Thursday, December 31, 2009

23. The Business End - (photograph)

The Business End, by Bob Bickers, photograph, 2009
Technically, 2010 is the last year of the first decade of the 21st century, just as 2000 was the last year of the 20th century. But just as that argument fell on deaf (and largely ignorant) ears back then, so are people unwilling to listen to logic now. It's hard not to think you are in a new decade when you are forced to write two different digits in the date. That being the case, I won't even try to argue when the decade ends or begins, at least, not here.

This blog began in 2009 and it has been an interesting and successful year for me in many ways. I think it is fitting, however that I end out the year with the photograph, The Business End, as it shows how almost anything you encounter in life can be made into an interesting piece of art. This truck was in front of me and I was amazed at the detail in colors and shapes that was so unlike the back end of most vehicles. I had to grab a photograph and preserve what I saw. I want to thank all those who supported and encouraged me this year and in the past. I hope your own artistic vision continues to expand as well and that you will find art --and maybe beauty- in everything you see throughout the new year. Let's make this year and decade a good one! Click on the image above to enlarge.

Friday, December 4, 2009

22. ESAL Art Show at the Penn State New Kensington Gallery

The East Suburban Artists League is holding its annual members show at the Penn State Gallery at their New Kensington, PA campus during the month of December, 2009. The campus is located on Route 780 in Upper Burrell, PA in Westmoreland County. More than 50 paintings, drawings and sculptures are part of the exhibit, and many are for sale at prices ranging from $50 to $500. An artists' reception is slated for 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, in the gallery. The Art Gallery and the East Suburban Artists League exhibit will be open through the holiday break except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The reception and exhibit are free to the public. For information on ESAL, contact Sue Foster at (724) 327-6097 or susanfoster@windstream.net via e-mail. The two pictures shown here are by Bob Bickers and appear in the exhibit, Clear Signal and Misdirection. Both pictures are framed and available for sale at $60 each. Click on the images to enlarge.