Gallery 85 presents The Red Zone a curated group exhibition focusing on the works by young emerging artists in the Bay Area along with mid-career artists. The theme of the exhibition will be a springboard to the gallery’s new space, the New Year and to highlight the Foundation’s mission.
Participating Artists: John Casey, Alexis Amann, Namita Kapoor, Christine Morla, Phe Ruiz, Melody Kennedy, Manny Silva, Casey Gray, Randy Bricco, Garett Malate, Bruni, Mark Gray, Lorraine Lawson, Jason Burton, Bruni, Mark Gray, Melissa Ayr and more.

“The Red Zone” Exhibition Opening Reception is being held January 14th, 2013 from 5-8PM.  Artwork will be on display from January 14th through February 10th 2013.

Gallery 85
377 Santana Row #1180
Santana Row Shopping Center (between Eli Thomas and Peet’s Coffee)
San Jose, CA 95128

Gallery 85 features work by Vernon Davis as well as work by established and emerging visual artists. The Vernon Davis Foundation for the Arts promotes arts education and art appreciation for at-risk youth and awards college art school scholarships to inner-city youth. Best known as one of the NFL?s 49ers elite pass-catching tight ends, Davis is also a talented, trained visual artist who majored in studio art at the University of Maryland.

Contemporary Abstract Artist, Melissa Ayr is an artist who paints with air. Ayr has emerged from her studio with a fresh perspective on contemporary painting with her unique practice of using a leaf blower to push paint on canvas. Ayr releases her latest works as a collection inspired by California, the Poppy Collection sets the tone and elements of this floral series with vibrant luminosity. Classically trained in the elements of composition, color and perspective, Ayr creates her own canvas and color pallet with a mixture of pigment, oil and acrylic. The Poppy collection is a body of work created entirely using air. Her instrument of choice is her signature leaf blower which enables Melissa to move layers of paint across the canvas with swift strokes creating an ethereal style that is neither tempered nor deliberate.

Video: Painting with Air – In the Studio with AYR

Ayr is not new to the concept of layering. There is a natural evolution that has taken place that has developed painting by painting and continues to evolve still. With experimentation comes new ground as she defines the style of work she builds. Ayr will often start with the colors at hand and expand. Pushing, pulling and mixing to create her unique art. Paint flows, it dries, it lies somewhere betwixt a liquid and permanence. With the addition of paint, layers form to create a background ripe for expansion or content to be present. Ayr applies the paint in translucent layers on the Canvas and is able to control the air to bend and shape into the essence of floral.

Melissa has been known to use non-traditional methods to produce her works. She has painted with her fingers, hands, arms, breasts, feet and her entire body often bathing in the colors she uses to create. Drizzling, pouring, flowing, throwing have been in her artistic repertoire as tools in her arsenal. Melissa is not attuned to any prescribed method, but chooses to be sporadic, spontaneous and unabashed in her approach to a new piece.

The art world awakens in Miami during the month of December for a host of premiere art fairs, events and all night parties. Art Basel Miami Beach, Red Dot, Pool, NADA Art Fair, Verge Art Miami Beach, and Art Miami will all be on view in early December.

The Poppy Collection will be featured at Red Dot Miami, DECEMBER 5th-8th, 2012. in Florida. Wynwood Art District, 3011 NE 1st Avenue (at NW 31st Street), Miami, FL 33137.

To find out more about the upcoming exhibition and artist Melissa Ayr visit http://www.melissaayr.com.

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About Artist Melissa Ayr:
Melissa Ayr, born in New York, is an international contemporary abstract artist. She was nationally recognized and selected as one of ten artists represented by Ruinart Champagne, a brand of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey. Her art is on the cutting edge of color with bold flowing blends of light and dark. Her style is colorful, vibrant, and full of texture. She incorporates high energy, fluidity, growth and life. She’s known for her rich vibrant color and her ability to create dimension on a flat canvas. http://www.melissaayr.com.

