Sunday, October 31, 2010

Artist Collaboration: Sculptor Tolley Marney and Painter Printmaker Cristina Acosta


 Artist Statement

Artists: Cristina Acosta and Tolley Marney

Mixed Media Originals – are a combination of the classic artist printmaking process teamed with drawing and painting techniques. The art process begins with a drawing or painting that is made with intaglio-ink and placed on the bed of a hand-cranked printing press. Using 100% cotton or other natural paper, only one image is made at a time. Acosta and Marney then finish the art by hand-rubbing it with powdered pigments and/or drawing and painting on the piece.

         Marney and Acosta collaborate on a series of original mixed media images based on the image of the horse. Marney says, “I’ve interacted with horses all of my life, so I understand the horse and feel a comfort working with its image. The horse is a kindred spirit. Horses are creatures that will do anything in the world for us as long as we ask in the right way. Heart and soul, they always amaze me.”
            Acosta’s work blends spirit and physical energy, both creating a new vision of the horse as well as translating the images of the sculptural pieces into mixed media monotypes rich with surface and texture. Acosta says, “The image of the horse is symbolic with layers of meaning that I’ve echoed both actually and metaphorically in this series.”
            Working as much as possible with environmental sensitivity, Marney works in reclaimed steel and Acosta works with enviro-safe printmaking materials. Both artists contribute to the other's imagery and often work together on the pieces. All art is signed by both artists.
            Primarily a sculptor, Marney exhibits his sculptures in premier art galleries in New York, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara and San Francisco. His sculptures are in many private collections. Marney also won first prize in the New Jersey Equine Art Expo in 2003.
            Primarily a painter and printmaker, Acosta’s art has been featured in many national venues including galleries, museums, print and internet media. Acosta is the author of the art book Paint Happy ©2002, 2004 and a contributor to art and design books and articles.

www.CristinaAcosta.com

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos Art Exhibit at Onda Art Gallery

Drawing and painting bones has been a lifelong interest for me. That interest is lately evident in my monotypes including both animal and human studies.  My piece La Coneja / The Rabbit along with some other pieces of mine are on exhibit at Onda Gallery in the Alberta Street district of Portland, Oregon. Here's what Allan from Onda Gallery has to say about this November's show:

October 28, 6-9 PM, the run of the show will include Halloween and the two Days of the Dead, November 1 and 2.  Note that the show ends on November 14
at Onda Gallery, 2215 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR 97211
503.493.1909    http://www.ondagallery.com

Onda Arte Latina Gallery is marking Dia de los Muertos / the Day of the Dead with a show of art by Latino artists from Oregon and Washington - Analee Fuentes, Cristina Acosta, Gene Flores, Alejandro Ceballos, Susana Espino, Paulina Hermosillo, Roberto Herrera, Hampton Rodriguez, Armando Olveda and Pepe Moscoso - and other artists working within the genre, including Joan Darling,  Nancy Watterson Scharf, Gregory Carrigan, Clay Hoffman, Sue Burnett and Kat Keating. Other highlights are an altar by Justine Avera and Vincent Ramirez, a shadow puppet play by Shiney Penny Productions and art from Zarco Guerrero of Mesa, Arizona.

The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos in Spanish) is a holiday celebrated mainly in Mexico and by people of Mexican heritage living in the United States and Canada. The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and relatives who have died. The celebration occurs on the 1st and 2nd of November, in connection with the holy days of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day which take place on those days. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.

Allan and Pablo
Onda Gallery
2215 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR 97211
503.493.1909    http://www.ondagallery.com