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.

Beauty of our Heart (Poem)

The beauty of today, like everyday, lies in the heart,
For the heart is the soul of mankind.

© Nicola Parente, 2008

A Voice to Creation (Poem)

Tingle of excitement,
New memories to cherish,
New songs to write,
New visions to create,
New phase in life,
New friendships to grow,
New journey to embrace.

© Nicola Parente

Recent Paintings, 2008:

© Nicola Parente
Part of Edge of Urban Time Series, 2008:
each 12 x 12 x 2.5 in., mixed media on panel

Disappointment, Life's Journey (Poem)

Disappointment fills my life,
The now fills my mind.
The whys occupy space that consumes me.
A change is needed in perception.
Anticipation can be hurtful,
Only if you let it.
No more I say.
Write your history while we speak.
Don’t waste today thinking of
Would ofs, could ofs, should ofs.
Let today stand alone and speak for itself.
If you feel like calling, it’s that easy, just call.
If disappointment sets in,
Just grab it,
Acknowledge it,
Learn from it,
Just let it free your soul
And not fill your mind.
© Nicola Parente

River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO) Features My Artwork During a Recent Concert

For those of you who love classical music... this is a must see!
What a beautifully engaging and inspiring concert! I have never attended a conductorless orchestra before and I must say I did not miss staring at a backside... and the orchestra did not miss a beat... what talent! ROCO would not be possible without its founder and Principle Oboist, Alecia Lawyer and the 40 very talented musicians. One of the highlights was feeling the amazing energy from violin soloist Brian Lewis ...

Thank you Alecia Lawyer, Kilby Dixon Hoskins and Tasha for your kindness and sincerity and for including my artwork. A special thanks to David Brown, Spacetaker.org for introducing me to ROCO.

Nature's Rhythm and Blues (Painting)

© Nicola Parente
From: NATURE WITHIN SERIES:
Nature's Rhythm and Blues, 2007
Acrylic, ink and pen on synthetic panel
Nine parts, 12 x 12 inches, 30.4 x 30.4 cm (each)
Total size, 4o x 40 inches

What's to come? (Poem)

Listening on a two way street,
The conversations flowing freely.

Finding common ground seems effortless,
Eyes crossing with honesty and sincerity.

Laughter is not forced,
These are happy moments in time.

A beautiful day just passed,
A beautiful day to come,
The heart grows fonder.

© Nicola Parente, 2008

Six Degrees of Separation (Poem)

New paths crossing,
Old connecting with the new,
Much like six degrees of separation.

Everyone counts,
Everyone matters,
Relationships start anew,

As the universe surrounds us,
Everyone and everything has its meaning.

© Nicola Parente, 2008

Everyday has its Meaning... (Poem)

A Metaphor for life,
A beginning with a past,

A new world surrounds me,

Friends fill my life,
and inspire my world.

Everyday has its meaning.

-- © Nicola Parente, 2008

-- © Nicola Parente 2008

Recommended Exhibition: Lynne Rutzky 100 Drawings at Lawndale Art Center Houston

I recently saw Lynne's 100 drawing (now showing at Lawndale Art Center-Houston), I was very impressed with her the brilliant composition and detailed perfectionism of her works... Inspiring... Check it out!

After 9/11: Pen and Ink Drawings | Lynne Rutzky
January 18 – February 23, 2008

Lawndale Art Center-Project Space

As a visual artist interested in time-based process art, Lynne Rutzky uses a repetitive mark making method to achieve a meditative state and to explore images that emerge from that process. Using this method the artist produced a body of drawings in response to continuous media coverage and the events on and following 9/11 and the early stages of the war in Afghanistan. The drawings reference a sense of national loss of innocence and child-like fears conjured up by the attack and the subsequent war. The artist will display some of the nearly 100 pen and ink drawings created on this theme and ranging from the grotesque to the whimsical , which emerged during this meditative process.

Idiosyncrasies of life (Poem)

People, places, things,
Not the noun.

Touch, smell, taste,
Not the senses.

Between a rock and
a hard place,
Not a metaphor.

Things are not always
what they seem,
The idiosyncrasies of life,
The reality of art.