“Buttergirl”
3D Acrylic on Mannequin
17″ x 10″ x 14″

Buttergirl will be featured during the month of March and will be showcased at a Gala Champagne Reception on Thursday, MARCH 8, 2012. 6:00-8:00 pm in Chelsea.  511 West 25th Street #406, New York, NY 10001.

New York City — March 6, 2012 — Today, Melissa Ayr, a Brooklyn-born contemporary abstract artist releases her latest works “Eighths” and “Buttergirl.” “Eighths” is an ode to the exacerbated state of affairs of the American economy, the drug economy as well as the world. The motivation behind the collection was to see an artwork as a complete thought, yet be divisible into many pieces. With a colorful base derived in oil; spread only by her fingers, Ayr created an extraordinary piece that is greater than the sum of its parts. The dark sprays and overlays provide foreground to the rich depth behind an ever-changing image, where the light that strikes the work, changes the very mood of intent.

The American economy has been taken down by a collision of irrational exuberance, Wall Street and the American dream. Fractions of the bond market drove the mortgage crisis into a giant inferno that took out both Boardwalk and Park Place. Thinking in scarcity brought to life the worst nightmare since The Great Depression. Often the currency of the underworld, “Eighths” takes the pieces of American will and determination and aspires to deliver a single united front.

“Eighths”, a collection of eight unique yet connected pieces embodies, a dimensional whole, yet brings out the individuality of the room. This latest masterpiece by Ayr has the versatile ability to be hung in multiple rooms or as one unique piece. As a single work of art end to end, “Eighths” is an extravagant eighty inches of creativity. With spacing, “Eighths” creates an interpolation of light, darkness and balance as the painting consumes any wall and adds instant personality with room to provoke thought.

The art world comes alive in New York during the month of March for a host of premiere art events.  The Armory Show, The Art Show, The Whitney Biennial, the Cindy Sherman retrospective, the New Museum’s triennial, and Choices at the Guggenheim will all be on view in early March.

“Eighths” will be featured during the month of March and will be showcased at a Gala Champagne Reception on Thursday, MARCH 8, 2012. 6:00-8:00 pm in Chelsea.  511 West 25th Street #406, New York, NY 10001.

To find out more about the upcoming exhibition and artist Melissa Ayr visit http://www.melissaayr.com.

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About Artist Melissa Ayr:

Melissa Ayr’s mission is simple; create with passion, open the World’s mind to creativity and become the highest valued female artist of our time.  Melissa offers high end fine art using hand crafted custom made canvas, the finest quality paint and artist talent to make every original painting unique.  Melissa sells original abstract paintings in oil, acrylic and mixed media and keeps her indelible oath to grow her brand, maintain value and hold true to the trust that many collectors have placed in her.  http://www.melissaayr.com

About The Armory Show:

The Armory Show, a leading international contemporary and modern art fair and one of the most important annual art events in New York, takes place every March on Piers 92 & 94 in Manhattan. The Art Show, organized by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) and the third edition of Independent will again join The Armory Show in March. http://www.thearmoryshow.com

“Chaos” Oil on Canvas 60″ x 48″ x 1½”

Melissa Ayr unleashes “Chaos” into the New Year of 2012.  Pulled from the Ayr vault, this painting borrows from the embodiment of confusion and disorder that represents our current state of affairs.  With passive betrayal and irrational exuberance behind us “Chaos” is a beacon of color that shows the future the path towards organization.  This oil original was created out of the raw emotion and exacerbation of our political offering.  Showcased for the first time this unique work from the Fire Rainbow Series scores the beginning of the Ayr signature style.

To learn more about the artist or this available painting please contact Ayr Art.

New York, NY, March 15th, 2011 – Melissa Ayr – Contemporary Art Abstract Painter – today announces her new series of colorful paintings titled ‘SquAyr’.  The paintings will be featured at The Artist Project New York later this week.  SquAyr is the latest collection of artwork from Contemporary Abstract Artist Melissa Ayr and features a little bit of air, a little bit of Art Deco and a whole lot of color.

