A New Year's Poem from Barebrush

Here is a toast to the years, both old and new. (Reprised from 2007 with a slight adjustment). Best wishes for a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Year. With warm regards, Ilene


A New Year's Poem
by Ilene Leslie Skeen

The New Year ought not come, but be attained
By only those who celebrate a time well spent.
December's final days are mounting steps
To reach that peak of midnight, head unbent.
To stand upon that yearly peak of time,
Look back without regret, look forward without fear
To stand as in salute to one year's pride
And one year's promise, pledge to both a solemn cheer.
To hold unbridled future as a wild mare
To be caught and tamed and molded to man's will.
To hold one goal, reach out, and finding it too far
To walk toward it, to walk and say, I will.
To gain that goal, to say, I have, and set another goal.
To check the score next New Year's eve.


© Ilene Leslie Skeen

Too N*de! Protecting the Princess in Netherlands

N*de-of-the-Day, December 16, 2008
E-mail received from the artist

Hello Ilene,
Maybe it is interesting to know that this painting was taken away from an exhibition because our princess Maxima was in this gallery, and they thought it was too provoking for her. It was even in the newspaper and I had a radio interview about this situation. Unbelievable isn't it??
Greetings,
Francien Krieg

Comment: Francien's work is no stranger to controversy -- it was her painting of May 2, 2008 on barebrush to which another customer of our PR company so objected that the PR company dropped barebrush as a client! I still can't get over that one. (Ilene)

Share on Facebook

Art Opportunity: Dec 22 Deadline, Barebrush Jan 08 N*des-of-the-Month

January N*des-of-the-Month. Prizes. Video. Includes Entry for February Calendar Contest.

New York, NY – December 4, 2008. All visual artists are invited by BAREBRUSH founder and CEO, Ilene Skeen to submit art of the nude for the January 2009 N*des-of-the-Month calendar contest.

Guest curator for the January exhibition is artist and curator, D. S. Wade, administrator of First Street Gallery in the Chelsea art district of NYC. When asked about the January N*des-of-the-Month selection, Wade wrote:

I will look for work where the artist takes ownership. The work will be structured around the traditional elements of composition: gesture, angle, measurement, expressiveness, and scale.

Ms. Skeen noted:

I am delighted to announce the participation of D. S. Wade and First Street Gallery in the barebrush project. Among artist-run galleries, First Street Gallery is exemplary: outstanding art, a variety of genres, excellent display, and a professional approach to the gallery business. At the same time, First Street is both artist- and collector-friendly.

Debra Wade is dynamic and forceful. She is our first curator from an artist-run gallery. I'm excited to see what she selects and I'm doubly delighted to be able to present this opportunity for January, the launch of 2009.

Call for Entries Details

Schedule



Share on Facebook

Curators Choice Awards Nov 08 from barebrush

New York, NY -- Barebrush.com announces the winners of the Curators' Choice Awards for November 2008. The winning artwork, Zoetrope, is an oil painting by Czech-born, NY-based artist, Chanit Roston (promounced ha-neat). This unusual 5-lobed format is the second in this series by Roston to win Curartors Choice 1st. This honor was also won by Uplifted in the January 08 calendar. For the month of December, Zoetrope graces the front page of the barebrush website as N*de-of-the-Month.

The November 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar was curated by Mikaela Sardo LaMarche, curator of ACA Galleries in NYC. Lamarche also selected the five nominees for the Curators' Choice Awards. Previous barebrush curators were sent ballots to rank the selections. The poll opened for public voting on the nominees November 1st and closed November 29th. Winners were determined by a statistical combination of the curators and popular vote. The grand prize winner of the Curators' Choice becomes N*de-of-the-Month.

The results are below:


1st: Zoetrope' by Chanit Roston

New York
...

[more]


2nd: Listening by Jean Marcellino


New York
...

[more]


3rd: Seated Figure by Judith Araujo-Volkmann

New York
...
[more]

Honorable Mention: The call by Guenter Knop

New York
...
[more]






Honorable Mention: 07-08033 by Susan (Szn) Kraft

California
...
[more]

All nominees receive complementary listings. First, second and third place are also awarded cash prizes.



Congratulations All!

To see the November 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar and further details, click here.

To see the calendar archives and all the barebrush curators, click here


Share on Facebook

December N*des-of-the-Month + Video from barebrush

New York, NY. -- EMOTIVE POWER-- When David Thompson of Serrano Contemporary sat down with the curator's lightbox to select the N*des-of-the-Month for the December 2008, he exclaimed, "Wow, there's a lot of great work here." Then Thompson studied the art silently looking up and down the lightbox for some long, quiet minutes. His choices are notable for both the variety of the overall selection and the individuality of the artists. In the call for entries, Thompson had said,

In the December exhibition I’m interested in finding a unique connection with the artist’s sensibilities. I always look for the artistic ability to connect and share tender and intimate conditions with the viewer. Without limitations, I would like to see the human figure revealed in the most genuine, delicate and emotive form.

