Art & Inspiration Blog

A portrait of Ulysses S.  Grant has been on the face of the USA’s $50 dollar bill since 1913. My special interest in creating an Essence Portrait of President Grant stems from this as the final bill face for my new In God We Trust series is that of the $50 bill. My versions of all of the others currently created by the USA Mint are completed.

Ulysses S. Grant (1822 – 1885) was the 18th President of the United States (1869–1877). He was also the military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant’s command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military. After leading many military victories, Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, and soon after the Confederacy collapsed and the Civil War ended.

Grant also merits our attention due to his civil rights record in both heading up the Union Army and then his actions during Reconstruction and during his presidency.

The  Essence Portrait of Ulysses S. Grant uses the original letters of Exodus 20 (the Ten Commandments) for each and every stroke. All of my Post Conceptual and UnGraven Image Essence Portraits of  USA presidents use this text as our Chief Executive’s duty is to administer the federal laws, statutes and especially to protect the Constitution. The Ten Commandments are widely held to be a basis for the ideas, ideals and original laws and the Constitution.

Ulysses S. Grant (Exodus 20 – the Ten Commandments) by Judy Rey Wasserman

For more about Ulysses S. Grant see Wikipedia’s Ulysses S. Grant .

To discover more about Essence Portraits, including many more portraits, a video about the history of portraiture and how Essence Portraits are the next 21 Century step in portraiture, plus how you can commission one for yourself or a loved one, SEE: Essence Portraits

To purchase an Essence Portrait print of George Washington (Exodus 20 – the Ten Commandments) to display in your home, office or as a gift SEE: Washington Print-Large

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Judy Rey Wasserman is an artist and the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory and also the branch known as UnGraven Image Art. Download a free copy click: Manifesto of Post Conceptual Art– A Painting’s Meaning is Inherent in its Stroke.

Check out the limited and open edition prints in the estore.
Follow her on Twitter at @judyrey .]

Dear Jerry,

This third and final blog on Twitter basics covers lists, follow back or not, Twitter Favorites, and some extra Twitter tips. Although specifically written for you as an email, I post it as the information can help others also. Sharing (and to an extent eavesdropping, is a big part of what Social Media is about.

There are several ways to see other people’s tweets, or have your tweets seen.

1. Our Tweets appear in the Timeline of everyone who follows us, and vice versa.

2. Anyone’s tweets can be seen in Search IF they contain the term being searched. This is how we converge to discuss #workofart in real time when it shows. However if you type in any term, even without a # all the tweets that include the term will show up, newest on top.

3 We can follow Twitter Lists of people that we create or that we subscribe to that are created by others.

Twitter Lists

Every Twitter List has a name, which hopefully helps describe it. For example, I have an Art list and you are on it. So are most major museums, galleries, art news sources and some artists. Anyone can follow it, and once they do they can click on any of their followed lists at anytime to check out what the people on that list are saying.

We can place people on our lists, plus read the tweets of Twitter members on others’ lists without needing to follow them.

We can create a list of our favorite Tweeter members, or one of family and friends or important informational sources, so that on hectic days when catching up with our whole Timeline is difficult, we can simply check out the people and sources that are important to us.

Following the lists of others who we enjoy following also serves to introduce us to new members who they place on special lists.

When someone places you or me on a list it increases our reach of influence as now we have more potential to reach people who do not follow us because they follow that list.

Follow Back or Not?

I am known for following back people who follow me, unless they spam me—especially my DMs, or if their Tweets are porno, racist, sexist, or intolerant, etc. [By the way such tweets need to be reported to Twitter, and there are Contact links at the bottom of every Twitter page. For spam simply follow @spam, which is Twitter's spam cop that will follow you back so you can conveniently send them A DM about any spammer. Spammers are people who incessantly tweet the same message with a link to some product, or send many such links to our DMs.]

One of the reasons I follow back is that it allows me to reach more people to introduce and gain interest for Contemporary Art, and art in general, plus of course introduce Post Conceptual Art, including the branch of UnGraven Image.

Jerry, you are well known and respected as an art critic and now also Reality TV celebrity, so people will follow you who are already your fans and interested in what you have to say. But what if you want to widen your reach and influence?

I enjoyed it on Facebook when you went off-topic and messaged about your new coffee machine. If you had done that on Twitter anyone who searched for “coffee” might have found you, recognized you shared a common interest and followed you. Certainly there are people who are also baseball fans and opera lovers who you can find and follow and be followed by on Twitter who you can introduce to Contemporary Art.

Many Twitter members prefer to ReTweet (RT) the messages of the people who follow them, since a RT is a kind of endorsement. Why would anyone freely endorse someone who did not want to even be in a simple follow back relationship? Especially on Fridays, I actually search out free, family or especially interesting events being held by museums that follow me , and some galleries and RT them as a service to my followers. I have issued an ongoing invitation to museums who follow me to DM me such events that I will RT.

New Media, which means Social Media, is interactive and about relationships. It is a two way model as opposed to the Old Media model of broadcast and print that sends news and information out, without including input, response or debate in the process. This is the new paradigm.

Jerry, on Facebook you have been an example how a critic (or news source) can be influential and engaging via Social Media. I wrote these blogs about Twitter Basics for you in hope that you will bring the same kind of dialogue to Twitter. This is selfish of me as I enjoy the Facebook dialogue with you and your friends, but more importantly one of my goals is to expand the interest Contemporary Art to include more people. Elsewhere I have written and commented that for me, Bravo’s Work of Art is success as it is achieving that (and thanks to you for participating as a judge).