Melissa Ayr, born in New York, is an international contemporary abstract artist.  Melissa Ayr was nationally recognized and selected as one of ten artists represented at Art Basel Miami Beach by Ruinart Champagne, a brand of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey.  Her art is on the cutting edge of color with bold flowing blends of light and dark. Her style is colorful, vibrant, and full of texture. She incorporates high energy, fluidity, growth and life.  Melissa Ayr is known for her rich vibrant color and her ability to create dimension on a flat canvas.  Melissa paints through an expressive process she calls “Pure Creativity” and she carries this creativity into her SquAyr collection.

The SquAyr collection has been crafted with creativity and designed for flexibility. As a play on words Melissa Ayr has gone back to the basics with her use of both the square shape and the mixing of primary colors. Ms. Ayr states that, “the artwork is made during the act of playful discovery.” Her style is Abstract Expressionism and her techniques are rather unconventional. The artist utilised primary straight pigment and paint combined with “Forced Air” to craft an extraordinary set of abstract paintings on 36” x 36” geometric square canvas. The square shape provides the ability to rotate the painting to the desired orientation and can be grouped together as a set.

For additional information about the Artist please visit The Artist Project New York – Booth #105 or her website: http://www.melissaayr.com.

Melissa Ayr

Melissa Ayr is a colorful contemporary abstract painter whose work incorporates high energy, fluidity, growth, and life.  Melissa Ayr’s art has hung in the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and her art resides in homes of high profile fine art collectors.  Media Contact:  Harris Bevier 646.360.0297 media@ayrart.com

The Artist Project New York

The Artist Project is an exhibition of fine art by a selection of unrepresented international artists.  The event is featured along with the 10th annual Architectural Digest Home Design Show at Pier 92/94 March 16^th- 20^th, 2011.  Produced by MMPI, a leading producer of fine art, craft, antiques and home design shows, The Artist Project New York will present a rare opportunity to view and purchase contemporary fine art offering collectors, curators, dealers and the public direct access to a juried selection of emerging and established talent.   Media Contact: Victoria Kent 312.527.7508 vkent@mmart.com

Contact:
Harris Bevier
646.360.0297
media@ayrart.com

CONTEMPORARY ARTIST DEBUTS WEARABLE ART NEW FASHION LUXURY LIFESTYLE BRAND

Melissa Ayr Launches ‘Wearable Art’ with One of a Kind Painted Designer Jeans

DALLAS, TEXAS, February 2011 – Melissa Ayr – Contemporary Art Abstract Painter – today announces her new brand, Ayr Wear™, which will design, market and sell various lifestyle products. The new fashion luxury lifestyle brand made its official debut in December 2010 at Art Basel Miami Beach.  First to launch in the exclusive Ayr Wear line are the Wearable Art™ Painted Jeans collection.  The clothing features colorful contemporary artwork directly on the fabric of premium designer jeans and jeggings, in a painting style for which Melissa Ayr is famous.

Melissa Ayr, born in New York, is an international contemporary abstract artist.  Melissa Ayr was nationally recognized and was selected as one of ten artists represented at Art Basel Miami Beach by Ruinart Champagne, a brand of Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessey.  Her art is on the cutting edge of color with bold flowing blends of light and dark. Her style is colorful, vibrant and full of texture. She incorporates high energy, fluidity, growth and life.  Melissa Ayr is known for her rich vibrant color and the ability to create dimension on a flat canvas.  Melissa paints through an expressive process she calls “Pure Creativity” and carries this creativity into her Ayr Wear™ clothing.

The initial line consists of a collection known as Elegant Creativity – luxury designer jeans embellished with one of a kind art work in Melissa’s own signature style.  Ayr Wear™ uses a proprietary process to paint clothing that can endure everyday use.  The Elegant Creativity collection will be available in several boutiques around Dallas in the next month.

