Santovec, Rick - Artist and Photographer

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Rick Santovec
Jefferson, Wisconsin
aka
The Artist Known As Weasel

Hello, Welcome to my website. I'm a mixed media/collage artisit who specializes in political and social themes. I also do photography. most recently of gardens and flowers for a book and calendar. Tell me, good or bad, what you think of my work. (I really want to know.)

ARTIST STATEMENT

My mixed media art isn't always pretty like a flower or a lovely landscape. My art can be raw and ugly or it can even be comical enough to make you snicker to yourself.

My art always conveys a message. The message may be subtle, overt or mixed. The message may be uneasy and loud as a politcal protest.

I hope my art makes you think or, at the very least, provokes a reaction.

Rick Santovec, 2012

What's New!

See the Events page for Current, Upcoming and Past Events

Sept. 30, 2012: The art piece, OPPORTUNITY. that I created this summer is now in New York for the "SRAM pART PROJECT" show.

It was quite a challenge as I worked out of my comfort zone to make a piece specifically for this event.

I want to publicly thank Terrence Coffman, the curator of this show for inviting me to be a part of this really cool event. Who knew that I would have a piece in a New York gallery waiting to be auctioned off for charity. I want to also thank Lisa Imhoff for her incredible Photoshop "magic," Noah and the staff at Images Plus in Madison for their help in printing off the photograph that's part of the piece.

Thanks also goes to Greg Vogel for making all of my art work look even better through his camera lenses and Ellen Waldmer of the Rock river Gallery for passing along the initial information about this show.

And, of course, I want to thank Mary Lou and all the well-wishers out there who pumped me up with their contagious enthusiasm after I shared the news of my first international art show. All of your positive energy was really appreciated.

The online charity auction for the show to support World Bicycle Relief will begin in a few weeks at The SRAM pART PROJECT. Check out this Web site to see the other artists and their pieces for the auction as well as mine. You may find something you want to bid on .... GRIN.

On Thursday, November 29, 2012, a reception and live gala auction will take place in the Chelsea District of New York City. ML and I are planning on attending this very special event.

Thanks for supporting this artist and the arts.

Weasel, The Artist Known as Rick Santovec

July 11, 2012: After a well-publicized three month solo exhibit of some non-partisan political pieces at the Wisconsin Capitol Building, my art career is taking another giant step forward. I've been invited to be in my first international art show this fall in New York City.

The SRAM Bicycle Company is sponsoring an art show fundraiser for World Bicycle Relief. World Bicycle Relief is an organization that helps provide people in undeveloped countries bikes to get to doctors, schools and jobs.

This show is being organized by Terrence Coffman, an internationally known abstract artist and former president of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Coffman lives in Jefferson and is familiar with my art work.

The 30+ artists chosen to be in this sculpture and collage show must create a themed piece using 25 or more bike parts from the 100 pieces shipped to each artists. I'll be a part of the collage aspect of the show.

The artists have until October 1st to complete this challenge. the finished pieces will then be exhibited in a New York City gallery before being auctioned off in a combined online/on-site charity auction. The first time-event raised $96,000 last year in Las Vegas.

As an unknown, emerging and excited artist, I'm incredibly honored to be a part of an art show with many international and nationally known artists. It is a bit daunting, but I have a good idea of what I want to do as my project.

My next step is to take that mental image from my mind's eye to a reality that I can share with you and others.

It's going to be an exciting and busy summer. I'll keep you updated as I go along. Wish me luck.

Rick, the artist known as Weasel, Santovec

Jorgensen’s “Art at the Capitol” Features Mixed Media Collages by Arts Alliance of Great Lake Mills Member April 2012

All art work copyright Rick Santovec

OPPORTUNITY
mixed media/collage
H: 18" x W: 24" Auction
The SRAM pART PROJECT Art Auction for World Bicycle Relief - New York, NY - November 29, 2012

LADY LIBERTY'S DISAPOINTMENT
mixed media/collage
H: 24" x W: 16" $1,000
As Kermit the Frog once said, "It isn't easy being green." In Arizona these days it isn't easy being brown. Whether legal or illegal, Hispanics are being racially profiled, discriminated against and sometimes deported. Not a proud time in this land built by immigrants ...
NASCO Summer Art Show - Fort Atkinson, WI - August 20 - September 3, 2012

EVERYTOWN, USA
mixed media/collage
H: 24" x W: 20" $1,000
The bubble has burst. The real estate markets will never be the same. These are tough times in America and in much of the world. Things will get better; just not right now.

