Future Visions

by Liz Tramer

Calef Brown and Jason Limon’s current exhibit “Future Visions” at the 4th Wall Gallery in Dallas will not only pique your artistic interests, their works may also disturb and delight you. Limon’s haunting pieces emote imagery from another time and place. His detail and design are reminiscent of M.C. Escher, with the graceful fluidity of Erte’s figures. No matter how close you look at his canvases, you may never know what is behind each mask.

More Than Meets the Eye
Upon entering the Gallery, an artist is seen standing by his work. The two seem in synch somehow. Hidden, subdued, yet powerful. Perhaps that is why it is not surprising to hear San Antonio native Limon says that his work is like him in many ways. After spending more than 10 years in the graphic-design industry, he took his knowledge and returned to his true passion – drawing.

Limon describes his art as a progression and says that his current pieces are very organic in feel. Much of the items on display contain imagery of creatures found in nature. It is the eyes of each animal that strikes you. They seem to follow you and piercingly gaze at the viewer. With beaked noses and feathers predominantly featured in numerous paintings, it is a logical assumption that one is looking at birds or animals. But upon closer examination, it is revealed that the animal exterior is really a mask, and we are unable to see what or who is underneath the mask.

There is an enormous sense of irony in Falling. To simply tell you the title, one may envision a painting with motion in it. In actuality, it appears as though an ornate Erte-esqe figure is up against a tribal shield. The figure has fish, reptilian and bird characteristics, yet the body is drawn in a fluid and beautiful manner. The most disturbing aspect of the piece is not the imagery, which works. It is the deep piecing eyes behind the mask that draw you in. This is true for almost all of Limon’s work.

Limon indicates that the beings under each mask are intentionally hidden and do not necessarily want to come out, leaving the viewer to wonder about who or what is being hidden. It is very apparent that his talent, like his art, is fluid and translates across different mediums. Limon’s haunting pieces will have you wondering about their meanings long after you’ve left the exhibit.

Opening Up Your Imagination
Award-winning and beloved writer and illustrator Calef Brown sits quietly in the next room, signing a large stack of his childrens books. He is surrounded by photos of his colorful, entertaining and curious paintings. Brown finds his inspiration in the world around him. Three of his books were written during trips to India.

As a man who loved mythical creatures and Greek and Roman monsters as a child, many of his pieces are manamals … a combination of both man and animal. Brown is not interested in creating illustrations and books that nod and wink at parents and go over a child’s head. He wants to target his work to children and draw them in with positive, smart artistic images.

Brown delighted fans with his illustrations for The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons. The Gallery is displaying numerous images from this book. In Hound’s Revenge, Brown has used numerous colors and patterns that will stimulate your imagination. Even though the hound is a still image, the viewer can sense that the he is about to take his next step. The dog appears to be caught midstride. Brown has also used size and color distortions, revealing that everything in the story is not as it seems. It is easy to see how Brown’s work is reminiscent of previous authors like Shel Silverstein and Maurice Sendak. He is an artist who is not afraid to show that it’s okay to not be status quo.

Brown's use of color and balance stimulate your thinking and many pieces will make you smile and perhaps remind you of some of your favorite childhood characters. Brown’s diverse scope of work is not limited to childrens books. His illustrations have been used in a wide range of mediums, ranging from CDs, magazines and promotional products. Brown does not plan his characters or know what he’s going to draw until he’s completed his work. He describes it as a Ouijai board process, where he never knows what’s in his head until it’s on the paper. Although Brown may not necessarily know what’s coming next, I see him continuing to provide hours of joy and adventures for kids in his future.

Brown spoke with SkyTram about one of his favorite pieces, Red Griffin.



Published 10/9/09

Stroke of Genius

“If Willem DeKooning met Homer Simpson on acid while watching CNN, you’d get a basic description of my work.” This is a fascinating and apt self description of up-and-coming Houston artist Howard Sherman's work. Don’t be confused by the artist’s description ... see it for yourself Saturday at the PanAmerican ArtProjects exhibition Bloodthirsty Animal on Two Legs.

Sherman’s mother said he drew before he spoke. More than 30 years later, his evocative pieces speak for themselves. His latest exhibition displays his bold work – full of dark brushstrokes and bright colors. Some of his work is reminiscent of Gustav Klimt; others have cubism influences. His works are vivid and reactionary. Each piece seems to pop off the canvas. Many have messages or words written on them. With names ranging from Perverts posing as deviants to Instructions for a genuine meritocracy, this exhibit is anything but ordinary.

