Anahi DeCanio art exhibitions for Summer Season of 2024. 
Luminary - NYC
Bergdorf Goodman - NYC
National Art League - NY
YMF Contemporary- Southampton, NY
Oscar Molina Gallery - Southampton, NY
William Ris Gallery - North Fork, NY
Lucore Art Gallery - Montauk, NY
​57th Springs Invitational - East Hampton, NY

​It’s been a crazy busy Summer and sharing news and insights took a back seat to all the work behind the scenes.  Often – most often – always? - the background work is the one that has the most meaning but not the stuff that makes it to social media.  Pictures from art openings, when we’re all cleaned up – sort of - I have gone to many an event with paint on me - seem more relevant to the algo gods.
 
.Catching up is going to take some doing but at the very least, I’ll try a bit harder going forward! In the meantime, I'll share a few photos!
Thanks for “listening”!
 

​Throughout my career in the art and design world, I have given numerous talks and presentations about my artwork and my journey as a creative entrepreneur.  I have been questioned by participants and quoted in the press regarding my process, but particularly, about the source of my inspiration.  I’m a very curious person with very eclectic interests so my inspo follows along that same path.  I can visualize a Zen abstract landscape in the middle of a busy New York City street as well as mentally seeing more energetic abstractions from what appears to be serene nature settings.  My first creative love is photography and I’ve been carrying my trusted Nikon since I was in my teens. Over time, I have documented, captured and, of course, missed a lot of good shots - thousands of images all the way from urban candids to Hamptons beaches and even chicken shots in PA I found fascinating. Yep, the feathers are beautiful!
Other artists plan or sketch out their paintings ahead of putting paint to surface.  I have done the same while working on a commission for a specific project that requires meeting color, feel, and size parameters but for the most part, my work is intuitive and comes through me – or so I thought. It doesn’t just come from the ether, much of it is an accumulation of images my brain and my camera have captured along the way.
Recently, while preparing for a solo exhibition in Montauk at The Lucore Art gallery (April 27th – May 16th, Reception on Saturday May 6th), I explored the relationship between what scenes catch my attention well enough to compel me to photograph it and how it might eventually show up in my abstracts.  I started pairing images of my abstract paintings with photographs from different genres and time spans.  The results were fascinating and surprising. In many cases, the same painting could have a relationship with a field of wild flowers or Times Square at its busiest. This exercise has generated additional future creative projects I’ll share soon. In the meantime, I’ll post some more on the topic as well as some of the images that resonated the most. 
 
I have already received some interesting feedback from posts on other social media. Some viewers look at the painting from an entirely different perspective once they see a collection of images that might have inspired it. I wonder what original photo images you will relate to the most when you look at the painting…

and oh yeah...
Artists and creative entrepreneurs have a much a wider skill set than usually assumed. We serve as space planners, art advisors, design contributors and make living and working spaces livelier or calmer and hopefully more beautiful. Besides the actual physical painting process, activities include: framing, installing, finding exhibit opportunities, curating, designing flyers, writing press releases, speaking to the press, organizing events, social media management, trying to keep at least one set of clothes NOT covered in paint...and then - yes all in one very caffeinated run on sentence -  we need to market ourselves so the art will finally be seen and hopefully sell so we can do it all over again!
​Hence...invite below. "

Anahi DeCanio Just Abstracts Solo Exhibition" - April 27th through May 16th. Reception - Saturday May 6th from 4 to 7 at The Lucore Art. *87 S. Euclid Avenue, Montauk, NY.
Just wrote an article about some of the discoveries I made preparing for the show and posted it on LinkedIn.  #montauk #hamptons #latinaartist #latinxart #abstractartist #creativeentrepreneur #artbusiness #curator #longisland #nyartist #pintoraabstracta #charrua #womanartist
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I rarely talk about the specific meaning or inspiration behind a painting. I have spoken about my creative journey or the purpose behind what moves me to paint but I prefer the work speak to people on their own terms.  I'm just the conduit to their experience with the artwork and whatever emotions it stirs in them. 

