Return of the Lazy Blogger

I admit it!!  I’ve been lazy…well, when it comes to blogging anyway.  But I have an excuse…I really do!  It’s because other art related stuff has been taking up my time and I’m really happy about that!  OK, so other social media networking has been a big time suck too…don’t you ever fall into that Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. time warp where you start out promoting your craft and get caught up in the home page posts of friends, cute animal videos & political drama when you realize, CRAP!…I just wasted an hour on fluff?  Yeah, guilty as charged but I have honestly been really busy with for-real art stuff too!  So, to catch you up, here’s what’s been happening in my creative world so feel free to post comments about how you deal with the bombardment of social media & how it effects your work.

TEACHING IS FUN!  Being someone who is not a fan of public speaking I didn’t know how I’d feel about giving art lessons but when it’s one-on-one or a small group, I found it’s awesome!  So I have a cool group of students of various ages (even one across the pond that I do Skype lessons with) & it’s so awesome to pass on creative knowledge and see people really get into it & see how their work progresses during the lessons!  Aside from art lessons I also give creative marketing lessons as I have extensive experience in sales, fund raising & marketing from previous art & non-art jobs I’ve had over the years before making the leap to full time artist!  My goal is to give at least one class a day (5 days a week) & I’m pretty close….so if you want to hone your creativity or know someone who does, drop me a line here & I’ll get back to you!

Dream Of Trees 2, oils (c)Lauren Curtis

Dream Of Trees 2, oils (c)Lauren Curtis

ART SHOWS ARE FUN TOO!  Especially when stuff sells!  I’m currently in a 4 artist show at the Merwick Care & Rehabilitation Center in Plainsboro, NJ & the above painting pre-sold!  And I sold both pieces that were in the last show I did at Gallery U in Westfield, NJ.  Now I’m preparing to submit work to 4 new exhibits so fingers (& nails) crossed. (If you know me at all you know I have crazy Ripley’s Believe It Or Not length nails!).  So hopefully my next blog will be about some of the new shows my work will be in…

YAY! COMMISSIONS!  As a full time freelance artist nothing is better than getting hired to create art & design work for clients!  Luckily I’ve been hired to do illustrations for books, graphic design work, and one of my favorite things, pet portraits, for a variety of clients across the US & abroad.  This has not only kept me busy but helps pay those bills too so the more work the merrier!  Keep it comin’! Here are just a few examples of the work I’ve been doing lately that has caused my lack of blogging…

PetPortraitFlier2017sm

MikeJonesChpt1Sept2017sm

pencil illustration for a children’s book (c)2017

RodneysDogJan2018

Commissions welcome so message me for details!

So, you see?  I haven’t been lazy with my artwork, just with blogging….I’m trying to get back in the swing….so can I ask you a favor?  If you can read, comment, follow & like posts it’ll encourage me to keep at it and to start getting interesting guest bloggers again so it’s not just all about me….there are so many fascinating people out there creating awesome work that I’d like to share so drop me a line if you’re interested & help end the blog slacking!  Thanks for reading…till next time…which will be soon, I hope…..fingers & nails crossed!

NJ Isn’t Boring, Ireland Art Exhibition & more

Ireland; Blarney Castle (c)Lauren Curtis

Spring is almost upon us, even though the NJ weather doesn’t always agree, but wherever you are I hope you’ll take a minute to read about these exciting art events and if you are in the area, please visit these exhibitions & enjoy the art of spring!

Carnival, NJ June2011

Carnival, NJ June2011

New Jersey Isn’t Boring!
Group Show at Arts Guild New Jersey
1670 Irving St.,  Rahway, NJ
Opening reception Sun. March 22, 1pm-4pm. 

See what makes NJ so unique and definitely NOT boring!  Artwork of all types from many local artists. Show runs thru April 16, 2015.
I have two digital photos  in this show.

