EVERY LIFE IS UNIQUE, 1993 WEST HARLEM

I was very shiny in West Harlem. I was supervising artist on a city funded project at 134th St. and Amsterdam Ave. in 1993. Only four months for this incredible adventure. I learned that white people have an extra gene. A cruelty gene. About 2 months into the project on 134th street, my students wanted to know what I was. I said “white” but they wouldn’t go for that. Uh-nh. At the end of that day on the mural, 6 year old Anita told me that they had figured it out. I was a Puerto Rican who didn’t speak Spanish. I took this “crew” to a city pool to swim. I took this “crew” to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I was missing that cruelty gene. I know someone who taught overseas who said her kids in the Indian Ocean told her the same thing! That mural we did is still there. That is a miracle. Over 30 years. There were bullet holes in that mural before that summer was over. It was a very rough neighborhood then. We worked together. Haitian, Domenica Republican, Puerto Rican, African American and I don’t know who else. About 30 kids, in all. A monument to working together. IT'S STILL THERE!!

SURREALISTIC FANTASY IN TWO PARTS

ALL OVER TOWN!

BIG MEDIUM ART TOUR - WEST SIDE

SURREALISTIC FANTASY IN TWO PARTS

Cannon Coffee Presents Melanie Hickerson & Luna Davis Surrealistic Fantasy in Two Parts Sept 29, 2024 – Feb 1, 2025 • Reception: Sat, Oct 12, 2024, 5-7pm Art 84 presents two exceptional artists in its Cannon Coffee art space: Melanie Hickerson, whose career in NYC and Austin spans decades and Luna Davis, an accomplished Austin artist early in her career. Both address the experience of life with its sweetness and trauma, Hickerson through painting metaphors in acrylic on canvas and Davis through mixed media ranging across acrylic sheeting, CRT TVs, video, stain glass, and sculpture. Although their media differ–one traditional, one new–their work shares a dreamlike quality and remembrance for things past, present, and future. Thus, our title Surrealistic Fantasy in Two Parts. Both artists have shown with Art 84 before, originally as teacher and protégé, and we are delighted to have them back together. Melanie Hickerson is an experienced artist who has art in the permanent collection of The University of Texas at San Antonio plus in many private collections around the world. She spent many years in Rome, New York City, and Austin as a working artist and teacher. Melanie’s paintings are well-constructed objects of heart, intellect, and skill and are metaphors in paint for breath and life. She explains “I’m painting my homage to miracles. There are these sweet bits to dilute the ferocity in life. Mother Earth, Mother Nature.” https://www.melaniehickerson.com/ Luna Davis is an interdisciplinary artist who works primarily in non-traditional media. In her words, “I create various nostalgic domestic installations and mixed-media pieces that are altered through the lens of not only my own personal experiences, but other traumatic, emotional, and heavy burdens that we as humans carry with us.” She also explores digital identity in the age of the internet. https://www.lunadavis.com/

My ART PASTED IN BROOKLYN!

The opening reception was packed. Lots of excitement. A poster of my artwork is pasted to a dumpster in Brooklyn and the exhibit is a HIT!

PAINTINGS AND ARTWORKS INSTALLED!!

There is still work to be done. It does look sophisticated and engaging. Luna Davis's very contemporary work along side my more traditional art supplies for make an object of thought.

at Cannon Coffee Presents Melanie Hickerson & Luna Davis Surrealistic Fantasy in Two Parts Sept 29, 2024 – Feb 1, 2025 • Reception: Sat, Oct 12, 2024, 5-7pm

SURREALISTIC FANTASIES

Melanie Hickerson, Artist Paintings and Drawings virtual art gallery www.etaoin.com https://mellypaint.com THE FOUR GRACES DESCEND TO DEFEND WHAT’S LEFT OF OUR PLANET/EARTH FROM GREED (AND THEN THERE WAS NONE) has been selected to be displayed in this year’s THE PEOPLE’S GALLERY 2024 Opening Reception October 4, 2024 6pm-9pm Austin City Hall: 301 W.2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701 120+ exhibiting artists – View and purchase local art!

LETS GO BACK ATTACK!!

THE WAR ON WOMEN EXHIBIT

The war on women exhibit opens soon! Next week. What a show!

SURREALISTIC CONTINUES!

Art 84 presents Surrealistic Fantasy in Two Parts featuring the work of Melanie Hickerson and Luna Davis Art Exhibit at Cannon Coffee 1901 William Cannon Dr, Unit 165A Austin, TX 78745 September 29, 2024 – February 1, 2025 Daily 7 am – 5 pm Opening Reception Saturday, October 12, 2024 5 pm – 7 pm Art 84 presents two exceptional artists in its Cannon Coffee art space: Melanie Hickerson, whose career in NYC and Austin spans decades and Luna Davis, an accomplished Austin artist early in her career. Both address the experience of life with its sweetness and trauma, Hickerson through painting metaphors in acrylic on canvas and Davis through mixed media ranging across acrylic sheeting, CRT TVs, video, stain glass, and sculpture. Although their media differ--one traditional, one new--their work shares a dreamlike quality and remembrance for things past, present, and future. Thus, our title Surrealistic Fantasy in Two Parts. Both artists have shown with Art 84 before, originally as teacher and protégé, and we are delighted to have them back together. Melanie Hickerson is an experienced artist who has art in the permanent collection of The University of Texas at San Antonio plus in many private collections around the world. She spent many years in Rome, New York City, and Austin as a working artist and teacher. Melanie’s paintings are well-constructed objects of heart, intellect, and skill and are metaphors in paint for breath and life. She explains “I’m painting my homage to miracles. There are these sweet bits to dilute the ferocity in life. Mother Earth, Mother Nature.” Where Hickerson is a master of traditional media, Luna Davis is an interdisciplinary artist who works primarily in non-traditional media. In her words, “I create various nostalgic domestic installations and mixed-media pieces that are altered through the lens of not only my own personal experiences, but other traumatic, emotional, and heavy burdens that we as humans carry with us.” She also explores digital identity in the age of the internet. As usual with Art 84 exhibits, expect beauty and meaning with memorable art in a friendly space. This exhibit will run from early November through January, including Austin Studio Tour weekends. Stop by this friendly neighborhood coffee shop and enjoy delicious coffee, tea, and light snacks while you’re enjoying the art.

