Unblurred 4/3/09 – Modern Formations’ Spring Salon

I planned on having a quiet Friday night to myself, but I had forgotten that it was time again for another Unblurred. I had heard of an intriguing show at Modern Formations, The Spring Salon. For this juried exhibition, visitors to the gallery submit a ballot with their top three choices of who they would like to see get their own solo exhibit in December. The show runs through April 24 and there will be a closing reception from 6-8 p.m.

My number one vote ended up going to someone I actually know, Spencer Longo. I ended up seeing his submission last because of the route I took around the gallery. I somehow knew it was his before I read his name next to it. I just looked at his portfolio page, and fuck, I had no idea of how artistically talented he is. I might be the least talented person I know. There were a pair of moonshoes underneath this that I couldn’t fit in the picture.

Spencer Longo - "Sci Fi Vacay"

I knew and knew of several other people who submitted. It was a fairly overwhelming scene with the amount of contributors and the crowd. I didn’t bring my camera or memo pad with me that night because I was afraid it was going to rain and didn’t want to have either in my pocket, so I ended up taking camera phone pictures of the names of artists I had never heard of before but wanted to learn more about. Thanks technology! I loved the idea of this show and there were so many great submissions (and a ton of cool female artists). Here they are:

Dan Vogel – Self-taught portraiture artist and co-founder of The Academy of the South Side in the Brew House with two other dudes who also seem to be awesome. I read about them here and here. I don’t really have the vocabulary for discussing art, but the surreal/photographic-ness of his portraits was nothing short of impressive.

Dan Vogel - "Ernesto"

Kirsten Lowe-Rebel – I found her Etsy page . “Smokin BanANNA” was on display during the show and is why I voted for her. I find a lot of mixed media stuff to be boring sometimes, but I loved her use of wood, ink and colors and especially the reinforcement stickers. If I had enough money to purchase art I would definitely patronize her site.

Kirsten Lowe-Rebel - "Smokin BanANNA"

Amy Conroy – Here is her CMU portfolio site. I really liked her watercolor in the show, and the rest of her stuff is even more interesting. It’s all kind of beautifully ugly (but not ugly, in a bad way). Her work also seems familiar. I’m not sure if she reminds me of another artist or if I’ve actually seen her stuff before.

Amy Conroy - Carrots

Seth Clark – He had a few collage and oil pieces that were really subtly pretty. I really like his website.  Here is “City.” I also like his Pittsburgh map.

Seth Clark - "City"

Alice Winn – I’m having trouble tracking down her web presence, but I found this piece she did on Blue Ruin Gallery’s website. Here is a little picture of what I saw in the show.  Right on top was a piece by Richard Schnap, who I mentioned after the last Unblurred.

Alice Winn - "In the Moment"

Her style would be easy to imagine as the illustrations in a print magazine.

Rachel Debuque – Can’t really find her either. She had cute, small drawings and I liked her simple style.

Rachel Debuque - "Around the House"

Carlee Freeman – Her website says she is from North Carolina, so I’m not sure how she ended up here. “Violin Head” was one of my favorite pieces in this whole show.

Carlee Freeman - "Violin Head"