Lasting gifts for Valentine’s Day

09Feb10

There’s still time to buy directly from the artist, visit my site www.marywehrhahn.com for my wearable art jewelry or go to Barking Lizards,  231 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn.  They carry a nice array of my earrings and I believe they haven’t sold out of my necklaces yet.

venetian foil/glass block bead

Barking Lizards is an iconoclastic outpost for the  designs of artisans from around the world.  Wanda Corea, owner and curator of the gallery is a fine jewelry artist in her own rights.

It’s a quick trip from NYC on the “L” train – to the Bedford Ave stop.  Just walk 3 blocks south to N. 4th Street, Barking Lizards is on the corner.  Enjoy the wonderful Williamsburg neighborhood, stroll around – breeze in and out of the shops along the way, grab a bite to eat.

Art is a creative way of saying “I love you”.

Filed under: Barking Lizards, Mary Durante Wehrhahn, NY Metro art galleries, art objects, fine art collectables, gifts   |  1 Comment
Tags: Art Gallery, NY Metro Art World, Valentine's Day

Feb’s here… lots to do in Metro NY

04Feb10

Thursday, Feb. 4th

Barking Lizard’s today is owner Wanda Corea’s BD and I hope to pop over to not only wish her a happy day but to see what the gallery is exhibiting for Valentine’s Day. You know how I feel about supporting the arts and gift giving is a great way of doing that.  So hop the L train to 231 Bedford Avenue to a terrific experience in their gallery.

Brooklyn Art Center 6-8pm Glitch Generation is the exhibit at the (111 Front Street, Suite 218) I’d like to check out. The opening date is Feb. 4th 6 – 8pm and runs through June 25th.

Bruce Silverstein Gallery 6-8pm (535 West 24th St, NYC) Frederick & Frances Sommer Foundation: Circumnavigation 2010. Jene & I always enjoy talking with Larry about the featured artists.

Friday, Feb. 5th

CCCP Gallery 6-8pm celebrates the month with Hearthrob, an eclectic array of works from some of NY’s finest emerging artists. So come mingle with the artists and chat with my favorite photographer Jene Youtt, who’s image Bleeding Hearts is one of my favorites. Yes, I have one framed and hanging in my living room.

There’s plenty to do on any side of the river… in NJ, at  the Monclair University – and in Westfield.

George Segal gallery, (1 Normal Place) in Montclair preview the Art Connection 6 exhibit through Feb. 13th.  Again, this was a jury selected exhibit and I am proud that I have the 3rd print of the limited run of 25 prints there.  (Just to let you know how the pricing structure works on limited editions.  The price and value goes up after the 4th print is sold.  Then again after th 9th and so on….)

RiverMill Gallery, (504 North Avenue E) in  Westfield is a nice place to stop and browse especially if you are on your way to Trader Joe’s.  They exhibit a wonderful array of owner’s Yi Yin’s paintings, Michael Chan’s award winning photography as well as works by Mary Durante Wehrhahn and Jene Youtt.

Ok.  So this is a tad self-promotional, but if I don’t do it,  then who?

Filed under: Barking Lizards, George Segal Gallery, Jene Youtt, Mary Durante Wehrhahn, Montclair State University, NY Metro art galleries, art, art objects, fine art collectables, photography   |  1 Comment
Tags: 1 day event, Art Gallery, emerging artists, emerging photographers, gallery exhibition, international photographers, Jene Youtt Photographer, juried competition, Westfield

Great lovers – romantic gestures – art

27Jan10

February is upon us and thoughts turn to love… Valentine’s Day, a hallmark holiday that relies on sweethearts.

Art in one form or another has always been a lasting show of love throughout the ages. The Taj Mahal was built to show Mughal Emperor Sha Jahan’s love for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Maha. Dante’s love for Beatrice was epic and he wrote one of the most romantic poems La Vita Nuova after she greeted him. Jewelry is another way of showing one’s affection, love and devotion that will last more than just 1 day (dinner at a romantic restaurant) or however long the roses will stay fresh or the chocolates will last as I limit my intake to a couple per day.

