A Robot Hand That Draws Artfully Demented Portraits

They're programmed to approximate Tresset's own style... just not particularly well.

We have machines that can recognize faces and machines that can draw. Now, thanks to scientist/engineer/artist Patrick Tresset, we have robots that do both -- look at your face and then draw a portrait while you wait. One catch, though: Tresset has programmed them to be kind of clumsy.

[Read more about Patrick Tresset's exhibition at Tenderpixel]

By John Pavlus, a writer for Fastcodesign.com - thanks John from Lisa Powell at Art Rent and Lease!

Caring for your Fragile Creations a.k.a. Paintings

An excerpt from "Caring for your Treasures" from the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.

PAINTINGS
Paintings are fragile creations that require special care to ensure their continued preservation.

It is important to maintain a proper environment for your paintings. The structural components of a painting expand and contract in different ways as the surrounding temperature and humidity fluctuate. For example, the flexible canvas may become slack or taut in a changing environment, while the more brittle paint may crack, curl, or loosen its attachment to the underlying layers. Paintings generally do well in environmental conditions that are comfortable for people, with relative humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent.

For the full article, please visit: http://www.conservation-us.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.ViewPage&PageID=632

EXCITING color trends: Gray and White!

Interior Design Trends: Gray and White
Posted: 20 Nov 2010 by COLOURlovers

When someone thinks of 'colorful' most of the time gray and white are not the colors that come to mind. The twosome are dull, yet calming. What I like most about gray is that it's a neutral, and when another color is added it always livens it up.

"Untitled" by Art Rent and Lease Artist John Haubrich

22" x 30" Unframed, $105 monthly art rental

As for white, it also meshes well with other tones just as gray. Gray and white together radiate a serene ambiance. Being that gray and white have calming and relaxing qualities, they work well in bedrooms and powder rooms. What do you think about gray and white? Is it calming to you or just plain boring?
 
We love gray and white and this work by artist John Haubrich.  For more information on art leasing, art rentals or art consulting call us at (888) 440-9260 x710.

Street Art: Ben Wilson's Chewing Gum Paintings

Art Rent and Lease loves innovative and creative art!  Check out these Chewing Gum Paintings:


Thanks to Kuriositas, our curiosity was momentarily quenched when they revealed a unique kind of street art. Imagine walking down the street and all of a sudden the gray sidewalk- once just boring slabs of concrete- turns into a canvas for mini paintings, colorful little morsels that make your day. Ben Wilson, a London based artist, is on a six year quest to turn abandoned bits of chewing gum into a collection of paintings. As Kuriositas explains, Wilson finds a piece of gum that has been around for a while (thus lacking in moisture) and heats it up with a burner. He then lacquers it, making it a more durable surface, allowing his acrylic paintings to last longer. Check out the slideshow below to see Wilson at work, and Kuriositas to read more about him.

Slideshow link:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/14/street-art-ben-wilsons-ch_n_783353.html#s182225

Thanks to the Huffington Post for this link!

The Art is......Hard Currency!

The art is not in making money, but in keeping it ~ proverb

Shown is "Hard Currency" by artist Gregory Coates, available for sale, rent or lease.  Original mixed media utilizing recycled products representing hard currency.  A series of 8, each is 12" x 12" x 3" renting for $85 each or $399 for the complete series.

An art rental is tax-deductible as a business expense - bring the beauty of fine art into your space!

What are your first thoughts about these items? Art?

What are your first thoughts about these items? Art? Recyclab... on Twitpic

Will Work for Art

Tuesday, September 28, 2010 7 PM

Ida K. Lang Recital Hall at Hunter College, North Building, 695 Park Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY
 
How do artists find ways to support their careers? Inspired by Charles Burchfield’s experience working as a wallpaper designer while simultaneously trying to maintain and further his art career, this roundtable conversation explores the challenges and successes that contemporary artists have faced balancing their art and the jobs that support it. From fashion photography to an Alaskan cannery, artists Marilyn Minter, Matthew Brannon, and Amy Sillman will discuss the varied experiences they pursued in addition to their artistic practices. Moderated by Katy Siegel.

Please note: This program will take place at Ida K. Lang Recital Hall at Hunter College, North Building, 695 Park Avenue, 4th Floor (East 68th St. between Park and Lexington Avenues).

Online reservations have reached capacity, but we encourage you to come to Lang Hall on the night of the event for seating possibilities.

Artists interested in submitting art for our corporate art rental and art leasing program please send your inquiry to: lisa@artrentandlease.com - we will be reviewing new work for inclusion in January 2011.

New Products and Techniques Eliminate or Greatly Reduce the Toxic Content of Art for Your Office

Is the art that is hanging in your workplace in alignment with corporate mission statement? Are you projecting an image to your employees and customers that you are a green environment? Is the artwork displayed in your office aligned with that statement?

New techniques and materials are available to artists to keep them safe and the earth that is often the subject of their work, clean as well. More frequently, graphic and print artists have moved over to the use of non-toxic electrolytic and electrochemical methods that do not require acids and safe etching and proofing techniques the substitute most harmful solvents and chemicals for etching, relief prints, monotypes and collages.

And even where non-toxic chemicals and solvents are necessary, training is available to artists in techniques which dramatically decrease the usage and danger of these materials.

Do you know if the artwork displayed in your workplace is "green"? An informed art consultant can work with you to find the artwork that meets the needs of your workplace tailored to your budget, taste and mission statement.

Our consultants are located in major cities in the US.  We provide short-term art rentals, longer term art leases, art for sale including paintings and sculpture....anything you need to beautify your space!  Visit our website at http://www.artrentandlease.com/ or call us at (888) 440-9260 x710 for a free consultation.

Gallery Opening 9/9/09 Featuring Art for Sale, Rent and Lease!

Art Rent and Lease is excited to announce the opening of the Artful Decor, Art Rental, Sales and Leasing Gallery at International Market Square in Minneapolis on 9/9/09 in Suite C-1!  

The gallery will feature a large selection of paintings, sculpture and glass for sale, rent and lease, starting at just $20 per month, an excellent way to conserve up-front cash and take advantage of  tax-deductible monthly payments in these challenging economic times.

Shown above are paintings on canvas and paper by handmade paper artist Meg Black: gardens, landscapes and seascapes.

International Market Square features showrooms and products for design professionals, and is the largest one-stop shopping destination for decorating accessories in the upper Midwest.  Join us Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday's by appointment!  For information please call (888) 440-9260 x710 or email: lisa@artrentandlease.com

Artist David M. Mitchell to make US Debut at NeoCon

Mitchell, an expat from the UK who has resided in Asia for nearly 20 years initially captured the attention of Art Rent and Lease with a submission of a Turneresque cloud image, Numinous. A print from this edition of 9 was recently acquired by the Museum of Natural History – Vienna. It is Mitchell’s abstract imagery and the conceptual nature of his latest work which Williams finds most compelling however. “With an attendee list rich in healthcare space planners, I have selected the work of Mitchell for exhibition not only because it is aesthetically appropriate for the corporate and healthcare market segments, it is also particularly well suited to the healthcare and interior design markets.” Mitchell was diagnosed with Left Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in the ‘90’s when making the segue from commercial and fashion photography to the fine art arena. The onset of this life changing neurological condition has had a dramatic impact on his creative process. In his most recent work, to be featured in booth #8-2113, he explores the LTL Epilepsy associated jamais vu and déjà vu sensations where the familiar becomes foreign and the foreign becomes familiar,” commented Williams.