tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-229396502024-03-07T10:56:57.690+01:00Living Painterhttp://www.tjbyrne.comTom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-91140531948348313082023-02-04T16:38:00.003+01:002023-02-04T16:38:55.248+01:00Short Pose Monday 6th and Long Pose Wednesday 8th. Exhibition Announcement.
<br>
<b>Short Pose:</b><br>
Our next short pose model is Rony Caldavid on Monday the 6th of February. <br>
Rony is a master male model with years of experience in art academies and burlesque performance.
<br><br><br>
Followed on Wednesday evening, the 8th of February with the long pose modeled by Ewelina.
The long poses afford the opportunity to paint as well as draw. Several people are using watercolors and others pastels and some easels are available.
<br><br><br><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ThcYONzBtksZ857vc4uPz91rs0DWktW68j2mfRUxvKDMxPEmKXNmdTIgmWTfTI1LlSsDg7nAzJdUXvr6JVuQwWiltUHhcszPon61iWsKs92SRlh9E97IVPOejX-zUvXQHm2-6dcXvsJFjOR6Htd3ma-L4g6MgIxUIAoLFitWM349NP54CQ/s550/Head%20and%20shoulders%20study-lr%20copy.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="320" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ThcYONzBtksZ857vc4uPz91rs0DWktW68j2mfRUxvKDMxPEmKXNmdTIgmWTfTI1LlSsDg7nAzJdUXvr6JVuQwWiltUHhcszPon61iWsKs92SRlh9E97IVPOejX-zUvXQHm2-6dcXvsJFjOR6Htd3ma-L4g6MgIxUIAoLFitWM349NP54CQ/s320/Head%20and%20shoulders%20study-lr%20copy.jpg"/></a></div>
<b><br>Social Life Drawing Exhibition:</b><br>
Good news. The Sotto al British have agreed to let us show our figurative works in the drawing space for 2 weeks this March. This isn’t a profit making event and the Sotto al British have kindly offered to let us have the space for a very low cost as long as the we do not require any employees of the institute to take part in the administration or maintenance of the event.
<br><br>
We don’t have a budget for refreshments so participants are requested to contribute wine and food for the opening and the final day of the show to share with guests and each other. Guests are also encouraged to contribute, as if you were coming to a party.
<br><br>
The works can hang for 2 weeks on the walls of the space but will be open for public/guest viewing for the first and last days of the show. In the meantime they will be visible to participants of private and public events which take place within the exhibition area, during the day and evenings.
If you want to sell your works negotiations will be between the buyer and seller and no commission will be taken by the institute. So your contact details should be clearly listed. Labels will be organized and placed under the art before the opening.
<br><br>
This event is still evolving so details may change.
<br><br>
<br>When: Last two weeks in March 2023
<br>Where: In the Sotto al British
<br>Who: Anyone who has participated in the life drawing, short or long poses, in the last 6 months at Sotto al British.
<br>What: You can exhibit at least one drawing or painting which involves figurative work. The work can be done in this location or another but must be done by participants of the Sotto al British.
<br>How: By reserving your place on a list of participants at the life drawing group. Just sign the list with your name, contact details, email / telephone number. How many pieces you would like to show. Approximate size of the framed work. When I know how many people are participating a decision can be made on how many pieces of art each person can show.
<br>How Much: The cost of showing will be determined based on how many people are taking place and should be paid when the art is delivered for hanging. I’m estimating about €20 per person.
<br>Deadline: Sign up as soon as possible but no later than the end of February.
Presentation method: All pieces should be framed if they are a drawing. Paintings can be hung without a frame as long as they are on stretcher bars. All frames and stretcher bars should have a string loop or hook at the left and right side of the back of the frame/bars for a string to be hung through.
<br>Volunteers: There isn’t a need for a lot of help with the event but anyone willing to take part should please make themselves known when they register to exhibit by placing ‘Volunteering’ beside their name when they register.
<div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-33967960588200946822023-01-29T17:06:00.018+01:002023-01-29T17:29:56.925+01:00Short Drawing Poses on the 30th of January, Florence Italy
Hi<br>
This was a good week of drawing and some lovely pieces were produced at both the short and long drawing events.
The long pose is turning into a painting group with several people doing watercolour studies.
Our male model on Wednesday was pretty good, a young David and he will pose for us again this coming Monday evening on the 30th of January.
Mondays are for short poses. <br>This Monday 30th of January, the male model will pose for: 1, 2, 5, 10, 15 minutes & finishes with 2 x 25 minute poses. This would be a good time to bring your more expressive drawing media with you.
Suggested donation: €10 cash or more. Tips for the model gratefully accepted.<br>
From 7 - 9pm.<br>
Address: Lungarno Guicciardini, 15, 50125 Firenze.
<br><br>
There is no long pose this week.<br><br>
See you there.<br>
Tom
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoziH15so-NY82gtgM1sVwEGsTyyJX3zEVDasq2--QQJdW0KY1hG3k1z3az7pK-zfAAGEPeUmmxLHNSrjfGQdkLhf-5sHnMGdFPQ1QK2LzDUGXyR_YcIb5BsXDLnzzqQLRFt3eH4olOOx0r-yV4TGmQmniRu15CLf535btq-hL45E-Osc60w/s1600/January%20Male%20short%20Pose%20poster.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="711" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoziH15so-NY82gtgM1sVwEGsTyyJX3zEVDasq2--QQJdW0KY1hG3k1z3az7pK-zfAAGEPeUmmxLHNSrjfGQdkLhf-5sHnMGdFPQ1QK2LzDUGXyR_YcIb5BsXDLnzzqQLRFt3eH4olOOx0r-yV4TGmQmniRu15CLf535btq-hL45E-Osc60w/s1600/January%20Male%20short%20Pose%20poster.jpg"/></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-10332920000566890762023-01-20T23:00:00.011+01:002023-01-20T23:06:05.606+01:00One year of Life Drawing in Florence, Italy<div><p> </p><p>The first year of Florence's Social Life Drawing has been a real success. Thanks to everyone who participates. We are fortunate to have the help of two art patrons and wonderful attendees in this process. A central, warm location great lighting. Decent heating, comfortable seating and the props necessary for good poses. Thank you, to the British Institute and to John Hoenig for the support in growing this creative community. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtItyrLo8twjaY4C7kcW7qvSIhUmgLHEQbzQ_DeGaaYwn5MY3GiqnKKrTdoaDfmQ5v2vnO3WxD6xaTHYY2WB6bMtYyYf1ZpcGICL-UvEwDXfSSTSdr0ZaayAOcVHQxnrsLql0EXeP-nBEpUOu_Qvsz_vzm8aWuyuxDLVYxkTauWQu5eBQJg/s713/Sotto%20Al%20British.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="713" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtItyrLo8twjaY4C7kcW7qvSIhUmgLHEQbzQ_DeGaaYwn5MY3GiqnKKrTdoaDfmQ5v2vnO3WxD6xaTHYY2WB6bMtYyYf1ZpcGICL-UvEwDXfSSTSdr0ZaayAOcVHQxnrsLql0EXeP-nBEpUOu_Qvsz_vzm8aWuyuxDLVYxkTauWQu5eBQJg/s320/Sotto%20Al%20British.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>You can find us at Lungarno Guicciardini, 15, 50125 Firenze. Ground floor entrance. </p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD2447imJ-GKGyIM9hd2lloYCan7VszRw7a6o_ovkBkTiJE29PGgku2KU39DkMcfXLq7W2N0mR5DM8zOvuqFpcgW3gLB8gQXlPhTJUbeUGXLsqMQWMFMMLIPVVAQmDYwCvG495DS_nHK9Ozch3ZGRf4ATH2w_uwtLOf6aKgdkPmGCVaRf1w/s935/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="935" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD2447imJ-GKGyIM9hd2lloYCan7VszRw7a6o_ovkBkTiJE29PGgku2KU39DkMcfXLq7W2N0mR5DM8zOvuqFpcgW3gLB8gQXlPhTJUbeUGXLsqMQWMFMMLIPVVAQmDYwCvG495DS_nHK9Ozch3ZGRf4ATH2w_uwtLOf6aKgdkPmGCVaRf1w/w255-h188/29.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>The life drawing group is not a school and there are no lessons involved. So no systems or styles of drawing are imposed. Each person does their own thing and if they are so inclined, encourages others to understand why they are drawing in a particular manner. So there is a lot of friendly discussion, banter and debate about the drawings & sketches we produce. Some participants are academically trained and just want to keep up their practice with a convenient model in a social setting while others are exploring the process of creating. At the end of the sessions people share a glass of wine together and cluster, sometimes to look at each others work or just to chat.<br /> <p></p><p><br />There are some great people who attend and then there’s me, notoriously grumpy and keeping to myself as I limp my way around the studio. Despite that I do enjoy the company of almost everyone. It’s a challenge to get people to come out of their comfort zones so I don’t try. Everyone is free to just evolve or not, as they wish. </p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYMfx2HxUvhlHOvBHER0XjX1nMvqDYzH_PmJPkOVbbM6obN87EEBRRHuCSyMjRg_ghzjjgN3obMzl9hDdDOVK17gRnvEKkrNyLviDJYKg2JOh9HNP7tsfqXTVPgCLxwHIcbYffDJMcZexYCVSAmqqrXo7QcBd6O8BgGuvLuVxbI-h3sMbgw/s895/sketch-Kristian%20Sundin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="660" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYMfx2HxUvhlHOvBHER0XjX1nMvqDYzH_PmJPkOVbbM6obN87EEBRRHuCSyMjRg_ghzjjgN3obMzl9hDdDOVK17gRnvEKkrNyLviDJYKg2JOh9HNP7tsfqXTVPgCLxwHIcbYffDJMcZexYCVSAmqqrXo7QcBd6O8BgGuvLuVxbI-h3sMbgw/s320/sketch-Kristian%20Sundin.jpg" width="236" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwM1M2VeyWXIr5HdenFDY9RWXTH85Izau5c1E1bWA9wtXFOkWyd-nbNW-5EKS_li-xQ4lZuQbcFD2fvlBPPlW1ylMPxe95LQ4keS9TrTGvmqpYpY3PdcAsf6cin7gEp-zzZeF20AcrSNbW1sh1jD7ojwXYuFnvtP3_r20qoUe2W_fSq5Z8ZA/s887/c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="652" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwM1M2VeyWXIr5HdenFDY9RWXTH85Izau5c1E1bWA9wtXFOkWyd-nbNW-5EKS_li-xQ4lZuQbcFD2fvlBPPlW1ylMPxe95LQ4keS9TrTGvmqpYpY3PdcAsf6cin7gEp-zzZeF20AcrSNbW1sh1jD7ojwXYuFnvtP3_r20qoUe2W_fSq5Z8ZA/s320/c.jpg" width="235" /></a></p><p><br />There is no overall purpose to these drawing events but they are an opportunity to download stuff from the back of the brain and make marks on paper without an obligation to conform. So professionals and experimenters can mix easily.<br /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>There are two regular evenings. </b><br /></div><div><br /><b>Monday</b>, every week:<br />The Monday evenings are every week from 7-9pm and consists of short poses. The short poses begin with a series of 1 minute poses followed by longer and longer ones, eventually working up to 2 x 25 minutes at the end. Some really dynamic pieces have come out of this and there’s a nice energy created in the process. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5vwoeLJsmKNCShDsf295avRi3u3qvL-0TyYgXH2cDsEpXi90vw1eDqsZ_m4MvyWVgqsHInGsuVxi7K5H0RifhlbzNVfiMmCgfGlft9PAjpzXouRr7QfdZ4tNGhLt2FDFCtriLt-q_viM0CQnx0sk00hEMiZqTLJdJobaUgqC952bOsk2pA/s1005/IMG_7273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo5vwoeLJsmKNCShDsf295avRi3u3qvL-0TyYgXH2cDsEpXi90vw1eDqsZ_m4MvyWVgqsHInGsuVxi7K5H0RifhlbzNVfiMmCgfGlft9PAjpzXouRr7QfdZ4tNGhLt2FDFCtriLt-q_viM0CQnx0sk00hEMiZqTLJdJobaUgqC952bOsk2pA/w239-h320/IMG_7273.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing by Nele Sadlo</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="794" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQscrAlaZ5IsZdhAoeJ3pZ2-Ns15ZrFL_FJovACxkv-TOLHEs4OykG9cZT2lnwE9Hb4gJsGpFR75woR5URIQ3GPDa48o2wCa5D-qeTDtGH7-bhls4WsP1Y-DYicpqWR3w2qP1MLnOSxI80O-_OWw0JxF11nDtlaUuWkbhYcuPb68q2lt_BA/w240-h320/3Jan%20Frankina.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing by Jan Frankin</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQscrAlaZ5IsZdhAoeJ3pZ2-Ns15ZrFL_FJovACxkv-TOLHEs4OykG9cZT2lnwE9Hb4gJsGpFR75woR5URIQ3GPDa48o2wCa5D-qeTDtGH7-bhls4WsP1Y-DYicpqWR3w2qP1MLnOSxI80O-_OWw0JxF11nDtlaUuWkbhYcuPb68q2lt_BA/s1059/3Jan%20Frankina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><br /><b>Wednesday</b>, 1st and 3rd week of each month:<br />There is also a Wednesday evening event of long poses. This is twice per month and is for people who are more focused, drawing the model in just one position for 2 hours. Both events are brilliant and the long poses give people the opportunity to study things like the portrait, hands, feet or overall posture. <br /></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysVsVhPoUV75se4aV0sTvH51iuWO_lnrD_51-EZMam3b55o9H1a5KQGFeISsFdDDkVyPq855YENkxPcbOxJsWT-H5TWFhuIEAM7hXD35ypgukfOvA_bV6HnUV_u9XExnB66bSjYaGWcun4H566E6cVbB9Buq-6iOqlv88z5ro15nhC9fqmA/s818/Drawing%20together.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="818" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysVsVhPoUV75se4aV0sTvH51iuWO_lnrD_51-EZMam3b55o9H1a5KQGFeISsFdDDkVyPq855YENkxPcbOxJsWT-H5TWFhuIEAM7hXD35ypgukfOvA_bV6HnUV_u9XExnB66bSjYaGWcun4H566E6cVbB9Buq-6iOqlv88z5ro15nhC9fqmA/s320/Drawing%20together.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing by Tom J. Byrne<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><img border="0" data-original-height="1834" data-original-width="1522" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-lJdyBxCf-iFBHx2TBLfOp9tUSdxArsekMHl-LVJFRDrvaHCfbq2VmV9t7Wvhk4ZeK_t-jRsC5fQ-gIqwTlzwGBv6Uhi288RUU5IGMu_f49gvakK5irIGrMbZmGM3wQr_OZGz0r8eTRkYBCIzPsu6dYZsGL1_wc_VphYzrSF8ATQm5Qg-Fg/w234-h282/5Paul%20Martini%20%3Cartbymartini@gmail.com%3E.jpg" width="234" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Drawing by Paul Martini<br /></div></div><p><br />Both events have a suggested donation of €10, or more if you like and we encourage people to leave a tip for the hard working model, depending on how happy you are with the poses. Materials are not included, so bring along your favorite papers and drawing materials. There are some easels for those who want them.