SURREALISTIC FANTASY IN TWO PARTS

The upcoming exhibit has been posted on now. They have done a wonderful announcement of this exhibit. Luna Davis and I will have work at Cannon Coffee. 1901 W William Cannon Dr., Suite 165A, Austin Daily 7am – 5pm Reception: Saturday, Oct 12, 2024, 5pm-7pm at Cannon Coffee See ART84.org.

ADDRESSING THE WAR ON WOMEN

I just proofed my page in the catalog for the exhibit at Ceres Gallery, NYC. It looks grand! ADDRESSING THE WAR ON WOMEN Ceres Gallery 547 West 27 Street Suite 201 NY, NY 10001 US We will be addressing these issues with The War On Women show from October 1-26 and an Action Fair on Sat, October 19, 2-5pm to promote voting and enthusiasm for the cause of WOMEN’S RIGHTS.

ANOTHER OPENING! ANOTHER SHOW!

The summer doldrums are over and the world is changing, one way or another. I will have a painting at City Hall - THE PEOPLE'S GALLERY-Before that reception will be the party and opening at Cannon Coffee. About 15 paintings or so. That party will be Saturday, September 28. Such a nice place! This is a painting that is narrative but really just a metaphor for a special day - SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. A day that united this nation. But at what price!

THE PEOPLE'S GALLERY AT CITY HALL IS BACK!!

The Department of Economic Development quit doing the annual City Hall Art Exhibit so the public library took it over!Here are the cards they put out for the party. These are called "rack cards".

T'IS THE SEASON! EXHIBITS ARE COMING!!

First upcoming delivery is for the People's Gallery at City Hall! My Painting was accepted into this show. The name of the artwork is THE FOUR GRACES DESCEND TO DEFEND WHAT’S LEFT OF OUR PLANET/EARTH FROM GREED (AND THEN THERE WAS NONE). The birds and bees will survive without us (people) but we won't/can't survive without them. My mom always said leave a place better than you found it. That includes this planet. Visual art can contribute information, entertainment, comfort, inspiration, wonder, flavors and more. The social nature of our species needs such objects and energy in this world.

There are these sweet bits to dilute the ferocity in life. Mother Earth, Mother Nature. And they are us.

TREASURES FOUND IN THE FLAT FILE!

I attacked the flat file! Hokusai did not do such things as clean up his studio. He just moved. Records are that he moved 93 times. 30,000 art works. No time! No time! I did find some treasures. I've dusted, edited and photo'd.I do have some items put aside for toss and/or re-do!

ADDRESSING THE WAR AGAINST WOMEN

An exhibit is coming soon to CERES Gallery, called ADDRESSING THE WAR AGAINST WOMEN. I am finishing up a painting that I hope will be included in this exhibit, next OCTOBER, the month before our next national election. We must vote to stop this voracious monster. Too bad our opposition is in such disarray. Such it often is with gentle folk. We don't march in step very well. Our advantage, though, is courage. Art is a discipline of courage.

RHAPSODY IN BLUE, the painting

My painting titled RHAPSODY IN BLUE, was manipulated and used for the cover art of pianist,EMILY WHITE'S, CD named AMERICAN COLLECTION. It is marvelous piano music, rare and moving. I am so very honored to be part of this.

TAKING MY ANT FOR A WALK

This is a small painting but it is another bit of play with a palette knife (and fairy tales). I named it Taking My Ant For a Walk and love the frivolity of such an idea. Ants are fierce beasties but very useful in this world!

And here is another small knife painting called THE LOST INDIAN PAINTBRUSH. I do love these wildflowers that bloom right after the bluebonnets.

WE WILL MISS THEM

Some article I read somewhere asserted that life on this planet would/could last about 3 weeks without bugs. I wasn't clear from the information presented how fast everything would die. The article presented information to support a rather rapid demise of Life. Whereas If all humans die, there would be some adjustments but Life would continue as jolly as ever! So HOORAY FOR BUGS!! Homage to some of my Favorites

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BLUE BEE EVOLVES AND MULTIPLIES

I started playing with this painting in 2012. The first image is from 2012. Then 2022. Then 2023 and 2024. Still messing with it. It has changed and grown. This has been exhibited at the different stages. The bees have the blues with their golden gifts to life and love. This homage to their wonder is my homage to their place in the Ribbon of Life.