At first glance, some of his works may look like they were created in one sitting. But this is not the case. Each piece takes from one to three months to be completed. If you look closely, you can see the layers on each piece – evidence of his ideas forming and transforming to completion. Sherman said that his work is like putting his diary on the wall.

Due to the sexual imagery in some of his work, looking at Sherman’s canvases can sometimes feel a bit voyeuristic. Although the artist might feel exposed with his work on display, this show is definitely worth taking a peep.

Where: PanAmerican ArtsProject, 1615 Dragon St.
When: Opening September 12 5 p.m.

Watch for an exclusive interview with Sherman at www.skytramexpress.com.

Posted 9/11/09

Savor Seeing Seuss

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, Green Eggs And Ham, Fox In Socks, – the list of Dr. Seuss stories is endless. Mathew Abramowitz, owner of the 4th Wall Gallery in Dallas, was able to bring a collection of Seuss’s famous and not so famous pieces to his gallery. Viewers, ranging from 50 to 150 a day, were able to see classic pieces from The Cat In the Hat, Sam I Am and Horton Hears A Who.

Although the exhibit was small, it exposed attendees to some of Seuss’s obscure pieces. Viewers may be surprised by the sexual undertone (Myopic Woman) in certain pieces and the dark overtone in others (The Stag at Eve) from the Secret Art collection. This exhibit exposed visitors to other parts of Seuss’s life as well.
It contained a number of his early political cartoons and spoke of his academy award-winning films on WWII.

Reading certain Seuss stories, such as Sylvester McMonkey McBean, as an adult, one marvels at his ingenuity. If you were to poll a group of adults, almost all of them could quote you a line from their favorite Seuss story. Hearing Seuss as a child made us laugh, taught us tongue twisters and, all in all, made us feel content and like children.

While attending the exhibit, you will hear joyous comments from both adults and children. Seuss managed to tie life lessons into color comical illustrations with catchy poetry that hold true no matter what your age. Abramowitz said, “The world is so chaotic right now, Seuss made people feel safe.”

Seuss was an artist, visual revolutionary and educator to all. Perhaps one of his greatest gifts is that people can identify with and find solace and comfort in his work. He is able to work timeless magic through his pieces. This traveling exhibit is a pleasure to behold.

Posted 8/8/09

Body of Work

If I were to ask you to name a great landscape photographer, your response would probably be Ansel Adams. What if the location for the landscape was not a destination, but the human form? Artist Allan I Teger wanted to explore the idea of multiply realities existing simultaneously. He was able to explore that theme through his photography. Teger did not have official training as an artist. He was a teacher when the photographic duality idea came to him in 1975. More than 20 years after the bodyscape idea was created, he is still challenging perception in his exhibits around the country.


What inspires you to include parts of the female anatomy as a backdrop for most of your work?
I didn't originally set out to show the female body - I was looking for a way to show , in art, that there could be two realities at the same time. This thought came from my studying and teaching of psychology of consciousness, mysticism, shamanism etc. I thought of placing a toy skier on a woman's breast so that initially the photo would look like a landscape - and then the viewer would realize that it was a woman. This "flip" in perception is the point of the work. The use of the body was only a device to make that happen.

Do you have a gender preference for your work?
I would use the male body more – but it is difficult to make it look like a landscape – as the hair on the body gives away that it is a body. I have some shots of men and I hope to do more.

What artistic steps do you take to find the right form for a particular piece?
I never know, when using a new model, which parts of her body will be good for my work. So – I have a number of figurines ready for various shots – and then I use whatever works. I want the resulting image to stand alone as an image – even without the awareness of its being a body. It should look aesthetically pleasing. The object should blend with the body to make a coherent landscape. It is similar to zen miniature landscaping – bonsai trees etc. – where the miniature world resembles the larger world.

What other types of series do you work with?
My newest work involves the use of two models at the same time. Originally, I had thought that this would simply give me more depth in the landscape. I discovered, however, that it gives me something that I didn't have before – the opportunity to design the landscape – to create hills and valleys in different combinations. I have seven of these new images and hope to do a lot more in the future.

What types of response are you trying to evoke from the viewer?
The main response I want from the viewer is for them to be aware of the fact that their mind shifted from one perception to another. This shift is the point of the work – to remind people that it is possible to see things differently – that we have a choice in our perceptions. Some people laugh, others admire, but everyone seems to enjoy the work.

What other artists have influenced your work?

I am more influenced by psychology than by other artists. ( I have a Ph.D. in psychology) My major influences are gestalt perceptual psychology, mysticism and such things as the holographic model of the universe ... but I am also influenced by the artistic style of Jjapanese art. My news work includes a number of oriental images.

