Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Videos of Manic Depression and Self Searching on Youtube

I made videos of two of my drawings, Manic Depression and Self Searching,  and loaded them on Youtube the other day. In both cases, I panned across the surface of each piece slowly to allow the viewer to see the detail more closely. For the Manic Depression video, I added some background music that I made up on the spot and played on my guitar. While I am not really a musician, I think the guitar that I recorded for this conveys the feeling of the artwork. For the Self Searching video, my son Joseph made up some keyboard music, which I added to the video.  Anyway, the videos are embedded below, and can also be accessed by clicking the links above.





Friday, November 11, 2011

Sensorium Project in Australia

I was invited to be a part of the Sensorium Project in Australia (http://sensorium.net.au/). This project is a fusion of art and science and will feature visionary artists from around the world. Artwork, both physical and projected, will be exhibited in mobile geodesic dome that will travel Australia. Currently, my involvement will include some of my artwork being projected inside the dome. I have an artist's page on the Sensorium web site at: http://sensorium.net.au/artists/joe-macgown




Energy Art Spectrum 2011 - Reception

The reception for the Energy Art Spectrum 2011 exhibition was held from 6-8 pm on Saturday 29 October 2011 at the Meridian Museum of Art in Meridian, MS. As this was an international show, it was difficult for members from other regions of the world to attend, and I was the only representative from the group. The crowd was not huge, but the folks that attended were treated to a great exhibition, and they generally seemed to appreciate the artwork. In fact, most of the viewers stayed for the entire two hour period. At 7 pm, museum director Kate Cherry gave a talk about the show, and following her talk, I gave a talk about the Energy Art Movement and how it related to my artwork. A video of Kate and my talk is available on Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdOcDi-qUoQ&feature=related, a video of my talk is available on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2GXOuAPCv0, and a video showing viewers at the reception can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG1Y4z9CFaM&feature=related.

Some photos from the show






Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Energy Art Spectrum 2011-Meridian Museum of Art

The Energy Spectrum 2011

We will be having an Exhibition of the International Energy Art Movement (EAM) at the Meridian Museum of Art in Meridian, MS (USA) between Oct. 5 – Nov. 26, 2011 with a reception on Oct. 29, 6-8 pm.

This is big, this is AWESOME! This is an international exhibit featuring 48 works of art from 21 artists from 11 countries and 10 US States! The Energy Spectrum 2011 is the 5th exhibition of the Movement, after successful exhibitions in Canada, Chicago, Memphis, and most recently the annual Energy Art Salon in Russia, all followed by media acclaim. The current exhibition intends to show the breadth of what energy art is able to express, as a "spectrum" of concepts and their depictions, analogously to the scientific idea of the electromagnetic spectrum.

A wide range of styles, techniques, and mediums will be presented at the exhibition, from cutting edge digital fractal flame art, through detailed ink drawings done in hundreds of hours, to the emotive brushwork of energetic expressionism.

Artists Participating in the Exhibit
Aaron Reichert (Louisiana, USA)
Adam Scott Miller (USA/Australia)
AEres Vistaas (New Jersey, USA)
Arriba Stature (Washington, USA)
Dan Bunea (Romania)
Giorgio Vaselli (Hungary/Canada)
Greg Pettit (Texas, USA)
Helene Kippert (Australia)
Hiroyuki Saito (Japan)
Jeroen van Valkenburg (Netherlands)
Joe MacGown (Mississippi, USA)
Kaisa Koljonen (Finland)
Ladi Fricova (Czech Republic/UK)
Lee Mitchell (Michigan, USA)
Peggy Mintun (Ohio, USA)
Penelope Oakley (UK)
Rita Dianni-Kaleel (Illonois, USA)
Ronnj Medini (Italy)
Shahla Rosa (California, USA)
Simon Haiduk (Canada)
Teresa Young (Canada)

My three pieces in the show are "Nine Panes of Thought", "Manic Depression", and "Nine Spheres to Enlightenment".

Nine Panes of Thought

Manic Depression

Nine Spheres to Enlightenment

About the Movement
The Energy Art Movement now includes a hundred members around the globe from Romania to Japan and two from Mississippi, the Movement intends to build a multi-span bridge between various parts of the art world.

The Energy Art Movement is an international contemporary multimedia art movement, with three primary values: quality, diversity, and evolution – on the common ground of energetic depictions. The Movement's values have been explicitly defined in its manifesto – which is its founding document – and its principles. Members believe that enhancing their creations with energy – either in composition or in subject matter – adds artistic value to their depictions. The Movement strives to follow a progressive trend of forward evolution in the Fine Arts, while embracing both traditional and digital media.