A CAUTIONARY TALE: MY MOTHER ALWAYS TOLD ME NOTHING GOOD EVER HAPPENS AFTER CURFEW
found objects/assemblage
H: 28" x W: 24" $500
Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) - Whitewater, WI - January 7 - 28, 2012
Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) - Madison, WI - March 3 - 24, 2012
Mary Hoard Art Show - Fort Atkinson, WI - May 6 - 18, 2012
NASCO Summer Art Show - Fort Atkinson, WI - August 20 - September 3, 2012

ADVICE FROM METAL MAN: KEEP YOUR EARS OPEN & YOUR TRAP SHUT
found objects/assemblage
H: 15" x W: 12" $50
Super Natural Whitewater - Whitewater Cultural Arts Center - Whitewater, WI - October 2 - 30, 2011
Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) - Whitewater, WI - January 7 - 28, 2012

LOST & FOUND #1
found objects/assemblage
H: 23" x W: 16 x D: 4" $450
All of the objects in this art piece are found objects starting with the frame (a repurposed kitchen drawer retrieved from a dumpster). This piece includes wood, metal, stone/ceramic and paper. Some of it lost, all of it found. What's Lost and Found in your life???
Nature Made - Arts Alliance of Greater Lake Mills - The Wine Vineyard Wine Shop - Lake Mills, WI - June 3 - 24, 2011
Rock River Gallery and Coffeehouse - Jefferson, WI - July 7, 2010 - Fall, 2011
State Exhibit Award at Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) - Whitewater, WI - January 7 - 28, 2012
Award at Mary Hoard Art Show - Fort Atkinson, WI - May 6 - 18, 2012

FABULOUS
mixed media/collage
H: 13.5" x W: 13.5" x D: 3" Private Commission
Tribute to Chuck Lazenby, who died in 2009. Chuck was a good friend of my brother Mike. Chuck was a fabulous person who will be missed.

RED STATES/BLUE STATES
mixed media/collage
H: 16" x W: 20" $500
Labels don't give an accurate picture of things. Aren't we all a little purple anyway?
Arts Alliance of Greater Lake Mills - Lake Mills, WI - July 5 - 31, 2010
Rock River Gallery and Coffeehouse - Jefferson, WI - October 20, 2010 - July 7, 2011
NASCO Summer Art Show - Fort Atkinson, WI - August 22 - 27, 2011
Office of Representative Andy Jorgensen - Madison, WI - April 17 - June 22, 2012

POLAR POLITICS
mixed media/collage
H: 16" x W: 20" $1,000
Enough of the name calling. Let's find the middle ground, compromise, and finally get government fixed.
Arts Alliance of Greater Lake Mills - Lake Mills, WI - July 5 - 31, 2010
Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) - Whitewater, WI - January 9 - 29, 2011
Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) - Madison, WI - March 13 - April 16, 2011
Mary Hoard Art Show - Fort Atkinson, WI - June 5 - 24, 2011
Rock River Gallery and Coffeehouse - Jefferson, WI - July 7, 2011 - Fall, 2011
Office of Representative Andy Jorgensen - Madison, WI - April 17 - June 22, 2012

INTERNALLY DERANGED (A SELF PORTRAIT)
mixed media/collage
H: 20" x W: 16" $500
When my knee surgeon wrote on my medical chart that my knee was "Internally Deranged", it got me thinking ...
Arts Alliance of Greater Lake Mills - Lake Mills, WI - July 5 - 31, 2010
Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) - Whitewater, WI - January 9 - 29, 2011
State Exhibit Award at Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) - Madison, WI - March 13 - April 16, 2011
Mary Hoard Art Show - Fort Atkinson, WI - June 5 - 24, 2011
Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) - Madison, WI - August 6 - September 24, 2011

DON'T FEED THE (WORLD DOMINATION) MONSTER
mixed media/collage
H: 16" x W: 20" $500
Walmart is taking over the world. Let's not help them.
Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) - Madison, WI - March 27 - May 1, 2010

VACATION IN A BOX Sold to private collector
mixed media/collage
H: 12" x W: 12"
Wouldn't it be nice to have a tropical getaway waiting for you in a box?

