Gallerina on the Scene: 17th Annual El Corazon Show

Saturday night the Bath House Cultural Center was ablaze with the hustle and bustle of the opening reception of the 17th Annual El Corazon Art Exhibition. Dallas Artist Jose Vargas curated the exhibit and really hit a home run with his eclectic yet eerily cohesive mix of photography, painting, mixed media, and sculptural works. The idea of creating an opportunity for local artists to explore various artistic interpretations of the human heart was conceived by Mr. Vargas in 1993. Since then, this passionate and delightfully eclectic art show has featured diverse creations inspired by the heart (El Corazón), an important symbol in Mexican and Latin American art, and a significant theme in western culture.


This was my first time to participate in the show, and WOW, it was amazing!  The energy of the crowd, perhaps reinforced by the subject matter of the evening, was indeed palpable.

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 Me and fellow Artist  and Designer Roy G. Vance, whose striking contemporary abstract pieces are available at Art is Art on Henderson and Dulce Interiors, among other lovely places. Find him on Facebook here!

A few photos, courtesy of Dallas Arts Salon.  This was one of my favorite pieces of the evening. I didn't catch the Artist's name, so please pass it this way if you know. 

The beautiful photography of Sharon Neal (left), and of course, my $.02 in the show, "As Within, So Without", the little painting that captured so much of my heart, mind and spirit as I used it to help me work through a difficult medical prognosis for our as-yet-unborn son. This is a true testament to the process of art as therapy. 


The show will run through the end of February, and most works are available for purchase.  The Bath House Cultural Center is located at:
521 E. Lawther Dr.
Dallas, TX 75218 
Phone number: 214-670-8749

Feed Your Addiction

Every Artist has their own unique style of painting. I work in spurts.  Weeks of spot-on creativity in the "flow" state where I can't spend enough time in the studio.  I'm giving the kids baths, and daydreaming about paintings. I'm lying in bed and planning future paintings. I'm reading books and turning the text into paintings...you get the picture. Then I step away.  That is what I did over the last few weeks.   I let it sink in. I show my work and (hopefully) let some of it go to new homes.

My paintings have been up at the Starbuck's in the West Village this month and will be there through this weekend. Dallas friends, please pop in for a visit if you haven't already.  Forgive the shoddy Iphone pics, this was all I had with me but wanted to share some images of my works in their temporary home.

 Now I'm back so sorry about the lack of posts.  But if my pattern holds true, it will be on like gangbusters for the next few weeks.  Peace.

Texas Style and Substance

I am a huge fan of Editor and local Style Maven Kristie Ramirez and her blog, Texas Style and Substance. Her musings about style, design and culture across the state help keep me current.  She  has an uncanny eye for all things chic, whether it's what to wear, where to stay, where to work out, or must-try activities.

          That's why I was stoked to have my artwork featured on her blog and so appreciate her helping spread word about my upcoming show this evening.

Speaking of, local friends please come out to the Blues Jean Bar tonight from 6-8. I will be featuring several new works. Along with cocktails and light bites, The Blues Jean Bar is offering a 15% discount on purchases that night.  So, you can get your shop on and perhaps take home a Gina Dunn original, like the one below which will be on display.  Sounds like a good time to me!

 "Forest of Dreams"

24" x 28"

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

 

Fine Art Show at BJB

Dear Friends, 

I hope you can attend my art show this Thursday evening. I will be featuring several new works. Along with cocktails and light bites, The Blues Jean Bar is offering a 10% discount on purchases that night.  

Best, 

Gina Dunn

Website: web.mac.com/utopiapkwy

Find me on Facebook here.

Gallerina on the Scene

Being a mom of three kids under four affords me very little time to be social, that's just life right now. However, last weekend we had a sitter, I threw on whatever clothes are fitting me right now at 12 weeks post-partum, and and Mr. D and I made it out to RISING Gallery for the opening of their newest show, "Love them Now, Always", featuring the works of Chris Panatier and Kathleen Wilke.

As we were leaving the house, my 3.5 year old daughter, who is in an I-only-want-to-wear-tutus phase, asked where I was going, and when I told her, "an art gallery", she said, "Oh, so I'm a ballerina and you're a GAL-lerina?" Come on....it really doesn't get any cuter than that.

I hadn't been to RISING in several months, but now that we live just a stone's throw away, I really hope to make it in more often. The Owners, brothers Bryan and Taber Wetz, have knocked down some walls of what used to be an adjacent retail shop and have created even more of a wonderful space than before. Art can be captured in a variety of design mediums and RISING brings them all together in its gallery off Knox.