True to his intent of selecting work with emotive power, each of these pieces is its own world of power, mystery, pleasure or pain. When the selection was over, Thompson said, "It was much harder than I thought...."

The 31 artists selected for December 2008 (with day of month) are: Michael Apice (25), Grant Besley* (3), Donna Cleary (29), Roger Cummiskey* (1), Donelli DiMaria (30), Harald Grote (6), Mollie Kellogg (20), Guenter Knop (14), Szn Kraft (9), Francien Krieg (16), Tony Lee (19), John Luce Lockett* (28), Lucinda Luvaas (17), Jean Marcellino (24), Peter Matthews (11), Joseph Mays (31), Jacqui Morgan (12), Benjamin Nazareno (26), Kathy Ostman-Magnuesen* (7), Hector Olvera* (13), Angelique Price (2), Richard Rabkin (23), Jon Rettich (21), Jennie Rosenbaum (27), Chanit Roston (15), Cindy Sibilsky (5), Emily Stedman (4), Sara Swan (10), Haydee Torres (18), Jim VanKirk (8), Judy Volkman (22). Five artists, indicated by asterisks (*), are nominated for the Curators Choice Awards. The Dec 08 calendar is available now, viewable on the barebrush website and at YouTube.com.

Artists receive complimentary listings. Winners of the Curators' Choice Awards are eligible for cash prizes.

Curators' Choice Awards for November Announced

Winners for the November Curators' Choice Awards are announced after a month of voting. Top honors go to artist Chanit Roston for her uniquely-shaped oil, "Zoetrope." The November calendar was curated by Mikaela Sardo Lamarche, curator of ACA Galleries, NYC.

About BAREBRUSH and the N*des-of-the-Month Contest

Each N*des-of-the-Month calendar contest is curated by a different guest art professional. Voting by past and present barebrush curators, and the public determine the Curators' Choice Awards winners. Voting is underway now at BAREBRUSH.com for Curators' Choice and "My Favorite N*de."

BAREBRUSH.com is dedicated to the art of the nude giving artists recognition for their work in this controversial art genre and helping them to connect with interested dealers and collectors worldwide. Online since 2006.


National Press Release


Share on Facebook

English Grannies Do Art of the N*de Calendar

telegraph.co.uk Photo: FERRARI

A group of Women's Institute members have posed almost naked as animals wearing little more than body paint for a fund-raising calendar.

The group of grandmothers had their bodies painted in the theme of pantomime characters for their annual charity project.

The women, who are from Downe WI, near Bromley, in Kent, have stripped off for the past two years but decided to enlist the help of professional artists to make this year's pictures better....

Money raised from calendar sales will be used to pay for a full time nurse for a year at the Demelza children's hospice in Eltham, south east London.

Complete article: telegraph.co.uk


Share on Facebook

Art Opportunity, Nov 22 Deadline: Barebrush December N*des-of-the-Month

December N*des-of-the-Month. Prizes.Video. Includes Entry for Jan Calendar Contest.

New York, NY – October 2, 2008. All visual artists are invited by BAREBRUSH founder and CEO, Ilene Skeen to submit art of the nude for the December 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar contest.

Guest curator for the December exhibition is David Thompson of Serrano Contemporary gallery in NYC. When asked about the December N*des-of-the-Month selection, Thompson wrote:

In the December exhibition I’m interested in finding a unique connection with the artist’s sensibilities. I always look for the artistic ability to connect and share tender and intimate conditions with the viewer. Without limitations, I would like to see the human figure revealed in the most genuine, delicate and emotive form.

Ms. Skeen noted:

Barebrush is absolutely committed to the guest curator approach and to helping artists get collectors and dealers excited about their work. We've been planning on a monthly video for quite some time and I'm very glad we are bringing this process on stream to become a regular benefit for the winning artists at barebrush.

Call for Entry Details

Schedule

Share on Facebook

Curators Choice Award winners from barebrush.com

New York, NY -- Barebrush.com announces the winners of the Curators' Choice Awards for October 2008. The winning artwork, Primal 1, is an oil painting from Hawaii by artist Kathy Ostman-Magnuesen. This magnificent, large format piece (60 x 75) is part of an on-going self-portrait body of work. For the month of November, Primal 1 graces the front page of the barebrush website as N*de-of-the-Month.