-- © Nicola Parente 2008

10 Sexiest Jobs!

When I read this I had to LOL! Who knew??

By Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer
Whether or not we admit it, what people do for a living affects their sex appeal. A recent CareerBuilder.com survey asked participants what occupations they consider the sexiest. You might be surprised that the top picks weren’t necessarily based on salary or looks.

Here are the 10 sexiest jobs, according to the survey.

1. Entertainer/Model
2. Cocktail Waitress
3. Athlete
4. Firefighter
5. Cowboy
6. Nurse
7. A R T I S T (That's ME! ...LOL)
Why they’re sexy: The average artist is doing what makes him happy, not what will bring him fame or money — and that’s pretty sexy. How many occupations can you say that about?
8. Military Professional
9. Construction Worker
10. TV Anchor/Personality

A friend...

A friend is one who sees through you and still enjoys the view.
---Wilma Akinas (American Author, 1926-)

© Nicola Parente

This life is yours...

This is one of my favorite quotes... its power lies in how much you believe in it!

This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy.
--Susan Polis Schutz

Beyond Reflections, 2008

© Nicola Parente, 2008
Beyond Reflections, 2008
30 x 30 in (76.2 x 76.2 cm)
Mixed media on synthetic panel

Jung Center Art Chatter, "Intersections" Group Exhibition

January 4 - Jan 30, 2008:
Two of my painting are on exhibit in this show.
Jung Center Group Art Exhibition - "Intersections" by Art Chatter
5200 Montrose, 77006, in the Museum District, next door to CAM (Contemporary Arts Museum Houston)

Artists' Reception: Friday, January 11th , 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Artists’ Gallery Talk opening night: Friday, January 11th 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Intersections: "Art Chatter" artist's critique collective tells a story of a diverse group of artists whose private practices converge into common points through their interaction and cooperation. Exploring the visual arts together binds the group and leads them in new directions; the viewers are invited to discover the results.

Stop by to see my works as well as works by these fellow artists and friend: Andis Applewhite Carol McKee Catherine Colangelo Deborah Morris Donna Durbin Donna Perkins Janet Wayte Jeanette Chinelli John Moschioni Linda Darke Swaynos Lisa Marie Godfrey Lynne Rutzky Mary Magsamen & Stephan Hillerbrand Michael Arcieri Maureen McNamara Mojan Vadie Raymond Saucillo Renate Jones Tami Merrick

Assistance League of Houston Celebrates Texas Art

January 17 -Feb 23, 2008:

© Hidden Paths by Nicola Parente
One of my paintings entitled "Hidden Paths" was selected to be in the Assistance League Houston Celebrates Texas Art 2008 Exhibition. This exhibition was Juried by Dr. Kevin Salatino, Department Head and Curator of Prints and Drawings for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Where: Williams Tower Gallery, 2800 Post Oak Blvd
Opening and award presentation: January 17, 2008, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Public exhibition ends: February 23, 2008

Six Degrees of Separation Paintings

This was a commission I did for Cedar Park Regional Medical Center in Austin Texas. The circles and their intersections have always inspired me. To me, they represent the connection we all have between one another, and much like six degrees of separation, how we are all connected.

© Nicola Parente, 2007
From SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION SERIES:
Inter Connectedness I & II, 2007
Acrylic, ink, charcoal, graphite, pen, pencil on synthetic panel.
2 curved pieces
24 x 48 in each (60.9 x 121.9 cm each)

002houston Magazine - December 07 Cover Contest - PRESS

I was very happy to be a finalist in this cover contest! Thank you 002 Magazine and a big congrats to Wendy Wagner for making the cover! My friend David Brown was also a finalist (graffiti train), great shot David and congrats!!

Dwell Magazine - November 2007 - PRESS

One of my painting was seen in this months issue (Nov 07) of Dwell Magazine. Thanks to Matt and Tina Ford, one of my collectors and developers for Shade House Development, their green home was featured in this months issue of Dwell Magazine. My painting is hanging in the living room photograph (above).

New York Arts Magazine - August 2007 - PRESS

New York Arts Magazine - July / August 2007