Marketing myself

Perhaps this post is the beginning of a new series of posts. I went to a great workshop yesterday. It appears that I can do a lot to show my art to the public. It begins here. I will try to more regularly post some of my newer pieces with commentary, explanation, stories that connect to art that I have posted.

I seem to have an affiliation toward Paul Klee. It is not that I consciously immitate his work. In fact when working on a piece, I look for interesting shapes and colors to combine. In this piece I seem to have reproduced a head? an animal? a monster? If that, it is a friendly monster.

1956 San Francisco Art Festival

I am fixated on the fifties art movement in San Francisco. I have a couple of fliers that my uncle left from the San Francisco Art Festival. The flier lists over 700 exhibitors, a few well known. I plan at some time, I hope soon to create a continuing investigation on a website. My uncle John is among the first listed with members of the Artist's Guild. Also notable is the Six Gallery with Jay DeFeo, Peter Forakis, Wally Hedrick, Manuel Neri. I am posting the entire flier. I find it fascinating. If you know any of the artists listed here or have samples of their work, I would appreciate you contacting me.

Showing John's Painting

I met someone a couple of months ago at the Sebastopol Art Center. I showed her (Her name is Cindy.) a sample of my Uncle John's paintings on the web. She was intrigued and said that she would love to come over and take a look for herself. Today she came. You must know our house- it is full of art. 70% of the art on the walls is John's, 20% is mine and 10% other people's. She recognized the Otis Oldfield and said that his wife was her art teacher when she was in school. Cindy called her a grouch, but said that she was an excellent painter. She told us the scene we had was from an area on his property in the Sierra Foothills which she once visited. Her brother had brought the property and inside there were paintings by both of them.

Cindy oou'd and ahhh'da throughout the house. She liked John's abstracts the best, but even liked mine and Joey's. I went into the deep collection in the basement. The one painting that she really wanted we could not locate. There are about 60 t0 80 larger painting down there ( a rough estimate). Added to that a box with about 200 or so smaller pieces, maybe 20 rolled up canvases and various old large sketch pads.

She bought two pieces, one a nice mono-print and the other a small framed abstract done in duco enamel. She said would spread John's name around with her friends in Marin. I should have had some cards made. Also by checking the website, I notice that several links do not work as expected. I am on the verge of transferring the site to johnelynch.com

Visiting Philadelphia

My dad's funeral was Monday. (I am back home now.) Imagine 500 people at the open casket showing and Catholic Mass. We are a family of seven girls and four boys. Ten of us greeted the "mourners" as they entered the viewing room. I was first in line and it was my job to transition the sad faced visitors for the riotous atmosphere of the room. It was not your ordinary viewing. My brother quipped "Yes, just like an Irish wake- one less drunk." My sister is a nun. My dad sold church goods to priests. Both my brother and I were in the seminary when we were young. My uncle is a priest. The room was filled with religious- maybe 20%. Lots of laughing and joking- but exhausting. My father would have loved it. I traveled with my oldest son. Two major firsts for him: His first Catholic Mass, first open casket funeral (and first time a pall-bearer).

http://www.philamuseum.org/

The following day my son and nephew, Matt, visited the Philadelphia Art Museum. Middle of the road special Rembrandt exhibit- lacked the spontaneity of Rembrandt's greatest works- portraits and large pieces- mostly small careful portraits. Overall the collections in this museum are world class. It has some of the most important works by Marcel Duchamp, massive facades and building looted from Europe, and a whole rang of international works. Maybe I'll publish a few photos here from the trip soon.

Below: Duchamp

Art for the Masses: Painting again

Art for the Masses: Painting againjooble-us.com

My Dad Died 24 Hours Ago

I won't go into detail. He was 91 and we had been expecting it. He had a stroke about six months ago and has not been the same since. I am flying back for the funeral with my son tomorrow.

I just need to mention his influence as an artist. His whole life he was an amateur artist and certainly not as polished as my uncle John. But he was my influence to pursue art from an early age. He painted, carved heads out of stone and wood. Often his subjects were religious. He painted right until the near the end. And I will post some of his work here that he did at the age of 91 to honor him.

my new project

I have posted my work on Etsy with many complements but few sales. I will post some new work soon. I feel I am working hard to get it better. Beauty is my first goal. Please check them out and return periodically for they will change.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sebastopoledward?ref=seller_info

Thanks