This has been a crazy intense week at work and every since Tuesday my mind has been processing over and over one question, "Is it Friday yet?" When the end of the work day arrived tonight you know what? It was Friday. Well, it really is only Thursday still but since I'm at my max for vacation time or it gets truncated, I scheduled a day off for tomorrow. So Thursday is Friday in a manner of speaking.
After work I drove home, picket up Meghan (daughter) and drove back into the city to a gallery showing of work by the Kansas City area artist Jennifer Rivera. It has occurred to me that walking around taking in artwork after a long day or series of days is a great way to unwind. A glass of wine and paintings and it takes the handcuffs off your mind. I would say in this case it was therapeutic.
Jennifer's artwork is extraordinary with textures and colors that can be nova star brilliant or the darkened minor keys in a Shostakovitch symphony and the many points in-between. There were three pieces on display that I especially enjoyed.
Showing posts with label Jennifer Rivera. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jennifer Rivera. Show all posts
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Another First Friday Opportunity - Synesthesia - Poetry and Painting Exhibit Tomorrow Night
In case you missed it last month - or just want to take it in again, tomorrow is First Friday in the crossroads art district and Jennifer Rivera's Exhibition titled Synesthesia is open at Apex Art Space - 1819 Wyandotte - Kansas City, Missouri from 6 - 9 PM. Synesthesia combines the art of poetry and painting. Jennifer has 37 paintings on display along with the poetry which inspired her creation. Two of my poems and her paintings are among them. Music - Painting - Poetry all make for a fun night. Hope to see you there!
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Picture Perfect Night
When I left work on Friday I was greeted by a picture perfect spring afternoon. The clouds were large and surreal in the blight blue sky - against the backdrop of the the downtown skyline they looked as though they were from a Norman Rockwell painting.
I met up with other family members and headed to the Crossroads Arts District for First Friday. For those outside the metropolitan area, in Kansas City on First Friday people sort of caravan through the various different gallery showings throughout the area.
While I would love to have spent the night checking out other places as well, I was glued to the Apex Art Space where abstract artist Jennifer Rivera had 37 pieces of art that were created in response to various poems chosen by her to work with. Two poems I had written were among those that were used to prompt her work.
The crowd was especially pulled into to Jennifer's work. At almost any moment and any direction you could find multiple groupings of onlookers engaged in conversation over the canvasses and poems before them. Jennifer reports that over 1200 people came through the Gallery and I have no doubt. The stream of traffic was constant.
I'm very indebted to the many of my own friends and family who came to see the work and spending time chatting with each was important to me. I do plan to make a more leisurely look at the exhibit soon as I want to give each the same kind of attention I would normally afford a new poem I am reading.
The two that were connected to my own poems both indulged my mind in ways that was particularly drawn to. The smaller of the two was titled titled Anchored and the texture and tone created a very earthy atmosphere that was easy to get lost in. A central portion of the picture almost had a hologram feel to it. In the larger painting I was drawn to the feeling of dissonance that seemed to emulate from it. I like this because in spite of a very peaceful aspect of the poem, there really is an unresolved aspect of it and I feel this captured within this painting.
There were many pictures I really loved from their visual appeal but like I said, I really want to walk through and take in each one with the poems as well.
To the left - Dangling which was painted in response to my poem Dangling Thoughts.
Below - Anchored - in response to my poem titled Dream - Part Two. Jennifer and I below right.
I hope to get some better shots to post, but these are what I have for now.
Oh, and least I forget - great music by Karim Memi & Beau Bledsoe!
I met up with other family members and headed to the Crossroads Arts District for First Friday. For those outside the metropolitan area, in Kansas City on First Friday people sort of caravan through the various different gallery showings throughout the area.
While I would love to have spent the night checking out other places as well, I was glued to the Apex Art Space where abstract artist Jennifer Rivera had 37 pieces of art that were created in response to various poems chosen by her to work with. Two poems I had written were among those that were used to prompt her work.
The crowd was especially pulled into to Jennifer's work. At almost any moment and any direction you could find multiple groupings of onlookers engaged in conversation over the canvasses and poems before them. Jennifer reports that over 1200 people came through the Gallery and I have no doubt. The stream of traffic was constant.
I'm very indebted to the many of my own friends and family who came to see the work and spending time chatting with each was important to me. I do plan to make a more leisurely look at the exhibit soon as I want to give each the same kind of attention I would normally afford a new poem I am reading.
The two that were connected to my own poems both indulged my mind in ways that was particularly drawn to. The smaller of the two was titled titled Anchored and the texture and tone created a very earthy atmosphere that was easy to get lost in. A central portion of the picture almost had a hologram feel to it. In the larger painting I was drawn to the feeling of dissonance that seemed to emulate from it. I like this because in spite of a very peaceful aspect of the poem, there really is an unresolved aspect of it and I feel this captured within this painting.
There were many pictures I really loved from their visual appeal but like I said, I really want to walk through and take in each one with the poems as well.
To the left - Dangling which was painted in response to my poem Dangling Thoughts.
Below - Anchored - in response to my poem titled Dream - Part Two. Jennifer and I below right.
I hope to get some better shots to post, but these are what I have for now.
Oh, and least I forget - great music by Karim Memi & Beau Bledsoe!
Friday, April 01, 2011
Synesthesia - Poetry and Painting Exhibit Tonight
Abstract artist JENNIFER RIVERA will be showing work starting at tonight's opening at the Apex Art Space 1819 Wyandotte - Kansas City, Missouri. The exhibition will feature poetry inspired painting - some 30 works will be on display along with the poetry.
An artist reception from 6-9 pm and you are welcome to view the works and enjoy the music of Karim Memi & Beau Bledsoe from 6:30-8:30.
Two of my own poetry works will be among the selected works that Jennifer used to inspire her paintings.
Hope to see you there!
An artist reception from 6-9 pm and you are welcome to view the works and enjoy the music of Karim Memi & Beau Bledsoe from 6:30-8:30.
Two of my own poetry works will be among the selected works that Jennifer used to inspire her paintings.
Hope to see you there!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Enough Suspense Already....
On Monday I reported that I had some exciting news from over the weekend without offering specifics. Some have asked me if this news involves a book and while the answer to this is unfortunately no, I can however tell you that it is none the less the most exciting news I've had for quite some time.
Sunday, I learned that two of my poems were selected to inspire work by Jennifer Rivera, a talented abstract painter who is preparing for a poetry themed gallery showing at the Apex Art Space in the Crossroads District in Kansas City. For those not local, the Crossroads District has become the premier hub for art in the metropolitan area. "Synesthesia" will run for two months. My poems will appear along with the final paintings. She has selected work from a number of poets, some local and some from other parts of the country.
Jennifer has some awesome paintings! You can see a portfolio of her art and learn more about her at her web site. This is so exciting because I love abstract art in all forms. Having seen pictures of her work I am thrilled at the prospect of what she will produce in response to my poems.
Closer to the event I'll provide details about the dates and times of the showing. Of course it would be exciting to see a lot of my friends on the opening night, but for two months people will get an opportunity to see all of the poetry inspired work of Jennifer's.
* photo insert Jennifer Rivera
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