When I first ventured onto Social Media I asked myself what certain specific artists who I admire would do with this outreach and relationship opportunity if they had had it in their day. I consciously continue to consider what Andy Warhol, Monet, Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt van Rijn, Leonardo Da Vinci, plus others, would do.

One of the insights this gave me was to utterly be myself and although I am an artist, I have other interests than art, as did the aforementioned artists. Jerry, how might the great art critic in the past have used Social Media?

I naturally seek to follow an eclectic mix of people on Social Media, because I am an information and news junkie. I spend more time reading links I find to information, which certainly includes a art news and information, but ranges into science and technology, business, psychology, the other arts, history and current events, which includes information about Social Media itself. I am forever curious and fascinated by other people and the world, so I spend more time lurking and following information than adding my own messages. Like Warhol, I’m watching quietly from my corner of the room.

When I first became active on Twitter I busily followed so many people, over 1,000 in a little over an hour. I followed the people who the most interesting people I could find, in many fields, including art, were following. Then I sat back and watched my Timeline for three days, which felt a lot like eavesdropping. When one of the people I followed was in a conversation, I followed the people in the conversation. This is a good way to find new and interesting people to follow.

Some of the people who I was following followed me back, which surprised me, especially since I was not tweeting, just avidly watching.

When I finally entered into a conversation, and began to tweet, including links to my blogs and images of my art, some of the people who followed me clicked on the links. Many of these people were not interested in art and were not following me because we shared an interest in art, but because we had a different interest in common they were some of the first people to discover Post Conceptual Art and the branch of UnGraven Image.

Twitter imposes limits on the number of people we can follow, which they do not actually publish. Basically the skivvy is that until we have about 1,914 or so followers we cannot follow more than 2000 people. After we cross that limit we can follow 10% more people than the number of people who follow us, plus about 1, 914. For example is 80,000 follow you can follow 8,000 people who do not follow you back. Since many more people now follow you than you follow this may not seem to concern you, but it absolutely does concern anyone who seeks to expand their influence and reach.

Most Twitter members never break that 1, 914 limit. Having explained the limits and helped people who follow me before, I have learned that people dislike unfollowing other Twitter members, especially if they tweet interesting information, but that they quickly learn they have to pick and chose their sources of information wisely due to the twitter limits. Members who follow back are “free” since they do not effect one’s limits.

Other than limiting the percentage of the people who we can follow back based on our number of followers, and also the number we can follow daily (based on the previous allotment, but no more than 1000), there is no limit to the number of people who we can follow or that can follow us. This means we can potentially reach and interact with as many people as Twitter has members.

There is no reason to ever unfollow anyone who follows us back unless they tweet messages that we find reprehensible or annoying. Lists can be used to sort members who tweet on specific subjects, and those we want to watch closely. My life has been enriched by many of the people I follow back, some of whom I never would have known had I not followed them.

The Talmud asks: “Who is wise?” And, answers: “The person who can learn from anyone.” Plus, it is difficult for me to imagine, Vincent van Gogh unfollowing anyone who followed him and was not offensive to his sensibilities. That last sentence totally settles the matter for me.

Favorites

Twitter gives us a Favorites tab, wherein they suggest we can store our all time favorite tweets. But, we do not have to use it for that.

I use mine as bookmarking tab, where I store tweets I wash to check out in depth at a later time, tweets I am considering RTing and as a place to remind me of people, both followers and non, who I also intend to check out further. For me, this makes it very handy. Nothing in my Favorites tab is actually a favorite of mine.

More Tips

Two experts on Social Media that I cannot recommend everyone follow, who I learned this and other Social Media and other tips from are @ChrisBrogan and @GuyKawasaki . Both will follow you back.

It seems that no more that 10% of our followers are on Twitter to see our tweets at any given moment. Guy Kawasaki says he generally tweets a link three times during the day to the stories in Alltop, his online magazine that aggregates so much great information on almost any subject, including art. Of course, the best way to tweet a link or information again is to ReTweet someone who ReTweeted it!

Twitter now makes suggestions of people who we might wish to follow. I find that some of these suggestions have merit for me but many do not. It is easy to find out about any Twitter member from their profile page. It is impossible to make a mistake as it is very easy to unfollow anyone.

Final Notes

Twitter is a micro-blogging platform that offers almost unlimited opportunity to interact with all of its members, and include them in the conversation via the use of hashtaged phrases, such as #workofart, lists, retweets, plus allowing an unlimited number of followers, which differs to Facebook friends that are limited to 5,000. This not only gives others greater exposure to us, but allows us greater opportunity to discover new people and sources of information about anything.

Unlike Facebook’s Fan Pages, Twitter accounts do not need to basically remain within their brand to attract followers, but can add additional interests, interests such as baseball, opera and what brand of cashews is the best, and thus widen one’s connections.

Using a hashtag phrase in a search allows to you easily find members who share your interests, or find information, including breaking news via Twitter. Any event, such as a TV show or game or breaking news can be immediately discussed in real time with anyone and everyone else using that #. This week #sotu (State of The Union ) became a TT (Trending Topic) as Twitter members watched and commented on President Obama’s address in real time.

