Erin Dolan Art Studio News

2012 Albatrocity....(Art 2012 Hawaii and Plasticity)

2012-01-28T13:24:00.002-05:00

Happy 2012 this year is just underway and I am excited to be working on my series Albatrocity. In coming weeks I will be sharing more details of this series...in the meantime lots of creative ideas in the works wanted to share a pic from my recent trip to Hawaii...this was an amazing day filled with nature, adventure and creativity!!!!! This memory and photo brings great inspiration and joy to my work.

"Nature on the Cliffs of the BigIsland harvesting natural sea salt"

Joan Mitchell/Lady Painter

2011-06-06T17:32:00.000-04:00

I am really enjoying reading Joan Mitchell's biography by Patricia Albers. I have always considered Joan Mitchell's work to be exceptional. She is one of a handful of women artists that had success and exposure in a mostly male represented art world of the abstract expressionists.

Arman Manookian-Magic and Inspiration in Hana

2011-03-03T21:59:00.010-05:00

Arman Manookian "Hawaiian Boy and Girl" Collection of John and Patsy Dilks

When traveling to Hana, Maui one of the most beautiful peaceful places on earth I had the opportunity to view such breath-taking Art work at Hotel Hana. It was a special moment... for many reasons and later I would find out more about this amazing artist and his life. I also found out later after my stay at Hotel Hana that these paintings were removed from public display at Hotel Hana to be placed in loan to the Honolulu Academy of Arts. I feel lucky to have seen "Hawaiian Boy and Girl" in this beautiful boutique hotel in magical Hana.
"Hawaiian Boy and Girl" is one of the most brilliant paintings I have seen in a really long time. Artist Arman Manookian is as talented as Gauguin and Van Gogh I want more people to know of his work and life story.

Arman created such quality work for such a short lifetime...here are a few facts in his brief life that are fascinating.

Arman Tateos Manookian (1904–1931) was an Armenian-American painter.
As a teenager, he survived the Armenian Genocide. Manookian immigrated to the United States in 1920,
at the age of 16, and studied illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design. He also took classes at the Art Students League of New York before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1923. While serving in the U. S. Marine Corps he was assigned as a clerk to the author and historian, Major Edwin North McClellan. In 1925, McClellan and Manookian were transferred to Pearl Harbor.[2] The latter supplied illustrations for Leatherneck Magazine and produced about 75 ink drawings for McClellan’s history of the United States Marine Corps, which was never published. These drawings are now in the collection of the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

In 1927, Manookian was discharged from the marines, but remained in Hawaii. He worked for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and for Paradise of the Pacific.

His paintings are rare and highly valued due to his early death, by suicide, in 1931, and fewer than 30 are in existence. The Honolulu Academy of Arts held a memorial exhibition shortly after Manookian’s death and a retrospective exhibition titled Meaning in Color/Expression in Line: Arman Manookian’s Modernism Nov. 4, 2010 through April 24, 2011. The Bishop Museum and the Honolulu Academy of Arts are among the public collections holding works by Arman Manookian. According to the State of Hawaii's House of Representatives, he is "known as Hawaii's Van Gogh".[4]

Information sourced From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia on Arman Manookian's life.

ALBATROCITY-PLASTIC PARADISE

2011-02-25T14:00:00.029-05:00

PHOTO TAKEN BY CHRIS JORDAN

Look what i made on my hike down into Pololu Valley just outside of the town of Hawi on the Big Island last month. Pololu Valley is one of my favorite beaches and hikes on the Big Island. I am posting this photo...just to make a point that no matter where you go today you are going to find plastic and found objects at the beach.

FOUND OBJECTS AT THE BEACH...THIS IS WHAT I MADE.

As I continue my research and continue to brainstorm how I will create this new series I am reading about the different view points that scientist and environmentalist are making about the great pacific garbage patch.
I am really interested in the life of the Albatross and the life of Plastic in Paradise. For me this seems to be an ALBATROCITY on so many levels.

I took this photo last month while hiking down into one of the most beautiful places on earth Pololu Valley.

Here is another photo I took from my day in the valley you can get a sense of how big it is and see the other valleys in the distance.
1000 miles north of Hawaii is where lots of the plastic is floating.

