On the Eve of a New Year (Poem)

On the eve of a New Year,
I reflect on the days gone by.
People speak of disappointments,
Of unfulfilled goals and of the uncertainty in life.
I reflect on the bountiful lessons learned and love gained.

Disappointments are the salt of life,
With which without, growth is limited.
Creating awareness of what
We really want or don’t want in life.

People may come and go,
But those that are true will
remain with us forever, even if in spirit.

As days go by,
We learn,
We live,
We care,
We share,
We listen,
We trust.

Follow the senses of
Your heart and mind for
They will lead you
To true happiness.

© Nicola Parente, 2008

2008 Reflections (Poem)

The days have passed,
The year complete.
Time was gained,
Moments lost.
Lessons learned,
Creativity abound.
Fun times had,
Good friends made.
Good friends lost,
Disappointment to lessons learned.
New encounters,
New lovers,
New friends,
Old friends bright.
Today is a new day,
Like many others to come.
Much love, happiness, success,
Good health, good cheer, and much creativity
Awaits us in this New Year.
Happiness and good cheer to all,
For promising days are abound in 2009.

© Nicola Parente, 2008

002houston December 2008 - Cover Contest Honorable Mention

Bayou City Art Festival - Selected Juror

Nicola Parente, was honored to be selected as one of six jurors for the 12th annual 2009 Bayou City Art Festival - Memorial Park. Other jurors include; Franny Koelsch, Koelsch Gallery, Diane Barber, Diverseworks Executive Director, Sandra Zilker – Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Glassell School of Art, Richard Fluhr, Painter, and Bart Truxillo, ACA Board member. The Art Colony Association (ACA), producer of the Bayou City Art Festival Memorial Park, is a Texas non-profit organization that, to date, has donated close to $2.5 million to Houston charities from the proceeds of 69 festivals (including its sister Festival, the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown.) The Bayou City Art Festival has become on the most prominent art festivals in the United States.

Art on the Avenue 2008

Please join me at a great event which supports the affordable housing programs of Avenue Community Development.

Saturday, November 8, 6-10 p.m. is ART ON THE AVENUE, a silent auction of the works of more than 200 Texas artists. Two of my paintings will be available to bid on. Come to enjoy great art, live music, food and libations. Admission is $25 in advance or at the door.

You are also welcome to attend the PREVIEW PARTY Thursday November 6, 6-9 p.m. for the first opportunity to see and buy the art. Remarks by Mayor Bill White at 7 p.m., and a special performance of "Plywood Love Song" by Loreta Kovacic and the Ludewiggs at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $100; for tickets call (713) 864-8099, ext. 229.

The location is Winter Street Studios, 2101 Winter Street, 77007.

Lawndale Art Center's 21st Annual Día de los Muertos 2008

I created a retablo for this wonderful exhibition... on exhibit through November 8th. Please stop by and show your support, Lawndale is an exceptional organization!

Paper City Houston, October 2008 - PRESS

Social / Fine Arts Editor, Catherine Anspon mentioned my solo show at Gremillion during ArtHouston in the October issue of Paper City...

"...Nicola Parente's complex and emotive mixed-media painting..."

OutSmart Magazine - Article by Brandon Wolf - September 2008 - PRESS

Thank you Brandon Wolf and OutSmart for this beautifully written article!

Emerging_II Collaboration with Dominic Walsh Dance Theater

Dominic Walsh Dance Theater's final duet from "Terminus" April, 2008. Nicola Parente scenic design. Two Star Symphony music,

KUHF - NPR - Radio Interview 08/07/2008 - PRESS

Interview with Meghan Hendley, KUHF NPR Houston Public Radio 88.7, The Front Row, August 7, 2008. (Click on the link above to listen).

Solo Exhibition continues through August 25th, Gremillion &Co. Fine Art, Inc.

Nicola Parente's Book/Catalog on current exhibition Journey, now available...

Journey, Paint...

By Gremillion &Co. Fi...

Book Preview

fave [houston] magazine - summer 2008 - PRESS

Thank you Keith Collins, Fave Publisher, for featuring my artwork in the Fave Art section of the magazine! The second issue looks great... You rock!