For convenience here are links to the two prior blogs of Twitter Basics:

Twitter Basics I covers: I.D. name and avatar, basics of account set up, how to tweet, including links, retweets, expanding influence, hashtags, and more.

Twitter Basics II covers: How to follow and unfollow, and just about everything about Direct Messages (DM).

Jerry, your use of Facebook to encourage discussions about art has been one of highlights of my experiences on Social Media. These blogs to you are a sort of thank you, with the hope that you will also bring the discussions to Twitter, too. For a while I had considered blogging much of this information as it seems to me than many of the museums, artists, informational art resources, galleries, etc., on Twiier could benefit from it. So, also thanks for your questions about Twitter, because encouraging you to Tweet motivated me, which I hope is for the common good.

I especially hope you will comment through the next broadcasting of episodes of Bravo’s Work of Art, which some of the contestants did last season. The show introduces and brings Contemporary Art and ideas to many people, which is something I support.

If, you or anyone has more questions, concerns, tips or remarks about Twitter please ask them in the comments below so everyone can see the answers.

[Note: Jerry Saltz is the Art Critic for New York Magazine and also one of the three art judges on Bravo's popular reality show, Work of Art. Here is a link to an archive of his articles at New York Magazine: http://nymag.com/nymag/jerry-saltz/
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Judy Rey Wasserman is an artist and the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory and also the branch known as UnGraven Image Art. Download a free copy click: Manifesto of Post Conceptual Art-- A Painting's Meaning is Inherent in its Stroke.
Check out the limited and open edition prints in the estore.
Follow her on Twitter at @judyrey .]

My first completed work of 2011 is a basic Essence Portrait of Alexander Hamilton that is created with strokes that are all the original letters (and words) of Leviticus 19 .

Alexander Hamilton by Judy Rey Wasserman

2011, Strokes: Original letters of Leviticus 19

I am filled with ideas of how to use this Essence Portrait of Alexander Hamilton, which will include a new ten dollar bill that is close to being complete. More than any other person who appears on bills or coins from the USA, Hamilton focus was on money and banking for the country. As the recession drags on it could be a good time to review his ideas. Under President Washington he became Secretary of the Treasury. He also founded the bank of New York and helped guide the financial policies of the new, free republic.

As a Founding Father, Hamilton was also the only New Yorker to sign the Constitution.. As a New Yorker by birth, and again residence, this has meaning for me.

Close up of a section of Alexander Hamilton by Judy Rey Wasserman- See the Bible’s Torah font letters?

Yesterday, the new 2011 new session of the House of Representatives began with a reading of the Constitution. The majority of the Federalist Papers, which are still used today to help interpret the Constitution, were written by Hamilton . They remain the single most important interpretation of the Constitution.

For more on Alexander Hamilton see the excellent article on Wikipedia
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Judy Rey Wasserman is an artist and the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory and also the branch known as UnGraven Image Art. Download a free copy click: Manifesto of Post Conceptual Art– A Painting’s Meaning is Inherent in its Stroke.
Check out the limited and open edition prints in the estore.
Follow her on Twitter at @judyrey .]

This is my annual inspirational message, art and Seasonal Greeting:

For at least the past four years I have been creating images, and sometimes cards that I send at the Holidays and as time went on also post as a greeting for the people on my mailing list, subscribe to my RSS feeds, follow me on Twitter and also are my friends and fans on Facebook.

Around July I begin to think of ideas and pray for inspiration.

Green Holly Greetings is a departure from what we tend to think of as seasonal images, such as decorated evergreen trees, candles, cardinals (all used previously by me), and move into the green that the press covers most at this time of year: Money.

The greenbacks, the information and statistics concerning retail and online sales, and the year end sales, plus the Wall Street bonuses fill the news media, which is seasonally decorated by baubles of features that are heartwarming feel-good stories surrounded by advertisements.

For many people, greenbacks are the true green of Christmas and the holiday season.

But this year where I live, there seems to be a lot less sparkle, lights and cheer this year. People are clearly spending less on lights, celebrations and gifts. There are fewer greenbacks in wallets and bank accounts, even for those who have jobs and especially for small business owners.

While a dollar bill may seem like a strange image for a Holiday Card, how many people at this time of year are actually focused on money than on the real meanings of these holiday celebrations? What do Black Friday door-buster sales held in the early or even midnight hours of Thanksgiving say about our real thankfulness and contentment?

Considering the heavy focus on consumerism and money at this time of year, hasn’t money, which in the USA is most commonly represented by the face of the dollar bill, become a kind of symbol of the season?

Green Holly Greetings by Judy Rey Wasserman

Green Holly Greetings is a part of my new In God We Trust series. It is an original print that combines the Essence Portrait of George Washington with another image of the rest of the front of a dollar bill and then adds symbols created with English letters and numbers digitally.All of the strokes of the portrait and except for the English ones on the bill are the original Torah (Bible) font letters of Exodus 20 (the Ten Commandments).  Since all the strokes are symbols this art is fully Post Conceptual Art, and to a degree als belongs in the branch of UnGraven Image based on its overall use of Torah font letters that come from a scriptural text.

This is the first of the In God We Trust series original prints to be printed. The printed part is the size of an actual dollar, which also has “white” space as a border.

The In God We Trust series challenges our concepts of worth and money and even about the value of art itself, including art as money and money as art.