Melissa also offer’s an exclusive service to provide one of a kind Ayr Art on your favorite pair of denim’s.  This premium service will provides the ultimate fit, including your choice of colors, style, leg(s) and placement.  Melissa has painted on several famous designer brands including Seven for All Mankind, True Religion, Lucky Jeans, Joe’s Jeans, Dylan George, Citizens of Humanity, Stitch’s Jeans, Calvin Klein and many others.

Ayr Wear™ will kick-start the business with various jeans collections and will soon expand into dresses, purses and shoes to serve as a full fashion luxury lifestyle brand.

The Ayr Wear™ line will be available at high-end retailers and online. Retailers interested in carrying the line can call 646.360.0297 or send an e-mail to sales@ayrwear.com.

For more information, art work, media inquiries and interviews please contact Harris Bevier at 646.360.0297 or media@ayrart.com.

Melissa Ayr
Melissa Ayr, born in New York, is a contemporary abstract painter.  Ayr Wear™ is a fashion luxury lifestyle brand started in 2010 by Melissa Ayr.  Ayr Wear™ painted clothing is a subsidiary of Art Art, Inc.  http://www.ayrwear.com

“Plight of the Ball”
Mixed Media Painting on Canvas
48″ x 96″ x 3″

“Plight of the Ball” is the latest painting produced by contemporary abstract artist Melissa Ayr. The artwork has a focus around conflict and represents the ephemeral and ever present battle for the ball.  Pastel undertones are supplanted by the blitz of primary colors under the essence of a scrimmage line.

“Plight of the Ball” employs several techniques and media and is created on a custom made hand stretched red cotton duct canvas.  The paint contains a special blend of medium including sand and sawdust. While creating this painting Melissa hurled a football covered in paint against the canvas to make this extraordinary artwork. The background was created by Melissa only using her body and signature “release” painting method.

“China vs Google”
Acrylic on Canvas
16″ x 20″ x 3″

“China vs Google” was inspired by the significant interactions between Google and China during March 2010.  This painting was painted at the beginning of April 2010 and represents the divide between technology and the awakening of the world to propagate freedom of speech.

Google China launched in January 2006 in the belief that the benefits of increased access to information for people in China and a more open Internet outweighed the discomfort of Google agreeing to censor some results.  In March 2010, Google puts a halt to its China search engine, redirecting the site to its search site based in Hong Kong which is uncensored. (1)

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2010 to Liu Xiaobo for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.  According to the Nobel Committee, “China’s new status must entail increased responsibility. China is in breach of several international agreements to which it is a signatory, as well as of its own provisions concerning political rights. Article 35 of China’s constitution lays down that “Citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration”. In practice, these freedoms have proved to be distinctly curtailed for China’s citizens.” (2)

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_China
(2) http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2010/press.html

Official – Ruinart Event Program

This November, the pieces will travel to Miami to form a pop-up gallery at The Betsy located on Ocean Drive.  The pop-up gallery will be located in the lobby bar, where Ruinart Blanc de Blancs (100% Premier Crus Chardonnay) will be available for sale to guests wanting to sip fine champagne while browsing the exhibit, enhancing the total experience.

The artists who have been inspired by Ruinart and will be showcased at the exhibition are:  Melissa Ayr, Elijah Blue, Isaac Fortoul, Mark Leibowitz, Pascal Pierme, Johnny Robles, Dane Storrusten, Carrie Sunday, Kiki Valdes, and Trish Williams.

The exhibit closes by February 2011, at which time these contemporary works of art will travel to New York to be auctioned in the Spring. All proceeds will go to The Art of Elysium, a non-profit organization founded in 1997 supporting the creativity of children battling serious medical conditions.

About Ruinart

In 1729, when Nicolas Ruinart laid the foundations of the very first champagne house, he was in fact realizing the ambition of his uncle, Dom Thierry Ruinart. A Benedictine monk, Dom Ruinart intuitively foresaw the fame and success champagne would enjoy by gauging the popularity of this new sparkling wine amongst his contemporaries in the court of Versailles.  The House of Ruinart was the first to use Gallo Roman chalk cellars to age its wines, and opened the American market as early as 1831. Since then, Ruinart has continued to develop its reputation as the sophisticated boutique champagne for discerning wine lovers.

