First Friday

Last night was Albany's First Friday. A good portion of the city's galleries and businesses spend this evening of every month celebrating local artists and musicians. It was great to get out and be a part of it again. I've neglecting the last few First Fridays due to my part in the northeastern habit of cramming anything and everything we can into our weekends of the short summer season.

I have my favorite galleries to visit, all of which proved awarding this month. My favorite goes to Robert Gullie at the Upstate Artists Guild. I'm not sure how you'd classify his art, as they incorporate photography, painting, collage, and printmaking. It's a playful approach to some interesting and at times disturbing imagery. Robert is a part of the Remsen Street Studio in Cohoes, NY. Later this month they will be opening their studio to guests. I hope to make it. Check out their blog here.

Here are some examples of Robert's work similar to what was exhibited last night.

Next month during First Friday, my good friend Katie Dollard will be opening her exhibit at the Romaine Brooks Gallery. Her photography, often done on untraditional stock and surfaces, proves what a phenomenal eye she has as an artist and observer. I'm excited for her show and eager to see what she's been creating. I am disappointed that I may not be able to attend her opening because of my own exhibit at the Midtown Tea and Tap Room.

Some examples of Katie's previous work:

My paintings are moving right along. I took half a week off trying to gain a fresh eye before jumping back into them. I think it's been beneficial, as they're approaching completion now. Still undecided about whether the imagery of the photographs is done or not, I am hoping to start working on details of the photos as physical objects (reflections, cracks and folds, shadows being cast from their warped condition). Now that October is here, I seriously have to start working on the other aspects of life as an artist. I will be designing some show announcements and recompiling my mailing list. If you'd like to be included in that mailing list, email your contact information. Framing is also something to consider, which frightens me since I'm poor as hell. I hope I can get a deal for wanting at least ten pieces framed.