Author Archives: Enid Handler

Happy Spring friends, after a brief, mild winter we are enjoying the beautiful

sights of sunshine yellow daffodils and graceful pink cherry trees.

Here’s a quick story about….

STARTING THE YEAR OFF RIGHT

As December drew to a close, Murry decided to donate a recently finished large acrylic painting of Caribou, seen from a great distance silhouetted against the dark horizon, to an animal rescue farm in Oregon. His cousin is a principal in a non-profit venture, which cares for horses, other large animals and abandoned pets in an idyllic rural setting. There they provide opportunities for at-risk teenagers, lonely elders and volunteers to care for the animals and at the same time, soothe their souls. Lloyd was delighted with the offer and agreed to pay the shipping costs for the large painting which he planned to place in the upcoming April fund raising auction. Murry took the painting to PakMail for packing, crating and shipment on Thursday.

Caribou Migration

Friday evening we drove to our friends’ home for drinks and dinner. During the evening, Murry casually mentioned the gift of the painting, which both our hosts had seen several times at the studio, and its journey off to Oregon. Tom listened to the story with intense interest, but said nothing. After a delightful meal and many glasses of wine, we returned home and to bed. At exactly 9AM the next morning we were awakened by the jangling phone. Our hostess from the evening before, noticeably excited, was asking where she could contact the auctioneer, or Murry’s cousin, or any other way she could get a hold on the Caribou painting. “You see”, she said, “I was so touched by the way

Tom reacted to the ‘loss’ of the Caribou painting, I want to buy it as a gift for his birthday in January. I had no idea he loved it so much.”

Murry hurriedly told her to hang up and give him a few minutes, he thought it might be possible to retrieve the painting before it left N.C. Murry called PakMail, which was closed for the long New Year’s holiday. Because he often ships Murry’s works across the country and abroad, Murry keeps the owner’s private home number. He reached PakMail and asked if the painting had left Chapel Hill. “NO, it’s a holiday week-end, why are you bothering me now. It will go out first thing Tuesday morning.”

Murry explained that’s exactly why he was bothering him, he did not want the painting to be shipped at all. There would be a replacement sent in about a month.

Murry retrieved the painting in time, Tom’s wife was joyous at her success and Tom got his surprise birthday gift.

And the Handler Studio made its first sale of 2012.

FEBRUARY SHOW

Our most recent activity was a major ’staging’ of 8 model homes in the Briar

Chapel community of Chapel Hill. Murry was once again asked to be the Featured Artist by the realtor’s marketing team, and this year asked Enid to come up with ideas for all of the builders’ homes on display. Enid set up an Invitational Show for a selected group of photographers, ceramacists and painters who were showcased along with Murry’s art. We had a substantial turnout for the impressive

reception, which featured wines from around the world chosen by Fearrington

Village sommelier, Maximilian Kass. A really good time was had by all!

A New Series of acrylic painting was started by Murry called Connectivity.

These bright colorful paintings are in a range of sizes and can be custom ordered to fit your space. They are available in a range of prices. Inquiries  welcome.

Connectivity multicolor #2

Two of Murry’s signature black and white abstract paintings, Haiku Landscape and Memories of Maine, have been accepted in a competition at So. Shore Art Center; Cohasset, Ma. The show is called “Black, White & Shades of Gray” and was juried by the Assoc. Curator of Contemp. Art, deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum. We’re proud to point out that 2 of Murry’s pieces were chosen out of 1,000 submissions.

A solo show of Murry’s work at Duke Hospital Eye Clinic, primarily black and white prints, will continue through March in Durham.

At Galloway Ridge, Fearrington Village, Pittsboro, Murry will have two acrylic paintings, After the Storm and Large Grasses on view from March 27–June 22.

Upcoming shows: Hope those of you in the triangle will join us.

*May, Artist Studios @ Fearrington, 2nd Art on the Village Green

*July, Saxapahaw Gallery, featured artist. The New York Times did a recent

travel story highlighting rewards of a visit to this quaint riverside N.C. town.

