Still Life Summer 09 and Artist's Studio

In August I spent a weekend in the Berkshires as of previews entry here. At that time Dick and I worked one day on a video, which I managed to finally edit with helpful insights from Dick after his return to the NYC studio. Part one of two of this project introduces Dick's studio in the country and the still life in the middle of being work on. Enjoy the cliff hanger ending. Part 2 and more coming soon.

About New Still Life Video & My Lunch with Dick and Michelangelo on the Tea Cup

Yesterday was my first full day working from Francis Cunningham studio and I spent most of the day editing video about his summer'09 sill life. I made a solid rough cut of part one and am up very early this morning getting the first sequence re-done. I'll just add that the October mosquitoes in my house were a big "help" getting me out of bed 6am. Anyone else has mosquitoes in Manhattan?

Today is Dick's check up day at the doctor's, and the pre-exam dietary restrictions prevented him from sharing this lunch with me yesterday. But, he had yogurt, other goodies and tea from Michelangelo cup.


Next week, perhaps Dick will share the recipe for his famous sandwich when we start on part two of the video about the big still life.

First Class Paintings and Drawings: October '09 Exhibitions Recommendations

Dick fresh back from the woods in Western Massachusetts while still searching for ticks in his clothes is making a list of the must see and recommended exhibitions, most of which he's not seen yet himself.
I've made him a MyNYAB account on NY Art Beat to bookmark his favorites, so they are handy and sharable here.
The list currently includes lots of 18th century, mainly drawings and some paintings from France, and it starts with Dicks favorite space, the Frick Collection followed by the Met, through the Morgan library, ending with the MoMA.

The Frick Collection has an exhibitions on of French 18th and 19th century drawings from the Frits Lugt Collection.
"Watteau to Degas: French Drawings from the Frits Lugt Collection" Exhibition
Venue: The Frick Collection
Schedule: From 2009-10-06 To 2010-01-10

At the Metropolitan Watteau's show of paintings which take on the theme of music and theater contemporary to the artist is the destination.
"Watteau, Music, and Theater" Exhibition
Venue: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Schedule: From 2009-09-22 To 2009-11-29

The lower key, but highly valued Watteau show is followed by a minor blockbuster: Vermeer's "Milkmaid," which also include the Met's collection's Vermeers. Even is crowded, it's a must see.
"Vermeer's Masterpiece The Milkmaid" Exhibition
Venue: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Schedule: From 2009-09-10 To 2009-11-29

There are more drawings at the Morgan Library, again including Wateau and more 18th century French drawings.
"Rococo and Revolution: Eighteenth-Century French Drawings" Exhibition
Venue: The Morgan Library & Museum
Schedule: From 2009-10-02 To 2010-01-03

"William Blake's World: 'A New Heaven Is Begun'" makes Dick's list for now.
"William Blake's World: 'A New Heaven Is Begun'" Exhibition
Venue: The Morgan Library & Museum
Schedule: From 2009-09-11 To 2010-01-03

Finally, something I brought up, since I already saw it, the Monet’s Water Lilies at the MoMA. Unlike the other blockbuster, Vermeer at the Met, the Monet room at the MoMA had ample room to enjoy the huge paintings and smaller work.
"Monet’s Water Lilies" Exhibition
Venue: The Museum of Modern Art
Schedule: From 2009-09-13 To 2010-04-12

Take Home a Nude/ Figurative Painting / Sotheby's/ Gagosian

Dick is finishing his summer painting season in the country, while in NYC...

[Image: JENNY SAVILLE Mother and Child (After the Leonardo Cartoon), 2008 Charcoal on watercolor paper 59 x 47 inches (149.9 x 119.4 cm)]

The 18th Annual Take Home a Nude® Art Auction & Party Honoring John Currin took place Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at Sotheby's.

"Take Home a Nude" is a clever title and connected to Art Students League, so I thought it belongs on this blog.

"This year the New York Academy of Art holds its 18th Annual Take Home a Nude Event. Celebrities and prominent members of the New York art community always attend this showing of some of the city's finest figurative work. As with last year's auction, there is a wide variety of work, and artists will be showing off their skills, showcasing their techniques and walking those interested through the process of creating figurative art. The 2009 Event will be held Wednesday, October 7, 2009.

View the auction preview here