SECRETS FROM A GRAFFITI ARTIST

A young man came into my studio during Saturday night’s TriMania event and recognized a lot of the tags that I had painted in miniature on my ‘Toyology boxes. He shared some stories about different graffiti artists around town and where they are now.  One secret I was really curious about was how the tagger known as ATAK could spray-paint his name two stories high. My visitor had the answer – let’s just say a fire extinguisher is involved.  Here’s a picture of the old Lenzner Bottling Company on Jefferson Avenue with ATAK’s tag covering a wall. The roof collapsed long ago but the place is filled with interesting treasures. Pictured here also is my assemblage, “Shreck” showing ATAK in miniature on an outside panel. Riding down Jefferson a few days ago, I saw what looks like someone camped out there even though this building is on the mayor’s top ten list for demolition. Visit my website www.elizabethleader.com for more graffiti in miniature!

INSPIRED BY BUFFALO’S EAST SIDE

Discarded photographs, old wood, trashed toys, pieces of past industry and faded glory. Above all, faces of survivors, tough and full of stories. With all its layers of time, the East Side has left its mark on my paintings and collages. You can see some of this recent work in my studio (509 at the Tri-Main Center), on my website, www.elizabethleader.com, or in shows around town throughout the year. Please join my blog to see more work and to share your own comments and stories.

DO YOU LOVE OUR LAKES & OCEANS?

My studio (509) will be open during TRIMANIA – the giant party coming this Saturday night at the Tri-Main Center. I’ll be featuring some of my ‘Troubled Waters’ paintings during the evening. Stop by to share a glass of fresh water or wine!

It all happens

Saturday, April 13, 2012

8 PM - 1 AM

Tri-Main Center

2495 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14214

IT’S TRIMANIA TIME!

Don’t miss Trimania – an incredible building-wide party with 77 visual artists, 26 bands, 12 dancers and performers, comedians, poets and more funky, crazy, creative action. I’ll be there is Studio 509 so come on in!

It all happens

Saturday, April 13, 2012

8 PM - 1 AM

Tri-Main Center

2495 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14214

Tickets in advance are: $20.

Night of the event: $25

INSPIRED BY WORKING MEN’S MUSIC AT TIGWIRED.COM

Here’s another portrait in my ‘Rust-belt Workers’ series. This hard working guy is  framed in recycled wood from Buffalo Re-Use.  Type runs along two sides with lyrics from “Here Comes the Shutdown Blues”, a fun, blues song I heard on the TigWired.com website. You can hear the song and see a video of welders and other manly workers at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_Ao1eB6MKk

‘Blues’ will be on view at the Buffalo Society of Artists 117^th Spring Exhibition. The show is being held in the beautiful Karpeles Manuscript Library at 453 Porter Avenue in Buffalo. Everyone is invited to the opening reception on Friday, March 29^th from 6 to 8 PM.

INSPIRED BY A DISCARDED PHOTO

The Eastside of Buffalo has been continuously inspiring. Last year I found an entire album of photographs thrown out with the trash on  Rodney Street. One of the photos was this beautiful young woman. I painted her as part of my ‘Rust-belt Workers’ series – she looked like she might have been a ‘Rosie the Riveter’  She is framed in recycled wood from Buffalo Re-Use.  Type runs along two sides with lyrics from the ‘Rosie the Riveter’ song: ‘Shes making history - working for victory”.

Rosie will be on view at the Buffalo Society of Artists 117^th Spring Exhibition. The show is being held in the beautiful Karpeles Manuscript Library at 453 Porter Avenue in Buffalo. Everyone is invited to the opening reception on Friday, March 29^th from 6 to 8 PM.

ONE STAYS BEHIND - AT THE EVERSON

TONY: 2012 (The Other New York) came down this month. It was a great experience to be part of this huge regional art exhibition in Syracuse. Twelve venues, 63 artists, wonderful curators, special events and lots of fun! A piece of mine, based on a beautiful but abandoned house on Salina Street in Syracuse, gets to stay behind. It is now owned by the Everson Museum.

“Green Porch” includes 50 year-old newspaper clippings found in the collapsing cellar.  The lego and bird skull were found around the trash-filled yard. All came together in an old bureau drawer.