the password to their security system is "Swordfish". I made that up, but I have to say, if I had the money to have a security system, I would totally use "swordfish" as my password.
*I think it is hilarious that when ever I type a posting like this, I almost always misspell the word "intelegent".
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
New Small works
I have started doing a series of small paintings, just about the time that my wife and I decided I should really be working bigger.
I do have one larger painting going, and plan on doing more soon, but in addition I have been doing these tiny ones. I have just been trying to set up some interesting abstractions with just a few objects.
Here are two 3" x 3" panels- oil on linen I did them pretty much at the same time. I tried to make each of them work on their own and be interesting as a pair.
I haven't worked on a title yet. Ideas?
I built some nice frames for these out of simple pressure treated 2x4 lumber. I just rough cut it and put it together, and added bolt in the corners for decoration. I think the bolts are a bit shiny and might look better rusty.
Otherwise, I think they work pretty well.
Next I have been doing a few small espresso cups. I will post the first image. The other two will go up when they are finished. They are all 3" x 5", oil on linen. I started these when Kim from Rottinghaus Gallery gave me two really nice 3 x 5 frames to work with. This third one happened when I painted it on the panel and forgot that frames cut off a 1/4" all the way around, and the cup was cut off. You would think I would have learned that lesson by now. So I had to build a frame that did not cut off major parts of the painting.
I do have one larger painting going, and plan on doing more soon, but in addition I have been doing these tiny ones. I have just been trying to set up some interesting abstractions with just a few objects.
Here are two 3" x 3" panels- oil on linen I did them pretty much at the same time. I tried to make each of them work on their own and be interesting as a pair.
I haven't worked on a title yet. Ideas?
I built some nice frames for these out of simple pressure treated 2x4 lumber. I just rough cut it and put it together, and added bolt in the corners for decoration. I think the bolts are a bit shiny and might look better rusty.
Otherwise, I think they work pretty well.
Next I have been doing a few small espresso cups. I will post the first image. The other two will go up when they are finished. They are all 3" x 5", oil on linen. I started these when Kim from Rottinghaus Gallery gave me two really nice 3 x 5 frames to work with. This third one happened when I painted it on the panel and forgot that frames cut off a 1/4" all the way around, and the cup was cut off. You would think I would have learned that lesson by now. So I had to build a frame that did not cut off major parts of the painting.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Landscape sword
As you know from the previous post, our room mate died. Bill got piles of junk mail, and as it comes in I have been contacting the companies to have him taken off their mailing list. He got a lot of army surplus and knife catalogs. So I was online to one of the sword catalogs , and then ended up buying something.
I do a lot of medieval illustrations for a company called Columbia Games. So I thought I would buy myself a Viking sword, as it was on sale. Laura my wife takes a lot of photos of me posing for these illustrations, and I usually just hold a yard stick for the sword, but figured the actual thing, or at least a cheap Chinese reproduction of the actual thing would be nice.
Then I got to thinking, how awesome it would be if I just wore it all the time? Well, it would be pretty cool I think. I could at least wear it when I am landscape painting. I could use it to point at the scene to be painted, to trim down canvases, to hack my way through the underbrush, as a maul stick, and most importantly, to fend off all of those people that want to come up and tell you about some cousin they have that paints. I bet they would be reluctant to bring their kids up to see my painting and interrupt me if I had a three foot long sword in my hand.
So, anyone taking my landscape painting class, should consider buying the sword.
I am attaching a photo of the weapon and a fictional reenactment of how totally bad ass I will look painting with the sword in my hand. Cool huh?
I am counting the days till my sword arrives.
I do a lot of medieval illustrations for a company called Columbia Games. So I thought I would buy myself a Viking sword, as it was on sale. Laura my wife takes a lot of photos of me posing for these illustrations, and I usually just hold a yard stick for the sword, but figured the actual thing, or at least a cheap Chinese reproduction of the actual thing would be nice.