​I get often asked to confirm if something they see is indeed part of the abstract.  With very very rare exceptions, it never is. I have done some figurative pieces, painting women and hearts, but for the most part, my abstract landscapes are just that, abstractions.  Instead of looking for objects in an abstract, I look at a grouping of everyday things and see patterns somehow organized in abstract form. I have caught myself observing the world that way since I was a child. Whether I go into Zen dreamscapes mode or get jazzed up looking at street art graffiti walls in Bushwick, I walk away with a vague mode of inspiration that eventually show up in my work. Whether in the energy of the lines, the colors, the white space, or the overall feel of the work, eventually it comes together on a canvas.

I recognize the power of a work of art to prompt emotions - art is an archivist of our common history interpreted through time. Picasso's Guernica comes to mind. One of his most prominent works, it depicts the tragedy of war and it has served as an important argument for peace.  For the most part, my publicly exhibited work seeks to not talk about peace but to depict it and inspire it. Maybe not on the top 10 lists of topics for curators, museum docents or art critics, but it's where my brushes take me and I have learned to embrace it.  It's not necessarily a conscious choice, it's just where I end up.

That said...I find myself fascinated, and admittedly often irritated, (yikes! yes, I'm going here) but the labels the art world wants to impose on art and artists. Curating shows is a very difficult endeavor.  I have curated a few myself and it requires a tremendous amount of time, effort and sensibilities but some of the preconceived notions that come with the job can sometimes pigeonhole an artist into a role or label that is limiting and defeats the whole idea behind the creative process.

I am a woman artist.  I am an American artist.  I am a Latina artist.  I am an Uruguayan artist.  I am an abstract artist...who has also done figurative work. I am a New York artist.  I was at one point heavily exhibiting in the Palm Beach - Miami area so...I'm a southern artist? I paint Zen landscapes and graffiti inspired urban abstractions so... I'm?  I hope that when people look at art, they can look at the artist's bio and the description on the art label after they let the artwork make them ponder for a bit. Sit with the emotion and then let the intellect take over.  
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The one label I give myself is rooted in the notion that I "pollyanishly" - I know that's not a real word but go with me here, intend to have my artwork be uplifting in some way. The importance of how our surroundings can support our wellbeing has more recently been acknowledged and explored further, particularly after the pandemic lockdown. I'm very lucky to have supporters and art collectors take my artwork with them to their work spaces or home to be part of the space where life happens. Whether the inspiration comes from a busy city corner or a peaceful beach spot in the dunes of the Hamptons, being able to create uplifting art and elevate someone's space as well as the viewer is a gift I'm very grateful for and will take that label anytime. 

Speaking of Zen spots – have you ever been to Montauk? A truly beautiful place with lots to see (and eat!) I have an upcoming solo exhibition in Montauk at The Lucore Art Gallery. The exhibit runs from April 27th, 2023 until May 16th.  If you're planning a visit, please send me a message on Instagram @anahidecanio so I can hopefully meet you there.
 
The artist's reception will be on Saturday May 6th from 4 to 7.  Hope you can make it! 
The Lucore Art
87 S. Euclid Avenue, Montauk NY
 To see more of my art, please visit the Portfolio Page. 

Thanksgiving Weekend Event!
Art Exhibition at the Art Studio and Sculpture Garden of Hans Van de Bovenkamp

Opening Reception: Saturday, November 26th - 3 to 6 pm
Hans Van de Bovenkamp is opening his art studio to present the works of three distinguished contemporary artists:

ANAHI DeCANIO whose work draws inspiration from nature as well as urban landscapes is exhibiting new abstracts for this special exhibit. Anahi is an award winning multidisciplinary artist who explores the juxtaposition of feminine energy with graffiti like urban textures, patina and text until the final richly visual story reveals itself in abstract form. 

HANS VAN DE BOVENKAMP whose contemporary abstract sculptures can be seen the world over, will present his extensive collection of sculptures, paintings and works on paper.
 His studio is situated on 7 acres of exquisite grounds and sculpture gardens in the Hamptons.

