Friday, May 18, 2012

My Featured Guest Artist for June: Anna Todaro

My featured guest artist for June is the multi-talented Anna Todaro.  She creates both fine and wearable art.  I am so excited to have her at my open studio.  Here's a little more about her work:

"As an acrylic painter, I strive to create work which uplifts and inspires and at the same time is urban and sweet."

Anna was born in Chicago, IL. She studied painting at Northern Illinois University (BFA 2004). Anna currently lives and works in Chicago, IL.

Anna has always been very imaginative and began making paintings in high school.  Anna lived in Portland, OR from 2004-2010, where she developed her own unique painting style.

As you can see, her paintings are an unlikely combination of pop cultural references and sumptuous pastel colors.  Her fashion accessories and jewelry are equally whimsical and fun.







Come by the studio June 8th to meet Anna and buy some of her lovely art and accessories!  I will be serving some refreshments inspired by Anna's delicious color palette.

Here are the details:

June Open Studio
Friday, June 8th
6 - 9 p.m.
The Fine Arts Building
410 S. Michigan Avenue
Studio 632F
Chicago, IL
 

Thursday, May 10, 2012

New photos from The Doll Project are now on Etsy!

Now that my show at Flourish Studios has ended, I am selling the new pictures from The Doll Project on Etsy.  The ones I have listed are all 11x14, except for the Fashion Victims poster, which is 18x24.

11x14 prints are $60

this 18x24 poster is $100
Other sizes are available if you need them, so let me know if you'd like to place a custom order.  They ship without frames because it's easier that way, but if you want a framed copy, I can do that, too.  And if you are in the Chicago area, you can also purchase prints from me at my open studio events.

Here's a link to The Doll Project on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/tjgholar?section_id=6028645

Sunday, May 6, 2012

New photos from The Doll Project for International No Diet Day

Today is International No Diet Day.  So many eating disorders begin as well-intentioned diets.

Mia and her mom make orange banana berry smoothies for breakfast


Sadly, for some the quest to eat more healthfully devolves into a downward spiral of self-destruction.

Still hungry after only having a smoothie for breakfast, Mia hides in the bathroom where she binges on ice cream


The focus on discipline and willpower and the desire to punish oneself for "cheating" on a diet can lead to a cycle of binging and purging.

After devouring the entire carton of ice cream, Mia is ashamed for breaking the diet her mother put her on and purges.


So today I wanted to share these new pictures from The Doll Project.  This part of the series explores the origins of eating disorders from another angle.  Those who have seen the previous installment may recall that I was looking at these issues from a historical perspective.  This part of the contemporary series of photos I am taking right now examines things from a psychological perspective.  Where does this sense of self-loathing come from? The fashion and beauty industry's impossible standards of physical perfection are not the only factors.  I'll get into that more later.

In the meantime, I'd like to invite my Chicago area readers who have not already done so to stop by the Envision Gallery at Flourish Studios to see The Doll Project before the show ends on Wednesday the 9th.

Here are the details:

Flourish Studios
3020 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL


Gallery Hours:
Monday-Friday: 10-7
Saturdays: 10-5
Sunday: Closed



I end this post now with some final food for thought for International No Diet Day:

Weigh What's Really Important