capturing the moment when it prompts you

photo © 2009 Gary Garbett

The color, the quiet, and the solitude suggested that I pull the car to a stop this morning to capture the moment during my eastbound drive through Richmond at 5:52 AM.

Fortunate for me, I had my camera with me. Pulling the Mini Cooper to a stop in a No Parking Zone, I did just as my creativity suggested.

As usual... inspiration reigned.

richard carlyon retrospective lecture program

 

September 17
Curator's Panel at Anderson Gallery

September 24
Howard Risatti at Reynold's Gallery

October 1
Artists' Panel Discussion at 1708 Gallery

October 8
Jason Carlyon and Ray Kass at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond

Richard Carlyon (1930-2006) maintained an active studio practice over five decades, producing an extensive body of paintings, drawings, videos, collages, and constructions. Thematically grouped selections displayed at four Richmond venues offer an overview of his development and wide-ranging perspective. More information available at Visual Arts Center of Richmond.

Gallery info:
http://1708gallery.org/
http://visarts.org/
http://reynoldsgallery.com/
http://www.vcu.edu/arts/gallery/

fine art, fine life at 50

©2011 gary garbett.com

There's always such negativity related to the idea of turning... the big 5-0. Some of my greatest heroes, icons, and mentors have done it and they're still creating art, reinventing themselves, and touching lives. How about this list of AARP members? Madonna, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Batman, David Bowie, Sting, Tina Turner, Kim Basinger, Denzel Washington, Michelle Pfeiffer, Barbie, and my lovely wife to name a few.

Last month Mini Cooper even celebrated it's 50th and next month it's my turn. I think I just may celebrate it with a few of my friends from the list above. Life just keeps getting better and better. ...live it!

becoming grounded in inspiration

©2011 gary garbett.com

Admittedly, I've long been an artist that sometimes gets lost in the contemporary message of my work. I do after all own it and somewhere in my hellbent creative mind, it becomes almost gospel in its sacred delivery and message... even if viewers are sometimes left questioning why. Seems as artists, the world revolves around us. Imagine that. We absorb our surroundings, dissect it, rearrange it, and spit it back out to the world as a reinterpretation of the original... or transforming it into something totally original itself.

Though my art rarely displays it, one on the most rewarding and grounding times for me as an artist ...and as a normal Joe, is reconnecting to the gifts, spirituality, and honesty of nature. After having spent a few weeks in the concrete and steel of Washington, D.C. this summer, I committed myself to taking the long road home ... escaping through the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. As its always been for me... it was a Godsend of beauty, sound, and a welcoming peace. I try to make room for these centering sort of road trips every few years and afterwards, I always wish I'd make time for more. Through my camera, my thoughts, and an endless open blue sky... I once again found me.

Its in those moments of tranquility that reconnect my soul, inspire my contemporary hellbent mind, and strengthen my passion for a creative, healthy, and grounded way of life.
Cheers...

contemporary figures meet classic

Mark Miltz

I had the opportunity to meet Mark Miltz and view his incredible paintings while exhibiting in an exhibition at the Rawls Museum Arts in Courtland, Virginia during 2003. Mark's total mastery of the figure and his inclusion of contemporary culture and sculpture with his large-scale paintings is truly stunning.