Arthrobryozoic Naiad heads to the Meridian Museum of Art

So I entered the 46th Annual Meridian Museum of Art Bi-State Art Competition, 2020 and got my Arthrobryozoic Naiad piece accepted. This is a fun piece I did last year that can be viewed at different angles and has lots of cool layers. It is 24 x 48 inches and done entirely with blue ink on primed birch plywood. 

I often enter this competition and have had some luck with awards. It is always a great show with lots of talented artists from Alabama and MIssissippi. As in other years, quite a few art faculty members will have art in the show, which is great! 

This year's juror is Stephanie Smith, an artist, printmaker, and educator. She earned her B.F.A from the Atlanta College of Art and a M.F.A. with Distinction from the University of Georgia in 1997. Smith is a Senior Lecturer at the University of West Georgia where she teaches drawing, 2D design, printmaking and book arts as well as serving as gallery director. In 2005 she co-founded the non-profit arts organization the Atlanta Printmakers Studio and served as President for the first five years. I imagine selection of accepted pieces was not easy with 322 entries by 114 artists entered. At the end of the day Smith selected 65 works by 51 of those artists. 

Definitely come check this show out and the historic museum itself. Exhibition dates are March 10 - May 16, 2020. There will be an awards reception from 2 to 4 pm on Saturday, May 16, 2020. Please come and join us for what I am sure will be another great show. I personally am looking forward to the reactions to my piece, which could be considered a little risque. 

Arthrobyrozoic Naiad

Arthrobyrozoic Naiad, upside down

Arthrobyrozoic Naiad, detail of top area

Arthrobyrozoic Naiad, detail of central area

Arthrobyrozoic Naiad, detail of bottom section, upside down

Arthrobyrozoic Naiad, detail of bottom left area 

Here is the  list of artists who will have work in the competition/exhibition: 

2020 Meridian Museum of Art BiState Artists

Abreeza Thomas

Addie Louis

AlexTownsend-

Andrea Kostyal

Anne O'Hara

Barbara-Ann Carver-Hunt

Bo Kyle

Brittany Davis

Carolyn Norton

Cecelia Moseley

Charlotte Wegrznowski

David Diodate David

David Stevens

Debra Eubanks

Dee Falls

Euphus Ruth

Gail Morton

Gary Howse

George Ann McCullough

Hanna Lewis

Hannah Wegner

Jill Hammes

Joan McRaney

Joe MacGown

Joe Morzuch

Joely Corban

John Bateman

Leslie Burns

Maria Hughes

Mark Brown

Mary‐Saphrona Grey

Melissa Thorson

Michelle Jones

MJ Dobbins  Morgan

Pat Brown

Pat Gavin

Rachel Strain

Randy Hayward Jolly

Rick Anderson

Robert Gibson

Rowan Williams Haug

Sadako Lewis

Susa Nawrocki

Thomas Nawrocki

Tiffany V. McPeak

Tom Wegrzynowski

Victoria Nichols

Virginia Rougon Chavis

Wesley Ortiz

Whitson Ramsey

William T. Dooley

Recent and upcoming MacGown Art Events!!

Meridian Art Walk, 7 October 

I had a great time at the artwalk in Meridian on Saturday, 7 October. We had a nice assortment of artists set up with their wares in front of the Union Station Depot on Front Street. Thanks to everyone who came out and supported us!!!

My tent just after I set it up at the Meridian Art Walk

Meridian Bi-State Art Competition, Meridian Museum of Art 

Following the art walk, I headed over to the Meridian Museum of Art for the reception for the annual Bi-State Art Competition. This was a great show and I was happy to have had two pieces accepted into it. One of mine won an achievement award! Yay. Here are the pieces I had in the show!

Halloween Art Show: Creepy Carnivale, Meridian, MS

On the night of 26 October, Joseph and I joined some other weirdos for the Halloween Art Show: Creepy Carnivale  in downtown Meridian, MS. This was a one night only Halloween themed art event with some truly amazing artwork and assorted other  coolness! The event was from 6–10 PM. Thanks to everyone who came out and bought stuff from us!!

Joe MacGown at the Creepy Carnivale

Joseph MacGown at the Creepy Carnival

Another view of the MacGown Art setut

SAAC Abstract Art Show, Main Street, Starkville, MS

The Starkville Area Arts Council's Abstract show has been running since 11 September, but will only be up until 5 PM on Monday, 6 November. So, basically you have today and Monday left to check out the exhibit. Unfortunately, the venue is not open on weekends or after 5 PM.

Joe MacGown posing with his work 

Joseph MacGown and friends near some of Joseph's work

Insect Show extended at Louisiana Art and Science Museum in Baton Rouge, LA

My five insect illustrations will remain on display for a few more months at the insect themed show at the Louisiana Science and Art Museum! Check them out if you are in the area!

