State of the Arts

8 enticing Austin exhibits to jump into this June

The arts in Austin make a splash this month with a refreshing assortment of exhibits. There are community made fairy dwellings to admire, and hopefully a fairy or two to see at Zilker Botanical Garden; a group photography show at Cloud Tree Gallery that questions the role of photographer in a world where we are all photographers on our mobile devices; Patrick Puckett gives us bold, confident Southern tinged portraits at Wally Workman; and Austin artist Thomas Flynn II paints forests and nature meant to tickle your fancy at Vaughn Gallery. Soak up these energizing summer exhibits while the sun shines.

Zilker Botanical Garden

“The Woodland Faerie Trail” — Now through June 10
The fairies have arrived at Zilker Botanical Gardens to take up their summer residency in tiny, natural homes created by Austin families, school groups, and individuals on display off the Oak Grove, along the winding Woodland Faerie Trail. The Garden hosts special events like a chance to visit the fairies by moonlight on June 3, or a Fae Fest on June 10, where you can make your own fairy wings, be a part of a fairy fashion show, or explore examples of plants featured in botanical folklore.

Dougherty Arts Center

“Darcie Book: Second Sight: A Visual Opera" — Now through July 22
Interactive installations are always fascinating because, suddenly, we are told we can touch the art and enjoy a tactile experience beyond just gazing at it. “Second Sight: A Visual Opera” by multidisciplinary artist Darcie Book is a single piece — an abstract narrative — that unfolds as the viewer-participant moves through the space and is confronted by unexpected materials. "In the darkness, in the unknown," the description posits, "we are in a world between dimensions."

Austin Central Library

“Aubree Dale: Go-To’s” — June 2 through August 12
“'Go-To’s' is an exhibition of oil paintings big and small peppered with small supplementary sculptures," explains the artist's website. Dale’s sculptures are fashioned out of "rescued plastics and homemade bioplastics" that become "transparent artifacts and portals." The exhibit sprung out of the artist becoming a mother and her feelings of anxiety and abundance as well as “a scaling back of my eagerness to please others.”

Cloud Tree Studios and Gallery

“Generation Loss: Image Making in an Age of Over-Saturation" — June 3 through 24
In this group photography show, twelve artists examine what it means to be a photographer "in an age where everyone is a photographer." The gallery explains that "in analog media development, the term 'generation loss' refers to the modification of content and reduction of detail when duplicates or multiple generations of copies are created." Are we responsible for “reducing” the art of photography because of the abundance permeating our lives via social media?

Wally Workman Gallery

"Patrick Puckett: Mythos" — June 3 through July 2
If you enjoy "bold colors and languid figures," you may enjoy the work of Patrick Puckett whose paintings are "unapologetically sure of themselves." The works on paper aim for intimacy, with confident brush strokes and colors. The figures in Puckett's paintings are "visual inventions" from his experiences living in the South.

Vaughn Gallery

“Thomas Flynn II: To Catch the Sun Dreaming” — June 8 through July 22
Thomas Flynn II is an Austin artist bringing a fresh perspective on plein air painting (i.e. painting outdoors) creating environmental and thought provoking paintings on raw canvas. In Flynn’s work forests and nature "represent a place of eternal play and exploration" as well as the "cycles of growth and decay." After viewing his work you feel like you’ve had your daily dose of Mother Nature.

Art for the People

“Vibrance of Summer" — June 10 through August 11
With more 35 artists participating, “Vibrance of Summer” is all about immersing oneself in the vibrance of summertime and the energy of the season. Some featured pieces include a stained glass mountain landscape, a multimedia textured work displaying the art of tree bark, and a moody painting of blueberries that subverts the usual colors of summer. If you need a cheerful, sunny arts experience, then Art for the People is offering a dose of cheer.

West Chelsea Contemporary

Courtesy of West Chelsea Contemporary

Beauty and the Beast, 1959 by Slim Aarons, estate stamped print.

“EDITIONS” — June 16 through July 16
“Editions” features more than 100 artists over a span of six decades showcasing limited-edition prints, which as the gallery points out, "creates a sense of exclusivity and scarcity." It continues, "From modern masters and blue-chip artists to street art pioneers and ultra-contemporary innovators, the exhibit delivers a diverse range of artists who have each utilized printmaking as a way to experiment within and expand the reach of their artistic practice." From Chuck Close, Keith Haring and Damien Hirst all the way to Fab 5 Freddy, the exhibit packs a punch with the breadth and depth of artists.

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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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