Right On Time

Carmelita (detail), 2004

Surfing on Acid, 2005

Tomorrow the new Mary Heilmann exhibit opens at the CAMH from 9:00 – 11:00 p.m.; yesterday both Art in America and Artforum came out with covers adorned with the artist's abstract canvasses. Riding the wave created by the Orange County Museum of Art, there is now a lot of verbiage out there about why this artist should be included with other late AbEx masters in all the textbooks forthwith.

The standard line (playing off the "musician's musician" caveat that keeps noodling guitar players on top ten lists) sounds cooler than "little-known" or "new to you": "Known as an “artist’s artist” for her impassioned following among younger painters, Heilmann’s work draws upon Southern California beach culture, experience with rock music, and life in New York City to create highly personal works that evoke her distinct sources through the use of bright colors and a minimalist aesthetic." Think it'll be a good show? It'll be a good party anyway!