The Movement’s members draw from many earlier major styles – such as impressionism, expressionism, and futurism – while they enhance their work with energetic compositions which –according to their manifesto‘s reasoning – adds artistic value to them, and thus is a new stage of evolution and synthesis for those styles, and so for the Fine Arts. As Organizer Giorgio Vaselli has stated: “I would like our messages to be revolutionary, yet nonradical. Heard, yet not loud. Influential, yet non-confrontational. Clear, yet deep."

About the Museum
The mission of the Meridian Museum of Art is to promote the visual arts through exhibitions and collections, art education and support of regional artists, and to enhance community life through the celebration of diverse cultures. Museum programs are supported by the City of Meridian, the Mississippi Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Riley Foundation.

The Meridian Museum of Art is located at 628 25th Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301, USA. The Museum is housed in the historic Old Carnegie Library building (constructed 1912-1913). The Museum is open 11 am - 5 pm, Wednesday - Saturday, and admission to the Museum is free.

Contacts
MMA Director, Kate Cherry, meridianmuseum@bellsouth.net
EAM Organizer Giorgio, Vaselli Giorgio, Vaselli@EnergyArtMovement.org
EAM Representative, Joe MacGown, art@joemacgown.com

www.EnergyArtMovement.org | www.MeridianMuseum.org

Saturday, September 10, 2011

MSU Faculty Exhibition, Silent Existence CD Cover, and Energy Art Show

Mississippi State Faculty Art Exhibition

If you are in Starkville, MS the next couple of months, you should make a point to visit the Mississippi State Department of Art’s 2011 Faculty Exhibition at the Visual Arts Center (VAC) on University Drive between August 30 and October 28. The opening reception was held on September 1, from 5.30 to 7.30 pm. Although I am not in the Art Dept., I did a collaborative drawing (insect related) with Soon Ee Ngoh, an exceptionally talented art professor. The drawing we did together is entitled "Dacetine Radiation" and is centered on a unique group of ants in the Tribe Dacetini and the microhabitats that they live in. After the exhibition is over, our drawing will return to the Clay Lyle Entomology Lobby.

For more info about the show: http://caad.msstate.edu/wpmu/artnews/category/exhibitions/

Dacetine Radiation


Upcoming Energy Art Show at Meridian Museum of Art

The Energy Art Movement of which I am a member will be having a show at the Meridian Musuem of Art in Meridian, MS from October 5th through November 26, 2011 with a reception at 7 PM on October 29 with a gallery talk by artists.

The Energy Art Movement was started in May of 2008 by a group of artists collectively interested in raising the standards of artisitic expression. They believe that visual dynamism - "Energy Art" - is a natural evolution of art trends that preceded it, particularly those trends which reflect the complexity of civilization. As technology and science hurtle forward, this international movement holds that art should do more than reflect our surroundings: it should aspire to capture the energetic essence of life.


Artwork for upcoming compilation CD compiled by Silent Existence

I recently finished two mixed media drawings/paintings for a pychedelic music CD compiled by Silent Existence. The image for the front of the CD is entitled "Nine Spheres to Enlightenment", which is also the name of the CD. The image for the back and spines of the CD is called "Green Silence. For more info about the CD [link].

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Upcoming Energy Art Show at Meridian Museum of Art and my Subconscious Meandering Show still ongoing

My exhibition entitled "Subconscious Meandering" is still ongoing at the Depot Gallery on the Mississippi State University Campus. The gallery is located above the Welcome Center in the Barnes and Nobles Building beside the Football Stadium. The show will be up through August 31st. The gallery is open from 8 AM to 5 PM Mondays through Fridays.

I have approximately 35 pieces of art in the show including a variety of surreal type drawings and mixed media paintings ranging in size from 8 X 8 inches to 4 X 4 feet. Additionally, some of the artwork includes collaborative works that I have done with several artists from around the world including Bernard Dumaine, Marcel Bakker, Debra Valentine, Gromyko Semper, Janelle McKain, Ben Tolman, Joseph Larkin, Sally Hunter, and Peter Sibrin.

Write-up by Steve Nalley about the exhibit in the Starkville Daily News : http://starkvilledailynews.com/node/5823

Info about the show was also in the Starkville Dispatch Newspaper: http://www.cdispatch.com/lifestyles/article.asp?aid=11506

More info about the show: http://www.visit.msstate.edu/gallery/
and on the MSU Art Dept. Blog: http://caad.msstate.edu/wpmu/artnews/2011/05/


Upcoming Energy Art Show at Meridian Museum of Art

In other art news, the Energy Art Movement of which I am a member will be having a show at the Meridian Museum of Art in Meridian, Mississippi from October 5th through November 26, 2011 with a reception at 7 pm on October 29 with a gallery talk by artists.

