Let’s Cool Off

It’s going to be a scorcher today. Let’s cool off with some Ellen Von Unwerth. I love the way Ellen photographs women.

It was an artless Friday. There was one gallery opening which didn’t thrill me so I elected to run a few errands and stop by the mall. I attended the DAM’s summer party on Thursday night along with the grand re-opening of Rule Gallery in their new space in the Santa Fe Arts District. The museum party was fun. I ran into Rebekah, a local artist/real estate agent, I’ve known for years. She had walked to the museum from her condo so I gave her a lift to Rule. Rule’s new space is promising and the inaugural exhibit of work by painter Joe Clower is worth checking out. I got my weekly art fix on Thursday instead of Friday.

Joe Clower, Chaos Hell of Ecstasy, enamel on tin, 36 x 48.

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Still Being Hunted

I’m having dinner with a guy from my gym next Saturday night. He approached me about getting together. I’ll be taking a break from being the hunter while I enjoy being hunted one more time.

He texted me last night to firm up plans for next weekend as he was leaving town early this morning on a business trip. Plans were made for him to pick me up. He asked for my address which I provided.

This morning I get a text while he’s waiting for his flight. “Houses are really expensive in your neighborhood”. Undoubtedly, he googled my address and a site like Zillow came up. I’m guessing he knows what that site thinks my house is worth. I’m not sure I’m comfortable with this but what does one do in age of technology which puts a wealth of information in hands of everyone with a smart phone. Going forward, I’ll meet the guy at the restaurant.

Is this now common practice? A guy gives you his address and you google it to see where he lives, and in the process you know what his house is worth, which helps determine his economic status. Fess up dear readers. Do you do this too?

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Friday Night Favorites

I did an open studio tour on Friday night at Prism Workspaces. While I saw great art all evening, my favorites were by Madeleine Dodge. Madeleine’s Art is always fresh and inventive.

Madeleine Dodge, untitled, carbon transfer on steel, 16 x 16.

Madeleine Dodge, untitled, indigo and rust on porcelain, 12 x 12.

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The Hunted Becomes The Hunter

I met up with Morgan last night after the art tour. His husband is out of town so he’s been cruising online for male entertainment. Last night’s prospect cancelled leaving Morgan with no plans. We had a long talk. Morgan likes to analyze me. He thinks I need to be more social. I also need to stop spending time by myself yet he refuses to join me on the art tour. After endless questions about my past relationships, Morgan presented me with a diagnosis. I been pursued most of my life and have done very little pursuing. At this point in my life, men have stopped seeking me out so I have to do the seeking. The hunted has to be turned into the hunter. I may have to agree with him.

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Art Before Pride

On Friday night, before I was overcome by the colors of pride, I attend the opening of Women In Abstraction at William Havu Gallery. The exhibit includes works by Monroe Hodder, Amy Metier, Lola Montejo, Margaret Pettee-Olsen, Laura Wait and Sheryl Zacharia. These six highly acclaimed artists are at the top of their game. The gallery was packed so it was hard to get a good shot of the art. I want to go back for a second look. Here are a few pics from the exhibit:

Lola Montejo, Clattered Matter, acrylic and oil on canvas, 42 x 36, $3,000.

Margaret Pettee-Olsen, Twists and Turns, synthetic polymer and reflective pigment on canvas, 48 x 48, $5,200.

Amy Metier, Studio 249-13, mixed media collage, 22 x 20, $1,700.

Monroe Hodder, Break First Light, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60, $15,000.

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Pride is Over

Another Pride has come and gone. I’ve had my fill of rainbow flags for a while. I had a fun-filled weekend. I’m back at work trying to focus on tasks at hand while recovering from my weekend. I have a few reflections on the weekend.

