Artistically Inspired

Conception II in Tribeca

2012-01-23T00:38:00.000-06:00

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

Contrast Art Show November 30th-December 1st

2011-11-20T13:02:00.000-06:00

Come to the Contrast Art Show! I will be showing drawings from the Uncle William Series and The Nature Of Ballpoint.

Nevember 30th-December 1st

14th Floor

320W 37th st

New York, 10018

http://www.contrastartshow.com/

OutAuction!

2011-11-07T00:54:00.000-06:00

Starlight, 2010

My piece Starlight will be auctioned off at GLAAD's OUTAuction on November 20th!

From their website, http://www.glaad.org/outauction:

"The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) invites you to the 10th Annual OUTAuction presented by Bud Light and ROKK Vodka! Join us for the 10th anniversary of the largest and most visible art auction event in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community celebrating established and emerging artists as well as recognizing GLAAD’s Top 100 Artists and our OUT in Art Award recipient.

OUTauction helps raise funds to support GLAAD’s work with the media to bring culture-changing stories of LGBT people to millions of homes and workplaces every day in an effort to increase understanding and awareness to build support for full equality. This will be an evening capturing the perfect synergy between art, fashion and interior design. Guests will enjoy hosted cocktails, great music, and gourmet hors d’oeuvres while bidding on over 100 unique pieces of art which have included the works of Pablo Picasso, Herb Ritts, Steven Klein, Ryan McGinness, Wassily Kandinsky, Marc Chagall and many more! "

I'm so happy to be supporting such a great cause!

Uncle William Series

2011-10-12T16:08:00.003-05:00

Uncle William

William

Palo Duro Canyon


William (Close Up)

The Uncle William series is based on black and white photos taken by my father of my Uncle Willy in the rural 1970's Texas countryside. My uncle has Down Syndrome, and happens to be the most cheerful and content person I know. However, he can appear radically different and almost frightening to outsiders, especially when dressed in his cowboy attire. This series uses contrasting light and dark to examine these polar opposites. Obfuscating shadows and defining lights confuse and clarify the subject, casting doubt on first impressions.

In The Shadowed Light

2011-10-12T14:18:00.000-05:00

In The Shadowed Light, 2011

4" x 4"

Ballpoint on paper mounted on wood panel

Floating-Complete series

2011-06-08T18:35:00.000-05:00

Completed Floating Series - Acrylic on Plexiglass. Loved the layering process.

Paintings!

2011-06-08T18:33:00.000-05:00

Just created these a couple nights ago.

The Hallway - acrylic

Self Portrait - Acrylic

Skyline

2011-06-08T18:16:00.000-05:00

View from the Greenpoint Gallery roof. I love this city!

New Media

2011-06-08T18:13:00.000-05:00

I've been experimenting with the subject of light in other media recently, using what I learned from ballpoint. Here are some of the results!

Watercolor

Oil on Plexiglass

Graphite

New Directions

2011-05-20T16:59:00.002-05:00

Metrocards

2011-05-20T16:47:00.000-05:00

A series of metro cards I created for the Single Fare show at Sloan Fine Art. More info on my New York Adventures blog.

Solo show at SIP

2010-10-03T22:32:00.003-05:00

SIP Bar presents The Nature of Ballpoint, a solo exhibition of drawings by Colleen Blackard.

The Nature of Ballpoint is a glimpse into an otherworldly world where landscape becomes celestial. Subjects such as water are built up by masses of ballpoint pen circles to create patterns of light and shadow. Colleen chooses this time-consuming yet meditative process as a way to give life to every detail. Come share the experience of creation by following the lines.

The reception will be at SIP on October 7th from 8-11pm.
If you can't make the reception, stop by any time between September 4th and October 15th.

See a preview of the work: The Nature of Ballpoint

Here's the facebook page.

Convergence

2010-10-03T22:31:00.003-05:00

My third show in the city: CONVERGENCE

So much fun, thanks to everyone who came out!

It took place at the Lexington Ave Armory. So many artists in such a historic location.

Check out the Convergence blog.

My work (the four black and white images)

G2

2010-10-03T22:27:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who came out for my second NYC show, and Rami's first! The reception was packed.

My work!

The artists! Check out Rami's work here.

"No Biting" Midtown Group Show

2010-07-21T11:37:00.002-05:00

If you're in NYC tomorrow or Friday, come see my new drawings from my Better Farm artist residency at the group show at 320 West 37th st. (14th floor) in Midtown.
For more information, go to the facebook page: "No Biting!"
Opening reception is tomorrow night from 6pm-2am, and it's open Friday from 11am-12am.

