#mark demaio

[markdemaio]

HOW WE GOT FROM THIS TO THIS IS HOW I GOT TO THIS

I'm always pondering religion and how it affects my work, because in so much of what I do there are a lot of blatant religious references. I think my POP GOES THE BIBLE show asked as many questions as it answered for me personally. I'm upstate for a few days visiting the family for Easter. I went to Catholic school for grades K-5, it sucked, I hated every second of it and couldn't wait to get to public school, which as it turns out wasn't much better, but I digress. So it's Easter and my Mother (who at 84 has far more energy than I) is doing Easter things, and she put together little Easter baskets for the anticipated dinner guests, which in itself is very sweet and suddenly I had an artistic epiphany!!!

Take one part Of This and add one part of this…

…And you end up with this…

Or this…

Everything seemed very clear and a lot of what I do in my work suddenly became more clear in my head. As I looked at all the shiny candies wrapped in bright, colored foil paper I was taken with how much they all looked like my paintings, and mixed with the images of Christ on a cross that were drilled into my head by vicious, frustrated Nuns and Priests all through my earlier years, it hit me why I am so comfortably able to meld together religion into art! I figured out how I got from there to here!!! I still don't know what all this candy has to do with Christ dying, that will perplex me forever. But at least a few questions have been answered today. 

This may not seem like a big deal to anyone reading this but for me it was a staggering revelation (no pun intended). These thoughts have plagued me over and over and have for years. But today, on Holy Saturday, I had my own religious and artistic awakening. My beliefs, or lack of, or confusions about religion aren't any clearer, but why they figure into my work so prominently do. The horror of of the bible stories mixed with shiny candy=markdemaio.com! WOW....I wish I were eloquent enough to really put into words what I'm trying to say here but I hope you're able to get what I'm driving at. So kids, I wish you a Happy Easter, or Passover, whatever you celebrate, if anything at all. 

CHEERS!

M

[markdemaio]

TRAIL BLAZERS Art Auction, March 20, 2012

I was so proud to again be asked by Trail Blazers Executive Director Riel Peerbooms, to donate some work for this years art auction to benefit Trail Blazers Camps (trailblazers.org). This is an amazing organization; they do wonderful work with kids and deserve all the help and assistance they can get, and by the turn out at tonights event at The Recess Gallery in SoHo, hundreds of people agree! The gallery was packed with artists and art lovers and it looked like a lot of the work was purchased…how great!

Executive Director Riel Peerbooms and Mark DeMaio, Trail Blazers Art Auction. 

This was a great night and it was just so much fun, there were so many amazing artists and photographers who generously donated their work that you couldn't help but feel good. I attended the show with my publicist Geffrey Yabes of GSY Media. Geff is the one who hooked me up with these great folks a couple of years ago and I couldn't be happier to be able to help, and would be honored to do so in years to come. I'm donating a couple of paintings but these people really give of themselves, their lives and their time. It's very nobel work, so Bravo to all involved. 

My crazy publicist Geffrey Yabes of GSY Media in front God And Adam

The lovely Tiffany of Trail Blazers.

I let Riel have his choice of work to show and he chose God And Adam, from the Pop Goes The Bible series and he also chose the portrait of Oscar Wilde from my new works, The Writers Series. Wise choices on his part as both pieces sold for the full asking price, I was so excited, it's always great to sell work but it's even more so when the money is going to such a good cause. If it can't go to my first favorite charity (me) at least it's going somewhere totally worthwhile. We pulled up at the gallery and were surprised to see Oscar Wilde in the front window, and it looked great if I say so myself. 

Oscar Wilde in the front window of The Recess Gallery.

Once we cut through the crowd and said our hello's to the TB people and got a drink, we started to make our way through the show. One of the highlights of the night for me was finding out that body paint artist, Danny Setiawan (denart.com) had painted my painting of Oscar Wilde on the beautiful model Amanda Alston, he did an amazing job and she looked just incredible.

Amanda Alston wearing my Oscar Wilde via artist Danny Steiawan.

Amanda Alston, Mark DeMaio and Oscar Wilde.

I really had a brilliant time and I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Dorian Warren of Columbia University who purchased the Wilde painting. He and his really, really charming girlfriend (whose name I forgot…please forgive me) love the painting and bought without hesitation. These are two really lovely, and generous people and I could not be happier that OW is going home with them. 

Mark DeMaio, OW with his new owners Dorian Warren and his lovely companion.  I also know who bought God And Adam, but I am reluctant to say without his permission. If he doesn't mind my saying so, I will amend this tomorrow. So kids, big fun was had by all, hopefully a lot of money was raised for Trail Blazers, and some great people went home with some wonderful art. Just another night in New York City!

If you would like to make a donation to Trail Blazers please go to trailblazers.org and read all about them and the great work they do, and if you can, send them a few dollars, they will be eternally grateful. Until next time…

CHEERS! Mark 

[markdemaio]

BEAT NITE…CoJo Art Space, Pop Up Group Show!

