Art/Jazz

One of the best things about seeing live music is the subject matter I get for some of my work. The jazz pieces I do are always good sellers. My reference photos are usually just the inspiration for a semi-abstract piece - I don't paint them literally. This is one of my favorite shots from last weekend - I can't wait to get started on this one. The painting was done a short while back from a previous reference photo - it sold earlier this year.

The AtlantiCare Project - continued

Finally got a good daytime shot of the finished mural. For a blow by blow description of the process, check out http://www.liznickus.com/, click on "murals", then click on "exterior projects".

There's been some talk of a 5th panel!

I may be doing more work for this project next spring, some indoor pieces for the 6th and 7th floor. There's also talk of a large mural out in San Diego, and possibly a collaborative piece in Philadelphia as part of the mural arts project. I just registered with the GSA's Art-In-Architecture program - so who knows what'll come up next? There's something addictive about large scale work. Looks like I'll be very busy, along with my intrepid assistant, fellow artist and partner in the Independent Artist Studios, Carl B. Johnson.

Here's some shameless self promotion: April 7, 8 and 9th, 2008, I'll be teaching a mosaics class for beginners and intermediate students at the Studios of Key West. http://www.tskw.org/ If you feel like taking a class in a beautiful setting, come on down!

Shaker Furniture Show - Artist Michelle Post

We spent last night in Trenton, in the middle of the downtown historic district, and attended an opening at the Ellarslie Mansion, which is located in Cadwalader Park, and is part of the Trenton City Museum. http://www.ellarslie.org/

Our friend and artist extraordinaire Michelle Post had a fabulous show with painter Robert Beck. Her "Shaker Furniture" is not to be missed. (No, it's not what you think!) Here's a shot of Michelle and Carl at the opening, along side her piece titled "Carl's Complaint".

We met up with our other good friends at the opening , artist Rachel Citrino and her husband Rob Bilenky. All of us stayed overnight at the Marriot in midtown and had a delicious breakfast before heading back to Millville this morning.

More Jazz

We also had the honor of hearing and meeting the members of the Leon Jordon Jr. Quintet (that's Leon Jr. dead center). To his left are his younger brother and dad, Leon Sr., who is also in the band and taught his boys the ropes by dragging them to gigs all of their lives (his words).

Next Jazz Fest will be the weekend of April 18, 2008. We will just be getting back from Key West the week before, so we'll be just in time! If you want to go, make sure you get your tickets early - they sell out very quickly.

Cape May Jazz

Last Sunday Carl and I made our semi-annual trip to the Cape May Jazz Festival. It's always a great time and good opportunity to hear jazz in an intimate setting.

http://www.capemayjazz.com/festival.cfm

We saw most of the regular performers, including Lois Smith, Frank Bey, Geno White and Alan Weber, just to name a very small few.