So if you are looking for something a little more unusal as a token of your love, why not think out of the box. Art or wearable art jewelry.

CCCP gallery has an opening on Feb 5th from 6 – 8pm. The exhibit is entitled “Hearthrob”. Jene and I will be there as he has one of his prints exhibited in the show. A funky little gallery just off the beaten track in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. – 38 Marcy Street – on the corner of Hope.

Barking Lizards Gallery 231 Bedford Aveneue, also in Williamsburg section, has floral art prints and one of a kind jewelry pieces ranging in price. Also hanging in their window is one of the most beautiful stained glass pieces ever “Sombero” I would love to have Robert Wilson’s art hanging in my window (hint, hint).

Of course, Barking Lizards has several of my fine art floral prints as well as my jewelry “Wearable Art”  – a large selection of my handcrafted earrings.

beaded necklace on black silk cord

Other photography prints of limited editions can also be purchased directly through my website, MaryWehrhahn.com

How can I not mention my own love, fine art photographer Jene Youtt Photography.  For Valentine’s Day Barking Lizards has his “Bleeding Hearts” exhibited.   Many of his images have won international juried competitions and photograph magazine awards over the years. One of his dance images has just been selected by PDN’s juried show entitled “Motion”.  Numerous framed prints have been purchased through Galleries in New York, New Jersey and Kyoto, Japan. You can click onto his website Jene Youtt Photography.com contact him directly or purchase images also at Ward-Nasse Gallery 178 Prince Street, NYC

Of course there is also the Emmanuel Fremin Gallery 546 Broadway (btw Spring & Prince) PH -5B where the works of 10 artists can be viewed through the month of February. Jene and I met the French abstract painter Phillipe Leroy (PHL) at the opening, as well as photographer Drew Tal.

Not only can you impress your loved one with a work of art but you will also be supporting the arts. Art is something that separates us from the animals (I’m not saying it makes us better than animals).

Another unique gift is a fine art portrait photo session with Labor Of Love Pix we have 2 locations, one in midtown Manhattan and one in Fair Lawn, NJ.

the kiss

So think about a more lasting gift of love this year… and “Let your love flow”

Filed under: Barking Lizards, Jene Youtt, Mary Durante Wehrhahn, NY Metro art galleries, Thomas Barbey, art, art objects, fine art collectables, labor of love, photography   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Art Gallery, Dante and Beatrice, Drew Tal, emerging artists, emerging photographers, Emmanuel Fremin, Francoise Ben Arous, gallery exhibition, international photographers, Jene Youtt Photographer, labor of love, Manhattan, Michel Giliberti, NY Metro Art World, PHL, photography, portrait artist, Simone Monney, Soho Photo Gallery, Taj Mahal, Thomas Barbey, Ward-Nasse Gallery

Promoting oneself…

23Jan10

It seems I spend a tremendous amount of time promoting other artists and openings. I find it easier to laud them then myself. BUT I am in the midst of a project and have submitted a proposal to The Lucie Foundation for an art grant. First I’m proud of the work I have been doing with Carmen, who first approached me in September at the Hoboken Open Art Studio Tour at the Monroe Center for the Arts.

Carmen loved the underlying emotions and beauty of the nudes in my “Inner Sanctum – thoughts, feelings and desires” body of work.

I was thrilled when she asked if I would shoot her nude. I gave her my card and 2 weeks later received an email telling me that she has breast cancer and would like before and after pictures. That started the ball rolling. I thought this would be a wonderful joint venture shooting along side Jene. He would lend a different take on the images – one from a man’s perspective. We shot the making of Carmen’s torso plaster cast, family gathering and the last dance together. He wasn’t available to photograph Carmen nude and I have to say that being with her alone, gave way to more intimate woman to woman emotional conversations and flow of feelings that would not have been realized had he been there.