HOUSTON Modern Luxury Magazine - Feature by Natalie Bogan - July 2008 - PRESS

Thank you Natalie Bogan for such a beautifully written article. Also, thank you Jeff Gremillion (Editor-in-Chief) for your continued support and always friendly smile! [Click on the page to view larger image]

002houston July, 2008 - PRESS

Thank you Chris Dunn and David Brown at SPACETAKER for including me in this months ARTSCENE... Also, thanks 002houston for your continued support for the arts!

<==== click the image to view larger.

Spacetaker Recommeded - July 2008 - PRESS

Houston Chronicle - Scene

photo by Bill Olive.
The newspaper caption read: "THREE MUSKETEERS: Patrick Moore, from left, Nicola Parente, and Mike Piana spread a happy mood throughout the party scene."... I have to say we did have a great time!

ArtsHouston Magazine - Feature by Sarah Gajkowski-Hill - June 2008 - PRESS

<===CLICK ON ANY OF THE PAGES TO VIEW FULL SCREEN

Thank you ArtsHouston and Sarah Gajkowski-Hill for the great article. Thank you for understanding the message behind the paintings and for sharing it with your readers! To read the full article go to ArtsHouston online publication.

My solo exhibition at Gremillion &Co. Fine Art opens July 11th (6-8pm) and runs through August 23rd. Gremillion is located at 2501 Sunset Blvd, Houston TX 77005. For more information feel free to contact the gallery at 713-522-2701

Gremillion &Co. Fine Art - Solo Exhibition Invitation

Press Release... Journey – New Paintings by Artist Nicola Parente

“There is a meaning in every journey that is unknown to the traveler.” These words by Dietrich Bonhoeffer inspire Nicola Parente’s new work Journey. In these expressive abstract paintings, imbued with movement, Parente draws the viewer into the journey as traveler.

Parente’s upcoming solo exhibition follows on the heels of a dynamic season in which Parente was featured artist and collaborator for Domenic Walsh Dance Theater’s E_Merging_II, and selected for the Texas National 2008 and Texas Art 2008 juried exhibitions.

Parente works from his studio in Houston, Texas. Born in Italy, he draws from a rich Italian heritage and a deep well of cross-cultural experiences to bring his art to life. Working in a variety of media and formats, Parente engages the viewer in dialogues regarding the universal phenomenon of human encounter.

For more information about Nicola Parente, or to schedule an interview please contact Charissa Stier, 713.522.2701, or visit www.gremillion.com.

King's College Pride Alumni Magazine

My alma mater King's College summer 2008 alumni publication published the following:

DiverseWorks Summer Auction

I am participating this year... Come help support DiverseWorks.. join the fun, and buy some art!

Battle of the DiverseWorks Summer Auction
Wednesday, June 18,2008 6:30pm Auction Preview
7:00pm Auction Begins

Happiness is the main objective of our aspirations...

Happiness is the main objective of our aspirations, whatever
name we give to it: fulfilment, deep satisfaction, serenity, accomplishment,
wisdom, fortune, joy or inner peace, and however we try to seek it: creativity,
justice, altruism, striving, completion of a plan or a piece of work.

--Matthieu Ricard

IC Art Open Studio - Sat April 26 & Sun April 27

I will be participating in this weekends Inner Art Corridor 3rd Annual Open Studio Tour...

Open Studio this weekend:
Winter Street Studios - STUDIO 15
2101 Winter Street, Houston 77007

Saturday - April 26, 1-8pm

Sunday - April 27, 1-4pm

There are many Houston artists participating... please come show your support... hope to see you there!

[click on the map to see larger scale]

Review by Nancy Wozny, Dance Writing Reviews and Discourse

Excerpts from Nancy Wozny's recent review of Dominic Walsh E_Merging II, Terminus:

"E_Merging is also a time for Walsh to collaborate with noted Houston visual artists. This time around he's selected Italian-born painter Nicola Parente...

"...Several square screens are suspended above the stage, surrounded by large white flood lights. Projected on to the screens are Nicola Parente's footage, stills, and paintings, capturing the dancers in motion and in closeup. Later during the piece, more abstract images resembling urban decay come and go in a rhythmic accompaniment. On the side of the stage sits Two Star Symphony, Houston's venerable indie string quartet, playing a collection of their greatest hits. The dancing moves in solos, duets, and scattered ensemble work enlisting Walsh's highly sharp-edged choreography, all of which fits nicely into the container shared with the edgy string musicians and Parente's striking work. Walsh frames his dances with a good eye for the whole of what an audience experiences. Walsh has been making strides this season in having the visual design assume a larger presence in his work..."

