The Garden of Fernal Delights Launch - May 30th 2015

Great news! As I mentioned in a previous post, I will have three pieces of my art in upcoming book entitled "The Garden of Fernal Delights." The book will include the artwork of 114 international artists! My pieces include "Green Silence", "Gordenobyte", and the illustration for the chapter heading for the "K" section of the book. Cool! The Fernal genesis is the brainchild of Gromyko Semper, and the book concept and design is by Liba W. Stambollion, and it is curated by Liba Stambollion and Gromyko Semper. 

Green Silence, by Joe A. MacGown 

"K" by Joe A. MacGown

Gordenobyte, by Joe A. MacGown

Additionally, some of the works will be including in a traveling show that will open at Bash Gallery in San Francisco on May 30th, 2015 and run through June 30th, 2015. After the USA it will move on to Asia. Keep posted for the listing of future shows. The launching exhibit includes 36 of the 114 artists involved in the book project. It is logistically too difficult to exhibit work from the entire Fernal family.  Nonetheless, as the shows unfolds, pieces will sell, new pieces will be added.  It will evolve and even take on new artists from the group.

Guess what! I am one of the 36 artists will have artwork in this show! Way cool. Unfortunately, my piece "Gordenbyte" will not be included in the show because it sold this year at Luminarte Gallery in Dallas, TX at the opening of the LUSO-American Surrealism 2014 exhibition featuring the works various surreal artists from the USA and Portugal. Of course, I am happy to have sold it:) The show will feature these 36 artists as well as video jockeys, musicians, and various performers. A carnival is planned as part of the show! What? Yes. Crazy. 

The night of the opening there will be the book launch of the limited edition Encyclopedia of Fernal Affairs. This book is 250 pages and lavishly illustrated and written by the 114 artists. It both co-creates and catalogues the Fernal Garden of Delights. Artists will be present for book signings. I wrote sections about the art I submitted, as did some of the other artists. This book will be awesome. Everyone should buy this book. Seriously. Read more about the Fernal Art project at: http://www.visionaryartexhibition.com/garden-of-fernal-delights.html

Poster Design for the Fernal Delights Project

Artist List for the San Francisco Launch
(look up these artists on Google, you will be amazed by their works)

Amanda Sage

Bette Burgoyne

Brigid Marlin

Bruce Rimell

Carol Prusa

Carrie Ann Baade

Charles Wish

David Heskin & Aloria Weaver.

Dengkoy Miel

Eli TiunineErnst Fuchs

Gabriela Garza Padilla

Gaia Orion

Gromyko Semper

Hanna Faith Yata

Hector Pineda

Heidi Taillfer

Iain Whittaker

Joe MacGown

Kathileen Schmieder

Leeroy New

Leslie Ditto

Liba Waring Stambollion

Madeline Von Foerster

Mark Henson

Martina Hoffman

Maura Holden

Michel Bassot

Mike Davis

Otto Rapp

Patrick McGrath Muniz

Sandra Yagi

Sergey Tyukanov

Steven Kenny

Vladimir Ovtcharow

Wessi

Zeljko Djurovic

Recaps of Recent Shows

Endangered Visions Exhibition in the Philippines 

Well, I sent one picture to international exhibition entitled "Endangered Visions" in Manila, Philippines. The amazingly talented and prolific Filipino artist Gromyko Semper curated this show and invited me to participate. My submission was called "Going to the Circus." It sounds like the show was a huge success and was well received. Lots of top level artists were involved, and I feel pretty good about being asked to participate. I probably should have sent more than one piece, but its pretty expensive to ship art and a bit of a gamble. As a result, I tend to ship smaller pieces such as this one. Fortunately it made it! I would have liked it more if it had sold, but from here I believe it and some others will be traveling to another venue. So, some folks in the Philippines and elsewhere got to see some art from a Mississippi artist. Thats what its all about really.

"Going to the Circus"

A few of the many extraordinary works at the Manila show

A picture of "Going to the Circus" in Manila

Starkville Area Arts Council Abstract Show

I had three pictures in a local abstract show here in Starkville as I mentioned in previous posts, one of which sold! Cool. In fact, I believe 4 or 5 pieces in the show sold. That is great news for our arts group. I hope future shows do even better.

Erin standing in front of the wall with a couple of my works (far right)

My abstract piece that sold!

The Meridian Museum of Art BiState Competition

I entered 3 pieces in the annual BiState Art Competition held at the Meridian Museum of Art in Meridian, MS this year, but only one, "Blue Fish", was accepted. I was somewhat surprised as it was the weakest piece in my opinion compared to the other two, "Pagan Totem Goddess" and "Convergence." In fact, "Convergence" won best of show and first place in the painting drawing division at the most recent Cotton District Arts Festival here in Starkville. Go figure. Anyway, sometimes I think it comes down to which one reduces the best for submissions to these shows, as well as juror preference. However, in this case, if you had these pieces side by side I think it would be hard to pick "Blue Fish" as the best one. Its cool, don't get me wrong, but honestly it was just a little quick study I did. Well, it did not win anything apparently, but, it sold for $500. Funny.

Blue Fish