Jerry Blank's Blog

Launching First Mini Auction on Facebook

2010-05-20T07:47:00.000-07:00

Check it out. My first art auction on Facebook. You can choose from nineteen giclées of paintings of Europe. These pieces are terrific for those nooks and crannies that need a special splash of color or an evocative image. Or they make great gifts too.

It's easy to secure a bid. Just enter the "Buy it Now" price in the "Comments" section and it's yours. Or you can start the bidding at $10 and advance the bid in increments of just $1.00. How about that... collecting limited edition giclées by Jerry Blank for a little as $35.00 in some cases. Just go to http://www.facebook.com/jerry.blank1 and have a look.

I'd appreciate your comments and feedback too. I'll incorporate your good ideas into future art auctions.

I'm celebrating Cinco De Mayo

2010-05-05T07:57:00.000-07:00

I'm celebrating Cinco De Mayo for many good reasons.

Cinco De Mayo, May 5, 1862 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and a traitor Mexican army. It's a complicated story. But Americans celebrate our neighbor's victory too. One of the reasons is that when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, thousands of Mexicans joined the American Armed Forces to fight our war with us. Mexicans, you see, never forget who their friends are, and neither do Americans. That's why Cinco de Mayo is such a party -- a party that celebrates freedom and liberty. There are two ideals which Mexicans and Americans have fought shoulder to shoulder to protect, ever since the 5th of May, 1862. VIVA! el CINCO DE MAYO!

Secondly, I'm personally celebrating my art on Macys.com (search Wall Art). Macy's has a dozen of my most popular European landscape and cityscape paintings available in open-edition framed giclées for their huge market. Check out the site. "Thank you", Dennis at Future Media Development for all your hard work getting me on-line with Macy's.

Thirdly, my thanks to Robin at Wyland Gallery for hosting my "Impressions of Vegas" show at Wyland Gallery at Planet Hollywood. It was great to see old friends and clients and make new friends too. Also, "Thank You" Lou Anne for bringing Cari and Claudia, two extraordinary beautiful Showgirls, to show their stuff at the gallery.

More "Thank you"s!

Thanks to Dianne and Janet at LIVING WELL Nevada Magazine for the back cover of this month's issue.

I just completed a Tribute painting to Jimmy Durante in Las Vegas. What a face! It was a fun piece to paint. Tom Jones is next.

I'm working on a new series of Sports Legends— Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax, Jimmy Johnson, Dale Earnhardt and other Nascar drivers, Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West (my BB hero), Walter Payton, Joe Montana, and more. Stay tuned...

Impressions of Vegas

2010-04-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

What's Happening?

2010-03-05T07:58:00.000-08:00

Website update:
Check out my updated website. I've added new paintings and some old ones that I didn't have a category in which to place them. Now you can see 98% of my work as a painter. www.goblankart.com

Artist Show:
The unveiling of my Las Vegas Showgirl series (at least the first painting) will be at the Wyland Gallery at Planet Hollywood on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 23, 24 and 25. In addition to showing many of my Las Vegas paintings, I'll be painting throughout the weekend (I'll post exact times later) and I'll have several Las Vegas Showgirls in costume for you to meet. That should be fun.

Endangered Species Collection:
I've posted on-line the first three paintings of my Endangered Species Collection. The first three are the
Tiger, African Lion and the American Black Bear. The list of Endangered Species is very long. I'm going to build on this collection throughout the upcoming years. A substantial portion of the sale of these paintings will be donated to wildlife organizations who are working to save these beautiful species.
If you are interested in collecting these little gems, the price for an original oil is at a very low price. Check them out: www. goblankart.com (click on Species).

Commissioned Art:
I always enjoy getting involved with an enthusiastic collector who wants something special and custom.
A family portrait, that special person, a scene from a place you've visited, a celebrity, object or event that has a special meaning, or 'whatever'. We make it a collaboration and create a memorable distinctive painting. If you have something in mind, give me a call or an email and we'll explore the possibilities together. Check out some of the commissioned paintings I've done at www.goblankart.com (click on 'custom').

Artist Quote:
"Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life." Picasso

Until next time, put a little art in your life.

Jerry

Introducing my Endangered Species Collection

2010-02-18T10:47:00.000-08:00

This is the first three paintings in daunting list of endangered species throughout the world. I hope to capture a substantial amount of these endangered animals, fish, birds, etc. on canvas. These paintings are small, only 10"x10" oils on gallery-wrapped canvas. A significant portion will be donated to organizations which are working to save these animals. I'll let you know more about that after I do a little homework. (Your suggestions are welcome.)