"Parente's contribution works well and there's a nice sense of scale and balance between the size and placement of the images. Costumes, jointly designed by Walsh, Parente, and Luciano, consisted of sleek paneled skirts, and merged well with the overall structure of the piece."

"The conclusion of Terminus is particularly mysterious. Dawn Dippel and Riccardo De Nigris appear in nude-toned underwear and proceed to cover each other with blue paint through a sensual partnering. Possibly, they have become the paintings..."

"...the piece succeeds on its collaborative energy. Also, it's good to see Walsh push himself into unknown territory, resisting more tried and true templates for dancemaking."

To read full review click on the link above.

DWDT - Thank you!

My paintings in the background... Dominic Walsh's Terminus, motivated by Nicola Parente's "The Edge of Urban Time" series of abstract paintings, premiered as part of the company's recent E_Merging II program.

It was such a rush working with such talented individuals... Dominic Walsh, you are a brilliant choreographer and visionary... As for the dancers... what inspiration to work with such incredibly talented world class dancers; Domenico Luciano, Amy Cain, Riccardo De Nigris, Dawn Dippel, Federica Vincifori, and Dominic Walsh, you are ALL so talented and your dedication to your craft is inspiring to anyone! A big THANK YOU for expanding my growing admiration to dance and inspiring me!! Also, thank you Jeremy Choate for your illusions of lighting and thank you Leigh McBurnett for keeping things in order and for all your assistance! One final thank you to Two Star Symphony; Jo Bird, Debra Brown, Margaret LeJeune and Jerry Ochoa for composing such beautiful music, you guys are awesome!

Dance Houston - Emerging_II - PRESS

"Collaborating with Walsh in the creative process of Terminus were Visual Artist Nicola Parente, Lighting Designer Jeremy Choate, and Two Star Symphony. Parente's paintings and videos create moods that change from scene to scene throughout the work. An exciting visual collaboration unfolds when two of the dancers engage in a painting process of their own."

The Importance of a Signature - Amnesty International

Collaboration with Dominic Walsh Dance Theater

I was honored to be selected as one of this years visual artist for Dominic Walsh Dance Theater, Terminus, E_Merging II to be premiered on April 10, 11 and 12, 2008, at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zilkha Hall. I am collaborating with choreographer Domenic Walsh and lighting designer Jeremy Choate in developing the visual aspects of the dance piece through the use of installation, original paintings and costume design (see attached Flyer).

This is an exciting project for me and hope you you can make it to the premier.

E_Merging II
Featuring a world premiere work by Dominic Walsh set against artwork and installation by contemporary artist Nicola Parente, with music created and performed live by Two Star Synphony. Also, featuring the U.S. premiere of Gustavo Ramires Sansano's award-winning Dicese, with design elements by Navid Ghedami and Cameron Sands.

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zilkha Hall
April 10 & 11, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Family Matinee April 12, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Tickets $17, $30, $42, $75 VIP Opening Night Package (includes priority seating plus exclusive post-show cocktail reception with performers at Artista)
Senior, Group & Student Rates Available
Post-Performance Q & A with the Artist

For tickets information, please call the box office at 713-315-2525 or visit:

http://www.dwdt.org/season.htm

Texas National Art Competition/Exhibition 2008

© Nicola Parente
From the Edge of Urban Time Series:
Urban Movement , 2007 - 12 x 48 in (30.5 x 121.9cm) - Mixed Media on Panel

I was ecstatic to hear that one of my paintings was selected for the Texas National 2008 Exhibition to be held on April 5 - May 18, 2008 (Stephen F. Austin Art Galleries).

On average 800 artists enter the competition. Over 1,200 entries were received from all fifty states and the District of Columbia. Only 5 Houston Artist were selected (NICOLA PARENTE, JOHN ADELMAN, BILL GRAFFIS, M. JUNE HILL, QUANHAI PAN, AND LYNN RUOFF).