The October 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar was curated by Claudia Seymour, president of SCNY, the Salmagundi Club of NY, the oldest art club in NYC and one of the oldest in the country. Seymour also selected the five nominees for the Curators' Choice Awards. Previous barebrush curators were sent ballots to rank the selections. The poll opened for public voting on the nominees October 1st and closed October 29th. Winners were determined by a statistical combination of the curators and popular vote. The grand prize winner of the Curators' Choice becomes N*de-of-the-Month.

The results are below:


1st: Primal 1 by Kathy Ostman-Magnusen

Hawaii
...
[more]



2nd: MORNING BEAUTY by Benjamin Nazareno


England
...
[more]



3rd: Rita by Will Maller

California
...
[more]

Honorable Mention: Sacrifice in Midnight by Serge Lis

Russia
...
[more]




Honorable Mention: Carol 2 by Sara Swan

California
...
[more]

All nominees receive complementary listings. First, second and third place are also awarded cash prizes.



Congratulations All!

To see the October 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar and further details, click here.

To see the calendar archives and all the barebrush curators, click here


Share on Facebook

November N*des of the Month from barebrush.com

Back Talk -- When Mikaela Sardo Lamarche, curator for ACA Galleries (founded 1932), selected the art for the November 2008 calendar, she mentioned that generally, “images from the back are considered the least accessible...but the images here are really very expressive.... A whole show of backs wouldn't have been fair because I didn't tell [the artists] up front,” she added, somewhat wistfully.

When presented with the prospect of choosing only 30 works by 30 artists, Lamarche said it was hard to choose. She attacked the job with great deliberation going through the images from top to bottom. “How are they arranged?” she asked. Barebrush CEO Ilene Skeen, explained that the art is grouped by artist, in order of each artist's total number of page views, from highest to lowest. “There's no other way which would be fair. Barebrush is promotion 101 for artists. Those who are telling their friends and colleagues, and encouraging people to look at their work are going to have more page views. They deserve to be on top. No obligations to the curator, of course.”

Lamarche curated for barebrush in April 2007. “I'm stunned at how the quality has risen. There's a nice diversity of voices, media, and perspectives.”

The 30 artists selected for November 2008 (with day of month) are: Glenn Abel (20), Ruth Butler (14), Donna Cleary (17), Joyce DiBona (27), Donelli DiMaria (16), Harald Grote (13), Mollie Kellogg (24), Guenter Knop* (23), Szn Kraft* (4), Serge Lis (2), John Luce Lockett (30), Lucinda Luvaas (5), Jean Marcellino* (7), Jacqui Morgan (8), Benjamin Nazareno (3), Kathy Ostman-Magnuesen (10), Hector Olvera (6), Jon Rettich (9), Emily Rich (19), Jennie Rosenbaum (26), Chanit Roston* (12), Cindy Sibilsky (11), Ilene Skeen (29), Christopher Smith (22), Sara Swan (25), William Thierfelder (28), Randy Thurman (18), Haydee Torres (15), Judy Volkman* (1), Timothy Woodhouse (21).

Each of the artists selected for the calendar receives two (2) complimentary listings. Five artists, indicated by asterisks (*), are nominated for the Curators Choice Awards. Curators' Choice nominees receive 8 additional complimentary listings. The top three artists receive cash prizes. You can also vote for “My Favorite N*de,” the poll which includes all of the art in the calendar. The top three artists in “My Favorite N*de” receive one (1) complementary listing. You can vote now. Winners announced December 1st.

*Indicates Curators Choice Awards nominees

ACA Galleries

National Press Release




Share on Facebook

Barebrush Artist in Erasing Borders Exhibition

Barebrush artist Suhas Takvar is participating in the Indo-American Arts Council exhibit, "Erasing Borders 2008"

Exhibition of Contemporary Indian Art of the Indian Diaspora

Queens Museum of Art
Flushing Meadowns, Corona Park, New York

Reception: Sunday October 19, 3-6 PM

Admission is free. Everyone is welcome

Link


Share on Facebook

Art Opportunity, Oct 23 Deadline: BAREBRUSH Call for Entries

November N*des-of-the-Month. Prizes. Includes Entry for Dec & Jan Calendar Contests.

New York, NY – October 2, 2008. All visual artists are invited by BAREBRUSH founder and CEO, Ilene Skeen to submit art of the nude for the November 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar contest.

Makaela Sardo Lamarche, curator for ACA Galleries, located in the Chelsea art district of NYC, will serve as guest curator for the November 2008 calendar exhibition. Mikaela was previously curator for barebrush in April 2007.