Then I got to thinking, how awesome it would be if I just wore it all the time? Well, it would be pretty cool I think. I could at least wear it when I am landscape painting. I could use it to point at the scene to be painted, to trim down canvases, to hack my way through the underbrush, as a maul stick, and most importantly, to fend off all of those people that want to come up and tell you about some cousin they have that paints. I bet they would be reluctant to bring their kids up to see my painting and interrupt me if I had a three foot long sword in my hand.
So, anyone taking my landscape painting class, should consider buying the sword.
I am attaching a photo of the weapon and a fictional reenactment of how totally bad ass I will look painting with the sword in my hand. Cool huh?
I am counting the days till my sword arrives.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
R.I.P. Bill Wurster
My wife and I had a tenant for four years that unexpectedly decided to move out. He had been having some diabetes related health issues, and was acting kind of strange. He was sending me strange emails that were at times paranoid and other times like he was trying to connect in some way. He was not a person you could get close to, but I tried to make some sort of connection by sending him a link to this blog, he quickly replied saying that he doesn't read blogs.
Well, he eventually did read it and sent this as a reply: "Some of the humor is probably not too appreciated by some of the general public, but what the heck. I think putting your life out to dry in the public sector so people can watch your life unfold is a little hoakie."
Interesting point actually, but I am going to do it again, and finish by telling you that two days after moving out, Bill passed away. Even though I can't say we were close, his passing effected me pretty hard. The night he died, as he walked out of our house for the last time, there was something noticeably tired and sad about it. I knew he was sick, but I never thought that would be the last time I would see him.
It has been almost a month since his passing. Some of his friends were in town today from Detroit to go through his stuff and take care of business as they are the beneficiaries of his will.
Talking to them about Bill got me thinking that I should post something about him on the blog.
So, as this is a blog mostly about my art or my puffed up opinions on art, I will post some images of art that Bill used to do in his cluttered room.
He used to make beaded jewelry and little religious icons and other primitive pieces of artwork. He loved to comment on the paintings I would bring home and hang in the kitchen. He seemed to think I had a problem with objects in my paintings leaning to the right. Not sure I ever figured out what he was talking about. I started to think that he was the one with the problem, but he occasionally had some good criticisms.
Here are two small pieces he did for the Secret ArtWorks show two years ago.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Get Ya Some Learnin'
My next class starts very soon.
The extremely handsome fellow painting in the photo above will be your teacher. Sorry ladies, I am married, but don't let that stop you from taking it anyway.
Summer Landscape Painting Class [10 Saturdays, June 28 to Aug. 28 @ 10 AM - 1 PM]: Plein-Air is French for "in the open air.” Experience the pleasure of painting & seeing the world in a new way as you meet at various scenic parks around Cincinnati to learn to sketch & paint with oils. In case of rain, class will meet indoors or in parks with overhead cover. Details & directions to locations will be given in class. No experience necessary. Richard Luschek studied classical painting under Boston painter Paul Ingbretson for 3 years after earning his BFA degree with UC's DAAP program. In addition to working as an artist & maintaining his art studio, Richard has taught with the Art Academy of Cincinnati & currently teaches private classes in his studio. View his work @ www.richardluschek.com Tuition is $199 for the 10-week class #3715-01; does not include supplies. A list of supplies needed for the class provided with enrollment confirmation or @ www.uc.edu/ace/commu/PAINTING.mht. First class meets at artist's Eden Park studio, then at various parks. More info & register @ http://www.uc.edu/ace/noncreditreg/browseclasses.aspx?classid=_xx1, www.uc.edu/ace/noncreditreg/, richard_luschek@yahoo.com, & 513.479.3322
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Red Tree Gallery
I got a painting juried in a show at the Red Tree Gallery. The show is called Out of the Blue, and is a themed show in which the painting had to have something, blue, be about blue, titled blue or possibly make you feel blue. I had a blue painting, with a blue title.