<br /><br />Our models are both male and female and are professional. Many work for the various art schools in Florence. I’ve been inviting mostly female models because they are easier to find but after many requests I’ll be including more, reliable male models too. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="922" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr_4W0xKusIM10-AV4N1BrHapec96IWtPG15p-JPWrkHq6pZvkHdpBLTjTiHR8QTxdOwwm_dBxUe835H7eF3aU95ZpocPNFlvKz7cRzVatzQJqJ5LTvS5E5eq9DPD9KjUnH97Kv-sSkFA43XFmK8sUvWxm7c8B2oE9onAIhLcOcH76F6row/s320/Bildschirmfoto%202023-01-10%20um%2012.02.25.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="229" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing by Nele Sadlo</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="563" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqGDMFfek97LDXf3bGrp5ssajO2MZDB-a38ELJMIVZNMgZQWfzRk12SVCozU8BUMHOg3OPgmfNHTbM_peYL95qsXJ_ZIlHoGXlZC_Xh1_-nJPxq_wjsUssz_BU3UBgHIq4b0Liklha5UxEQ3irUfUJvTseHvQwrsJnoJZqCEEAUv0D-wWpQ/w234-h317/4diane.sugalski.jpg" width="234" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing by Diane Sugalski<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="907" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Cxd2DfjkeyMkV0W6N07BxYTs8z-Wgpciuww0rb5EvaWB5Kpo4_eL76_VWEvaniAAa_Aqh3Uut0twmei-8flbnJKWaVzlVcyq9exjHGvQFCF5LNbI0KxJ-JtRypP2H8HdGkZngeI9YI8W3eGeEaLWEt-hIVgI0zDZjbjXHsoHsdzDm-UHhA/w240-h320/Folly%20in%20situ_lr.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plein Air Landscape in oil, T.J. Byrne<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: auto; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="709" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyikMzkfCHbVMdolDFG-jRBaabxR2Hre1h8JMp9dOFTqivXVSOkPxAuc5-EII0K4w6Nf351LRjdlm2g3o8E8oPzjOHETUeeoeCsQcnS7nAoDPLLcovxKK-UjtIV2CfWkrm2RiH3gu2fjAmGIOZbI2ouOIhtdTs3Y01EC4fcBaVFt03YxBG6A/s320/Andres%20Escalante%20LR-%20Florence%20Studio%20November%202019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="231" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drawing by Tom J. Byrne</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://theflorencestudio.com/landscape-classes" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://theflorencestudio.com/landscape-classes" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">I teach figure drawing and landscape painting with the Florence Studio but there are no lessons in the Monday or Wednesday workshops. You can check out the Florence Studio here. https://theflorencestudio.com/landscape-classes<br /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYac8EjIs02f4eljEIgGWL3vBYlEbQJIWRf3Mjcgwv8CNm-9BnhOvKt7RP-_z4Z-5Y7FM171LLIrP2NhQWHb9m5_1DFwaxX0fX7M1v1XrDiGTvDFpHThgLrPzVr6Ie2eLua5Vo7v5XuXBGjAy3LE7n0qPvriKkVaPRmdXiIo8N4-s9u0tzQ/s737/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="737" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYac8EjIs02f4eljEIgGWL3vBYlEbQJIWRf3Mjcgwv8CNm-9BnhOvKt7RP-_z4Z-5Y7FM171LLIrP2NhQWHb9m5_1DFwaxX0fX7M1v1XrDiGTvDFpHThgLrPzVr6Ie2eLua5Vo7v5XuXBGjAy3LE7n0qPvriKkVaPRmdXiIo8N4-s9u0tzQ/w300-h225/4.jpg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcGGzWLBRUOEl02R8Tb4y-7wd_hBVRvDDDkNnBX7UJW0FcQ_fMZpyWWiHSSaZ2e7B8ER8Pb5MeER4BOu6sBCqcWDLx-9yn6EBFRgI_Bkr56Kelqymm6iD4sLzOBrhi7NW8YthNELNZHKW9rFWH_Tt8NYb1ymYIuQ3ZGDhL_FtSXEuEud7-w/s935/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="737" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZ-L6Fq5YvUPsALjwf2PViUEVj_j3VJ-yv37MXJxhLxfo8KSM_yErhmAadGdJAppZBMLd_9mf2IeCY5L42d41Xho4HFHorl3kJhEHJsR5CqOpotDwBSEcW4D6BDXVgljj67oCpbyJtDcDhNNLGMIuLzuAo5B66GEWUdY5LrCT1WKsFPNyyw/w288-h218/13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="288" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflqZmZ8XtPOHWnO9iueSKb1q8Bjw7NLCXg1IC8Gi8hdXj72Kj8drYBQxaVgBZgdfGkR6o3G1pQJCZ8silv0nOQ2YvgLZ1PqjkX4sy2wcgyM2D7aHlwHAnrYuyYvyKmjjDT1FVqGnr-POIJ72x56_WmZPuDI_jZMQ6MgjM1hdQnlBgW3u3bw/s935/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="935" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflqZmZ8XtPOHWnO9iueSKb1q8Bjw7NLCXg1IC8Gi8hdXj72Kj8drYBQxaVgBZgdfGkR6o3G1pQJCZ8silv0nOQ2YvgLZ1PqjkX4sy2wcgyM2D7aHlwHAnrYuyYvyKmjjDT1FVqGnr-POIJ72x56_WmZPuDI_jZMQ6MgjM1hdQnlBgW3u3bw/w298-h220/15.jpg" width="298" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><p></p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-52548943834143319382020-03-03T19:18:00.003+01:002021-02-16T22:02:53.013+01:00Born with a Silver Spoon. Health lessons from history.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI7QaPdlTRn9CgSG_Uotz0He0Xx-Dzy5Vb2paARIYCEQ-CP92Wua109T9CiQq0RO6kxVySndsjafQ_EVTCa7Ebzf3Yiwd033gHxS9yGfJpRM1UrUbFdYZBD4D3DPSbm32qLOY/s1600/Lorenzo+di+Medici.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikI7QaPdlTRn9CgSG_Uotz0He0Xx-Dzy5Vb2paARIYCEQ-CP92Wua109T9CiQq0RO6kxVySndsjafQ_EVTCa7Ebzf3Yiwd033gHxS9yGfJpRM1UrUbFdYZBD4D3DPSbm32qLOY/s1600/Lorenzo+di+Medici.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lorenzo di Medici</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC3OHyITjjpIpZB5_FpMQ34FJPzLuRH8Y5uenwe_8UzIgbZ9qXLXdcDviHJ_ljQOl2flsz11KBtwgjX8qpN_ss772rtQ5LxgwNTmWfrUsytsgnX0cYEPTVdkVNt7EiGbhvTJr/s1600/mother+and+child+medieval.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimC3OHyITjjpIpZB5_FpMQ34FJPzLuRH8Y5uenwe_8UzIgbZ9qXLXdcDviHJ_ljQOl2flsz11KBtwgjX8qpN_ss772rtQ5LxgwNTmWfrUsytsgnX0cYEPTVdkVNt7EiGbhvTJr/s320/mother+and+child+medieval.jpg" width="100" /></a><i>The past is full of lessons. </i><br />
<br />
Most people have heard the expression, <br />
“ Born with a silver spoon in the mouth ” and most assume this refers to inheritance and family wealth. It does but there's more. Why silver?<br />
<br />
In the 14th century a plague swept through Europe killing millions of unprepared and very superstitious people. Many considered the plague a punishment from God and turned to the Roman Church for protection. Others turned to traditional knowledge. <br />
<br />
The great patrons of the arts, the Medici moved their families out of the city away from people who might carry the plague. They self isolated. They also insisted that the family consume their food from silver vessels. Plates, forks, knives, spoons and drinking cups. Particularly the children were fed with silver spoons. <br />
<br />
<b>Why silver?</b> <br />
It has been known for centuries that silver and copper kill bacteria and virus’. Even before such things as virus’ were correctly identified people would use copper cauldrons to ‘clean’ water before drinking. Silver was used by sailors on long voyages in a similar way. Coins of silver would be deposited in the wooden flasks containing fresh water to stop it from becoming brackish. When sharpening swords Roman soldiers kept the shavings to put on wounds and protect them from inflammation. <br />
<br />
Bronze contains a substantial amount of copper combined with tin. Today the amount is 88% copper. <br />
<br />
Just as Brass contains 60% copper. You’ve probably noticed that a lot of door handles, key holes, letter box’s and bell rings are made of brass. It’s very pretty and it does take a lot of polishing to keep it that way. The reason for using brass at the first point of contact in a house is because it’s a form of protection against illness entering or spreading from strangers, to the people who live there. We have forgotten the reason for this over the years but the instinct to continue using brass hasn’t gone away. <br />
<b><br />The Spanish Flu</b><br />
A hundred years ago a virus swept through the continents of Europe and the United States<br />
and cemented the use of copper, brass and indeed silver as a means of protection. But one hundred years is a long time and we have developed a collective amnesia. Many have heard the words “Spanish Flu”. Few know what it refers to. The remnants and evidence are all around us and we see them everyday without consciously understanding the ‘why’. <br />
<br />
In 1918 after the first World War a group of American Soldiers shipped over to Spain and with them brought an infection which spread silently. Because of a desire to maintain moral at the end of the war, newspapers were censored from reporting on the mysterious flu. The Spanish press wasn’t under the same restrictions and they reported the many mysterious deaths. As a result it was always referred to as the Spanish flu. <br />
<br />
That flu as it turns out, was a Coronavirus. In the 2 years that it spread among us it killed many millions. The cause of the spread was unknown but among other things, people turned to metals as a form of defense. They continue to work today but you probably take the brass door handle or the copper basin for granted, considering it a souvenir of a distant relative.<br />
<br />
<b>Copper and Silver</b><br />
Copper is the least expensive and easiest health giving metal to acquire. It comes in many forms, brass, bronze, even sulphates which are used to spray crops like grapes. The organic food industry uses copper sulphate to protect plants from harmful bacteria and it also nourishes the earth where it is absorbed. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOb-cwC7vmUbHdHE8LJlqsbKhiFSN6NactjRZeecxERrNF6wZpU16x9u_qg8PP3XCGU74Yyr5bm0iksABWKZS-57t9YOVRNGxgJsXM7XNJuGXAhmMYWTXEr1dQUjM1HpvpRLw/s1600/jello+casts.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOb-cwC7vmUbHdHE8LJlqsbKhiFSN6NactjRZeecxERrNF6wZpU16x9u_qg8PP3XCGU74Yyr5bm0iksABWKZS-57t9YOVRNGxgJsXM7XNJuGXAhmMYWTXEr1dQUjM1HpvpRLw/s1600/jello+casts.jpg" /></a> Copper has a distinct taste so some people don’t like to use it for
serving or storing food. Though in India it's normal to store water in
copper vessels, flasks and tankards. Europeans like things to remain
very shiny and clean because of the association with hygiene. Copper
oxidizes when in contact with water and air and this irritates the sense
of ascetics so it’s use has unfortunately reduced here. However we still
have copper colored coins which are a remnant of the time that money
was made of 98% copper. Money that could be exchanged without exchanging
disease. <br />
<br />
Silver has no taste and works best in a moist environment, so it’s use in drinking vessels and plates is perfect but the cost is much higher than copper. Silver also oxidizes and if it doesn’t it’s because of a coating of Rhodium which acts as a barrier between the metal and the atmosphere. It also acts as a barrier between the metal and killing bacteria and virus’s. Unplated silver jewelry and other items are active protectors and these tarnish, which is why they work, They are reacting to the environment.<br />
<br />
Though you are not aware of it’s presence nylon clothes contain particles of silver. They are so fine you cannot see them but their presence causes the clothing to resist bacteria which would normally flourish among the fabric and begin to smell very quickly after being worn. All is takes is a tiny amount to prevent this from happening. That is how effective silver is and it’s one of the reasons we are using up our silver by disposing of it in minute quantities. Unlike gold, silver is the precious metal we throw away and cannot later retrieve. <br />
<br />
You can find information on silver as a protection against viruses here: <br />
<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6264685/">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6264685/</a><br />
<br />
and as a protection against bacteria: <br />
<a href="https://phys.org/news/2018-10-scientists-deeper-silver-bacteria.html">https://phys.org/news/2018-10-scientists-deeper-silver-bacteria.html</a><br />
<br />
<b>Hospitals and Copper</b><br />
So why don’t hospitals use copper to protect their patients against superbugs? <br />
They have begun to. Since 2012 an active campaign to introduce copper into hospitals has resulted in a huge reduction in the presence of harmful materials in the spaces where they have been tested. Our use of chemicals to combat infection has resulted in harmful proteins and bacteria mutating to stronger and more resistant strains. <br />
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Youtube has several short videos on the use of copper in hospital bed design, new plastics and doorplates that don’t require constant polishing. <br />
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<a href="https://youtu.be/vA5gNWMpi7w">https://youtu.be/vA5gNWMpi7w</a><br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/oEZE-GDOHIQ">https://youtu.be/oEZE-GDOHIQ</a><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>A recent article from 2020: <a href="https://education.musc.edu/news/2020/01/16/copper-killer">https://education.musc.edu/news/2020/01/16/copper-killer</a></li>
<li>Another from 2016: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y348gukw">https://tinyurl.com/y348gukw</a> </li>
<li>and here: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/un6ertt">https://tinyurl.com/un6ertt</a> </li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sx4vQwdkXX_Z0d2jps_7TmGHmJnzrVWvNhgtIiWgrkV9Pr_5GIy7S-2zvFB6Cl2Dr0ThDoviZKZ7hrOvsL6BlZ-7YHjxzGFNJSAmdkT9oPnecRkN_K8d55A9dtWh76T2Txxp/s1600/pennies3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sx4vQwdkXX_Z0d2jps_7TmGHmJnzrVWvNhgtIiWgrkV9Pr_5GIy7S-2zvFB6Cl2Dr0ThDoviZKZ7hrOvsL6BlZ-7YHjxzGFNJSAmdkT9oPnecRkN_K8d55A9dtWh76T2Txxp/s1600/pennies3.jpg" /></a><b>So what?</b><br />
The wheels of administration move slowly but obviously we can make use of this knowledge now. <br />
