MagentaGallery

2010-04-01T10:07:00.000-07:00

HECTOR ARISTO'S OPENING RECEPTION

Hector Aristo's April 25th opening was a total success with lots of friends and strangers at the gallery to wish him well. His first sale came 3 days later!
Congratulations Hector and may you have many more sales!

2010-03-10T19:24:00.001-08:00

WELCOME HECTOR ARISTO

2010-03-10T19:20:00.000-08:00

Magenta Gallery invites you to join our celebration welcoming painter Hector Aristo as a new member of our co operative Thursday, March 25, 5 – 8 p.m.

Hector has a degree from La Esmeralda, the National School of Painting and he also has diplomas from Casa Lamm, the Restoration Institute in Florence, and the Museum of Arts and Sciences in McAllen, TX. His works have been exhibited in Mexico, Italy and the US and are part of national and international collections

Born in Puebla, Hector is descended from a line of Tlacuilo, Pre Columbian artists who as children were given knowledge of their language and culture and painted codices on amate paper. As a young painter, Hector made the decision to follow his heritage and today uses amate paper in most of his paintings. Amate paper is made from crushed tree bark and provides a warmth and longevity to his work that could not be achieved with a smooth, white surface.

Fragmented, human figures on a relentless search for abstraction are a constant theme in his work. He drags our eyes and minds in a journey fill of accidents and surprises, endlessly discovering details and sensations. Horses and bulls are other topics found in his work.

Hector defines his pallet as a Renaissance one, going from blues, terracotta, sienna, browns, and red as a symbol of emotion and sensuality.

Join us for a welcoming glass of wine March 25 at Magenta Gallery, Hidalgo 29 and meet our newest member.

2010-03-10T19:14:00.000-08:00

OPENING RECEPTION THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 5 - 8 P.M.FOR NEW MAGENTA ARTIST HECTOR ARISTO.

2010-03-10T19:05:00.000-08:00

2010-03-10T18:56:00.000-08:00

WELCOME OPENING FOR JOE MILLER AND SHANNON REECE

An opening celebration welcoming Sculptor Joe Miller and Photographer Shannon Reece will be held at Magenta, Hidalgo 29, on Saturday, March 13 from 5 - 8 p.m. Join us for a glass of wine and conversation with our two new talented artists.

2010-02-27T18:00:00.001-08:00

Shannon Reece, a photo-based artist from Canada, will be showing her work in the Magenta Gallery Co operative. Living and working in Mexico for the past 16 years, Shannon has shown her work in Canada, USA, Europe, Mexico and Cuba. She continues to run workshops for adults and teaches basic black and white photography techniques to youngsters out of her studio/school in Col. San Antonio.

2010-02-27T17:53:00.000-08:00

By Luc Bedard

Magenta Gallery is pleased to announce the addition of Joe Miller to its 8 member co-operative.

Joe, a graphic artist, architectural designer, sculptor and jewelry maker, and a native of Oklahoma, plunged into his artistic career straight out of the Marine Corps back in the early 1950’s doing architectural drawing and drafting. He admits to an 'eclectic' college and university background spanning 12 years. His academic education was interspersed with a whole lot of hands-on architectural and design projects which took him from coast to coast and saw him rubbing shoulders with well-known artists, writers and architects. After university Joe moved to Provincetown, Mass where he lived for 5 years in a well-known arts community. There he immersed himself in sculpture and jewelry making. He also has lived for various periods of time in New York City, Laguna Beach, Ca, and Fairhope, Al. He has worked in and out of San Miguel for 20 years, moving here full time in 2005.

Joe states that two important influences have shaped his artistic career. The first is the discovery of the oxy-acetelyne torch as a sculptural tool. The second was time spent with the Sari Indians in the Hermosillo area of Mexico where he became acquainted with shamanism and developed what he calls 'modern shamanistic art'.