The show opens Friday, June 13th, 2008 from 6-9pm and runs June 9th through July 5th
Below is the painting in it's crazy frame, that I will have in the show. Hope you can stop in to see it in person and drink lots of coffee. I am hoping that this gallery/coffee shop will have tons of patrons all crazy hopped up on caffeine making spur of the moment rash decisions including buying this painting.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Back 2 Bach
As an update to this post, I thought I would post a photo that Linda Crank sent of the my work in this lovely space.
I am going to be showing a few new paintings at the College Hill Presbyterian Church. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the concert because my silly brother decided to get married that night. Too bad, as I am a fan of Bach, though he hasn't done anything new in years.
If you are interested, and you should be, the information is posted below.
College Hill Presbyterian Church
5742 Hamilton Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45224
(513) 541-5676, Fax 541-1575 Directions
Part II of the Back 2 Bach concert series will be presented on June 7, 7 p.m. The first concert received an enthusiastic standing ovation. Four gifted pianists from CCM will perform Bach’s Concerto No. 6 in F Major, No. 7 in G Minor, No. 5 in F Minor and No. 2 in E Major. The concert will be preceded by a performance from young, talented pianists at 6:30 p.m. This evening of classical music will be complemented with an exhibition of classical art by two area oil painters, Richard Luschek and Linda Crank.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Mr. Richard J. Luschek II, SM
I recently applied for super special Signature membership of the Cincinnati Art Club. I had to drop off 5 paintings for a super secret Selection Committee. They accepted me in as a Signature Member and I am honored.
Still trying to figure out how to actually add this honor to my signature. If you were a member of the Royal Academy, you got an RA behind your name, so I suppose a 'SM' works. Should it be SMCAC (Signature Member Cincinnati Art Club)? I am sure I will find out in the next meeting.
The interesting thing about being a Signature member is that the Associate members have to carry my books and art supplies for me when I come to the club, open doors and just generally worship me as a Signature member.
I think there are secret meetings with Signature members, not unlike the Skull and Bones organization or the Masons. I am hoping to be involved in some sort of deep, dark Signature Member art conspiracies that we will discuss at length in meetings peppered with evil laughter in a cigar smoke filled room while we swirl the snifter of 20 year single malt scotch- yeah, technically a snifter is for Brandy, but that is just the kind of crazy stuff us Signature members do. Most of the crazy stuff of course I can't discuss with any of you non-Signature Members.
I probably should smoke a pipe more now. Just seems like something a Signature member should do.
Still trying to figure out how to actually add this honor to my signature. If you were a member of the Royal Academy, you got an RA behind your name, so I suppose a 'SM' works. Should it be SMCAC (Signature Member Cincinnati Art Club)? I am sure I will find out in the next meeting.
The interesting thing about being a Signature member is that the Associate members have to carry my books and art supplies for me when I come to the club, open doors and just generally worship me as a Signature member.
I think there are secret meetings with Signature members, not unlike the Skull and Bones organization or the Masons. I am hoping to be involved in some sort of deep, dark Signature Member art conspiracies that we will discuss at length in meetings peppered with evil laughter in a cigar smoke filled room while we swirl the snifter of 20 year single malt scotch- yeah, technically a snifter is for Brandy, but that is just the kind of crazy stuff us Signature members do. Most of the crazy stuff of course I can't discuss with any of you non-Signature Members.
I probably should smoke a pipe more now. Just seems like something a Signature member should do.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
I Got Called Out
I was mentioned on Sara Pearce's Blog this weekend. She has a nice blog on the Cincinnati art scene.
I had no idea she was so riveted to my Blog. But honestly, she was just fishing for Art Museum news and found my rant in the search. She did not agree with my post below discussing the terrible lighting in the Rembrandt show. The title of her post was "Rembrandt: too little light for the master?". While it is true I thought there was too little light, I was kind of embarrassed that Sara called me a master. I mean come on, I could see Master used for Rembrandt, but I am just getting started as a painter.
What?
Huh? She was talking about Rembrandt, not me?
Oh.