I have armed myself with silver and copper in their appropriate forms and manners. Carrying a small piece of copper, enough to wrap your entire hand around in each pocket or old copper coins (not the modern fake copper coins) gives you something to discretely sterilize them with, after shaking hands or having touched a surface. <br />
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In doing this, you protect yourself and if traces of copper remain on your hands, what you touch can be rendered safer, though you should not depend on that. There is no plastic to throw away, no need to wait for your hands to dry and the metal remains useful afterwards. <br />
<br />
In Florence and most other cities, door handles are still made of brass but they have become oxidized over time. This is a great opportunity to bring them back to life by polishing them.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlj2qlcgChZNq-n6odycYM6Dz87_ImV2750-x5Hbcm13GtBU-QDQMyo7Z0AmCWUheeEx9iw1NEA6Xh97dsfVS6ruqdZQ71RLL3S1WfIXfP5AA0Dor65u5L_5ACz6HuAFMzUIv/s1600/brass+before+and+after.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlj2qlcgChZNq-n6odycYM6Dz87_ImV2750-x5Hbcm13GtBU-QDQMyo7Z0AmCWUheeEx9iw1NEA6Xh97dsfVS6ruqdZQ71RLL3S1WfIXfP5AA0Dor65u5L_5ACz6HuAFMzUIv/s1600/brass+before+and+after.jpg" /></a><br />
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Tom J. Byrne is an artist living in Florence Italy. <br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
An inventory of the Medici household: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/tlrn4d9">https://tinyurl.com/tlrn4d9</a><br />
<br />
About the Spanish Flu: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y83bp7od">https://tinyurl.com/y83bp7od</a><br />
<br />
About the Black Death: <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/black-death">https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages/black-death</a><br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-22177330468203961002020-03-03T18:16:00.000+01:002020-03-03T18:16:02.378+01:00Life Drawing - Launching a new location in Florence Italy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5olntFUcNoMqE_vs2wNwDuy73xJU7GZI4uSVFiIb7_IYKA9nAzNWRQ8jAtIeyZMbcLzZTLtTjSHT54sNBpQDb6Qtnjaf3uuM-HhT2WDrdOzmCRZXWfiPwpNPd5na4gQtSGMTb/s1600/October+2019-2.5hrs-Sergeys+studio-lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="935" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5olntFUcNoMqE_vs2wNwDuy73xJU7GZI4uSVFiIb7_IYKA9nAzNWRQ8jAtIeyZMbcLzZTLtTjSHT54sNBpQDb6Qtnjaf3uuM-HhT2WDrdOzmCRZXWfiPwpNPd5na4gQtSGMTb/s200/October+2019-2.5hrs-Sergeys+studio-lr.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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On March 5th 2020, thanks to the British Institute of Florence, a new life drawing location is opening. It's a place where people who are passionate about drawing the human figure can come together every Thursday as a community and draw. We have fantastic models and a great location. A very supportive management team and it's right in the middle of Florence, alongside the Arno, near ponte Santa Trinita. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwj7kmUwGT2kYwNbXlT0jzM8xiiNATF4RO5kgq3-eghHqbUCBPuOeCuWRqA64PIgcJosFn2Qp_jwWVJ_sCCEz7HNPZDoh_GrII0kBar5gWw4D2uAI_FyVZqJ5aWBZGTfxgzAS_/s1600/Sketches-sergey+studio1-lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="984" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwj7kmUwGT2kYwNbXlT0jzM8xiiNATF4RO5kgq3-eghHqbUCBPuOeCuWRqA64PIgcJosFn2Qp_jwWVJ_sCCEz7HNPZDoh_GrII0kBar5gWw4D2uAI_FyVZqJ5aWBZGTfxgzAS_/s200/Sketches-sergey+studio1-lr.jpg" width="157" /></a> Beginning at 6.30pm and we will draw for 2 hours. Each Thursday evening is very low cost and we include a glass of wine for participants. All levels are welcome. We also use a new method of rewarding the model for the pose. The
donation method is a more dynamic way of rewarding these very professional people and I hope it motivates the very best to model for us.<br />
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The new location is<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"> </span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">
Lungarno Guicciardini, 15, 50125 Firenze FI, Italia</span></span></div>
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<span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><br /></span>€6, glass of wine, donation to the model.
<br />6.30pm - 8.30pm
Short and longer poses. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DqA86aYwoRAwC5hB8oKIi6pzddEPhJfcIXxVAp_an2ISn4eUtVg-_XorRWsq97bdHvJaXSoPEObkXtPYJvteVqsetekJDChkq7pIMNnKqEXWlTuSWaAaNCbKBiQf3l8zGQwT/s1600/Sketches-sergey+studio-lr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="848" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DqA86aYwoRAwC5hB8oKIi6pzddEPhJfcIXxVAp_an2ISn4eUtVg-_XorRWsq97bdHvJaXSoPEObkXtPYJvteVqsetekJDChkq7pIMNnKqEXWlTuSWaAaNCbKBiQf3l8zGQwT/s200/Sketches-sergey+studio-lr.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">The difference between a 15 minute sketch & a 2 hour drawing is similar to the difference between a 2 hour drawing & a 15 hour drawing. These are drawn in Florence in February 2020. </span></td></tr>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-39132120302158265152018-04-20T09:44:00.004+02:002018-05-24T09:22:06.477+02:00Life Drawing locations, Florence, Italy<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouPyM6AbtkfhnJiT5VTCEigRcO1hjXUwevkZbJN3GJwvLMHrr-1EMh4PJH80q8OhEJqgFCLblt8UeLHVqVrFIw2l_AdalB2HiF-GBwhkMJxKcxb03cms8xQ_CAchFG9uFI7ya/s1600/paul1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="726" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouPyM6AbtkfhnJiT5VTCEigRcO1hjXUwevkZbJN3GJwvLMHrr-1EMh4PJH80q8OhEJqgFCLblt8UeLHVqVrFIw2l_AdalB2HiF-GBwhkMJxKcxb03cms8xQ_CAchFG9uFI7ya/s400/paul1.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">drawing: Tom J. Byrne</td></tr>
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A lot of people are passionate about life drawing. For those not familiar with the term, it refers to the drawing of a living model, usually nude, under controlled lighting conditions, sometimes as part of a still life composition. Life drawing can be a study, the basis for a painting or if the pose is long enough a painting can be executed.</div>
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Below is a short video of the monthly life drawing event at Cafe Giubbe Rosse, in Florence. </div>
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<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qMEzzkVJ_w8/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qMEzzkVJ_w8?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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At the moment there are a few locations for life drawing in Florence, Italy. <br />
Thanks to the <span style="color: red;">Charles Cecil Academy,</span> <a href="http://www.florenceacademyofart.com/" target="_blank">the<span style="color: #cc0000;"> <span style="color: red;">Florence Academy</span></span></a> and <span style="color: red;">Santa Croce Arte.</span> <br />
These evening events occur after students of the academies and artists studios have finished their work and the studio spaces are available for non students to draw. The events are open to non professionals, people who are self teaching, graduates of the academies and people with a life long love of drawing the human form. So the range of styles and skills of those who attend varies dramatically but the passion to create is universal.<br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/artcultflorence" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red;">Art Cult Florence</span></span></a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/445333052286438" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Firenze Drawing Club</span></a> organise Burlesque drawing events in the historical Cafe Giubbe Rosse in Piazza Republica. It's a once a month event but it's spectacular. The times and dates change. The cafe space is historical in the sense that it has always been a place for artists to meet and they continue the tradition to this day. For more information check the Art Cult or Firenze Drawing Club facebook pages. <a href="https://youtu.be/qMEzzkVJ_w8" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Here is a sample of what occurs at the events.</span></a><br />
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Occasionally there is a daytime or morning drawing event in Florence. These spaces are usually donated by an Art Patron such as <a href="https://www.culturalsalonfirenze.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Cultural Salon Firenze</span></a> or an Artist with a studio space that is being unused while they are traveling or exhibiting abroad. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65y1vIxLiKzPi5pNjKP6w9D-W4YrPEJPWtqRuOuA4WkrPcX0FA0kNbZjd0uzqyXAaL-mRC077zFJkRMOge8FjouLy6PJwZH7kSfAAfGjAehNugON5zv7Wf4dMnd4-D6Xx0K-H/s1600/sketch-michelle4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="950" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65y1vIxLiKzPi5pNjKP6w9D-W4YrPEJPWtqRuOuA4WkrPcX0FA0kNbZjd0uzqyXAaL-mRC077zFJkRMOge8FjouLy6PJwZH7kSfAAfGjAehNugON5zv7Wf4dMnd4-D6Xx0K-H/s320/sketch-michelle4.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption">drawing: Tom J. Byrne</td></tr>
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Below are the times, locations and costs of life drawing in Florence. The events are open to artists and enthusiastic amateurs visiting Florence and there is no membership process. No appointment is needed, just turn up. The equipment supplied includes seating, easels, the model and lighting. You provide your own drawing equipment, paper or painting tools. There is no instruction. It’s important to be very quiet when working and the sessions are usually between two and three hours long with short breaks every 25 minutes. In the middle of the session there is a long pose and this is traditionally when people pay for their participation. It’s okay to leave an additional tip for the model in a separate tip box.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlVoTEH5ubdaAmWsCxmBGFhvoNWdCJKMzdTC6LwIf3KvPgEYI2GNUhJ9vOOLkAyp8I9CiF1lfJ6FGoHZ3RsSTi2NI4LK6pjrCHtWBsxTnJxzqe1klbly8OrwY82KDrNCDgaVW/s1600/banner-model.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="1600" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlVoTEH5ubdaAmWsCxmBGFhvoNWdCJKMzdTC6LwIf3KvPgEYI2GNUhJ9vOOLkAyp8I9CiF1lfJ6FGoHZ3RsSTi2NI4LK6pjrCHtWBsxTnJxzqe1klbly8OrwY82KDrNCDgaVW/s640/banner-model.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="right"><td class="tr-caption"><a href="http://www.tjbyrne.com/" target="_blank">Drawing by Tom J. Byrne</a></td></tr>
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Locations:<br />
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The Charles Cecil Academy.<br />
Address: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/Czt8KF9m1x82" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">BORGO SAN FREDIANO, 68. 50124 FIRENZE, ITALIA</span>.</a><br />
Time and day: Every Tuesday, 7.15pm - 9pm<br />
Cost: €5<br />
Easels and seating available. <br />
Note: The street numbers on Borgo San Frediano can be confusing for visitors as there are two sets. One set are in red, these are commercial address’s and the remainder are in dark blue, these are domestic address’s. Charles Cecils is dark blue. Google maps will miss direct you if you search for the address, so enter no.140 to arrive close to the correct door. When you arrive, the entrance leads directly to a long narrow stairs. At the top of the stairs turn left and the drawing studio is on the left. Arrive in plenty of time to allow yourself to get set up with seating or easel so as not to disturb the group. The poses are determined by the administrator of the academy. <br />
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The Florence Academy<br />
Address: <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/m7qEDEaHmcM2" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Via delle Casine 21/R 50122 Florence Italy</span></a><br />
Time and day: Every Thursday, 5.30pm - 8.30pm<br />
Cost: €2 for a half session. €4 for the full session.<br />
Easels and seating available.<br />
Again the street numbers are broken into red and dark blue. The studio number is in red and the entrance is a double door at ground floor level. It is generally closed so you ring the bell to gain access. Don’t arrive too early but if you are late it’s okay as the hour of 5.30 may not suit everyones work hours. Please be quiet during the drawing session. The poses are determined by the administrator. <br />
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<a href="https://www.culturalsalonfirenze.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Cultural Salon Firenze</span></a> may be providing a morning or afternoon studio drawing area in the center of the city. Times and days will be added here as they occur. <br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/santacroce.arte" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">Santa Croce Arte</span></a>
is a private Artists studio in the heart of Florence, where you will
receive a warm welcome from Claudia and Gianni. It's a very large studio
with many rooms. Twice a month they open their doors in the evenings
and welcome guests to draw with them. It's late and very often it
finishes by not finishing and people continue to chat until the wee
hours over a glass of wine. The pattern of dates changes each month to
accommodate the working plans of the studio. To verify the hours and