I started to blog (starting with 11/13 entry – scroll down to older posts to get to the beginning) about Carmen, and my feelings, however I was echoing everything she thought. How could I not… I have breasts and they are very near and dear to me. I derive pleasure from them so the thought of cancer and mastectomy raced through my brain and put me through somewhat the same emotional roller coaster that she was on. I rely on Jene for my emotional stability and the balance he brings into my life, because as a woman, mother and grandmother it is difficult not to put myself in another person’s position. But for the grace of god… go I. Different of course because I was not the one afraid for my life.

A few people have contacted me about my blog and thanked me for my writings, my words hit home with them. That’s when I realized that in helping Carmen tell her story, I was giving others a voice.

Our society places so much emphasis of physical appearance as a gauge of beauty. My 10 year old granddaughter (who is thin) is worried because her thighs as not as thin as her older sisters… OMG. I don’t remember having body-image issues at that age. Most of us back then were too busy having fun and enjoying life. (I came before Barbie dolls, but Twiggy came onto the scene, making stick figure bodies sought after on runways and in some fashion magazines. Before that Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren were idolized for their curvy figures. Not that they were heavy – but they weren’t a mere bag of bones)

So with body image in mind and wanting women to be seen as the beautiful vivacious creatures they are, I decided to continue the project. To exhibit beauty – to show it doesn’t stop when age takes over or when your body starts to fail you. These women are entrusting me while they bare their hearts, bodies and souls and I want to photograph them in a way that exudes their inner beings – with all the sensuality that surfaces when they feel the beauty within them.

Thank you Carmen for connecting with me and to Sharon for sharing some of what you’ve gone through. And to Debbie, a friend, who will introduce me to other women in her restorative yoga class, for sharing and caring and wanting to have your voices heard, stories told and bodies shown.

What I am doing is photographing women with breast cancer in various stages, before surgery, after the mastectomy and after their final reconstructive surgery. I am compiling their stories and will publish a comprehensive journey with breast cancer – an artistic display of beauty and sensuality. I will seek out galleries to exhibit these images, making people aware of just where beauty lies – It Lies Within.

If you have any questions or care to talk you can get in touch with me through my email:

LaborOfLovePix@gmail.com

Namaste,

Mary

Filed under: Jene Youtt, Mary Durante Wehrhahn, art, breast cancer, labor of love, photo essay, photography   |  2 Comments
Tags: art grants, body image, breast cancer, fashion models. Marilyn Monro, sensuality vs outer beauty, Sophia Loren, The Lucie Foundation, Twiggy, women of beauty

Emmanuel Fremin Gallery – opening 1/15 “Blinding”

23Jan10

Last Friday night, Jene & I were elbow to elbow with art lovers and a few artists at Emmanuel Fremin Gallery in Soho. Drew Tal had 3 major pieces in the show and I loved his vibrant metallic print “Within” , which we found out was mounted on aluminum. Jene, Drew and I talked about the benefits of moving from film to digital photography. We discussed Kodak Endura metallic paper and told Drew that we especially like it for our B&W’s but that some colors just look muddy. Drew suggested we try “flex” paper from Fuji Duggal in NY prints and mounts his work for exhibition and I like the contemporary look of the frameless mounting. He prints his images on both “flex” and the Endura Metallic to see which he likes better for the particular image.

Emmanuel Fremin Gallery artist reception "Blinding"

I met another artist, French abstract painter PHL Phillipe and his charming wife Kheira Leroy. They moved from France to Tenerife, Spain (Canary Islands). Kheira and I hit it off finding out how similar we were. They flew in for the opening and were staying for a week.

Maybe our paths will cross again. I will keep in touch through emails and facebook.