Anyway, I know the museum went to great lengths to get the work, and surprisingly there were probably a bunch of meetings on the topic of how to display these masterpieces. A lot of work and thought went into how to display these paintings. I suppose I should be thankful for that at least. Still, I would like to have been able to actually see the paintings, in the truest sense, not in forced mood lighting.
In her post Sara says: "Meanwhile, I challenge Luschek's assertion that not "a single artist in history" would be happier with artificial light. C'mon. I know painters now who paint in studios lit by artificial light and who think their work looks best in artificial light. I can't begin to read the mind of the dead but I bet Andy Warhol would be an artificial light proponent."
Really, who cares what Warhol would have thought?
I swear anytime someone wants to argue about great painters and then whips out the Andy Warhol card *, I am done. You might as well bring up Bob Ross or Kinkade the Painter of Light.
Andy Warhol was a clown, and as I said before, work should be shown in the light it was painted in, I suppose then Warhol should be shown through marijuana smoke lit by a lava lamp.
Though, as was insinuated in a comment by on Sara's blog, I am just a "nostalgic" fool bogged down in 1000's of years of tradition, too silly to jump on the series of uneducated ideas that have come and gone with "vitality" in the last 60 years.
I am done talking about this, as I am right on this subject. While the red walls and incandescent bulbs may be enough for those that just want to see a Rembrandt dog and pony show put on by the museum, serious students of painting must have daylight on paintings to study the color- yes I know that the sun goes down and occasionally we have to turn the lights on. I enjoy that technological advance as much as anyone, but one can never see a painting truthfully in artificial light.
Ives Gammell discussed this much better than I ever could in his article:
A Clarion Call for Daylight in Picture Galleries. Check it out. I am planning to print this out and stick it in the comment box at the museum.
Off to paint in my north lit studio. I will resist the urge to turn on the lights.
*note: This link is to David Hockney's idiotic book on the secrets of the masters. In it he uses the brilliant logic that the similar style of drawn lines by Warhol and Ingres prove that since Warhol couldn't draw and traced photos, Ingres must have not been able to draw either and must have used some sort of lens as an aid. Can't wait to read Hockney's book disproving Einstein's theories.
I had no idea she was so riveted to my Blog. But honestly, she was just fishing for Art Museum news and found my rant in the search. She did not agree with my post below discussing the terrible lighting in the Rembrandt show. The title of her post was "Rembrandt: too little light for the master?". While it is true I thought there was too little light, I was kind of embarrassed that Sara called me a master. I mean come on, I could see Master used for Rembrandt, but I am just getting started as a painter.
What?
Huh? She was talking about Rembrandt, not me?
Oh.
Anyway, I know the museum went to great lengths to get the work, and surprisingly there were probably a bunch of meetings on the topic of how to display these masterpieces. A lot of work and thought went into how to display these paintings. I suppose I should be thankful for that at least. Still, I would like to have been able to actually see the paintings, in the truest sense, not in forced mood lighting.
In her post Sara says: "Meanwhile, I challenge Luschek's assertion that not "a single artist in history" would be happier with artificial light. C'mon. I know painters now who paint in studios lit by artificial light and who think their work looks best in artificial light. I can't begin to read the mind of the dead but I bet Andy Warhol would be an artificial light proponent."
Really, who cares what Warhol would have thought?
I swear anytime someone wants to argue about great painters and then whips out the Andy Warhol card *, I am done. You might as well bring up Bob Ross or Kinkade the Painter of Light.
Andy Warhol was a clown, and as I said before, work should be shown in the light it was painted in, I suppose then Warhol should be shown through marijuana smoke lit by a lava lamp.
Though, as was insinuated in a comment by on Sara's blog, I am just a "nostalgic" fool bogged down in 1000's of years of tradition, too silly to jump on the series of uneducated ideas that have come and gone with "vitality" in the last 60 years.
I am done talking about this, as I am right on this subject. While the red walls and incandescent bulbs may be enough for those that just want to see a Rembrandt dog and pony show put on by the museum, serious students of painting must have daylight on paintings to study the color- yes I know that the sun goes down and occasionally we have to turn the lights on. I enjoy that technological advance as much as anyone, but one can never see a painting truthfully in artificial light.