dates check their Facebook page. <br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/santacroce.arte"><span style="color: red;">https://www.facebook.com/santacroce.arte</span></a><br />
As a rule, there is a <span class="_5yl5">sketch night twice a month on Thursday with
live model in the historical Piazza of Santa Croce. <br /><br />Address: 19,
Piazza Santa Croce, 1st floor. Door bell, press ACSIT. <br />Time: Confirm on Facebook.<br />Bring your drawing
material.<br />Seating provided. No easels. <br />Cost: €10 </span><br />
Life Drawing is a way of learning anatomy, testing your capacity to accurately draw and dare I say, it’s a spiritual experience for the artist and the model. <br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-16102278130819168642018-04-04T19:23:00.004+02:002018-04-04T19:23:48.807+02:00Workshops in Florence Italy this Spring<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #4f4f4f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">
Here are a selection of workshops for you to enjoy this Spring in Florence Italy. There's something for everyone, from oils to watercolor and urban sketching. The Florence Studio is centrally located, near the Duomo and is run by graduates of the Classical Art Academies here in Florence.</h3>
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The emphasis is on a good learning experience rather than a purely academic one. We want you to want to paint and so it's not just about technique.<br /><br /><u>To contact The Florence Studio</u><br />Email: info@theflorencestudio.com<br />Phone: +39 3891570276<span style="font-size: 26px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); color: #8c7853; line-height: 1.8;"><br /></span></span><br />Address: Borgo SS. Apostioli, 18<br /><br /><h4 style="margin: 0px; position: relative;">
<b>Simply click, to enlarge the images below</b></h4>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-73235775303703162312018-04-04T19:22:00.002+02:002018-04-04T19:25:15.733+02:00Artists Residencies in Italy<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; color: #4f4f4f; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcwxEHN9FX-nsjeaPDkyizV-C8XQjeTMMUlMtPGsd0rhxmhvIC6Ujv0RWlPWaUseOCZ9QeV_0pW1YqfaYQ4lnyyh7yAj9NiEa9nBocTnfrWaAdP-0cOvqsDhSV-ki-kXlMQ2E/s1600/Fra_Filippo_Lippi_007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #8f8f8f; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="221" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcwxEHN9FX-nsjeaPDkyizV-C8XQjeTMMUlMtPGsd0rhxmhvIC6Ujv0RWlPWaUseOCZ9QeV_0pW1YqfaYQ4lnyyh7yAj9NiEa9nBocTnfrWaAdP-0cOvqsDhSV-ki-kXlMQ2E/s320/Fra_Filippo_Lippi_007.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="161" /></a>Italy is a very mysterious and beautiful place which everyone dreams of exploring, to experience the great food, the history and the art of this Latin culture.</div>
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Many artists and art students see it as a place of pilgrimage. Indeed it used to be a place of religious pilgrimage and it's still possible to walk through Italy, all the way from Canterbury to Jerusalem in the Holy Land.</div>
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While in Florence you are free to examine the great works of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Lippi and so many other great artists upon whose shoulders artists aspire to stand.</div>
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Artists residencies exist in Italy and it was surprising to discover that there are so many. They range from the very basic, almost monastic to the extremely luxurious. I'll describe a couple here, both of which recur annually.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdzMUQsgHMhsRw9KuWX67Nj-wDbXoZPENehk5Zi8fwrEGiWGtbBryxGkasP-FLpYMCWCrfPeIo0Ju5eHIM2qWhPd3h77zhi_Ac_gzjMeh9FP2Cl09voAibAVR5T8RQp9risb3/s1600/20171005_112505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #8f8f8f; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="779" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdzMUQsgHMhsRw9KuWX67Nj-wDbXoZPENehk5Zi8fwrEGiWGtbBryxGkasP-FLpYMCWCrfPeIo0Ju5eHIM2qWhPd3h77zhi_Ac_gzjMeh9FP2Cl09voAibAVR5T8RQp9risb3/s320/20171005_112505.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoqXqDmOVhjtGg7E3WIlh3ZUPvhm-kTHUfmIsLVntDsoRgNtDxgaZjmlkmCghkoJpHqH7HuUEh3looUs4BpaIPnGD__-JhWWfWZtsgzaJ2cfOezXCLnttNQ3Do25y6JhcN_Ao/s1600/20171031_152407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #8f8f8f; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="779" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBoqXqDmOVhjtGg7E3WIlh3ZUPvhm-kTHUfmIsLVntDsoRgNtDxgaZjmlkmCghkoJpHqH7HuUEh3looUs4BpaIPnGD__-JhWWfWZtsgzaJ2cfOezXCLnttNQ3Do25y6JhcN_Ao/s320/20171031_152407.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="180" /></a>The Relais Borgo Santo Pietro residency is the most luxurious I’ve experienced. Situated 35km from the town of Siena and very isolated from everything, it rests atop a hill and is surrounded by rolling farmland with just one small village nearby. Many guests arrive by helicopter and extremely luxurious vehicles, normally rare in Italy, litter the car park. It’s luxurious edge is softened by the numbers of creative people who visit and stay at the Borgo. Indeed although it’s design is opulent it<br />
feels like a small village clustering around a large villa. This in turn is surrounded by miles of organic farmland. All owned and maintained by the same family. The hotel itself is small but in time I imagine the small cottages which guests stay in, will spread out into the vineyards and among the fields of wheat.<br />
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Not far from the main hotel, in an area unpopulated by anything other than a lilly pond and a solidly built foot bridge (reminiscent of Monets Giverny) there is a small gazebo framed by a mature weeping willow. This is the artists studio. Inspiring and in a quiet isolated place with only the sound of ducks and birds to interfere with the creative process, it’s a place of refuge for guests and artists alike who come here seeking inspiration and instruction in art.<br />
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Each month there is a new resident artist who remains in the Borgo, painting, sculpting, performing or writing. Artists have only a couple of obligations to fulfill, to exhibit their art in the hotel and to give an introduction to their art, to any guest who requests it.<br />
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The next is a magnificent residency near Rome. It’s a bit of a marathon in many ways because during the 4 days, there are hundreds of other artists who also paint but are not resident. Resident artists are given accommodation, fed, partied and shown around the town. They are generally toasted as heroes while they are there. It’s a very warm welcome in a very historical town which oozes history and more than a pinch of mystery. The town is Subiaco, in the region on Lazio. Also known as the city of emperors and saints is located 75km from Rome. It was here that Nero built his summer palace and here that Saint Benedict founded his order. The spectacular monastery is unlike any you will have seen before. Neros palace did not fare as well over the centuries but the remains of the palace can be found near the monastery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzTerPW5IyqJsSot50jKDTW8GTtdnzNeYzeiaOGJV2M80oZNKS2Y6AO2tvIs6jUUSoT9qo9BcOlkgp3ERWCcXozbQXGnni90b1TgkhKYa1nl6zpcZ6FmSNgg-eAd3Mr29rxNF/s1600/IMG-20170819-WA0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #8f8f8f; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="285" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzTerPW5IyqJsSot50jKDTW8GTtdnzNeYzeiaOGJV2M80oZNKS2Y6AO2tvIs6jUUSoT9qo9BcOlkgp3ERWCcXozbQXGnni90b1TgkhKYa1nl6zpcZ6FmSNgg-eAd3Mr29rxNF/s320/IMG-20170819-WA0005.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(240, 240, 240); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="240" /></a>Although part of Rome, the route is a long one through winding hills. Artists usually travel by rented car or public transport. The 2 hour journey passes through beautiful countryside and is dotted with interesting villages atop plateaus. If you decide to explore en route it might take you considerably longer to get there but it would be worth it.<br />
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This really is a working residency. You paint every day and it lasts for four days. Usually they give you a location to work in and request that you focus on a subject or topic and there will be other artists there too. International artists are encouraged to take part and work in media ranging from watercolors to ink, oil and drawing. At the end of the event there is a party and award ceremony in the Abbey of Saint Scholastica where the order and sponsors, judge the art works submitted. Prizes are substantial and I’m the happy recipient of two awards.<br />
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If you decide to remain after the event you will find yourself in Mount Simbruini Natural Park, the largest protected area in Lazio and one of the largest Italian Natural Parks. I’ll post more information as we move through the winter on different art events which painters can take part in while visiting Italy.<br />
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I hope this gives you a taste of what you have to look forward to.<br />
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To sharpen your artistic skills you can reserve a place with the Florence Studio to study plein air watercolor or oil painting this Spring.<br />
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Tom J. Byrne will guide you through traditional methods of painting and new methods of composing and drawing.<b><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span></b></h4>
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><a href="http://tuscanypleinair.blogspot.it/2018/01/workshops-in-florence-italy-this-spring.html" style="color: #8f8f8f; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The list of workshops are here.</a></span></b></h3>
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To contact <b><span style="color: #783f04;"><a href="https://www.theflorencestudio.com/home.html" style="color: #8f8f8f; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Florence Studio.</a></span></b><br />
Email: <a href="mailto:info@theflorencestudio.com" style="color: #8f8f8f; text-decoration-line: none;">info@theflorencestudio.com</a><br />
Phone: +39 3891570276<span style="font-size: 26px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0); color: #8c7853; line-height: 1.8;"><br /></span></span><br />
Address: Borgo SS. Apostioli, 18<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-90795674451272157062015-02-02T21:32:00.001+01:002015-02-02T21:41:59.028+01:00Blogger gives you more time.I use facebook a lot.<br />
But really Blogger is better. It's more poetic. You have more time to think. Most logical people can't relate to that. The paramater's within which they are working are more limited and predictable. <br /><br />I was out last evening and had an interesting conversation with a mathematician. She wanted to know how she could be more creative. She could do everything well, seamlessly. But her life was a mess. She wanted to know how to be more creative.<br />
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I explained my understanding of how this works. I did a demonstration. She seemed to be impressed. She got angry. More angry. She left in a cloud of steam and words. It was amazing.<div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-89491931284173752992015-02-02T20:52:00.002+01:002015-02-02T20:52:41.709+01:00Three major thingsThere are three major things that I've realised.<br />
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1/ If you want a job done well, do it yourself. Don't rely upon the reviews generated through marketing channels. They are usually harvested from people with less capability than you.<br />
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2/ Plein air painting is fascinating, important and viable.<br />
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3/ Life is good :)<br />
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It's chilly outside ..... onward...<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-7501687002918379952014-11-08T23:41:00.003+01:002014-11-08T23:41:54.092+01:00Automatic Paintings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Automatic painting on paper. <br />Some examples from a series of paintings </span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">which I have been working on.</span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">In Florence, Italy.</span></span></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-6479939733318619812014-11-06T00:09:00.003+01:002014-11-08T22:54:37.789+01:00Winter and a return to life drawing.<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Plein
Air is wonderful but now it's winter, the days are shorter and I have
taken the opportunity to return to drawing in the studio. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> </span></span><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HtHYr4BpVYt62fE_HMt2yuQY14k-pk5LE0bk4O2jPob3CPvEauXBYCVx_nrLKiVevYlWp-C49M3FdFd1X5EO-d9330MAmK6SO4NEQrXoOKBpXRHCbUjMQYZvdcoFTNaXMVhy/s1600/Male-Wilson+Guevera+studio-lr.jpg" height="320" width="235" /></div>
<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><br />Pencil
drawing from a session in Wilson Gueveras studio. Florence, Italy.
