Greenpoint Open Studios (GOS) kicks off tonight and goes all weekend (April 29-May 1), celebrating Greenpoint’s rich pool of artistic talent. From paintings to sculptures, video to photography, weaving and textiles to ceramics and more, there are seasoned artists to honor and emerging artists to be discovered among more than 350 who will open up their studio spaces to the public.
It’s an uncurated free event that allows visitors to get a glimpse of the process and space where artwork is created while engaging directly with its creators. Brooklyn has a long-standing reputation for being a hotbed of creativity and GOS is going to represent its northernmost tip in true Greenpoint fashion—by keepin’ it real—providing an open platform for showcasing the various expressions of our creative community’s imagination and skills.
A. Brian McDonald, Wood Panel , 2013 Collage, Gouache, Pastel (8.5 inches x 11 inches)
This week we’re spotlighting two neighborhood artists participating in Greenpoint Open Studios this weekend: A. Brian McDonald and Sara C. Sun. Their styles may be different, but their work is equally captivating.
Sara C Sun, Night, 2012. Single-Channel video, 2:37
In North Brooklyn we’re lucky to be surrounded with artistry—we have dozens of gallery spaces, hundreds of working artists, and street art on practically every corner. So if you live here and you’ve got kids, nurturing their creative side in this neighborhood should be a no-brainer. Of course summertime is a great time to do it, when they’re out of school and need to keep their busy minds and hands occupied. And lucky for neighborhood parents, there’s a truly unique opportunity to send the kids to Tumbleweeds Art Camp right here in Greenpoint.
Greenpoint artist Hildos is definitely not afraid to put it all out there. Her bold and erotic female forms command respect, and look totally comfortable in their own skin. In almost every painting, the viewer gets a candid peek behind the boudoir curtain, where Hildos showcases her own personal brand of body positivity (and sometimes, her own body).
A portrait of Greenpointer Mickey Rooney - illustrated by Rebecca Clarke
What a mug on that guy, eh? Micky Rooney began his long career as a child star, but unlike modern child stars, he continued working into his 90s. He was born in Greenpoint, Brooklyn in the 20s and began acting as a toddler with his parents in vaudeville acts. He appeared in over 20 films and worked with Judy Garland. He played Audrey Hepburn’s bucktoothed Japanese neighbor in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) and was criticized for portraying a racial stereotype, but assured he was just playing the role for fun and never wanted to offend anyone. He even had his own television show and won an Academy Award nomination as Best Supporting Actor in The Black Stallion (1979). More on Micky Rooney at Biography.com
When Spring time rolls around many of us get into closet clearing mode, quickly to realize we have spent a lot of time working for money that we use to buy stuff that we end of trashing. It’s a bad cycle, for our psyche and for the planet. If more of us stopped or slowed the cycle, we’d have a lot more time to enjoy our lives – rather than spending a gorgeous morning managing crap. Despite understanding this, the cycle rears its ugly head. Continue reading →
In our age of digital hyper connectivity, we often feel isolated – our smartphones a barrier rather than a bridge to “the real thing.” Our viewing experience of art is distorted by online renditions of works, too – after all they are physical objects meant to be seen in person.
Similarly, in a world of mass consumerism that leaves our closets filled with “stuff” we feel empty – even paralyzed by our belongings with no connection to what these items mean, if they have meaning at all. Can an appreciation for artwork undo this affliction? Or is art just more stuff?
The portraits of Williamsburg artist Pilita Garcia, whose faces are perhaps turned away from, but lit by, artificial lights from digital devices – seem to call back to a time before social media, selfies and online advertising. Perhaps they long for “the real world” – but a different world where the value of objects – how they are made and where they come from – is important, a reflection of the artist’s own world view.
Pilita’s painting exhibition titled Rowan’s Sphere will open at Picture Farm (338 Wythe Ave) this Friday March 7th, from 6-9pm.
Watch the below video, produced by the show’s curator Todd Stewart and read our interview with Pilita – then put your computer to sleep (don’t worry it can be alone for a little while) and go see some artwork in real life.
We chatted with Pilita about her work and why making artwork is more important than making “stuff.” Continue reading →
Alone time can be lonely or even scary, but it’s also a time when we can truly know and understand ourselves (See what I mean? Scary!) Featured Valentine’s Market vendor Janet Rutkowski, a metal worker who will be selling small scale heart sculptures and candle holders on Sunday, told us about her love for being by herself in her studio, working with fire!
Greenpoint Open Studios (GOS) kicks off tonight and goes all weekend (April 29-May 1), celebrating Greenpoint’s rich pool of artistic talent. From paintings to sculptures, video to photography, weaving and textiles to ceramics and more, there are seasoned artists to honor and emerging artists to be discovered among more than 350 who will open up their studio spaces to the public.
It’s an uncurated free event that allows visitors to get a glimpse of the process and space where artwork is created while engaging directly with its creators. Brooklyn has a long-standing reputation for being a hotbed of creativity and GOS is going to represent its northernmost tip in true Greenpoint fashion—by keepin’ it real—providing an open platform for showcasing the various expressions of our creative community’s imagination and skills.
In North Brooklyn we’re lucky to be surrounded with artistry—we have dozens of gallery spaces, hundreds of working artists, and street art on practically every corner. So if you live here and you’ve got kids, nurturing their creative side in this neighborhood should be a no-brainer. Of course summertime is a great time to do it, when they’re out of school and need to keep their busy minds and hands occupied. And lucky for neighborhood parents, there’s a truly unique opportunity to send the kids to 
