New Directions

 

Metrocards

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!

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

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

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...

...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.