"Albatross Around My Neck" New Art Series

2011-02-24T13:46:00.004-05:00

Snorkeling Photo I took in the beautiful Pacific waters of Hawaii.

Snorkeling Photo I took of the beautiful Coral in the Pacific waters of Hawaii.

In this photo you can see what was found in the stomach of just one dead Laysan albatross chick (photographers: David Liittschwager & Susan Middleton).

I am starting a new series about the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" I am sure many have heard of this patch out in the Pacific it is said to be twice the size of Texas. I lived in Texas for a while and have driven through the entire state and what a drive it is. There is too much plastic floating in our ocean.

This new series is my interpretation of the many facts and figures about this "Pacific Trash Vortex"

The name of my new series is still being worked out...I like the idea of

"THE ALBATROSS AROUND MY NECK IS PLASTIC TWICE THE SIZE OF TEXAS"

The albatross bird is one of the birds that is drastically impacted by the plastic patch...I attached a photo for you to see what impact plastic has on the life of an Albatross. I will continue to write about the fact finding art making process of this new series.

Read About the "350 Series"by Erin Dolan from Yahoo News

2010-10-20T14:07:00.001-04:00

THE STORY BEHIND THE SERIES AND INSPIRATION FOR THE "350 SERIES"

On Oct. 22, 2010, Erin Dolan, a New York City-based artist, educator and art director for the Rock ‘n Renew Foundation, will debut the “350 Art Series,” at the “Invest to Improve” charity art event to benefit the Rock ‘n Renew Foundation. The series consists of 350 black-and-white oil paintings created as part of a global call-to-action for community gardens and restoration projects. Proceeds from the event will help fund the Rock ‘n Renew Foundation’s educational and environmental programs geared toward serving urban youth. Programs include urban farming, green job training, healthy food and nutrition initiatives and more. Rock ‘n Renew has three ecology center sites in New York City, New Jersey and Hawaii, with more than 300 partner schools throughout the United States.

“I was inspired to create the 350 series to bring further attention to the number 350, which is the number that many scientists believe is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,” said Erin Dolan, founder of Erin Dolan Art Studio and art director of the Rock ‘n Renew Foundation. “As an educator and an artist, I want to encourage students to take part in art projects that directly relate to the local and global issues that continue to challenge our lives.”

"350 Series" Friday Oct. 22nd 2010@75 Greene street NYC

2010-10-20T14:01:00.001-04:00

350 Series

2010-06-01T14:24:00.000-04:00

I am currently around the number 285 out of 350 paintings completed of the 350 series. I am looking forward to completing the series this summer and more importantly raising awareness for climate change.

Back in NYC

2010-06-01T14:10:00.000-04:00

Back in NYC...
What has changed what has stayed the same...hmmm do I really want to say?
I am missing the late 90's of New York City... I am grateful for the new parks and green spaces. I thought maybe the infamous 2nd avenue subway line would be finished...someday someday.

I am always inspired walking the streets of NYC...the element of surprise is a major inspiration for me and it is something that I address in my own work. I can never predict the finish and always enjoy the improvisational quality of the streets of New York City and working as an Abstract Artist. I am happy to be back in New York.

Inspiration in Places

2010-06-01T13:58:00.000-04:00

My travels take me to many beautiful places...my inspiration has always come from the nature around me...here are a few photos from the last year that are inspirational!!!!!!!

Decemberist...

2009-11-30T16:37:00.000-05:00

A Beautiful day at the beach can be just the inspiration needed!!!!!!!

M the Movement Fashion Show and Art work by Erin Dolan

2009-11-20T15:41:00.000-05:00

Aloha All...I am very excited M the Movement will be having a fashion show in L.A. tonight... he will be projecting 35 images of mine from my recent 350 Series on the runway. M the Movement is a very talented designer that uses sustainable fabrics in his clothing line and has a deep understanding of how diversity can be expressed through the arts. http://mthemovement.com/

350 November

2009-11-17T17:38:00.000-05:00

Lots to Do!!!!!!!

2009-11-15T20:32:00.001-05:00

New York-Hawaii Oct. Nov

2009-11-13T17:03:00.000-05:00

I have been away since the end of September now I am back in Hawaii. I had a productive time in New York! I love all the new galleries in the Lower East Side puts a big smile on my face to see. Lots of art happenings coming up will post more about these happenings real soon. Lots of Aloha to everyone!