People commonly write messages on paper money. What could be more fitting than forgoing the card and gift and writing greetings on a real dollar bill that then serves as both card and gift? If you have ever seen someone turn a card over to see how much the sender paid or try to figure out how much a gift actually cost, you understand that we value how much others spend on us as information both about them and their feelings and intentions for our relationship.

Green as a color has another seasonal message that predates our current winter holidays in its use at solstice winter celebrations. At a time when most vegetation has gone brown, evergreen trees and bushes remain with a visual promise of continuing life.

Out greenbacks, give us the power to bring life or enhance life by supporting causes that we cherish. While we take this opportunity for granted in a simpler society that does not enjoy the use of mass and valued currency, it is far more, if not impossible to support causes that we who use dollars or currencies that can be traded for dollars, can do with ease. I cherish that opportunity and power and I urge you to give to a cause that brings life or a better life to others during this season.

In Green Holly Greetings it is apparent that at least two different people have added messages to the card. One, is “Holly G.”. a person with a Manhattan area code who offers a “good time”, which is a kind of double entendre here as we celebrate the holidays. The other person(s) sends, “Seasons Greetings” and “Happy New Year” wishes. Both messages are backed here by the dollar.

One of the artistic influences on this series is again Andy Warhol, who made works about money, including the dollar. I give a nod to Warhol in this work with a reference to Truman Capote who was one of his good friends with the message in green from “Holly G.” In Capote’s stylish novel (but not the cleaner movie version) of Breakfast at Tiffany’s Holly Golightly was a escort and call girl. Although the book is stronger than the film both versions are stories of redemption through love, which seem fitting to me for the holiday season.

Wishing you and yours all the real and joyous blessings of the Holiday Season and New Year,

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Judy Rey Wasserman is an artist and the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory and also the branch known as UnGraven Image Art. Download a free copy click: Manifesto of Post Conceptual Art– A Painting’s Meaning is Inherent in its Stroke.
Check out the limited and open edition prints in the estore.
Follow her on Twitter at @judyrey .]

Bravo to Joel Wachs and the Warhol Foundation for the transparent and courageous stand against censorship, while promoting visual art.

In a letter to Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, President Wachs writes, “For the arts to flourish the arts must be free, and the decision to censor this important work is in stark opposition to our mission to defend freedom of expression wherever and whenever it is under attack.”

This is especially praiseworthy as Andy Warhol is one of the USA’s great religious artists and the Smithsonian’s controversy is at heart about freedom of speech and religion.

Last week, House GOP Leader John Boehner demanded the Smithsonian remove an art video by David Wojnarowicz’s, A Fire in My Belly , which was a part of Hide/SEEK Difference and Desire in American Cultur,  a curated exhibit that is currently on show at the National Portrait Gallery. The video includes an image of the crucified Christ with ants crawling on his body. It is reported that John Boehner stated the video’s inclusion was an inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars.

Thanks to the UK’s Guardian posting a video, I have seen “Fire in My Belly”, which reveals the agony of marginalization and loss due to AIDS. The ants crawling on a small ceramic of a crucified Jesus seems to me to be a cry to the church to resurrect and come to the help of these people who in the early 1990′s were facing an agonizing and sure death.

Further, I know that it is quite possible, even likely that ants, and other insects such as flies crawled on the bodies of people who were crucified. Although the ants are not mentioned in the Bible, scripture basically leaves out the obvious or what people took for granted.

What John. Boehner missed is that what may be offensive to him, may actually be promoting the very Christian values he holds dear. Ironically, this video would not be allowed to be shown in most totalitarian or fascist regimes in the world, as it questions their (and our) response to AIDS.  The last time I read the Bible it was clear that caring for and healing the sick is strongly promoted, even required.  [By the way, the last time I read the Bible was yesterday, and I also the letters from another scripture for my strokes in a painting.]

Few artists are ever as controversial as actual religious artists in their own lifetimes. When Warhol’s Last Supper works were shown they were very controversial as people stared at the Dove soap and GE logos, commercial symbols representing the sacred. Yet the artist’s vision prevailed as we saw how society had commercialized the sacred, how materialism had (and does) impact the basic Judeo-Christian teachings, and then, as Warhol was a genius, how somehow The Divine manages to be with us through all of that.

In a free country artists need to be able to be controversial, to open a dialogue, to encourage people to see in new ways.

This means artists have to have the right to be somewhat offensive to people as the radically new is always offensive and experimentation or pointing out problem’s in one’s society can  definitely annoy the establishment.

To deny artists this freedom of speech (or paintbrush, chisel and video camera) creates the kind of art we have seen from facist or totalitarian regimes that is uninspired, insipid but excellently crafted propaganda. Is this the kind of art we want for the land of the free and the home of the brave?

Yet, threatened with a loss of funding, the Smithsonian capitulated and removed the video from the already opened show.

We all vote with our dollars (money is another subject painted by Warhol).  As every lobbyist knows, money has more clout on a daily basis than the degree of power the minority of Americans who vote exercise once a year.

We vote with our dollars for businesses, including automobile manufacturers, banks, oil companies,  insurance companies, credit cards, etc.,  When we stop voting for a company they go out of business or ask for a bail out or aid.

We also vote for the museums we support with our admissions dollars and donations, and this is especially shown by the popularity of a museum’s shows.

Over the years, the Warhol Foundation has has helped advance the stature and worth of Andy Warhol’s art (and their holdings) while becoming widely respected for its support of visual art, providing funds to artists, art writers and critics, curators, and museums, etc.

