Podcasts, Tattoos & Favorite Things

What do these 3 things have in common?  They are all new art exhibits and art interviews happening now…and I’m happy to be involved with all three of them!  Spring brings out the motivation & creativity in many of us so it’s a great time to create new work or get out & experience what’s going on in the art world.  Social media makes this easier than ever, especially with podcasts !  My friend at the XFactory hooked me up with the awesome guys at Know-Shit Podcasts to do an hour long interview about everything from what it’s like to be a full time artist, to the Gothic & Steampunk scenes, mythology, spirituality & more!   I hope you’ll take some time to check it out, & listen in on future podcasts as well, as they have many interesting guests.  Here’s the link to my interview:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjFT7TLpCF4&feature=share

As for Tattoos, they are an ancient art form that has gone thru many changes and stereotypes but is now more respected than ever as a true art form and is being honored in a new art exhibit at Atelier Rosal in Rahway, NJ!  Amazing works depicting tattooed people and art by artists who’s work has ended up on a walking canvas as well as images addressing this much maligned but now popular art form. Show runs thru June 7, 2018.  74 East Cherry St., Rahway, NJ.  
https://www.facebook.com/AtelierRosal/

Digital photo collage using actual x-ray images.

I’m happy to have 2 of my “X-RAYted” digital photo collages in this show and the exhibit will also coincide with a huge biker fest in town Sat. May 12.  Here’s the Facebook invite page for details:   https://www.facebook.com/events/1803649219938141/

This town wide, free event will be the perfect place to see tattoo art at it’s best, both in the gallery and on human canvases!

Finally we come to “a few of our Favorite Things”.  This is the latest theme for the new art exhibit at the South Brunswick Municipal Gallery, which opens Fri. May 18, 6:30pm-8pm. It’s a free event, with refreshments served, that features art from many local NJ artists focused on things we feel a connection to, that bring back memories and tell stories!  I’ll have the photo below, “NOLA VooDoo Window” in this exhibit.  Show runs thru Aug. 5, 2018.
540 Rt. 522/Ridge Rd., Monmouth Jct., NJ www.sbarts.org

So, there are many ways you can get involved with the arts this spring, whether it’s attending a gallery show, a biker tattoo outdoor fest or listening to a podcast from the comfort of home…or all three!  Either way, I hope you enjoy these free and creative events…& stay tuned for more to come this summer!

Art takes Root in April

What better time than Spring to honor nature through art?  And the Tulpehaking Nature Center in New Jersey is doing just that this month!  One of my x-ray, digital photo collages has been accepted to this show so join us…details below!

Digital photo collage using actual x-ray images.

ROOTED juried art exhibit at Tulpehaking Nature Center
Join us for this nature-centric art exhibit,  focusing on the importance of trees.
Opening Reception:  Fri., April 22, 2016, 6-8pm.  Exhibition on View: April 22, 2016 – September 4, 2016
157 Westscott Ave., Hamilton, NJ 08610
http://www.mercercountyparks.org
http://abbottmarshlands.org/

Another exhibition I’m very excited and proud to be a part of is:

The NOYES MUSEUM FINE ARTS ANNUAL
4/6/16 – 7/8/16  Opening reception Friday 4/8, 5-8pm
I have 2 of my x-ray digital collages in this important exhibit.
The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University, 2200 Fairmount Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401
artsgarageac.com

The New Jersey Arts Annual is a unique series of exhibitions highlighting the works of visual artists and craftspeople in the state. Chosen for their excellence, these artists present works of drawing, photography, sculpture, painting and mixed media. Their works are compelling evidence of the outstanding talent residing in New Jersey. The Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton University is pleased to host this prestigious exhibition!

New Brunswick Master (c)L.Curtis

And even if you missed the opening reception there’s still time to view this show:

Woodbridge Artisan Guild
presents”PHOTOGRAPHY”!
Join us for our newest exhibition, which runs thru April! (I have 3 pieces in this show!)
All works in this show have been created by local artists;
themes include landmarks, nature, portraits, travel, & more!
101 Main St., Woodbridge, NJ (732)634-1474

Feast for the Senses & art news

You can sense the excitement in the air as spring all too slowly approaches…but it’s on the way!  And as with all new seasons, comes new art events, especially in New Jersey!  While it’s still too cold for outdoor fests and shows, there are plenty of indoor art exhibits to attend and the following I’m involved with this month are all FREE so no excuse not to check them out!  I hope you’ll join me and many other local, talented artists at these exhibitions:

Reminisce (c)2013, watercolor and collage

FEAST FOR THE SENSES…Group Art Exhibit
Work by local artists (most living, some not) will be on display from March 7 through March 28, 2016, in the library’s community room. Participating artists include: Judy Brodsky, Joan Arbeiter, Lauren Curtis, Ria Glassman, Joyce Browning, Eric Escobar, Virginia Swanagan, Pat Shamy, Sydney Jean Reisen, Nadine Berkowsky, Jackie Baker, Jill Caporlingua. Deceased artists whose work will be displayed include: Jacob Landau, Stanford White, F. J. Adams, John LaFarge.

