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...thank God it's Friday... and tomorrow I am getting a back massage... that's all I'm sayin'...


But... it was a gorgeous day today... and I got to listen to an interesting interview on art & money today that really got me thinking about the whole business of art. How we as artists tend to put ourselves in a lose:lose situation when it comes to money most of the time. We want to make money... but we are afraid to charge what we "are worth" (whatever that means) ... when it comes to our art. It was extremely thought provoking... and it is a subject all artists need to think about.

The hubby and I love to eat out on occasion, and tonight we all went to La Provence on Central Ave. The food was absolutely delicious... and we had a marvelous time.

We then went to Black Market Goods... where they were having a slam poetry night. Not usually "my thing".... but it was interesting, and, as always... there was lots of cool art to be seen on the walls.

-----------------------------------> all photos by Elaine A. Russell

50:365

(*all photos by Elaine A. Russell)

It's Friday! ... and my Art Gallery "Sneak Peek" is: Black Market Goods
(peek #7 in my series)


"Black Market Goods is a collective of artists who have operated together since 2005. From 2005-2009 we have put on one night art shows showcasing up and coming artists in the area and all across the country. In January 2009 we took over the art space at 112 Morningside NE (Formerly Stove Gallery) to open our gallery/studio/theater/performance space" ...

(from their Duke city Page)

(click on photo to enlarge it)

I first encountered BMG shows in 2007. I was fortunate enough to be one of their artists in a roving show... and it was my first real taste of art shows here in ABQ.

If I had to describe a "typical" BMG... it would be "beer, babes, and edgy art"... but it is really more than that. It is a high energy, fun loving group of founding members ... who inspire fun and exciting shows. Shows often include live music and performers, runway Fashion shows, beer from Tractor Brewing Co... and lots and lots of art. Edgy, urban, graphic .... these are synonymous with alot of the artists that BMG has showcased.

(click on photo to enlarge it)

But ... I wouldn't consider their shows "typical" by any stretch. They have continually pushed the envelope and aimed high. Featuring so many young, up and coming artist/ groups/ poets/fashionistas... makes them a "gotta see" venue.

See more on this gallery at the following links:

--BMG MySpace Page

--BMG Website

the GO Arts Festival

on Gold Ave...

Court Lurie Fine Art

Ping Irvin

Kevin Eslinger

St. Clair Winery

*all photos by Elaine A. Russell

this past weekend there was sooooooooooo much we could have done. It was the last weekend of the State Fair, the Go Arts Festival was going on downtown, Globalquerque! was at the Hispanic Cultural Center on Saturday, and the Aki Matsuri (Japanese Fall Festival) was on Sunday.....

In the end, we decided to go to the Go Arts Festival, because we had never been before. It was in the heart of downtown... off of Gold Ave. About 150 artists from all over New Mexico... and a few from Texas, Arizona, and Colorado... set up camp and basked in all the best that is NM. The weather was perfect, the music was great... and there was wine from St. Clair !

Strolling around, I was overwhelmed with all the great art. Everything from paintings, sculptures, wood carvings, glasswork, jewelry, leather arts, metal lamps, furniture, marbles and more !

As a bonus: I got the chance to meet Brandon Maldonado... one of my fav painters. He did the murals for Masks Y Mas on Central, and has published a book that I just adore. He has been featured on the cover of the Alibi... and several other publications. Total coolness.

new piece

-----------------------------------------------photo by Elaine A. Russell

so -- I am finally trying to get stuff into my new art studio. I have been working out of my garage for about 10yrs now... and needless to say; I have more stuff than I thought I had. I am going to be leaving my jewelry stuff in my home "studio" and everything else is going to my new studio space at the Factory on 5th http://www.factoryon5.com/. (They have me listed as a painter.. which I am not. Ah well.)

and ... I am finally working on a new art piece. This one is a mixed media/ collage piece that is being worked on a mannequin form. I am hoping to get it done in time for the Grand Opening of the Black Market Goods new location in the old STOVE spot on Morningside and Central. (See the ad --->