Ives Gammell discussed this much better than I ever could in his article:
A Clarion Call for Daylight in Picture Galleries. Check it out. I am planning to print this out and stick it in the comment box at the museum.
Off to paint in my north lit studio. I will resist the urge to turn on the lights.
*note: This link is to David Hockney's idiotic book on the secrets of the masters. In it he uses the brilliant logic that the similar style of drawn lines by Warhol and Ingres prove that since Warhol couldn't draw and traced photos, Ingres must have not been able to draw either and must have used some sort of lens as an aid. Can't wait to read Hockney's book disproving Einstein's theories.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Rembrandt: Three Faces in a Closet
I went to a show at the Cincinnati Art Museum today to see the Rembrandt paintings. It was like going to see paintings by one of the top painters in history and then finding them hanging in a closet. The only thing that would have been worse would have been if they had just turned the lights off. Had to be the worst lit show I have ever been to. I suppose someone decided, "The paintings are dark, maybe the room should be too." I have seen drawings and works on paper (work that is actually sensitive to light) in better lighting than this show.
The amazing thing is that there are skylights in the room they were shown in, but they had blocked them, to then spot light the paintings with incandescent bulbs. I am not sure who made this decision, but it was a poor and ill informed one. Only explanation that I would accept is that this was a condition of them being lent from the other museums. I can't see why, as sunlight is good for oil paintings, and while I can't speak for our museum or the one in Indy, but I would think at least that the Louvre knows better.
I can't think of a single 'great' artist in history that would suggest that his work would look better in artificial light. Rembrandt would be horrified to see his work shown so poorly. It would have been nice to really study the work, but it was hard to see them and study them fairly. I bet with natural light on them they would have glowed and the colors would have sparkled. Rembrandt is not known for his color, but the full spectrum of daylight would have done this show wonders.
The amazing thing is that there are skylights in the room they were shown in, but they had blocked them, to then spot light the paintings with incandescent bulbs. I am not sure who made this decision, but it was a poor and ill informed one. Only explanation that I would accept is that this was a condition of them being lent from the other museums. I can't see why, as sunlight is good for oil paintings, and while I can't speak for our museum or the one in Indy, but I would think at least that the Louvre knows better.
I can't think of a single 'great' artist in history that would suggest that his work would look better in artificial light. Rembrandt would be horrified to see his work shown so poorly. It would have been nice to really study the work, but it was hard to see them and study them fairly. I bet with natural light on them they would have glowed and the colors would have sparkled. Rembrandt is not known for his color, but the full spectrum of daylight would have done this show wonders.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
When you have really 'Made It'
OK, now I have had favorable reviews of my work show up online and in newspapers, had work juried into national shows, won a few awards, have had my illustrations published and distributed in other countries, and have a painting in a museum, but this is when you really know you have made it:
When kids think your work is cool and copy it themselves.
My brother works with someone that has two talented young artist sons. They are around 9 or 10 I think. My brother, works as an structural engineer type person for some fancy company place where he does things and gets paid for it (I should pay more attention to what he says) Anyway, while at work he saw that one of his co-workers had some of his kids drawings in his office. He mentioned that I pretend to be an artist and showed him my website. Before you know it, his kids had printed and copied some of my work. My brother sent me some photos.
I am posting some examples here:
This is an illustration I did for a game called Harn a few years ago. The original is on my website. These are creatures that supposedly attack you and eat your eyes. Cool huh?
Here is what they came up with.
This one was a Crazy Viking dude I did for someone in Sweden. He has a huge dent in his head from an old injury. My original is on the left. The other two are both by Asher (I think I spelled that right).
This one I did for the founder and publisher of the local neighborhood newspaper- the Clifton Chronicle. He likes rhinos. So I did this as a gift. Here is the original.
Below is the copy.
It is pretty fun to see kids interpret your work, even though they will be getting a nasty letter from my lawyer!
