My Solo at Method!

So, I finally get my Solo this year! And it is at this absolutely beautiful boutique called Method in the 'oh!so tempting' Rice Village:) I remember moving to Houston and sitting at Ruggles in the village and wondering what it would be like to be a part of the village community. I still wonder but I am glad they are accepting my work and appreciate it enough to give me this opportunity.

So please come and visit the opening reception at the boutique on December 9th and help me dream:)

Method Houston

2437 University Blvd,

Houston, TX

Date: December 9, 2011

Time: 7-9 PM

Art Crawl Pictures!

Here's the link to a fantastic time at the Art Crawl 2011!

http://www.facebook.com/TheColorsByAnita

Enjoy!

My first! Being Co Chair :)

So besides the Open Studio at Hardy & Nance St, Artists Alive and Well gave me my first show in the City of Houston. I have been a part of them since Jan this year and you know what..no regrets. I think it is important as beginners to have a little faith. I chose to participate in most of AAW's shows and attend their meetings every month. And now I was asked to co chair a show for them! And what a beautiful place the venue is...Texas Tuscan Furniture on W Gray has some of the more intense pieces I have ever seen. Furniture made from reclaimed wood from all over the world, this place is a perfect match for art!

So I am busy attending to all matters that Co Chairs attend to and invite you to come join us for an evening of temptation:) (shopaholics know what I mean)

Texas Tuscan Art Show and Sale

1302 W Gray St

Houston TX

Dates: Oct 25 - Nov 12, 2011 

Opening reception on October 25, 2011

Time: 6-9 PM

Cheers!

OPEN STUDIO TIME!

ADDRESS: 902 HARDY ST, HOUSTON, TX
DATE: OCTOBER 15, 2011
TIME: 1-5 PM

Cheers!

Fascination

So I have been on a journey to read up more about artists that I like and that influence creators on a daily basis. This week's fascination is Paul Klee. It is amazing to see how much difference Klee has made to the entire constitution of modern art. It seems like the more I read about him, the more there is to him.
He had a problem with color in the initial years of his career. Born to musicians, he was also a musician at heart. But like most artists, he was good at more than one channel of creation. He never gave up on finding color.
He kept in-depth journals of his works and ideas. I struggle with this part of my work. I carry all my ideas in my head and at the end of a series, I risk losing my idea at the start of the series. Even at school that is the one thing that my instructor-with-a-cool-french-name keeps insisting I should do. Make short notes, make small drawings, keep an account of your works.
So my lesson for the day, START A WORK JOURNAL.
So much to learn from the masters....

First Day at School...

 For as long as I can remember, I have been a student. Always end up in school sooner or later:) And so now I am enrolled at the Glassell School of Art. I have been meaning to do it for a while but this semester seemed like a winner. So the first day was fun and the Professor very interesting. We got a long break in the middle of the class and took full advantage, all of us walked it down to the nearest cafe and talked art...ah! and of course there is art all around, I mean even on the roads, here look........

New Studio Pictures!

I love my new space...so much bigger, loads of display space and an awesome easel set in the wall.
Picture time! Before and after..........

Before! Setting up...

Entertainment during set up:)

Finally, the studio looks fresh and cool.

Cheers!

New Studio! Open Studio!

Hey all!
I have changed studios! I am still in the same building at Hardy & Nance...just moved from # 24 to # 21.
And open studio is this weekend! So come check out my new space and yes, new series of works!!!!!!

Cheers!

New space:

902 Hardy St, # 21

Houston:)

Weekend Art Quest

So what did I do this weekend? White Linen Nights on Saturday and Dandee Warhol's First Solo on Sunday!!!

White Linen Night in The Heights

Heights in Full Swing

Dandee Warhol's 'No Smurfing Way' on Sunday!

Fun Weekend!

Summer summer, Color, color!!!!!

So this summer, a friend of mine asked me to teach her daughter art. My expression was a mix of surprise and complete disbelief! I didn't think I was equipped enough to teach but there was no deterring my friend. And know what...I am glad she made me do this. I LOVE IT! I LOVE TEACHING KIDS TO PAINT!!!

Of course this was a test run and my class was super informal. But I ended up teaching 3 children from the neighborhood, ages 6,9 and 10.
And since I had only 8 classes to be with them, I thought the best thing to do is to teach them how to hold and move their brushes on paper, how to notice the million different types of green in nature and learn about one artist:)

Today's class we interpreted Picasso's 'Mediterranean Life' and here's what we got:

Needless to say, I am super proud of my kids! And you know what their homework is....3 jokes every week:)

3 Weekend Buying Festival

13 Houston artists including moi, showing at the Austin Art Space gallery for 3 weeks starting from July 23, 2011 !!!

Opening Reception: 23 July, 2011 7:00-10:00 PM

7739 Northcross Drive, Suite Q,

Austin TX

Super Excited! Cheers!