The exhibit will be at Emmanuel Fremin Gallery for 6 weeks. so stop by

546 Broadway (btw Prince & Spring)

PH – 5B

Filed under: Jene Youtt, Kodak Metallic Endura, NY Metro art galleries, art, art objects, fine art collectables, photography   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Alex Romanov and Jean Noel L'harmeroult, Art Gallery, Drew Tal, emerging artists, emerging photographers, Emmanuel Fremin, Francoise Ben Arous, gallery exhibition, international photographers, Manhattan, Michel Giliberti, NY Metro Art World, PHL, Shunsuke Francois Nanjo, Simone Monney, Thomas Barbey

Thursday night at Midoma with the artists

23Jan10

Jene had a solo exhibit at Midoma April of 2008, where my wearable art jewelry was also on display and sold.  We try to get to as many exhibits at Midoma’s as possible, meeting interesting artists.  Michael and Marianna believe in the arts and offer an alternative space for emerging artists to exhibit.  The brick walls are the perfect backdrop for the works they display and sell.

Last night was a retrospect of a number of artists who exhibited in the past.  A talented young painter Steve Cogal showed prior to Jene’s exhibit.  Emails flew back and forth and we tried to hook up with Steve in Tokyo where he was exhibiting the same time Jene had a solo exhibit at Issis Gallery in Kyoto.

We previously met Lewis Folden who spends his idle time in the painting when he is not designing sets,  as well as Stella Lillig a comtemporary painter.

By the time we arrived, the place was buzzing with artists and art lovers.  Marianna greeted us breaking away from a group of people.  We got to meet some of the artists of works we saw on Midoma’s site.  Jene chatted with Michael Lindwasser whose photo “Kyoto Greens” brought about conversation of his travels and shooting the Dalai Lama, meeting famed photographer Steven McCurry Steve McCurry donates a number of his collections to Friends Without A Border fundraisers year after year.

While Jene was engaged in a deep discussion, I lingered by his prints and wound up answering an inquiry whether Jene’s blue dancer was gold-leafed – no – it’s printed on Kodak  Metallic Endura* paper.  I hope to meet Stephanie again (a friend of Steve Cogal’s and a painter herself) because I really enjoyed our getting to know a little about her.  The metallic print intriqued a number of viewers and was a tropic of introduction to his works.

Tom Matt’s 2 works (pastels on newsprint) of NY architecture were interspersed with Jene’s 3 prints.

Jene is in his element among the  artists, he beams about his work.  One would think there would be a competitive element among artists but I find them to be open and friendly and want to hear about your work as well.  There’s so much to inspire.  Me, I like to hear about how the artist is motivated and what influenced them.  We were all inspired and influenced by some master or mentor and it does show in our work.

While Jene chatted with yet another friend of Cogal’s, a poet; I recognized Catherine who came to  my first NY exhibit at Ward-Nasse last December.  We were discussing the acrylic paintings that I was sitted beneath, when the artist Kristen Haskell joined us in conversation.  The pre-splatter Jackson Pollack influenced her when she was in college.

Like all good things, the night had to end.  We wove our way through the crowd biding farewell.  Knowing that with facebook it’s a lot easier to keep in touch.

The exhibit runs through Feb. 13th and spans their 10 years of 60 art shows.  Artists:

Steve Riley, Carla Reyes, Lewis Folden, Michael Lindwasser, Kristen Haskell, Ashley Scribner, Steve Cogal, Stella Lillig, Jene Youtt, Tom Matt, David Platt, Randall Barquero
Great Show! Wonderful Artists

Midoma is located at 439 East 75th St.  Btw York and 1st Avenues.

* Adorama Photo lab prints our images when we use the Kodak Metallic Endura Paper.

