Guest curator Alex Katlan, art conservator, author and collector, painstakingly reviewed each of the 400+ artworks submitted for the January show. When it was over, he said, "I was looking for competence in the execution of the work, not so much the style." The January calendar selection is evidence of his flexibility and interest in a variety of media and approaches. Alex was especially interested in the oil paintings, but also chose work which crossed over between two art forms, mentioning specifically, Chanit Roston's Uplifted, (painting and sculpture), and Dan McCormack's Annelise... (photography and digital). Alex selected Marc Kehoe's oil, Above Ancona, for the important first Saturday of the month. He admired Jean Marcellino's, graphite portrait, Bellisima, which, perhaps with a tribute to its title, starts the New Year. Jacqui Morgan's Darlinda & Pinky celebrating Christmas made him laugh out loud. He also liked Ephraim Natkins solid pen and wash drawing of a seated man, which has the honor of ending January.

New at barebrush beginning this month, all of the artists selected for the calendar receive two (2) complimentary 60-day listings. Also the Curator's Choice Award nominees announcement moves to the 10th of the month (when voting begins). Each of the Curator's Choice Award nominees receive a total of ten (10) complimentary 60-day listings at that time (8 addtional) and are eligible for Curator's Choice Award cash prizes as well.

The artists represented for January 2008 are: Roger Cummiskey (3), Donelli J. DiMaria (25), Cassandra Einstein (21), Isabela Gabrielson (14), Kasper Holten (7), Leon Nicholas Kalas (11), Marc Kehoe (5), Francien Krieg (15), Tony Lee (12), Lucinda Luvaas (22), Jean Marcellino (1, 6, 30), Dan McCormack (16), Mercadoocasio (2), Jacqui Morgan (19), Ephraim Natkins (23, 31), Frank Olesen (17), Jon Rettich (24), Emily Rich (4), Jennie Rosenbaum (18), Chanit Roston (8, 9), William Rothstein (27), Ilene Skeen (20), Suhas Tavkar (28), Randy Thurman (29), Haydee Torres (13), Escha van den Bogerd (10), and Yukako (26).

Check the 'New Art' to see the entries for the current contest. You can also enjoy the art offline with the free printer-friendly version and weekly planner (click on the tiny calendar icons, next to the month/year, above), or shop for barebrush gear (top menu). Click on the link at left for information on Alex Katlan's latest book, The Black and White Exhibitions of the Salmagundi Sketch Club 1878 to 1887: A Guide to Etchings, Engravings, Drawings, Sculpture, Ceramics, Oils and Monotypes

Thank you all for your interest and participation in barebrush.com, dedicated to the art of the nude.