RED DOT Project artist, Beth Kappa, recently completed a commission for a hip couple living downtown Cleveland.  Nate and Niki came to RED DOT Project looking for artwork for condo.  Loving Beth’s style, but wanting something a little different, Nate and Niki chose to commission a piece of artwork. 

Detail of Untitled

Beth loved the process of working with a set of parameters, in this case color, size, and indication of imagery, while still staying true to her vision and style.  Nate and Niki have a showpiece for the living space and a story about working with a regional artist to create a piece of their own.

All in all a beautiful piece of artwork for a great space.  Thanks Nate and Niki!

Betsy Molnar  ::  Grandpa’s Pond, photography

 Trinity: Go Green opens Friday, May 16, 5:30 - 7:30 pm.  Trinity Commons is part of the Trinity Cathedral complex at 2230 Euclid Avenue.  RED DOT Project members Ann Caywood Brown, Rosalyn Gaier, Anne Kibbe, Liz Maugans, Jessica Maloney, Elizabeth Molnar, Susan Squires, Ezra Taxel, Mindy Tousley, Brock Winans and Chris Zielski have work in the exhibition.

Trinity: Go Green runs May 16 - July 6.  Regular public gallery hours are Wednesdays, 1 PM - 6 PM, Saturdays, 10 AM - 2 PM, and Sundays, 9 AM - 3 PM.

 Hope to see you at the event Friday night!

I have run into this in several emails and websites.  Please follow the links listed below to get more information and take action. 

A week ago Friday, two bills were introduced simultaneously in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. These bills are named/numbered respectively as The Shawn Bentley Orphan Acts of 2008 (S.2913) and The Orphan Works Act of 2008 (H.R. 5889). If these bills pass, they will change our copyright laws and substantially remove protection against infringement for visual artists.

For more information and some quick, easy ways to take action, try this link: http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

 Robert Genn, artist - Painter’s Keys, wrote about the ‘Mickey Mouse Bill’ in his bi-weekly email this week:  http://clicks.robertgenn.com/mickey-mouse.php#CoulterWatt

Dan Morgan, photographer - Straightshooter, included information in his jpeg of the week with a link to http://capwiz.com/illustratorspartnership/home/

Special thanks to Sheila Markowitz, RED DOT Project artist, who prodded me a bit to get this info up on the blog.  Enjoy a taste of Sheila’s work.   

East Side, West Side  ::  Digital Montage  ::  13″ x 19″

Sheila Markowitz’s raw materials are digitally scanned photographs, prints, paintings and three dimensional objects which connect to her in a personal way. As she builds layers of texture, color, and detail by combining and manipulating these fragments of her life, she makes countless artistic choices. Part of the fascination of the process is how happy accidents as well as deliberate intention alter the character, emotional content, and sometimes the meaning of the image that results.

The Art Quarter banners are printed and ready for installation.  Look for the banners on Superior Avenue, East 18th Street - East 30th Streeet, East 30th Street, and East 40th Street.  The banners rotate artwork from RED DOT Project, City Artists at Work and Zygote Press with Art Quarter banners.

RED DOT Project artist member, Beth Kappa’s artwork from, Too Involved to Paint My Dress 2, is the RED DOT Project banner. 

It has been such a joy to see the trees coming out in bloom in the last few weeks.  Wouldn’t it be great to enjoy the emergence of spring all year round? 

Here are a few images from RED DOT Project artist members that celebrate the season.

Sara Guren  ::  Bud  ::  Photography on canvas

 Barney Taxel  ::  Daffodil Hill, Lakeview Cemetary  ::  Photograph

Fuchs & Kasparek  ::  Erie Spring  ::  Photograph

Lee Heinen  :: Earthly Delights ::  Painting

Here are a few shots of the piece that Rene Culler is working on for GCP Shared Services more commonly known as Positively Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Partnership and COSE.   This is a piece that has been commissioned for their reception area.  The work is comprised of lots (LOTS!) of flat round glass pieces that will be mounted from a the wall with a backing of wire mesh.

Rene has developed a technique to handpaint the glass that gives a range of color and pattern.  I am looking forward to the installation at the end of the month.  Look for more pics then.

I had the good fortune of doing a studio visit to RED DOT Project artist member, Mona Kolesar.  Mona works in the back of a garage on her abstract wall pieces.  There are skylights that flood the space and a great view of her backyard.  She works with natural materials, such as granite, slate, marble, and stone to create her artwork.   Her work is inspired by natural themes and gives a sense of permanence to our fast changing world.

Mona works largely on commission, working hand in hand with the contractor, architect, and owners to create a piece best suited for the environment.  Just as importantly is the planning the proper supports for these pieces that are heavy due to their materials and lighting to properly illuminate the work.

Some additional images of Mona’s work.

Fracture, 23″ x 68″ x 4″

Nocturnal Sine, 40″ x 72″ x 6″

A toast to everyone who is Irish or Irish for today.

Jay Patel  :: Enchanted Forest  ::  photography, various sizes

Ann Caywood Brown  ::  On the Way to Mom’s House  ::  pastel, 26″ x 36″

Jeanne Regan  ::  sleepwalk  :: print, 14″ x 15″

Brian Benchek is a self taught glass artist that makes incredible chandeliers, wall sculpture, and glass objects.  But, working on commission, with a specific client for a specific place, is one of things he loves about making art.  Click on the image below to catch the video, shown on HGTV, of the installation that he completed for Willoughby homeowners, Melissa and Tom Loiczly.

 Learn more about Brian’s art and how to commission a piece for your space at RED DOT Project.

Glidden House is a beautiful boutique hotel tucked into University Circle.  Their location and size make them unique, but really what sets them apart is their art collection.  Glidden House has made a committment to buying Cleveland regional artists.  RED DOT Project is working with them as they slowly work on renovations and improvements to provide the regional artwork that helps set a tone and gives the space the look and feel that is uniquely Cleveland.

They have recently worked on the Palette Lounge.  The space is intimate and comfortable.  New work by RED DOT Project artists, Ruth Bercaw, Lee Heinen, William Peck, Damon Reaves, and Brock Winans fill the immediate area.

Damon Reaves  ::  Recent Shadows

Check out their Palette Lounge after work, they have signature cocktails, an incredible wine list, and tapas by Sergios.  AND great art by regional artists.