Cathedrals, Phantoms & Naked Dogs

So, I had this opportunity to visit the Colton & Farb Gallery a couple of weeks ago to drop off my work for an auction. And the treat I got for that was well worth it...I got to see Sharon Kopriva's works showing there. Big breath........ her work is phenomenal!!!!! I was completely bowled over by the dimensional functionality in her work.

I would not categorize her as a painter or sculptor alone. She is a fantastic mix of both. HER WORK COMES TO LIFE!

Open Studio Time!!

It is that time of the month again!

Open Studio at Hardy & Nance Street Studios on June 18, 2011 from 1-5PM!

Loads of new paintings unveiled, new people to meet and drinks to sip:)

Come on Over!

Happy Hour at The Watson!

Happy Hour and Social Mixer at the Watson Gallery!

Come enjoy some amazing, original art on May 12,2011 at 716 W Alabama, Houston, TX from 6-10 PM.

There is something for all tastes and prices, I guarantee you!

Come and see for yourself.....
More details at:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=160475780681492

Cheers!

N Sight

More shows!

N Sight is a show of original art that has been juried by Patrick Palmer, Chair MFA/H Glassell School Of Art.

At the Continental Center in Houston, it is on for a month from May 9-June 10, 2011.

Opening Reception is on May 9, 4:30-7:30 PM!

Address: Continental Center I Concourse Level, 1600 Smith St, Houston, TX

Cheers!

Artist Appreciation Month at Watson Gallery

May is artist appreciation month at the Watson Gallery and they are having 4 shows to make artists feel the love!

Opening Reception is on May 6, 2011 from 6-10PM. 

Two more shows on May 12 and May 19 from 6-10PM as well and the finale closing reception on May 26, 2011!!!

Nestled amongst trees in W.Alabama, this is the place to find interesting, original art that does not eat through your pockets:)

Add: 716 W.Alabama, Houston, TX

Come on over!

Struggles Of Artist For Art

There are struggles, there are conflicts and there are some feelings that cannot be categorized so easily.

I am at a stage in my art life where I am just now building everything.....inventory, goodwill, network, resources..everything.

This post puts my insecurities out in the open and I am not saying its comfortable but it seems to give me more clarity when I write about the tangles.

Not to say I haven't received acceptance or appreciation, I have. It just has not translated into a following or patronage and that gives me pause. Don't get me wrong, I do not create art solely for a return but I also do not want to be known for my work posthumously. 

There are some things very clear though, I need to be selective about exposure, I need excellent PR and some innovative marketing strategies, all the while making sure I do not slack on actual painting time.

This is one of those phases where I know the issues, I know the solutions, I also cannot afford most of the solutions:)

Yes I know all the adages..'don't compare yourself with anyone else', 'your work is unique, think only about your strengths', 'keep your own pace'. But its so easy to look up at someone else and go 'I wish.........'.

Watson Gallery Easter Show!

Easter Show on April 21, 2011 from 6-10 PM at the Watson Gallery.

Address: 716 W Alabama, Houston, TX

What better place to get more color during easter other than an art gallery! Come and join us in a fun filled evening and enjoy original art work by local artists.

100-4-100

The Doshi House Show on April 16, 2011

Show: 100-4-100

Location: 3419 Dowling St, Houston, TX



SOLD! Work By Anita Varadaraju



 



Watson Gallery 'March Madness' Show

So it was an evening at the Watson Gallery...time well spent. I loved the new experience and the camaraderie. Melissa Watson is a young, fun person who has managed to marry business and art quite well. Galleries, as always, are a good networking platform that help in understanding the art community and moving closer to goals. And this evening was a good proof of that.

  

  

Cheers!

Fodice & David

So I am always meeting new and interesting people. And sometimes I write about them as I think many people should know about these incidences:)

Artists Katy & Patrick
www.fodicefoundation.org

During the happy open studio last Saturday at Hardy & Nance St Studios, I had the pleasure of meeting this very beautiful couple, Patrick and Katy. What is so special about them? They are a rare people, they WANT to give back to the community and are actually working on a project so grand, it makes me feel pompous for saying I contribute to the Habitat for Humanity. Long story short, they have bought a dilapidated segregated school from the past in a forgotten town called Fodice and are working on making it an 'Art Farm', if I may use their words. It is an artist residency program that has artists living there on a rolling basis for 2 months and educating the community about art. Sounds simple enough.....NOT. Everything, even the smallest of events needs funds, needs volunteers, needs perseverance...its not like they can get up one tired morning and decide to quit. More about them and how to help, at their web address www.fodicefoundation.org.

And one more person who belongs to this rare genre of givers(and who channeled Grayson Perry at a recent party) is my neighbor at the Studio, David Hardaker. He painted live and put his painting up for sale to the highest bidder to make money for the Fodice Foundation. Strong talent and a big heart...endearing combination in a human being I think.