The Opening Reception for this Art Show (on Thursday, March 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room) will provide light refreshments and an opportunity to meet and talk with some of the artists.  I’ll have a few paintings in this show.  Here’s Facebook invite link:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1694806214135180/

NOLA Cemetery Path (c)2010 Lauren Curtis

SACRED SPACES, HOLY PLACES
There’s still time to see this enlightening exhibit of sculpture & photography with 27 artists / 43 pieces of work / 13 pieces of sculpture / 30 photographs.   Aside from being an exhibit, related spiritual & cultural discussions & events typically take place during the run of the show so check the gallery’s website & Facebook page for info.  Nails in the Wall Gallery at St. Luke’s, 17 Oak Ave, Metuchen, New Jersey 08840.
I have 2 photographs in the exhibition which continues until
Sunday, May 15, 2016.

Melody Bar Art (c)2015 Lauren Curtis

And a quick question…Do you have a favorite place that you wish you could visit forever?  How about immortalize a beloved home, vacation spot, hang out or historic site in ART?  Commission a pen & ink with watercolor painting of a place you’d like to remember forever!  Contact me for details: forestwalker333@hotmail.com

For more of my work, please visit my newly updated website! http://laurencurtisart.weebly.com

Thanks for reading!

~Lauren

Sacred Spaces, Holy Places

A life-sized Islamic Prayer Niche…a sculpture conveying a Jewish woman’s experience with sacred space…a nearly 5’ ilphachrome color photograph of Bernini’s Canopy in St. Peter’s in Rome…evocative photographs of both outdoor and indoor spaces…an unusual combination?  But all highlights in the upcoming exhibit at Nails in the Wall, the Gallery at St. Luke’s, the Metuchen exhibition space sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 17 Oak Ave., Metuchen, NJ. Sacred Spaces, Holy Places: an exhibit of sculpture & photography will begin the gallery’s 2016 winter exhibition season with the Opening & Artists’ Reception Saturday, January 30, 2-5pm. The event is free and open to all.

One of our goals at the gallery is always to bring together diverse voices from varied religious traditions around a common theme. In this instance, what makes a space sacred? What does a sacred space look like?  Work representing 27 artists is primarily, but not only, from the tri-state area. The photography includes a wide range of haunting images, some almost abstract, others capturing very specific locations that carry a sense of the sacred for the artist. Notable among those is the over 4’ Ilphachrome color photograph of Bernini’s Canopy in St. Peter’s in Rome by Nancy Ori (Berkeley Heights). Perhaps one of the most thought-provoking pieces, “V’at Alit”, by Miriam Stern (Teaneck) includes a series of photographs and other materials highlighting her experience of sacred space as a Jewish woman. Several very local photographers have work included in the show: Mark Harris (Edison) with his elegant figures and the carefully viewed spaces of Robert Hopkins (Metuchen). Lauren Curtis will have two 35mm black & white photos taken in the famous Louis I Cemetery in New Orleans, LA.  This above ground burial site is one of the most famous cemeteries in the US & the site where supposedly the infamous VooDoo Queen Marie LaVeaus is entombed.

The 13 pieces of sculpture are very diverse in scale and materials and include free-standing pieces as well as sculptural wall works. Included in this group is a 6’ sculpture by Christina Saj (Cedar Grove), which has an exhibition history that includes, among others, St. John the Divine, NYC and the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. Towering over that piece is Daniel Nelson’s (NYC) “Niche for Maryam.” A life-sized Islamic prayer niche known as an mihrab, the piece was designed as a site-specific installation for the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, NYC, using the proportions of the sculpture of the Virgin Mary by Bela Lyon Pratt in the Church’s Altar of the Annunciation. Nails in the Wall is honored to have it on loan from St. Paul the Apostle    for the duration of the exhibit.

Three mixed-media Mayan masks from Ronald LeMahieu (Princeton), along with a variety of the photographs, remind viewers that the sacred takes many forms beyond Church buildings.

Between 3 and 3:30pm, several artists’ talks will take place.

John Sharp, Gallery Board Member remarks, “I am amazed that despite our limiting the media accepted into this exhibit, we have been able to curate a show of such a diversity of scale and approach. It will truly be exciting to see which sacred space speaks to each visitor.”

