classic film and poetic genius

the crazy ones ....reality delivered in 60 seconds.

finding art in the performance of life

I had the most joyous time last night watching a film that moved my soul. The 2006 film Venus stars Peter O'Toole, nominated for Best Actor in his role as Maurice, an aging actor that celebrates and loves the art of living. The film's cast is stellar and the dialogue amongst the film's characters is pure, pure genius, heartwarming, funny, and more importantly... incredibly real.

It's a story that makes us laugh, smile, cry, and breathe in all those things that most make us live. Venus is genius filmmaking, a remarkable story, and just another reason why Miramax remains at the top of my list.

"Venus" film quote that I just had to scribble in my sketchbook:

Ian: I love this horrible place. It reminds me of what I wanted to become.

art in a glass

We recently spent a sunshine filled autumn afternoon motoring the by-ways in a westbound direction towards the Shenandoah Valley. Our unplanned Sunday journey was met with a road sign announcing one of Virginia's many wineries was just a mile on the right. We decided to take the turn and after following the winding scenic road up the mountain discovered the fine art of DelFosse Vineyards.

After an hour or so of sampling their delightful spirits, we purchased several bottles of reds and whites to take home, joined their DelFosse Wine Club, and then enjoyed a glass of wine while sitting on the rockers overlooking the scenic hills, lush meadows and the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. What a fabulous day of unplanned magic. cheers!

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.

a cinema celebration of timeless film art

Over the past 15 years, TCM has become more than a television network - it is a community of passionate classic movie fans, a place where watching great films connects people. In April 2010, we will gather to watch great movies introduced by the the people who made them, listen to behind-the-scenes stories, enjoy newly restored films, and share our enthusiasm for classic cinema... at the first ever TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood.

I'm looking forward to hearing more details about the festival in the next few weeks. In the meantime, this seems to be the perfect reason for me to plan a trip out west while whistling a few bars of Hooray for Hollywood.

there's a hole in my roof and life's getting in

photo © 2009 Gary Garbett

I revisited the Blue Ridge yesterday in celebration of my birthday, life, and the changing of the seasons. As always, an instant reconnect touched my soul.

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 books displayed in richmond

bookart@artspace 
Richmond artist Michael Pierce and VCU instructor and artist Ginna Cullen curated this exhibit that presents a broad array of bookart works, both one-of-a-kind and editioned.  The work will be exhibited on pedestals in the gallery and selected images of the work will be displayed on-line and in a printed catalog.  In addition, the public can spend some time in a "Reading Room" at the gallery created by Douglas D'Urso; there you can sit and handle some of these bookart works (when artists have granted such permission) and experience them in time and space.

Invitational Bookart Exhibition

September 25 - November 1, 2009  
Fourth Friday Reception: 7:00 - 10:00 PM, Friday, September 25, 2009
Opening Artists' Reception: 7:00 - 10:00 PM, Friday, October 2, 2009
Fourth Friday Reception: 7:00 - 10:00 PM, Friday, October 23, 2009
Closing Curator / Artist Talk: 4:00 PM, Sunday, November 1, 2009

mourning venus receives bright welcome

Pictured is a still taken from one of my submissions for 1708 Gallery’s InLight PSA contest. All video entries were required to be 20 seconds in length and display a light theme. Mourning Venus was selected as a runner up in the competition. Special thanks to Ken Hopson for his music.
InLight, the light-inspired multi-media art installations by 26 international artists will be displayed in storefronts, projected on buildings, installed in alleys, and on the street.

The one evening exhibit is Friday, September 25, 7pm - midnight. For more information on the exhibit, visit 1708 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!

fine art of stick figures

..stick figures meet chuck close.

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...

pop art, pop life, pop culture ...pop this!

 

Pop Culture has always been a driving force throughout my creative process. This short film was completed about 2 weeks following the United States Presidential Election in November of 2008.

he said. she said. no!, ....she really did say it.

It's quite amazing how perceptions can sometimes become shifted.

"Woman" is a short film that I produced for a graduate fine art class. My basic concept behind the film was to combine a pop fused collection of visuals, music, and words to celebrate women... including public quotes about women from one of the most iconic females of the past century.... Marilyn Monroe.

After premiering the 3:19 film during my critique, silence filled the room followed by outrage and missed perceptions. It was quickly stated that, as a man, it was not my place to produce a film celebrating women. Seems that in my attempt to create a pop vision, I'd unleashed a rage of emotion complete with literal face to face confrontations.

I still stand behind my initial concept and for me... it still represents a celebration. Thank God I listed Ms. Monroe as the originator of the film's text in the final credits. Without them, I may have been reduced to ashes following the witch burning.

just a brush stroke

David Leffel

Painting isn't just applying layers of color over one another.
In this video, David Leffel from the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art poetically explains the importance of the brush stroke and ".... putting down pieces of paint on the canvas".

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.

fearing art

©2011 gary garbett.com

I find myself amazed at the varied perception of others when it comes to the human form. My wife and I have a very diverse and impressive collection of fine art that we've collected through the years. As we prepared to place our home on the market last year, we found ourselves following the normal Realtor suggestions to de-clutter our home before placing the lovely "for sale" sign in the yard. De-clutter we did and upon the agents returning we were given full approval of our earlier assignment. It was at that point that we were then asked one additional task before placing our gorgeous home into their hands during one of the worst real estate markets in decades, ...remove or replace any nude art in our home... "because it just may offend someone".

I didn't recall us having any musty covers from men's magazines or tacky velvet paintings hanging throughout our home. Each of the paintings and sculptures in reference are all beautiful original works of art, all from artists who have exhibited in upscale galleries and museums around the country... including some work of my own. I was stunned by the suggestion and angry at the idea that I had to secretly hide our beautiful art collection. After six months, we removed our house from the market and replaced all of our art back to their walls and pedestals. Regardless of whether you refer to it as nekkid or nudes, our home was once again filled with the inspiration and the beauty of art.

Art has always filled my life with vivacity, passion, and a yearning for life. The staleness of status quo numbs my soul and generates a void for all emotions.