Cava Mezze Mural

By the time my show, La Vida Intensa at Hillyer Art Space, was in full swing, I got an email from an Interior designer doing work for a new Greek restaurant on Capitol Hill. Apparently she had picked up one of my postcards at my tent during last year’s Arts on Foot (another lesson in getting out there to be seen) and wanted me to paint a mural for the new place. The opportunity was too great to pass up even though we were busy packing for our trip to introduce our son to my wife’s family in Argentina, so I accepted.

It had been a while since I had painted a mural, so it was interesting to have to think again about what paint to use, how to get up there (scaffolding), and how to transfer my final drawing onto the wall. In the end everything went smoothly, I finished in one week; one day before we left for our trip and three days before the restaurant opened.

For those of you interested in checking out the mural and want to sample the really delicious food, head over to Cava Mezze on 8 st SE in Capitol Hill (just a couple of doors down from the new Matchbox).

SI-LA 47

Good news! My painting, "El Fin," was selected to be in the gallery section of the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles's illustration annual #47.

Hillyer Show Opening and WrapUp

The show is over and now long gone, but I thought that I’d post a few thoughts about the opening and mid-show opening.

Opening Night: After an extremely long and hectic week (the birth of my son) it was great to see friends, family and a ton of people I didn’t know show up to see what I had been working on all of those months. I didn’t have a chance to really talk to anyone (as is always the case at one of these things) but I met a lot of new people interested in my art. It was a great turnout, breaking Hillyer’s attendance record (over 500) and leaving me even more dazed and tired, but happy.

(mid)Opening Night: So the show was up for almost 2 months and mid-way through, Hillyer held a second “opening.” This time the crowd was more manageable and I could actually relax and had the opportunity to have conversations about my work. It’s funny, but after coming up with ideas for paintings, I have a tendency to be more interested in the actual application of paint rather than the subject of the painting. Those conversations with complete strangers sort of bring me back to the larger picture (in terms of what I am hoping to convey with my art) and can be quite inspiring. Also, having my wife and son be able to attend was another bonus!

Wrap-up: I have to say I’m extremely happy with the way the show turned out. The Hillyer staff was wonderfully flexible since I wasn’t too available in the days preceding the show (because of the birth) and installed everything without me. They did a great job of promoting the show and in the end it just about sold out!

Washington Post's Weekend Express

I found out that one of my new paintings, She Loves Me (she loves me not), got printed in the Washington Post's Weekend Express's gallery section yesterday.

There's a pretty nice blurb about my show "La Vida Intensa" at Hillyer Art Space (running through April 24th): "Not Half-hearted - From the vivid colors and exaggerated posturing, the characters and canvasses of Gregory Ferrand tell vibrant and emotional stories from the fully-lived side of life."

I'm not sure if you can still pick up copies, but if not, you can go here and then click to page 21 to see the full page.

Antony and the Johnsons in DC

Back in February, I had the good fortune to see Antony and the Johnsons promoting their new album (The Crying Light) at the I St. Synagogue; if you've never heard Antony then you are missing out on something incredibly unique), it was probably one of the best shows I've ever seen. I recently became aware of a brief video NPR put out of the show. Check it out here.

WAMU 88.5's Art Beat

I'm happy to say that Hillyer Art Space has done a tremendous job in promoting my solo show "La Vida Intensa."
Last Friday I got a call from someone who heard a little plug for the show on DC's public radio station! If you're interested in reading the transcript or hearing it yourself click here and scroll down to the section titled Art Beat" with Stephanie Kaye - Weekend Events, March 6-8, 2009. (WAMU is my favorite radio station hence the excitement!)

Tired, tired and tired...... but extremely happy!

I am happy to announce that on March 2, 2009 at 9:11 pm, my amazing and beautiful son, Luca Bautista Ferrand was born, weighing in at 6.11 lbs and measuring 20.5 inches long (a string bean for sure)!

He was a week early but kind enough to wait for me to finish the last painting for my show at Hillyer Art Space the morning he was born.

The labor and birth were really incredible to witness and I was left with a deep sense of awe and respect for the strength and self-sacrificing nature my wife possesses, she was incredible that day. Staying calm and focused, she worked hard and was able to deliver a healthy and strong Luca only 3 hours after we arrived at the hospital!

Now we're all home. Things have changed. We're sleeping less, but we're enjoying this new life we're living!

Welcome Luca!!!