Masters: Collage, has just been published by Lark books, and Randel Plowman, 47-year-old collage artist, is its curator. It is a sumptuous feast of extremely varied approaches to the medium.

Each master is featured in an eight-page spread, and the range is from serious to light-hearted. In the foreword, Randel says that a school assignment “was the beginning of my enduring love affair with the wonderfully inclusive medium of collage – a genre that embraces just about every conceivable material and creative technique.”

Plowman’s accompanying text gives life and context to the art displayed in impressive photographs.

Go to http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1600591086?ie=UTF8&tag=arthaus66-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1600591086 to purchase the book.

Lark Books Description:

Meet the Masters of Collage! Versatility, innovation, inspiration—that’s what The Masters series offers artists and crafters, and this superb new collection offers a stunning look at contemporary collage work from approximately 40 leading artists. It features a breathtaking mix of techniques from traditional cut-and-paste to digital to collage with paint or encaustic, and styles ranging from wildly playful and colorful to evocative, almost monochrome images. Each highlighted master takes center stage in an informative eight-page feature that includes nearly a dozen gorgeous, high-quality photos plus a short essay by curator Randel Plowman placing the impressive work and its creator in context. The innovative featured artists include:Cecil Touchon  – Jonathan Talbot  -  Lynne Perrella  -  Lynn Whipple  -  James Michael Starr – Cristina Clarimon and others

ArtHaus66 Contemporary Gallery

Type of business:
Fine Art Gallery

Owners:
Craig H. Alinder

Ages:
32

Hometown:
Chicago, Illinois

Business Address:
6320 Linn NE Suite C (E. side of San Pedro just N. of Central) Albuquerque, NM 87108

Business Phone:
(505) 255-0872 / (505) 830-9653

Business Fax:
(505) 830-9653

Business Email:
craig@arthaus66.com

Business Website:
www.arthaus66.com

Number of Employees:
2

How did you get started in this business?
You may say that I married into it … my wife had experience with the gallery world on both sides of the spectrum: as an artist seeking venues and as a curator organizing exhibitions.

What is your business philosophy?
Our main goal is to show that everyone can be an art collector. We strive to make quality contemporary art very affordable for everyone. We feel strongly about putting contemporary art in every home, in every office …

What is your educational background?
My own background is in Religious Studies and Advertising … sounds like a crazy mix. My wife’s is in Fine Arts and Art Education.

What is your or your company’s greatest asset?
Talented artists. Unwavering dedication.

What are your strongest business traits?
I just work incessantly. It’s like a treasure hunt for that special piece … I know I can match it to someone out there who’s just right for it …

What motivates you to succeed besides the desire to make money?
If the work does not find a home it becomes stagnant, invisible … and a society without art is dead …

How is operating your own business different than you expected?
It’s more emotional. I am a pragmatist, but I am dealing with people who often wear their hearts on their sleeves … that’s the nature of art and artists …

What significant changes have you implemented recently?
We have opened up to other sources such as Korea and New Zealand. We are organizing shows overseas.

What successes in the past year are you most proud of accomplishing?
Staying solvent … Albuquerque’s been playing the “last art gallery standing” game. We’re still standing.

What do you offer that the competition doesn’t?
Nobody can beat our prices. We are also the one source for contemporary art from Spain … Spain is a treasure trove for amazing contemporary artists that are very collectable.

How do you maintain your competitive edge?
We will find the work customers want. Our website is updated daily. We ship from overseas. We also deliver to your door in Albuquerque and offer consultations regarding the placement of art in your home or business.

What contributions to the community (charitable or otherwise) are you most proud of?
Privately we donate to the Animal Humane Association, ARCA, Heifer … but never for publicity to benefit our business. How would that be charity?

In what area of your business do you invest the most energy?
Maintaining an excellent artist/gallery relationship. Without artists, we’re dead in the water.

If you had to choose another career or start another business, what would it be?
Tightrope walker. It’s so similar to what I do now … and so much less dangerous.

Press Release
ILLUMINE Press Release – Click Here to Download

Dates
April 3 – April 24

Receptions
Meet the Artists Opening Reception – Friday April 3rd | 5 – 9 pm
Gallery Reception – Saturday April 18th | 5 – 9 pm

Press Release
Self Evident Press Release – Click Here to Download

Dates
February 28 – March 22

Receptions
Saturday February 28th | 5 – 9 pm
Friday March 6th | 5 – 9 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ArtHaus66 Gallery

Contact: Craig H. Alinder, Owner

Tel: (505) 830-9653

Email: craig@arthaus66.com

First Friday Reception – December 5, 2008 5:00- 9:00 pm

ArtHaus66 Gallery is proud to present its second annual group show exclusively devoted to contemporary Spanish artists. Piedra, Papel, Lienzo y Tijeras: Contemporary Spanish Artists II, returns to ArtHaus66 with a whole new collection of young artists who exemplify the latest artistic trends in Spain and the rest of Europe.

The seven invited artists who collaborate in this project all work and live in the capital city of Madrid. Though some originally come from other parts of Spain, they share the metropolitan surroundings of this big city. Its influence is obvious in most of the pieces included in the exhibition. Whether in urban landscapes or imagined seascapes nostalgically evoked by the artist, the old world appeal of landlocked Madrid permeates each of the creations. 

These contemporary artists feed off the many contrasting trends that are particularly vital to Madrid: tradition and innovation, past and present. Long-standing techniques such as printmaking emerge as vehicles of cutting edge modernity while drawing becomes an exercise in avant-garde restrain.

Andres Delgado is originally from the Canary Islands, Spain. He is an abstract painter who devotes most of his work to the study of landscapes. Having been born on an island, his work is full of references to the ocean.

Juan Pablo Villalpando was born in Madrid, Spain. He has exhibited internationally since 1992. He is a master printer and director of Escuela de Arte No. 10. His work is pure line and an exercise in effortless elegance and simplicity

Susana Murias was also born in Madrid and her work lovingly echoes the interior views of city dwellings. Calligraphy, printmaking and painting merge to generate a nostalgic, personal and sincere body of work.

Maria Calzadilla is a native from Madrid. A young artist with an exceptional style of elegant minimalism. Her work is quiet and pensive. A respite for the eyes and the soul in the bustling metropolis.

Sonia Higuera was born in Santander. Her work is beautifully stark and surprisingly evocative. Black silhouettes of birds in flight furtively traverse the images, leaving behind only a soft, fleeting memory.

Miriam Cantera owns and operates El Mono de la Tinta, a studio and gallery space devoted exclusively to advance the work of contemporary printmakers in Madrid. Her work is emblematic of the resurgence of abstraction in contemporary Spanish printmaking.

Elena Jimenez was born in the coastal city of Alicante, Spain.  She currently lives and works in Madrid. Her current prints echo the earth tones from the Mediterranean landscapes from her childhood. The organic shapes create surfaces of incredible depth and visual interest.

Piedra, Papel, Lienzo y Tijeras: Contemporary Spanish Artists II runs from November 20 to December 31, 2008. The reception, free and open to the public, will take place on Friday, December 5th 2008 from 5 to 9 pm. The gallery is otherwise open by appointment. Three high resolution images are attached to this press release. For more information contact Craig Alinder at (505) 830-9653 or email craig@arthaus66.com

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