When kids think your work is cool and copy it themselves.
My brother works with someone that has two talented young artist sons. They are around 9 or 10 I think. My brother, works as an structural engineer type person for some fancy company place where he does things and gets paid for it (I should pay more attention to what he says) Anyway, while at work he saw that one of his co-workers had some of his kids drawings in his office. He mentioned that I pretend to be an artist and showed him my website. Before you know it, his kids had printed and copied some of my work. My brother sent me some photos.
I am posting some examples here:
This is an illustration I did for a game called Harn a few years ago. The original is on my website. These are creatures that supposedly attack you and eat your eyes. Cool huh?
Here is what they came up with.
This one was a Crazy Viking dude I did for someone in Sweden. He has a huge dent in his head from an old injury. My original is on the left. The other two are both by Asher (I think I spelled that right).
This one I did for the founder and publisher of the local neighborhood newspaper- the Clifton Chronicle. He likes rhinos. So I did this as a gift. Here is the original.
Below is the copy.
It is pretty fun to see kids interpret your work, even though they will be getting a nasty letter from my lawyer!
Cold Painting
Today was the second day of my Spring Landscape Painting class.
It was cold!
I told everyone to dress warm, but I don't think most people were really ready for just how cold it gets standing in the wind painting. At least it didn't rain.
This is a great group of people and I think it will be a fun class. Hopefully, it will be better weather next week.
It was cold!
I told everyone to dress warm, but I don't think most people were really ready for just how cold it gets standing in the wind painting. At least it didn't rain.
This is a great group of people and I think it will be a fun class. Hopefully, it will be better weather next week.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Confronted by BS
I love Half Price Books. I spend a lot of time there looking for the next book or books to add to my collection of book shelves. Well, this week they had a big sale and I again added to my growing collection. I found a few interesting art books including a nice one on Whistler.
There is one book I thought I would focus on, as it was a special find. It is a book published by the Columbus Museum of Art on a painter named Joseph Marioni. I had never heard of him, and I probably would not have bought the book if it had not been $2.50. It was worth every penny.
Now, on to this wonderful book. I will just start by showing you a picture on page 9 of one of this "artist's" paintings hanging on the wall. Click on it to see it bigger if you must.
Red Painting acrylic and linen on stretcher 22" x 20" 1994 no. 21
OK, first I would like to point out that this is number 21 of god knows how many other red paintings he has done.
Now, the best part of this book, is that is has 'details' of the paintings. This way you can really get in there to see what is going on.
Here is the detail on the next page. Click on this to really get a handle on it.
Red Painting (detail) acrylic and linen on stretcher 22" x 20" 1994 no. 21
So, if you didn't get what was going on seeing the whole painting, this book zooms in for a closer look. Did you notice? It's red.
The book has 9 more paintings, but it only shows the details of these. I won't show them all, but I will list them. There is Blue Painting # 12, Green Painting # 21, Green Painting #5, Red Painting # 14, Black Painting # 4, Blue Painting # 26, Green Painting # 18, Yellow Painting # 1, White Painting # 1, and Yellow Painting # 6.
There are also 6 pages written about these paintings. I am not sure who is more talented, the man painting these paintings or the person that could come up with 6 pages discussing them. The text is available in English and German, and I found both equally enjoyable. In this well crafted text, Marioni is quoted as saying, "that the very essence of the painting experience is a state of consciousness that is unlanguaged."
Interesting stuff. For him it also seems to be a bunch of other words that have un- in front of them as well, like: trained, inspired, talented, skilled, or interesting. Just to name a few that came to mind. The writer goes on to mention that he feels somehow "confronted" by color.
No kidding?
What else exactly is there to be confronted with?
When I read this, I felt confronted with B.S.
There is even mention of his technique. Guess what? He uses a paint roller, and occasionally will use a brush. He uses these tools to somehow give the impression that these paintings have "somehow simply 'happened'."
