Curated by Marianna Buchwald and Alan Emerson - Hicks

                       Mary Jo Bowers

Marianna Buchwald

Hans-Ulrich Buchwald

Alan Emerson- Hicks

Javier Enriquez

Tim Jackson

Davido Moscoso

Sandra Simonson

Artist statement by Alan Emerson Hicks:

My artwork is about transformation. I collect plastic commonplace objects and societal detritus; bottles, grocery bags, caps, hangers, video tape and use them to make sculpture. I want the viewer to see the objects of their everyday lives anew. In my work hangers are transformed into a giant “precious” diamond, bottle cap rings and caps become intriguing faces and grocery bags become startling colorful towers. My work is a commentary on what our society views as important and unimportant.

Artist Statement by David Moscoso

Working with waste materials is my passion because it gives me the opportunity to retake elements that have been discarded and mold them into something new and beautiful. This transformation and renewal can be seen everywhere in the world around us if we look in the right places.  Being a proactive re-creator helps me feel connected to the cycle of life, whereby the new becomes old and the old becomes new.

Many of the materials I use are items originally created of natural fibers in small, rural Guatemalan communities, while others are synthetic fibers that I have found in various parts of the capital city. When I use folkloric materials, I pay homage to the original creators of the object, e.g. a reed mat. Rather than formal artistic training, my school has been the world around me.

ARTIST STATEMENT by Tim Jackson

When putting my seed into the ground, the image of the drawing, like the seed is contained in a small compact volume of energy. Encouraged by the light and warmth of an open minded group of artists, the seed unfolds into a multitude of expressions, into motion, sound, color, texture and finally, caused by a breath of wind moves across the vast surface of the planet, to connect with other amazing and enchanted creatures and creations.

Wenn ich den Samen in den Grund pflantze, befinded sich das Bild, wie der Same, zusammengezogen in einem kleinen Energieraum . Ermutigt von dem Licht und der Waerme einer offenen Gruppe von Kuenstlern, entfaltet sich das Samenkorn in einer Vielfalt des Ausdrucks, in die Bewegung, den Klang, die Farbe, die Textur und durch einen Windhauch angeregt  bewegt es sich ueber die weite Oberflaeche des Planetens um sich mit anderen erstaunlichen und bezauberten Geschoepfen und Schoepfungen zu verbinden.

ARTIST STATEMENT by Sandra Simonson
My interest in drawing began when I was a young child, but except for
doodling in margins my art did not reach fruition until work and child rearing were complete. It was then that I began studying at Truman College and the Evanston Art Center. Although I sometimes do not take classes, the painting continues. I have worked in oils, gouache, pastels, etching and most recently, water colors.

Having spent most of my adult life working with people from around the world, my attempt is to capture the spirit of "Everyman", that universal
quality of sameness, of struggle, of mystery that we all share no matter what our ethnic backgrounds are. I rarely have people look at my oils and say "ah, that’s Uncle Harry", but I rather attempt to get at the essence of human experience. This, of course, is never quite achieved, which makes me keep trying.
The heads in this show are part of a series of about thirty works of
Everyman.
Sandra Simonoson
sandra.s@ub-alumni.org

Artist‘s statement by Mary Jo Bowers:

As and artist working with color in fabric, paper and threads,my goal is a vibrant, animated and vigorous art wall quilt. My medium challenges me to translate into a nonverbal art quilt the power of my soul. I use bold colors, shashops, thrift stores and used garments.pes and dimensions using artist dyed and commercial over dyed fabrics and scraps from various places including sari and upholstery

I work from an idea, a photo, a painting or a scene that captures my imagination and creates a mental image to represent some aspect of the inspiring theme. I lay out all the fabrics tha my or may not work with the theme: e.g. green for the fields or maybe red for the fields. The goal of each piece is an abstraction so colors need not represent reality. Freeform organic images are randomly cut and grouped on the design board until they begin to express the mood I am seeking. I continue to work intuitively allowing each piece to determine its own path and direction.

