i must get back to the sea

I have been a little bad lately and have not updated my blog (and the website).
I am in the process of scanning in all my new graphite drawings as my 'black and white' series is expanding. In the meantime, here is a new drawing I just finished.

up close in progress

spray day! 

a little windy

Here is the finished drawing. I kept it as simple as I could, emphasizing certain areas.
Graphite on Strathmore paper, 23in x 29in.

close-up

sun in studio

face time

Here is a little work in progress of a new drawing I am working on. I love this paper...

so far

My ladies in grey! So far these are the bigger black and white pieces I have created. The middle one is on paper, and the other two on wood (the one on right still being a work in progress).

I am really happy with how they are coming out. :)
I just need to scan them in.

black hole sun

"Black hole sun, won't you come, and wash away the rain" - Soundgarden

3 paper ships

Here is another small drawing, (graphite and watercolor, 9x12) on watercolor paper. I am considering turning this one into a painting....

"three paper ships"

in the flesh

I have started working on some small graphite drawings. I love the colors and vibrancy of working with oils, but have missed the raw simplicity of pencil. 

The themes in these new pieces will be varied, with limited color. My goal is just to take the bare essential of my artwork. To strip it down to what defines my work, but also have freedom to explore. 

It seems like I will take use of the female nude (partial nude at least). I was never too big on nudity as I think there is something nice about having to use your imagination to get the full picture. At the same time, there is something very simple, raw, beautiful and vulnerable about the bare human body. Coincidentally, I feel like I am at a pivotal point in my life, examining what is most essential to my happiness and success, having to face my own vulnerabilities. 

a little more

Here are some pics of me in the studio working on a drawing.

in greyscale

It's Monday night, and Hurricane Sandy has hit the east coast. I am safe here in NYC, but it's as bad as they predicted...

A while ago I pondered doing some graphite drawings on paper, which is a medium I initially started out with before discovering the beauty of working on wood. So I have started a drawing recently, and I think I might do a small series of these simple drawings. 

Here are some pics of the progress:

goddess of water

This is the work in progress for my newest coat of arms piece. I am part of a group project called The Transplanted Project, which is a visual celebration of the West Indies culture here in New York City. There are a various visual artists involved in this project, each creating work based on a theme with a West Indian twist. My particular tale is of Mami Wata, the African water goddess, and she will be incorporated into the Trinidad and Tobago coat of arms. The project blog has regular updates of the contributors' art in progress. Very cool.

the sun rays are coming in through the window

and the project supply list:

graphite = essential

paintbrushes

oil paint box

raw wood: grain detail

p.s. organization of supplies is everything! Painting is messy enough in itself.

all mixed up

"all mixed up"

oil, graphite and acrylic on wood. 11in x 22in.
This is the newest piece in my "mannequin" series. She's just too cool for school with all her mix tapes from the 1900's. It was quite the invention when the car stereo would automatically play the B-side by playing the tape backwards.

and here's a detail:

ceres gallery opening

Our Ceres Gallery opening was absolutely amazing! The December group art show in Chelsea, NYC was a great finish to my 2010 exhibition schedule. Here is the flood of photos:

The beautiful space. Photo courtesy of Hans Wolf.

The six artists: Evan Levine, Hans Wolf, Tracy Von Becker, Chelsea Greene Lewyta, Zofia Bogusz, John C. Kuchera

I put in three oil paintings, all done on hand cut wood. The shape of each painting directly relates to its theme. A bicycle sprocket supports "popo", a narrative with two mountain bikes taken on a joy ride. A heraldic shield is the template for "bull", a coat of arms interpretation. A circle encompasses the "ambassador of desert warfare", enhancing the feeling of a radiating hot sun.

 

guests getting photographed with the work

Zofia Bogusz (me)

My great friends and artists. Photo courtesy of Carl Merkin.

Artist, friend, gallerist, Greek. Photo courtesy of Carl Merkin.

Photo courtesy of Carl Merkin.

italiana

As the main exhibiting artists we had the pleasure of inviting the people who inspire us to show a piece of their art in the adjacent gallery room.

 

Metalescent Labyrinth by Chester Potter, my guest artist.

Close up of the 3ft x 4ft functional maze. I have not yet attempted it, but a few have solved it.

The guest artists were: Kathleen Kuchera, Jamie Martinez, Maksim Noy, Jack Davletshin, Kristin Gambell, Chester Potter, Jonathan Fritz, James R. Stover, Samson Contompasis, Nathan, Greyegg Mckenna, and Al Belkin.

Special thanks to the Ceres Gallery, Stefany Benson, John C. Kuchera, the talented main artists, the guest artists and all of the guests.