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.

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?

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

Orchard Windows Gallery

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

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.


Facebook Page

Upcoming April Shows!

Here are the places you can see my artwork in the month of April:

Conception Tribeca III

Wednesday, April 11, 2012
6pm-Midnight
22 Warren St
(corner of Warren St and Church St)
New York, NY 10007
Conception III Website
Conception Tribeca III Facebook Page

Family Business

Its a small, small world (aka The Clusterf*ck) open call by Hennessey Youngman.
Live Performance by: Spank Rock
Curated by Marylin Minter

April 3, 2012
6-9pm

Family Business Gallery
520 West 21st Street
New York, NY 10011
info[at]familybusinessgallery.com
http://www.familybusinessgallery.com/virgins-part5/

Diggable Arts Festival
Hoboken’s only two day independent art festival will take place at the Monroe Center for the Arts.
720 Monroe St 
Hoboken, NJ
April 21 - 22. 2012.
Digable Arts Festival Website
Digable Arts Festival Facebook Page

Fading Memories

A solo show of drawings about the experience of Alzheimer's Disease.
A portion of sales will go to the Alzheimer's Association of NYC, and will be the first installation of Artists Against Alzheimer's art events.
Greenpoint Gallery
390 McGuinness Blvd
Brooklyn, NY 11222
April 20, 2012
8pm-1am
Greenpoint Gallery Website
Greenpoint Gallery Facebook Page

Mahzen Grill
On permanent display
739 Grand St.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
(718) 302-2010
http://mahzengrill.com/

Conception II in Tribeca

Conception II

I will be one of two "Featured Artists" in the upcoming group show, Conception II, on Wednesday night.  Come check it out!

CONCEPTION II ART EVENT

WED JANUARY 25th 2011, 6pm - late  22 WARREN ST, NEW YORK CITY


You're invited to join us for our newest exhibition featuring a meet and
greet with our lineup of eclectic artists,live musical entrainment and
full bar.

Conception is back!

After the huge success of our inaugural Fall 2011 event Conception II
returns with a collaborative of exciting new artists, entertainment and
musical performances.

Join us at our exclusive underground TriBeCa venue as we take you on a
journey of art and decadence.

Meet and greet with our 20 exceptional, multi-medium artists from 6-8 pm,
as well as representatives and vendors from Manhattans fashion, apparel
and jewelry industry.

The highly acclaimed “Hampton Brothers” set the musical tone for the
evening supported by exciting special guest vocalists and performance
artists.

Experience the moment of Conception!

Wed JAN 25th 2012 - 6PM

22 Warren Street
New York City
10007

RSVP #######

Conception Events
Rachel Wilkins
rachelwilkins@conceptionartshow.com
201-232-5183