Joe strongly believes that the creation of art requires a connection to a universal source of energy, however you want to define it. He feels that he is more of a conduit than a creator of art himself. Joe has several fantastic mixed-media pieces in the gallery and will be Magenta's featured artist in the March 13 centro Art walk, from 5 – 8 p.m. So drop on by and be ready to be dazzled!

Magenta Gallery is located at Hidalgo #29. Gallery phone is 154-9498.

Luc is a sculptor, painter and photographer. He is a member of the Magenta Gallery Co-operative.

2009-10-26T18:14:00.000-07:00

Magenta Gallery Welcomes New Painters

A hand pulls the string on a floating heart as hummingbirds drink from the dreaming man’s crown of flowers. Or, the bright earth-toned buildings of San Miguel bend and arc as we see the twisty-turning streets, lined with cars, from a bird’s eye view. Rich oils, vivid watercolors open this show at Magenta Gallery as it’s two newest members join the party. Below, fellow gallery member Juan Carlos Cázares interviews painters Raúl Garcia Sangrador and Mike Kleimo. Magenta is proud to welcome these talented artists to its cooperative gallery.

Raúl Garcia Sangradór, born in the city of Queretero, is a young artist. His mastery of oil paint reflects his accomplished curriculum. In Xochimilco, D.F, he studied graphic design at the Universidad Autonomó de México and in 2003 he went on to Spain where he completed a Master’s degree in Contemporary Art in the Fine Arts department at the Universidad Complutense in Madrid. At the same time he did research on trends in contemporary art at the Reina Sofia Museo de Arte.
Currently Raúl lives in Queretero where he teaches Fine Arts at the Universidad Autonomó de Queretero and is on the faculty at Bellas Artes. He is represented by Galería Carlos Mizrahi in Mexico City and the Galería de Arte Actuál Mexicano in Monterrey, and of course most recently joins Magenta Gallery in San Miguel de Allende.

Mike Kleimo moved to Mexico from the rainy Pacific Northwest. His brilliant saturated watercolors reflect the sunlight of San Miguel in his plein-air paintings. Mike holds a BFA in Advertising Art and Design from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California. In Seattle he had his own graphic design agency and has worked as a technical illustrator and art director. His additional background as a carpenter, construction engineer and project supervisor of large building projects is reflected in the colorful expressionist architectural details in many of his paintings.
Mike has lived in San Miguel full-time for 13 years. He is represented by Galeria Pacifica in Puerto Vallarta, and Generator Gallery and now Magenta Gallery cooperative in San Miguel.

Juan Carlos Cázares: When did you know that you would dedicate yourself to art?

Raúl: Well, as a child I was somewhat forced by my father to study. Later, in Mexico City, after I finished a degree in design, I had to make a decision and I decided for painting. That was thirteen years ago.

Mike: I’m not sure I ever intentionally dedicated myself to making art it just sort of took over like any other form of addiction. You mess around with this and it can grab you. I’ve always, from a very early age loved to draw and paint but it never seemed like the thing to do as a profession or a way to become rich and happy but I always did it. Playing with friendly fire. It was like something I had to do. Even when I was working construction I always had an eye to put something I saw down on paper. Building a composition in my mind. It’s a wonder I didn’t get killed by not keeping my eye on the things at hand. I’m sure there are worse addictions.

J.C. Who are the figures in your paintings?

Raúl: It varies; I appear, presenting myself as other personalities. There was a time in which I appeared as Gregorio Samsa (Kafka’s Metamorphasis), or as a Bull Terrier that my father owned; in others I paint my friendships.

Mike: I never met them.
J.C: How do you believe in what you do?

Raúl: It’s a line where suddenly you start from zero, you don’t know what is going to happen, you’re confronted with yourself, with what makes you passionate…It’s believing in that passion, breaking down the door that you have to break down and killing whoever you have to kill….

Mike: I don’t think I believe any of this. Making a picture is like going to a movie for me. I like the noise and the colors and the acting out and all that but I would never believe it. I like the fact that the picture could have great memories for me about the place and time and I can wish that the experience could be communicated. I believe in the process.

