CALL FOR ENTRIES -- Love, Lust, & Desire V

Better Than Caffeine, Holly Elkins, 2012

McGowan Fine Art is holding its fifth annual Valentine's Show: Love, Lust & Desire from January 29 - February 15, 2013. The theme is meant to be interpreted broadly - there were many entrants who focused on love of their pet, food or landscape in previous years. Don’t worry about being too literal with the theme!

Stuffed Puppy Love, Hannah Phelps, 2011

Submissions can be any medium, but must be no larger than 8½" x 11", should not be framed, and must be light enough to be held up by two clips.  The art is intended to be very affordable - so must retail for $300 or under.  (see photo for how we present the artwork.) 

If you are interested in submitting to Love, Lust, and Desire this year, please email jessica@mcgowanfineart.com for a detailed Call for Entries and guidelines, with "LL&D 2013" in the subject line. The deadline for email submissions is December 14, 2012.

First Date, Jean Stephens, 2010

Love, Lust, and Desire

A low fat alternative for your sweetheart on Valentine's Day - affordable art to tickle everyone's fancy.

McGowan Fine Art announces the opening of “Love, Lust & Desire” featuring the works of over 40 different artists. The show will run from January 31 to February 17, with a reception on February 3 from 5 to 7 PM. There is a snow date of February 10.

February is a month that inspires the romantic in all of us- but are you tired of giving the same old box of candy or vase of flowers? In celebration of Valentine’s Day, McGowan Fine Art presents “Love Lust & Desire,” an annual group show of over 40 artists. The majority of these artworks will be smaller than a sheet of paper, with prices between $25- $300- perfect for framing and presenting to your sweetheart. Or make it a date and pick out a valentine for each other. With such a big theme a lot of surprises are to be  expected. And the reception is the perfect opportunity to meet the artist who has created your Valentine!                                                  

The artists’ submissions from this show are as varied as the artists themselves. Claire Larrabee’s, beautiful, romantic jewelry will surely delight its recipient. Some of the pieces are like sweet little love notes, such as Jan Roy’s painting, “On My Mind”, or Janet Duncan’s delectable “Box of Chocolates”. Sid Ceaser’s  photographs of small plastic anime toys are sensual and humorous in their life-like depictions. Ted Arnold explores desire through a series of witty and comical prints for this show.

Some of the artists turn to animals for inspiration. Jane O’Hara’s loving portraits capture the unique personalities of animals, from bunnies to Boston Terriers. Debbie Kinson expresses love and desire through nature, such as two leaves playfully entwined in “Our Dance”, or the yearning of a bird for its worm in her luminous painting, “You Belong to  Me”.  

This is a show that will amuse and amaze. Bring your Valentine in for the gift of beauty.

Love, Lust & Desire

There was a positive sea of people at the gallery for the opening of Love, Lust & Desire! You almost couldn't move, but somehow people managed to pick out their favorites and buy them.

Here is Jessica Pappathan, assistant curator at St Anselm College with Amanda McGowan. Jess brought her sister Cassandra Pappathan, a new young writer for the Concord Insider. Cassie wrote a wonderful article about attending the opening called How To Behave At An Art Reception, which is a great primer for first time gallery attendance. As you can tell by the photo- it involved a lot of fun!

Many of the artists were baffled by how the show would go up on the walls with just clips. They had never seen anything quite like it. I have to confess that I took the idea from another gallery which had one wall devoted to "affordable art" hung in this manner.

It has also appealed to a lot of buyers! We have had streams of people coming to the gallery to check it out. The different interpretations of the theme have intrigued viewers. Often times they will go through the show 2 or 3 times because they have missed seeing pieces.

It has been an ever evolving show too. As the artwork is sold, new pieces go up. This has allowed people to take their valentines home.

Another wonderful article appeared in the Concord Monitor, written by Melanie Plenda- you can read it here.

Jay Surdukowski, pictured second from left, a former assistant to me and now a high powered lawyer at Sulloway & Hollis is pictured here with some of his friends. He had several pieces in the show- and definately won the award for bringing the most fans!