2008 Critical Mass Top 50

The very influential folks over at Photolucida and their blog have put out the 2008 Critical Mass Top 50. Coming from me by know you must realize this is about photography and the I guess those of you reading this are asking what is the Critical Mass Top 50. Well I think they best describe themselves.

"The aim of Critical Mass, and all Photolucida programming, is to provide participants with career-building opportunities and to promote the best emerging and mid-career artists working today.

Critical Mass is a program about exposure and community."

While I have not considered myself at this level yet and so alas you will not find my name amongst the ranks the photographers that are part of the list, the ones that are on the list really are the embodiment of the current state of the Photographic Art. I can't say that I am personally moved by all of the works but there are many that I think will at the least be thought provoking. Rather than me submitting yet another list of things for you to look at as my choices, I encourage you to check out the photographers. Even if you are a painter or work in another medium I think you might learn something and while I am in a personal struggle with Post Modernism in Photography you just never know what might come of your own pursuit.

Alan
www.alanmitchellphotography.com

Some Holiday Reading

Happy Holidays Everyone. As many of you know I read a lot of blogs and web sites on photography, creativity and art. I thought I should share with you some of my latest interesting links.

I ran across an excellent post on A Photo Editor (Very interesting blog I check regularly) on Ira Glass and the process of creating a great story. For those of you not familiar with Ira Glass, he is an award winning radio host/journalist whose work is available as pod casts covering a wide variety of topics all of which are highly thought provoking.

Another blog I read almost daily is Burns Auto Parts , funny name but more good things to think about primarily focused on photography but many of the articles have a more general interest. The topic I want to share with you is on What to do over the holidays or when you have slow times. It is a top ten list on ways to stimulate your creativity, skills, and marketing.

Lastly I want to share a new site I found by Molly Gordon who is a professional coach to creative people. Of the many topics she coaches on artist promotion is the one I find most useful to me. The link I would like to share with you is on How to Write an Artist Statement. If you have not written an artist statement yet, it should become a priority. Beyond the simple fact that many galleries, and contests want an artist statement it is a good thing to help you capture what is unique about your work. In itself that can help refine your creative process.

Enjoy!

Alan
www.alanmitchellphotography.com

RRAA January Membership Meeting

The Rio Rancho Art Association will have its first meeting of the year on January 5, 2009 at 6:30pm. We will meet at the Destiny Center located at 4401 Northern Blvd. NE in Rio Rancho.
Our new President, Annette Kornbrekke, will introduce the new committees, programs and venues for 2009. Information on the upcoming Studio Tour will also be discussed. Following will be a social hour hosted by the RRAA board. The public is welcome.

Cats and Dogs and a Chicken at Esther Bone

(article written by Rob Nankin)

The Esther Bone Memorial Library has a new art exhibit on display. “Pet Portraits” is the title of this month’s show offered by the Rio Rancho Art Association in cooperation with the library. The exhibit was hung on December 4th and will be in place through the holidays until January 8th.
According to Paula Scott, coordinator of the art exhibits at Esther Bone and member of the art association, this display is meant to be light hearted and fun. “For many the upcoming holidays can be very stressful. The Pet Portraits exhibit is intended to lift the spirits and lighten the hearts of all who come to see it.”

(mixed media work done by Paula Scott)

The mediums used for the paintings include oil, pastel, charcoal, acrylic, watercolor, colored pencil and mixed media. There is also photography and all works of art are framed and hung on the Esther Bone Library’s red art wall and on the yellow wall in the Friends of the Library bookstore.

(oil paintings pictured here are by Annette Kornbrekke)

One of the portraits is a nearly life sized painting of a Great Dane and was created by Rio Rancho City Councilor Delma Petrullo. The Great Dane portrait is the centerpiece on the red art wall and entertains the library patrons as he looks out at them while they are reading in the quiet study area.

(nearly life sized oil painting done by Delma Petrullo)

Most of the art work is paintings of the artist’s pets and there are many cats and dogs on display. One of the portraits however is of a pet chicken! Russell Sabin, a very talented 86 year old artist, created the chicken. Many library patrons feel that that the chicken is keeping the dogs and cats in line.

(pet chicken portrait done in oil by Russell Sabin)

Many of the artists on display at Esther Bone do commission work and their contact information is attached to each exhibited piece. The library does not handle any sale of the art work as each artist would need to be contacted directly.
Library staff would like to encourage people to visit Esther Bone often to see the beautiful paintings and photography on display. While visiting patrons may want to look for books from the library’s vast selection in the art and artists subject area.
If you cannot make it to the library to see the exhibit please visit the Rio Rancho Art Association's blog at http://www.rioranchoartassociation.blogspot.com/ or visit the association's website at http://www.rraausa.com/. The library is located at 950 Pinetree Rd. SE. For more information you may also call 891-5012.