Second April Galerie "In the Company of Friends" group show

"BZTAT's Red Studio"

Artwork by BZTAT

I don't show in galleries much. I prefer to connect with customers through my own studio or online. Second April Galerie is the exception. It is a gallery a block and a half from my studio operated by my dear friends Brennis Booth and Todd Walburn. Second April is a magical space. If you live in or visit Canton, you must see it!

Tonight begins Second April's latest showing of phenomenal artwork from regional artists. It features the ceramic works of Akron Artist Bob Yost and 30 other artists. The painting you see above is one of my latest works that is in the exhibit. It is a combination of 3 canvases, with the entire piece spanning 9'(W) X 4'(H). The piece hangs in a loft area of the gallery, an area that I refer to as the rafters. It is a high space that takes a bit of acrobatics to crawl into, but I was an intrepid soul!

I have also created this piece for the show.

"Fauve"
Artwork by BZTAT

This is a smaller piece (16" X 22") painted on textured wood. Both pieces pay homage to some of my art historical influences. Henri Matisse, whose bright colors and simple abstractions are a major influence in my work, painted a painting entitled "Red Studio" where he included actual paintings in the studio on a red background. I decided to paint my own version of the "Red Studio". Also, Matisse and a group of his contemporaries were called "Fauves", French for wild beasts for their style of work. I used this term to describe the yellow cat in my second painting.

There is an opening reception for the exhibit tonight from 5:00pm - 9:00pm. Second April Galerie is located at 324 Cleveland Ave. NW in Downtown Canton. Hope to see you there!

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Follow works in progress by BZTAT on Twitter by searching #bztatptg.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second April Galerie and the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.

Sensory Feast National Juried Show--Second April Galerie

"Window"
Artwork by BZTAT

I featured this artwork on a previous "Thought for the Day" post. I brought it back today because this piece, a digital photo, was selected to be shown in the Sensory Feast National Juried Show at Second April Galerie. I thought that I would share a bit more about the inspiration behind the work.

“Window” is a digital image that I created through digital imaging filters, abstracting an original photograph that I took of a broken window. I actually took the photo for documentary purposes when a friend’s store was broken into. A failed burglar broke the window in a presumed attempt to steal merchandise, but was chased off by an alarm and an alert neighbor. Nothing was taken, except the sense of security and optimism held by the proprietor.

I was intrigued by the way the window glass shattered into a very beautiful pattern, despite the ugliness of the event that created it. It left me feeling philosophical, contemplating the sad quality of humanity that leads some to take from others. My friend was resilient, however, and beauty was found in some silver linings. And beauty was found in the random pattern of light playing with the broken glass.

Amazing beauty can be found in the most broken of things for those strong enough to seek it and brave enough to endure the process of resilience.

The Sensory Feast National Juried Show features artwork from local Canton artists and artists from around the country. I was privy to a sneak peak at the show yesterday, and it is a fabulous showing of artwork! The official opening of the show is Friday, September 25 with a reception from 5 pm to 9 pm. Lite refreshments as well as entertainment by Steve Jensen and Malcom Gold can be expected. A First and Second prize as well as a People's Choice (which you get to decide that evening!) will be presented. Second April Galerie is located at 324 Cleveland Ave. NW in the heart of the Canton Arts District.

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Follow works in progress by BZTAT on Twitter by searching #bztatptg.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second April Galerie and the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.

Art of Kindness event raises $2500 + for Friends of Stark Pound!

Art of Kindness paintings by BZTAT

On Thursday, September 10, 2009, I engaged in a 12-hr painting marathon at Second April Galerie to raise money for Friends of Stark Pound animal rescue group. It was an intense but productive 12 hours! The 4 paintings pictured above were created and auctioned off, raising a total of $520!!! Proceeds from the entire Art of Kindness event totaled well over $2500!

We weren't sure how it would work, but I wanted to open up the auction of my paintings to Twitter fans. As it turned out, it was a huge success. All four paintings were sold to my official spokescat Brewskie Butt's Twitter fans! I cannot thank them enough for their interest in my artwork and their donations to Friends of Stark Pound!

Here are the individual paintings with the names of the top bidders:

White Dog by BZTAT

Purchased by @IamZorro


Blue Cat by BZTAT
Purchased by @Cheriswan


Yellow and White Cat by BZTAT
Purchased by PrettyKitties53


Brown and White Dog (Sylvie Dog) by BZTAT
Purchased by @SylvieDog

We also had donations from @PerrytheBirman, @Whskr, and @Gabby_da_Tabby.

Friends of Stark Pound and I are very grateful to all who came to the event at Second April Galerie and to those who participated via Twitter. Proceeds go directly to animals in need in Stark County.

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Follow works in progress by BZTAT on Twitter by searching #bztatptg.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second April Galerie and the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.

Art of Kindness Paint-a-Thon and Silent Auction

Artwork by BZTAT

Are you interested in getting a great deal on some original BZTAT artwork and helping out an animal rescue at the same time? Here is your chance!!!

On Thursday, September 10, 2009, I will be engaging in an exclusive “Paint-A-Thon”, painting animal themed artworks non-stop from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm at Second April Galerie. All works that I create in that 12 hours will be auctioned off in a silent auction to benefit Friends of the Pound, a Stark County, OH animal rescue group. You can bid on the artwork either on site at Second April Galerie or online via Twitter.