November 014. <br />This is a 6 hour drawing, in two sessions.</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-90826105623718657652014-06-12T16:17:00.002+02:002014-06-12T16:25:15.001+02:00How artists and galleries can work together.How artists and galleries can work together.<br />
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Interview between Marcus McAlister and <span data-reactid=".1a.1:0.0.$right.0.0.0"><span data-reactid=".1a.1:0.0.$right.0.0.0.$text0:0:$0:0"></span>Susan Johnson Mumford of <a href="http://www.besmartaboutart.com/" target="_blank">Be Smart about Art. </a></span><br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/z6_fLgn233g/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/z6_fLgn233g&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/z6_fLgn233g&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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Don't
bite the hand that feeds you - Monthly Art World Webinar - See more at:
http://besmartaboutart.com/blog/146/dont-bite-the-hand-that-feeds-you-monthly-art-world-webinar#sthash.n8IECbGl.dpuf<br />
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Don't
bite the hand that feeds you - Monthly Art World Webinar - See more at:
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Don't
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-47484138500232038092014-06-12T15:26:00.002+02:002014-06-12T15:36:44.327+02:00PleinAir in Florence, Italy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the rewarding things about Florence is the variety of locations for PleinAir painting. I get out at least 3 days a week in the early mornings, to do this. Thankfully I know other artists who do this practice and from time to time we get the chance go painting together.</div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">I was painting</span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> in Santa Spirito on Sunday morning at 6.30. Then at 7.30am the antique dealers arrived so I had to vacate and find a new painting
location. The new location is brightly lit, with pleasant views of the Arno, Florence, Italy.</span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">San Frediano in Cestello oil drawing, preparing for the finished painting.</span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">This church was founded by an Irish missionary in the 6th century. So an Irishman was here 1500 years ago.</span></span><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"> San Frediano in Cestello sketch, oils on wood.</span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">The finished painting in oils, of the church of San Frediano in Castello, as seen
from the banks of the Arno, in the Oltrarno district of Florence.<br /> Oils on treated board. 40cm x 30cm</span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">This painting is available from my online shop. <a href="https://www.artfinder.com/product/the-church-of-san-frediano-in-castello/" target="_blank">Follow the link here.</a></span></span></div>
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-22frd-8exQk%2FU5mlUWmVLvI%2FAAAAAAAABu8%2FX-Q1J16Bstw%2Fs1600%2FSan%2BFredriano%2Bdi%2BCastello.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-22frd-8exQk/U5mlUWmVLvI/AAAAAAAABu8/X-Q1J16Bstw/s1600/San+Fredriano+di+Castello.jpg" --><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0Florence, Italy43.773647255424819 11.24090194702148443.773647255424819 11.240901947021484 43.773647255424819 11.240901947021484tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-78096276387574227072014-06-04T14:20:00.003+02:002014-06-06T00:20:57.680+02:00End of Term exhibition in the Angel Art Academy, Florence Italy.It's the end of term in the Angel Academy of Art in Florence, Italy.<br />
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If you are in the city you would be very welcome to come and view mine and the paintings of the artists who have finished their term and in some cases, graduated from the academy. <br />
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The painting below is the one which I'll be showing there, this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhFXy98cHmojZLd5eQxBX1rXWBOGSXeMczjWruMW93kgda5npqRIEI8FZ5QKCdlJoLFS6ZrHrgI5fBBbwU_2yAqR3yfGV9sOxeKjMTadw8M1X9pS70gCZ9HwSD0Xo8VcccrT7/s1600/Horse+completedlr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhFXy98cHmojZLd5eQxBX1rXWBOGSXeMczjWruMW93kgda5npqRIEI8FZ5QKCdlJoLFS6ZrHrgI5fBBbwU_2yAqR3yfGV9sOxeKjMTadw8M1X9pS70gCZ9HwSD0Xo8VcccrT7/s1600/Horse+completedlr.jpg" height="313" width="400" /> </a></div>
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Here's a copy of the invitation, with times, dates and location.<br />
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Friday June 6th, 2014.<br />
Time: 18.30 - 20.30<br />
Location: Via Nardo di Cione 10. Florence, Italy. <br />
Runs from Friday 6th-Sunday 8th. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKuQcmbOrDI2CB3OY1Z4Iph2OWjpl3dnadOaKaXQDMPXJUHe5hZrH3r3XtBYXQDbz-zUH1tA7roaMEyBgJrW0JUcw_v5A050yIwWE0RRuZyjf54m2fPWJaz6VVNoXMnFvVoua/s1600/2014+AAA+Exhibition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKuQcmbOrDI2CB3OY1Z4Iph2OWjpl3dnadOaKaXQDMPXJUHe5hZrH3r3XtBYXQDbz-zUH1tA7roaMEyBgJrW0JUcw_v5A050yIwWE0RRuZyjf54m2fPWJaz6VVNoXMnFvVoua/s1600/2014+AAA+Exhibition.jpg" height="308" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-90113570665013881922012-04-03T16:47:00.005+02:002014-05-12T16:17:37.315+02:00Exhibition and public talk, We are 'How' we read.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2kudbDY-cj7J290y5syZcV-puX2tiAzQdINA4A8ntNT6m9_iCRZBm0CMNwz3dPfmBPto0Y6x7k3qzlMVbSjOUAwUtYEagGCMKgAI4HIHFNhkCVcUhZNz4NhjX-B19sqwyAHf/s1600/installedpaintings1.jpg" style="line-height: normal;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG2kudbDY-cj7J290y5syZcV-puX2tiAzQdINA4A8ntNT6m9_iCRZBm0CMNwz3dPfmBPto0Y6x7k3qzlMVbSjOUAwUtYEagGCMKgAI4HIHFNhkCVcUhZNz4NhjX-B19sqwyAHf/s200/installedpaintings1.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727272000740452770" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 120px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
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I'm having an exhibition this thursday and I'm giving a talk. So it's wobbly knees time. </div>
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I'll be fine :)</div>
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It's hosted by the American Library in Paris. Near the Champs de Mars and la tour Eiffel. </div>
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There is one theme to the exhibition and another to the talk. </div>
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The exhibition is about books and reading. I'm communicate what happens when written <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px;">words pass into us, helping us develop empathy & hopefully integrate themselves into our knowledge while at the same time, engaging emotions. How we read, creates or diminishes us. Our internal world is that which distinguishes one human being from another and that is what I hope to get across with the paintings. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px;">The talk is entirely different. After a brief explanation of the exhibition, I will speak about what is involved in opening an art gallery in Paris. </span></div>
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<span class="visible" style="margin-right: 10px;">Venue:</span></div>
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<span class="visible" style="margin-right: 10px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The American Library. 10, rue du Général Camou, 75007 Paris</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px;">Date: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Thursday, 5th of April,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px;">Time: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>19h30 (aka) 7.3</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; line-height: 14px;">0pm.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px;">You are invited to the vernissage of "You are how you read". An exhibition of paintings on the theme of reading. A dying art form. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px;">The exhibition will appropriately be held in the American Library in Paris and the vernissage is this coming Thursday, 5th of April, at 7.3</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; line-height: 14px;">0pm.<br /><br />There is a wine reception, followed by a talk on how to open an art gallery in Paris.<br /><br />The exhibition runs till the 13th of May 2012.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 14px;">After the vernissage, visits are restricted to members of the library and people with day passes. If you need one, please get in contact and it can be arranged.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-57439565393648844672012-03-04T20:39:00.018+01:002012-03-05T11:43:08.900+01:00Paris Galeries. Interview with Robert Peirce.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQKgj5V1jAwLubBFnhmbuu9aqVlkuQH9VxYQHjCpVBauxftTt0TYJK8_jG8V_PfRl8bgHsIl5b6jDDskxJyp1BTL3uWDpRZ8q_HHRAjSIH9G6d2YqEbbNHB1McmI0NVKoLpwO/s1600/robert4b.jpg" style="font-weight: normal; "><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQKgj5V1jAwLubBFnhmbuu9aqVlkuQH9VxYQHjCpVBauxftTt0TYJK8_jG8V_PfRl8bgHsIl5b6jDDskxJyp1BTL3uWDpRZ8q_HHRAjSIH9G6d2YqEbbNHB1McmI0NVKoLpwO/s200/robert4b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716210946722501170" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; ">I<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjR_oCzljdCuRKxfioiI0F2MRwt1ZEW00NURFygEaX62QEFXmQdU5mubDFSFJgnqmMZQSvGMy-ny_oKFDvq9n2EK7SPGv0dmf1UaA4Fl4Lx8Unrg-VpYuQmpAW2N1BgesTh_HG/s1600/robert3b.jpg" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; ">nterview with Art Dealer and gallerist Robert Peirce.</a></span><p class="p1" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">I visited Robert Peirce in his gallery in Paris this January, 2012, </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">at </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">4, rue Quentin Bauchart, 75008,<br /></span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">beside the Arc de Triomphe.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /><b>Introduction:</b></span></p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Robert arrived in Paris, from South Africa in 1972 and worked in the french construction industry as a structural engineer, subsequently in project & general management, for 40 years. His first project was the build of the George Pompidou centre with Ove Arup, working with Rogers & Piano. </p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">During his first professional career<span style="font-size: 100%; ">, he specialised in multi billion euro construction projects but at about the age of 50, began the change towards a career in the arts</span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">He had always been an art collector but had never consciously thought, he might one day, run his own art gallery but looking back, he recognises that it was something that was always at the back of his mind. After a period away from france, he took a year out to study art as a business. He studied the historical aspects together with technical and legal & fiscal side.</span></p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">On completion of his studies a friend invited him to share the running of a gallery in Paris. He took the opportunity. He now works independently with his own gallery. The location is perfect as it is in the golden circle, beside the Arc de Triomphe.</p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><b style="font-size: 100%; ">Q. Hello Robert. Thanks for taking the time to give this interview.<br /></b><b style="font-size: 100%; "><span>Can you tell me what kind of art you deal in?</span></b></p> <p class="p1" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">A. Initially I dealt both in contemporary and historical paintings at the same time, because I love both. However after the first five years I realised it had to be one, or the other. Not both. The audience and the means of communication are very different. So I decided to focus on historical art, simply because I had a passion for the fine details of research, philosophy, reading and the history.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><span><b>Q. What do you love about being a gallerist in Paris?</b></span></p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">A. I enjoy building my knowledge of the artists lives and works. This is a characteristic shared with many of my visitors. The exchange of knowledge with clients and other collectors is very stimulating and I enjoy educating and being educated. I've refined my ability to judge art based on experience and a knowledge of the market as a result.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">I also love learning about the lives of different artists. It expands your knowledge of the the world and this profession gives me a window into that world. It feels as though I've become a part of their history. Of having become a part of their life story, which in terms of art, continues long after their death because of the people who collect their works.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">I also like dealing with contextual works. That's highly stimulating. Items which have a trail of historical material connected to them. Such as the work of the 20th century artist Olivier Debré (Paris, 1920 1999). I purchased a gaouche painting with a note attached. A card in Debrés handwriting, which he had written to Bazaine, an artist and one of his friends. The painting was inspired by a design for a stage set, a ballet which was produced in 1997 by Carolyn Carlson. The card was dated 1996. The work was a particularly nice gouache on paper and the ballet starred Carolyn Carlson. I even saw it myself in a recent reproduction. So there is a huge amount of historical context, in that one image.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">In terms of contemporary art, among others, I love the work of Peter Bond. A very interesting Australian artist whom I've collected over the years and whom I exceptionally exhibit in the gallery among the historical artists here.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><span><b>Q. How do you choose an artist?</b></span></p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">A. In contemporary art that's a valid question but not in historical art dealing.<br /><span style="font-size: 100%; ">So I don't. You need to have huge financial and time resources, to specialise in one or two historical artists. Plus, there are a lot of good artists out there who are worthy of attention so I don't focus on a specific circle.</span></p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">However, I have specialized to a certain certain extent through two collections I have had the privilege to handle. I represent the family of Emmanuel de la Villéon (1858-1944). There are about 100 of his works in the gallery. I've sold another 100 and his family know and trust me so I see them regularly. <span style="font-size: 100%; ">They bring me works and I've become an expert on his art and life. I also consult for the musée de la Villéon in Fougère, Brittany.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "></p><p class="p1" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9F5xaT2CYPtENPqPgKo84gucUItokJ-vOC8p5bk1ky43iBRI6pvSDmaLHfwZrMer2MRKa6JEPmbx-35bvvGO7PZI1FlTVruqJHY2Kh8JqbLXN-_ucEf5OE-RDPbc2fjUWwkox/s200/la_villeon.