Continuing to successfully promote Warhol’s legacy and visual art, the Warhol Foundation has now publicly contacted the Smithsonian, advising warning the Smithsonian that it will not support this censorship or a museum that allows it.

Somewhere, I believe Andy Warhol is smiling.

Joel Wach’s letter to Wayne Clough, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution is reproduced here courtesy of the Warhol Foundation.

December 13, 2010

Mr. Wayne Clough

Smithsonian Institution

SIB Office of the Secretary

MRC 016

PO Box 37012

Washington , D.C. 20013-7012

Dear Mr. Clough,

The Warhol Foundation is proud to have been a lead supporter of Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture, but we strongly condemn the decision to remove David Wojnarowicz’s video A Fire in My Belly from the exhibition. Such blatant censorship is unconscionable. It is inimical to everything the Smithsonian Institution should stand for, and everything the Andy Warhol Foundation does stand for.

Although we have enjoyed our growing relationship during the past three years, and have given more than $375,000 to fund several exhibitions at various Smithsonian institutions, we cannot stand by and watch the Smithsonian bow to the demands of bigots who have attacked the exhibition out of ignorance, hatred and fear.

Last week the Foundation published a statement on its website www.warholfoundation.org , condemning the National Portrait Gallery’s removal of the work and on Friday our Board of Directors met to discuss the long-term implications of the Museum’s behavior on the Foundation’s relationship with the Smithsonian Institution. After careful consideration, the Board voted unanimously to demand that you restore the censored work immediately, or the Warhol Foundation will cease funding future exhibitions at all Smithsonian institutions.

I regret that you have put us in this position, but there is no other course we can take. For the arts to flourish the arts must be free, and the decision to censor this important work is in stark opposition to our mission to defend freedom of expression wherever and whenever it is under attack.

Sincerely yours,

Joel Wachs

President

cc:   Ms. Patricia Stonesifer, Smithsonian Chairwoman of the Board

Directors of Smithsonian Institution museums

Board Chairs of Smithsonian Institution museums

VOTE 2010 by Judy Rey Wasserman
Strokes of the dollar bill and Washington’s portrait are the original Biblical letters of Exodus 20- the Ten Commandments, unless otherwise obviously English letters of numbers. Original digital print.

Notes:  Andy Warhol’s later and last works include what is called his “ Last Supper ” works, which are Pop and also religious art. These and other Warhol works greatly influenced Judy Rey Wasserman, the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory, including the branch known as UnGraven Image. SEE Andy Warhol is a Grandfather to Post Conceptual Art

* * *
Judy Rey Wasserman is an artist and the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory and also the branch known as UnGraven Image Art. Download a free copy click: Manifesto of Post Conceptual Art– A Painting’s Meaning is Inherent in its Stroke.
Check out the limited and open edition prints in the estore.
Follow her on Twitter at @judyrey .]

Each year I share a special Thanksgiving message in an email and blog, which seems to go somewhat viral as people email it to their loved ones and post it on their blogs. As long as the signature and links at the very end of this newsletter are included, you are invited to forward this message or paste it to your blog at will.

This year I find myself giving thanks for so many “blessings” that I certainly never asked for and did not want when I got and suffered through them.

I give thanks for the dysfunctional and abusive home life I had as a child and teen that forced me to find ways to stay away from home until my 5:30 curfew on school day afternoons. Looking for safe havens from cold and inclement weather I discover NYC’s galleries and museums, all open and free to me, which became my safe havens. Due to my repeated visits and obvious interest in art I was befriended and mentored by Mr. Wally Findley and Mr. Wildenstein, who taught me how to see the Cézannes, Monets, Picassos, and other great modern painters whose works they showed and loved. I spent so much time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that I knew all the guards as I wandered the great halls, looking, looking and storing up a wealth of priceless visual memories.

Sag Harbor Bridge Sunset By Judy Rey Wasserman Genesis: Sunset-Sunrise series See more & larger image Click: HERE

I give thanks for the chronic and acute Lyme’s Disease that I suffered from for almost ten years.Due to Lyme’s disease being misdiagnosed originally it became acute and chronic. I was on antibiotics for six straight years, including intravenously, which does not include the many times I was on antibiotics during the four years before I was correctly diagnosed. Nor does it include the times afterward when my body’s then compromised immune system failed to fight even infections from paper cuts. I give thanks because during this illness I had to turn to and tune into “that still small voice” and ask, “What do I do now?” continually, as I had so little energy and “up” time that making the best use of it was critical. From this I learned to listen to The Divine in little ways, as much as I can through each day, in what I do and say. I remain a work in progress, but the Lyme’s Disease, which I would never wish on anyone, totally changed my life, although I am fully recovered for over 16 years now.

Without Lyme’s Disease I would have had the strength, energy and time to pursue my career as a dramatic writer, mainly of comedy scripts. I have little doubt that I would have been successful. If I had been a successful script writer, I doubt I would have discovered painting with symbols as strokes, returned to painting to found and create Post Conceptual, especially UnGraven Image art. I would have been creatively satisfied but never artistically fulfilled. In fact, just when I began to experiment with symbols as strokes, I had a script optioned by a noted actress/director. I walked away from the doors that were then opening to my scripts to devote my time to painting and founding Post Conceptual UnGraven Image Art.