One man show at Itawamba Community College!!

I am having a one man show at Itawamba Community College from 6 November through 5 December! I will give a talk about my art at the closing reception at 4 PM on 5 December. Come out and learn all about my weird art stylizations and enjoy the refreshments! Thanks to Shawn Whittington for inviting me and thanks to Chalet Arts for their continued support!

Here is a preview of some of the things I will bring for the show.

Sunday Funday coming up on 12 November, 2017

Don't miss our  last Sunday Funday on 12 November from 12-6 PM in the Cotton District!! We will again have spectacular live music, cool art, vinyl record sales, popcorn, and more!!!

Poporium Pop-Up Art Show at the Poporium in Starkville, MS, 2 December 2017

From 12 to 6 PM we will be having a super sweet pop-up art show at the Poporium on Main Street in Starkville, MS. Several artists are already  committed to participate and we will have live music by some wonderful Columbus and Starkville musicians!!! So book your  calendars and come by for popcorn, refreshments, live music and great local art!!

Columbus Art Walk was great, Meridian Artwalk Next!

We had a great time at the artwalk at Books & Boards in downtown Columbus this past Thursday! Thanks for hosting us  and thanks to everyone who came and checked out our art!!

Some folks at the artwalk! 

greenness is goodness

No slowing down for us - We will be at the Meridian Artwalk at Union Station this Saturday, October 7 from 10 AM to 2 PM. Come see us if you are there! There are some wonderful artists in Meridian, and we are fun too.

Joseph at a recent Meridian Artwalk

Following the artwalk, we will head to the Meridian Museum of Art for the 44th Annual Bi-State Art Competition Reception from 2 to 4 PM. I had two weird pictures accepted in the show, "The Board of Aldermen" and " Pentamerous Archetypes". This is always a great show, and Saturday is the last day of the show. Come check it out!!

Pentamerous Archetypes 

Board of Aldermen

As always, I am working on plenty of things in my studio. Most recently I have been working on a colorful lobster drawing/painting on wood. As with many of my recent pictures, I am using a variety of colored India inks, which I apply with both brushes and pens. Here are a few progress shots!

Of course, Halloween is coming up, so I am also doing some basic decorations for the yard and house. Just started a few wooden cutouts.

Frank, Pumpkin-head, and Bob

I do love this time of year, not so much because of the holidays, but because its so nice outside! I try to walk along my trails at least daily. Just finished replacing two wooden bridges over a creek in the woods. Here are a couple of views of the trail.

Upcoming shows and other news

Pagan Totem Goddess wins award at BiState Competition at Meridian Museum of Art

The Bi-State Juried Exhibition held at the Meridian Museum of Art in Meridian, MS is a wonderful  juried competition that showcases some of the best artists in Alabama and Mississippi. And with cash awards, its no wonder that just getting accepted in the show is an honor. Brian Kelly,  Head of the Department of Visual Arts at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, was this year's juror. 

I entered one piece in the show this year, "Pagan Totem Goddess", which, I am happy to say, won and achievement award, which works out to second place basically and included a nice check! 

SAAC Abstract Exhibition on display until November 9th in Starkville, MS

We recently had the reception for our annual abstract show in Starkville, MS at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership office (GSDP). Because our local arts council does not have a gallery, we are fortunate that the GSDP allows us to put up exhibits here throughout the year! Thanks! We are also very thankful to Mark Wood, owner of Chalet Arts, who continues to provide printing services for our posters and mailing cards, as well as helping local artist find framing solutions. Turnout for the reception was smaller than I would have liked, but it was and is a beautiful show. Some truly amazing art! Its a wonderful thing that we have so many talented artist in such a small area. I had very pleased that we had four college students (Sarah Dutton, Gerard Woods, Randi Watson, and my son Joseph MacGown) put art in the show too!

SAAC Holiday Showcase Exhibition coming up in Starkville, MS

Our annual Holiday Showcase Exhibition is coming up and will be installed at the GSDP office on November 9th. Submissions are still open until October 30. We will have a reception for this show on Thursday, December 3, from 5:30 to 7 PM with wine and refreshments. This is always a great show and just in time for Christmas. The show will be up until January 11, 2016, but purchasers can take their newly bought art home with them if they need them for gifts.

LUSO - AMERICAN SURREALISM of the 21st Century: Mississippi State, MS
Cullis Wade Depot, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, January 11 to February 2016

The LUSO-America Surrealism of the 21st Century exhibition will feature the surreal works of six notable US artists and four Portuguese artists, as well as a few local Mississippi artists including some MSU art students. It will be held at the Cullis Wade Depot Gallery located above the welcome center at the Barnes and Noble building on the Mississippi State campus from January 11 to February 28, 2016. A reception is planned for 5 to 7 PM on Thursday, 21 January 2016.

