Won grant from RHCF!

I'm excited to announce that I've received a 2009 grant from the Ruth and Harold Chenven foundation! See details here: http://www.chenvenfoundation.org/winningartists.htm

New Lost Boys Painting

Another Lost Boys painting is done! I've been so busy with transcribing their interviews lately that I haven't been doing as much painting as I'd like.

This is Yaak Chol Jurkuch, from Virginia. His story is riveting- stay tuned for the book of all the interviews (31 so far) and paintings of all the Sudanese I've met with in the past year!

" When I was growing up as a kid I always thought America was on my side all the time. When I would see a UN plane I would say “oh America!”. Then when I was in the refugee camp I thought that America didn't care about us. "
- Yaak Chol Jurkuch

They Be We is available for purchase!

Check out the new book They Be We, featuring my words and art!

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/718832

This is a compilation of self-portraits from 15 woman artists. The honesty and beauty of these portraits will truly touch the viewer.

New Book: They Be We

http://theybewe.wordpress.com/


I'm in a new book, coming out soon! It's full of some amazing self-portraits of different woman artists. Check out the link, and I will post an update when it is available.

Article in Constellation Magazine!

Check out this article about my Lost Boys project! Click on the image to read.

updated sites

Just wanted to mention that I've updated my etsy.com and cafepress.com sites!

Check them out here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5830050

http://www.cafepress.com/mudgefactory

Pics from Leo Kesting opening

I almost forgot to post some pics from the opening in January at Leo Kesting. It was a great night- hundreds of people there, and a great response to my work. Here are some photos taken by the gallery of us installing the work and the opening.

First Lost Boy portrait done!

The first painting of my Lost Boys of Sudan portrait project is finished! This is Atem Ajok, and I met him and his brother last October in New Jersey (they were speaking at a school).

I'm excited to finally get this project underway. I'm still looking for funding, but I've gotten a little bit to start with and I'm hoping to plan some trips in the very near future.

Show Announcement! Jan 15th!

I have a show coming up at Leo Kesting Gallery, in NYC!

I'll be showing some new pieces, as well as some older stuff. If you're in the area, come check it out!

More info at www.leokesting.com

Leo Kesting Gallery Presents:
Sleazy Rider
Dave Tree, Greg Manis, Sergio Coyote, Kelly Mudge & Martin McCormack
January 15 - February 8, 2009
Opening Night Reception for the Artists:
Thursday Jan 15, 7:00 - 10:00 PM
812 Washington St (at Gansevoort) NY NY 10014
8th Ave A, C, E & L train Stop or 1,2,3 to 14th St
Tue - Sun from 11:00 am until 7:00 pm
Admission is free to the public.
phone: 917-650-3760 / 917-292-8865 online at http://leokesting.com

Kicking off the New Year in style, Leo Kesting Gallery invites the public to experience American culture on the skids at “Sleazy Rider”, a collection of new works from artists that encompass the troubled life associated with bad economics.

The criminal fringe, Massachusetts’s witch burning, indentured servant Americana asleep on the metro and the metaphysical dreamscape they explore are all open topics in this new exhibition which opens to the pubic on January 15th.

"Kelly Mudge’s lifelike depictions of the rebel fringe and trancelike states they achieve are perfect complements to Martin McCormack’s Sleeper series showcasing the overworked as they drift to nirvana during their daily commute," states gallery director John Leo. "Similarly, Sergio Coyote's 'Vomit Style' paintings represent the illusory state America escapes to in these depressing times"

On the ground floor of the gallery, artists Dave Tree and Greg Manis recreate the biker lounge that lies in the heart of troubled American youth. "Just like Marlon Brando's The Wild One or Salem's Witch Hunt, these artists work to define the extremes our culture produces when left to its own devices during meager times" explains Gallerist David Kesting.

Leo Kesting Gallery invites you to join us in unveiling this new visual environment with a reception for the artists on Thursday January 15 from 7:00 until 10:00 pm and then running daily until February 8th.

From its origins as Capla Kesting Fine Art in Brooklyn, the Leo Kesting Gallery launched in 2003 and developed an aggressive campaign to introduce new figurative artists to collectors and art supporters. Leo Kesting offers the art viewing public an opportunity to see forthcoming talents in an intimate setting where undiscovered, cutting-edge artists are presented to the contemporary art scene.

Leo Kesting Gallery is located at 812 Washington St at the corner of Gansevoort in Manhattan's Meat Packing District. A, C, E, or L train to 8th Ave and 14th Street or 1,2,3 train to 14th Street. Gallery hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 11am until 7pm.