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716132094698081282" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px; " /></span></p><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><strong style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-center; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: medium; ">Gorges de la Covatanne</strong></div><div style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">by <span style="font-size: 100%; ">LA VILLEON, </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Emanuel Victor Auguste Marie de, comte</span></div><p class="p1" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p><p style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "></p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">The other collection has been lovely drawings by Maximilien Luce (1858-1941), which has made of me something of an expert in his field. Although I may really know a lot about an artist, I can't afford to obsess. A gallery is a passion but it's also a business and if you obsess you make the wrong kind of decisions.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><span><b>Q. How do you price art?</b></span></p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">A. Historical art and contemporary art are very different and it's a tricky question because you can't underprice the contemporary artists works but you also have to sell them. I base prices on per cm2 values and each artist will have a different cm2 value. Ironically, whether it is contemporary or historical art, the value of a work goes up per cm2, depending on a decrease in the size. So smaller works are worth more per cm2 than larger works. This is more true for historical artists.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">There is also a pecking order between galleries. I verify prices against the value that other galleries put on the same artist. If there is a higher demand for an artists works then you can sell the works for more. Collectors set the real value when they compete for the artist, but it is a known fact that they are prepared to pay much higher prices in big galleries than in small, which is where we come in, with low cost structure and lower prices.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Setting a price is a function of 3 things. A combination of acquisition price, the market price of the artist and the quality of the work. So when someone buys a work from me, it's gone through the filtration process and I charge my markup for that service. Initially, I didn't have the courage to markup the price on works that I believed to be exceptional. Then over the years, as I developed more experience and knowledge I got better at facing the fact that certain pieces really needed to be championed.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">For historical artworks there is a price based on historical performance.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">This is muddied somewhat by the internet.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">There are some artists whom I sell and whom I know are sold in galleries with vitrines for 50% more. That's an immediate loss to the buyer. But I accept that. It's commerce. Supply and demand. The buyer who see's a piece in a window doesn't benefit in the same way that someone who comes looking to me, does.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "> <http: com="" _dppcrvocgw="" tyusu_dhaai="" aaaaaaaabuu="" um49n1i6cow="" p=""> </http:></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCj19aqfALY/T1PMMu7Z6ZI/AAAAAAAABU8/cNcu3jQVKtE/s1600/BISSIERE_Roger.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCj19aqfALY/T1PMMu7Z6ZI/AAAAAAAABU8/cNcu3jQVKtE/s200/BISSIERE_Roger.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716136871190981010" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 156px; " /></a></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; "><b>BISSIERE, Roger <span>(1886-1964)</span></b></p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><span><b>Q. Do you ever buy from auction houses?</b><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><br />A. Yes, but it takes a lot of work and there is a lot of confusion among buyers about the official prices set by auction houses. The auction houses publish the prices which art sells for 'under the hammer'. </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">But the buyer actually pays 30% more, for the works.</span></p> <p class="p1" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">That equals the sales commission which the auction house adds to the sale price. </span><span style="font-size: 100%; ">They take that from the buyer and they also take a 15% commission, from the seller. That's almost a 50% markup.</span></p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">So auction results create a false value because the works are worth at least 25% more than the values being quoted. </p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">If someone comes to me and tries to negotiate based on auction prices I tell them that they should simply buy at auction, if they have the time and the competence, and want to take the risk. In that manner, they gain experience and understand the value of the work I do.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Buying at auction takes an enormous amount of time, knowledge and stamina. I might pick out 100 works worth buying but narrow that down to just 10 and out of that 10, get just one. I would have spent days to get that. People who come to me, benefit from that work.</p> <p class="p1" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><span><b>Q. Do you have other sources?</b></span></span></p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">A. Yes, people who know my reputation bring artworks and often ask me to represent them. To find a buyer for their collections. I prefers to work with art that hasn't been exposed on the auction market. These are virgin works. Pieces that have been in the same family or with the same collector since the artist first sold the piece.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><span><b>Q. How do you market the gallery:</b></span></p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">A. I thought initially that I would use this gallery as a base for marketing to the UK and I started doing fairs in London. I regularly did the Watercolours fair in February and Art London in October. An art fair costs about 25K. You have to sell a lot to cover that cost. It's really a marketing action for a gallery and you try to make it pay of course but if it doesn't, you have to see it as marketing. You do, directly meet a lot of people who are real collectors and future clients.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Then you have to utilize all that new information. Create databases, spend money, create newsletters, fliers. That's a huge amount of time writing and communicating. You get the idea.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">After the fairs, when the English come to Paris they come to see me. I get on very well with them and they are very loyal. I also have a few American clients who regularly visit when they are in Paris. </p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">I also attend fairs here in Paris and it's the same situation. There's a lot of work involved. I have started exhibiting in fairs in other European countries such as Brussels. but I don't network. I sell art to people who have a mutual feeling for an artists work and I find those people through art fairs and they find me.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; "><span><b>Q. What about posters?</b></span></p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">A. I did spend a lot of money on posting les affiches all around Paris and I still do posters but it's out of loyalty to the artists because I didn't find that they work. I also placed articles into art magazines but I had to recognise that the results were minimal. Press releases are used promote certain artists but it's not that which brings in collectors.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Now it's art fairs, the telephone and writing to collectors. It's very direct communication,, which wouldn't be possible without going out there and finding them. Things like Christmas cards help and I don't skimp on quality. The paper and printing costs are high.</p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">Being a galerist is a bit of a vocation. It's like being an artist and this gallery is like my home so it has a somewhat relaxed ambiance. People often join me for lunch in the gallery and we discuss art and the fiscal aspect of collecting. I<span style="font-size: 100%; "> have a lot of credibility when discussing finance because I've managed the fiscal end of construction projects and can explain the benefits of investing in art, in terms of tax. So if we aren't discussing art, we are able to discuss business or Paris.</span></p> <p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; ">You can contact Robert Peirce, of Galerie Peirce<br /><span style="font-size: 100%; ">By visiting or writing to </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Galerie Peirce, Sur cour au 4, rue Quentin Bauchart, 75008 Paris<br />Metro/ parking: George V</span></p> <p class="p3" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">tel: +33 (0) 6 03 84 78 35<br /></span><a href="mailto:contact@galeriepeirce.com" style="font-size: 100%; ">contact@galeriepeirce.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.galeriepeirce.com/">http://www.galeriepeirce.com</a></p> <p class="p4" style="font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; "><br /></p></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-43146240494137494072012-01-15T16:12:00.003+01:002012-01-15T16:47:13.828+01:00Facebook friendsThis is a personal project which started out as an exercise and which has taken on a life of it's own. <div><br /></div><div>I decided to paint portraits of the many people that I call friends on facebook. </div><div>Why? </div><div>Although I don't add to my friends list very often I have over 600. I don't know all of them very well though I'm careful, as you should be, about accepting friend requests.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>In an effort to become more aware of the people I call friends I decided to paint the portraits of a random selection who come up on my radar most often and then spread outwards. The other reason is because I have found that painting from a photo is incredibly hard by comparison with painting from the living model. Why? No idea, though other people have proposed theories. So this is also an exercise. A challenge and effort to overcome a sort of visual handicap. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some of the paintings in oil which I've produced so far. There are others but I'm not ready to show them all. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jt5Ce0uAsU/TxL0QJbuAWI/AAAAAAAABS0/JFcVUB6FAJI/s1600/lineup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 78px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4jt5Ce0uAsU/TxL0QJbuAWI/AAAAAAAABS0/JFcVUB6FAJI/s320/lineup.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697885036824363362" /></a></div></div><div>There are larger versions on my website. <a href="http://www.tjbyrne.com">http://www.tjbyrne.com</a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-88180336876144431432012-01-14T22:05:00.015+01:002012-01-15T16:26:41.250+01:00Paris Galleries - Dorothy Polley<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVR-pINUpbegwpBl71CSMRouO_KN52TRFMPE0PuTxpIB0vQzmG2ohSOfRgAOM3pBYDBxVOqySIrndJDgj-nosd8U5n768MFtD15N1TlupP4IIRPUraUu2KPsxEWs9-Dexaayg2/s1600/dorothy+polley.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVR-pINUpbegwpBl71CSMRouO_KN52TRFMPE0PuTxpIB0vQzmG2ohSOfRgAOM3pBYDBxVOqySIrndJDgj-nosd8U5n768MFtD15N1TlupP4IIRPUraUu2KPsxEWs9-Dexaayg2/s320/dorothy+polley.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697599860911236562" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>I met with Dorothy Polley in October of 2011 and she was the first gallerist of this series whom I interviewed. <div><br /></div><div>When I started writing about Paris galleries I wanted the first gallery to be purely french and run by a french person and I'm glad that I made that decision.</div><div><br /></div><div>However on writing up the interview with Dorothy I realised she is very much French and an important part of Paris. Although she is originally American she has made a huge impact here. Not just in art but in many other areas too. Significant impact. So it's with pleasure that I introduce the second in the series of interviews with french galleries based in Paris. <div><br /></div><div><div><span id="internal-source-marker_0.0890532738994807"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. Hello Dorothy, for my first question I’d like to know, when you came to Paris, did you plan to open an art gallery?</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><ul><li><span id="internal-source-marker_0.0890532738994807"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. No, I didn’t plan on anything. I just came here to live. I started as a language teacher. Paris was very different then. I set up a huge organisation for language teachers, almost by accident. Then In 1986 I set up a language school which I sold in 2006. We had very big contracts with International and French companies. During all this time I was involved in music and theatre had many friends in that world. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; "> Naturally, through my language school I made a lot of contacts in the world of business. In 2006 a Japanese company offered to buy the language school and I said yes. In the same year, I set up the art gallery and invited all the people I knew from International companies and contacts in the french administrative system to attend the art vernissages and other events. It took 6 months from the original decision to the opening of the first exhibition but it was a huge success right from the beginning. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; "> I’ve been running this gallery for 5 years now but I can’t compare it to the art scene when I first arrived here in Paris because I was totally involved in establishing the language school which had 80 teachers. All my outside interests were in music and theatre.</span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. And why did you choose to open in Bastille?</span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><br class="kix-line-break"><ul><li>A. This was originally my family home so I already had the space and now it’s the gallery.</li></ul></span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. What about motivation?</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. I don’t know why I did it. I was just following my inspiration. It’s best to follow your desire because you waste a lot of time and energy by trying to understand everything before you take action. The people I worked with during the first exhibitions were of great help. They were art students and they helped with the hanging. I also worked with another gallery to find the artists and we shared the space. So the first exhibitions were a great success and when I opened the doors for the first time it was full. We had a great first response. It was very encouraging. </span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. Do you get a lot of help from associations that help galleries to set up?