I give thanks for the financial struggles I have endured as an emerging artist founding a new art theory, which were exacerbated greatly due to how the recession has impacted emerging artists and most living artists, too. I have learned to find abundance always, in any situation as long as I remain open to the moment.

Where I would have charged forth into the art world two years ago, I withdrew, recognizing that a new theory needs to be successful when it is shown. During this time in self imposed “exile” I have created new series, especially involving portraits and discovered how to use digital media in new ways. Social Media has allowed me to meet and become friends with other artists and people involved with art, which has been fun, informational and helped me to learn about the business side of art. I am again strengthened and much more prepared to found a new art theory and movement. [Note: watch for an exciting announcement in early 2011].

When I have problems, or stumbling blocks that are not brought on by my own actions, but are a kind of unwanted present in life, I have discovered that the true gift is unwrapped by successfully using the problem to learn and grow—and that reward becomes priceless.

So this year I choose to give thanks despite the facts that I still face many problems, including those that can preset themselves as stumbling blocks to goals.

I recognize and experience the world wide recession that continues to impact me and other artists, plus loved ones who have been laid off or struggle to make ends meet with fewer hours or running small businesses where customers and orders remain limited. I also have several of my dearest loved ones who are afflicted with the “gift” of health problems that they did not bring on through bad habits or neglect.

I hear and read the news of war and international threats and actions by Iran , North Korea , the Taliban, Al - Qaeda and Hamas that could pull the USA and the free world into further military action. Who is not directly aware of the problems and havoc of global warming and earth changes that have caused violent storms (including a record breaking blizzard here), floods, volcanoes, and earthquakes that have killed and injured people, wrecked homes and places of work, worship and study? Facing the these almost overwhelming problems and more, I am determined to give thanks for the blessings that I am sure can from all the problems if I do my part to help correct the problems, help others and learn the lessons offered throughout the experience.

Fall Tree Aleph By Judy Rey Wasserman Seasons of Trees series See more & larger image click: HERE

Mourner’s Prayer By Judy Rey Wasserman See more & larger image click: HERE

I give thanks for my loved ones, including those who are no longer with us. It is a privilege to have loved and been loved by someone enough to need to mourn them. It is a blessing to have known someone who will be truly missed, because their contributions to our lives, communities and even the world are appreciated. I give thanks for every extra precious day I have with my loved ones, my friends and family and people who I do not even know, who enrich my life with their contributions of their talents and also volunteer work. While I miss the children who I have lost, I give thanks that this has helped make me especially appreciative of the little ones in stores, on the street and elsewhere who wave, smile and say “Hi” to me, a complete stranger. So, I give thanks for missing the people I miss.

I also give thanks that I have the blessing of living in a country where I am free to give thanks for whatever I want and worship and create art according to my own conscience and understanding. This heritage of religious tolerance and freedom formally began with the Native Americans and the then European Pilgrims in what became Plymouth , Massachusetts. These blessings of personal religious freedom and tolerance for all, I promote through my art, which is always a vision that we can all share. Wherever you are, I hope and pray that you and your loved ones enjoy your Thanksgiving filled both with blessings you wanted and priceless gifts from facing problem situations with courage, practical faith and Divine grace.

Ten Commandments (George Washington) By Judy Rey Wasserman Essence Portrait See more & larger image click: HERE

And in the spirit of Thanksgiving, let us all pray and work for the blessing of peace, which always begins with tolerance for ourselves and then for others.
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Judy Rey Wasserman is an artist and the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory and also the branch known as UnGraven Image Art. Download a free copy click: Manifesto of Post Conceptual Art– A Painting’s Meaning is Inherent in its Stroke.
Check out the limited and open edition prints in the estore.
Follow her on Twitter at @judyrey .]

Artists are the natural born inspirational leaders and also the critics of their tribe, which means society. The size of the tribe can vary, but due to the internet and words and images that are easily sent far and wide, plus translated, the tribe can include much of the world.

When a government tries to silence the work of any artist who protests or criticizes the government, society, culture, etc., the whole society is diminished as a dialogue that could lead to greater harmony, understanding and progress is stifled.

This week the Chinese government issued notice to the internationally renowned artist Ai Wei Wei that his studio in Shanghai is to be demolished. This is especially bitter since he was wooed by the government to build this new studio in Shanghai . Now the government claims it lacks the necessary permits. The authorities have also suggested that Mr. Ai could donate the building to the government. “Of course I don’t want it to be knocked down, but they already announced it was illegal so I don’t see how they can take the sentence back,” said Ai Weiwei.

Ai Weiwei is an outspoken critic of China ‘s government in relation to human rights. Since Chinese writer Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last month the press of the free world has reported an ongoing and widespread crackdown on dissidents, lawyers and professors in China .

On Friday, November 5, 2010 , the Guardian reported that Ai Weiwei was under house arrest until Sunday evening, which coincides with the end of a party he had planned in his studio as a kind of a protest and send off.

Apparently, the Chinese governments problems with Ai Weiwei stem from his activities protesting the government’s handling of the devastating Chinese earthquake, and his using his fame and international recognition, including his popular Twitter account (href=”twitter.com/aiww”) @aiwwto accomplish this.

Moreover, Ai Weiwei uses his art to comment on the conditions of society and inspire change.

