Today is my Solo Exhibit at Azucarera...

If you're in the Azucarera Gallery area (Harlem, NYC 145th between Convent and Nicholas Avenue)tonight between 7-9pm stop by! We'll have some finger foods, wine, animal masks and art!

Thought this might be a good time to explain the title:
Bestia Fera is Latin for Beast, Beast, but if you're a Spanish speaker (like me) you'll note Fera is related to Feral which is defined as Salvaje/Wild. Hence making the title imply something more like Wild Beast to some. Still, my intent for Beast/Beast is purposeful since many of my subjects are half animal half human. I chose Latin as opposed to Spanish to drive the antiquity of the meaning home.

And I'm so happy to learn the event has been posted on ARTSLANT !

There are some new never before seen pieces in the show and there are some classics that started it all.

detail of watercolor piece entitled ' I entered the saltwater and She Consumed Me' by marisol diaz Run rabbit Run by marisol diaz

There are still a few loose ends to tie up, but after that I can exhale and be done! This show has been a bit more difficult than the other two exhibits from this previous year - I guess that's the feeling a solo generates. Not to mention, I had forgotten about the booking of this exhibit up until a month ago (and since I'm not a just-show-old-work-kind of girl) I had to produce the majority of all the work in the past three weeks. Then I got bronchitis, teach full-time and well - life happens. The show has only four previous pieces and that is because they play a significant conceptual role in what I'm doing today.

Two days left before my opening....

flyer click to see

There are now only two days left before my opening. I have to go buy frames today (I still need around 7 more) and as many artists know, financially frames begin to add up, costing a pretty penny.

I'm also beginning to work on the artist statement for the show. In the past my threads of work are often developed by a concept, quote or self-definitory aspect of my belief system.

However this time my work was really inspired by an image. I have a small collection of antique books and while perusing one of them, I came across this image that really moved me. It's entitled Gladiator Fighting a Lion and its a sketch of a marble sculpture found in BAVARIA with no artist attributed to the drawing. The title means little to me - its the image itself that really moves me.

I thought I'd share that image with you today.

I'm not too affected by the gladiator aspect of this image as I am the continuos futile struggle with the natuarlistic/animalistic part of who we are. And I'm curious - What does this image make you think of?-

Ciao Amarettogirl

P.S. I've been chatting with a special indie business owner about a possible giveaway that is good for Gals AND Guys! Coming soon so stay TUNED!.

Today is My Hub Gregg Emery's B'day so...

I just wanted to take a moment out to celebrate him. He has been my BFF, my shopping mate, my personal chef, fellow artist, constructive critiquer and great love everyday for the past 6 years. So what better birthday card than a blog post!

People always ask me 'HOW do you get everything you do done?' I usually answer with a cheeky 'no kids' response - but the truth is, Gregg Emery.

If it weren't for my hub, I wouldn't have had the space, time, support or confidence to get done a lot of what I do. I'm not saying I wouldn't be awesome if I wasn't married (cuz I think I'd be just as ;9) but I have to admit he is the Greek architecture and column of my every days.

Gregg makes the best strawberry frozen smoothies on a hot day. He loves his two fur kids to death! He is a wonderful artist that inspires me daily, from technique, process and knowledge. He is without a joke the BEST art history teacher I have ever seen making contemporary connections, motivating and gaining interest from many a distracted student. He is a phenomenal cook able to make Gourmet out of nothing, a loyal friend, the hostess with the mostess. Possibly the most selfless, generous person that I know. I've never seen a dean that students love more. At times he is my sole blog comment. His paintings have the power to help us all feel centered and at peace with this crazy world. Today I am happy to say I thank whatever makes things work in this world, for him being born. He is coming across sounding too good to be true...and perhaps we all have our 'things' but on many a day I do believe HE IS too good to be true.

Gregg at his Solo exhibit at Azucarera this past summerRed Dwarf by Gregg Emery

********I have written about my awesome hub and his drawings and paintings on older blog posts. To see the article of his most recent solo exhibit click here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY! -Ciao Amarettogirl

The Flyer to My Opening This Weekend

My Flyer for the Azucarera Exhibit by m. diaz

Basically, I ran out of funds this time (go figure - for my first solo in a long while) and couldn't order a postcard so I had to resort to making a flyer. I like it though - hope you do to. Wish you could ALL come! My goal is to have images from the show available for sale as small prints on the SHOP NOW! button up on my top menu bar so if you love a design it is accessible and afforadable.

- Ciao Amarettogirl!

New Art Pieces for Azucarera NYC

As promised I'm showing an update on the art work I've been making for the gallery show coming up on April 10th. The opening will be Saturday the 10th from 7-9pm.

