Friday, December 7, 2012

Commission a Ballpoint Pen Portrait from your photo!

Marilyn, 2012, Ballpoint on paper, 8"x10"
David, 2012, Ballpoint on paper, 11"x14"



Because of the interest in my ballpoint portraits, I've decided to make it an option on my blog's side bar so you can commission one instantly! Send me a photo, and I'll draw your portrait in my ballpoint circles.  Just like that, you can be the proud owner of a Colleen Blackard original drawing! 

Note: I use Parker Pens for portraits that conform to ISO12757-2, so the drawings are archival!

8"x10" Ballpoint Portrait from your photo: $250 plus shipping
11"x14" Ballpoint Portrait from your photo: $500 plus shipping

I will contact you via e-mail to finalize the details upon receipt of your order.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Shifting Perception Video


Colleen Blackard from deukyun hwang on Vimeo.

Shifting Perception
at Orchard Windows Gallery

Shifting Perception

Paths of Memory, 2012
Drafting film over ballpoint pen on gessoed wood
33"x42"

Wake, 2010
Drafting film over ballpoint pen on watercolor paper
16"x20"

The Great Dictator, 2012
Ballpoint pen on drafting film and watercolor paper
24"x36"




Cyrus the Great, 2012
Ballpoint pen on drafting film and watercolor paper
20"x24"


Your Future, 2012
Drafting film, tracing paper
16"x20"

Tracing Memory, 2012
Drafting film over ballpoint pen on watercolor paper
8.5"x10" 

March 3, 2010 6:10PM
Drafting film over pencil on paper
8.5"x10"


Colleen’s art shares her experience of the universe. She presents a strong sense of graphic sensibility that maintains an ethereal quality. She builds up masses of ballpoint pen circles to create patterns of obfuscating shadows and defining lights that confuse and clarify the subject. She chooses this time-consuming yet meditative process as a way to give life to every detail.

Her series "Shifting Perception" highlights the importance of memory in creating a positive future.
The heart of the show is hidden, but not lost. The viewer must touch the work to complete the piece. When only a small detail appears, the viewer must use memory to recreate the image in its entirety. The experience of the piece continues as long as the memory lasts. Memory defies loss.

Memories tempt us to interpret the present based on the past and, from there, create our future. Some of the pieces display iconic images with negative associations. The images can incite certain past memories, but a touch of reality can easily shift our perception, allowing us to connect with a point in the past when inspiration rather than fear could have kept negative events from occurring. Memory defines the past and inspires the future.

Will yours be negative or positive?

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Shifting Perception

Orchard Windows Gallery is pleased to present Shifting Perception, a solo show of drawings by Colleen Blackard  This exhibition will be on display from August 13th-20th, 2012.

Opening Reception: Tuesday, August 14th, 2012, 6-9PM

37 Orchard St, New York, NY
(917) 995-1001

Shifting Perception highlights the importance of memory in creating a positive future.  To bring us closer to a time when memory loss itself will be forgotten, Colleen Blackard and Orchard Windows Gallery will donate 25% of sales to The Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter.

The heart of the show is hidden, but not lost.  The viewer must touch the work to complete the piece.  When only a small detail appears, the viewer must use memory to recreate the image in its entirety.  The experience of the piece continues as long as the memory lasts.  Memory defies loss.

Memories tempt us to interpret the present based on the past and, from there, create our future.  Some of the pieces display iconic images with negative associations.  The images can incite certain past memories, but a touch of reality can easily shift our perception, allowing us to connect with a point in the past when inspiration rather than fear could have kept negative events from occurring.  Memory defines the past and inspires the future.   

Will yours be negative or positive?   

Colleen Blackard is originally from Austin, TX, and currently lives and works in Brooklyn. She received a BA in Studio Art from Hampshire College, MA. She has been included in exhibitions at the Rush Arts Gallery, Family Business Gallery, Times Square, and Contrast at 320 Studios. This is her first solo show at Orchard Windows Gallery.
    
Website: ColleenBlackard.com

Friday, April 13, 2012

Solo Show: "Fading Memories; Emerging Spirit"

Fading, 2012
Ballpoint on Canvas
3.5in x 2.5in


Greenpoint Gallery is pleased to present Colleen Blackard: "Fading Memories; Emerging Spirit", a poignant exhibition of ballpoint pen and mixed media drawings that explores the contrasting realities of Alzheimer's Disease. Colleen shows that while memory deteriorates, the human spirit emerges, unfettered by social constraints.


 This subject is intimately personal to the artist, having lost two grandparents, one great-grandmother, and others to Alzheimer's. Informed by these experiences, Colleen includes ballpoint pen and circular lines in each drawing that in time, almost unnoticeably, will slowly bleed together, blurring the distinctions of light and dark just as Alzheimer's blurs the distinctions of reality.


 In keeping with Colleen's vision, the show has a hopeful tone. She believes in a time when memories will remain and Alzheimer's will be forgotten. To this end, she will donate a portion of sales to the Alzheimer's Association of New York City to research the cure.


Colleen Blackard is originally from Austin, TX, and currently lives and works in Brooklyn. Colleen received a BA from Hampshire College, MA. Colleen's first solo exhibition "For The Universe" opened in 2009 at Hampshire College Gallery, and she has been included in exhibitions at Rush Arts Gallery, Dino Eli Gallery, and Contrast at 320 Studios. This will be the artist's first solo exhibition with the Greenpoint Gallery.


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