Ai Weiwei’s current exhibit at the Tate, and his sunflower seeds move me, as I see each seed as a tiny, sculptural Conceptual Art stroke. There is so much meaning inherent in each of these tiny porcelain seeds, as sunflower seeds are both nourishing and also the convey the hope and promise of the glorious huge flowers they can become. Piled together as I saw them at Chelsea Piers, or filling a floor that can be walked on at the Tate, these porcelain seeds can be understood as many hopes and dreams that are unfulfilled and will never come to fruition. They are as dry and lifeless as the porcelain they are made of. Mr’s Ai’s comment on his society and perhaps that of the world, is filled with wry irony that can inspire humanity.

Clearly, I am a fan of Ai Weiwei’s work, which I have mentioned previously in at least one blog review. However, even if I hated his work, I would still protest the actions by the Chinese authorities to limit his art and freedom.

I am a citizen and artist of the USA , living in New York , and I have no first hand knowledge if Ai Weiwei is correct in his criticism and protests of his government. However, I do salute his bravery and conscientious behavior in standing for something he holds to be true, even though he knew his actions would not be popular in a country that limits or even curtails free speech (and thus art).

Although my work is not yet well known, I am the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory, which includes the branch known as UnGraven Image . As of last week another good artist is joining in, creating works according to the tenets of the theory as stated in its manifesto, which makes it the first theoretical art movement of the 21 st Century, as well as the first ever founded by a woman. Further, this is the first religious art theory or movement that encompasses theology and beliefs held by most of the world’s religions, while also being science based. It is a vision that we can all share.

This puts me in a position of artistic leadership. I cannot stand by and watch what is happening to Ai Weiwei without protest, although my form of leadership through my work is usually to inspire.

Perhaps as artists we enjoy a perspective that most people do not experience in their lives and work. Although Ai Weiwei is Chinese and I am American, our collectors and fans are internationally based, as are art fairs, galleries and even museums like the Guggenheim. The country where we live is not necessarily where we sell our art or have professional connections. In fact, where we make our art really is initially in our minds, and ideas can come wherever we are. Today’s artists are kind of cultural ambassadors from their countries and also citizens of the international art world.

There are no perfect governments or societies now, and none have existed throughout history. Whenever a government seeks to limit or censor its artists and/or their art that society is diminished and doomed to fail according to history. The government’s historical significance is likewise decreased, as history merely records the military and territorial might of a government but celebrates cultural and scientific progress and achievement.

Mr Ai said the decision to prevent him from attending the party was indicative of the Chinese government’s inability to tolerate dissent or debate.

When artists and scientists fled the Nazi’s they took with them innovation and culture that enhanced other societies, including that of my country during the mid-twentieth century. At that time economies were more regional, and economic sanctions from other countries would have been meaningless. Ironically, some of those artists and scientists also criticized their new countries, where they prospered, which only helped strengthen those societies to this day.

Every government that attempted to stifle its artists’ questions and protests, to impose an official view that was not tolerant of its artists and their various works, which are always communications, fell.

In the Twenty-first Century, while the many international trade agreements, multi-national companies and outsourcing have helped create a global economy, a grass roots economy has been developing that includes anyone who has access to a mobile phone or computer with internet access.

The grass roots global economy has considerable economic clout, which is understood by marketers and major international companies that seek to use the members of social media, including bloggers, Twitter and Facebook members to help promote their products. It is widely recognized that Barack Obama’s understanding and use of this technology helped get him elected.

However, this new global network can also communicate negative information about a product that can be devastating. Tylenol learned from the Mommy Bloggers who are also on Twitter, the results of such a campaign can be swift and impossible to counteract with even the best public relations efforts.

Although the government of China has attempted to curtail and censor Google and the Internet for its citizens, it cannot affect the web’s use outside of China . It cannot prevent a boycott of merchandise made in China that spreads across the internet to grow among people of many nations. The global economy means that individuals can now “vote” in relation to governments of other countries simply by what they purchase.

The public, consumers, have been patient when we learned that products from China were substandard or downright dangerous, including toys that contained lead, food that was tainted, and products that were counterfeit or defective. That patience came from the dialogue and communication with China ‘s government and manufacturers about how to correct the situations. Communication indicates good will and brings solutions. The world is eager to communicate and be friends with China and its citizens.

A government that restricts or stifles the communications of its artists, scientists and other innovators internally, limits and even cuts off its own dialogue with the international community, which appreciates the contributions of these innovators.

Ai Weiwei is recognized as one of the great Chinese artists of our time by the international art community, as can be understood from his current solo show at the Tate.

His recent house arrest and proposed demolition of Mr. Ai’s studio, will do more damage to the way the people throughout the world see that Chinese government, and merchandise that is made there, than any communication from Ai Weiwei could ever do.

A country’s wealth is not only in its gold, silver, oil, gas, diamonds and other natural resources, or in its manufacturing and goods, the real wealth of any society lies in the legacy of ideas it leaves to the next generations. These ideas come from its innovators, which include its best artists. It is hoped that China will swiftly recognize the great treasure they have in the art and life of Ai Weiwei and treat him and his studio with the great respect and honor he deserves, which will generate in turn honor and respect for the Chinese government.

“Freedom is often a person’s ability and scope of happiness.” -Ai Weiwei

VOTE, by Judy Rey Wasserman

In God We Trust series, 2010

Strokes of Dollar Bill: Exodus 20 (Ten Commandments)

Follow @judyrey who follows all real people back.