Press Information for Ruinart

Dorothy Bakker, Brand Manager
Ruinart Champagne
T. (212) 251-8471
Email: dorothy.bakker@mhusa.com

Jeffrey Pogash, Communications Director
Moët Hennessy USA
T. (212) 251-8337
Email:  jeffrey.pogash@mhusa.com

TEN NEW WORKS BY TEN AMERICAN ARTISTS

Contemporary abstract painter Melissa Ayr was one of “Ten Artists” 2010-2011 within the United States to be selected by Ruinart Champagne. Opening Party is Dec 2 at 7 PM – Show is up until February 28, 2011. (Proceeds from the sale of these works will be donated to charity)

Original Ayr Painting “Be Ruinart” at Art Basel Miami

"Be Ruinart"

Exhibition at The Betsy South Beach (1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, Fl) during Art Basel Miami Beach.

Kindly read about ICAF and join us. You can help alleviate suffering through Healing Arts Programs, end violence through Peace through Art Program, and grow imagination through the Arts Olympiad. Then come celebrate the next generation at the World Children’s Festival 2011.

More on our Vision…

Hear the interview.

• Melissa Ayr – Linnda Durre Radio Interview 2010-05-03 (MP3 / Podcast)

Linnda Durré is a radio and TV talk show host, journalist, author, writer, and business and
corporate consultant; an Internet, magazine and newspaper columnist; and an award winning filmmaker. She was admitted to WGA when she sold a TV series to Aaron Spelling, and she has written and hosted for the Disney Channel.

She has hosted and produced two TV shows (one national) and this is the third radio show she has hosted and produced. She has appeared on Oprah, 60 Minutes, The Today Show, Daytime, Good Morning America, The O’Reilly Factor (twice), and the local and/or national news programs on ABC, CBS, NBC, NPR, PBS, CW, and Fox.

When:
Thursday, October 28th, 2010
5:30pm – 9:30pm

Where:
Piano Gallery | Arlington Highlands
4000 Five Points Boulevard, Suite 155
Arlington, TX 76018

Black Tie Optional

Featuring Musical Performance by Danny Wright

Live Auction of a Young Chang Baby Grand Piano Painted by Internationally Acclaimed Artist Melissa Ayr.

Special Appearances by NFL Players & Local Celebrities
Television Coverage by “Inside DFW” on ION Network

Musical Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides free music lessons to hospitalized children.

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Piano Provided by the  Piano Gallery
Images Courtesy of Skipping Stone Studio

Sign the Ayr Art Guest Book

See more about the making of the Painted Piano “Live Energy”
See a sneak peak Video of Melissa Ayr’s hands on process

Arts Editor: Stephan Fowlkes
Curator: Alexander Viscio

http://www.thenewyorkoptimist.com/MelissaAyrOct2_2010.html

See a sneak peak Video of Melissa Ayr’s hands on process

Bob Rosenthal of the Piano Gallery in Dallas delivers the Baby Grand Piano.

Breaking it Down

Melissa Ayr – Baby Grand Piano – Disassemblage

Protecting the Parts.

Melissa Ayr Contemporary Abstract Artist sanding down a Baby Grand Piano in her Ayr Art Studio

Sanding done

Sanding complete now ready for Primer.

Hours of preparations to get the Piano ready.

Piano is now taking shape and composition.

This Piano is my canvas.

Half way done…

Woman Anew focuses on key issues that impact women and their families including: relationship, family, business and career, education, building and maintaining financial security, situational awareness, health and well-being, politics, social values, legal issues, and daily routines.

Hear the Interview.

• Melissa Ayr – Motivational Radio Interview with Kellie Frazier 09-14-2010 (MP3 / Podcast)