The works by both artists were fantastic, both beautiful, mysterious and ethereal. They were very complimentary of each other. I had the pleasure of meeting Artist Chris Panatier, who I had interviewed online for my blog last week, and viewing his works in person. I am still dreaming of his painting, The Cotton Mandate"...both hubby and I fell in love with it. Something about the softness haunts me. I wonder if it has already sold?

Shots from the Opening Reception

Here are a few pics from Friday's opening reception of my art show, Uncommon Ground, at Artisan Style Gallery. I feel so lucky to have great friends that came out to support! Kudos to owners Brandon Lynch and Steve Iha, for putting together a great show. The turnout was very impressive, and I can only hope everyone had as much fun as I did. My paintings, along with beautiful art by the other featured Artists Debbie Carroll, Michelle Stroescu and Kate Wickham, will be on display until 4/3.

"Uncommon Ground" Opens Tonight!

"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it." ~ Danny Kaye

I am so excited for the opening of my art show, "Uncommon Ground", tonight at Artisan Style Gallery in Uptown. What an honor to be featured with artists Debbie Carroll, Michelle Stroescu and Kate Wickham. Collectively, we have created over fifty works interpreting the modern landscape. My paintings above will be featured, along with many other new works. I hope all of my Dallas friends can make it out to the reception, if you miss it the show will run until 4/3. Now, onto more important things....what to wear, what to wear? A 6 week-postpartum figure is certainly not the ideal, but hopefully everyone will be looking at my paintings and not the baby weight I'm still trying to work off. :)

Locked and Loaded

Here is my Volvo, usually reserved for grocery-getting and toddler-toting, all loaded up with paintings to go to Artisan Style Gallery for my upcoming art show, "Uncommon Ground", which opens this Friday. There is a great group of women artists in the show, and I feel lucky to count myself among them. I am so excited to be displaying my new works and wonder how they will be received. Only time will tell!

Lil Ol' Me at the Dallas Flea!

Save the Date, 3/13, for The Dallas Flea! The Flea is an upscale indoor flea market packed full of fashion, food, furniture, and artwork from local creatives and companies. Sanctuary Sanctorum Home Decor will be there, featuring my paintings. This is an honor because vendors have to be invited to participate, and I'm thrilled they have selected my artwork to be a part of their presence at the event.

Nine Months' Time: My art show at The Pearl Cup

Thanks to all who came to the opening of my art show at The Pearl Cup on Friday evening. There I am in the top picture, trying not to look like I had a baby two weeks prior. :) I am so grateful for the opportunity to show there, and my artwork will be hanging throughout the month. If you didn't make it to the opening, please go by and check it out. All pieces are available for sale.

My Upcoming Show: "Nine Months' Time"...Save the Date!

“Nine Months’ Time”: The Art of Gina Marie Dunn

Feb. 1- 28, 2010

Artist's Reception: Feb. 5, 6-8 p.m.

The Pearl Cup
1900 North Henderson Avenue
Dallas TX 75206-7320
(214) 824-9500

In her upcoming exhibition, artist Gina Dunn combines paintings with subject matter varying from cellular abstractions, modern landscapes and abstract florals in a show that "comprises and defines my third pregnancy, a time of drastic change and life-altering decisions, both personal and professional.”

"My paintings explore the ideas of natural beauty, femininity, motherhood, love, lost love, and the elusive nature of dreams, to name a few. I am continually amazed by the subconscious that is often suppressed but somehow demands to be listened to and try to capture that essence in each work of art. My paintings put my own feelings under the microscope, examine them, and draw inspiration from the magnitude of emotions on display. Each work in its own way addresses the vulnerability that stems from being at the mercy of powers greater than us but also from the knowledge that life is precious and beautiful."

With past art exhibitions throughout Dallas as well as being an art teacher for several years at both Art Stop and The Dallas Museum of Art, Gina Marie Dunn’s creative background runs the gamut. Her work has an organic, earthy feel that is truly captivating.

Allwork is available for pre-sale. Ten percent of sales will be donated to help the victims in Haiti.
Please email utopiapkwyarts@yahoo.com or visit web.mac.com/utopiapkwy for more info.

I Heart Artisan Style Gallery

I am so thrilled to have representation at Artisan Style Gallery. It's the perfect fit for me! Sixteen of my paintings are featured at this Gallery and Gift Boutique in Uptown. The up-and-coming art gallery is in a beautiful historic Victorian building in the heart of the Uptown Arts District and the dynamic owners, Brandon Lynch and Steve Iha, have done a fantastic job packing the walls with bold, colorful, contemporary art--all at an affordable price. The gallery is so dynamic and every time I go in there, there is something new and wonderful to see. Dallas friends, please come in and take a look!

