The Guild of Boston Artists

The Opening Reception and Awards Presentation for the Annual New England Representational Painting Competition was held last night in Boston. The competition was open to all New England artists, both member and non-members of The Guild. From 200 entries by 70 artists, thrity-five paintings were chosen by the jurors: Robert Douglas Hunter, Pamela Pindell, and Frank Strazzulla, Jr.

The show will run from August 7 - 31, 2008. To view the entire exhibition visit: http://www.guildofbostonartists.org/RegionalJuriedCompetition.htm. 162 Newbury Street - Boston, Massachusetts 02116, 617-536-7660.

California Dreamin'

Well summer is winding down and I'm not looking forward to the winter. I'll be heading for warmer climates every chance I get. I plan to attend the Annual Plein Air Invitational in Laguna Beach this October. Having lived in Laguna for over 10 years, I return often to visit friends and fellow artists. I'm an active member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters and look forward to another successful year with them. Two paintings were recently juried into the Best of Plein Air show at the Laguna College of Art & Design in June. Visit the LPAPA website at: www.lpapa.org.

A great place to visit and enjoy a casual lunch is Crystal Cove, an old artists haunt dating back to the 1920's which continues to be a favorite en plein air site. My pal, Heidi was able to reserve one of the vintage cottages for my visit. Located directly on the beach or overlooking it from a bluff top, each cottage has been painstakingly restored and furnished to recreate Crystal Cove's unique historic beach culture and ambience. First developed as a 1920's movie set due to its seclusion and tropical aura, the community thrived and became beloved for its relaxed, atmosphere and picturesque landscape.

Artists Turn Up the Heat

Earlier this summer I took part in a group exhibition called "Heat" at the Oceanside 17 Gallery in Hull, MA. The article below, by Correspondent Robert Knox appeared in the Boston Globe on August 7, 2008.

An invitation to artists to take part in a summer art show on the theme of "heat" elicited a variety of images: from beach scenes of dark blue water, and children looking for shells, to studies of hot chili peppers, glass representations of wave patterns, and a few nudes.

"Heat could mean many things," said gallery owner and painter Franny Andahazy of the summer show at Oceanside 17 Studio and Gallery in Hull. She titled her own image of hot peppers "Hot Lovers."

Oceanside 17 takes advantage of its setting in beach-hugging Hull to hold a summer-themed show each year. Andahazy invites artists whose works she admires, many of them from nearby towns, to participate. They are "artists that I knew would do a good job with a summer image," she says.

The offerings this year include vertical oil by Eli Cedrone of Stoughton ("Shellseekers") depicting the classic seaside image of children staring carefully at the water's edge, which reflects impressionistic colors back to the viewer.

"The Fine Art of Dining"

Wynne Falconer Gallery presents new paintings of interior dining scenes by Boston artist Eli Cedrone.
The opening reception will be held on August 23rd, 6-8 pm.

This series of bars and restaurants began with my participation in the Annual Copley Society's Fresh Paint event in May 2008. It was raining that day so I decided to duck into a bar near Newbury Street in Boston called Paparazzi. Once inside I was invited to set up my easel. It was a great opportunity to paint a difficult subject, on location and I was able to capture the wonderful light and energy of the scene.

Representing contemporary well established and emerging artists from around the country, the Wynne Falconer Gallery provides quality artwork to museums, some of the top collectors in the country, and clients just beginning to explore the world of collecting art. Wynne Falconer Gallery, 492 Main Street, Chatham, MA 02633, 508-945-2867, fineart@wynne-falconergallery.com

Newport Bermuda Race

I'm organizing a painting workshop in Bermuda November 13 -15, 2008. For more info or to sign up go to my website at www.elicedrone.come. In early June, I was invited to watch the start of the Newport to Bermuda Yacht Race. Leslie White, of the Bermuda Department of Tourism, hosted a luncheon at the breathtaking Ocean Cliff Resort. It was a great opportunity to meet travel professionals like Linda Mitchell, owner of Bermuda Travel (www.bermudatravel.bm), who organizes weddings on the island. Bermuda has held a special place in my heart for over 3 decades. I plan to do some paintings of the event in future so be sure to visit www.elicedrone.com in the weeks ahead.

GotArt? Gala Opening: May, 1st, 6-9pm

This is my second year with GOT ART? This show seeks to make original art for the home, the new standard of living for all americans. I'll be previewing ten paintings at a new location at the Zullo Gallery in Medfield, MA. Last year's event was very exciting and this years event should be even better! Great opportunity to buy reasonably priced work from established and emerging artists. Opening Reception: Thursday, May 1st 6-9 pm, rsvp required. The show is open to the public from May 2-3, 1-5 pm and May 4th, 12-3 pm. Call 508-359-6232. For details and directions visit: WWW.GOT-ART.NET

Copley Society of Art, Fresh Paint

On Sunday, May 4th, I'll be participating in the The Copley Society, 20th Annual - Fresh Paint Event. You can find me in the Beacon Hill area of Boston and more than 90 Co|So artists will be capturing some of Boston's most treasured spots.
The artists will bring their fresh works back to the gallery by the end of the day. For the next week, the art will be displayed and silent bids taken at Co|So's gallery at 158 Newbury Street. On Saturday, May 10th between 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., final bidding will take place during a gala party at the gallery. For more info visit: http://www.copleysociety.org/events/info/auction.html.