The most fun in showing the work is when the viewer initially sees it as landscape and suddenly discovers the body in the photo. I have been happy to see that there has been a change in the way people respond. Years ago, when I began, parents would pull small children away, to prevent them from seeing the nude body. Now parents tend to pull children into the booth and help them discover the body in the photo! Times have changed!

For more information on Teger, visit www.bodyscapes.com

Under The Microscope: Exploring Art Behind Bars

Raw, powerful, emotive … women in arts like you’ve never seen before. Not Who You Think I Am features multimedia works created by women incarcerated in Texas prisons. Many of the pieces are moving and spellbinding, and they show a human, sympathetic side of these prisoners that is impossible to ignore.

This must-see exhibit is presented by Resolana – a nonprofit organization that works to both educate and empower incarcerated women. Resolana Director Bette Buschow said, “Art is a tool for processing emotional issues, coping with stress and gaining self-awareness and insight.”

The participants of this program are involved in a series of artistic exercises – each designed to help them explore an aspect of themselves. The opportunity for these women to use art as an emotional outlet seemed to benefit them tremendously. It enabled them to open a door to their innermost feelings through creativity. When viewing their work, one is taken on a remarkable journey with the artist.

In each section, there was a brief explanation of the exercises on display. One wall of the exhibit contained artist’s time lines, done in crayon. Every piece was a poignant bio and many contained heart-breaking information … loss of a loved one, drug addiction, divorce, etc.

Many had hand-drawn images of tombstones, chapels, etc. Most referenced making an effort to get better and turning a corner. The emotional depth revealed in the time lines must have served as a cathartic release for many of the artists.

Another section contained decorated "good girl" and "bad girl" dolls. In this exercise, participants were given two dolls and told to create a good girl and bad girl doll. The dolls ran the gamut from well dressed to stripper. Buschow indicated that most women created the bad girls first and spoke about wanting to be the good girl. By the end of the exercise many realized that they were actually a combination of both the “good” and the “bad” girl.

This program allows women who may be opposed to “typical” therapy an emotive outlet that had positive results. By choosing a nontraditional mode of therapy, some participants were able to come to terms and move past their traumatic life experiences. One woman enjoyed the artistry so much that she brought it back to her cell. She diluted skittles and coffee grinds to use as paint. This thought-provoking exhibit will leave one with both haunting images and hope for the future.

By Liz Tramer

Artists, Musicians and Food, Oh My

The Deep Ellum Arts Festival allowed tourists and natives the opportunity to enjoy various artists, jewelers, musicians and festivities for three days in early April in an eclectic and hip area of Dallas.

Deep Ellum provided a fantastic venue for an outdoor event. The renovated warehouse district is full of restaurants, stores and bars, providing guests a number of additional stopping points during the day. The festival contained works from more than 100 artists, ranging from photographers to painters to clothing designers to jewelers. And, with more than 70 bands playing throughout the event and local food vendors available, there was something for everyone.

Crowd Pleaser/Featured Artist: Bruce Jefferies Reinfeld
SkyTram Express took time out to meet with one of the up-and-coming new artists from Big D.

Bruce Jefferies Reinfeld’s diverse range of photograph’s caught my eye immediately. Whether haunting or humorous, each image is worth a closer examination. Reinfeld has an eye for capturing scenes and digitally altering them to bring a piece to life. Many of his images are famous photographs that have been enhanced with bright color and duplicated within one frame, reminiscent of Andy Warhol. His work emotes feelings ranging from desperation to joy. Even normal idyllic scenes are brought to life with his unique vision and imagery.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Since I still work with film, I do not take a lot of photos. I try to take the one photo that shows what I see in the subject I am shooting. When shooting, I tend to take the road less traveled ... literally... and try to discover something that people see all the time but never really stop to look at. I love things with inner beauty, or things that were once beautiful.
Inspiration comes from the constant desire to do something better and to not be content with what is the now.

Which bands or recording artists influence how you see the world and/or how you shoot your photos?
Most art has its root in heartache ... some people see my photographs as colorful and fun while some see them as desolate and somber ... sometimes color masks the truth ...
Tom Waits, Radiohead, Wilco, Smiths, etc., seem to be more of a soundtrack for my travels and my life.

How much does your ethnic heritage contribute to your collection?
I would like to give a bigger answer but the answer is none ... People think Jewish people are all doctors and lawyers, but most artists, entertainers and creative minds are of the Jewish persuasion ... JEWS KICK ASS!!

For more information on Reinfeld, visit http://www.highfidelitydisco.com/photography-1.aspx