Go Trish! Local artist Trish Biddle was recently commissioned to be the official artist by the Westminster Kennel Club. Inspired by her interests in fashion and Art Deco, Trish created the image for the official 2010 Westminster Kennel Club poster, “Westminster. There’s only one.”  This is now the second year running that Trish has been commissioned to be the official artist.

Her oil painting depicts an evening street scene outside Madison Square Garden in New York and features representative breeds from all seven groups. The Empire State Building, aglow with Westminster’s signature purple and gold colors, sets the stage. Trish Biddle’s penchant for high fashion is evident, as stylish dog lovers stroll past a Westminster-themed Saks Fifth Avenue window, another New York City icon.

Trish Biddle’s impressive resume continues to grow. In 2009 she was named official artist of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Racing Club. In 2008, she was named official artist of the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby 134th Run for the Roses.

You can see more of Trish Biddle’s “Glamorous Women in Fabulous Places” original works and many of her limited edition, signed prints at art251.

If you’re like me, you may have recently found yourself doing a couple of strange things: one in private, the other in public. In private: you raided your closet (or your attic or basement), the place where you store all your old treasures, you found the nondescript, but heavy box, and there, after dusting off the top, you uncovered your (in)famous collection of old 12 inch LPs. Yes, LPs, long-playing phonograph records; vinyl that is, black gold! In public: you found yourself doing something rather similar. You visited a family run music store (yes, some still do exist), and browsed the aisles, as fewer and fewer people seem to do nowadays. And, there, close to the path lined with jewel-boxed CDs, ear-buds, DVD collections and Play Station games, you found them – rows and rows of LPs in their colorful art encrusted sleeves.

So, what brought me to this point? Well, I think a confluence of events. First, my teenage daughter craving “authentic” music, exploring the pre-historic caves of the pre-iPod, pre-MP3, pre-CD music scene. How refreshing it is to have the younger generation re-discovering “our” music. Second, my desire to reminisce over the grand old days of classic rock, classic disco, classic soul, classic… well, just classic music. Also, my desire to revisit the beautiful art and the rich words that once enveloped the dark vinyl of 33s, like a treasured wrapper around your favorite bar of chocolate. Sadly, the instant gratification delivered by the iPod, and to some extent the CD, crushed the art that one graced the covers of this music.

And, now I find that artists, including our very own Nix Johnson, are making art, and wearable art at that, from these very same LPs. Nix’s bracelets and cuffs are made from reclaimed and recycled vinyl records. So, while I’m not quite ready to see my classic Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Motown LPs turned to accessories, I certainly like Nix’s creative and eco-friendly mission. Come take a spin at art251 to see more of Nix Johnson’s colorful vinyl creations.

Our very own Sean Fitzgerald, photographer extraordinaire, picked up a handful of awards recently courtesy of the Trinity River Corridor Project. The City of Dallas sponsored a photography contest for images from the Trinity River. His four entries won the Professional division for landscapes (1st), wildlife (1st and second), and architecture (1st).

An exhibit of some of Sean’s stunning images is on display at art251 – Man And Nature runs until the end of November 2009. All the more exciting for us, because the Trinity River Audubon Center – home to many of Sean’s beautiful wildlife pictures – is also home to art251 Trinity River.

The Trinity River Corridor Project is the most complex and the largest urban development effort ever undertaken by the city of Dallas. It aims to transform a flood protection solution into an opportunity for community revitalization, economic development and the creation of a world-class greenway.

On Saturday January 17 I found myself in MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in New York City, face-to-face with Christina’s World. Andrew Wyeth, the artist, passed away just the day before in his sleep. He was 91.

Christina’s World is perhaps Andrew Wyeth’s best known work. It’s subject, Christina Olson, paralyzed from the waist down is seen dragging herself across an open field in Maine, too “dignified” to use a wheelchair. A crumbling, once proud, farmhouse sits atop a ridge against a grey sky. The painting is dark and sad.

Famous, or infamous, for his realist paintings of rural America Wyeth managed to polarize art critics and the general public, much to the same extent as his contemporary and complete opposite, another AW, Andy Warhol. Many critics shunned his work, convinced that Wyeth gave realism a bad name, and yet his many exhibitions would constantly sell out. I suppose his populism is one reason critics shunned his work; their message would otherwise be lost should they – heavens above – agree with members of the public. Though, one critic hedged his bets when surveyed about the most over-rated and most under-rated artists of recent times, by nominating Wyeth for both categories.

Interestingly enough, MOMA still only showed Wyeth’s birthdate (and not his date of departure from this world) on the wall tag next to his work. Could, rumors of Wyeth’s passing have been greatly exaggerated; misinterpreted from one of his many previous publicity stunts?