For the November exhibition, Mikaela wrote:

I am looking for originality among the individual artists as well as excellent technique and execution. I would like to see strong images executed with masterful technique.

Ms. Skeen noted that the April '07 calendar was a great success and the first calendar in which only one image was selected from each artist. This is the procedure which in now standard at barebrush. I am delighted to welcome Makaela back to show her how barebrush has grown and the excellent art we have on the site.

Call for Entry Details

Schedule

Share on Facebook

Curators Choice: "Black River, White Hills"

New York, NY -- Barebrush.com announces the winners of the Curators' Choice Awards for September 2008. The winning artwork, Black River, White Hills, is a photograph by New York artist Cindy Sibilsky. The photograph is a landscape of the torso (with tie). For the month of October, Black River, White Hills will grace the front page of the barebrush website as N*de-of-the-Month.

The September 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar was curated by Bob Hogge, founding director of Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery in the Chelsea art district of NYC. Hogge also selected the five nominees for the Curators' Choice Awards. Previous barebrush curators were sent ballots to rank the selections. The poll opened for public voting on the nominees September 1st and closed September 29th. Winners were determined by a statistical combination of the curators and popular vote. The grand prize winner of the Curators' Choice becomes N*de-of-the-Month.

The results are below:


1st: Black River, White Hills by Cindy Sibilsky


...
[more]



2nd: Mourning by Guenter Knop

...
[more]




3rd: Zouka by Haydee Torres


...
[more]




Honorable Mention: Heat by Ruth Bilowus Butler


...
[more]




Honorable Mention: Motherhood by Serge Lis


...
[more]



All nominees receive complementary listings. First, second and third place are also awarded cash prizes.

Congratulations All!

To see the Sepbember 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar and further details, click here.

To see the archives and all the barebrush curators, click here



Share on Facebook

LOOK HERE: October N*des-of-the-Month

Mystery in the darks -- When Claudia Seymour, president of the historic Salmagundi Club (oldest art club in NYC, founded 1871), sat down to select the October 2008 calendar, she had no idea of the variety and excellence of the selection. “Some of the art is absolutely fabulous,” she said afterwards.

Looking at the n*des of October, one is drawn in, pulled, maybe even impelled to look at each image more closely -- to click on the thumbnail and see the larger image behind it. There is a mystery and a romantic intimacy here. Some of the images appear easy to read in the thumbnail, but all invite closer inspection. “This is one of our most unusual and beautiful calendars, in the most positive and modern sense of the word,” said barebrush CEO, Ilene Skeen.

The 31 artists represented for October 2008 (with day of month) are: Glen Abel (9), Michael Apice (26), Ruth Butler (24), Donna Cleary (31), Donelli DiMaria (3), Mollie Kellogg (11), Guenter Knop (20), Donald Kolberg (8), Szn Kraft (6), Francien Krieg (12), Trisha Lambi (29), Serge Lis* (22), John Luce Lockett (21), Lucinda Luvaas (23), Will Maller* (19), Jean Marcellino (18), Mercadoocasio (13), Jacqui Morgan (4), Linda Moses (28), Kathy Ostman-Magnuesen* (5), Peter Matthews (14), Benjamin Nazareno* (1), Angelique Price (17), Jon Rettich (30), Cindy Sibilsky (2), Ilene Skeen (25), Christopher Smith (27), Sara Swan (7), Suhas Tavkar (15), Haydee Torres (10), Judy Volkman (16).

Each of the artists selected for the calendar receives two (2) complimentary listings. Five artists, indicated by asterisks (*), are nominated for the Curators Choice Awards (box at right). Curators' Choice nominees receive 8 additional complimentary listings and are in the running for cash prizes as well. YOU CAN VOTE NOW. Winners announced November 1st.

Check the 'New Art' to see the entries in the “Art Log”. Enjoy the n*de-of-the-day on the main page of barebrush. You can also enjoy the art offline with the free printer-friendly version and weekly planner (tiny calendar icons, barebrush), or shop for barebrush gear.

National press release

Barebrush.com

Salmagundi (SCNY)




Share on Facebook

Barebrush Artist, Jean Marcellino at Spring Studio, NYC

Spring Studio

64 Spring Street

New York, NY 10012

Minerva Durham, Director

Jean Marcellino: Tonal Figures

October 5th - 28th, 2008

Reception: Sunday, October 5th

6-8 pm

Gallery Hours:

Monday - Friday, 5 until 6 pm

and by appointment

212-226-7420

springstudio@earthlink.net

Share on Facebook

Call for Entries: Lexington Art League Nude 2009

This is a brick & mortar show in Lexington, Kentucky of interest to barebrush artists.