I had an exciting moment where I thought my wife and I actually owned a series by this artist. After a search I found it in our archives and I was very disappointed to discover I was wrong. Turns out the series is a collaborative piece. The artists seem to be named Perry and Derrick.
They are a bit more clever with the names of their images than Mr. Marioni, and are way less sloppy with the paint. Interestingly I have something in common with these artists, as I think I painted my bathroom Sunflower 4524D which is in this series of tiny paintings. Turns out, I used a very similar technique to that of Joseph Marioni, by rolling the paint on to the walls.
I know you are going to think I am being over dramatic, but I was so moved by Marioni's work, that I spent a few hours writing a poem about the Red Painting # 21, which I liked better than the detail of Red Painting # 14 on page 40. The poem is below, and I call it G. Let me know what you think.
I really am inspired here, so I went even further and wrote some music. Now, I can't read music or play an instrument, but here it is. And as lack of ability to properly use the tools or media available didn't stop Marioni, why should it stop me. Enjoy.
There is one book I thought I would focus on, as it was a special find. It is a book published by the Columbus Museum of Art on a painter named Joseph Marioni. I had never heard of him, and I probably would not have bought the book if it had not been $2.50. It was worth every penny.
Now, on to this wonderful book. I will just start by showing you a picture on page 9 of one of this "artist's" paintings hanging on the wall. Click on it to see it bigger if you must.
Red Painting acrylic and linen on stretcher 22" x 20" 1994 no. 21
OK, first I would like to point out that this is number 21 of god knows how many other red paintings he has done.
Now, the best part of this book, is that is has 'details' of the paintings. This way you can really get in there to see what is going on.
Here is the detail on the next page. Click on this to really get a handle on it.
Red Painting (detail) acrylic and linen on stretcher 22" x 20" 1994 no. 21
So, if you didn't get what was going on seeing the whole painting, this book zooms in for a closer look. Did you notice? It's red.
The book has 9 more paintings, but it only shows the details of these. I won't show them all, but I will list them. There is Blue Painting # 12, Green Painting # 21, Green Painting #5, Red Painting # 14, Black Painting # 4, Blue Painting # 26, Green Painting # 18, Yellow Painting # 1, White Painting # 1, and Yellow Painting # 6.
There are also 6 pages written about these paintings. I am not sure who is more talented, the man painting these paintings or the person that could come up with 6 pages discussing them. The text is available in English and German, and I found both equally enjoyable. In this well crafted text, Marioni is quoted as saying, "that the very essence of the painting experience is a state of consciousness that is unlanguaged."
Interesting stuff. For him it also seems to be a bunch of other words that have un- in front of them as well, like: trained, inspired, talented, skilled, or interesting. Just to name a few that came to mind. The writer goes on to mention that he feels somehow "confronted" by color.
No kidding?
What else exactly is there to be confronted with?
When I read this, I felt confronted with B.S.
There is even mention of his technique. Guess what? He uses a paint roller, and occasionally will use a brush. He uses these tools to somehow give the impression that these paintings have "somehow simply 'happened'."
I had an exciting moment where I thought my wife and I actually owned a series by this artist. After a search I found it in our archives and I was very disappointed to discover I was wrong. Turns out the series is a collaborative piece. The artists seem to be named Perry and Derrick.
They are a bit more clever with the names of their images than Mr. Marioni, and are way less sloppy with the paint. Interestingly I have something in common with these artists, as I think I painted my bathroom Sunflower 4524D which is in this series of tiny paintings. Turns out, I used a very similar technique to that of Joseph Marioni, by rolling the paint on to the walls.
I know you are going to think I am being over dramatic, but I was so moved by Marioni's work, that I spent a few hours writing a poem about the Red Painting # 21, which I liked better than the detail of Red Painting # 14 on page 40. The poem is below, and I call it G. Let me know what you think.
I really am inspired here, so I went even further and wrote some music. Now, I can't read music or play an instrument, but here it is. And as lack of ability to properly use the tools or media available didn't stop Marioni, why should it stop me. Enjoy.
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