Tribe Report 01/08/06

'Martin de Vore'

Tribal Identity

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Is it just me or does that photo of me look like a burglar? Oh well, as long as it doesn't hold up in court.

Since I was at the Yale Street Arts Market just about all of Saturday, conversations and happenings there, along with the upcoming events section, will constitute the bulk of this report. And, of course, there are the usual rumors, tidbits, questions, and remarks, etc. Light fare for January.

To Market, To Market....

On Saturday, there was a surprisingly good flow of traffic throughout the day at the Yale Street Arts Market. The weather was great and it is just starting to hit a lot of people that the February Market will be the last show at the 21st Street location behind Kaplan's-Ben Hur. It's quite sad really. Many of us are quite attached to that space where we met so many friends, swapped stories, shared experiences and had great times. Hopefully, we'll be able to bring those same attributes to the new location next to Wind Water Gallery on 19th Street when the Market moves there, beginning in March.

Anyway, back to this month's show.... There were quite a few artists there -- some showing, some visiting and some, like me, just hanging out. Among the many tribe members who made appearances throughout the day were Mitch and Carolyn, John and Carrie, Michael-Ann and Gordy, Lara and Sunjay, Michelle and Masoud, Maranda and Ocean, Elaine, Sandy, Dwight, Duke, Carrie Ann, Dori, Mark and Artist of the Month Mary Wilkinson.

Tim and Charity Snider were closing on their new house and moving and couldn't be there. Dune Patten was also helping someone move and John Mercado told me that Jerrie Glidden had family visiting so she couldn't attend as she had planned.

One thing that was kind of fun at this Market was that we took a lot of photos. The "Passion" Show is coming up on Jan. 28 at The Studio Gallery so it occurred to us that since six of the 10 artists were on hand, it would be a good opportunity to take a group shot. That way, we'd have some more photos to use for press releases. The photos were graciously taken by Captain Gordy Tillman, successor to Captain Morgan. In some of the photos, it definitely looks like a police line-up. And no, I am not trying to be the Great Pumpkin. See Gordy's photos for yourself at http://www.flickr.com/photos/gordyt/sets/1783500/. Those who were unable to be there and in the photographs were Tim Dean Snider, Marie Weichman, Alexis Andrei and Kurt Beswick. Maybe I will try to hand-draw them in....

This Just In....

Duke told me to remind everyone that we now have a music section. So, to get the latest news on our tribal musicians, go to: http://www.artvalet.com/Music/HomePage.

Odds and Ends

If you have 24 odds and ends on a table, and 23 of them fall off, what do you have left...an odd or an end? I don't know but I do know this: very soon I will be visiting The Artful Corner, Valerie's Gallerie, De Zeta, Square Moon, October Gallery, Wind Water Gallery, Spacetaker, Contemporary Art Gallery, Elder Street, Winter Street, Casa Ramirez and DaVinci? Gallery out in Tomball. I have been meaning to for awhile and a lot of our fellow tribe members are affiliated with these fine places. I can't wait to write about them. If any of you want me to go visit somewhere else, just let me know. Hell is not an option.

Martin's Predictions for 2006

I am not Miss Cleo. Not even close. But here are a few predictions for 2006. They are pretty easy, actually. I predict that Wayne Gilbert's new gallery will do quite well. (A bit obvious perhaps but then all clairvoyants like to pick a winner.) Another easy pick: I predict that Amy Meyers will find a way to top her Black and White, Red and Ancient Language shows at Sippora in the coming year. Max Boyd Harrison will find that the "M" show will be needed to fill a hole in M2 Gallery's schedule. I predict that at some point during the coming year, an artists' brawl will occur at some art event -- much like the way that the Dada ended. Okay, that's it for now. Time to put my plastic 8-Ball back on the shelf.

And the Victorine Louise Meurent Award goes to....

Maranda Pleasant! On Saturday, Maranda, a successful artist herself as we all know, agreed to pose for a painting by Michael-Ann Belin and a poster by Duke Jones. In case you might have forgotten, Victorine Louise Meurent was the model for many of Edouard Manet's masterpieces, including Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe and Olympia. Utilizing what she learned from watching Manet work, Meurent became a painter herself and had one of her paintings accepted by the Salon in 1876 (while Manet's own submission was rejected). In the 1879 Salon, Meurent's entry was in the same room as Manet’s.

Looking for a Good Read?

If you are, try Impressionist Quartet: The Intimate Genius of Manet and Morisot, Degas and Cassatt by Jeffrey Meyers. I have truly enjoyed this book which details the professional and romantic relationships between Edouard Manet and Berthe Morisot and between Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt. It just came out last May so it is still available at most local bookstores, Amazon.com and public libraries. I highly recommend it.

A Few Random Observations

If Maranda Pleasant keeps getting involved in more and more art events and tribes, she will have to evolve into an octopus to make sure that she has enough hands to keep in all those pies. Also expanding his reach is our own Artist At Large overlord Mitch Cohen. With both Maranda and Mitch indulging in their own little bits of empire building, the historian in me hopes it doesn't turn into anything like the Punic Wars between the Carthaginians and the Romans for control of the Mediterranean. I doubt that I need to worry though. They'll probably both wind up being in each other's tribes. Kind of like John Mercado (one of the nicest people on the planet) and I who have been both Maranda's bitches and Mitch's bitches (in the art sense of the word). Wow, that's kind of bitchin' isn't it!

