Treehouse Exhibit May 2013

Since you’re here I presume you are interested in my artwork.  If by chance you are also in the Pittsfield area in May 2013, you are certainly in luck as I have a show up at the Treehouse Children’s Boutique at 305 North Street in Pittsfield.  There you will find around 20 works on display including oil paintings and pastel drawings.  You say you want to purchase some of my art?  Well, someone has kissed the Blarney Stone, because as a special promotion for the show I am giving a $100 discount on any purchases made during the opening reception held during the First Fridays Artswalk on Friday May 3^rd, 2013, from 5-8PM.  Many of the works you can find on my website will be there and many more that have not yet graced the internet.  Following is the official press release with all the important details.  I hope to see you there!

 

Sean McCusker will be showing his colorful surreal landscape paintings at Treehouse Children’s Boutique, 305 North Street, Pittsfield, MA. The showing entitled “Landscape, Color and Me” will be on display from May 3 to May 31; with a reception held during the “First Fridays Artswalk” on May 3^rd from 5-8PM.

Treehouse Children’s Boutique will be showing the work of Sean McCusker for this May’s First Fridays Artswalk.  Sean McCusker has been creating surreal landscapes inspired by the hilly Berkshires for the past 10 years.  His work has been shown at galleries and storefronts across Berkshire County and he has been an active member of the arts community in Pittsfield offering his experience to the First Fridays Artswalk and other cultural organizations.  This show will highlight the development of the settings and characters he uses in his imaginative paintings.  From his dark and mysterious early work to newly completed paintings full of bright color and vibrancy, you can experience the development of the now iconic characters and scenarios that have become indicative of his work.

Sean's abstract compositions glow with an intense color and contrast that is built up from many thin layers of transparent oil paint. His compositions use striking color to intensify the thematic landscapes; color describes and animates the surreal world.  The compositions often center around an abstract figure, sometimes in a group but most often alone, set against a vast empty space. These figures brim over with warmth, along with a deep yearning for that which is just over the horizon in their richly colorful world. Examples of his work can be found at www.sean-mccusker.com.

May FFA At Steven Valenti's

I just finished installing the second exhibit at Steven Valenti’s Clothing for Men for the May First Fridays Artswalk (FFA)!  This is the second year I have been arranging the monthly exhibits for Valenti’s; thankfully we have only been participating from April to December instead of the full year schedule the FFA has evolved to.  I contact artists and help them arrange materials for and set up the show each month.  Although this is an entirely new thing for the store it has been an amazing success and has given me the opportunity to meet and collaborate, curatorially, with artist in the Berkshire area.  Last year we had:  Ali Herrmann, Franco Pellegrino, Morris Bennett, Allen Seppa, Barbara Schmick, and of course me.  Today concluded a great photography show by Charlie Jacobs and installed the next show by Joanie Ciolfi.  I have decided to include the releases for each exhibit going forward.  So here we go:

Joanie Ciolfi shows “Dance Card” at Steven Valenti’s Clothing for Men

[Pittsfield, MA] Steven Valenti’s Clothing for Men is excited to present “Dance Card”, a collection of contemporary oil paintings by Berkshire County artist Joanie Ciolfi as part of May’s First Fridays Artswalk.  Steven Valenti’s Clothing for Men is located at 157 North Street, Pittsfield, MA. The work will be on view from May 1 to May 27; with a reception held during “First Fridays Artswalk” on May 3^rd from 5-8PM.

Joanie Ciolfi finds inspiration and discreet beauty in the least suspecting of subjects.  Calling on emotional and tactile memories from vintage garments, she has created a body of dress portraits that she hopes each viewer will personally connect with.   

A painter for most of her life, Joanie was trained in graphics and worked as a textile and wall covering designer.  Her studio is currently at 311 North Street (at the corner of North and Union) with the newly reorganized group of artists called NUarts.   To see more of Joanie’s work visit her website at www.joanpalanociolfi.com or call (413) 441-2626 for studio hours. 

Founded in June of 1983, Steven and Carolyn Valenti had a vision to establish an up-beat, contemporary men’s clothing store. They wanted to surround handsome, hand-picked menswear with antiques, brick, and warm carpeting, while offering folks outrageous, one-on-one customer service. After 30 years, Steven Valenti’s has not wavered from its original mission statement one bit!

Steven Valenti’s stands for many things: its attention to detail, its always fun and entertaining windows, its colorful clothing (especially the variety of neckwear you’ll find), its talk of the town “true story” radio commercials, and its community involvement. Most importantly however, Steven Valenti’s stands for award-winning customer service. Many area businesses strive to reach the bar set by the Steven Valenti attitude toward customer service.

Steven Valenti’s Clothing for Men is located at 157 North Street, Pittsfield, MA. Open Monday through Wednesday, 9:30AM – 5:30PM; Thursday 9:30AM -8:00PM; and Saturday 9:30AM – 5:00PM. “Dance Card” will be on display from May 1^st to May 27^th, 2013.

The Switch: Part 1

So one needs inspiration now and again, and it just so happens I’m in one of those now… again.  Thankfully, my (never out of ideas) friend Peter Russo wanted to do a little art experiment and trade sketches to see what would happen with the developed works of art; like swapping babies, but without the moral headache.  I agreed and we will both be posting our progress on our respective websites: Pete @ www.ninepoundhead.com and me here @ www.sean-mccusker.com. 

This being the first step let me put this into perspective.  We are both artists and have been since we could remember, and have been good friends since before we could remember remembering.  However, our methods are very different, so while we admire each other’s work, the one would never have come up with the other’s.

Pete is the well-educated experimental idea man.  He has a great deal of thoughts and creations rolling around in his brain.  He has made great prints, paintings, mixed media drawings, and the most poignant giant head you have even seen.  Pete also has a way with words that I have always admired, and in fact, I suggest reading his post for a more eloquent description of this project.  But, he has so many ideas that he sometimes finds it hard to even start a work because it could go anywhere, be made of anything, and be inspired by a universe of influences.

In contrast, my work is tightly controlled.  Each painting utilizes only a few well established elements rearranged for differing effect.  There is a focus in my work that is mirrored in the ritual-like layering of oil paint that has become my signature; working with the same composition for months at a time with change only coming through color variation.  So developing new elements has become increasingly difficult as I find myself more and more accustom to the same themes I have been working on for years.

So what Pete could use is a starting point; a narrowing of the infinite possibilities.  And what I need is something outside my carefully constructed box; something to spice things up.  In each other we saw that thing that was missing.  Pete could use my sketch as a starting point, an instant narrowing of possibilities; and I could get another subject to explore.  Or at least that’s the idea.  We’re not done yet.

This is the first step in the journey.  But a good step it has been.  Below is one of the sketches I got from Pete (left) and next to that (right) is my first interpretation.

I will be posting my progressions as I go, so keep coming back for more of the evolution, and I promise they will be shorter.  I’m terribly excited about this project and think it will prove to be the best idea I never had.  

10x10, Berkshire Museum, and Me

I have donated three black and white drawings to the Berkshire Art Association (BAA) for their 10x10 Real Art Party(RAP).  The show will be on display at the Berkshire Museum from February 14-20.  All proceeds from the event will help benefit Berkshire art students through BAA travel grants and scholarships.  The official party is going to take place on Feb. 20^th where all purchases of a $25 ticket will get you an original piece of art.  So if you’re in Pittsfield between February 14^th and 20^th you can see some of my work up at the Berkshire Museum and pick up some great art at a great price!  And I guess you could check out the other things happening as part of the 10x10 Festival.