UPDATE:

The show was a success! I sold the two small pieces on the first night. The turn-out was incredible. Thank you everyone!

Better Farm Residency

2010-07-07T21:03:00.004-05:00

Just concluded my residency at Better Farm! Here's some of the work I created during my stay:

Wake

Glow

Midnight

Reach

The work I created was a reflection on my time at the farm. I was greatly influenced by the tranquil landscape, the night sky, the trips out on the many lakes in the region, and the people I met along the way. It was an incredibly enriching experience.

See more images of the opening on Better Farm's blog: Better Farm Holds First Art Opening

Scarbrough Building Solo Show

2010-05-25T13:27:00.007-05:00

Presented by Real Gallery, there is a solo exhibition of my work at the Scarbrough Building Lobby in Austin from May 16th to June 20th, featuring a mix of prints and originals. It's a rare chance to see the original Andromeda Galaxy drawing.

There's an announcement for my show in the May 21st Austin Chronicle on page 61:

http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/e

On the right as you walk in: The Center of the Universe, Star Cluster, Untitled, Pathway Through the Stars, The Sky from Earth, and Creation.

On the left: Andromeda Galaxy, Orion's Belt (Small), Pleiades, The Universe Within, and Orion's Belt.

Thanks so much to my mother Sandy, Betsy, and Ricky! Without your hard work and beautiful installation, there wouldn't be a show!

Flipnotics Show

2010-04-12T14:03:00.001-05:00

If you head to Flipnotics on Barton Springs Road, you'll see my work up for the month of April.

So grab a cup of coffee, see a show, and check out my framed prints! (Which are for sale)

You can see "Creation," "Pathway Through The Stars,"

"Orion's Belt," and "The Center of the Universe"

Details:

Update: "The Sky From Earth" and "The Universe Within" are no longer on view.

So when there's a show, my work will be featured in the videos taken, like this one here:

Guest Blog Post on TimeForFrida

2010-01-03T16:04:00.012-06:00

I was invited to do a guest artist blog entry on TimeForFrida today. Great way to start 2010!
In the words of blog author, KV Abbot: " The viewer can sense the manner that she moves the pen on the paper. A physical act. An expressive act."

First Night Real Gallery Exhibition

2010-01-02T14:10:00.007-06:00

I participated in the First Night Real Gallery Exhibition this past week, showing up to 100 Congress Ave in the early mornings and working on my drawings until 6pm, Tuesday through Thursday.

The flyer:

And here I am working on a drawing next to my work,
right on Congress Ave!

It was a successful and fun event. I love it when viewers get to see the process along with the finished work. Thanks to everyone who came out!

Rhythms of Light

2009-11-28T17:42:00.006-06:00

Rhythms of Light

(Private Collection)
2009
10.5" X 18"
Ballpoint Pen on Paper

This is a recently finished commissioned work. I enjoyed developing the little interacting moments in the bottom left, while still making the two larger interacting light images the focus. The balance of the piece was an interesting challenge, and I had fun synthesizing all the elements.

Infynit Hour

2009-11-18T17:47:00.011-06:00

Yesterday, I had a live interview and art segment on the Infynit Hour on ChannelAustin about my art. They even put together this video!

Pathway Through The Stars

2009-10-10T20:59:00.005-05:00

Pathway Through The Stars
11" x 14"
Archival Ink Ballpoint Pen on Vellum

When creating this drawing, I kept in mind the view from earth when we look directly up at the night sky. We can faintly detect the distant glow of the milky way, but it's impossible for our eyes to take in every detail. However, with this image, it's as if the haze of the atmosphere clears and our eyes are free to travel through the star-scape.

Showing at Valley Hands on Friday!

2009-09-09T00:01:00.011-05:00

This Friday (September 11th) it's Arts Night Out and I'll be at Valley Hands creating and selling work! It's down a ways on Pleasant street in Northampton, pretty easy to find. Stop in for some wine & snacks and experience the life of my drawings.

Here's the info:

Watch Art Develop at Valley Hands
FRI Sept 11 4-8pm
Wine, Snacks, & Artists Creating!

A fun and creative way to spend Friday evening.

Meet the artists, pull up a chair & Watch Art Develop right before your eyes!