Ireland; Blarney Castle (c)Lauren Curtis

Ireland; Blarney Castle (c)Lauren Curtis

Savor the Arts; Ireland Exhibition, Group Exhibit, Middlletown Arts Center
36 Church St., Middletown, NJ

Opening Reception, Fri. March 20, 7pm-9pm.
Join this artistic celebration of Irish culture!  Show runs thru April 18, 2015
I have the above photo in this exhibit.

Reminisce (c)2013, watercolor and collage

Reminisce (c)2013, watercolor and collage

Revelation/Revolution
Group art exhibition at Nails in the Wall Gallery, St. Luke’s Church, 17 Oak Ave., Metuchen NJ.  I have 2 paintings in this current exhibit that will be up until May 31, 2015.  Visit this eclectic, spiritual gallery to view work from local, national and international artists!

"Necropolis", digital photo collage (c)Lauren Curtis

“Necropolis”, digital photo collage (c)Lauren Curtis

Spirit of the Human Family
Group Exhibition at the Linda Grandis Blatt Gallery, Temple B’nai Or, 60 Overlook Rd., Morristown, NJ.  Spiritual and artistic views on the meaning of family, this show runs thru April 10, 2015.  I have 3 pieces in this exhibition.

Art for Revelation/Revolution

Reminisce (c)2013, watercolor and collage

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

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

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


Holiday Wishes & Art News

WISHING ALL a very HAPPY, HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON!! Hoping you spend time with good friends & family enjoying life together!!

Please support local artists and crafters this year by buying hand-made, creative & very affordable gifts!  PAZ on Main St. in Highland Park, NJ is hosting it’s annual Winter Art Bazaar!  I have many small pieces available that make perfect gifts!  Stop by now thru Dec. 23.  Info. on flyer below…

PAZ WinterShowFlyer2014

PAZ WinterShowFlyer2014

It’s also time for my ANNUAL HOLIDAY ART SALE!!  I’m offering 20% off all purchases of ORIGINAL PAINTINGS & PHOTOGRAPHS!

Omen (c)2011 Lauren Curtis

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

Please visit http://laurencurtisart.weebly.com  to see a wide variety of my work. Prices starting at just $50 (before discount!) for 8×10 matted, signed photos. Mixed media & oil paintings available. Inexpensive repro. prints too (not on sale, but starting at only $25)!  Feel free to contact me for more information! Sale on originals now thru Dec. 20, 2014.  PAYPAL accepted to me at forestwalker333@hotmail.com

Other exciting art news!
I’ll have an article about being true to your craft & personal path coming out soon in WILD SISTER MAGAZINE!  Check my websites for details after 12/15!

New Jewelry by Lauren

New Jewelry by Lauren


JEWELRY SALE!  I’m offering 10% OFF all sales of $25+ of my original Steampunk/Gothic style necklaces & bracelets!  All 1-of-a-kind designs!  Visit
http://www.facebook.com/LaurenCurtisArtTalonArt 
to see some pics or email me for more info.  Prices range from just $15 – $30!  Custom orders welcome!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Yule, Happy New Year!!!
~Lauren

Pics from the Winter Group Art Show @ Straube Center

The Winter cold does not stop the art events from happening, they’re just all indoors, at least in NJ…but that’s fine with me! There’s always good food, nice wine, new people, old friends and the best part, great artwork! This was exactly the case for the huge group exhibit at the Straube Center in Pennington, NJ last week. I’m one of 8 local artists in this show and have 21 pieces on exhibit! I was excited to sell one on opening night!!

I have to say that all of the artwork was really well done and the variety of work was great to see….paintings, photographs, mixed media, sculpture. The art adorned the large hallway spaces (set up like professional gallery walls) & conference rooms in 2 buildings in the center. Despite the opening reception being held during rush hour on a Friday night (such is often the case with corporate shows), we had a nice turnout of artists, collectors, friends and family. We actually stayed past the closing time! It was great meeting new art enthusiasts and local artists. Group shows are such an important part of socializing and networking for any creative person!

My thanks to everyone at the center who helped organize the show and to everyone who came to view it! I’ve posted a few photos of my “art walls” at the show. It’ll be up until 2/26/10 so if you’re in the Pennington, NJ area, go take a look!