Sacred Flesh is up and ready to be seen!

Chris, Laura (my daughter) and I spent the day today hanging Sacred Flesh at Visual Art Studio!  Chris and I had spent several hours a few weeks ago laying out which pieces we would put where, but once we were in the studio we changed our minds about several of the pieces.  It was fun hanging all the paintings and drawings and the results of almost two years worth of work on the walls at one time.  I think it looks quite good.  I loved being in the midst of so many of my models at one time.  I'm very excited now for Thursday and Friday nights when the crowds will come. 

Here are the events for the week regarding the show:

Thursday evening, September 30, from 5-7 there will be a Preview for Discerning Viewers - what that means is anyone who would like to can come take a look at the art at a time when the galleries aren't as crowded as they are on First Friday.  I'll be there until 6:30 when I have to leave to go teach my pastels class.

Friday evening, October 1, at 5:15 I'll give an Artist's Talk about the show.  Several of the models will be there to answer questions as well.  It'll be a great opportunity to ask whatever has been on your mind as you've watched this show evolve.  The talk will (hopefully) be on YouTube later if you miss it Friday.

Friday evening, October 1, beginning at 6:30 and going until about 9:30 is First Friday, a great opportunity to explore and be a part of Richmond's art scene.  All the galleries along Broad Street stay open late; street musician, magicians, fire eaters, jugglers, etc. come out to perform; anyone who is anyone goes there to be seen!  It is a very fun way to spend the evening, checking out the culture that is Richmond and seeing scores of people you know.  I'll be at the gallery that evening until we close around 9:30 or 10. 

If you can't make it this week, the gallery is open during the week and on weekends (see the website for hours).  I'll be there the Third Saturday, October 16 for Saturday Stroll from 1-4.

Thursday, November 4, from 5-7 there will be another Preview for Discerning Viewers with a new set of pictures.  I had so many paintings, I couldn't fit them all in one show, so I'll be trading out pieces for the November showing. 

Friday evening, November 5, 5:30 I'll be giving another Artist's Talk about the new work as well as the work in general.

Friday evening, November 5, 6:30 - 9:30 is one of the best attended First Fridays of the year.  People come out to enjoy the nip in the air and to shop for Christmas presents for their loved ones as well as to enjoy the festivities.

Saturday, November 20, 1-4, is another Saturday Stroll.  I'll be there to talk to folks about my work.

Catalogues and prints will be available at the gallery during the show as well.

It would be wonderful to see you at one of these events.  I hope you'll introduce yourself if we don't know each other already.  I look forward to meeting you!

Susan

Putting together a catalogue

Whew!  What a lot of work!  And a lot of fun!

I'm working on compiling a catalogue for the show I have beginning September 30th.  The show and the catalogue are both called Sacred Flesh.  The show will be held at the Visual Art Studio  at 208 W. Broad St in Richmond from Sept 30 - November 24.  Thursday, September 30th, there will be a preview for folks who really want to study the art without lots of crowds.  Friday is First Friday, a very fun, crowded, let's-see-who's-here-kind-of-evening that has turned downtown Richmond into a safe, fun, and very cool place to be.  I'll be giving an Artist's Talk at 5:15 on the first, and several of the models plan to be there as well to discuss their experiences.

For the month of November, I'll be switching out almost all the artwork.  On November 4th, there will be another preview, and First Friday will take place again November 5th with another Artist's Talk at 5:15 that night.

If you are on my mailing list, you will get a postcard in the mail in the next week or so.  If you'd like to be on my list, you can send me an email at susansingerart@msn.com, and I'll be happy to put you on the list and send you a card about this and other events I'll be having.

The catalogue will contain almost all the paintings which will be in the show both months as well as statements by or about each of the models.  Here's an example of what'll be in the book:

When Susan asked me to model for her new series, I believe we were having dinner together with a few others. I was intrigued and flattered, and after hesitating a moment I agreed to do it with a friend. A few weeks later we set a date and went to her studio one evening. I was extremely nervous and was partially regretting my decision. My friend offered to go first, and I was relieved. She was very natural and relaxed, and her confidence helped me loosen up. I imagined that I would be nervous at first, but eventually forget that I was completely naked.

That's not exactly how it played out. I felt unsure of what to do with my body, and was constantly worrying that my poses were awkward and unattractive. The fun part came afterward, when we looked through the photos. Once I was able to view what Susan was seeing through her lens, I have to admit that I was more than pleased with what I saw. Her ability to capture grace where none existed is amazing. In the end, I felt emboldened by the experience and came away realizing that I'd like to do it again!

If you're interested in having a copy of the catalogue, you can order it until September 25th for $20.  At the show and afterwards, it will be $25.  Email me for details.