This month's feature artists include:

Annie Bissett ~ a Northampton based artist and freelance illustrator, began learning the techniques of Japanese woodblock (moku hanga) in 2005 and has devoted herself to printmaking since then. Come watch her work and create! www.anniebissett.com

Colleen Blackard ~ Northampton. My art is meant to share my experience of the universe. I'm creating the absence of light in order to form light using ballpoint pen. Come and watch the process unfold! www.colleenblackard.carbonmade.com

Katie Richardson - Belchertown. I work primarily in glass and metal, though I enjoy experimenting with other materials, too. I'm inspired by nature, people's stories and struggles and the process of making. I hope to enrich people's lives with beautiful and functional objects that delight the eye and remind people of creativity in human nature. Come and be dazzled! www.katierichardson.mosaicglobe.com

VALLEY HANDS

Creative Space

342 Pleasant St NORTHAMPTON

near Oxbow Gallery and Northampton Coffee on the opposite side

near Memory Lane Antiques

413.335.9235 www.valleyhands.com

Prints for Sale!

2009-07-23T21:18:00.013-05:00

If you'd like to buy my work, but don't have enough for the actual pieces, you can now buy prints online! Right now I've got The Center of The Universe and Orion's Belt prints for sale.

There are "Add to Cart" buttons in the sidebar tab called "Buy Prints" to make the process easy. I'm also selling them off my website, colleenblackard.carbonmade.com, below the images. Enjoy!

Orion's Belt

The Center of the Universe

Juried Exhibition at Northampton Center for the Arts

2009-06-26T16:10:00.013-05:00

Save the date!

My pieces The Sky from Earth and Creation will be on display for the “Works on Paper” juried exhibition at the Northampton Center for the Arts. They announce the winners at the reception. It's on Arts Night Out in Northampton, so while you're strolling around town, stop by!

Northampton Center for the Arts
17 New South Street
Northampton, MA 01060 (Map & Directions)

Show Dates: July 10th, 2009 - August 7th, 2009
Gallery hours: Thursday thru Saturday 4-7pm
Reception: Friday, July 10th, 2009, from 5-7pm

Creation

The Sky From Earth

The Creation of a Universe: Part 1

2009-06-22T00:19:00.004-05:00

I've currently started a new drawing on 18"x24" paper, and this time I'm documenting the process. Here's the first part of the drawing, I just did this (both the art and video) today:

The Universe is Infinite...

2009-06-15T13:41:00.027-05:00

...and so are the stars created solely by intersecting circles in my ballpoint pen drawings. Here's a journey to "The Center of the Universe"

The Full Image:

Zoom to the top left quarter:

Closer:

Microscopic:

And here's another one...

The Full Image:

Zoom to the top left quarter:

Closer:

Microscopic:

and a shorter one...

The Full Image:

Zoom to the middle section:

Closer, but not too close:

Click on images for even greater magnification.

I hope this adds to your experience of my work. It's the next best thing to actually seeing it in person.

For The Universe

2009-05-12T00:29:00.011-05:00

Artist Statement
My art is meant to share my experience of the universe. I’m creating the absence of light in order to form light. I use materials and forms that are familiar, like ballpoint pen, circles and infinity symbols. My hand moves intuitively when applying marks, but I keep my eye open to forms I wish to convey. Through this process, I create an active relationship between the infinitely small world of details, the infinitely large world of detail-created forms, and you, the viewer.

Andromeda Galaxy

2009-05-11T23:27:00.007-05:00

Andromeda Galaxy
Archival ink ballpoint pen on mylar and paper

This image was all about layering. I drew an image on paper and overlayed it with mylar. I then drew on both the front and back of the translucent surface to create different tones. This process was more like aquatint, so it was helpful that I've had some experience with printmaking. Three layers took three times the work, so I really got to know this image. I was happy with the illusion of space in this drawing. In person, it really feels like it's pulling you in, much like the gravity of our larger, neighboring galaxy Andromeda.

Orion's Belt

2009-05-11T23:26:00.007-05:00

Orion's Belt
24" x 30"
Archival ink ballpoint pen on paper

This drawing was loosely based on a hubble deep space image of Orion's belt. I chose this recognizable image in order to ground the viewer with a familiar constellation. This way, one can enter a familiar image, but see it in a completely new light.

The Sky from Earth

2009-05-11T23:23:00.006-05:00

The Sky From Earth
15"x30"
Ballpoint Pen on paper

This was the first star image I created. I spent a month drawing microscopically on this one, and every inch transported me far off into space. It was, to say the least, an intense yet calming process.

The Center of the Universe

2009-05-11T23:22:00.006-05:00

The Center of the Universe
33"x42'' Drawing
Ballpoint Pen on Arches paper

This drawing took two months to complete, but was worth it. The process of drawing with only circles was challenging, but it was responsible for the organic quality of the image. I was pleased with the glow it created by letting the paper show through.

