Emma O’Rourke creates symbolic expressions of her experiences as a woman. She uses flowers and shells as a metaphor with biomorphic and gestural renderings.

Scratching, dripping latex on to and drawing into her paintings with graphite, Emma brings an urban element which nods to her formative years spent in London town. Introducing impasto by layering dried paint and petals, O'Rourke's work evolves physically as well as visually, resulting in sensuous, soulful expressions. The drips are often representing tears to celebrate the feminine, and O’Rourke’s personal childhood experiences.

Orchids, peonies and shells play similar roles in Emma’s paintings. They each embody their own independent experiences in her life. Peonies embrace a full and rich body. Their enticing softness and texture of the petals are an inspiration. Orchids with their sublime presence also symbolize calm and longevity, whilst shells fascinate with their circular center, and the thought of their drift to the shore, their journey and our subsequent find relate to the continual search for beauty and perfection – another preeminent theme pervading Emma’s haunting works.

A winner of New York City’s Irish Rhapsody Festival, O’Tasty is informed by the Celtic Punk tradition, but pushes its boundaries, blending traditional Irish instrumentation including the mandolin, accordion, acoustic guitar, fiddle, flute and bodhran with contemporary rock and swing instruments including drums, electric bass, trumpet and clarinet. The result is a blend of Celtic Punk, traditional and swing with a political edge. O’Tasty is known for their energetic performances, consistently moving crowds to dance. They play original tunes and some traditionals with an upbeat edge. Their new album is expected in September 2008.

I just simply like to make pictures.

I don't have a complicated or fancy Artist Statement and I suspect that is because I have never been formerly trained in this art form (yet)... and part of me hopes I never will. Maybe I am not an artist at all. My pictures are what I see in my daily life adventures. Taking pictures is more than just a hobby or a process... it truly makes me happy. Perhaps my passion will inspire someone without a hobby to smile, be inspired and start their own adventure.

“CATRINA”
By
Mara Odette
My Installation "Catrina" honors my ancestors in the Mexican tradition. “The Day of The Dead” is the most important holiday in Mexico. My sculpture/installation is mixed media, including papier mache, fabric, styrofoam and acrylic.

My work consists of paintings, sculptures and installations. I use different media, including oil, acrylic, water color, clay, glass, and designer cast. I like to make installations because they allow me to play with a wide range of materials.

I am a Mexican-American local artist with roots in Chiapas and Studio in Bethesda, Maryland. I have been a D.C. area artist for more than 20 yeras and have exbited widely in the D.C. metroplitan area and throught Mexico. I have paintings in numerous collections in the US and Mexico.

My next exhibit of Oil Paintings and Sculptures will be at the ORCHARD GALLERY, located at 7917 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland, from July 10 throughout July 30, 2008.
Please visit my Website www.maraodette.com

On the eve of a possible promotion at Quality Copy Shop, will Rahsaan (Corin B. Self) let his outrageous co-workers (Keith Dickerson, Dionna Rene', Joseph D. Durbin) destroy his chances? Find out in filmmaker Mikal K. Odom's comedy, "2nd Shift" - playing this month as part of the the Shelby Wallace Film Showcase.

Melodic high-energy rock group OH NO NOT STEREO from Hollywood, California just finished their third record and are touring for the rest of the year on it's behalf, have a listen and keep an eye out for these hard-working rockers in months to come.

An evening of old-time fiddle tunes and other traditional American acoustic music featuring Marcy Cochran (fiddle) and Mike Clayberg (guitar) from Washington, DC's Dead Men's Hollow, and Sheila Nichols (fiddle / mandolin) from Louisville, KY.

Indie rock, Alt-Rock, Metal, Punk, Garage...The list of subgenres is both never ending and constantly morphing while rock and roll in its orginal definition was something much more basic and primal.

The word rock had a long history within the English language as being a metaphor meaning "to shake up, to disturb or to incite". The word roll was also a popular metaphor which meant having sex as in "roll in the hay" and so on.

Though the variety of influences is infinite, the realm of OmegaBand is within the context of this definition. And while the aim of our message is most definately to shake up the snow globes of minds that surround us, it is in our live performances that we are most able to illustrate these ideals with the unrestrained passion and sensuality that comes straight from the soul.

Originally formed in 2005, OmegaBand currently consists of Alpha Betts on lyrics and microphones, Kirk Waldroff on bass and Bala Harper on drums, Kristin Arant on percussion & background vocals and James Reeves on guitar.

Selection of short films from France.
Most work consists of docs and shorts relating to the European queer experience or sex workers.

My art has always been about exploring my surroundings. I tend to find myself in antiques shops, scrap yards, or anyplace I can find anything old.

While traveling to Ithaca, New York in 1997, I was introduced to the construction of stained glass. Stained glass windows have always struck me as magical and over the years that magical process has had its way with me, leading me from hobby to art. I have explored many techniques including mosaic, foil technique, sandblasting, fusing, dry plaster casting, scraffito, welding and silversmithing. I find enjoyment combining many of these techniques with my love of vintage objects and giving them new life.

I've always been intrigued by sense of community and how art could bring a community together. So I participated in a public mosaic art project called Art on the Block. The Marvin Gaye Park in Washington DC covered their building, address signs and sidewalks in recyclable objects. The community was involved in almost every step of the way to make this happen. To honor them, over two hundred of their names were displayed in mosaic.

Currently I'm working with three dimensional stained glass sculpture. I love trying to take something that is normally one dimensional and adding a twist to it.