CIGAR BOX GUITARS

Romeo y Julieta cigar box guitar, cigar box and found materials,

James Walter, 2009
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Recently, I came across a folk art phenomenon that's been around since the 1800's--the cigar box guitar. Across the U.S. and in other counties, people have been making guitars, banjos, and other instruments from mostly found materials. In fact, the goal of many guitar makers is to craft one of these from as many found items as possible and still have an excellent sounding instrument. A great resource for this form of art is the website Cigar Box Nation, which provides photos sent in by builders from around the world along with advice, plans, and videos.

TAUBA AUERBACH

The Whole Alphabet, From The Center Out, Digital, V

2006, gouache on paper on panel, 30" x 22"

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The artist Tauba Auerbach is a unique blend of graphic designer and painter. The obsessive nature of her interaction with type is just plain interesting and the result is visually compelling. Lately, the internet has been abuzz about her work and this post is just one of many.

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Art in America has an insightful interview with Auerbach here, and more of her work can be seen at taubaauerbach.com and artsy.net.

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JOHN SONSINI

DANIEL, RUDY, JOSE, GABRIEL, 2004, Oil on canvas, 80 x 96 inches

ISMAEL, 2008, Oil on canvas, 72 x 48 inches

BYRON & RAMIRO, 2008, Oil on canvas, 80 x 84 inches

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The paintings of John Sonsini are imbued with a heaviness of materiality. They state that they are not illustration. Paint is slathered on with plenty of brushwork. Neel, Soutine, Bellows, and Sorolla come to mind.

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Images Courtesy Cheim & Read, New York.

PATRICK BERRAN

Suppers, 2007, oil and acrylic on panel, 24" x 24"

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Scapegoats, 2008, oil on panel, 18" x 18"

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This guy has an interesting personal background: BFA in painting from Virginia Commonwealth University, MFA in painting from Hunter College, former assistant to Franz Ackermann, and lead vocalist in a band. I really like what he's done so far and will be watching for his new work that, according to Pat, will be ready soon.

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Images courtesy of the artist. More of Patrick's work can be seen at his website: patrickberran.com