It shows how the universe is made of light, and that there is no dark, only the absence of light.

The Universe Within

2009-05-11T23:18:00.003-05:00

The Universe Within

This was one of the first star images I created. I used bic ballpoint pens to build up the image of stars within a mountain scape. It reminds me of lights on a hillside, however, these lights come from within.

Tornadoes

2008-12-15T17:51:00.003-06:00

"Panic"
conte crayon drawing on Arches paper
8'x10'

"The Storm"
Ball point pen on Arches paper
4'x3.5'

Artist Statement

Thunderstorms are a prominent theme in my life. In Texas, you learn to fear Spring, while at the same time reveling in its excitement. The weather is perfect for thunderstorms. Storms are weather with personality. They roll in, rumbling and flashy, clapping thunder and blinding you with lightning. They have short lives, pounding your house with heavy rain for about thirty minutes. Then they quietly slip away, almost embarrassed of ever demanding your attention. Now you’re left with the aftermath: flooded backyards, streets with rivers on each side, and wriggling, unearthed worms that didn’t get the memo that the storm’s over. Sometimes, you even get a rainbow to top off the entire event. These are the good storms. The bad storms are what make me happy about my choice to leave good ole’ Tornado Alley.
Safe in Massachusetts, I can reminisce about the bad storms with a sense of accomplishment at having lived a little. If I were still in Texas in the Spring, you can bet my artistic expression would have nothing to do with even the tiniest twister. The bad storms are what damage property and ruin lives. They come in the same way good storms do, loud and boisterous, but give you something to fear. These are the storms I’ve cowered under a mattress in the hallway for, the ones that made me pray. The ones that make you afraid to hear the N.O.A.A. weather radio alert, and relieved if it’s “just a test.” It’s when the sky really does turn that electric shade of green, and the hairs really do stand up on the back of your neck. You react with primal instinct, and something tells you to get the hell outta there. It is impending doom. You know that it’s nothing personal, nature’s just gonna take you out, and that impartiality is what really does it.
Right here, right now, I love these powerful storms. I’m just as perverse as a storm chaser who films tornadic devastation for sport, but I hope the unsympathetic nature of my artwork will communicate the dread that comes when the computerized voice says, “Tornado Warning.”

Branches

2008-12-15T16:35:00.003-06:00

Tree Branches
Oil on Masonite
12"x14"

This was the first successful painting of this semester. I chose not to follow this path for my division 3 project, and instead, I'm creating drawings, but I think this direction is a good one for me to follow when I decide to focus on painting again. I love the idea of painting shadows. The ethereal way the branches form and then disappear into shadows on the wall really appeals to me.

Teddywear-our first sale

2008-08-21T22:46:00.003-05:00

Even though not directly art related (although I did design the graphics), I just had to share the news....

WE MADE OUR FIRST SALE!

This summer my sister and I started a t-shirt business for teddy bears. Since Build-a-Bears are such a craze these days, we thought that kids would want souvenirs for their teddies. Because of this, we're marketing them to local tourist shops, and had our first sale on Congress Ave. today. If you're visiting Austin, check out the store and maybe buy one for your teddy!

Here's our product:

The Last Moment

2008-08-19T21:28:00.005-05:00

The Last Moment

14" X 11"

PastelIt was a great day for thunderstorms...in the distance. We got some nice rain in the afternoon, but the huge anvil heads, like this one, passed us by. But what a view. I only had about five minutes to run into the house and grab my pastels before this one disappeared. I tried my blue paper this time, and I think that caught the light of twilight well. The grey appeared to grow out of the muted blue in the way the clouds do when you can't quite tell whether or not you're seeing sky or a storm. I tried some bright colors for the light on the clouds this time, rather than my usual white or light yellow. It was so fun to add those hints of pink!

Triciclo (It all starts somewhere)

2008-08-09T22:38:00.008-05:00

Triciclo

(It all starts somewhere)
Acrylic Painting

18" X 24"

I created this painting with the Bike Art show in mind, but added my own twist. Although Colnago doesn't make trikes, I thought it was a fun way to remind even the best cyclists of their humble beginnings and to encourage cycling children to see themselves as little athletes.

Here's the painting at the Bike Art Reception on Saturday, August 9, 2008. The show goes from August 9 - August 17, 2008, so of you're in Austin, check it out at Real Gallery.

Claire De Lune-At Cypress Grill

2008-07-31T10:41:00.005-05:00

Claire De Lune (Homage to Claude Debussy)

Oil Pastel and Oil Sticks
26" X 40"

I did this painting a year ago, but I'm putting it up in celebration of the fact that I've made a print of it that's currently hanging up at Cypress Grill.