Each wall quilt has at least three layers, the pieced top that is layered with many pieces, the backing which completes th eart quilt.My work is being influenced by traveling, distressed buildings and barns that have weathered the times, and destruction wrought by wars

                          Join us for our monthly Art Forums at Insight Arts,

Every 2^nd Monday 6pm at 1505 W. Morse, Chicago, Il. 60626 www.internationalartadventures.com

Claudia Finn and Sandra Simonson at Maya Essence, Casa Guatemala , exhibition, Nov. 2008

---

 

 

---

 

 

---

 

Shirley Moore and Shanti KUmari Johnson at the Gelnwoods Arts Festival 2008

---

 

---

Davido Moscoso, Sept. 2008, International Music Festival in Rogers Park

The International Art Group Exhibition was an exciting and diverse show.

Curated by Maritza Bautista from Insight Arts: Dec. 20.-Jan.16.2009, 10 am to 7pm at Common Cup Cafe, featuring works by Greg Mejia, Kathryn Gauthiers, Melissa Jeanne, Tim Jackson, Allison Rae, Sandra Simonson, David Moscoso, Steven Gilliam,Marianna Buchwald,Hans-Ulrich Buchwald.

---

 

---

 

             Call Us Today!: 773 507 - 1300

"EVERYONE CONNECTED" ,exhibition by International Art Group, Dec. 18.2009 - Jan 16. 2010 at the Common Cup Cafe, 1503 W. Morse. OPEN HOUSE EVENT: Jan. 11.7pm next door, 1505 W. Morse.

Sandra Simonson, painting of Journey

Nov.14.

"Thank's to the lovely home of Sandra Simonson,  music by Ted Ehnle, art by Davido Moscoso from Guatemala, Javier Enriquez from Mexico, weavings from Alex, political cartoons by Tim Jackson, science fiction cartoons by Pascal St.Clair, feed back by Claudia Finn, Sandra, Alan E. Hicks, Shirley Moore and Marianna B.'s review of art events and thank's to food contributed by the group, our  holiday event was wonderful and diverse!"

Oct.12.

"We were amazed by new artist's work Jessica Joy, had a challenging discussion about Lana's portrait from Russia, enjoyed an uplifting moment of laughter with Tim Jackson's critical cartoons, had an insightful demonstration about photoshop by Pascal St. Clair, and an inspiring presentation by Hillary about book making and her drawings. Sandra Simonson's blue painting of the profile of a man's face was truly exciting in its dimensional translucence of color and light. Melissa gave a nice presentation of her approach to painting and color,examining the relationship of series of smaller square paintings of abrstracted color and form pattern. We also talked about the opportunity to stage some events and exhibitions for December and next year in Edgewater and Rogers Park."

Aug. 11. "We discussed activities for the Glenwood Arts fair, and then had an exicting presentation of photographs, featuring details of plants by Steven Gilliam, many colorful and detailed drawings by Pascal,a critical discussion about the abstracted portraits of Carmen Sauciuc, an acrylic painting featuring Gary's passage through life,an intricate weaving by Brarbara, who also talked about her life as a tarot reader, and the dvd of Tim's cable show, featuring our cable TV interview, where I am talking about  the Glenwood Arts Fair,my drawings and my father's work." 

June 8."This time, the variety of presentations , featuring delicate drawings by Rus, exciting sci fi drawings by Pascal, witty and critical cartoons by Tim Jackson, several short films by Brian Wyrick, who had lived in Berlin, and the creation of a carving of a watermelon by Rick from Cambodia. Gary worked though his diffcult life transitions with another giant canvas, which had other applications and collages featuring stages of his life journey. Claudia contributed with excellently executed dream catchers. The comments and dialog was also developed through the presence of artists Sandra and Melissa and Nora. Again, the evening was an incredible event, giving us an opportunity to learn more about each other cultural and life experiences."

May 11."A lively and diverse goup of professional and outsider artists gathered, and it was exciting to see this time water colors by Russ Mc Andrew and Hillary Jirka, a large canvas about horses and romance by Gary Price, several colorful flower paintings by Melissa Bradly, great cartoons with a punch line about current events by Tim Jackson, a great presentation about 8 large drawings for a new story with Pascal Saint Calir and also his exquisitly executed visuals of the detoriating Chrysler building as part of his work. It was also refreshing to have outsider artists pop in, who are daring and brave to come to any public group and include themselves into the dialogue, and Tosha, with her small drawing of a blond girl gave a perspective on beauty as a personal experience for inspiration. Kathryn Gauthier's paintings, and Deirdre Fox's installation at Peter Jones, included classic and contemporary themes on art. Pjotr, Alan and Greg participated and invited to their upcoming events."