January 10 - March 1, 2009
Entry Deadline: October 31

The human figure in art is timeless and universal and has reverberated throughout art history and contemporary art practice. Contemporary artists have refocused our gaze on personal identity as a viable and engaging conduit for explorations of modern life, modern identity, and the social and sexual politics that impact us all. So with one foot planted firmly in the past and the other endlessly searching out the future, we approach the twenty-third annual Nude presented by the Lexington Art League. Artists are invited to submit images of their work, in any medium, along with an exhibition statement and resume for consideration by the selection committee. All media will be considered.

Prospectus



Share on Facebook

Fun Art from Florida -- Faces & Fannies

Received from a barebrush artist. Enjoy!

There is a party in Key West every year where the people only wear body paint.

Share on Facebook

Barebrush Artist in OranjeIndy This Weekend

Barebrush artist, Joe Mays, wrote with this news:

OranjeIndy 2008 is a juried art and music festival that takes place in Indy every year. It's a major event. Over 200 artists submitted work for the show this year, I was one of about 40 who were selected to show at the event. The event is unlike any other art show I've ever been to, and I was thrilled to get selected. It's a very edgy show, too, and all the artists are encouraged to be doing something interactive in their space. I'm going to be setting up a computer operated "photo booth" with a projector projecting abstract imagery similar to that used in my art, so people can go in and press a button and pose while 4 images are taken of them, which they will then get to keep. I will be encouraging people to pose nude while in the booth.

For a link to OranjeIndy, click here

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 20th 8pm-2am
WHERE: 2323 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis, IN
WHO: Anyone Age 21+ (ID REQUIRED) COST: $20
WHAT: 45 Fine Artists, 25 Music Acts, 5 Performance Stages, Indie Film Lounge, ORANJE Fashion Lounge, Helicon Lounge, Graffiti Exhibition, Interactive Painting, Bar & Food Service


Share on Facebook

Art Opportunity, Sep 22 Deadline: Barebrush Call for Entries October N*des-of-the-Month

Prizes. Includes Entry for November Calendar Contest.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY – September 4, 2008. All visual artists are invited by BAREBRUSH's founder and CEO, Ilene Skeen to submit art of the nude for the October 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar contest.

Claudia Seymour, president of the historic Salmagundi Club in New York (SCNY) and a prize-winning, widely collected artist, will serve as guest curator for October 2008. Although generally thought of as a "traditional" art venue, the Salmagundi Club has been enthusiastically supportive of the barebrush project since its inception. The late, past president of SCNY, Richard Pionk, was curator for the barebrush October 2006 calendar exhibition.

Claudia had this to say about the art of the nude:

I think the hardest aspect is to present reality and the beauty of the human form without descending into hyper realism or caricature. A portrayal of the nude should have a certain amount of intrinsic grace yet preserve the traditional artistic requirements of value, edge, and tone. This is much easier said than done.

About the October calendar, Skeen noted, "Looking at Claudia's work, I was first struck by the clarity of form presented in the classical tradition, but looking longer, especially at her latest pieces, I noticed that her use of space and surface is certainly modern. When I mentioned that barebrush welcomes all media, all styles, Claudia said that she looks at and learns from all types of art. Ongoing, she has been 'trying to get the Club to accept and show a wider variety of work.' " Skeen continued, "I'm very pleased that barebrush is bringing modern and traditional sensibilities together. This is an interesting opportunity for barebrush artists."

The deadline for contest entries is September 22. All artists who work in this controversial genre are encouraged submit their art DIRECTLY ON THE BAREBRUSH WEBSITE. DO NOT SUBMIT ART TO THE SCNY. ONLY ART SUBMITTED ON BAREBRUSH WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CALENDAR CONTESTS.

To see the complete text of the call for entries, click here


Share on Facebook

Art News: Barebrush Announces September Nude-of-the-Month

New York, NY -- Barebrush.com announces the winners of the Curators' Choice Awards for August 2008. The winning artwork, Freedom, is by Australian artist Jennie Rosenbaum. The oil painting in Jennie's distinctive style presents a fanciful image of a woman, arms outstretched, long hair streaming back, soaring in flight. For the month of September Freedom will grace the front page of the barebrush website as N*de-of-the-Month.

The August 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar was curated by Ann Aptaker, who is curator of Exhibitions at the Morris Museum in Morristown, NJ. Aptaker also selected the five nominees for the Curators' Choice Awards. Previous barebrush curators were sent ballots to rank the selections. The poll opened for public voting on the nominees August 1st and closed August 29th. The winners were determined by a statistical combination of the curators and popular vote. The grand prize winner of the Curators' Choice becomes N*de-of-the-Month.