The Paint-A-Thon is in conjunction with a fund raising and animal adoption event entitled the Art of Kindness. Billed as “An Evening of Fun, Food and Furry Friends!”, the Art of Kindness will include an animal themed art exhibit showcasing local talent; a silent auction of pet-related items; music by Roger Phillips and Ken Weiss; food and drink; and lots of furry frivolity. Dogs and cats available for adoption will be on hand to greet those who attend.

Artwork by BZTAT

Several artists from the Stark County area have contributed animal-themed artworks to be shown in a very special art exhibit. The showing is curated by Brennis Booth, co-owner of Second April Galerie.

“We are thrilled to have some of the finest talent in the area represented in this showing,” said Booth. “We are also happy to help out Friends of the Pound, where our own dog Chance came from. He has brought so much joy to our lives.” Second April plans to donate all of their proceeds from the sale of the artworks in the exhibit to the rescue organization.

Friends of the Pound is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to coordinate community outreach, rescuing and fund-raising efforts for the puppies and dogs being held in the Stark County Dog Pound. Friends of the Pound operates in cooperation with the Stark County Dog Warden's staff to significantly enhance the quality of life for the homeless puppies and dogs and to increase their opportunities for placement through adoptions or rescue groups.

Artwork by BZTAT

The Art of Kindness fun begins at 5:00 pm on September 10 at Second April Galerie (324 Cleveland Ave., NW) in downtown Canton and lasts that evening until 9:00 pm. The art exhibit will remain on display until September 19, 2009.

Bidding on BZTAT artworks will begin at 5:00 pm EDT and conclude around 9:00 pm EDT on September 10. I will have assistants tweeting photos of the works on Twitter as I am creating them and after they are completed. Follow #bztatptg on Twitter to get the latest updates. If you would like to submit a bid, please send a tweet with your bid amount and #bztatptg written in the tweet. Your profile must be visible in Tweetgrid for us to receive the bid. All bids must be in $5.00 increments. A 10-minute warning will be tweeted to announce the conclusion of the auction 10 minutes before bidding stops.

I suggest that you follow the action on Tweetgrid to get real time updates. (We are not responsible for any technical difficulties that may occur as a result of Twitter or associated application interruptions.) Bids will also be taken on site at Second April. Should a Twitterer win the bid on a painting, shipping will be free within the USA. International shipping outside of the USA will be the responsibility of the winning bidder.

Artwork by BZTAT

Even if you do not want to bid on the artwork, I hope that you will still participate and help retweet the action! We want to make this the best fund raising event ever for Friends of the Pound. Thanks for your support!!!

If you would like to donate to Friends of the Pound, you can do so through my spokes cat Brewskie Butt's fundraising page or by clicking on the widget in the sidebar.

Contact: 330.451.0924 or secondapril at sbcglobal.net for information about Second April Galerie. For Silent Auction donations and information about Friends of the Pound, contact Rose Hayne at rhayne at neo.rr.com

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Follow works in progress by BZTAT on Twitter by searching #bztatptg.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second April Galerie and the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.

Kimono as Art: The Landscapes of Itchiku Kubota

I was privileged to have the opportunity to see the phenomenal "Kimono as Art" exhibit at the Canton Museum of Art last night in a special showing for local artists. Thanks so much to Arts in Stark for arranging the special showing and reception! I found myself completely speechless as I viewed this amazing exhibit, and even found myself with tears in my eyes at the virtuosity. I have seen exhibits at large museums in New York, Washington, Houston, Cleveland, Atlanta, etc., but I have NEVER seen something like this. Being totally void of articulation to adequately describe the experience, I am going to reprint a blog from friend Todd Walburn, co-owner of Second April Galerie, who was able to put it into words. Thanks Todd!

Kimono As Art by Todd Walburn

OK....I'll admit it. I was one of the ones thinking that the Kimono as Art exhibit was going to be one of those over-hyped art events that come and go without making much of an impact on the community in the long run. I can't help it if I'm cynical. It's just the way I am.

Even tonight, as I got ready to go to see the exhibit, I was excited but wasn't sure exactly what I might take away from the experience in the long run. I never studied Japanese art or culture and know very little about fiber art so I felt like I might feel a bit like a fish out of water.

Then I saw it.

Kimono As Art is not simply about art. It is so much more than the pieces you see before you as you walk through the galleries of The Canton Museum of Art and marvel at the beauty of these miraculous works. Kimono As Art is what Art is. It is about the talent, courage, tenacity and craft of the artist. It is a life-affirming glance at one person's vision and his ability to bring that vision to life.

This simply is something everyone should see. It reminds you of why artists do what they do. It illuminates the power of human beings to accomplish what others say would be impossible. It is beautiful far beyond my power to explain and it makes you feel fortunate to be living in a community that can offer such an experience.

I have always believed that great art has the ability to change the way we see the world and our place in it. This is really great art. I feel refreshed and blessed beyond my wildest imaginings. Yes, even a cynic like me.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OH
near Second April Galerie and the historic Onesto Hotel.