The Art Bar 2009-2010 WINNER

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The winner of one of 10 BEST PAINTINGS from 2009-10
19 March 2010, artists from all over Wisconsin (and maybe some from other parts of the country – heck World) converged upon Don Krause’s ART BAR at 722 East Burleigh Street in Milwaukee, WI to celebrate yet another successful year of paintings. 52 paintings were painted and then photographed so the celebration could have a wall of paintings and a slide show to visually take us through the year, one painting at a time. From gluttony to sea monkeys, flying eggs to the Art Bar itself (mine) the paintings were the stringest Mr. Krause has seen since the whole event started. For the second time in 5 years, Abby and I took a place of honor upon the wall of the Art Bar as one of Don’s favorite paintings for the year. I have already scheduled myself for July 25th so make sure you save that date… I sure hope I have saved tat date. Enjoy the pictures!

Collaboration #2 – Amanda and Me

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Breakfast with Amanda and Frank, 2009
Breakfast with Amanda and Frank, 2009

This is a second collaboration piece between myself (Frank Korb) and my new friend Amanda. Amanda asked me if I would do a drawing for her, because she knew that I was an artist and thought it might be cool to have a drawing. I liked the idea with my first collaboration and thought it would be a great idea if I could do a second one. I agreed, but she had to add to the drawing that I completed in order for the drawing to be completed. (I just need her to sign this one). Excellent job Amanda! Thank you for sharing the time and talents (and for making my bowl of cereal into a cup of coffee). Click on the image to see a much larger version of the picture.

Frank

Grilled Cheese and Grape Jelly

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Grilled Cheese and Jelly
Grilled Cheese and Jelly

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/george-duran/grilled-cheese-and-jelly-sandwich-recipe/index.html

Carter – Here is a recipie for you. I love my grilled cheese with grape Jelly spread on the top of it.

While this topic may not be very “art website” worthy,  it was an interesting converation and I thought it earned a place in the world. Thanks for visiting!

Frank

Collaborative Work – Ian and Frank – 11/19/2009

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Ian and Frank's Collaboration

Ian and Frank's Collaboration

This collaboration was completed over a two-day period by myself (Frank Korb) and my new friend Ian. Ian and I were at a 5th and 6th, 7th and 8th grade orchestra concert, waiting patiently for the show to start – him more patiently than was. I managed to draw the back of a gentleman’s head one row in front of me while waiting for the woman (daughter probably) next to him to sit or lean forward so I could get the face done. That never happened. The results of that not happening were some unique and wonderful creatures and bugs and figures during the concert and wrapped it up later on with a fine man handing an ice cream cone to a crying child. The ideas that this collaboration bring to mind are great and I look forward to trying to implement some of the collaborative ideas into future works. Excellent job Ian! Thank you for sharing the time and talents (and for giving the back of the head a face). Click on the image to see a much larger version of the picture.

Frank

Thanks for coming!

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I love the Alumni Exhibition at UW-Whitewater’s Crossman Gallery and am very thankful to Michael Flannagan for inviting me to participate. The assortment of figurative artists was wonderful. I am fortunate and thankful for the opportunity. Images will be up soon with regard to the show, but in the meantime, here is my latest statement for the works that were represented. You can see some of the works in the various pages on this website (Self-Portrait, Julie, Full Fathom Five, Scott, 4 of the drawings…).

Frank Korb – Portraits

Today, we live in a high-paced world with new, exciting and ever changing approaches to art making — from Bill Viola’s video installations such as The Reflecting Pool, or Damian Hirst’s sculptures as in The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, to artworks created for online interaction like Shu Lea Cheang’s Brandon. With all of the possible approaches to making art, I am still compelled by the tried and true approach of painting and drawing recognizable people.

Portraiture has changed dramatically from the romantic days of creating likenesses of wealthy families or patrons to the more modern idea of the many faces of popular celebrity, socialite or political figures. While the modern or contemporary portrait may, at times, be difficult for some to interpret, the fact that they represent people can help make it easier for individuals to relate to. In addition to my interest in representing the recognizable portrait of my sitters, I am also focused on expressing their personality and character. Juxtaposing organic and hard-edged geometric shapes, my portraits use realistic and natural color choices alongside not-so natural color choices to create unmistakable faces. Those faces belong to people with whom I have very specific and important relationships. I create portraits of my friends and family, people I enjoy surrounding myself with.

Exhibition in Whitewater

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Crossman Gallery UW-Whitewater

Crossman Gallery UW-Whitewater

It has been some time since a well publicized exhibition for me, but one is up and coming and I am VERY excited to be part of it. An Alumni Show at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater is coming up and I am proud to be exhibiting with Jenni Brant, Greg Gent, Mutope Johnson and Rachel Roemer from October 23 – November 14. The reception will be on Friday, October 16 from 4 – 6 pm, I do hope you are able to come. Please share this page with any and all who enjoy great art

Frank

Running and Art?