The results are below:


1st: Freedom by Jennie Rosenbaum


...
[more]


2nd: Untitle Nude by Haydee Torres

...
[more]




3rd: The New Yorker by Guenter Knop


...
[more]




Honorable Mention: Sketch 5 by Sara Swan


...
[more]




Honorable Mention: Nips and Duct by Donna Cleary


...
[more]




All nominees receive complementary listings. First, second and third place are also awarded cash prizes.

Congratulations All!

To see the August 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar and further details, click here.

To see the archives and all the barebrush curators, click here



Share on Facebook

N*des-of-the-Month September - 2nd Anniversary - Calendar

"Risk, investment, guts." According to Bob Hogge, director of Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery, that's what art, and the business of making and selling art is all about. And that's what he was looking for when he curated the barebrush September 2008 calendar -- our second anniversary show. Bob was busy preparing his new Jean-Marc Calvet show for the 2008-2009 Monkdogz' art season launch and reception, September 4. "We're filming the opening. It will be historic. A million-dollar documentary, prelude to a major motion picture. Tell everyone."

Still, Bob took his time and looked at the artwork carefully and critically. He especially liked Cindy Sibilsky's Black River, White Hills for its simplicity and elegance, and chose her piece for the honor of launching the September calendar. "The artist does whatever the work dictates to find the truth." Afterwards he said, "You have some good work here."

The 30 artists represented for September 2008 (with day of month) are: Glen Abel (11), Michael Apice (22), Grant Besley (25), Ruth Butler* (23), Donna Cleary (16), Donelli DiMaria (18) , Rene Hinds (6), Mollie Kellogg (3), Guenter Knop* (14), Szn Kraft (27), Serge Lis* (9), John Luce Lockett (29), Lucinda Luvaas (5), Jean Marcellino (15), Joe Mays (7), Jen Mazza (13), Dan McCormack (30), Mercadoocasio (8), David Moreschi (26), Kathy Ostman-Magnuesen (12), Angelique Price (21), Charles Schindler (24), Cindy Sibilsky* (1), Ilene Skeen (20), Christopher Smith (19), William Theirfelder (2), Randy Thurman (17), Haydee Torres* (10), Judy Volkman (4), Tim Woodhouse (28).

Each of the artists selected for the calendar receives two (2) complimentary listings. Five artists, indicated by asterisks (*), are nominated for the Curators Choice Awards (box at right). Each nominee receives 8 additional complimentary listings and is in the running for cash prizes as well. YOU CAN VOTE NOW. Winners announced October 1st.

Check the 'New Art' to see the entries in the "Art Log". You can also enjoy the art offline with the free printer-friendly version and weekly planner (click on the tiny calendar icons, next to the month/year, above), or shop for barebrush gear including the calendar on shirts and bags (top menu). Click on the link above for more about Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery.

National Press Release

Share on Facebook

Barebrush Artist, Donna Cleary, in NYC Show

Donna Cleary to show in The Meat Packing District, NYC

Donna Cleary is part of a group show at the Leo Kesting Gallery at 812 Washington St, New York, New York. Opening reception on September 4th from 7-10pm. This night is the opening of the NYC art season!Her work shows her fascination with the idolatry and taboos associated with the female figure particularly as it relates to youth and beauty. Her images also address the notion of identity and intimacy in the context of an increasingly digitalized world where communication is instantaneous, fragmented, illusory and often anonymous.

Be sure to come and check it out!

Share on Facebook

Ephraim Natkins: April 28, 1916 - July 1, 2008

By profession a mechanical engineer, who was still actively running his own business up until three months before his death at the age of 92, Eph was a dedicated artist by avocation. He first joined the Art Students League at the age of 21 and in 1950 became the monitor for the Saturday member's sketch classes. Although he never exhibited his work formally, once he discovered Barebrush.com in 2006, he became an enthusiastic contributor.

Share on Facebook

Call for Entries: September Anniversary Art Calendar Contest

New York, NY – August 5, 2008. All visual artists are invited by BAREBRUSH's founder and CEO, Ilene Skeen to submit art of the nude for the September 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar contest.

Bob Hogge, director of Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery in the Chelsea art district of NYC will serve as guest curator for September 2008, the barebrush 2nd Anniversary Calendar. Bob and the Monkdogz team curated the March 2007 calendar for barebrush. For that calendar, Bob wote:

The nude’s relevance to the history and future of art.Could be compared to the essential need of oxygen and water to mankind.In this arena both of the above statements share a common purpose. Keeping the human body alive.