</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. No but I think that they exist. You see, this is a company but recently I have begun to investigate the advantages of setting up an association and benefiting from the help which associations receive. </span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. What is the advantage of being a gallery in Paris?</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. The advantage is that if companies buy work over a period of years they get the money back. That’s a big advantage for the companies. There’s no advantage for this gallery but it’s great for the collectors. </span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. Why isn’t Paris an incredible hotbed for collecting art? It seems like everything is in place for it to happen.</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. I don't know the answer to that. We discuss it often. Everyone discusses it and no one understands why. When I began, it was often passers by who bought art, just because they liked it. However over the last couple of years people seem to be a lot less willing to simply buy art without a direct reason. I do a lot of communication, probably a lot more than other galleries of my size. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; "> I’ve sold over a thousand pieces of art over the last 5 years. It’s certain that one of the things which make a big difference to an exhibitions success is the theme. Some shows bring in thousands of visitors. </span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. How do you choose work.</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. The sense of meaning in a work & the discourse surrounding it inspires me to show it. Because, having been an english teacher I like words and the meaning in the work gives it a great deal of value to me. The poetry in the work is very important. I like to mix media in the shows too. There are sculptors, paintings, photos, all at the same time. Media can be abstract or figurative. </span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. Do you have many friends who are gallerists?</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. Yes, I like to work with a lot of galleries. I share artists with galleries and share information as much as possible. That’s very important. </span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. Is it still good to be in Paris?</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. I think a lot of things have changed. There are more ateliers open. People can walk around artists studios and see art in an unstructured manner and many come to see art fairs such as FIAC. Collectors have begun to come to Paris in waves rather than as a steady stream. There are a number of art fairs each year. All of which effect the galleries. I’ve taken part in some but a gallery is better for artists. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; "> A lot of people who don’t know a lot about art but who are eager to collect feel compelled to go to big brand galleries which show established names. That’s not the way to start collecting. There is a lot to learn about the process and there is no quick fix. It’s an intellectual as well as emotional/visual process. </span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. Pricing, how do you pick a price for the art?</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. Well that depends on a lot of things. It depends on the work, on the artist. The artist and I will discuss that. If I think the price is right I’ll agree with the artist or advise them. Artists don’t realise that they have to have a range of prices. So that people can begin to collect them if they can’t afford a larger piece. People collect not just because of an individual piece but also because they like how the artist thinks. </span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. What’s your favorite part of running an art gallery?</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. Unwrapping the art. Discovering a new artist and seeing the work in real life because often you have just seen the pieces on the internet and the real thing is a completely different experience. </span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. What do you like least?</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. Being in the gallery every single day. You want to treat people as you would like to be treated yourself so you give each visitor your best and it can be exhausting. You can’t leave that to someone else. </span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. How do you find people to invite to exhibitions? </span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. I have a long list of guests built up over the years.</span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. Do you collect art yourself.</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. Not really. I do have art but I don’t consider myself to be a collector.</span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. How much money do you need to have to open a gallery?</span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. I don’t think that’s the right question. I think that you have to be in the right circles to open a gallery. It can be very expensive either way. Paying assistants. Putting up posters. Organising receptions. Contacting journalists. Creating communications in different magazines. So it’s very expensive but if you are in the right circles, with people who collect, it’s possible to make it work. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; "> Then there is the keeping everything clean and you have to create a book for each artist and each show. </span></li></ul><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Q. Would you not feel comfortable promoting the same artists all the time, over the years. </span><br /><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">A. No I like to promote a core group but I also like to add to them all the time. I am very loyal to the artists that I like but the stimulation of the new is very important. The artists like it too. </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span></div></div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTJknsiuTWU/TxH6sMBUiiI/AAAAAAAABR8/PaKSBvbTm1M/s1600/P1110654.jpg"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTJknsiuTWU/TxH6sMBUiiI/AAAAAAAABR8/PaKSBvbTm1M/s1600/P1110654.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 171px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTJknsiuTWU/TxH6sMBUiiI/AAAAAAAABR8/PaKSBvbTm1M/s320/P1110654.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697610640648342050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span>Dorothy Polly</span><br /><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_lBD6PH9rY0Ixi1av05qWncs4X68BM_As2jIIaTKY5xzd9yg9w47stHxuVW3Sa07qZmUScFoD_0Z-kk9-7xwfg2WwbUSbs8UWpocjo4Aq48IthmZ7hUgcDTxE6xPgfQvlnsu/s320/Matthew+Grabelsky.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697610638628022674" /> <p class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><span>Painting by Matthew Grabelsky<br />Title: A weight on his mind</span></p></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cg77nvRZe9s/TxH9wpg8_PI/AAAAAAAABSc/wnr6b9CerJU/s1600/P1110656.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cg77nvRZe9s/TxH9wpg8_PI/AAAAAAAABSc/wnr6b9CerJU/s320/P1110656.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697614015820004594" /></a><span style="text-align: center; "><div style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center; "><span>Painting by </span><span id="internal-source-marker_0.8205795178655535" style="text-align: left; "><span style="font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span>Eric Turlot</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-size: x-small; "><span style="text-align: left; "><span style="font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left; "><div style="text-align: left;font-size: x-small; "><b id="internal-source-marker_0.8205795178655535"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Video clip from the show: Paris-Texas:</span></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-size: x-small; "><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Texas artist Ealy Mays : </span><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><a href="http://youtu.be/h4PkS2xiYuE">http://youtu.be/h4PkS2xiYuE</a></span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-size: x-small; "><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">French artist Eric Turlot: </span><a href="http://youtu.be/ynb8yCnpVF8" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap; ">http://youtu.be/ynb8yCnpVF8</a></div><div style="text-align: center;font-size: x-small; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;font-size: x-small; "><div><b id="internal-source-marker_0.8205795178655535"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Dorothy’s Gallery</span><br /><a href="http://dorothysgallery.com/art/"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">http://dorothysgallery.com/art/</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Tahoma; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">27, rue KellerParis, 11e</span><br /><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Tahoma; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">ouverture du mercredi au samedi de 13h à 19h</span><br /><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Tahoma; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">mardi et dimanche de 16h à 19h</span><br /><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Tahoma; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Métro : Bastille</span><br /><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Tahoma; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">Tel: 01 43 57 08 51</span><br /><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">email:</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: Tahoma; color: rgb(0, 152, 176); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; ">dorothysgallery@gmail.com</span></b></div></div><span style="text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; "></span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>------------------------------------</span></div><div><img src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" alt="Add Video" border="0" class="gl_video" /></div><div><span>For lovers of </span>Surrealist Art:</div><div><br /></div> <div><span>In March 2012, in Dorothy's Gallery, there will be an exhibition </span>called Héritages Surréalistes. Its vernissage is on March 30th 2012. It will be an international surrealist exhibition with artists from 7 different countries. There is a well rounded group with two friends and collegues of André Breton: the Portuguese surrealist Isabel Meyrelles and the recently deceased French surrealist Anne Ethuin, wife of the poet Edouard Jaguer ( a member of the “Main à plume” surrealist group during the French Resistence ). With the sculptors, there are fourteen artists in total.</div> <p class="p1">The exhibition is a collaborative effort between Dorothy's Gallery, Liba Waring Stambollion and Santiago Rebeiro, who is the curator and the founder of the show (which has already taken place in Portugal). It is a show which is showcased and partially funded by Bissaya Barreto. </p></div></span><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YRV8fEZMdM/TxIAtIcBrUI/AAAAAAAABSo/P6SW_w69d5Y/s1600/heritages-surrealistes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YRV8fEZMdM/TxIAtIcBrUI/AAAAAAAABSo/P6SW_w69d5Y/s320/heritages-surrealistes.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697617253936246082" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-2936534889638003302011-11-13T14:15:00.007+01:002012-01-16T13:18:57.467+01:00Paris Galleries-Mariska Hammoudi<div style="text-align: center;"><span ><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><br />Paris Gallery interviews:<br /><br />Mariska Hammoudi is the owner of a gallery in the 16eme arrondissement of Paris. It's a very unusual gallery but like most is run by a person passionate about the arts. Ms Hammoudi is a graduate of the Beaux Arts. Her facination is with the history of arts and her passion is to promote and develop her gallery and diffuse an awareness of her artists among the world of collectors. She only exhibits figurative art and has a facination for the renaissance though she appreciates many other forms of representational style.<br /><br />In france, art collectors are referred to as Les Amateurs d'art. The term comes from a french magazine of the same name and although the magazine ceased after the death of Michel Boutin, the director in the early 1990's, the term is still used today for those who search for and collect the work of artists in France. So don't be confused if you hear the expression being used to describe you.<br /><br />So what makes this gallery different to others? It's quiet simply the very personal nature of it. You won't find this gallery behind a shop window or see signs directing you to it. You have to know of it. To have been introduced or invited to attend. Her gallery is in her apartment and effectively all of the space within, has been dedicated to the exhibition of works of art. This is a sacrifice in a city where space is at a premium but as Ms Hamoudi says, the art on the walls is the art which she chooses to live with.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3d45WWl4HxCqjg6Q3T-vjuEFnody_JO5uE78kk9XPvpTdSdVIbCzmFUbhxnT5-qYh_zcqaE-rvoX2nQ-g5IsHTTBsE6Z8QJoDNedJI1GRsF1T_8QaWOzo51dZf1LWKAA2Xcj/s1600/gallery.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy3d45WWl4HxCqjg6Q3T-vjuEFnody_JO5uE78kk9XPvpTdSdVIbCzmFUbhxnT5-qYh_zcqaE-rvoX2nQ-g5IsHTTBsE6Z8QJoDNedJI1GRsF1T_8QaWOzo51dZf1LWKAA2Xcj/s320/gallery.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674492282586346402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The process of choosing an artist is also very personal. To exhibit in her space a fusion between the gallerist and the artist must take place. Together they dicuss each others lives and interests and slowly come to a conclusion resulting in a theme for the exhibiton. It is a mutual conclusion and in the case of the current exhibition which is by Yoomi Ha, a Korean artist and the first non french and autodidact artist to have exhibited here, the theme is secrets.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uZDsnPFZ6qyIG3g0uoTjjRCur31rU29jPSkiZsszdpx8dcxjF5BUtjbmnPplxxSsZF4824cOSRGjjjUa9T_Q8kwhPFY3uC_THWcJrisFqm291BZEXOr4bYDIR1evHYQy_0ic/s1600/Photo0680.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 157px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uZDsnPFZ6qyIG3g0uoTjjRCur31rU29jPSkiZsszdpx8dcxjF5BUtjbmnPplxxSsZF4824cOSRGjjjUa9T_Q8kwhPFY3uC_THWcJrisFqm291BZEXOr4bYDIR1evHYQy_0ic/s320/Photo0680.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674492290741166818" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya31YEHe-eQvk1xEjnlNUXLRyN6_JiTvjI4nHPSpKWoDB1vmAZ0bJdGd1d-28ihe9CXkKSO3tn4_A7UFoVTMeh_coLw1O_lrS2vv8QQULA1j-nIzJV1_VAedEaiHbDzdM3azz/s1600/Photo0679.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya31YEHe-eQvk1xEjnlNUXLRyN6_JiTvjI4nHPSpKWoDB1vmAZ0bJdGd1d-28ihe9CXkKSO3tn4_A7UFoVTMeh_coLw1O_lrS2vv8QQULA1j-nIzJV1_VAedEaiHbDzdM3azz/s320/Photo0679.