TEXAS NATIONAL Art Competition and Exhibition is in its 14th year on the national scene. It was created in 1995 by the School of Art at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) as an annual event for artists living and working in the United States. Jurors for each year's event have been internationally acclaimed artists: Leon Golub, Faith Ringgold, Doug and Mike Starn, Martha Erlebacher, James McGarrell, The Art Guys, Donald Sultan, Sandy Skoglund, Jerry Uelsmann and Maggie Taylor, Ed Moses, James Surls, Paul Brach and MANUAL (Suzanne Bloom and Ed Hill). Juror for 2008 is Roger Shimomura.

"TEXAS NATIONAL 2008" juror, Roger Shimomura, received his B.A. from the University of Washington, Seattle, and his M.F.A. from Syracuse University, New York. He has had over 125 solo exhibitions of paintings and prints, as well as presented his experimental theater pieces at such venues as the Franklin Furnace, New York City, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, and The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC. He is the recipient of more than 30 grants, of which four are National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships in Painting and Performance Art. Shimomura has been a visiting artist and lectured on his work at more than 200 universities, art schools, and museums across the country. Shimomura's personal papers and letters are being collected by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. He is represented by The Flomenhaft Gallery, New York City; Greg Kucera Gallery, Seattle; and Jan Weiner Gallery, Kansas City. Roger Shimomura's full bio, resume, and links to his work can be found on his website: www.rshim.com.

Quote

Our actions, our words and our thoughts determine our karma, in other words, the happiness and the suffering that will be our lot.

--Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Recommended Exhibition - Foto Fest 2008

A MUST SEE!... FotoFest’s 12th edition of the International Biennial of Photography and Photo-related Art, presents work by 34 Chinese artists, March 7- April 20, 2008 in Houston, Texas. Photography from China 1934-2008 features ten newly commissioned and curated exhibitions, including two recently recovered archives from the 1930s and 1940s. The China programs are a cornerstone of FOTOFEST2008, the six-week city-wide celebration of photo-based art.

Among 118 participating spaces in FOTOFEST2008, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is presenting three special exhibitions for FOTOFEST2008: the work of contemporary Japanese photographer Miwa Yanagi from The Deutsche Bank Collection; a retrospective of the influential British photographer Bill Brandt; a presentation inter-relating photography and the scholarship of pioneering U.S. photohistorian Beaumont Newhall. The Menil Collection presents the exhibition Vivid Vernacular: William Christenberry, William Eggleston, and Walker Evans, highlighting unexpected connections between these three remarkable photographers. The Holocaust Museum Houston shows works on the conflict and genocide in Darfur by seven photojournalists.

Aids Walk Houston on Sun March 9 th [link to]

Support My Efforts in AIDS Walk Houston

The 19th Annual AIDS Walk Houston will take place on Sunday, March 9. It is an exciting 5K walk event that raises money for HIV/AIDS initiatives throughout Houston, increases community awareness and educates Houstonians about HIV/AIDS.

Please assist me in reaching my fundraising goal. Now, more than ever, we need to join to fight this preventable disease that is affecting so many individuals in Houston and the world.

To show your support, please follow the link in the title of this entry.

Thank you!

Nicola

Be True (Poem)

Busy times exhaust our days.
The clock ticks,
Life gets shorter.
Friendships and relationships
Feed our soul.
Ignoring is ignorance,
Rudeness is lack of sophistication.
Excuses are escapes from the truth.
Be thankful for all encounters,
Every experience counts.
Nothing is further from the truth,
Be true to those around you,
And life will be true to you.
Be honest,
Be happy,
Be true.

© Nicola Parente, 2008

Frozen New York... I clapped at the end!

Think About...

Recent Paintings, 2008

Edge of Urban Time Series (NP 148, NP 149), 2008
© Nicola Parente

Recommended Exhibition - The Menil Collection, How Artists Draw...

Pablo Picasso
Violon sur une table (Violin on a Table), 1912 (Paris, autumn)
The Menil Collection
© Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

February 15 - May 18, 2008... Celebrating the strength and diversity of the museum’s drawing collection, which includes gouaches, sketches, watercolors, and collage, “How Artists Draw: Toward the Menil Drawing Institute and Study Center” presents a selection of The Menil Collection’s most significant drawings in combination with exceptional works on paper from private collections. The Menil Collection assembled important groups of works on paper by Max Ernst, René Magritte, Pablo Picasso, Kurt Schwitters, Mark Rothko, Willem de Kooning, Ellsworth Kelly, Jasper Johns, Michael Heizer, Robert Gober, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, and Cy Twombly.