A number of months ago my husband and I decided to start collecting more art.  It made perfect sense.  We've graduated from Ikea dormitory-style furniture (not to knock Ikea) to more mature pieces.  When we throw parties, we no longer worry about drunken exuberance which may lead to delicate items being broken.  The longer we're married the more we develop our personality as a couple (which is new and exciting).  Plus we have a number of friends who are artists.  It only makes sense to decorate our home with art that holds meaning to us, while supporting our friends.

With so much beautiful work out there the hardest question became where to start.  But once we thought about it, the question answered itself.

I've known Abby Goodman for a number of years.  During that time I've seen her body of work grow and become more complex.  Her works have become larger and striking and smaller and more detailed.  Her hybrid creature collection in particular spoke to me. Whimsical and delicate.  The creatures look like something that should exist.  They offer something different from what you expect to see. 

And so Robert and I decided to give her Kangaroo hybrid a home.  He sits with our collectibles, across from our Mimilove portrait.  Already, it provides the room with more creative energy.

You can see more of Abby's work on her website.

Artist Wanted is a collaborative project between New York City Artists and creative organizations working to build new lasting  for emerging talent.  Abby Goodman is an emerging talent.  I've showcased her work before, a diverse collection of mediums, styles and messages.  Always challenging herself, each new piece she creates stresses new boundaries. 

She recently entered this juried self-portrait competition. It will be judged by 4 jurors (including Steve Buscemi and Chris Weir), however, there is also a public choice award which is determined by votes cast in favor of individual portfolios, which awards a cash prize in addition to a show and press.

Check out the site and cast your vote for this talented artist.  You can find her page on the Artists Wanted site here.

The Governor's Island Figment Festival is rapidly becoming a summer opening event.

The island is filled with music, activities, sculpture and art of all kinds.  Housed in and surrounding buildings built 200 years ago, there is a lot of interaction. It's a park with fantastic views of New York Harbor, Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.  It's also free ... completely free, even the ferry ride is free.  And who doesn't like a Ferry ride.

When you arrive at FIGMENT, you'll have the opportunity to experience 400 art pieces, projects, and performances... with only one common theme: you are asked to participate, create, and engage!

Salvage by Abby Goodman Cindy Stockton Moore FIGMENT is absolutely free to the public, rain or shine, and will be open:

Friday, June 12: 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday, June 13: 10 am - 7 pm
Sunday, June 14: 10 am - 7 pm

..in addition, the City of Dreams will be open on weekends until mid-October with a large-scale interactive sculpture garden and an artistic mini-golf course.

Here are some quick links for you:
Getting There: Governors Island is easy to reach from both lower Manhattan and Brooklyn's Fulton Ferry Landing. The ferry is free, fast, and runs frequently!

Map, Schedule, Projects, & Artists: An amazing amount of music, events, family and children activities.  Everything from yoga to coloring. And the amazing art!

The MPL Project will be there so you can help us build a Mass Manifesting Mobile!  Stop by and add your creativity to this project. 

You can see photos from last year's event here.  It's bound to be a fun experience for everyone!

If you're unfamiliar with Abby Goodman's work, now is the time to get acquainted.  This talented artist and sculptor has three upcoming shows.  Always different, Abby's work incorporates unexpected materials and themes.  Her work is whimsical and humorous.  This combination makes her work stand out in any show.

Check out the work of this up-and-coming artist and one of these great events:

Saturday, May 23 5-7pm: P. S.122 

Performance Space 122 will feature an installation by Abby.  Her installation will appear as alongside an exhibit by two interesting painters who are featured in the main gallery.

Thursday May 28, 7pm: Art Jail

Art Jail, a spanking new gallery in Chinatown/Lower East Side will open with Abby's solo show featuring my her work. It is the inaugural exhibition for the new gallery!

Art Jail is located on 50 Eldridge St 6th Floor (between Hester and Canal)


June 12-14 all day: FIGMENT

For the past month Abby has been working on collaborative installation with Cindy Stockton Moore. The piece is called Salvage, and is comprised of a shipwrecked shopping cart, and salvaged materials from the streets of New York. Salvage will be shown at this year's FIGMENT Festival on Governors Island.

The installation will be a part of the season long sculpture installation on the island.

Check out the progress of the installation and building experience on their website, new uploads will be added as the piece progresses.

It's the collaboration to end all collaborations, the 112 Greene Street gallery in conjunction with Brooklyn Street Art present an exciting night of art.  To add the extra cherry on your sunday, Afrika Bambaataa will be performing his new song "Work To Do" during the opening on Thursday, March 26th.  The opening festivities are from 6pm - 10pm and it's sure to be packed.

For the past 2 months, street artists from NYC and beyond have been adorning their walls for this inaugural show.  Abby Goodman is one of the artists showcased at this unique exhibit.  She's calling it a "fun house for art."

To read more about the gallery and this event, check out the 112 Green Street site.

"One of the early headquarters of hip-hop. Countless groundbreaking records were created within its walls during the 1980's and 1990's. Artists who recorded there: RUN-DMC, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Sonic Youth, New Order, Ice Cube, Riot, Bonnie Tyler, Chaka Kahn, James Brown, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Jenny Burton, John Robie, Afrika Bambaataa, New Order, Dave Matthews, George Benson, Roy Ayers, Black Eyed Peas, De La Soul, Beastie Boys, Mos Def & Talib Kweli, Black Thought, Inspecta Deck, Raekwon, DJ Muggs, Tricky, Jungle Brothers, Propellarheads, You Am I."