September-Studio

2009-09-09T15:46:00.000-04:00

Over the past two months...the 350 series continues to grow...really looking forward to showing this body of work soon. I am enjoying the process of this series... the limited color palette...working on a 8x8 inch canvas board has helped inform my other work as well.
I will be heading back to the East Coast in a week...looking forward to catching the "Fall" weather and changing of the leaves. Over the long weekend I went on another scenic drive this time I went to the Kona Coffee-Country area. So beautiful up in the high-hills and cliffs you could hear the peace and quiet...I have lots of inspiration for my work.

Art Studio/Work/Blog

2009-09-02T16:09:00.000-04:00

I am working on three series at the same time...I find it is the best way to work when you are using oil paint. I can go from one to the next without having to wait for the paint to dry. There is always plenty of work to do. I am in a group show this month in Waimea/also later this month a two person show in Virgina. Working on the 350 series and all ideas in conjuction with this group of work.
I decided before heading out to the studio I will blog and sketch each day...I have always wanted to do a more dedicated sketch book for each day for years now and this year I have decided to do so.
The weather has been so lovely the past few days...lots of cool breezes and blue sky's really enjoying every minute of it.

Aloha for now!

Hawaii

2009-09-01T18:57:00.000-04:00

I took the day off Monday the 31st to celebrate my birthday. What a lovely day I had driving on the high road to Hawi...the air was so crisp and the sky was a bright blue with the kind of clouds you want to just jump into. My day of peace and beauty will bring lots of wisdom to my work for the months to come...ALOHA

"New Work and Progress"

2009-08-25T16:35:00.000-04:00

I am constantly adding another painting to the 350 Series I am almost at 100 paintings here is a detail photo of progress. I am also working on a series of abstract oil paintings here is a look at a new painting. Lots to do and it is only Tuesday sometimes I wish there were 48 hours in a day.

350 Series-Progress and Growth

2009-08-20T17:00:00.000-04:00

I am happy to report that the 350 series continues to grow...I just got a shipment of 100 canvas boards. I am hoping to have at least 200 by mid Sept. I am constantly thinking of the many ways I can display this series of work once completed...the options are almost infinite!

Painting-July

2009-07-31T02:11:00.000-04:00

I have been working on two new series back to back in my new studio space this past month.

The 350 Series which is limited to only the colors black and white and grey...I am enjoying what a limited color palette is bringing to my work.

I am also working on a new series of abstract paintings...somehow switching back and forth from black and white to vivid color is helping me explore color in a new way.

"350 SERIES"

2009-07-13T18:44:00.000-04:00

I am starting a new series of paintings based on the number 350. This number is relevant to the environment 350 parts per million of Co2 in the earth's atmosphere. Right now we are approximately reaching around 380 parts per-million in the atmosphere. This body of work is my expression and action of raising awareness about our carbon reduction plan as a whole people. As an artist I am always inspired by nature in my work and feel blessed to experience the beauty of the world around me and want future generations to be able to experience nature, as we know it as well.

"Working Hard in the Studio"

2009-02-05T19:37:00.000-05:00

About a month left until I am done with my new series! This month has been interesting so far...just when I think I have streched my color palette a new group of colors present themselves. I am looking forward to the next three weeks of painting!

WAITING FOR THE PAINT TO DRY AND THE NEW YEAR TO BEGIN 2009!

2008-12-30T23:07:00.001-05:00

December Abstract-

2008-12-04T23:36:00.000-05:00

Between abstract and real...this place has become my new challenge. Since August I have been inspired by the vast landscape of the Big Island-Hawaii. I am enjoying the challenge of painting using my memory of a place to create a painting.

"In the Studio"

2008-11-11T18:42:00.000-05:00

Blue Hawaii

2008-08-26T17:24:00.000-04:00

I set up a new Art Studio in Hawaii about a month ago. I have a breathtaking view of ocean and sky from my window. On a clear day I can see Maui and the top of Haleakala peeking through the clouds. The inspiration for my most recent series is the view of ocean and sky from my window. I am fortunate to see the subtle shifts of color that slowly take place as the hours pass. There is no better source than nature when you are studying color.