​BETH O’DONNELL whose multidisciplinary work blends a variety of techniques including pigmented encaustic wax on Japanese gampi rice paper, photography and mixed media. Inspired by New York City & the place she lives on the East End. A place of land, sea & sky.

CHRISTINE MATTHÄI whose work is a form of meditation often combining spiritual influences with the natural beauty of the Hamptons, skillfully capturing the essence of light and water. Her work has been exhibited and collected internationally.

The exhibit is organized by Geralyne Lewandowski - Principal of Lewandowski Enterprises Inc. - 22 Malone St, East Hampton

93 Merchants Path Sagaponack, NY 11962 (enter on Ranch Court)
On view until December 6th BY APPOINTMENT

ABSTRACS & ARTIFACTS: Capturing Light and Lightheartedness.
HAMPTONS ART & MINGLE
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Anahi DeCanio abstract paintings and a collection of art in different media from the late Charles Waller will be exhibited at The Remsenburg Academy. The juxtaposition of the divergent styles will be a play in contrast and balance. The artists exhibited together in group shows for over 10 years and spoke often of having a two person show.  This exhibit honors those conversations and celebrates Joie de Vivre!!

OPENING RECEPTION:  Saturday September 24th  - 5 to 8 pm
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EXHIBITION: September 24 – October 2, 2022
Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10-5.  Free and Open to the Public.
Other dates by appointment.

The Remsenburg Academy - 130 S. Country Rd., Remsenburg NY

​EMAIL INFO:  [email protected] and [email protected]
WEBSITES: www.artyzenhome.com  -  artgroove.us

Anahi DeCanio is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary artist. Inspiration from urban vibrancy, the beach or Zen landscapes, her abstracts are rooted in evoking a positive emotional connection to the work and the space it inhabits. Her work is represented by several galleries and is part of private and corporate collections in the US and abroad. Venues include The Boca Raton Museum of Art, Brown University, the Palm Beach Armory, Art Basel, Miami, National Steinbeck Museum, Guild Hall among others. Solo exhibits of note include the White House Fellows Conference in the fall of 2016 and the Consulate General of Uruguay in New York city. Design focused exhibits include collaborations with luxury designer Naula at the Architectural Design Show and various charity design show houses. Anahi’s work can be seen in several motion picture and TV sets. Press highlights include the New York Times, Robb Report, Time, Palm Beach Post, and Mansion Global and several Hamptons publications. She is the founder of eARThHamptons and  creative director of ArtyZen Home.  Her work is on exhibit at Luminary in NYC and an art event featuring new work is scheduled to open on October 19th of this year.
 
 Charles Waller​ was an award winning well respected artist and beloved fixture of the Hamptons art scene.  In his early career as an illustrator Mr. Waller did drawings for The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Time and Esquire Magazines as well as other large corporate clients, including Citibank and American Express.  His body of work was often inspired by treasures from antique treasures found on his travels from around the world. Found Objects, his brilliant meticulous illustrations and his signature wit were reconfigured into well-crafted visually impactful works of art commenting on the human experience.  He studied English literature and psychology at the University of London and illustration at the Royal College of Art eventually graduating with a bachelor of fine arts with honors from Rhode Island School of Design. Mr. Waller's work appeared in numerous group and solo shows on the East End in addition to galleries in Manhattan, London, Japan, and Santa Fe. Collectors of his work included the late Alfred Hitchcock and Kirk Douglas. Ronald Reagan was presented with a drawing by Mr. Waller done for Time. His work is also in the collections of the Parrish Art Museum, Guild Hall, Micro Museum in Brooklyn, and the Dai-Nippon Gallery in Tokyo.  Publications include The New York Times, The East Hampton Star, HC&G, Hamptons Magazine, Dan’s Papers and The Sag Harbor Express.

Mr. Waller's artwork is being curated by Geralyne Lewandowski founder of ArtGroove.​