"I am who I am:The Portrait Reconsidered." Steven Zevitas Gallery. January 20-February 26.

Friday was a day of firsts. It was my first time going to First Friday in the South End. There was so much to see and I ran into many familiar faces. My favorite work that I saw was at a group show that was bounded by the theme of portrait. MassArt faculty Steve Locke had a small painting up.

I like the absurdity and raw emotion in the following paintings.

Michael Hilsman, If I had known that my robe had come loose, I’d have tied it tighter (Fruitman), 2010, oil and acrylic on canvas, 80 x 64 inches.

Peter Opheim, Untitled, 2010, oil on canvas, 40 x 40 inches.

John Copeland, The Fruit of Promise, acrylic on canvas.

Steven Zevitas Gallery is a exhibition space attached to the offices of the art periodical, New American Paintings. It is located at 450 Harrison Ave. in the South End.

Jen Bekman's 20x200

Eirik Johnson. Behind the Bay City Log Sorting Yard, Cosmopolis, Washington.

Jen Bekman is a gallery for emerging artists and collectors in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. In 2007, the gallery started the website 20x200 which offers limited edition prints at various levels with the mission to make art affordable for everyone. The prints start around the size of legal paper at $20 with an edition of 200 copies. The largest prints (24"x30") run for $1,000 with an edition of ten.

Shout out to MassArt faculty member Eirik Johnson, who teaches in the photo department.