HOSTAS FOR MARSHA
mixed media/collage, acrylic paint with tissue paper
H: 16" x W: 20" $200
Mary Hoard Art Show - Fort Atkinson, WI - June 6 - 25, 2010
Rock River Gallery and Coffeehouse - Jefferson, WI - July 7, 2011 - Fall, 2011

SAFER???
mixed media/collage
H: 16" x W: 20" $500
The Bush-Cheney torture polices ironically helped to create and recruit even more terrorists. Beyond the fact that that it doesn't generate reliable information, torture is just morally wrong!
Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) - Madison, WI - March 27 - May 1, 2010

CHUTES AND LADDERS FOR ADULTS
mixed media/collage
H: 29" x W: 31" x D: 2.5" $1,500
Everyone's life is filled with countless ups and downs as we race to the ultimate finish line. But remember, it's not who gets there first, but how we play the game ...
School of Eclectic Art Award at Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) - Madison, WI - March 2008
Winter Juried Show at the Anderson Arts Center - Kenosha, WI - November 2008 to January 2009
The Sweet Lips Gallery - Lake Mills, WI - July 2009
Gallery on the Main - Fort Atkinson, WI - August 2009, December 2009
Jefferson County Artists' Exhibit - Whitewater Cultural Arts Center - Whitewater, WI - June 4 - 27, 2010
Rock River Gallery and Coffeehouse - Jefferson, WI - October 20, 2010 - Fall, 2011
Office of Representative Andy Jorgensen - Madison, WI - April 17 - June 22, 2012

MYSTERY DATE ELECTION 2008
mixed media/collage
H: 13" x W: 18" $500
Mary Hoard Art Show - Fort Atkinson, WI - April 20 - May 3, 2008
The Sweet Lips Gallery - Lake Mills, WI - Fall 2008
Peek behind the door

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADERS
mixed media/collage
H: 24" x W: 20" $250
Haven't we all wondered about our political leaders and their intentions?!
Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) March 1 - 29, 2008
The Sweet Lips Gallery - Lake Mills, WI - July 2009
Gallery on the Main - Fort Atkinson, WI - August 2009, December 2009
Rock River Gallery and Coffeehouse - Jefferson, WI - October 20, 2010 - July 7, 2011
NASCO Summer Art Show - Fort Atkinson, WI - August 22 - 27, 2011

ARE CUBANS (CIGARS) REALLY BETTER?
mixed media/collage
H: 6.5" x W: 7" x D: 1" $150
The island of Cuba with its rich exotic history fascinates me.
Honorable Mention Wisconsin Regional Art Program (WRAP) - Madison, WI - March 2007

ONE MAN'S HEALTH CARE PLAN
mixed media/collage 2005
H: 12" x W: 8" x D: 3" Not For Sale
A Tribute to Uncle Lee Santovec - Made with a few of the thousands of items (mostly vitamins) found in his apartment after his death

With no formal art training, this is the first art piece I ever created. I've been hooked ever since.

KEY WEST DAYDREAMING Sold to private collector
mixed media/collage
H: 17" x W: 21" x D: 1.5"
Key West is one of my favorite places in the world. I've physically visited this island six or seven times, but have returned thousands of times in my daydreams.
The Sweet Lips Gallery - Lake Mills, WI - July 2009
Gallery on the Main - Fort Atkinson, WI - August 2009

GOOD INTENTIONS ... RUINED
mixed media/collage
H: 21" x W: 16" $300
Goodness is the foundation of all the world's religions. It's what MAN has done to the organized religions in God's name that has led to all sorts of horrendous acts of cruelty.
Gallery on the Main - Fort Atkinson, WI - August 2009, December 2009

MY GOVERNMENT IS ... FOR SALE ...
Altered Civics Book
H: 7.5" x W: 5.5" x D: 1.5" (ready to hang) $500
I was drawn to this old, battered & beaten book when I came across it at a rummage sale. I knew instantly what I wanted the final look to be.
Dog-Eared Exhibition at Purdue University - November 2008
Langdon Divers Gallery Fond du Lac Public Library - April 7 - 29, 2011
Lawton Gallery at UW Green Bay, WI - October 11 - November 1, 2012

URBAN DIGS
Shadow Box
H: 6" x W: 8" $75
Rock River Gallery and Coffeehouse - Jefferson, WI - October 20, 2010 - Fall, 2011

All art work copyright Rick Santovec

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