I finally have my new digital camera; a great replacement for the one that imploded not too long ago. So, now I can concentrate my attention and my lens on the exceptional artworks within our beautiful blue space.

art251 has been open for around 6 weeks. In that short time we’ve had lots of customers comment on our whimsical flying machines. They’re made by Jay Garrison. He constructs all of his works from recycled household objects. What better way to make use of all that spare “stuff” that clogs your attic or basement. In fact, Jay will take commissions and make a personal craft just for you, from your very own household extras.

We have 3 of these delightful winged contraptions dangling from our ceiling. They’d look great in a family, play or children’s room or your friendly pediatrician’s office.

I’m lucky to be surrounded by great art, every day — it comes with the job! I think all the art inside art251 is beautiful to look at; sometimes the beauty is in the subject, or the composition, or the colors, or the narrative. Some of our art makes me feel and even think, and of course it may or may not make someone else feel completely different or even nothing at all.

On September 24, I attended the opening reception for Rita Barnard’s solo show at North Lake College in Irving. Entitled “Ball of Confusion”, Rita’s show contains select pieces of her thought-provoking mixed media. Rita is one of the few local artists who we’ve seen whose work shows concern for some of this country’s recent tragedies: the Iraq war, hurricane Katrina, the Enron financial scandal. Her art can’t help but make you think and feel.

Perhaps her greatest work is the immense “Tribute to the Fallen”. It is 44 feet long, and is made up of 22 panels, each 2 feet wide by 4 feet high. Each panel holds 209 toy soldiers. Each little plastic figure, carefully placed on a panel, represents one of the lives lost in the Iraq war. Each is an individual — we can read his or her name and place of birth and learn how each lost his or her life.

Regardless of which side of the debate you are on, I would urge you to go and view this work for yourself — you cannot help but be moved. This and other works by Rita Barnard are on display in the Gallery at North Lake College in Irving until October 15. For directions, click here.

One of our east walls features “photo-impressionistic” art from Michael Longhofer, and several more pieces by Chad Beene (works from Bible Series).

Michael Longhofer

Michael paints a broad range of subjects including contemporary cityscapes, of which we have several in art251. His style of painting is realism. Michael uses perspective, depth and color to create the illusion of light, which adds significant atmosphere to his works. He is also experimenting with composing his subjects in ready-made frames such as windows and doors. Michael also builds exquisite wooden boxes, some of which we have in the space.

art251 welcomes Drew Liedtke. Our turquoise walls love his art.

Drew Liedtke

Drew’s paintings —  yes, they are paintings — are eerily monochromatic. He loves to paint portraits. Drew uses oils and draws much of his subject matter from old black and white photographs.

We love Trish Biddle’s work. Part of our space is dedicated to several of Trish’s originals, both large and small, including “What Are the Odds”, Official Art of the 2008 Kentucky Derby.

OK, I’m a curator now. So, I couldn’t resist juxtaposing a few select works by Trish Biddle and Marnie Vollenhals, featuring mans’ best friend. We’re delighted to have both artists in art251.

Trish Biddle

Trish’s paintings take us back to the era when style and sophistication was a necessity. Her works are sleek and exude grace and charm. Trish is a rising talent. Her works have a growing base of regional and national collectors. She is the official artist of the 2008 Kentucky Derby and will be official artist for the 2009 Westminster Dog Show. art251 is home to half-a-dozen of Trish’s beautiful originals.

Marnie Vollenhals

Marnie is another talented local artist, and like Trish, is constantly at work. Her paintings focus on the delights of the young, and young at heart. Marnie’s “Rocket Dog” series focuses on the adventures of a little four-legged super hero. Superheroes are much in vogue at the moment.

We’re so glad to have some of Chad Beene’s work in art251. Our outward facing west wall is turquoise, and we had originally set it aside for black and white photography and bolder, contrasting works. However, when it came time to hang Chad’s works “[Johnny] Cash” and “Hank [Williams]” we knew they were meant to be on this wall!

Chad Beene

Chad’s work is vivid and simple, but not simplistic. His broad range of work comes from his passion for subjects, whether old country music or his faith. Chad likes to paint with flat silhouettes of color, which he uses to represent the deeper details of his subjects.

We’ve set aside part of our wall space for some inwardly focused spiritual art. Here we have some pieces from a talented local artist, Aditi Samarth.

Aditi Samarth

Aditi’s works feature repetitive images and patterns to represent visual incantation from eastern meditative traditions. She also plays with opposites such as chaos and order, and pattern and color.