Filed under: Adorama, Jene Youtt, Kodak Metallic Endura, NY Metro art galleries, art, art objects, photography, photography vendors   |  1 Comment
Tags: Art Gallery, Ashley Scribner, Carla Reyes, David Platt, emerging artists, emerging photographers, gallery exhibition, Jene Youtt, Jene Youtt Photographer, Kristen Haskell, Lewis Folden, Michael Lindwasser, Midoma, NY Metro Art World, Randall Barquero, Stella Lillig, Steve Cogal, Steve Riley, Tom Matt

Unique gifts that say I Love You

22Jan10

A gift more lasting then a bouquet of flowers.  These signed fine art prints are available as 11×14″  framed prints at Barking Lizards Gallery – 231 Bedford Ave. in the Williamsburg Section of Brooklyn.  Larger limited edition signed prints can be purchased directly from the artist.  A numerous selection can be found on my web, just click Mary Durante Wehrhahn.

Flick of a tongue

About to bloom

Another side

Deux orchids

The 8×10″ prints are matted and framed (11×14″ black metal frames) and ready for hanging.

Or another more lasting way of saying “I Love You” is to schedule a photo session for your sweetheart with Labor Of Love Pix.  We have 2 locations:  West 51st St, NYC  and 17th Street, Fair Lawn, NJ.  Our fine art portraits are sure to please.

My love and partner is Jene Youtt, a 2 time Emmy winner for lighting as well as an award winning fine art photographer.  We entered the wonderful realm of wedding photography as well as bump, birth and beyond, so when you book with us, you get 2 photographers who, work well together to capture not just the moment but also emotions.

as he slips the ring on her finger

Feeling life and love

Love grows

If you are looking for fine art jewelry, one of a kind pieces you should take the “L” train for Bedford Ave and walk 3 blocks south to 4th and Bedford to Barking Lizards Gallery.  A wonderful array of jewelry that can’t be found in department stores.  And for the man in your life, there are beautiful cuff links to jazz up his dress shirts.

Filed under: Barking Lizards, Jene Youtt, Mary Durante Wehrhahn, NY Metro art galleries, art, art objects, fine art collectables, gifts, labor of love, photography, pregnancy photography, wedding photography   |  3 Comments
Tags: Art Gallery, Jene Youtt Photographer, Manhattan, NY Metro Art World, photography, portrait artist, unique gift ideas, Valentine's Day, wedding photography

Dashing off to Midoma tonight

21Jan10

Midoma is an alternative gallery space located inside the brick walled salon experience. Jene was one of the featured artists in 2008 and they carried and sold my “wearable art” jewelry.

I forgot to mention earlier that they are hosting an artist’s reception tonight from 6 – 8. This is a group show and I’m looking forward to it. We did meet a few interesting artist from past exhibits and it would be nice to see them again.

Filed under: Jene Youtt, Juan Michael Porter, NY Metro art galleries, art, fine art collectables, photography   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: 1 day event, Art Gallery, emerging photographers, gallery exhibition, midoma salon/gallery, NY Metro Art World

Artful Lovers – Valentine’s Day

20Jan10

The holidays are a distant memory, the streets and houses have dimmed, we are in the midst of winter and heading toward Valentine’s Day.  I was never a big fan of the 1 day designated to lovers or to overtly public display of affections. I do remember the 2 unique boxes of chocolate that my mother received from my dad. A heart shaped mirror that was on her bureau for ages and the beautifully carved wooden chest that later held her treasures for the rest of her life. Gifts that lasted as long as my dad’s love. Reminders of his lasting affection and devotion. My father knew my mother was one of a kind and his love was evident.

Barking Lizards Gallery in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn is getting ready with some unique Valentine treasures. Fine art jewelry, hand painted silk chemises, stained glass and beautifully captured photography of flowers that will be sure to please.

Jene and I celebrate our love quietly, intimately, wrapped in each others arms. A signed artist’s proof of one of his “florals” hangs on my wall reminding me daily of his feelings.

I remember how excited my coworkers would get as their flowers arrived on Valentine’s Day and 3 days later, the blooms would fade.  The trash bins would be filled with thousands of dollars worth of stems. And a week later, some couldn’t remember what they had to eat in the overly crowded, dimly lit, fancy restaurant that was mimicking intimacy.

