Jeff Bye's haunting paintings of abandoned interiors
/I found Jeff Bye's paintings of abandoned spaces haunted me long after I wrote this preview of his work for Art New England opening at Edgewater Gallery in Middlebury on October 8th.
Here you will find postings of recently published articles, book, film and exhibition reviews written by me. Occasionally I'll toss in a link to something of interest to practicing writers, artists, and filmmakers.
I found Jeff Bye's paintings of abandoned spaces haunted me long after I wrote this preview of his work for Art New England opening at Edgewater Gallery in Middlebury on October 8th.
Dear Cynthia,
Thank you for sending "Slip-Sliding Away" to us. We love it for its fearless emotional depth, honesty, and elegant prose, and would be honored to include it in our literary exhibit. We can offer $100 for it. Please let us know at your earliest convenience if it is still available. We’re eager to hear from you!
Warmly,
Kenny
Nonfiction Editor
Neon Door
The American-born artist James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903) and Irish-born model Joanna Hiffernan (1839–1886) met in 1860 and began a close professional and personal relationship that lasted for two decades. Bringing together for the first time nearly all of Whistler’s depictions of Hiffernan, The Woman in White explores their partnership and the iconic works of art resulting from their life together. Read my review in Art & Object here:
https://www.artandobject.com/articles/woman-white-joanna-hiffernans-influence-james-whistler
Vermont artist Paul Gruhler is having a moment. At the age of 80, he is still going strong having amassed an impressive oeuvre of 60 years of artwork. It was a privilege getting to know him and his work for this review in the current issue of Art New England.
https://artnewengland.com/paul-gruhler-harmonics-60-years-of-life-in-art-the-chelsea-series-1963-1978/
We may all be feeling a little otherworldly given the tectonic shifts required to navigate the pitfalls of our present into an unknown future. Supernatural America: The Paranormal in American Art is a touring exhibition of the long history of artists exploring the unseen. Check out my preview in Art and Object of this upcoming show.
https://www.artandobject.com/news/supernatural-america-paranormal-american-art
The July/August issue of Art New England is packed with uplifting, inspirational, and just plain fun art-related things to do and see. I wrote about Vermont's delightful Farm to Ballet project here: https://artnewengland.com/open-for-joy/
There's also this: Public Art: DATMA 2021 Honors Women in the Fishing Industry and a review of the amazing 60 years of Paul Gruhler's life in art: Paul Gruhler—Harmonics: 60 Years of Life in Art, The Chelsea Series 1963–1978 at Highland Center for the Arts, but you have to buy the print magazine or get a subscription to read the whole thing.
In writing this preview of abstract expressionist Joan Mitchell's retrospective for Art & Object I was reminded why she deserves our renewed attention.
https://www.artandobject.com/news/long-awaited-joan-mitchell-retrospective-why-it-matters
The abstract expressionist painter/poet Michael (Corinne) West was a discovery for me. Check out my profile in Art & Object of her new show at Hollis Taggart in NYC.
https://www.artandobject.com/news/epilogue-michael-wests-monochrome-climax-hollis-taggart
Vermont provides sanctuary for some of our most creative and idiosyncratic artists. Matt Neckers is one of my personal favorites. It was a pure pleasure interviewing him for this studio visit in the May issue of Art New England.
The often-contentious relationship between artists and those who write about art is as old as culture itself. Writing this article for Art & Object reminded me of that history.
https://www.artandobject.com/articles/artists-vs-art-critics-combative-yet-symbiotic-relationship
I learned a lot about the enigmatic artist M.C.Escher while writing this review of a newly released filmed biography about his life and work.
https://www.artandobject.com/news/mc-escher-journey-infinity-film-brings-artist-back-life
I was encouraged about the future of art to help us out of our current multiple crises when I interviewed the artists involved in the establishment of Compound, a new center for art and community in Long Beach, California. Read about it here in Art & Object: https://www.artandobject.com/news/compound-new-arts-space-cements-role-agent-change
Writing this review for Art & Object of David Hockney: Drawing From Life, the ongoing exhibition at the Morgan Library and Museum provided a respite from current events.
https://www.artandobject.com/news/david-hockney-drawing-life
Hockney's upbeat, positive view of his life and the people in it are a demonstration that there is beauty in aging and love can be forever.
To distract you from the weirdness of our cultural moment here's my latest list of films to watch about art published by Art & Object:
https://www.artandobject.com/news/7-films-about-art-beat-winter-blahs
I submitted an essay to Blood & Bourbon, a Canadian literary journal because their manifesto rang true to me. Evidently, my writing also rang true to them as they selected my piece titled Night Fishing for inclusion in their upcoming 2021 issue. I'll post a link upon publication.
My review of photographer Rachel Portesi's Hair Portraits exhibition at the Brattleboro Museum was just published in the reborn, newly launched Art New England. It was touch-and-go for a while, as they were forced to suspend publication in March, after 40 years in business. I'm so pleased to still be writing for this venerable publication that survived the economic aftermath of COVID.
Poetic Kinetics offers an opportunity for everyone to freely express a personal vision for the future and create an inspirational artwork that will travel across America. Check out my article in Art & Object and add your thoughts here: https://www.artandobject.com/news/poetic-kinetics-envisions-change-air
My feature article for the November issue of Artist’s Magazine examines the never quite resolved argument about the greatest impact on artistic talent, genetics or culture and training? https://www.artistsnetwork.com/store/featured-products/digital-magazine-featured-products/artists-magazine-nov-2020-digital/
My essay Going Hunting is included in the anthology Humans in the Wild, newly released by Swallow Publishing. The book offers a wide selection of poetry, fiction, and nonfiction addressing gun violence in America. https://www.swallowpublishing.com/books/humans-in-the-wild-reactions-to-a-gun-loving-country/
Out of a total of 2,400 submissions, I am proud to say my essay Just Looking: A reflection on John Updike and what it means to write about art was selected for the annual print literary journal Bacopa Literary Review. It is now available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HTM6DKV?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
The published works of Cynthia Close on documentary film, art, and women in the arts.
© 2025 | Cynthia Close
Website developed by Radiance Studios LLC | Powered by Squarespace.