The first three: American Black Bear, Tiger and the African Lion. If you're interested in collecting any or all of these pieces Please contact me direct.

New European Paintings

2010-02-18T10:20:00.000-08:00

I've just completed some new landscape paintings, a nice departure from my 'celebrity' series. I went digging through some old photos from my European travels and found some images of places that I enjoyed visiting while living in Paris. Makes me want to get on plane, rent a car and meander through the south of France once again. Anybody up for a painting adventure in France?

White Steeple, oil, 18"x18" (not exactly sure which village this is since I'm not a proficient note taker) and Villefranche-sur-Mer, oil, 28"x22" are new paintings which will be presented at the Ireland Gallery, 13 Old South Wharf, Nantucket, MA 02554

If you're interested in collecting these pieces, contact me before they ship to MA. and I'll get them to you.
Call me direct: 702 324 2193

New Work: Dolly and Elvis

2010-01-26T07:34:00.000-08:00

Just completed two new commissioned oils: Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley. I'm very pleased with both pieces. Each piece is on a gallery-wrapped canvas, 18" x 24". They are part of a fifteen painting collection that a Calgary client/friend has commissioned. My client chooses the music legend from his eclectic taste in music and then I paint the singer/musician that, hopefully, captures the essence of the the artist. Got a few more to paint to complete the collection. I'll be posting the next pieces when they're completed.

"I've Got No Storage Space" Sale

2009-12-31T16:04:00.000-08:00

Hi guys, wer're wrapping up the first decade of this new century and may I say, it isn't too fast to say good-bye to ten years of some ugly stuff— 9/11 to financial collapses to extremist Muslims, divorces, businesses going under, etc. etc. And I didn't even mention the 49ers being in the tank too. I guess most of us have lived through it but, damn it, we're ten years older.

Enough of that, now for the good news... I mean great news. We've got a new decade with the economy look up (sort of), bright skies ahead and I think many of us are poised for new successes, new adventures and new discoveries. I know I am. I'm ready to find new venues to display and sell my art. By the way, the art seems to get better. Maybe it's that age and experience thing. And I've got some new directions and concepts I'll be exploring right away... maybe as soon as the ball drops in New York City.

Anyway, the title of this blog post is "I've Got No Storage Space" Sale, which means I'm wanting to move some art and giclées because Park West Gallery is shipping 45 pieces of my art back to me (guess that's the end of my sailing adventures) and my storage situation is tight, tight, tight! So what I want to do is offer some original art and giclées to you at some amazing prices. Did I mention: Amazing Prices? This is the first of many "IGNSS" blasts so there's more to come. Check it out, and if you find something that'll brighten your space, collect it.

Have a Happy New Decade full of wonder, health, love and prosperity!!!

Jerry

Season's Greetings

2009-12-22T14:56:00.000-08:00

Holiday Yard Sale

2009-12-08T11:11:00.000-08:00

E-Magazine vol 7: Holiday Yard Sale— Great Last Minute Gift Ideas That Will Last A Lifetime! Check it out. There's some fabulous gift ideas at sensational prices. Go to www.goblankart.com and click on "Holiday Yard Sale". If you need something special, including a custom portrait of your family, child or pet, please inquire with me. jerry@goblankart.com

Introducing a new book Jerry Blank Paintings: A Journey

2009-11-30T09:41:00.000-08:00

I'm pleased to present a beautiful new book of my recent and not so recent paintings. The book features the most current works from my Jazz Greats, Rock-n-Roll Icons, Sports and Celebrity Legends, as well as, some paintings of the Las Vegas Strip, remembrances of a Year in Paris, some nudes and other explorations. Check it out. You can buy the book on-line at Blurb.com. Click the link to preview and purchase the book. This very colorful coffee-table book will make a terrific gift for the Holidays. Jerry Blank Paintings: A Journey

New Paintings: Tina and Willie

2009-11-27T09:21:00.000-08:00

Just completed two new commissioned paintings. Tina and Willie. Both great performers with fabulous faces. (oil, 18"x24")

See more of my "Music Greats" paintings at www.goblankart.com

2009-11-23T06:54:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas Showgirl Paintings- Part 2

Lou Anne Harrison Chessik, ex-showgirl and producer of a new exhibition called "Showgirls— The Legacy of Glitz and Glamour", talks about various costumes showgirls have adorned over the years. Check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YGV3u1V2TE

Jubilee at Bally's

2009-11-20T08:55:00.001-08:00

Saw Jubilee at Bally's last eve. It's the last production show with real showgirls left on the strip. Sets and costumes have not changed in twenty-five years. I must say it was fabulous. I recommend this show to anyone who wants a glimpse of yesteryear. By the was the beautiful ladies, and I do mean beautiful, are current. Check it out before it's gone forever.