The parade was 2 ½ hours long. It’s the longest parade I’ve watched in Denver. The Planned Parenthood contingent received thunderous applause and whistles. It was great to see a positive reaction for PP given what has recently happened in Alabama, Georgia and Missouri. Mayor Pete had a sizeable group of supporters who also received an enthusiastic reception. I wondered if Target store were open yesterday morning as their continent was one of the largest and seemed to go on for blocks. Was anyone left to staff the stores? The Canadian Consulate also had a large contingent. The transgendered community was vastly represented by many groups. The transgendered flag was seen everywhere all weekend. There were also many U=U signs (Undetectable = Untransmittable).

Clubs were packed. Restaurants were packed. Ubers and Lifts were everywhere. Pride flags were flown on the government buildings. Everyone was in a festive mood.

At Civic Center Park there were many bare-chested women with pasties covering their nipples. It seems like the younger woman feel free to strip down. Any why not? They are just breasts. And if men feel free to strip down and show their hairy backs and out of shape bodies. What’s wrong with women exposing their breasts in public?

Several groups supporting candidates hoping to oust Republican Cory Gardner were campaigning. It was good to see support for these candidates.

Pride is over. It’s time to get back to work. It’s also time to follow through with grassroots activism as a catalyst for change. Progress has been made but there still a lot to do.

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Pridefest Weekend

It’s Pridefest weekend in Denver. Organizers are expecting 400,000 people to attend again this year. That’s a remarkable number given the size of Denver. I’ll be on the go all weekend. Of course, I’ll be starting with gallery openings tonight.

My neighbors across the street, who play for the other team, are flying a huge rainbow flag on their house in support of Pridefest. It brought a tear to my eye when I first saw the flag. It also made me think how this neighborhood has changed from a Republican enclave to a Democratic stronghold over the years.

Happy Pride!

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A Door Closes….

Core Gallery is closing up shop in the Santa Fe Arts District and moving to the 40 West Arts District. They are joining Pirate, Next, EDGE and Kanon in Lakewood, a suburb west of Denver. All of these are co-op galleries. The Core members decided to move west rather than absorb a rent increase on their space. There is good news for the Santa Fe Arts District. The Core space is being taken over by D’Art, a new co-op. D’Art hopes to have their grand opening in July. When a door closes, a door opens…..

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Giving Back

I attend an art action tonight at the Bronco’s indoor practice field benefiting Alzheimer research. I was invited by Mike who has made Alzheimer research one of the causes he generously supports. Mike’s boyfriend was also in attendance. The event was underwritten by the Broncos as the owner and his wife have recently been diagnoses with the disease. While I didn’t buy any art, I did make a donation. It was a very moving event. I was thankful I was able to attend.

Update: The event raised $110,000.

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Art Activities

Last night I attended the opening of new works by Sharon Strasburg and April Cannon at Mai Wyn Fine Art. The new works did not disappoint. The opening had a robust crowd. There was also an open at the Arvada Center but I didn’t have time to attend. Blurring the Line: Form, Function, Design is an exhibition which includes works that blur the distinction between form and function. I hope to check this new exhibit out soon. Tonight is First Friday for the galleries. Urban Mud 530, a new contemporary ceramic gallery and studio has opened on Santa Fe Drive. A local dance group will be performing in the gallery tonight. It may be fun to check out. Also, Rule gallery has moved to a new space three blocks north but may not be ready to open for tonight’s festivities. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) is opening a new exhibit of Clark Richert’s work. Clark Richert in hyperspace celebrates the work of one of Colorado’s most important artists. This exhibit will be one of the highlights of the summer art season. I hope to check it out soon. The Art Students League of Denver is holding its annual Summer Art Market on Saturday and Sunday. This is one of the best art festivals in Denver so I know I’ll stop by sometime this weekend.

Here are a few pics from Mai Wyn’s new show:

Sharon Strasburg, Granite Altar No. 1, laser cut monotype on panel.

Sharon Strasburg, Liquid Lavender, laser cut monotype on panel.

Sharon Strasburg, Distant Rhythms, laser cut monotype on panel.

April Cannon, Renewal, ceramic installation.

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