The Energy Art Movement was started in May of 2008 by a group of artists collectively interested in raising the standards of artisitic expression. They believe that visual dynamism - "Energy Art" - is a natural evolution of art trends that preceded it, particularly those trends which reflect the complexity of civilization. As technology and science hurtle forward, this international movement holds that art should do more than reflect our surroundings: it should aspire to capture the energetic essence of life.

My drawing "Manic Depression"

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Reception for show in 2 days!

The reception for my exhibition entitled "Subconscious Meandering" is only 2 days away! The reception will be held Thursday, June 2nd from 5-7 pm at the Depot Gallery on the Mississippi State University Campus. The gallery is located above the Welcome Center in the Barnes and Nobles Building beside the Football Stadium. The show will be up all summer from 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday from 3 May to 31 August 2011.

Some of the artwork included will be collaborative works that I have done with several artists from around the world including Bernard Dumaine, Marcel Bakker, Debra Valentine, Gromyko Semper, Janelle McKain, Ben Tolman, Joseph Larkin, Sally Hunter, and Peter Sibrin.

Collaboration with Peter Sibrin

If you can make the reception, great, if not, the show will be up all summer.

A nice write-up by Steve Nalley about the exhibit was in yesterday's issue of the Starkville Daily News : http://starkvilledailynews.com/node/5823

Info about the show was also in the Starkville Dispatch Newspaper: http://www.cdispatch.com/lifestyles/article.asp?aid=11506

More info about the show: http://www.visit.msstate.edu/gallery/
and on the MSU Art Dept. Blog: http://caad.msstate.edu/wpmu/artnews/2011/05/

Friday, May 27, 2011

"Subconscious Meandering" Reception June 2nd, 5-7pm


The reception for my exhibition entitled "Subconscious Meandering" is less than one week away! The reception will be held next Thursday, June 2nd from 5-7 pm at the Depot Gallery on the Mississippi State University Campus. The gallery is located above the Welcome Center in the Barnes and Nobles Building beside the Football Stadium. The show will be up all summer from 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday from 3 May to 31 August 2011.

Some of the artwork included will be collaborative works that I have done with several artists from around the world including Bernard Dumaine, Marcel Bakker, Debra Valentine, Gromyko Semper, Janelle McKain, Ben Tolman, Joseph Larkin, Sally Hunter, and Peter Sibrin.

If you can make the reception, great, if not, the show will be up all summer.

A nice write-up by Steve Nalley about the exhibit was in yesterday's issue of the Starkville Daily News : http://starkvilledailynews.com/node/5823

More info about the show: http://www.visit.msstate.edu/gallery/
and on the MSU Art Dept. Blog: http://caad.msstate.edu/wpmu/artnews/2011/05/


"Lithophillic Hallucinations", collaboration with Filipino artist Gromyko Semper and me.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Joe MacGown Art Exhibition -Depot Gallery, MSU


My exhibition entitled "Subconscious Meandering" featuring some of my surreal drawings and paintings is up and running at the Depot Gallery on the Mississippi State University Campus. The gallery is located above the Welcome Center in the Barnes and Nobles Building beside the Football Stadium. The show will be up all summer from 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday from 3 May to 31 August 2011.

There will be an opening reception on Thursday, 2 June 2011 from 5 PM to 7 PM. Come join me for some refreshments while you view my somewhat strange artwork! Feel free to ask questions about how and why I draw the stuff I do.

Some of the artwork included will be collaborative works that I have done with several artists from around the world including Bernard Dumaine, Marcel Bakker, Debra Valentine, Gromyko Semper, Janelle McKain, Ben Tolman, Joseph Larkin, Sally Hunter, and Peter Sibrin.

If you can make the reception, great, if not, the show will be up all summer.

More info about the show: http://www.visit.msstate.edu/gallery/
and on the MSU Art Dept. Blog: http://caad.msstate.edu/wpmu/artnews/2011/05/

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Cotton District 5k

Had a great day at the Cotton District Arts Festival in Starkville, MS yesterday! As I have the last few years, I submitted some artwork to the Juried show. I have had pretty good success with this show the last five years, especially considering that a different juror judges the show each year. This year, my piece entitled "Manic Depression" won first place in the Drawing/Mixed Media category!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to view my artwork, and the other art in the show.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Joe MacGown Art Exhibition -Depot Gallery, MSU

I will be having an exhibition entitled "Subconscious Meandering" featuring some of my surreal drawings and paintings at the Depot Gallery on the Mississippi State University Campus. The gallery is located above the Welcome Center in the Barnes and Nobles Building beside the Football Stadium. The show will be up all summer from 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday from 3 May to 31 August 2011.


