The Art of Ice and Snow
/Art & Object has reprised one of my articles, a winter favorite from last year. I enjoyed researching this one.
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 related to the interests of writers, artists, and filmmakers.
Art & Object has reprised one of my articles, a winter favorite from last year. I enjoyed researching this one.
I was pleased to see one of the artworks I covered in a feature article for Art & Object was a year-end favorite:
https://www.artandobject.com/slideshows/11-favorite-artworks-objects-covered-2021?utm_medium=email&utm_source=notes_eletter&utm_campaign=20211217&eletter=1
Art & Object has again published my article recommending 7 recently released films about art. In case you missed it in fall 2020, the first time around, you can check it out here, including links to trailers.
https://www.artandobject.com/news/7-films-about-art-cozy-fall
I was amazed how many new art institutions have opened their doors in the past year. Life goes on and art is leading the way. See where here: https://www.artandobject.com/slideshows/flood-new-museums-sparks-hope-art-world
On October 20th, next Wednesday night at 6:30 I will be leading a workshop for all writers who want to start making money from their efforts. The workshop is on Zoom and is free but you need to be a member of the Burlington Writers Workshop which is also free to join. It is easy to sign-up on Meet-up.com. Check it out here: https://www.meetup.com/The-Burlington-Writers-Workshop/events/280840272/
Hope to see you there, Cynthia
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.
The published works of Cynthia Close on documentary film, art, and women in the arts.
© 2026 Cynthia Close
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