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5674492288061524738" border="0" /></a><br />When you look around the room you wonder how these images could refer to secrets in the life of this young gallerist but she assures me that there are elements in each piece which profoundly remind her of events in her life and the world around her. When discussing the subject she mentioned that to French people and Europeans in general, secrets are something worth learning and even hunting for but most especially they are worth keeping.<br /><br />What is the future for this gallery? Her intention is to enlarge it but to never have a gallery which has a shop window or which doesn't look like a persons home. Her reasons are simple and I agree with them. Typcially a gallery is an artificial impersonal, sterile space, often with high ceilings and very strong lighting. They can alienate visitors who often cannot imagine the works on display, ever fitting into their home. Here though you can see how, even a large painting (and there are sev eral among her private collection) can easily become a part of the living experience of a typical home, even on the scale of an average Paris apartment.<br /><br />So how does an Amateur des Arts visit this space if it does not have a typical shop window? To visit a vernissage requires an invitation or to go with someone who has one. Alternately you may visit at any other time by making an appointment. She is happy to show interested people around the space and discuss the works on show. The current exhibition ends 16 décembre 2011.<br /><br />To visit the gallery website: http://www.galeriemariskahammoudi.com/ and to arrange an appointment simply email contact@galeriemariskahammoudi.com<div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-57303547218107001252011-11-03T22:03:00.007+01:002012-01-15T22:37:00.247+01:00Salon du Patrimoine<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:100%;">Last night (November 3rd) I had the pleasure to attend the Vernissage of the Salon du Patrimoine, in the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><h6 style="font-weight: normal;" class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><span ><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" ft="{"type":3}" style="font-family: arial; ">If you are interested in french culture, quality craftsmanship, painting (in the craft sense), art restoration, restoration of buildings, or just want to get a real sense of how enormously motivated the french are to preserve their historical roots, then visit the Salon du Patrimoine. It's a blend of high tech and traditional crafts, usually blending seamlessly together in ways that are very surprising.<br /><br />The salon takes place annually in the Carrousel du Louvre, just beside the upturned pyramid. The dates this year, are from the 3 - 6th of November.<br /></span><span><span style="font-family:arial;">99 rue de Rivoli</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">75039 Paris 75001</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">tel:+33 (0)1 43 16 47 47</span><br /></span></span><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" ft="{"type":3}"><span ><br /><span style="font-family: arial; ">You will meet extremely helpful and friendly french people with exacting knowledge of their specialisation. A picture tells a thousand words so here are a few to give you an idea of what it's like.</span></span><br /></span></h6><h6 style="font-weight: normal;" class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnerOpTqr3H98EwJyGE3Qxn5nh4LAG7LH6f-L1_4jKq_hxfzq9E74HURe8n7xpdKXSzENirAdI3jffk5u86rDbakktVMYfI9zD7LInyyEg4jCclfrXDoXN_zpTKswWnMQ7y_6P/s1600/Photo0596.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnerOpTqr3H98EwJyGE3Qxn5nh4LAG7LH6f-L1_4jKq_hxfzq9E74HURe8n7xpdKXSzENirAdI3jffk5u86rDbakktVMYfI9zD7LInyyEg4jCclfrXDoXN_zpTKswWnMQ7y_6P/s320/Photo0596.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670881777300291058" border="0" />My paints supplier from Germany is there :)</a></h6><h6 style="font-weight: normal;" class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FI7IiL-xMY/TrME6yadMuI/AAAAAAAABO4/9qFTd-DEgVs/s1600/Photo0591.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FI7IiL-xMY/TrME6yadMuI/AAAAAAAABO4/9qFTd-DEgVs/s320/Photo0591.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670881763801248482" border="0" />Quality oozes out of everything.</a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BuVcZel3sBM/TrME6qzfeiI/AAAAAAAABOs/Bburf38g8uI/s1600/Photo0594.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BuVcZel3sBM/TrME6qzfeiI/AAAAAAAABOs/Bburf38g8uI/s320/Photo0594.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670881761758771746" border="0" />Very impresive reproduction carpentry everywhere although that's not the issue here. They are displaying handmade, individually designed, objet d'art and jewellery boxs.</a></h6><h6 style="font-weight: normal;" class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BuVcZel3sBM/TrME6qzfeiI/AAAAAAAABOs/Bburf38g8uI/s1600/Photo0594.jpg"> </a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNziK2EKtwXnBkPUZsoMKn-jh2SoUhzYgdmuJQxVvImA1wxFMuVIyiVnykIKnSEiN_-0XeCB1TVCVvroJ60dEf3fPnXLkX8Y1AwdqKrdJWkxo_knGxvC0ncZa8LFA3Z83cYL0/s1600/Photo0600.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNziK2EKtwXnBkPUZsoMKn-jh2SoUhzYgdmuJQxVvImA1wxFMuVIyiVnykIKnSEiN_-0XeCB1TVCVvroJ60dEf3fPnXLkX8Y1AwdqKrdJWkxo_knGxvC0ncZa8LFA3Z83cYL0/s320/Photo0600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670881782932853714" border="0" />The school where I studied Trompe L'Oeil and faux effects are there. They are based in Montmarte. Stand K1, if you are visiting. Say hi to Thimy or Pierre, for me. </a><span class="messageBody translationEligibleUserMessage" ft="{"type":3}"><br /></span></h6><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-44150522464267045532011-10-10T22:11:00.001+02:002011-10-10T22:14:57.750+02:00ArtAids - Curatorial Grant<h3><strong>H+F CURATORIAL GRANT 2012 </strong></h3> <p>The "H+F Curatorial Grant 2012" is an ambitious and original initiative which allows the FRAC Nord–Pas de Calais (Dunkirk/France) in close partnership with the private collector Han Nefkens (H+F Collection), to give young international curators the opportunity to participate in the development of exhibition projects based on the collection.<br /> <br /> This grant which was launched in 2007 offers emerging art coordinators and curators a unique infrastructure and environment with free access to a research and documentation centre as well as to one of the best French collections of contemporary art. The FRAC acts as the first intermediary for these future professionals of contemporary art by helping them to develop and implement their projects.</p> Han Nefkens (H+F Collection) and Hilde Teerlinck (Director of the FRAC Nord-Pas de Calais) will select the new candidate. The selected person will become part of the FRAC’s team as an assistant curator, coordinating local, national and international exhibition-projects. The grantee selected for the period of 12 months will also be responsible for the coordination of ArtAids projects wich focus on creating awareness about HIV/Aids and tackling the stigma connected with it. <br /><br />See <a href="http://www.artaids.com/">http://www.artaids.com</a><br /><br />She / he will receive in exchange a grant for 12 months (2012) that will help finance her/his living and travel expenses. An excellent knowledge of Dutch and English is required, knowledge of French would be helpful. The candidate will have to install her/himself in Dunkirk for the mentioned period.<br /><br />This project has been made possible thanks to the generous support of Han Nefkens (journalist, writer and art collector), which enables the FRAC Nord-Pas de Calais to reinforce the development of a strong and active policy of patronage around its activity. <br />Please send your application containing a recent CV (including a photograph), a exhibition project based on the collection of the FRAC Nord-Pas de Calais (max 1 A4) and an motivation letter <strong>before October 17th, 2011</strong> to:<br /><br /><strong>FRAC Nord-Pas de Calais</strong> : Hilde Teerlinck, 930 avenue de Rosendaël, 59240 Dunkerque (France)<br />Tel. 03 28 65 84 20<br /><a href="http://www.fracnpdc.fr/">http://www.fracnpdc.fr</a><br />project@fracnpdc.fr<div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-76157434147940007232011-10-07T11:15:00.003+02:002011-10-07T11:33:28.929+02:00Wall Street ProtestorsThis is my reply to an artist who dismissed the actions of the Wall Street Protestors. You can read her comment below:<br /><br />by <cite class="fn">sandy mcneal</cite> <span class="comment-meta commentmetadata"><a href="http://blogs.artinfo.com/artintheair/2011/10/06/occupy-wall-street-gets-its-own-biennial/comment-page-1/#comment-1416">October 6, 2011 at 9:49 pm :</a></span> <p>Fuck off you bunch of miserable slackers! You give the appearnce that all artists are a host of mooching sucks who could never make it in the real world. Use all the quotes you want, the reality is that you have no concept of reality and I wouldn’t associate myself nor my art with an effort like yours. It’s time the play-date party got a reality check and quit living off your parent’s dime or the government dole!</p>My reply:<br /><br />This is a vital event in the life of the flailing American social and political body, which was virtually dead intil this point.<br /><br />An electric shock treatment. An injection of adrenalin. A sudden waking up and switching off of the media lie. An eyes wide open, consciousness of the manipulation which tells us, it is patriotic to do nothing, to not question, to lie to ourselves.<br /><br />Wakefullness. Learning to resist. Choosing. Refusing to comply with fulcrums of financial muscle who exercise no social consciousness.<br /><br />If a corporation is a person, what kind of person are they? What kind of person rises to the top of such a being! With such people in such positions, no other environment, other than this, could or can exist. It will always repeat itself as long as thinly veiled psychopaths are rewarded with authority. Others will envy them, climb to the top, repeat the cycle.<br /><br />Corporation must come to an end or be reborn, with a new structure, new desires, goals and obligations.<br /><br />If it is a person, it should be a person you would welcome into your own home. Not someone you would tolerate as long as they are separated by walls and a fence.<br /><br />Employees should not be obliged to have split personalities, to go to work. They should not feel repulsed by the structure within which they work and which they keep alive.<br /><br />Success should not be doomed to create misery from the very start. But now, no other ultimate outcome is possible, when it is populated by an army of people trained from birth to make profit over people, over environment, over peace.<br /><br />Change!<br /><br />x<div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-85489419988837968992011-09-27T10:35:00.004+02:002011-09-27T10:48:14.446+02:00Paris Design Flea Market, Puces du Design, October 6-9Dates: October 6th to 9th<br />Location: Place des Vins de France, in Bercy Village<br />Metro: Cour Saint-Emilion. Line 14<br /><br />The theme for this years Paris Design Flea Market, are the years, 50's to 90's.<br />Access is free to the general public and it starts on Thursday afternoon, the 6th of October.<br /><br />You'll find, design objects, art, decoration and furniture, from the rare to the inexpensive, fabulous icons of design in this once a year event which recreates the ambiance of a flea market but with class and chic.<br /><br />It isn't a really well know event but I've stumbled upon it a couple of times while in Paris and it's really well worth the visit. Good fun even if you aren't a collector of design objects. This time it take place in Bercy village, close to the Parc de Bercy, so a picnic is a possiblility. You can stroll through, the relatively new, streets and discover classics of international and french furniture and design objects.<br /><br />It's a very pleasant way to pass a day or two exploring and meeting french people of a certain class and taste. The designs are usually the very best and most iconic items.<br /><br />The address is Place des Vins de France, in Bercy Village.<br /><br />Google map <a href="http://maps.google.fr/maps?q=Place+des+Vins+de+France">here</a><br /><br />The nearest metro is Cour Saint-Emilion. Metro line 14.<div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22939650.post-43017457546222589012011-09-07T11:35:00.001+02:002011-09-07T12:32:09.728+02:00Degas at the Royal Academy LondonThe exhibition of Degas ballet drawings and paintings is receiving great promotion all over the world. It opens on the 17th of September, in London.<br />
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As an artist, Degas didn't paint the traditional historical subjects of his peers. Instead, like many other 'new' artists of his time, he painted daily life. This is one of the reasons his art is grouped among the impressionists, despite his focus on realism.<br />
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Being independently wealthy he created what he wanted to. Studied what he wanted and with his impressive social connections he travelled easily in many different levels of society. He also collected other artists works and was constantly learning. He was a truely involved artist.<br />
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Thanks to his independence we have a very unique and honest window into the past, which shocked contemporary Paris. The reasons were so typical of the time and we can see through him, his life and art, how different the status of 'woman' has changed and balanced.<br />
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Apart from the obvious skill and majesty in his work, I think that this is one of the main reasons for art collectors facination with him and their love of his drawings.<br />
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Degas is a great example of how the lives of artists are a particular kind of window in the human world and that of nature. It is said that we see history through the eyes of the victor but here we see history through the eyes of the creator.<br />
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He is mounted on a social dias but rejects the conventions that placed him there. Armed with his artists eyes and desire to create. Taking full advantage of the opportunities his status presented, he created. He was ahead of his time but with his feet firmly stuck on the ground and his works create a crack in the lens of the dogma which recorded his world.<br />
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Through this view finder we can begin to piece together the dynamism which held together his society and which led to ours. We can see in more than one way, how radically different our society is from the past while also experiencing great art, unshackling us from the conventions of our own world.<br />
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There is information on the upcoming exhibition in London here.</div>
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http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/degas/about-the-exhibition</div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">The art can be seen at http://www.tjbyrne.com</div>Tom J. Byrnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11047108994309727037noreply@blogger.com2