Artist Dean Goelz-- able to take out jet engines in a single bound

Last week saw US Airways' Flight 1549 passengers and crew join the Coney Island Polar Bears as the bravest of souls to dip into the purity that is the icy waters off NYC. This blogger heard enough sirens to last a lifetime just down the block while at work in Chelsea. Alas, since the crash, there's been a rising call to "Kill the geese" in area trashrags such as the New York Post. Well, I say, do not "Kill the geese," but love them! Love them, cuddle them, and call them "George." In fact, buy one, or two-- in fact, buy three geese! Here is my call to adopt a goose. Artist Dean Goelz's "geese" would be a great place to start. They will not leave any droppings or feathers to clean up, and they'll be great conversation starters to boot. "Think that thing can take out an Airbus 320 engine?" "You bet it can!" Imagine from the goose's perspective what their day was like last week-- just minding their own business, then Holy hell, what is that coming at us?? And since these life-size Canadian geese/human hybrids give you 0% chance of catching Avian Bird Flu, it seems to me a no-brainer acquisition. Check out Like the Spice Gallery for more loosey goosey action!

Gone, but not forgotten

 

(Mary Henderson, USS Cole, gouache on paper, 8 x 10)

When a show comes down, many of us simply file it away in our memory banks. But I say it's not time to forget just yet. Sure, a review or snippet (as this is) is always nicer when a show is up, but that shouldn't take away from what it was. Two quick shows I wanted to mention just closed-- Nicole Stager at Like the Spice Gallery in Brooklyn, and Mary Henderson at Lyons Wier-Ortt in Chelsea. Both artists do drastically different work (Henderson, a photorealist master; Stager, a photogram genius), but I enjoyed both their works equally.

I really love Henderson's work at top showcasing a navy soldier enjoying himself, and being quite an excellent camera mugger while on the job. These candid moments are ones to savor, and Henderson does a great job at humanizing those who sacrifice day in and day out. Some timely and topical images to appreciate post Veteran's Day, and boy, that girl can paint.

Stager's vibrant photograms made me crave some Now and Laters, or Starburst fruit chews. These glossy color explosions were soothing to my tired eyes filled with exhaustion. Like a full-on Red Bull caffeine upswing, I couldn't stop looking at their surfaces-- some deceptively including surprise collage (a piece of lace here, a string there). Besides color saturation, Stager has mastered the time lapse element so important to the photogram process, where you can even trace her fingerprints back to their initial point of contact with the photo paper. Check it out.


 

Affordable Art Fair worth checking out for wood and squirrels

 
Truth be told, in past years this has usually been a hit or miss fair, but certainly one where serious bargains can be found. This year, though-- there's some great surprises to be had. Soon to come on the Musings, the name of the artist and photos of the best work of the show--HECK, the YEAR-- the pen and ink drawings of the deviant Mexican wrestling mask squirrel. He's a cutie, and ready for a dirty fight. Watch out for wicked claw marks!!

But in the interim, please check out Brooklyn's always fantastic Like the Spice Gallery. Not only is Marisa Sage, the owner, one of the most genuinely cool people in the art world, but she displays some seriously kick-ass artists. Anna Druczc is another of my faves of hers, but to me this event is all about optical illusionist Rachel Beach. If the undulating ribbons of color don't get you, the flower power cutouts will. Sure to be a main draw. Check it out. Tonight from 6-9 is the preview party, then the fair runs till Sunday.

Go to http://www.aafnyc.com/ for more details.