April 13."A small group of dedicated artists gathered with work and refreshments and with news about  upcoming shows. Alan brought in a large piece made out of colorful bottle caps, Tim Jackson shared a variety of humorous cartoons, and I bought one of his handsigned books OBAMORAMA. Colorful flower paintings by Melissa, and a Portfolio with photographs by Chris Oberist of close ups of buidlings, body parts and nature; Claudia, Piotr and Mark shared in the discussion and Stephen Biale shared a portfolio of his graphic work."

March 9." It was great to see Claudia donate one of her abstract water color paintings to Insight Arts. Alan Emerson Hicks, Melissa, Ruyell Ho, Sonhan, a Tibetan Monk, Sandra Simonson, Hillary Jirka, Tim Jackson, Pascal Saint Clair and two Pjotrs from Poland all came and shared art for discussion. I received so much sympathy and compassion on behalf of my father and had a chance to share an excerpt of a performance with the help of Claudia. It was an enchanting evening."

Jan.12. 2009 Our International Art Party was a celebration of art, video, music and food. Ted Ehnle played a dramatic Chopin concert on piano, followed by Eric Amadju's Beilafon  and drum talk from Benin.Tim Jackson presented insightful and humorous cartoons and Alan Emerson Hicks  shared a video with dance and creation of one of his recycable works: Test Piece. Peggy Lipschuetz retrospective, a presentation of her painting to music, and Tom and several others shared their portfolios and sketch books. We also had an inspiring discussion about children behaviour in the class room, learning about art and music and also talked about the political climate of our time and how it effects our art world. "                       

"Dec.8., I was surprised to see so many friends and artists, I had invited over a long time and also artists come again, who had come in the past, Ken Kouba, Kathryn Gauthier's photograph's of her paintings, Greg Mejia, who presented an extraordinary collection of miniature landspcape paintings of the Indiana State Dunes,a vibrant portrait by Sandra Simonson, several abstract and impressionist acrylic paintings by Melissa, a large portrait by Laura Cerf, Claudia Finn's portfolio of classical black and white figure drawings, Tim Jackson's critical and humorous cartoons, Chirs Drew's silk screen T shirts, David Moscoso's acrylic painting of an abstracted male transforming from a rare orange flower from Guatemala, Marianna's lively color drawing "Celebration" celebrating dancers in masks, a theme of her performance work.Anette, Hillary and Michael Moore came also and Maritza and Celina from Insight Arts for looking and learning more about our group.

"The Nov. 10. meeting brought together a diverse group of artists: Claudia Finn, Steven Gilliam, Hillary Jirka, Jeff Baumgartner, Michael Moore, Sandra Simonson, Marianna Buchwald and meet up organizer Anette Niebelsiki.

Jeff, an  actor and painter at the flat Iron building had a dynamic and interesting style , presenting his figurative paintings in connection with his theater experience. Peter Piotr, a painter from Poland related his experience exhibiting and painting landscapes. Steven Gilliam, presented a power point presentation of his photography traveling  through the vast and montaneous landscape of Alaska, Sandra Simonson presented soft colored guache paintings of landscapes and people, Michael  presented a preliminary drawing and paintings in progress of politiical discussions.Claudia presented black and white caricature and drawing. Feedback was generous and encouraging, and we truly enjoyed the art activity before the meeting."

"Our art discussion, Oct. 14.2008 was exciting and diverse. Contributions of a mythical painting and lithography techniques demonstrated by Ken Kouba, satirical and insightful political charged cartoons by Tim Jackson, guache and etchings by Sandra Simonson, landscape photography by Jeff, photos of paintings by Guatemalan painter David Moscoso,water colors by Hillary Jirca, African Rites and Traditional dance by Eric Ahmadji from Benin, an elaborate slide presentation on the retrospective of 45 years of work of paintings and sculpture by Chinese artist Ruyell Ho at the Asian Pacific Museum in California, and also a work in progress of my new performance piece: Journey 2008"inviting many great critical comments, made for an insightful and interesting evening and a great International Art Salon."

Marianna Buchwald