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Judy Rey Wasserman is an artist and the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory and also the branch known as UnGraven Image Art. Download a free copy click: Manifesto of Post Conceptual Art– A Painting’s Meaning is Inherent in its Stroke.
Check out the limited and open edition prints in the estore.
Follow her on Twitter at @judyrey .]

VOTE 2010 by Judy Rey Wasserman

New original image print from the In God We Trust series by Judy Rey Wasserman. Strokes of the Dollar Bill and Essence Portrait of George Washington are all the original letters of Exodus 20 (The Ten Commandments).
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Judy Rey Wasserman is an artist and the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory and also the branch known as UnGraven Image Art. Download a free copy click: Manifesto of Post Conceptual Art– A Painting’s Meaning is Inherent in its Stroke.
Check out the limited and open edition prints in the estore.
Follow her on Twitter at @judyrey .]

Benjamin Franklin is one of the most interesting people in American history and possibly for all time.

He was a complex man, wise, witty and incredibly smart and savvy.

In my first Essence Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, I show him as somewhat younger, and more in his prime than we are used to seeing him. The image we normally find him on hundred dollar bills, where he resembles the guy on Quaker Oats, who probably was modeled after Franklin.

Were it not for his advanced age, Ben Franklin would have been one of the first presidents of the United States . As a Founding Father he was one of the prime movers who helped us gain our independence from England by creating an alliance with France.

Proverbs 13 (Ben Franklin)

By Judy Rey Wasserman

Franklin rose from working class beginnings to become a member of the high society of his time, both in the American states and also the French court. By the end of his life he had great achievements as politician, political theorist, statesman, author, scientist, inventor, soldier, civic activist and businessman.

As a scientist, Franklin discovered theories regarding electricity. He invented the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, a carriage odometer, and the glass ‘armonica’.

He was a model citizen. He formed both the first public lending library in America and the first fire department in Pennsylvania . He played a major role in establishing the University of Pennsylvania and was elected the first president of the American Philosophical Society. From 1775 to 1776, Franklin was the Postmaster General under the Continental Congress and from 1785 to 1788, he served as the equivalent of governor of Pennsylvania .

Toward the end of his life, he became one of the most prominent abolitionists.

Franklin is also known for his sage wit and wisdom, usually found in his Poor Richard’s Almanac. When preparing to create the basic Essence Portrait of Ben Franklin, it seemed fitting to turn to the Bible’s Proverbs.13. and use the letters from the original Bible text for the strokes. I wonder if some of Franklin ‘s ideas and advice were inspired by this text.

To see and discover more about Judy Rey Wasserman’s Essence Portraits—the radical new portraiture of the 21 st Century go to : http://ungravenimage.com/essencevideos.php

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Judy Rey Wasserman is an artist and the founder of Post Conceptual Art theory and also the branch known as UnGraven Image Art. Download a free copy click: Manifesto of Post Conceptual Art– A Painting’s Meaning is Inherent in its Stroke.
Check out the limited and open edition prints in the estore.
Follow her on Twitter at @judyrey .]

This new Essence Portrait of Andrew Jackson was challenging to create as he was such a complex man, who embodied many dichotomies in his beliefs and politics, although he was not two faced. Like many of us, Andrew Jackson was fragmented but sought to do what seemed right to him.

Andrew Jackson is the third most visually reorganized historical president, after Washington and Lincoln, by the average American in the 21 st Century.

Such widespread recognition for Jackson is new as Jefferson or Teddy Roosevelt were more likely to be recognized previously by the generations born after their terms.

The change is due to ATMs that spurt $20.00 bills with Jackson ‘s portrait.

Ironically, in his time Jackson opposed and defeated the central bank, which led to the banking system that we now have.

Many of the problems and issues Jackson faced as a president are echoed in our own time. Plus, he is one of the founders of the Democratic Party, and his meant-to-be derogatory nickname “Jackass”, which he liked and embraced, became the symbol for the party itself.

I see Jackson as a bit fragmented, like a cracked mirror, and my portrait of him reflects that imagery. Jackson was not an elitist, but like Lincoln later did, arose from humble beginnings and trails. He worked to protect and widen popular democracy and the rights of white men, yet was a slave owner and also supported Indian removal. Yet he had a legally adopted son, a Creek Indian orphan.

In my portrait below Jackson’s hair is coiffed and combed yet at the ends there is a wildness of some unkempt strays. This symbolizes the dichotomy of Jackson, who was proper and righteous, but had a temper that made him also a scrappy fighter.

Exodus 20 (Andrew Jackson) by Judy Rey Wasserman

In the portrait notice that Jackson ‘s lower lip – the one that will tremble and give in to resolve, is clear and firm, as is the top lip opposing it in black. Divided but resolute. This refers to his other nickname “Old Hickory”, so called because once he resolved to something he was unmoving.

All of my portraits of the Presidents of the USA are created using the original letters Bible text of Exodus 20, which is the Ten Commandments. Presidents are the governmental executives whose job it is to uphold the law. The ten Commandments are the basic laws of the Bible, and credited with inspiring the framers of the Constitution in man ways, and most especially in that they are the same for all.

I urge you to read the information about Andrew Jackson at Wikipedia . He was truly a fascinating, inspiring and complex man.

For more about the new, 21st Century Post Conceptual Essence Portraits (including color images) see the video below and check out Portrait Painting Commissions