Art Grind Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 009 - John Wellington - Come nearer the fire May 15, 2018

Show notes

The life of an artist is complex. You develop a skill, hone it and perfect it yet that is not the whole story. As John Wellington points out in our recent conversation, there are numerous artworks of the Madonnna and Child, endless versions on the same theme yet amongst all of these Bernini’s stands out. Is it simply skill? Or is it somehow a devotional fidelity to one’s own poetic vision? How does that same devotion translate when taken out of the context of religion? Is the ideation of beauty sullied by the representation of one’s own personal ideals? Verging on the obsessive (a necessary trait if one is to produce a body of work) Wellington’s totemic imaginary worlds have been the subject of solo and group exhibitions from New York City to Paris, France. They have been shown at the Centre Georges Pompidou and most recently at the now defunct but memorably dynamic Lodge Gallery on the Lower East Side of Manhattan (Temple Tomb Fortress Ruin, 2017). We explore his youth, growing up in NYC in the late 60’s and early 70’s

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Ep. 008 - Dina Brodsky - Tales of Ordinary Madness May 06, 2018

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Dina Brodsky is conquering the art world bird by bird. A veteran cyclist, Brodsky has traveled the world on two wheels, keeping copious notes of her observations and experiences in her many notebooks, illustrated with her minute and carefully drafted pen and ink drawings and watercolor. These notations become food for fodder for her prolifically produced miniature landscape paintings and inform some of her larger pieces as well. Brodsky’s most recent exhibition The Secret Life of Trees at the Bernarducci Meisel Gallery (2016) brought together drawings of tree images sent to her from far and wide, each with their own story to tell. Brodsky talks to us about her own particular point of view on the art scene and recounts hilarious tales of her early artist vagabonding years. The list of characters could well populate a Fellini movie. Small in stature her will to forge on and champion the art she believes in is huge and her stories of failing forward are inspirational for any artist struggling in the daily art grind.

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Ep. 007 - Marc Dennis - The Darc Mennis Apr 15, 2018

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And in this corner, we have the heavyweight fighter of paint slinging… Marc Dennis. Dennis is a champion in the realm of hyperrealistic painting, duking it out every day in the studio apply a rigorous work ethic that produces mind bending detail and realism that goes beyond representation into the superreal. His floral still life paintings are a vivid homage to the Dutch still life painters of the 17th century and speak to the abundance of our era. His appropriation of master painter’s works are both reverential and yet totally accessible to the common man through a jocular sense of humor. It’s pastiche and parody all rolled into one. Marc expounds on the powers of observation and his rough and tumble journey that led him to become the meticulous and highly successful artist he is today.

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Ep. 006 - James Adelman - Nocturnal Perambulations Apr 01, 2018

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James Adelman brings us an enlightening revelation of his process, life, the universe and everything. Have a listen to Adelman as he unpacks his journey into meditation and gives us a view into his nocturnal perambulations. James is a graduate of the New York Academy of Art (2014) and also attended the Cranbrook Academy of Art in 2010. His paintings and drawings have been shown at the Lodge Gallery on the Lower East Side and Flowers Gallery in the Chelsea district (both located in Manhattan), as well as the Abend Gallery in Denver, Colorado. Adelman has participated in a number of artist residencies, including the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild (funded by the Pollack-Krasner Foundation) and shares his views on the benefits of getting away from it all. You can travel with Adelman, virtually, just tune in, turn us on and get into the inner workings of this artist’s mind. * (This was our first interview and it was recorded on September 19th 2017.)

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Ep. 004 - Peter Drake - The man who wears many hats Mar 01, 2018

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You’ve heard of the cat in the hat? Well, this man has no less tricks up his sleeve, not to mention hats, both figurative and actual. Well, maybe just one actual hat that he wears but Peter Drake is one artist that is definitely not standing still. In fact, he’s got so much going on that we were prompted to ask him if he had clones. With over 26 solo shows, including his most recent with Linda Warren Projects in Chicago Re-picture (November 11th, 2017 – January 13th, 2018), curatorial projects such as Piss and Vinegar: Two Generations of Provocateurs, Beautiful Beast, a contemporary representational sculpture exhibition, The Big Picture, and Now and Then: Drawings from the 19th Century to the Present, in partnership with the Dahesh Museum of Art, a public art commission sponsored by the MTA (Waiting for Toydot, 2015)—oh and did we mention that he is Dean of Academic Affairs for the New York Academy of Art? Drake discusses his relationship with his gallery, Linda Warren Projects, his friendships, and the thinking behind his uncanny, dystopian representations of popular culture of 70’s and the suburban myth. Listen to the end to hear the secret of his success. (This interview was recorded on 11/19/2017) Peter has a show with Bernarducci Gallery opening on March 1st so be sure to go check it out after listening to this interview. NEW PRECISIONISM PART 2 GROUP EXHIBITION Bernarducci Gallery *New Ground Flr Location 525 W. 25 March 1 - 31, 2018 Opens March 1 (6-8) http://www.bernarduccigallery.com

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Ep. 003 - Jennifer Gennari - Long Island's favorite daughter Feb 13, 2018

Show notes

Long Island’s favorite daughter, Jennifer Gennari, has 74.7 k followers on Instagram. The numbers don’t lie. Gennari is a talented painter of lions and tigers and bears, oh my (ok, well not bears—yet.). Her beautifully empathetic portrayals of animals, furry and feathered, has indeed garnered her much popularity, but there is more to this book than what is on the (Instagram) cover. With a background in illustration from her studies at the Ringling College of Art and Design, Gennari combines this knowledge with classical painting skills learned at the Florence Academy of Art and a love of complex mythical symbolism to create iconic portrayals of women and men in powerfully imaginary narratives that inspire and intrigue. Gennari was named 21 under 31 Artists to Watch in 2013 by Southwest Art magazine, has shown at the RJD Gallery at their previous location in Sag Harbor and received a Certificate of Excellence from the Portrait Society of America in 2015. Gennari shares with us her creative rituals, spooky stories and the art heroes that have inspired her. *This was recorded on November 14th, 2017.

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Ep. 002 - Jason Patrick Voegele - Renaissance man of the art world Feb 01, 2018

Show notes

The art world is a complex animal. One of the many arms of the beast, includes the galleries in which artwork is seen, run by a unique blend of personalities who must balance business with creating an inspirational vision that, hopefully, serves both the artists and the artwork. Jason Voegele, artist and curator, has consistently been a passionate advocate for artists, art making and the artistic process. From his early days growing up in South East Asia to his role as founding member of Republic Worldwide and his current role as a part of a curatorial team that runs the Lodge Gallery* on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, Voegele explains his philosophical and curatorial ethos as well as his own personal worldview. Voegele regaled us with tales of his auspicious birth, his time as a gymnast and musician as well as his own artistic endeavors. A sort of Renaissance man of the art world, Voegele is a delightful storyteller who left us hungry for more. To be continued! - Music: Low Tide by Silent Partner * Following our conversation, the Lodge Gallery announced it's closing, but where one door closes another one opens and we are excited to hear more from Jason soon about his future projects and manifestations as a curatorial entrepreneur extraordinaire.

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