This year has been a very tough year for artists as a whole. The number of opportunities to exhibit work tangibly, the number of galleries and event sponsors available to show art, and the number of art appreciators in circulation during the pandemic have all drastically been reduced. Postponements and virtual options have become an expected norm. And yet we all have some silver linings to share, too.
In a stroke of serendipity I had the good fortune to receive a Best in Show award from Fusion Art for my painting “Parade Princess.” Founded by the dynamic, engaging and energetic husband-wife/artist-writer duo, Valerie and Chris Hoffman, Fusion Art is an enterprise specifically designed to support emerging artists by: giving them multiple opportunities to be exhibited in juried international competitions; providing them substantial marketing and PR support; and by linking artists directly to purchasers, forgoing all commissions. This award entitled me to participate in a group Best in Show exhibit in Palm Springs, CA this past February.
As a result of being in this group show, my work was seen by Marina Cutler, President of Avenue Art Galleries and Founder of the Brush Off Project and Painting Competition. Marina reached out to me through my website and invited me to enter my work in the 7th Brush Off painting competition, which was open to all North American artists. My paintings “Parade Princess” and “September Moon” were selected along with a short list of other finalists back in March of this year. The news gets better, still. Instead of the standard commissions typical for private galleries to receive, Avenue Art donates the proceeds from sales of paintings in Brush Off exhibits to support art-related programs for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases.
I am delighted to say we are just one week away from the 7th International Brush Off Painting Competition. The show gets kicked off via live stream of the awards ceremony at 5p EST on November 28th, at the same time it opens in two POP UP physical locations: Memphis, Tennessee and Niagara on the Lake in Ontario, Canada. The show will be exhibited online through the end of the year.
I joined The Main Gallery in late February 2020, an artists cooperative begun in the year 2000 to enhance the artistic experience and engagement of the SF Peninsula community. My work was up for two weeks before California’s lock downs ensued. Many months, marketing plans, zoom calls, a blog series launch and a whirlwind gallery relocation later, I have to say I have been amply rewarded for my own voluntary contributions by the pleasure of working with an amazing core team of artists. One of them is Fred Aron, the fine art and architectural photographer who patiently and artfully put in countless hours to voluntarily deliver a video promoting and supporting the hard-working Brush Off team’s efforts. Click below to see the results and to hear more of my thoughts on art, Alzheimer’s and the BRUSH OFF competition.
As we head toward the close of a year full of unpleasant surprises - COVID, violence, wildfires, economic hits and separation from friends and family - I am deeply grateful to be able to tell a story like this one. A story of givers and generosity, of one good turn begetting several others, it seems fitting to share it in this season of thankfulness and gratitude. I hope it brings you hope, and encouragement, exactly when you need it.
For more information on Fusion Art, please visit www.fusionartps.com.
More information about the BRUSH OFF project can be found at www.avenueart.ca.
For more information about Fred and his artwork, please read my interview of him here: Fred Aron - Fine Art and Architectural Photographer. This interview was done as part of the “Meet The Artist” series, a series I began this past June in order to help you get to know the artists behind the art at The Main Gallery.