Saturday March 10th was Beat Nite as ten different spaces throughout Brooklyn transformed into pop-up galleries from 6-10PM. A one night only event, and a pretty cool idea. I was fortunate to be asked to show a piece at COJO Art Space. An artist himself, CoJo (artsucks.com) generously converted his live/work space into a gallery and curated the Ridgewood section of the show, and he did an amazing job. It's hard enough to straighten out your place when you're having people over, but to do it when you're hosting a couple hundred people is another task altogether…Bravo CoJo!!!

Mark DeMaio and CoJo at the show in front of my piece "Drawings Of Paintings"

The event was a great success, the turnout was pretty amazing with a lot of fun, kooky artists and art lovers coming out to support the night. What more can you ask for? The theme of this portion of the night was mainly line art and photography, and there was some really wonderful work being shown, in all mediums. It was an impressive collection and I have to be honest, it was hung as thoughtfully and professionally as any "legit" gallery. I took some pictures to share with everyone. Like I said, all of the work was great but these are a few pieces that really caught my eye.

Ray Fiero "Untitled Portrait" 2011                    Charcoal/acrylic thread 23x36"

Cojo "Art Juggernaut" "(S)ea" 2011   acrylic on canvas  36x 97"

GiGi Chen :The Clean Bee" 2010                     Oil/colored pencil on wood panel

There are so many talented artists working here in the city,  and we're all so wrapped up in our own thing that it's nice to be able to not only be in a group show but to get a chance to meet new and interesting artists. It was big fun being a part of this. Like I said there were so many talented people showing. Im listing all of their sites, so when you get a chance please take a look at their work and PLEASE leave some comment here on The Aestheticist!

CHEERS! M 

PAINTERS / LINE ARTISTS: Anya Roz, Brandon Friend, Ciaran Parr, Cojo, David Flores, Gigi Chen, Jaclyn E. Atkinson, Jason Roth, Jorgy, Joseph Meloy, Katy Diamond Hamer, Ken Kocses,Kim Gordon, Loren Munk, Mark DeMaio, Pitt Hanson, Ran-D Melick, Ray Fiero,Rick Parker. PHOTOGRAPHERS: Alan Chin, Anna Druzcz, Annie Rosenthal, Carl Gunhouse, Gina LeVay, Tatiana Starchevsky, Thomas J. Dougherty. VIDEO INSTALLATION: Jeniece Primus

[markdemaio]

MICHAEL ALAN-The True Line King…with all due respect to Al Hirschfeld

Like I said in the "first post" of this thing, my reason for doing a blog is to have the freedom to show and say anything I want, and have the luxury of featuring friends. Well this is the first "real" post about someone, a friend, a fascinating man, and a really gifted artist…really gifted!!

"The Other Side"                                                                 ©2012 Michael Alan

MIchael Alan's work is unique on many levels. When you look at a piece done by him, it's abundantly clear that you are looking at work by Michael Alan. There is no mistaking it for anyone else's. Much like when you see an Andy Warhol, you know who did it, same with Picasso or even Jackson Pollock, it's the same thing with Michael's work. It doesn't need to be signed, the work itself is the signature. 

"I Am God"                                                                          ©2012 Michael Alan

The controlled chaos of Michael's painting is what makes it so engaging to look at. On a first viewing the lines and color and collage elements may seem scattered and random, but on closer inspection you can see that every line, every spot of color, it's all very deliberate. I can tell you as an artist  myself, there is no greater feat than making something seem spontaneous, especially if you've been working on it for six months. Michael manages this with the skill of a master magician.

"Barnacles"                                                                          ©2012 Michael Alan

Michael's art isn't confined to 2D work. He is also very well known for his mesmerizing performances "The Living Installation". These performance pieces involve the artist creating living art out of models by installing vast mixed materials onto them, and turning the living into living art. It is almost like tripping watching this process. The shows are carefully orchestrated and Alan oversees every detail with laser like focus, from the music the the construction and eventual deconstruction of the work, it's masterful and impressive to say the least. The Living Installation is on a temporary hiatus due to other artistic commitments but please check michaelalanart.com frequently for the eventual announcement of the next one. Also check back here, I'll be making you all aware as well! 

Like I said earlier, Michael is a friend, and a constant inspiration to me. Please make yourself  familiar with his work, you'll thank me. 

Update!! Michael is actually doing a couple of really interesting events and as promised, here is the info!

Proud to announce with Gasser Grunert Gallery: Solo Booth for the VIP Art Fair  8 featured works and potential Live Feed for the Living Installation April 21, 2012

Living Installation Dinner Party for 2-Special Event!  Saturday March 31st | 8PM My Studio, Chinatown

Check michaelalanart.com for all the details!!!

Cheers!

Mark

p.s. I know it was selfless of me to write about someone other than myself first but this seemed fitting, warranted and well deserved!!!