Other random observations: The Heights is turning into one of the strongest art communities anywhere, any city, any state. Lara the Thermoregulator's skills will definitely be in demand once the Market moves to its new location on top of that asphalt. I haven't seen Julie Zarate for awhile -- where are you Julie? The Artists At Large Tribe needs to have another evening at Onion Creek soon. This year, 2006, looks like it will be the breakout year for Mark DeLeon? and Michael-Ann Belin. In retrospect, Tim Snider's breakout year was 2005. I will break out in October of the year 2134.

Keep an Eye Out For....

Sorange Castillo. I briefly mentioned her last week. I have a feeling that I will be mentioning her a lot in the coming year. Sorange is returning to painting with a vengeance and creative fire runs through her veins like the molten lava of Kilauea Volcano. A very passionate, very skilled artist. I can't wait until she has enough pieces put together for a show. It will be worth the wait.

Other Solo Shows I Would Like to See....

I'm not including anyone whose solo show I have recently attended within the past six months such as Dune Patten, Maranda Pleasant, Marie Weichman, Vera Schoepe, Jesse A. Kantu, or Andrew Scott DeJesse?, etc. This is by no means a complete list but here are a few of our fellow tribe members that I would like to see in a solo exhibition soon: Julie Zarate, Amy Ferrari, Michael-Ann Belin, Jerrie Glidden, Mark DeLeon?, Margaret Miller, Lilibeth Andre, Cintia Rico, Jill Griffith, Solomon Kane, Nathaniel Donnett, John Mercado, Maia and Alix Dunn.

Okay, I guess that takes care of my Starbucks-powered ramblings for this Tribe Report. Now, here are the event listings, including many new updates. Enjoy!

Here's...Bale...!

Redbud Gallery will be featuring new works from Austin's Bale Allen from now through Jan. 29. This should be an interesting exhibit that everyone should check out if they get the chance. Located at 303 E 11th Street, at the corner of East 11th and Cortlandt Street, adjacent to Texas Collaborative Fine Arts Printmaking and the Sharon Kopriva Studio, Redbud Gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, or by appointment. For more information, call (713) 862-2532 or visit the Web site at www.redbudgallery.com

Amelioration

From now through Jan. 21, The Studio Gallery will present "Amelioration" -- a show featuring the work of the HBU senior semester students -- Megan Wright, Heather Kesner, Allyn Kraig, Peter J. Suprean, Dana Garrison, Nubia Landaverde, Liz H. Rodriquez, Kara Frank, Jeremy James and Robyn Tolliver. As Marie puts it, "Check out what the next crop is producing!" Can you imagine how much fun it must be to be one of Marie's students? The opening reception for this show is on Jan. 14, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is something that, as artists, we all should try to attend to support those who will follow us. The Studio Gallery is located at 613 1/2 W. 19th Street, (behind Heights Glass). For more information, or to make an appointment, call (713) 869-2551 or visit the Web site at www.mwstudiogallery.com.

My Gold Pocketbook

On Saturday, Jan. 14, be at M2 for the debut of "My Gold Pocketbook." According to Max Boyd Harrison, "My Gold Pocketbook" is going to be a "mini flashback." Clothing, furniture, art and accessories from the past will be on display and for sale from Jan. 4 until Jan. 29. Drawings by Gracie Marks will be available as will paintings by Jet Whitt. Diane Hester of Houston Vintage & Costume will be displaying vintage home furnishings and fashions from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. And, Sam VanBibber? from Wear it Again Sam will offer selections in vintage fashions and accessories from the 40s through 70s. During the Market on Saturday, Maranda and I slipped away and ran over to M2 to have a quick peek at this exhibit and, let me tell you, there is a lot of interesting and cool stuff! This event, which runs from 7 p.m. through 10 p.m., should be like most M2 events -- full of interesting people, excellent victuals and viands, libations to warm the soul, sparkling conversation and that great punch! At this point, I do not yet know whether Capt. Morgan's successor, Capt. Tillman, will be manning the bar or not. But since two of Michael-Ann's paintings are now at M2 on the wall next to the front window, I suspect that the chances are fairly good. I'll let you know. M2 is located at 325 W. 19th in The Heights. For more information, call (713) 861-6070 or visit the M2 Web site at www.m2-houston.com

Wayne's World

What's Wayne Gilbert been up to lately? Quite a bit. The "Blages" show, featuring assemblage pieces by six artists, will debut Jan. 14 at DIG101? Gallery (a.k.a. Gallery 101) located at 101 Franklin. As many of you know, Wayne is also heavily involved in the Kinky Friedman campaign and has been working on the big fundraiser party set for Feb. 11. at 6 p.m. that will feature live music, kinky art and tons of people. Yes, Kinky will be there. You should be there too! Tickets will be on sale soon.