*Aug/Sept. Liquid Ambar Gallery, Pittsboro; Featured artist

On a closing note, Enid was asked to do a Q&A interview with son Evan Handler for the Chapel Hill Weekly, a new periodical. The short, amusing article appeared in the March 1 issue and received excellent feedback from local TV fansof Sex & The City and Californication. www.chapelhillweekljjjjjy.com

Holiday Greetings and best wishes for a wonderful New Year!

After a glorious and busy fall, The Handlers are in full winter mode.

We’re looking forward to a number of shows already scheduled for 2012,  where we hope to see you. Before we tell you about those, here’s a brief recap of our Autumn activities.

In September we hosted our Autumn Studio Invitational for a small group of guests. Murry showed his new works, and gave a brief talk. This was followed by our usual libations of good wine and tasty snacks. About 20 guests enjoyed the evening and were captivated by Murry’s latest paintings, all new additions to his popular Mythica Series.  The female figures in mixed media can be seen on his web-site here.

October was a hectic month, with a variety of shows and charitable events.  The Annual Carolinas AIDs Services was held in Raleigh and Murry’s donation was purchased at the traditionally lively auction. The event was preceded by the artists preview reception where we were treated to wonderful hors d’oeuvres,wines and the good company of participating artists and craftspeople.

A really fun October activity was Art in the Village, the first outdoor show held on the lawn in Fearrington Village Center. The weather was perfect and we had an eye-popping crowd turnout! There are 50 artists living and working in studios in Fearrington, about 20 of them displayed their works on the lawn and enjoyed brisk sales.

Chapel Hill Magazine devoted a full article and web page to three of the artists, Murry was one of them. There was a great photo of us both in the August issue. This link will bring you to the photo and a Q&A interview featuring me and Murry. www.chapelhillmagazine.com/articles/more-from-the-artist-studios-at-fearrington-village

Corporate Sale in October

One of my favorite pieces from Murry’s “Whimsy in Black and Gray” Series was sold to a biotech corporation in the Triangle. It hangs in the new corporate lobby.  The piece consists of 4 48″ x 12″ linen canvases with 5 smaller canvases mounted on them. One has fallen from the metal hook and is illustrated as on the ground in a trompe l’oeil effect.

Another October event was a major show of Murry’s Social Commentary paintings. The reception on Oct. 21 at the Durham Art Guild brought out a large number of friends and many new folks to see Murry’s interpretation of political/social issues of our day. His piece on environmental concerns,    ‘Beyond Earth’ was especially talked about, as was the ‘Jewish Jesus’,with its contemporary meaning for stereotyping and bigotry. The piece ‘In Memoriam’, commemorating 9-11 was especially timely since it was the 10th anniversary of that tragic event. We are grateful to Tom and Kathe Dunder for allowing the painting to be on loan and seen by a wider audience.

Upcoming Shows

January 6 through March. Duke Eye Center will exhibit the Attitudes Series of prints, along with Daybreak and a pair of acrylic paintings, Nod to Thelonius.The Duke Eye Center Connector Gallery, between the Wadsworth bldg. and Arie Bldg., is open Mon. through Fri. 7AM-6PM and free to the public.2351 Erwin Rd., Durham.

Mid-Feb. Art and Design Showcase at Briar Chapel Community in Chapel Hill. Newland Builders sponsors this event and reception, which will highlight    design trends and feature Murry’s artwork in several model homes.  Details to come.

April Saxapahaw Artists Gallery. Under discussion is a ‘feaured artist’ event to coincide with the newly relocated Gallery in the buzzing Bohemia on the Saxapahaw River. Dates will be announced.

August-Sept. Murry will be the featured artist at the intimate, lovely Liqidambar Gallery in Pittsboro. This is a fairly new venue and has had wonderful art and craft work on display. Dates will be announced.