Monkdogz Urban Art Gallery is an International platform designed to showcase
artists from around the globe based on their commitment, talent, imagination,
and the integrity of their work. What I am looking for in evaluating work:
Excellence in structure and imagination.

About the September calendar, Skeen commented, "September 2008 is the 2nd Anniversary of Barebrush. I am very pleased that Bob has agreed to be guest curator for this important show. When I asked Bob if he wanted any changes to what he said in 2007, he shot back, 'sounds like poetry to me.'"

The deadline for contest entries is August 23. All artists who work in this controversial genre are encouraged submit their art DIRECTLY ON THE BAREBRUSH WEBSITE. DO NOT SUBMIT ART TO THE GALLERY. ONLY ART SUBMITTED ON BAREBRUSH WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE CALENDAR CONTESTS.

To see the complete text of the call for entries, click here

Share on Facebook

Art News: Barebrush Announces Nude of the Month for August 2008

New York, NY -- Barebrush.com announces the winners of the Curators' Choice Awards for July 2008. The winning artwork, Amy, is by Los Angeles artist and designer Sara Swan. The charcoal drawing, showing the model from chin to knee is notable in its simplicity and elegance. For the month of August, Amy will grace the front page of the barebrush website as N*de-of-the-Month.

The July 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar was curated by Tim Newton, dedicated collector, independent curation and exhibition founder of "American Masters at SCNY." Newton also selected the five nominees for the Curators' Choice Awards. Previous barebrush curators were sent ballots to rank the selections. The poll opened for public voting on the nominees July 1st and closed July 29th. The winners were determined by a statistical combination of the curators and popular vote. The grand prize winner of the Curators' Choice becomes N*de-of-the-Month.

The results are below:


1st: Amy by Sara Swan


...
[more]


2nd: 4PM by Christopher Smith

...
[more]




3rd: 1920 by Guenter Knop


...
[more]




Honorable Mention: LOE by Mercadoocasio


...
[more]




Honorable Mention: Elyssa by Jon Rettich


...
[more]




All nominees receive complementary listings. First, second and third place are also awarded cash prizes.

Congratulations All!

To see the July 2008 N*des-of-the-Month calendar and further details, click here.

To see the archives and all the barebrush curators, click here



Share on Facebook

N*des-of-the-Month August Calendar

Commitment to skill -- When the Morris Museum Exhibitions Curator, Ann Aptaker, sat down to select the barebrush August calendar, she noted the general loss of skill in the art world over the last 30 years, but thought that maybe this was starting to turn around. Happily, barebrush artists pleasantly confirmed her hopes. "There is a lot of talent here," she said, "and the artists are taking skill seriously."

Aptaker chose Jennie Rosenbaum to launch the month with her sweeping use of space. She praised Donna Cleary for her "fearlessness," and Guenter Knop for his wonderful humor and composition. She thought Sara Swan showed simplicity, understanding and beautiful choices. Aptaker called John Luce Lockett's painting "unusual and a lot of fun," and Jim Van Kirk's drawing "sensitive." Aptaker thought Haydee Torres showed an understanding and sensuousness of line which makes her piece "very sexy." A. Galban also used "strong and very graceful lines." Overall, she was "happy to see the artists enjoying themselves," and commented that "really fine art requires both skilled labor and inspiration."

The 31 artists represented for August 2008 (with day of month) are: Sylvia Cheung (4), Donna Cleary* (14), Donelli DiMaria (17) , Carmiah Frank (16), Charmaine Frost (10), A. Galban (19), Rene Hinds (10), Guenter Knop* (8), Tony Lee (20), Serge Lis (30), John Luce Lockett (27), Lucinda Luvaas (15), Jean Marcellino (24), Peter Matthews (12), Dan McCormack (3), Mercadoocasio (28), Michael Mooney (31), David Moreschi (22), Linda Moses (25), Angelique Price (11), Jennie Rosenbaum* (1), Chanit Roston (13), Charles Schindler (6), Sima Schloss (21), Sara Swan* (5), Ilene Skeen (23), Suhas Tavkar (2), Haydee Torres* (26), Jim VanKirk (29), Ariel Velez (7), Judy Volkman (18).

Each of the artists selected for the calendar receives two (2) complimentary listings. Five artists, indicated by asterisks (*), are nominated for the Curators Choice Awards (box at right on the calendar page). Each nominee receives 8 additional complimentary listings and is in the running for cash prizes as well. YOU CAN VOTE NOW. Winners announced September 1st.

Check the 'New Art' to see the entries in the "Art Log". You can also enjoy the art offline with the free printer-friendly version and weekly planner (click on the tiny calendar icons, next to the month/year, on the calendar page), or shop for barebrush gear including the calendar on shirts and bags. Click on the logo above for more about the the Morris Museum.