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Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon

Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon

Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon The 2009 Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon begins on October 4th in front of Grafton High School (Grafton, WI). Running has become, over the past 3 years, another of my self-directed passions/obsessions. It has taken me out of the long hours in the studio and moved me into the long hours on the road. Granted, the production of the artworks has decreased a bit, but so has my waistline, weight (by 50+ pounds) and I’d have to guess my cholesterol. Has it given me more artwork? No… but the work has changed! Running has allowed me additional quiet and thoughtful time to analyze my ideas and challenges, listen to the world around me and hopefully give myself a longer time on this world. The marathon that is coming up is quite a challenge, at least I think so. this is my first and will hopefully not be my last. My daughter is asking me to sign up for the Disney Marathon, not because she is proud of my running, but to get to Disney again. It wouldn’t take much for me to agree, but… I am going to get through Milwaukee first. Get up and GO! Move and be moved! Sit NO LONGER on the couch and make excuses about not being able to exercise! I started with at least 3 months of walking and SLOWLY began to run! I remember the first time I tried a mile – ouch. Now… 26.2 is on my list, and I know I will accomplish that. If you are going to be in the/a marathon – good running! If you are going to be watching – thanks! Otherwise… Keep running – Keep making art – Keep enjoying your passions and obsessions (so long as they are the healthy ones). See you on the trails!
– Frank

A new year is upon me…

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No new images, but… a brief thought. It is time for another year at school for me as well as the students and staff I work with. I have gained a lot over the summer in desire to produce artworks and also to recognize that quality is not always about the amount of hours that are put into a single work. I look back and am thankful to the opportunities that came my way and I was able to learn from and I look forward to all the opportunities that await

Frank

Art Bar – August 9, 2009 – Abby and Me

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Welcome to the Art Bar 2009 posting. I have been painting a canvas a year at Don Krause’s Art bar (located at 722 E. Burleigh St., Milwaukee WI. www.artbar-riverwest.com) for 6 years now, since the establishment opened. While I remember most of the paintings, I can only name five of them, maybe it was only 5 years. What began as an experiment for me, to see if I can get a 4′ x 5′ canvas painted in 8 hours (or less) has become a yearly outing. Some years have drawn many family and friends, some have even brought the news (fox 6 came one year) and I have even got the first year as a documentary film by (soon to be famous LA cinematographer?) Dustin Mellum. This was another great year form Abby and me, a painter’s eye view of the main “gallery” and bar at the Art Bar. Portraits have been my forte in the past, and while I will continue those as my prime genre, working from life was reborn for me over the summer. This was intended to be more in the lines of a figurative work, but the idea of the bar took the lead. Fortunately, people came in and filled the place so I could (with help from Abby and a fellow classmate from UWM – thanks for coming Diane) add in the figures and even make a guest appearance myself.

This painting will be displayed for the week of August 10 – 16, and then on the 16th will be either covered up or incorporated into the next artist’s vision. This has been such a great idea, thanks Don for the opportunity, that I have even incorporated it into the workings of my days at school. I have an Open Canvas at Waterford Union High School, just outside of my classroom. Please visit the site  to see what 15 – 18 years old artists come up with in a 5-8 hour period. (Open Canvas at WHS)

Another canvas done, another year over. I look forward to seeing the final year’s artworks at the artist reception in March. It is always a bit difficult to whitewash over the previous painting (not really), and it is really exciting to see the 8+ hours of work finished and then incorporated into the next week’s work. Thanks for visiting, don’t forget to stop in and see the painting and always, tip your waitresses. Thanks to everyone at the Art Bar for such a wonderful time, great pizza and a welcoming atmosphere. Please let me know your thoughts… I am ALWAYS looking for feedback.

Not new, but…

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Feb 27 2009 Sketchbook (small)

Feb 27 2009 Sketchbook (small)

From the CAN website (http://www.cannyc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=177)

[T]he idea of poetry and the art is a great combination of the two… although neither of us has yet added the art tot he poetry. [I] tried a poetry/art with students (art club) in my high school (9 – 12 grade art classes) and got little response. Next year. It’s funny that it is something that is so easy to begin dealing with – poetry. Art too. Although, it seems intimidating from the outside, there has to be a muse to make it worthwhile. Ha! It is exactly the opposite. it can be from anything, everything, nothing at all. It is so open and so easy to get started with. That does not, however, make it all good… good and great take time, but it sure is fun.


“It’s so quiet in the house at 3:30 in the morning. The refrigerator and the sound of my pencil scritching over this page are about all I can hear. There’s a wind outside – but I don’t hear it over the din of the household. 62 degrees inside feels much cooler than 62 degrees outside at this time of year.”