Creating a sense of ‘sacred space’ through sound for the Reception itself, pianist, composer, and recording artist, John Bianculli will be performing. Refreshments will be provided by our ‘art partner’ The Metuchen Inn.

The exhibit will continue on view until May 15, 2016. For more information, visit http://www.nailsinthewall.com/ or contact Linda LaStella, Director@nailsinthewall.org.

The Facebook invite link is: https://www.facebook.com/events/159308764435405

NJ Community thru Art

“Jersey-ites” are a proud folk and we do have many types of communities throughout this small state; historic, artistic, cultural, musical, etc. so it’s no wonder that the Woodbridge Artistan Guild is having an exhibition focusing on this theme titled “COMMUNITY”.

Winter House 3, (c)Lauren Curtis 35mm B&W photo

Join the Woodbridge Artisan Guild on Sat., January 16th at 7pm for an opening reception of our newest exhibition!

All works in this show have been created by Woodbridge area artists and the theme of community includes local landmarks, New Jersey, family, civic pride, neighbors, and our towns.

In addition to local art this event will include live music and refreshments provided by Mulberry Street Restaurant. FREE event.  WAG Gallery, 101 Main St., Woodbridge (732)634-1474
I have three photographs in this show. 

Art Blooms in June; New Exhibits & News

Happy June All!  Here in NJ plants are full and green, flowers are blooming and summer is only a few weeks away!  With this comes fun, free outdoor art fests as well as new gallery exhibits so if you’re in the area, I hope you’ll add these events to your list of things-to-do this month!

Gallery U; Litill Flier & Press Release May 2015

“Litill” Small Works Group Exhibition at Gallery U, 439 South Ave W in Westfield. (908) 232-1895.
Opening reception Friday., June 5, 6pm-8pm. Free event.
I have two mixed media pieces in this show.  Show runs thru June 29, 2015.

Cross Estate Urn, (c)May2015

East Brunswick, NJ Fine Art Fest
I’ll have a booth in this annual fine arts event located surrounding the pond at the Municipal Complex by Dunhame Corner Rd., East Brunswick, NJ.  FREE outdoor event for the whole family!  Saturday, June 6th (rain date Sun., June 7th) Food available for purchase.
Aside from my fine art photography I’ll also be selling my original jewelry, t-shirts & greeting cards!  Come by for a  fun day with many local artists!

Mystics, Mourners, Dreams Book (c)Mar2015

OTHER COOL ART NEWS…
Thanks to the magic of self-publishing I’ve just completed my 3rd art book; this one features original paintings & mixed media pieces! Full color, glossy 20 pg. 8″x8″ hard cover signed books, just $50 + $5 s/h (in continental US). Here’s a preview (see pic above)…Paypal accepted.  To order email me at forestwalker333@hotmail.com

Thanks for reading!  🙂

Art for Revelation/Revolution

Gallery spaces these days have expanded far beyond the typical white-walled, NYC (or insert big city here) space…and this is a great thing as it opens up so many more opportunities for artists to show their work and for it to be seen by a wider range of people!  One of these newer spaces that I really enjoy exhibiting my work in is Nails in the Wall Gallery, located within the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Metuchen, NJ.

This Saturday, 1/24, from 2pm-5pm, the newest exhibition opens up with a fascinating reception featuring in-depth talks with some of the artists about their work and how it relates to the current theme of “Revelation/Revolution” and how this applies to all forms of “organized religion”.  I’ll have the 2 pieces in this blog in the show along with works from other artists from across the US!  If you’re in the area, please join us…here’s more info. supplied by the gallery:

Nails in the Wall, the Metuchen art gallery sponsored by St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (17 Oak Ave. / Metuchen),

will begin its 2015 Season Saturday, January 24, 2-5pm, with REVELATION / REVOLUTION. 

This exhibit will include work from nearly twenty artists both from around the U.S.

as well as outside the country, with art that focuses on the power of God’s Word.  

 

Reminisce (c)2013, watercolor and collage

Local photographer David Glasofer will speak at the Opening,

along with Teaneck sculptor Anthony Santella,

Ontario, Canada artist Shakil Kahn and Sara Paige Hoag from Urbana, IL. 

 

Join us for this free event with high quality art and refreshments provided by the Metuchen Inn!

 

Omen (c)2011 Lauren Curtis, oil painting with decoupage

The exhibit, which includes painting, photography, mixed-media and free standing sculpture,

runs from January 24 through May 31, 2015. 

The gallery is open daily. Times and other details can be found at www.nailsinthewall.com

or by contacting the Gallery Director, 732.322.6512 / EarthsongsCeramicStudio@gmail.com

​

Fantastic opportunity for Monmouth & Ocean County art teachers.

