A selection of my artwork will be exhibited at the Art on Paper Fair at Pier 36 in New York City (booth G21) this September 5th – 8th. More info here
Author Archives: OpticVoid
Embracing Fragments of Self
New painting titled “Embracing Fragments of Self” from the “Sin + Seek Truth” series.
Fragments, unraveling, dreams, whispers and splintered echoes are some concepts I’m thinking about. This piece is about self reflection. Feeling and experiencing the losses breaking and unraveling, but remaining passionate. Using these forces and fragments of colors in new ways and becoming the queen you know you are. Her crown, her golden arm symbolizing her strength. Her bleeding costume hat and broken pieces are reminders of her past challenges. Her top, a deep black quietly mourns her loss, her collar takes on new colors, those fragments have already begun to rebuild.
Hand-painted with a fusion of acrylic & watercolor atop a discovered image on paper. Priced at $300, this captivating piece awaits your personal collection. Reach out to make it yours today!
“Embracing Fragments of Self” – 2023, 12″ x 16″
Sin + Seek Truth series
Sin + Seek Truth explores the intersection of religion and the circus show, creating a thought-provoking narrative that challenges perceptions and invites contemplation. Continue reading
Gatherings + Inspiration
I recently was part of a zoom artist roundtable with art advisor Maria Vogel from Rococo Art Advisory. I’ve had so many ideas along the years but never pulled the trigger on most of them.
I finally decided to start celebrating and focusing more on my accomplishments from the past 30 years in my field, rather than the goals not reached or missed opportunities. To push myself firmer on marketing strategies, as well as pursuing more of my ideas and implementing more of the advice from professionals in my specialized field.
Maria Vogel created an art gathering which also focuses on art gatherings and food.
This is what inspired me to begin my artist meet-up group which I now titled Artist Social Collective.
“Maria Vogel is taking the art world to dinner. The art advisor and writer recently launched Rococinco, a dinner party series that celebrates five emerging to mid-career artists through a five-course meal. These repasts are an extension of her art advisory firm Rococo, which seeks to build connections through unique modes of storytelling.”
During the discussion the Futurist Cookbook was also discussed when Vogel was taking about her inspiration.
“Part manifesto, part artistic joke, Fillippo Marinetti’s Futurist Cookbook is a provocative work about art disguised as an easy-to-read cookbook. Here are recipes for ice cream on the moon; candied atmospheric electricities; nocturnal love feasts; sculpted meats. Marinetti also sets out his argument for abolishing pasta as ill-suited to modernity and advocates a style of cuisine that will increase creativity. Although at times betraying its author’s nationalistic sympathies, The Futurist Cookbook is funny, provocative, whimsical, disdainful of sluggish traditions and delighted by the velocity and promise of modernity”
This post is from my Patreon page
Dive into my Artistic Journey on Patreon
🎨🌟 Exciting News! 🌟🎨
Hey there, art enthusiasts and supporters of creativity! 🖌️ Are you ready to dive deeper into my artistic journey? 🚀 I’m thrilled to invite you to join me on Patreon, your exclusive gateway to the heart of my painting studio. 🎨✨
👁️ What’s in Store for You: Get a behind-the-scenes peek into my creative process. Witness the magic of my artwork coming to life from the very first stroke.
🖌️ First Looks: Be the first to see my newest pieces, before they hit the internet or gallery walls. You’ll have the inside scoop on all my upcoming projects and get to see which ones I pull through on and which I scrap.
🎨 Artistic Inspiration: Explore the world through my eyes as I share my influences, techniques, and the stories that fuel my artistry.
🌟🎨 Art Education: My passion for the arts also comes through my working as a teaching artist in NYC public Schools as well as my local nonprofit art school and gallery! I love to add some of my favorite lessons here both for kids as well as my fine art workshop lessons.
🎨 How To’s: Painting tips + techniques for all levels of painters!
👁️ Exhibition Reviews + Museum tips: Included is my NYC Pay-What-You-Wish Museum Guide! Most museums have a day/time that is free or a suggested donation! Also, I love writing reviews of some of the inspiring shows I visit in my city.
🌟 Why Patreon? It’s not just a platform; it’s a vibrant community of art lovers and patrons. By supporting my work on Patreon, you’re directly contributing to the art you love. Your support helps me invest more time and resources into creating exceptional pieces that resonate with you.
Know that your support for my art plays a crucial role in confirming alternative income avenues for professional artists. This encouragement allows me to maintain professionalism and pursue a path of career independence within the art world. Furthermore, it enables me to contribute to the esteemed fields of fine art and art history by sustaining their growth and heritage through my work. Your ongoing support is not just a gift to me but also a gift to the entire realm of fine art and art history.