Las Vegas Showgirls

2009-11-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

I'm starting a new series of six foot paintings called Las Vegas Showgirls. This is going to be an exciting and fun project. I'm working with Lou Anne Harrison Chessik, former Las Vegas Showgirl and now historian and expert about the history of showgirls and the shows and venues in Las Vegas. She is developing an exhibition which will feature paintings of showgirls by various professional artists, displays of show girl costumes, videos and photographs from the early days of the Las Vegas shows up to the present. The show will be traveling to Los Angeles, London and Paris. My work will create impressions of the glamour, beauty and history of that era and will travel with the show.

I'm attempting to do something new with this project. I'll be videotaping the entire process from meetings with Lou Anne and learning about the various shows, selecting images from old photos and film footage, laying-out the paintings, sketching images on canvas and then painting the pieces in oil. I'll be posting small video clips on YouTube frequently as the paintings progress. We just completed our first interviews with Lou Anne... she even put on a showgirl costume for us. I'll be posting the first clips this week. I hope it'll be fun and interesting to follow along. You can find me on YouTube at JerryBlankman. Give me a view and you'll see how I create a painting.

2009-11-11T14:41:00.000-08:00

Just completed a commissioned painting "Poker Boys", an oil of six college buddies who have been playing poker together for twenty-five years. There was a seventh buddy who passed away in college so these guys collect all the money they've bet and at the end of the weekend, send it to CalLutheran University, their 'alma mater' for their passed pal's scholarship fund. It was a blast painting them and my client loves the piece and is planning on getting giclées for all the guys. Sometimes commissions can be a little awkward, but this one just fell into place. Yeah! If you've got an idea for a custom piece— a family member, an event, a place, moment that you'd love to capture on canvas, give me a call. You can see more of my work at www.goblankart.com

Poker Boys painting nears completion

2009-11-09T06:53:00.000-08:00

Just couldn't wait to post this new painting I'm working on. Poker Boys, a painting of seven college buddies who get together every year for a weekend of poker, reminiscing, and merriment. One of the guys died while in college so everyone's winnings get thrown into a pot and donated to a scholarship fund at their university, Cal Lutheran. This painting commemorates their twenty-fifth year together as friends and poker buddies. This painting has been created from a collection of old photos, snapshots and stories of there poker weekends. Lots of beer, burgers, darts, loose change and laughter. It's been a fun project to paint. I'll post the finished piece later this week.

If you'd like to see more of my work, go to: www.goblankart.com. Join me on facebook— search Jerry Blank and follow me on Twitter— JerryJazzman

Jimi Hendrix poster

2009-11-02T09:07:00.000-08:00

Hey, with the holidays coming up, here's a great gift for music lovers everywhere. The beautiful 24" x 36" Jimi Hendrix Poster. And you can get it signed by the artist, me! It's a fabulous inexpensive gift. Get one for yourself too. It looks great framed or unframed. Get it at www.goblankart.com

2009-10-27T08:30:00.001-07:00

New Paintings by Jerry Blank: Tribute to Madonna, Tribute to Kerry King. Oil on canvas 18"x24" Gallery-wrap. See more at www.goblankart.com

New Painting

2009-10-24T08:32:00.000-07:00

Just completed a beautiful oil called "Morning Java". 16"x 20" See more of my work at:

www.goblankart.com.

Interested in a personal commission?

Drop me a note.

Artist Starts Blog

2009-10-21T10:01:00.000-07:00

This is the first communication for my blog. I'll be displaying new work, sharing ideas for and about painting and keeping you current with personal appearances, events and what's happening.

You can find me on Twitter too. JerryJazzman is my call name. See my work at

www.goblankart.com. Check it out.

Drop me a line and subscribe to my E-Magazine.

Jerry