Playing Catch Up: Part 3

Along with my Residencies and studio work, I have been part of several group exhibitions in 2014: 

Introductions 

Trestle Gallery
Brooklyn, NY
Opening: January 10, 2014 7-9PM
January 10- February 14 Introductions was such a wonderful experience - the staff at Trestle Gallery are so supportive, and the work in the group show was superb.  A fun surprise: I was able to exhibit with the lovely Natalie Lomeli whom I met while attending a Residency at VSC. 

EXPO
Gallery 500x
show dates February 15 - March 2

EXPO was a group show of work from across Texas. I was thrilled to be a part of such a beautifully curated show incorporating a true spectrum of Texas Art. I was also honored with winning "Best in Show." The show was curated by Gabriel Ritter, Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the Dallas Museum of Art.

Texas Art 2014
Williams Tower Gallery
Houston, TX
Opening: January 22, 2014
January 22 - March 7
6PM
I was honored to have my work mentioned by curator Rock Hushka from the Tacoma Art Museum. 

McNeese State University
27th Annual National Works on Paper Exhibition
Lake Charles, LA
April 3 - May 15

I had three pieces selected for the McNeese National Works on Paper exhibition curated by Juror Louis Grachos, director of The Contemporary Austin in Austin, Texas.  I was also thrilled to be selected as one of the Juror's Mention Awards. 

Playing Catch Up: Part 2

Playing Catch Up: Part 2


While at VSC, I was informed that I had been awarded the Spring Artist in Residence position at HCC Southeast in Houston. My proposed project, "On the Map of My Empire," is a large-scale installation based on the collected memories of real or imagined locations combined to build an evolving city. The project, inspired by Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities, questions the potential of a city when planners are not limited by traditional urban theory.

Over the course of the month long installation, the space continued to evolve day to day as scenes were added or altered to the sprawling city. The city became a collective patchwork of memories based on reality interspersed with magical and fantastical occurrences. The space is beautiful - Japanese inspired architecture on a stage with gorgeous light streaming through the windows. The project will remain at HCC Southeast through August 2014.

You can listen to my artist's talk here

Playing Catch Up: Part 1

Playing Catch-Up: Graduate School: MICA

It's hard to believe it has been a year since I finished my thesis show at Maryland Institute College of Art. It was an exhausting but exhilarating two years in Baltimore. While away from my Southern roots, I gained a family of artists and visionaries- people who love to create as much as I do- who never bore when talking about color theory or paint application. I am grateful to be a part of such an incredible group of artists. After two years at MICA, I learned to trust myself and my strange obsessions . . .

Celan Bouillet, Thesis Show, MICA Meyerhoff Gallery 2013

My thesis work was featured on Bmore Blog

VSC Residency

In the Fall, I traveled to Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont to complete a month long artist residency. I was delighted to receive a full fellowship to attend VSC upon graduation. It was refreshing and a much needed break from city life. I hiked, had long conversations with artists from around the world, and focused on slowing down.  In the studio, I found myself making dozens of detailed drawings and watercolor studies for future paintings. My month in Vermont was exactly what I needed;  I left with armfull of work and a head full of ideas.

    Here Be Dragons, Watercolor on Paper, 22" x 30"

A link to the VSC website:

http://www.vermontstudiocenter.org/

Somewhere in the Bayou

After spending two years in Baltimore for my MFA at MICA, I am back in the Bayou. It's good to be home. I have set up my studio at Spring St Studios in Houston.

http://springstreetstudios.info/

Houston has an incredible arts community, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it. Over the next few weeks, I will try to play catch-up on all of the new paintings, shows, residencies, and installations that have taken place over the past few months. I'm finally settled, happy, and painting.

As I play catch-up, please take a look at my updated website for current work:

www.comusinacelan.com

Lost Cities

Skara Brae, Scotland

While working on a stacked city painting, I came across this great photo series titled "The World's Most Intriguing Lost Cities." Take a look here.

Turks and Caicos

Mural of the Last Supper on the side of one of the many churches in Turks and Caicos.

Summer Flies by

Summer is quickly coming to an end. For me, it has been a whirlwind of new experiences. Weddings (mine included), an adventure in Turks and Caicos, and adjustment to not having just one city to call home.

My wedding day: I, of course, was late. . . to my own wedding. This should come as no surprise to those who know me well. I run on a different clock. Luckily, I was surrounded by my closest friends and family who put order to my madness and helped nudge me towards my beloved Yves. You know that you are well-loved when you have an army folding endless numbers of paper airplanes and arranging hundreds of flowers.

Ridiculously talented photographers: I met Matt and Kate Altmix two years ago at one of my best friend's weddings. They were spectacular - their compositions and ability to capture expressions are unrivaled - thanks so much for creating photographs that reflect the spirit of my day.

For those who have been patiently waiting for wedding photos, you can view more at theAltmix's blog.

Adventure: We arrived in Turks and Caicos during a rainstorm- and spent the majority of our time running through puddles. We stayed on Providenciales - a 38 sq mi island that was ranked as having the best beaches in the world in 2011. While I hide from the sun (and therefore the beach), I cannot say enough about the variety and quality of the restaurants to be found on the island. I would return just for the food. The only downside? Overdevelopment. There is little land that is not covered with a structure (or a half-finished structure as the economic down-turn definately put a damper on developer's plans). I will post a few photos in my next entry.

Transitions: My artwork centers around defining the meaning of home, and the relationship between one's personal identity and one's location. My life will now be split between three cities: New Orleans, Baltimore, and Jacksonville. I moved to New Orleans for love, and ended up falling for the city. Never have I experienced such a warm, open community - nor a city filled with such talented and diverse individuals. The city seems to be a gathering place for nomads who have found a common connection in New Orleans - and never want to leave. As a sister port city, Baltimore bursts with energy - the moment I stepped off the plane a year ago, I knew that Baltimore was the right city for me to spend my graduate school years. Luckily, MICA felt that I fit as well, and I will be joining the MICA community this Fall. My third and final city: Jacksonville. While I have little knowledge of Jacksonville itself, it is yet another port-city. . . and apparently, port cities and I get along. Fingers- crossed. . .