This group was started by Santiago Ribeiro of Portugal (http://santiagoribeiropainting.blogspot.com/), a fantastic surrealist. Shahla Rosa (http://www.shahlarosa.com/), a noted artist now residing in Los Angeles, has been a driving force in bringing members of the group to the US.

The primary members of the group exhibiting at MSU will include six American artists (France Garrido, Joe A. MacGown, K.D. Matheson, Patrick McGrath Muniz, Shahla Rosa, and Olga Spiegel) and four Portuguese artists ( Victor Lages, Santiago Ribeiro, Paula Rosa, and Francisco Urbano), all of who regularly exhibit their artwork internationally. Other local artists who will be exhibiting include Joseph MacGown, Randi Watson, Gerard Woods, Brad Luke, and others.

For more info, check out our FaceBook event at https://www.facebook.com/events/471409159728465/

Aging Leda in the Turkish Bath by Shahla Rosa

Progress on the Antipodes Project

The Antipodes Project is a collaborative art project that Ben Tolman started. Basically, we work with 005 micron pens on 11 X 14 in pieces of Bristol paper to create super detailed weirdness! The panels are put together to create large pieces. Many very talented artists from around the world are working with together on the project, and we are still looking for more artists to contribute. Currently, two projects are completed and two more are close to fruition. Read more about our extraordinary group on our FB page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/417925438379842/ 

The project that is in my possession will be on display at the LUSO American Exhibition at Mississippi State in January, and all four projects will be shown at the Fridge Gallery in DC July 2-31, 2016. More details later. Visit their fb page at https://m.facebook.com/TheFridgeDC…. 

A quick phone capture of Project 4 which now includes 16 11X14 inch panels, with 4 more being adding to the left side! 

Meridian Museum of Art's Annual Bi-State Juried Exhibition

The Bi-State Juried Exhibition held at the Meridian Museum of Art in Meridian, MS offers over $3,000 in awards including $1,000 for Best of Show! This exhibition showcases contemporary artists in Mississippi and Alabama. The exhibition will run from August 19 to October 17 with the Awards Reception on Saturday, October 17 from 6 to 8 pm.

This year's juror is Brian Kelly who has an M.F.A. in printmaking from Louisiana State University, a B.F.A. in printmaking from Northern Illinois, and various other awesome credentials. Currently, he is Head of the Department of Visual Arts at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He has conducted workshops, lectured, and exhibited around the world.

I entered one piece in the show this year, "Pagan Totem Goddess", which, I am happy to say, was accepted! This is a pretty trippy picture, and I hope people enjoy it.

Here is a complete list of the artists whose works were accepted for the show. 

Adrienne Callander

Amy Pirkle

Andrea Kostyal

Barbara Parrish

Charlotte Wegrznowski

Dan Piersol

David Howell

Don Norris

Elaine Shields

Erin Hardin

George Brown

Jill Hammes

Joe MacGown

Julia W. Gary

Julie Plasketes

Kyle Braund

Lisa Spinks

Margaret Gluhman

Martha Hopkins

Maureen Donnelly

Randy Shoults

Rick Anderson

Rowan Haug

Sabyna Sterrett

Sarah Dunn

Shea Goff

Shu H. Chang

Susa Nawrocki

Susan Ingram

Teresa Rodriguez

Thomas Nawrocki

Wanda Sullivan

William T. Dooley

MacGown Art Talk at the Meridian Museum of Art

Headed to the Meridian Museum of Art Saturday morn to give a talk/demo deal about how I do my weird art. Brenda Brown invited me, and we had a decent cast of mostly older artists show up. First I showed them some representative examples of my art, then I pulled numerous smaller pieces of works in progress.

I also showed the art folks the collaborative piece I am working on with Ben Tolman, Ryan Thornburg and others. They all enjoyed seeing this and wanted to try something similar, albeit, on a small and simpler scale.

part of the collaboration I am working on

So, yep, here is some of the gang as they listened, asked questions, then spent some time drawing.

Pretty good time with the folks there at the museum, even sold a few of my books to some of them! Following the talk at the museum, I then visited the studio of Denise Dengler, one of the attendees. Brenda Brown, who had invited me down, had set this up as well, and she also came along. Denise and her husband's place in Lauderdale was a wonderful setup on 65 acres of wooded ravines adjoining a lake. In addition to her her husband's beautiful home, she had a two story studio and two additional small building where visiting artists can stay. Cool! Denise showed us lots of her colorful artwork and great facilities.

Me and Denise exiting her "Gypsy" trailer