For those of you who don't know what I'm working on, these pieces are exploring aspects of self and manifestations of the animalistic parts of our nature.

My newest piece detail shot in progress photo and art by marisol diaz New Painting by marisol diaz Pan detail new work by marisol diaz Black Leopard IN PROGRESS by marisol diaz foxhead phase 1 new art by marisol diaz Foxhead phase2 painting by marisol diazFoxhead detail painting and photo by marisol diaz

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Yesterday I took a break from painting, did some spring cleaning and had some friends come over for an Anti- Bahamas gathering. I received an AWESOME pen pal letter and gift in the mail that I will be sure to blog about this week.

The GIVEAWAY is only 4 days away!! So be sure you're up to date with all your commenting ;9

I'm also working on updating my website so that some of my art can be purchased as prints directly from here:)) Hopefully, there will soon be a SHOP NOW! button.

But right now the SUN is screaming my name so I'm off to absorb some of her healing rays!

Today's question - If you had to choose, what Animal do you associate yourself with??

-Ciao Amarettogirl

New Work...is on its way...

Since I have to get back to work (art making that is) for my up and coming exhibit at the Azucarera gallery (April 10th - 30th), I spent the majority of yesterday preparing the ground on my paper. I revived good 'ol tea-staining and experimented with marbling. I actually love the results and then I stood up until 3:30am starting the first piece. Thought you all might like to see what I'm up to.

If you're interested in tea-staining be sure to have a whole night - the results are much better with good quality rag paper and an overnight soak.

black tea staininga detail shot of the overnight results of tea-staining prepared grounds with experiments in marbling and my first piece on its way pic by m.diaz my newest piece in progress by marisol diaz a detail shot art and photo by marisol diaz

I really don't know what direction this will all go in - but its seems I'm still caught up in the last Unearthly woman concept...We'll see where it wall takes me.

-Ciao Amarettogirl

NYC Weekend Edition- Artist Gregg Emery at Azucarera Gallery

This Friday night, August 21st, at 7pm Artist Gregg Emery (a.k.a. my husband) will be exhibiting a show entitled The Drawn Line -On Reading The Human Soul. The Azucarera gallery is located at 414 W. 145th St. (basement) between Convent Ave. and St. Nicholas Ave., Harlem - if you're around stop by!!!

Cynosure by Gregg Emery

Some of you may remember when I wrote a blog post on Gregg and his work and I urge any of you curious about him and his process to check out that old post here! As a special treat the exhibit will also have a wall dedicated to his phenomenal gestural figure drawings from his numerous sketchbooks.

figure drawing by artist Gregg Emery

And for an EXTRA special treat for those who follow my work - Gregg and I collaborated on a piece entitled Fleeting Seedling and you can see that complete painting only at the exhibit - but here is a detail shot of my work. Come to the opening to see the whole thing!!!

detail of Fleeting Seedling Collaborative Painting by marisol diaz and Gregg Emery

Illustrations and The Azucarera Exhibit

Sugar Plum by marisol diazIdle Cherry Bomb by marisol diaz

The Soul of Sweet Delight - New Art Pieces for Gallery - Azucarera NYC

work in progress - Sugar Cane - by marisol diaz for Azucarera this July

A professional liason and friend, Nova Gutierrez is in the process of fulfilling a life-long dream- opening her own gallery! As we are both educators, it's a hectic, precious and vital time for us. We're ending the academic school year, chaperoning proms, walking the yearly, but unique, recessionals that are our graduations. However, along with all of this we are celebrating and championing the opening of the gallery AZUCARERA.

Azucarera is an artist run gallery opening June 1, 2009, in the historic Sugar Hill neighborhood in Harlem, NYC. Exhibits at AZUCARERA will emphasize the creative work of new and emerging artists who identify as women of color, indigenous, LGBTQ/Two Spirit, working class, and/or feminist. AZUCARERA is a transnational, multigenerational space that recognizes and celebrates the artistic work that energizes and sustains our diverse communities.

This new gallery fulfills a mission to be more inclusive of those who have been most excluded in the art world vernacular. The show in which I am participating in is entitled The Soul of Sweet Delight inspired by a line in William Blake's Poem The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. Here are some peeks into my works in progress:

In Progress Watercolor - Cherry by marisol diaz Watercolor in Progess Blueberry by marisol diaz

This gallery will prove to be a wonderful door and opportunity for women of color! Currently there is a CALL FOR ART WORK for this Soul of Sweet Delight exhibit with submissions due June 22th! There is still time! If you are interested in this gallery and can't make this show, stay tuned, there will be future call for entries!