And, Marie Weichman has been working with Wayne on the Kinky Friedman fundraiser and has taken over as chair for the Art Committee. Any artist wishing to commit to a donation of art can contact Marie from this point forward. The artwork at the event will be handled like a sale ... the artist sets his/her price, the work is displayed and will sell or not. And, 100% of the sale price goes to Kinky. Marie says that if you REALLY want to help raise money for Kinky's campaign, the prices should be under $300 -- people have been tight after donating so much to 2005's disaster relief efforts. For more information, call (713) 869-2551 or visit Marie's Web site at www.mwstudiogallery.com.

Another thing that is probably occupying Wayne's mind is the newly-named G Gallery (I guess Wayne thought that people would not be able to locate the G Spot!), which will be opening in February with the Redbud show of the month.

Personally, I hope that Wayne gets a Web site soon that we can refer people to for more information. In the meantime, check here and we will try to keep you as posted as we can on Mr. Gilbert's activities.

Ancient Language

Can anyone out there tell me how to make a toga? I need one because Ancient Language is about to spew forth on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Sippora. Regarding my recent poll, I only got one suggestion (sent in by Laura Hodges) as to who I should seek for a suitable consort in Egyptian costume for the evening's festivities. Those of you who know me really well have a pretty damned good idea of who I'd invite but I don't know whether that's feasible because of her own usual Saturday night routine and commitments. Anyway.... "Ancient Language" will feature the art of Ray Phillips, Lacey Crawford, and Pam Knox. It will be a fun evening. I guarantee it -- Amy Meyers' Sippora events always are! Sippora Gallery is located at 234 West Gray, between Montrose and Downtown Houston. For more information, call Amy at (713) 520-1085 or visit the Web site at www.sippora.com

Passion

On Saturday, Jan. 28, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., discover "Passion" at The Studio Gallery. I recently discovered mine in a park by the Menil Collection and I am using that to fuel my contributions to this show where yours truly and nine other artists "will display our "passion" for creating through imagery and form in this group exhibition." "Passion" is generously hosted by Marie Weichman and is the product of (and curated by) that artistically altruistic pair -- Mitch and Carolyn Cohen. The 10 participating artists include: Michael-Ann Belin, Tim Dean Snider, John Mercado, Martin de Vore, Alexis Andrei, Marie Weichman, Michelle Macy, Kurt Beswick, Mitch Cohen and Carolyn Cohen. This show could be one of the more revealing shows about the participating artists. Be there or be square, or perhaps a rhombus. The art, food, drink, conversation and people watching should be first rate since it's at Marie's place. Most of the artists will be on hand to answer your questions about what really turns them on. Be creative when you ask. You get extra points (and probably drinks) for making them blush. I doubt whether anyone could make me blush. In fact, I will wager five quatloos on that! The Studio Gallery is located at 613 1/2 W. 19th Street, (behind Heights Glass). For more information, or to make an appointment, call (713) 869-2551 or visit the Web site at www.mwstudiogallery.com.

Empty Bowls

Empty Bowls is off and running. The event will be held March 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at both the Lawndale Art Center and Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. A call to craftsmen/artists for cereal-sized bowls is now being made. The drop-off of bowls will begin during the last week of January. See Marie Weichman's Web site at www.mwstudiogallery.com for more details -- use the Empty Bowls link there for even more info. THIS JUST IN: Here's an advisory from Marie: "By the way ... the site does mention an art auction of non-bowls items, but we are keeping it small, about 20 selected artists in the community. I really really hope no artist takes offense to this. I'd love to see what some of you create in a bowl. They don't need to be functional either ... think painted paper folded origami style into a bowl!! We've had quilted bowls, fuzzy bowls, perforated bowls, wood, clay, glass -- everything. The donated bowls are sold with soup in exchange for a $20 donation and the entire event benefits the Houston Food Bank. Remember, they have been desperately drained after providing for the Katrina and Rita victims."

Winter Street

Keep an eye out for more information about the Texas Children's Hospital Fundraiser in The Gallery at Winter Street on Feb. 25. Winter Street is home to a lot of artists from our tribes that we all know including (but definitely not limited to) John Mercado, Jerrie Glidden, Richard Varela, Solomon Kane, Amy Ferrari, Alex Wilhite, Nicola Parente, Van McFarland?, Dan Fischer, Alix Dunn and many many more. Winter Street Studios is located at 2101 Winter Street in Houston. For more information, call (713) 862-0082 or visit their Web site at www.winterstreetstudios.com

Remember, I am not Miss Cleo so if you have a show or event coming up that you want me to mention you have to send it to me. So, e-mail me at: mldevore@houston.rr.com

Reminder: Sunjay, Terrence and Susan, Winter Street folks, Wayne -- let me know what you all have coming up....

Well, I guess that's it.

Until then, keep creating art, viewing art, buying art and supporting your fellow artists of all tribes.

Martin L. de Vore is an artist and journalist living in Humble, TX. Mr. de Vore is a member of the Artists At Large and Post-Diversionist tribes and enjoys painting passionate subjects and trying (rather unsuccessfully at the moment) to coordinate life and all of its wonders with fiery muses.

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