J.C: What kind of reactions have you provoked in the spectator?

Raúl: Reactions of all kinds, such as admiration, revulsion and hate…but I like it when people turn back to look at a painting and then they carry it with them in their minds; when it causes a visual impact that brings one to reflection, to emotion and to sensuality.

Mike: When I see someone stop in front of a picture that I made I’m honored as can be. Just the moment of a small arrest is very good to me.

J.C. What do you admire about Mexican art?

Raúl: From a contemporary perspective I think Mexican art has a tremendous self-identity; it gives us cohesion as a people. I don’t like discourse that is Eurocentric nor that which is centered in the United States.

Mike: I love the vivid color and bold power that Mexican Art captures in so many cases. There seems to be a distinct visionary and mythical over glazing as well. Mexican Art has a spiritual power that is deep and provocative. Feels like secrets.

J.C. What professional plans do you have for the future?

Raul: In addition to personal growth, I have a certain concern that my work is suffering a metamorphosis; something new is coming but I think it is interesting.

Mike: I want to be painting everyday thinking maybe this one could go in a frame.

J.C. What parameters determine the prices of your work?

Raul: I’ve learned about pricing from personal experience and from contact with gallery owners, that there is a basis in one’s resumé (shows and education) and also the quality of the work. I compare prices with work similar to mine and take the size of work into account.

Mike: I never want to sell a picture that I deemed worthy of a frame. But please buy art we need some more paint and paper.

J.C .If I told you that I didn’t like your work, what would you answer?

Raul: That it is valid; a piece of art has an intention but each individual has their cultural, moral, and ethical baggage…

Mike: If you don’t like the work it’s OK because Edna Dickinson, Mary Breneman, Peter Leventhal and Rebecca Peterson all say it’s pretty good.

J.C. What does an artist like you, eat?

Raúl: Well some good street tacos (of organ meat)…One eats of everything, really, often it depends on one’s mood, what the times are…sometimes you eat well, sometimes poorly…

(Mike’s wife, Edna, answered this one): When he goes to the store he comes home with hot sausage, cheddar cheese, chips and kitty food (for the kitty, not him).

A painting is like a mirror; first it reflects you and then it reflects the public; how does this reflection mutate the work?

Raul: When I began I was completely introspective, I painted for myself only, and I was ashamed to show my work because it w as like standing naked in front of everyone, especially the first time I was invited to exhibit. Now I don’t speak about myself only, but also about my surroundings, paying attention to daily events.

Mike: I really love to paint and I hope the work reflects this area (San Miguel]´and all the great moments that come day after day here with some excellent companions. A great place to be and paint.

Thank you for this interview; anything else you would like to add?

Raul: No, just thanks to Atención San Miguel and to Magenta Gallery for the invitation.

Mike: I think this will be fun!

Edited and translated by Rebecca Peterson

travels/viajes

2009-09-28T21:01:00.001-07:00

Paisajes...landscapes...Redstone, Colorado:

Inspiration to create; gathering sticks and leaves and stones along the way... new nichos to follow!

saludos from Rebecca

"Origen" embellished nicho (tin box)

2009-08-31T15:05:00.000-07:00

Rebecca Peterson posting here: I create embellished boxes using traditional Mexican tin nichos. The box's depth and glass door create a

sacred space or shrine. My work

is centered in nature and I seek to

express our roots in the world.

I am most recently working in encaustic wax with wood boxes and found objects.

2009-08-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

MAGENTA GALLERY'S FIRST POST

Magenta Gallery features a creative mix of painting, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, embellished nichos, photography...an artists cooperative with affordable prices.

All our artists will be posting whatever they feel like, both in English and Spanish, and adding their images to this blog. Today, I will add images of several artist to get the blog started.

The painting on top is by Luc Bedard, below that is Mario Mizrahi, and on the left a painting by Juan Carlos Cazares.

Please leave your comments, we want to hear from you.....