See:

For those interested, here's my long-winded explanation of the work. Take it or leave it:

The Spiritual Meaning
I started with the moon as the central image, and all other images flowed from that. I was pleased with how the sky in the middle became an expression of the "depths of eternity" as it surrealistically blended it into the rose that surrounds it. This is my visualization of the "moon in a dewdrop," which to not only me means that are we capable of experiencing enlightenment, but that the depths of the universe are within us all. We truly have the power of the universe within. We are whole.
With this at the core of the piece, the rest of the elements become echoes. The ripples caused by the rose on the surface of the water create the four surrounding scenes. Along with the circular theme of the piece, the sunset in the top right and the sunrise in the lower left mirror each other and create a cyclical sense of time and continuity. From one day to the next, the sun orbits around this moon in a rose, meaning that the divine light within us truly is the center of the universe. The horizon lines of the other two elements help to finish the outline of the "world" with the moon at its center, and create depth within the work.

The Musical Interpretation
When I created this piece, I had in mind the progression of Claire de Lune. This is represented by the changing figure that moves throughout the spaces. Like us, it is very adaptive, and fits naturally in whatever space it inhabits. It starts as the first couple measures of Claire de Lune, and as those notes mesh into melodies in the song, they flow into the second part of Claire de Lune. Here, the strings of chords in the melody create ocean waves. The notes manifest as sea birds in flight and soar on into the next part of the song, where at first they falter, afraid to fly without wings in their new human form. Then, realizing it was their inner strength that really propelled them, they soar and spin in this new section, where the melody's chord progressions act as stair steps and lead into the sky. Next, they dive into the sea and become dolphins, soaring through both sky and sea. Here they mimic the more rapid chord progressions that come next and swiftly go from both the bass cliff to the treble. They soar back into the sky for the next part, calmly floating above the rushing stream as dragonflies. Here the melody becomes more subdued and takes on the quality of a murmuring brook, until at last it comes full circle back to its original chords, but with a more bittersweet tinge. Here, finally, the dragonflies turn back to their original state as notes, and the whole cycle begins anew.

I've given my thoughts on the artwork as I created it, but to me art is in the eye of the beholder, so all interpretations are valid. I hope my ideas don't limit your meanings for this image, but only add to their possibility.
Thank you so much for your interest!

Light in the Shadows

2008-07-28T14:24:00.002-05:00

Light in the Shadows
6" X 6"
Oil Pastel on Black Paper

This little moment called to me. I just happened to look out my window and glimpsed this delicate little silhouette. I'm called to moments where the shadows define the light. The way this crape myrtle swayed in front of the lit window in the night breeze made me drop what I was doing and capture its likeness.

Tree Branches

2008-07-26T17:00:00.001-05:00

Tree Branches

Watercolor
14" X 11"

I love the space created in the shade of a tree. It's a secluded area free from the heat of the day. At times while painting this, a mockingbird would run along the fence and hop through the leaves. I don't usually work in watercolor, but it's nice to mix it up every once in a while. This spot seemed so peaceful, I just had to paint it.

Sunlit Thunderheads

2008-07-15T13:05:00.002-05:00

I did this pastel of clouds in the few moments I had before the sun set and the thunderheads grew. There was so much contrast and shifting shadows that it was a rush to try and capture it all. I'll have to create a series of these clouds-there's just so many here in Texas, and they shift into even greater versions of themselves every second.

Summer Shadows

2008-07-10T23:19:00.004-05:00

Detail:
This one took several sittings before completion. Usually, I paint en plein air and end it once the day is over. With this one, I spent some time in the studio adding new elements and making some finishing touches. The passing rain clouds in the distance appeared of their own accord and moved themselves across the landscape. It felt like the painting itself was coming to life on its own, and all I really had to do was help it grow. Looking at it now reminds me of a song that was important to me in childhood called Storms in Africa by Enya (I found a video of it on youtube here) The way the music crescendos and then fades reminds me of passing thunderstorms like the one in this painting, and like the ones that have been happening here in Texas since the days I painted this.

Summer Sunset

2008-07-07T14:42:00.004-05:00

It was just one of those moments that catches you by surprise. I had set out to do a Texas landscape, and originally started drawing a different part of the view. I just happened to turn around for a second and then there it was, this brilliant moment just staring at me. This is what art is to me: it's those moments when you know you've just seen something unique, something that's never happened before and, unless you capture it, won't ever happen again.

(p.s. better image coming soon)