🎆 Speed, Colors, and Rollerblades

🌟 Artist in Focus

Today, we're thrilled to spotlight the extraordinary Jean Cherouny (@jean_cherouny), an American artist who's redefining the boundaries of Abstract Expressionism with her unique style she calls Active Expressionism. Drawing inspiration from the innovative works of Joan Mitchell, Jackson Pollock, and Rebecca Purdum, Jean has taken a step further by incorporating her love for movement into her art.

Jean's artistic journey is as vibrant and dynamic as her paintings. From her early days as a ballet dancer to her years of skateboarding, biking, skiing, and playing sports, Jean's kinesthetic interests have always been a driving force in her life.

This passion for movement found its way onto her canvas when she began using her rollerblade wheels to literally skate paint onto the canvas, creating large-scale rollerblade paintings that are as captivating as they are unique.

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Her work is a celebration of energy, movement, and the sheer joy of creation. Each stroke of her rollerblade-brush is a testament to her athletic spirit and her innovative approach to art. Bursting with color and dynamism, Jean's paintings invite us to experience art in a whole new way - not just as spectators, but as participants in the energetic dance of creation.

📚 Brushstrokes of Knowledge

When we think of Abstract Expressionism, we often think of artists like Jackson Pollock or Willem de Kooning, who broke away from traditional artistic standards to create something entirely new and emotionally charged.

But did you know that this movement, which originated in the mid-20th century, continues to evolve and inspire artists like Jean Cherouny today?

One of the lesser-known facts about Abstract Expressionism is its deep connection to the concept of automatism, a technique where the artist suppresses conscious control over the making process, allowing the unconscious mind to have great sway.

This technique was heavily used by Surrealists and later adopted by Abstract Expressionists. Jean Cherouny's Active Expressionism can be seen as an evolution of this concept, where the unconscious mind is not only influenced by thoughts and emotions, but also by physical movement.

Interestingly, the use of unconventional tools in art is not new. In the 1960s, artist David Hockney used a typewriter to create patterns and shapes, while in the 1980s, Howardena Pindell was known for her hole punch paintings. Jean Cherouny's use of rollerblades as a painting tool is a continuation of this tradition of pushing the boundaries of what can be used to create art.

🧐 Curator's Corner

The world of art collecting is undergoing a fascinating shift. Once upon a time, it was common for collectors to donate their prized pieces to public museums. 🔍

Institutions like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) have been the beneficiaries of such generosity, like when Jerry Perenchio gifted $500 million worth of masterpieces in 2014.

But a new trend is emerging, one that sees collectors taking a more personal approach to showcasing their collections.

Enter the era of private museums.

These are spaces like The Broad in Los Angeles, home to the extensive collection of Eli and Edythe Broad, and Glenstone, a private art museum that boasts a collection of contemporary European and American art that rivals even the most renowned public institutions.

Glenstone, founded by Mitchell and Emily Rales, is perhaps the most famous of these private museums, with an endowment that's nearly on par with The Met.

These private museums allow collectors to display their collections exactly as they wish, offering a unique and often more intimate viewing experience.

As we navigate this evolving landscape, it's fascinating to see how these collectors are shaping the future of art curation. 🏛️

💫 Wonder of Art

When we think of art and sports, the two may seem like entirely different realms. But did you know that these two fields have been intersecting in fascinating ways throughout history? Let's dive into some intriguing instances where the worlds of art and sports have collided.

In the 1912 Olympics, art competitions were officially a part of the Olympic Games.

Yes, you read that right!

Artists competed for medals in categories like painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, and music. The only stipulation was that their work had to be sports-related. This practice continued until the 1948 Olympics when it was decided that artists were considered professionals, while athletes were required to be amateurs.

Fast forward to the contemporary art scene, and we see artists like David Hockney, who is known for his vibrant paintings of swimming pools, and LeRoy Neiman, famous for his brilliantly colored images of sporting events.

And of course, our artist in focus, Jean Cherouny, who uses her rollerblades to create dynamic art pieces. These artists show us that the energy, movement, and competitive spirit found in sports can be translated into compelling visual narratives.