So if you want to give a gift that last longer than a couple of days and let’s your lover know that you put extra thought into choosing something as unique as they are, you won’t be disappointed at the artful gifts that Barking Lizards has to offer. And if you are looking for something even more personal, schedule a fine art portrait session with Labor Of Love Pix.

So visit Barking Lizards or contact Mary or Jene Youtt of Labor of Love Pix to purchase a gift card for a photo session. What a wonderful way to say I Love You. We have 2 locations- midtown Manhattan & Fair Lawn, NJ for your convenience. (212) 664-1039 – (201) 703-4326.

And don’t forget to look at our personal fine art websites to purchase prints.

http://www.marywehrhahn.com

http://www.jeneyoutt.com

Filed under: Barking Lizards, Jene Youtt, Mary Durante Wehrhahn, NY Metro art galleries, art, art objects, children and family photography, fine art collectables, gifts, labor of love, photography   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Art Gallery, emerging photographers, gallery exhibition, Jene Youtt Photographer, Lovers, Manhattan, NY Metro Art World, portrait artist, unique gifts, Valentine's Day

Span the Hudson – Art openings this weekend

13Jan10

One of our favorite NY kind of things to do is to attend art gallery openings. Jene & I met Emmanuel Fremin this past summer. Emmanuel modeled for me at Jene’s studio and we connected. As fine art photographers, not only is it great to see what is out there, but it’s also a pleasure to meet other photographers and artists. Only during an opening reception do you get a chance to speak to the artists about their work and creative insights.

The last opening at Emmanuel Fremin Gallery was for Thomas Barbey’s “Unleashed” exhibit. Wonderful photo compositions that were not mastered digitally. Thomas was charming and very modest about his success, telling us that he is so lucky to have found a niche in the art market.

This exhibit is a group showing of 10 contemporary artists that Emmanuel has brought together for “Blinding”: Michel Giliberti, Drew Tal, Kilu, Simone Monney, PHL, Francoise Ben Arous, Jean Noel L’harmeroult, Francois Nanjo Shunsuke, Thomas Barbey and Alex Romanov.

I’m looking forward to meeting Drew Tal, whose work I find astounding. PHL, Alex Romanov, Francoise Ben Arous, Kilu will also be at the opening. Knowing the discerning taste of Emmanuel, I’m sure to be intrigued at the very least with all the works.

Emmanuel emailed me a few of the works to put on my blog and I chose only these 4 because I want you to come see the rest for yourselves at the gallery. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

Kilu

Francoise Ben Arous

Simone Monney

Drew Tal

So if you are in Soho after work on Friday night, stop by and whet your appetite. What a great way to start your dinner conversation later in the evening. “I just bought this amazing piece of art for the living room and got to meet with the artist at this fabulous gallery, just around the corner”.

Emmanuel Fremin Gallery 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

(PH 5B)

546 Broadway (btw Spring and Prince Streets)

NYC

And on Sunday, as Bruce Springsteen would sing – Across the river to the Jersey side – head over to the George Segal Gallery – at Montclair State University where there is an afternoon artist opening. Yes, one of my images

Mary Durante Wehrhahn

Students in Serenity will be part of a large group exhibit and sale…

click here to link to my site

George Segal Gallery from 2 – 5:00pm

Montclair State University

One Normal Street

Montclair, NJ

Meet some of the rising artists of the area.

Hope to see you on both sides of the river

Filed under: European male model, George Segal Gallery, Jene Youtt, Mary Durante Wehrhahn, Montclair State University, NY Metro art galleries, Thomas Barbey, art, fine art collectables, photography   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: 1 day event, Alex Romanov, Art Gallery, Drew Tal, emerging artists, Emmanuel Fremin, Francois Nanjo Shunsuke, Francoise Ben Arous, gallery exhibition, international photographers, Jean Noel L'harmeroult, Jene Youtt Photographer, Kilu, Manhattan, Michel Giliberti, NY Metro Art World, PHL, Simone Monney, Thomas Barbey