Artistic Endeavors

Art City Austin celebrates local art scene with weekend fest and block party

Austin loves its artists, and artists love Austin. Locals can see just how cozy this love affair is when Art Alliance Austin hosts the Art City Austin festival this weekend. Actually, festival might not be the preferred nomenclature, because Art City Austin is more interested in being a big block party that connects the community with the artists that call it home.

A lot of action will be packed into the confines of Cesar Chavez Street and the 2nd Street District: an art fair of works from all over the country, the People’s Gallery at City Hall, food trailers, beer and cocktails, and live music. Dragging the kids to anything art related is usually a chore, but Art City Austin will have interactive projects for the young ones to keep them well entertained while the grownups sip on some Real Ale.

The giant downtown party serves as part of a larger effort by Art Alliance Austin to connect the community with the local artists that contribute to Austin's unique voice. Monique Capanelli, principal and head designer at Articulture Designs, thinks that Art City is attractive to anyone with either a basic interest in art or a desire to collect it.

“This is an incredible way for locals to experience the art community,” says Capanelli. “You don't have to be an of art buff to have a great time. It's simply an incredible festival, and there just happens to be so much art to see. But for the art collector, it's a rare time to have national, international, and local artists come to you… Whether you're an art newbie or an art critic, it's just invigorating to get outside of the confines of a white-walled gallery and breathe in the art.”

Art City Austin not only brings the people and the artists together; it's also a grand showcase of the impact that Art Alliance Austin has in helping local artists to share the visions with full support. Andrew Danziger is the owner of Hatch Workshop, a collaborative workshop and store for furniture craftsmen. He explains how Art Alliance Austin helped to commission one of the workshop’s latest ideas as a public art installation.

“This year, the crew from Hatch Workshop is constructing various playful furniture pieces that we will temporarily install around downtown. For instance, we've created giant banquet style tables on casters for impromptu potlucks and happenings around downtown.”

Danziger is thankful, like many other artists, for the support of art lovers, whether they are at Art City Austin or just Austin in general.

“Our relationship with Art Alliance has allowed us to make new work and explore new ideas… Art Alliance came to us with a general idea and allowed us to make a proposal. The proposal format enables us to generate artistically fulfilling ideas while still also aiming to fulfill their needs. This type of freedom is ideal for the group of dedicated creatives working at Hatch Workshop. We hope that our excitement about our work can be sensed by the people viewing and using it.”

For the art community, connecting with the greater Austin community is a must. And by increasing public awareness at home, the Austin art scene can even make a mark on the grander stage of the art world.

“Austin has only recently become 'known' for its art scene,” says Capanelli. “So it's been a hard nut to crack for Austin to become known for its visual arts scene, and even to get Austinites to make it a priority. But in recent years, this has been happening in a very big way. This is thanks to the efforts of Art Alliance Austin as well as other great innovators, like EAST and AMOA-Arthouse. What they're doing now though — it's full impact won't be recognized for some time.”

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Art City Austin takes place April 13 and 14 along Cesar Chavez and the 2nd Street District. Single day tickets are $8 each; a weekend pass is available for $15.

Last year's Art City Austin.

Austin Photo Set: News_Alicia Vega_art city austin_april 2012_1

Photo by Alicia Vega

Last year's Art City Austin.

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Outside the Lines

Buda artist releases intuitive drawing book with fun prompts

Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Artist Ronald Gross creates an intuitive drawing with crayon, which he considers a "joyful" medium.

Buda-based artist and writer Ronald Gross released a book in November called Unlock Your Creativity: A Guide to Intuitive Drawing, which will walk aspiring expressers through drawing without worry. On December 6, he'll be on hand to help in an intuitive drawing demo at Buda Public Library's Holiday Open House.

The book is a hands-on guide that teaches readers how to lean into their own desires and intuitions when drawing, whether they feel like an artist or not. In this way, intuitive drawing should feel relaxing, meditative, and ultimately, beneficial for mental health. If you find coloring books relaxing and meditative, intuitive drawing may have the same effect on you.

"Intuitive drawing is the practice of creating art without a specific plan or outcome in mind," says Gross. "It’s about letting your hand move freely, guided by emotion, curiosity, or subconscious impulses; not about making something perfect."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Intuitive drawing is simple, joyful, and according to Gross can calm the mind much like meditation. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

This book presents exercises to access a mindful state: freeform doodling, blind contouring drawing, drawing from the imagination, and drawing from emotions. For artists feeling stuck, Gross also includes plenty of exercises for overcoming creative blocks and even discusses ways intuitive drawing can be applied to other creative projects and areas of life.

In the December workshop, Gross will give a quick demonstration on how to create an intuitive drawing using nothing but lines, shapes, and simple marks. Then participants can try it out with a variety of crayons, because crayons are "tactile" and can quickly transport people into a "playful, unselfconscious space," according to Gross.

"The workshop is all about creating a supportive, judgment-free space to explore intuitive drawing," he says. "Attendees will leave with tools to keep practicing on their own and, hopefully, a renewed sense of creativity and playfulness."

An intuitive drawing from author and artist Ronald Gross. In college Gross was taught how to take a doodle and elevate it into fine art.Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross's own journey into intuitive drawing started at a young age, when he would doodle and sketch throughout the school day. Years later at the Academy of Art University, a professor encouraged him to lean into this more intuitive and abstract style of art. Since then, Gross has been exploring intuitive drawing's ability to access a meditative state, as well as tap into the subconscious mind.

"When you draw intuitively, you’re fully present in the moment," Gross says. "Your mind quiets, and you become attuned to the flow of your thoughts, feelings, and physical movements. It’s akin to meditation, only instead of sitting still, you’re actively channeling your inner experience onto the page."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Gross's intuitive drawings each evoke a different feeling through his simple use of color and linework. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross adds that over time, doing some of the exercises included in the book may even help boost confidence, since intuitive drawing can help people learn to trust their instincts.

"Intuitive drawing can unlock creativity, reduce stress, and help people reconnect with their inner selves," he adds. "It offers a space to process emotions, spark ideas, and break free from perfectionism or overthinking."

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