Some of the artwork included will be collaborative works that I have done with several artists from around the world including Bernard Dumaine, Marcel Bakker, Debra Valentine, Gromyko Semper, Janelle McKain, Ben Tolman, Joseph Larkin, Sally Hunter, and Peter Sibrin.
An opening reception will be held on Thursday, 2 June 2011 from 5 PM to 7 PM.

If you can make the reception, great, if not, the show will be up all summer.

More info about the show: http://www.visit.msstate.edu/gallery/


Cotton District Arts Festival 2011

The 2011 Cotton District Arts Festival will be held tomorrow (April 23rd), and it looks like it will be a pleasant day for it! I entered 3 pieces of artwork in the juried show and all 3 were accepted! The three I entered were Manic Depression, Vent, and Out of the Fold. Hopefully, one or more of these will win something in the show! This year's juror is Terry Cherry, an accomplished watercolorist and art teacher extraordinare at East Mississippi Community College in Scooba, MS. If you get a chance, come by the festival and check out the juried show, which will be held in the Visual Arts Building on University Drive. Awards will be presented at 9:30, but the arts festival will be all day!


Manic Depression 48 X 48 inches

Out of the Fold, 19 X 24 inches

Vent, 20 X 20 inches

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Energy Art Show in Russia and new collaboration

The Energy Art Movement recently had a competition and all gold medal finalists get to have their pieces exhibited in the City Exhibition Center "Dialog" in Novgorod, Russia.


I only entered one picture in the competition, a piece I did a number of years ago entitled "Infinity" and was lucky enough to be a gold medalist. Based on various feedback, web stats, etc., this piece has proven to be my most viewed image on the web. Unfortunately, due to the ridiculously high mailing costs by Fed Ex or UPS, I decided not to send the original to Russia. However, I did send a high quality print that I matted and framed with plexiglass. This show presents a wonderful opportunity to show my work side by side with other artists doing some very exciting work. For more info about the Energy Art Movement, visit their web site at: http://www.energyartmovement.org/


Infinity

In other cool news, I just finished up a collaborative drawing with Marcel Bakker. Marcel in an awesome artist! He started the drawing by doing the top portion, then covering it with card stock except for a one inch strip. He then mailed it to me and I completed the bottom section. I entitled the piece "Garden of Unearthly Delights". You can see more of Marcel's work at: http://mbkkr.deviantart.com/

Garden of Unearthly Delights

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Collaborations and new artwork

Been working on a collaboration with Marcel Bakker the last couple of weeks. I am drawing the bottom half of a drawing of which he did the top half. He covered the top half with paper only leaving an inch wide strip for me to work with. We call this type of collaboration an Exquite Corpse. I started doing these with some other artists a couple of years ago when I joined a club on the Deviant Art web site called "The Exquisite Corpse". This particular drawing is being done in ink and is about 11 x 17 inches (more or less). When I finish, I will upload the final image. The last two we did were colored images. I started one, and he started the other. I painted an abstract painting, very simple, then scanned it, and emailed it to Marcel. He then used a pen to draw a picture based on the color patterns. Since it was an Exquisite Corpse collaboration, he only drew one side, then covered it except for an inch wide strip and mailed it to me. I finished it up, took off the paper, then got to see the final image. We called this one "The Abyss of the Mind".

The Abyss of the Mind

Marcel also did a color image, emailed to me, and I did half, then mailed him the other half so he cold finish it up. Both of these two images turned out very nicely. In fact, one of them, "Just West of Eden", received a Daily Deviation on the Deviant Art web site and has already been viewed over 15,000 times on that site alone.

Just West of Eden

I got a better image of one of my latest pieces. I decided to call it "Vent", as in, the main figure appears to be "venting" or relieving himself of some sort of physical stress. This particular one is 24 x 24 inches in size. I did this one on birch plywood that I had primed with white latex paint. I then applied thinned acrylic paint. After it dried, I used a pen to pull out detail. I decided to leave some areas with no ink on this one.

Vent

Sunday, January 30, 2011

New works in progress

Been working on a few new color pieces lately. As with my recently finished "Manic Depression", I am doing these on primed birch plywood. I have a couple that I started with thinned acrylic paint and another with colored ink. I love putting random color down and then trying to draw something out of it with pens. I decided to put an unfinished one up to illustrate how I add detail to the colored areas. This particular one was done with colored inks and has a greenish overall tone. The green picture is 2 X 4 feet. The first section picture below is near the bottom of the image. You can see large uninked areas at this point. I also put up a couple of details of one of the acrylic ones I am working on.


Green Detail #1



Green Detail #2


Detail of acrylic-ink painting, as yet untitled