Piano Art, "Sing for Hope" Project

I have begun painting my piano for Sing for Hope. I have three months to make it the most fun piano ever to play! Then it gets tuned and placed in a public park in NYC. That happens in June, then it is donated to a school in need.

These are the original plans sent, which won my acceptance into the program.

 The back.

And here is the start, after sanding and priming.
 

CallieArt.com

Questions to an artist...

In an attempt to de-mystify my art process, I have listed a few common questions and responses.

How long does it take you to make your art?

For me, it can take anywhere from two days to three years. Sometimes you really need to walk away from a piece for awhile and come back when you are ready to tackle the problem you have created in it. A lot of the time I work on several paintings at once.

Who buys your work?

Mostly friends, at first, or people I talk to about my work, they feel my excitement and energy and want to own a part of it! I also sell work through galleries and stores. I have sold oils and acrylic on paper at ABC Carpet. And a lot at a gallery that has since closed down in the Jersey Shore. It is about people coming into these places and falling in love with the work.

How do you get more visibility?

By having articles written about me, saying yes to people who would like to use my art for dvd art, or book covers and such. In return, if they can not pay me, I ask for them to give me credit by listing my website as a link from their site. Exposure is key.

What inspires you most?

Nature truly inspires me, the birth, growth and change that occurs. Basically all living creatures, and I have an infinity for sea life.

Who are your greatest contemporary influences?

Kiki Smith, Laurie Anderson and Patti Smith. I want to be as busy and have achieved as much as they have, and keep my sanity and balance.

How long have you been creating art?

I have been creating my entire life. I was always finding ways to make scraps into art as a child. Luckily my parents totally supported my love and encouraged me with classes and supplies to keep me occupied.

When did you start taking art seriously?

I started using oils on canvas when I was in high school, then I dove heavily into photography. I liked to create in the darkroom, to experiment with light. I was a shy student and becoming the photo editor of our yearbook my senior year pushed me to be more visible. I had to become more outgoing and social to get the photos required. It was an interesting position to put myself in, but did help in my getting into college. They rejected my illustration portfolio and accepted me for my photography one. I got back into using other materials when I went for my Masters Degree in Studio Art at NYU.

Where do you get the greatest inspiration from?

My greatest love is for the sea. I am very interested in the creatures that inhabit it.

As a artist living in a city filled with competition, how do you make yourself stand out?

I try to put myself out there, sending my postcards to in hopes of future exposure. I enter a lot of juried shows as a way of being seen.

CallieArt.com

My Village, 2018

I live in NYC, which always appears to be in a state of constant flux. I moved here in the early 80's to attend college, and could never leave, the pace is now the rhythm to my heartbeat. The following paintings were created in 2017 - 2018 in response to how I view my city currently. It is a feeling of great anxiety and apprehension, probably a common sentiment felt across our nation at this period of time.

Callie

CallieArt.com

Sing for Hope Pianos

I was honored to be chosen to paint a donated piano for Sing for Hope. In a "Art for All" movement, these pianos are place in NYC parks for all to play for the month of June. It is then donated to a school in need, allowing for music programs in schools.

First the piano is taken apart and sanded.

 Then it is primed with white gesso.
It feels very strange to paint over a piano, like you are performing a sacrilegious act.

This is me, outside 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, where our donated painting floor is. Fifty pianos were donated this year. If you are an interested artist, they have a yearly open call, see link below. You are given three months to paint your piano, at their location, then it is place in a NYC park for the month of June. And finally, after being re-tuned, is given to a school in need. To apply for your school to receive a 2018 Sing for Hope Piano, visit the site below!

Sing for Hope Piano Information

Sing for Hope, piano artistry at play

I am one of the selected artists chosen to paint a donated piano for Sing for Hope. A wonderful program that has artists painting pianos, they are then placed in a park in NYC for the month of June, picked up and returned to be tuned, and then finally donated to a school in need.

Taken apart, sanded, primed in white and then painted black, my background of choice. 50 pianos were donated this year. It feels very strange to paint over a beautiful wooden piano, but paint I must. I love watching the progress around me from the other artists. So far I have only seen four or five artists when I am there.  We have three months to complete the piano, I feeling on schedule so far!I hope I did not just jinx myself!