💖 Exclusive Rewards:
As a token of my appreciation, you’ll unlock a range of fantastic rewards based on your support tier. From 15% off reproduced art + merchandise @ OpticVoid.com such as a Sticker Pack, a signed 8×10 art print or original art T-Shirt. New things may be added at any time like digital downloads of my artwork, to personalized Q&A sessions. There’s something special for every patron.
👉 Join the Journey:
Ready to embark on this artistic adventure with me? Simply visit my Patreon page and choose a tier that suits you best. Your support means the world to me, and together, we’ll make art come alive like never before.
Thank you for believing in the power of art and for supporting my creative vision while we create a more unique and inspiring world together! ✨
🔗 [ Patreon.com/opticvoidnyc ]
#ArtisticJourney #Patreon #SupportArtists #CreativityUnleashed #ExclusiveAccess #ArtLovers
The Acid Circus
The Acid Circus represents my latest artistic series, comprising a collection of newly crafted etchings that have taken shape in the sanctuary of my home studio, a place where my cherished personal etching press has become an instrumental accomplice. The genesis of this press dates back to my formative years as a student at The Pratt Institute, when practicality dictated the necessity of enabling work from home to accommodate my daily commute and the constraints of campus hours.
My venture into The Acid Circus embodies both a creative challenge to my prior paintings, exploring an alternative medium, and a deliberate endeavor to imbue my narratives with an intimate and fragile essence. It is the fascinating interplay between acid and metal that has long captivated my artistic sensibilities within this etching process. My profound connection to this method transcends the realm of art, resonating with personal echoes of health-related concerns and medical anxieties. The etching’s intrinsic fusion with the acids contributes to the imagery that unfolds before me as I work within this medium.
Furthermore, the framing of these works is not a mere afterthought but a conscious, motivational element that has been integral to this series’ conception and my vision for the finished masterpieces. In juxtaposition to conventional printmaking traditions, I have deliberately pushed boundaries, experimenting with editioning variations, framing styles, signatures, borders, and more. Each piece stands as a holistic creation, where the frame isn’t merely a vessel for the contents but an integral part of the artwork’s expression. My journey in this regard was profoundly influenced by a magnificent book gifted to me, which explored the historical significance of frames in art across centuries. Embracing this insight, I have assumed the role of curator, making deliberate choices that imbue each work with a unique visual narrative.
When one acquires a piece from The Acid Circus, they are not just purchasing an etching; they are securing a complete work of art, from inception to presentation, created solely by the artist’s hand. These frames, culled from my personal collection over time, impart a distinctive and singular character to each print, rendering them one-of-a-kind treasures, each resonating with a deeply personal connection.
Skeleton Crawl 2023
My artwork will be featured in the Skeleton Crawl from October 25th through October 31st! (Reception – Saturday, October 28th 6-9pm at 145 Sterling Place in Brooklyn, NY).
This event is particularly special to me because it breaks away from the traditional gallery approach and offers a unique experience for spooky season. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have my work showcased in such an environment. Incredibly, this event has also been recognized by TIMEOUT NY as one of the best Halloween weekend events to attend!
I will be present at the art opening on Saturday from 6-9pm.
I’m truly looking forward to starting the weekend surrounded by wonderful people and immersing myself in all the dark art on display.
The Skeleton Crawl returns for Halloween with hauntingly good art (Timeout NY)
Over 30 NYC artists will display their creepy work.
More event details below:
Come visit our Haunted Art Exhibition OCT 25-31 in Brooklyn! Grab a flashlight and illuminate your way through our dimly lit gallery for a truly unique experience. 53 artists • 1 show of the creepiest fine art around.
145 Sterling Place
Gallery Hours:
Sun-Thurs // 2pm-10pm
Fri & Sat // 2pm-midnight
Events all weekend. Take your pick.
Thursday, OCT 26: 8pm
AN EVENING OF EDGAR ALLAN POE
Poetry & music @founders_music
Friday, OCT 27: 9pm-midnight
CREEPY KARAOKE
Saturday, OCT 28: 6-9pm
ART OPENING RECEPTION
Sunday, OCT 29: 7pm
SILENT FILM SCREENING
Nosferatu
FREE / Suggested Donation
$5 donation = a sticker to add to the wall of bloody tears
$10 donation = entry in our Spider Toss Raffle for a chance to win a Polaroid iType Camera ($140 value)
Cash bar & spooky vibes. Costumes always encouraged
www.theskeletoncrawl.com
Sin + Make Magic series
Sin + Make Magic is an artistic journey fueled by the enchanting realms of magic, igniting the flames of inner and physical resilience. Continue reading