Gallery U in Red Bank, NJ is an amazing art organization I’ve been exhibiting with where 50% of the gallery sales go to helping people recovering from traumatic brain injuries.  I’m happy to help them promote this great opportunity for art teachers in Monmouth & Ocean Counties in NJ:

Gallery U in Red Bank is holding a special exhibition of original works by teachers of the arts in NJ’s Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Far too often teachers of the arts put their own work on the back-burner. It is our intent to offer an opportunity to exhibit and sell their artwork in a professional gallery. BACK TO SCHOOL is open to any art teacher from K-university level. All styles and mediums will be considered, however, all art must be able to hang on a wall. An opening reception will be held for all artists and the public on September 14, 2012. The show will remain at Gallery U until October 10, 2012. Deadline for submissions is August 19, 2012. For more information on how you can participate, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/groups/251637761584426/

March with ART!

Despite the fact that NJ and the surrounding areas have had a very mild winter, I’m still looking forward to spring…and it’s just weeks away!  And now’s the time when not only the Earth awakens but the art world as well.  The exhibits and events start really rolling again and I’m in THREE shows this month!  Plus, St. Patrick’s Day fast approaches and I some fun and CHEAP (as in low cost, not low quality!) St. Pat’s rubberstamp designs available so you can create your own cards, scrapbook pages and more….so read on, dear bloggers, for the info…

1. To celebrate Women’s History Month  the Hudson County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs is hosting a juried photography exhibit, The Female Eye, of women artists from the NY/NJ area & I have a photo in this show!  It opens Monday March 5 (6-8pm) and runs through  March 30, 2012; there’ll be a CLOSING PARTY on 3/30, 6-9pm as well at The Brennan Gallery in the court house, 583 Newark Ave., Jersey City, NJ  201-459-2070

2. Please join me for the opening reception of AWAKENINGS!  Original, affordable art, live music and more…and all for a good cause (% of proceeds go to people recovering from traumatic brain injuries)!  Artwork all $500 and below so come out for an evening of creativity and help others!  Friday, March 16, 6-9pm,  Gallery U, 80 Broad St., Red Bank, NJ.  Show runs thru 4/16/12

3. ONLINE NOW!  The new juried art exhibit, ISOLATION, hosted by Caladan Gallery of MA.  I have several  photos in this show along with other artists from across the US & abroad!  And you don’t have to leave home to see it…just go to http:www.CaladanGallery.com and take a look.

4. I’m happy to now be working with the rubberstamp/crafter company, STAMP-N-DOODLE!  They’re selling digital stamps for scrapbooking and other craft projects on their website!  I have sets of Victorian holiday collages and more so check it out..VERY affordable & a fun way to create your own art!  http://www.stamp-n-doodle.com/Shop.aspx?_pc=2&_cc=43

Take care,
Lauren
http://www.LaurenCurtisArt.com (commercial & fine art)
http://www.laurencurtisart.mosaicglobe.com (fine art, photography, art updates)
http://www.laurencurtis.imagekind.com (cards, T-shirts, photography, illustration)
http://www.facebook.com/LaurenCurtisArtTalonArt (Facebook Fan Page)

New Year, New Art Adventures!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Can you believe it’s 2011 already?? I hope you had a great holiday season & now we start a fresh, new year. I’m starting off with new art exhibits & new art products available now:

1. I have a new photo collage in Caladan Gallery’s FAMILY juried art exhibit ONLINE for ALL to see, anytime, anywhere: www.caladangallery.com
Show runs thru 1/31/11.

2. That photo collage is getting around! The same piece was accepted in the juried exhibit See All The People & a framed 11×14 print will be on display
in the South Brunswick, NJ Municipal Gallery! So, any locals can see it live & in person. Opening reception to meet all the artists in the show is
Tues., Jan. 11, 2011, 6:30pm-8pm, 540 Rt. 522/Ridge Rd., Monmouth Jct., NJ 08852
732-329-4000 ext. 7635 My piece was also the image selected for the exhibit’s postcard!

3. Due to the popularity of my short sleeve arTshirts, they’re now available in WOMEN’S CUT short sleeve (white only) &, in time for Winter,
LONG SLEEVE SHIRTS (white or black)!!
Please visit http://www.laurencurtis.imagekind.com (the shirts & cards section) for designs. Available in all sizes, 100% pre-shrunk cotton. Paypal accepted to forestwalker333@hotmail.com Please email with size, color & design for price quote. Discount for 3+ shirts ordered!!

Wishing you a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year! Thanks for reading!
~Lauren
http://www.LaurenCurtisArt.com (commercial & fine art)
http://www.laurencurtisart.mosaicglobe.com (fine art, photography, art updates)
http://www.laurencurtis.imagekind.com(cards, T-shirts, photography, illustration)