Studio ReikoRenee

As part of my 'more fun' New Year's theme, I went to the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Museum to view The Black List exhibition and I came across the painting Old Black Joe by artist Horace Pippin. I was initially attracted to the piece by the bright colors used in the painting. However, the coolest thing about the painting was the artist. Pippin was a self-taught artist who started painting at age 40. Furthermore, he injured his right arm while fighting in World War I and learned to paint using his left hand to guide his right hand that held the paint brush. It took him three years to finish his first painting. I love how committed he was to painting and how he ignored the many obstacles in his path to pursue his art. It's a wonderful reminder that it's not what you have, but what you do with what you have, that makes the difference. To learn more about Horace Pippin, check out his paintings Old Black Joe at the  Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Domino Players and The Barracks at The Phillips Collection.

So it's a new year and many people are busy making new year's resolutions. I typically don't make new year's resolutions because I don't really like the structured-ness of resolutions. Instead, each year, I prefer to create themes which provide the perfect combination of simplicity, guidance and flexibility for living my best life. A few of my themes for 2012 are: Pray more, worry less... Love more... Forgive more... Paint more... Learn more... Have more fun.

Part of my 'Have more fun' theme is checking out these exhibitions:

On view now:
Gordon Parks: Photographs from the Collection
October 1, 2011- January 16, 2012
Corcoran Gallery of Art

30 Americans
October 1, 2011- February 12, 2012
Corcoran Gallery of Art

In the Tower: Mel Bochner
November 6, 2011 - April 8, 2012
National Gallery of Art (East Building Tower)

Mark Rothko: Seagram Murals
December 6, 2011 - April 15, 2012
National Gallery of Art (East Building Ground Level)
To learn more about Rothko's work, check out Fun+Art+Wine's Mark Rothko and Pinot Noir sessions on 1.21 and 1.27.

The Black List - Photographs by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders
October 28, 2011 - April 22, 2012
National Portrait Gallery

Upcoming:
Annie Leibovitz: Pilgrimage
January 20, 2012 – May 20, 2012
American Art Museum (2nd floor South)

Picasso's Drawings, 1890-1921: Reinventing Tradition
January 29, 2012 - May 6, 2012
National Gallery of Art (West Building Ground Floor)
To learn more about Picasso's work, check out Fun+Art+Wine's Pablo Picasso & Rosé sessions on 2.11 and 2.24.

African American Art in the 20th Century
April 27, 2012 – September 3, 2012
American Art Museum (1st floor West)

Joan Miró: The Ladder of Escape
May 6, 2012 - August 12, 2012
National Gallery of Art (East Building Upper Level)

Carrie Mae Weems Retrospective
September 2012 - January 2013
Frist Center for the Visual Arts

Here are a few pieces I'm currently working on:

In a previous post, I promised to share sketches and finished paintings. In this post, I've included a few in-between snapshots.

Jackson Pollock is one of my favorite artists. I first learned about him in college and I was immediately mesmerized by his artwork. I remember standing in front of his paintings at the High Museum of Art, in awe of the size and the complexity of the drips and splatters of paint. I loved the layers of paint and I felt pulled into each work of art. Traditional painting wit a brush is fun, but flinging, splattering and dripping paint is particularly enjoyable.

5 things to know about Jackson Pollock

1. He lived from 1912 to 1956.
2. He was born in Cody, Wyoming.
3. He was a major figure in the abstract expressionist movement.
4. He is famous for his action paintings where he dripped, poured, and splattered paint.
5. His real first name is Paul. He changed it to his middle name Jackson when he moved to New York in 1930.

Learn more about Jackson Pollock and paint your own Pollock-inspired artwork at Fun+Art+Wine's Jackson Pollock & Bubbles sessions on November 12th and December 17th.

Also check out this very cool website www.jacksonpollock.org to create Pollock-like digital art.

Last weekend I was in Atlanta for Spelman & Morehouse's Homecoming. It's now a yearly tradition for my brother to get a tent and invite family and friends to tailgate. It's a long, smoky, festive and ridiculously fun day.  I'm amazed at how long I've known my college friends and how well we know each other.  It truly is a homecoming and I'm still riding on the high from being around so much awesomeness. Here are some of my favorite photos from the weekend:

The "Connected" art show was a blast. It was wonderful meeting new friends and having so many of my favorite people together in one place. A huge thank you to everyone involved. I am eternally grateful to all who supported the event with their presence, resources and well-wishes. A special thank you to the board and staff of H Street Community Development Corporation for providing such a beautiful space. The show was an ideal opportunity to share some of my recent works and support the efforts of BUILD Metro DC, all while having a great deal of fun. You can view the Connected Exhibition Guide here and view the paintings included in the exhibition below.

There are lots of fun art events this weekend. Here are a few:

Connected
Saturday, September 24th, 4-8pm
A solo exhibition of my recent paintings
H Street Community Development Corporation
501 H Street NE; Washington, DC 20002
Price: Free

Hyattsville Arts Festival
Saturday, September 24, 11am - 5pm
See 50 exhibiting artists and enjoy live performances
View list of participating artists here
Intersection of Baltimore Avenue (Route 1) and Jefferson Street
Price: Free

Nuit Blanche (Art All Night)
Saturday, September 24th, 7pm-3am
An all-night exploration and celebration of contemporary art, stretching from the heart of Chinatown to the Shaw neighborhood
View full program and map
Price: Free

(e)Merge Art Fair
September 22 - 25, Friday & Saturday 12-7pm; Sunday 12-5pm
An art fair celebrating galleries, artists, and the creative process
View exhibitor list
Capitol Skyline Hotel
10 “I” Street, SW; Washington D.C., DC 20024
Price: $15