Artisan Style Gallery
2417 Mahon St.Dallas,
TX 75201
214.468.9095
www.artisanstyle.net

COLLISION 3!

Thanks so much to everyone who came to the art show this weekend! It looks like they'll have a healthy donation to give to Arts Fighting Cancer. I went with some of my girlfriends, had a blast and hope you did too. It was hard to get any good pics of my artwork, because the band was drawing such a good crowd, but I was glad my pieces were displayed behind the band because they got such great exposure. The top pic was from the show director's shots, I love that one. My paintings are the green diptych and brown ones on the top row. I took the bottom pic, all four of those paintings are mine--and I have no idea who that lady is! What can I say? I'm a painter, not a photog. ;)

Fort Worth Contemporary Art Center Works on Paper Show

River of the Dawn
10' x 10"
Watercolor and Mixed Media on Paper

Connected Disconnect
7" x 14"
Watercolor and Mixed Media on Paper


To all Fort Worth friends, come see these paintings and three others this Friday night (and the whole month of December)
"9 x 12 Works on Paper Show"
A group show featuring original works on paper for $100 each.

The Fort Worth Community Arts Center will be hosting this show for the third year in a row, and its success and scope grows every year as patrons and art collectors discover this treasure-trove of small art.
This year’s exhibit features artwork from most of the United States and several other countries.

December 4 - 26
Opening Reception: Friday, December 4, 6 - 9 p.m.
Fort Worth Community Arts Center
Fort Worth, TX 76107
817.738.1938

The Sixties Show at F6 Gallery

Wow, what a party! The F6 Gallery was packed last night for the opening of their "Sixties" show, and I was so excited to be a part of it. They are a great group of people at F6, and the vibe of the show was eclectic, uninhibited, and so much fun. Here's me and my hubby in front of my wall. I had a great spot in the gallery. Getting more and more pregnant with every show, just a few more weeks to go!

The breakdancers were awesome and very entertaining to watch.

The Sixties Show at F6 Gallery

"If being an egomaniac means I believe in what I do and in my art or music, then in that respect you can call me that... I believe in what I do, and I'll say it. "
John Lennon

I just returned from the F6 Gallery where they are setting up for tomorrow night's 60's-themed art show. We were responsible for hanging all of our works and thank goodness Mike, one of the wonderful F6 Staffers, took pity on my eight-months-prego-soul and helped me out. There is nothing pretty about me being on a ladder right now. :)

This is a really cool, indie art gallery that gives a lot back to the local community. Come out tomorrow evening for some great music, FREE cocktails and tons of interesting art. I have 13 pieces in the show and am excited to display my new works!

COLLISION 3!

Six of my paintings were accepted into this group show at the Rorshcach Gallery. I am excited to show along with some highly recognized artists! Come out to the Bishop Arts District on 12/5 for a fun opening reception. I'm trying to show my work as much as possible before Baby #3 arrives and our world gets topsy-turvy for a while.

"Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves. Do the thing you fear to do and keep doing it...that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear." -Dale Carnegie

Expressions 2009

"To show a child what once delighted you, to find the child's delight added to your own- this is happiness." M.T. Pedroche

Last night's opening reception at the Lakewood Library was a fun one, we brought the kids to come see mommy's art show. There I am in front of my three paintings looking very pregnant (9 weeks left!) with one little boy and holding my other one. My daughter was off socializing...she decided to wear her "bee princess" costume to the show and was quite the center of attention. My son thoroughly enjoyed the live guitar music and turned the reception into his own impromptu dance session. :)

It is so important to instill a love of arts in children from a very early age, as my own mother did with me...the possiblities of how it can help shape their budding little minds reach far beyond what they express through their own art. That is why I love teaching art to others and making art with my own children. Luckily, I have been blessed with two kiddos who show interest in what I do and are developing artistic skills and opinions of their own. I wonder what #3 will be like?

Expressions 2009

My show opens tomorrow night! I'm excited about this one because it is a competition and all of the artists had to be juried in to participate. I will have three pieces in the show, one of them, "Faith, Hope and Love", is featured on the show's invitation (in the bottom right corner). The first two will be for sale, but "Faith, Hope and Love" has already sold. Thanks for your support!

There Are Many Paths, None Are Certain

30" x 40"

Oil and Mixed Media on Canvas

Prayers for Healing

6" x 12"

Acryilc and Mixed Media on Canvas

Faith, Hope and Love

12" x 12"

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

SOLD

Fine art giclee prints of the original are available. Email me at utopiapkwyarts@yahoo.com