The N*des-of-the-Month August 2008 calendar goes live to the public on August 1.

Link to the national press release here.

Share on Facebook

Barebrush Artist in Kingston, NY Show

Hi,

I wish to let everyone know that I will be exhibiting 25 pinhole camera images in a show opening this Saturday, August 2nd from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the Muddy Cup Studios at 516 Broadway Suite # 2, Kingston, NY 12401. The exhibit will be open daily from August 2nd to the 30th.

Dan McCormack



Share on Facebook

Kid Porn -- Barebrush Contributor Against "Fabricating A Moral Panic"

Paul Rapoport is the publisher of "Bodies and Souls: The Century Project" and an early and avid supporter of barebrush. Here is the article he wrote for the national post (Candada). Thank you, Paul.

Paul Rapoport on Nude Children in Aussie Art: Kids need protection, but art isn't porn

Two recent Australian fiascos are edifying for North America. At issue in both: photographs of naked children by well-known art photographers.In May, Bill Henson found that police had raided and closed an exhibition of his work at an art gallery in Sydney. The catalyst: the picture of his on the gallery invitation, of a nude pubescent girl standing in near-darkness.

In response to the furor over that incident, the magazine Art Monthly Australia created another. Its July cover features a nude six-year-old girl sitting on a rock. Her mother, Polixeni Papapetrou, made the photo. Her father, Robert Nelson, also an art critic, painted the background.The public response was frantic. Hetty Johnston, director of a child protection group, declared that Bill Henson “has a tendency to depict children naked and that is porn.” The police went to other galleries in Australia that possessed similar photographs by Henson and advised them to keep the works in storage.....

The goal of protecting children should have no argument. But making children afraid of all nudity doesn’t protect them. It makes them anxious, insecure and more susceptible to poor body image and other problems, including abuse....

Australia’s insidious media frenzy in these fiascos may seem exaggerated to us. But the censorious attitude is also found in North America. To develop real child protection and teach teens about responsible sexual health, we must stop misconstruing photographs, oversexualizing children and fabricating a moral panic.

Dr. Paul Rapoport is professor emeritus in the School of the Arts at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont., editor of the magazine Going Natural / Au naturel and a member of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality.

For complete article and large version of the controversial image, click here

Share on Facebook

Barebrush Artist, Solo Show in Melbourne

Media Release

Artist
Trisha Lambi
Kerala Gallery
283 High St Northcote
July 18 – August 16

Trisha Lambi lives in Karalee, a semi-rural community west of Brisbane in Queensland. Her work has not only been exhibited world wide, but has been selected in the top finalists and as a prize winner of many prestigious art awards. Trisha’s work has been described as sensuous, dramatic, evocative and moody. She is a self-taught artist who is inspired by light, particularly on the female form. Of her work, Lambi says ‘Light and its effect on form is my inspiration and whilst I don’t particularly aspire to convey a conscious emotion in my work it seems to emerge of its own will.’

Media Release

Share on Facebook

Barebrush Artist at Brooklyn Bakery

Barebrush artist, Jean Marcellino writes:


I wanted to let you know that I'll have some work on display at a bakery (of all things) from this weekend on, throughout the month of August. If you happen to be in Brooklyn, do stop by to see it....

The Brooklyn exhibition will be at: Margaret Palca Bakes, 191 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718-802-9771

Map

They say the rugellah is the best in the city, and worth the trip, artwork aside.

The bakery is open every day, Monday through Friday from 7 until 7, Saturday8 until 7, and Sunday 8 until 4.

Stay cool,

Jean

Share on Facebook

Purity -- barebrush Artist in Australia show

Purity

3 August - 8 August
Opening: Sunday 3rd August 2pm

Strikingly Minimilist, Jennie's impasto nudes are carefully crafted, line after line, to create an ideal harmony of shape, form and function. These pieces have a high texture with sharply engraved lines, reminisent of calligraphy. Jennie's impasto nudes maintain a sense of motion and abondon combine with purity of line.

More about Jennie at http://www.jennierosenbaum.com/.

Join the Artist, Jennie Rosenbaum, for Afternoon Tea on Sunday the 3rd of August from 2-4pm

Box Hill Community Art Center Gallery

470 Station St, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
http://www.bhcac.com.au// 9895 8888

Hours: Sunday August 3: 9am - 5.00pm
Monday August 4: 9am - 10.00pm
Tuesday August 5: 9am - 10.30pm
Wednesday August 6: 9am - 9.45pm
Thursday August 7: 9am - 10.00pm
Friday August 8: 9am - 5.00pm

Share on Facebook