h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I went to an art exhibit this weekend called Venus Envy. It was a showing of local women artists' work. There was a wide range of styles, all quite good and some really fascinating. I especially liked a fresco of a female nude, and a large oil painting of a rose. My friend J had some of her paintings there, I love her stuff. She had some little prints for sale at the show, and she gave me one, a nice memento of the evening. There was food and drink and entertainment - a drumming circle performed, and then there was bellydancing, which I had never seen live before. Oh, and I ran into my brother B and his wife while I was there, which was a nice bit of synchronicity. By next year I really hope to have some paintings finished which I can enter myself.

Venus. she got it.

the version of the Dutch band Shocking Blue, not one by Banarama.

you sound intresting: painting. I like artists.

Hi Pheloxi! *waves* Glad you like us artists.

did you see my newly designed personal space?

Yes, I did! Is it a test whether you can say the right word looking at a contradictory color?

JE

not realy
...more a notice of that things are not always seem to be...

...a bit of "twilight zone" art to wake people up...

Hi JEllen, that sounds really interesting, shame its so far away for me. Myself and Moonglum went through a phase of going round all the small private galleries in London, which was fun. Havn't done it for a while as all the new art seems very modern and horrific, in a post BritArt kind of way. Hopefully it will bounce back again some day soon. I think artists here are competing to be bought by Saatchi.

I hate Damian Hirst with a vehemance, he is now the largest importer of butterflies into this country, he makes them into 'art'. People love the way they look, they don't seem to realise that these were once live creatures which looked much better alive in their natural habitat.

Rant over, art here is dreadful at the mo, which is why the exhibition you went to sounded so interesting!

Kaz,

I can sympathise. But then again you have the National Portrait Gallery and, in theory, a rail link to the Louvre. You never need set foot in The Tate Modern or the Saatchi gallery. I on the other hand have nothing! NOTHING!

Well, almost nothing. There are some local artists, and there's bound to be a gallery in Phoenix somewhere but the Gradientlings think art (that isn't in crayon and isn't their's) is boring so we don't get to visit. There's a lot of cactus art, naturally, and a certain amount of Native American and Mexican stuff knocking about but I'm slightly wary of anything sold on the roadside

You paint, JEllen? COOL!

The Tate Britain is reasonable actually, it has some John Martyns. I just miss the galleries, but I am sure it is a phase and they will grow out of it! Cactus art sound interesting, better than killing thousands of butterflies, sheep, cows, rats etc etc for the murder they call art in the Saatchi gallery, and yes I don't intend to set foot in there.

Some Brit Art made me take a long, hard look at it and then at myself because the first thing I thought was 'Oh come on, you've GOT to be kidding!'

Some of it I sort of like because I can see the joke (although I can't name a single piece or artist). Mr. Hirst is...

let's say that we're in agreement on that subject and leave it there, because I have a suspicion that he's involved in a very complex (and not not very funny) joke with the art world, a joke which some buyers are not privy to.

The cactus art I've seen thus far is of the 'amateur oils and watercolours' variety, although I did see some acrylics that were really vivid and fun.

There is some art I see on the sidewalks in places like Brighton, they are done with spray cans, and look very unenvironmentally friendly. They also look plasticy, and are great for sci-fi scenes. I am always tempted, but never have yet!

Hi Ellen,
Sounds like a fun weekend. I do not get out to see art anywhere near enough anymore. I'd love to see your stuff too if you ever post it on line!

I LIKE the name for it
Congrats to your friend for having an entry.

Good Luck to you getting your art in next year Ellen