Last chance!

Last chance to grab these pretty ladies directly from me, before shipping them off to the wonderful Rise Up Gallery in Miami.  "The Fanciest Feathers" (Peacock) has sold, but the remaining three are up for grabs.

If no one claims them soon, they will be for sale later on at Rise Up Gallery! 

Running to Rise Up

On Saturday, i finished my very first 5 mile race in my chair!  My team, Team Rise Up walked, ran, and pushed to benefit Rise Up Gallery, and we raised over $5700 exceeded our target goal!  It was a cold and very windy morning that we participated in the 5 mile walk/run and half marathon in Asbury Park.  I was determined to push myself with no help throughout the entire 5 miles, and i succeeded.  The few inclines and slanted streets were rough at times.  Thanks to the slanted roads, my left arm pushed far more than my right just to keep myself moving straight, which was the only real problem i had. We were one of the lasts to finish (by far!), but i'm just excited to have done this.  Until the next one! 

Thank you so much to everyone who supported us!  It means the world to us!

Team Rise Up!

Running To Rise Up and Benefit Concert for Rise Up Gallery!

I mentioned back in February that my sister built a team to run a half marathon to raise money for Rise Up Gallery...

It's coming up!  Join us this SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2013 at the Berkley Hotel in Asbury Park for a benefit concert to support Rise Up Gallery, following the Asbury Park Half Marathon.  There will be live music featuring one of Team Rise Up's runners, Maria Riggi, as well as an art auction.  All profits benefit Rise Up Gallery.

We've reached our goal but there is still time to donate!  Check out our site to read about our mission and donate if you so please:  http://www.razoo.com/story/Running-To-Rise-Up

Thank you everyone for all the support!  The organization, gallery, and people involved at Rise Up Gallery are all truly amazing.  

Running to Rise UP

My sister and friends got together to build a team, Team Rise Up, to run a half marathon to raise money for Rise Up Gallery (where i most recently flew out to for the gallery's grand opening!) 

Please read below and visit Running to Rise UP and help support an amazing and inspiring cause! 

My name is Nicole Tararuj and I've created Team Rise Up with runners Maria Riggi & Jamie Parziale to run the Asbury Park Half Marathon on April 20th.

As many of you know, my sister Kasey Tararuj became paralyzed at the age of 14 from an arteriovenous malformation (AVM). I can attest to the many challenging obstacles Kasey overcomes on a daily basis. Think about all the things you probably take for granted...showering, cooking yourself a meal, driving yourself to work, or even doing laundry. Now, imagine doing all those things in a wheelchair. Kasey has a very strong support system and has managed to adapt very well to her disability. Unfortunately, not everyone living with paralysis has the same support.

One thing Kasey can do on her own is create beautiful art. Art is a therapeutic outlet, allowing her to illustrate the thoughts and feelings she could not express otherwise. We recently traveled to Miami to attend the opening of the Rise Up Gallery where Kasey was a featured artist. We had the pleasure of hanging out with David McCauley, paralyzed artist AND the founder of Rise Up Gallery. His vision for Rise Up gallery is truly amazing. This is why I have organized a team that will be participating in Runapalooza half marathon, 13.1 miles on April 20th, 2013. We will be running for all the artists and artists to come! Please help us raise donations for Rise Up Gallery, a life changing organization! All donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!

Team Rise Up:

Jamie Parziale

Maria Riggi

Nicole Tararuj

and Kasey Tararuj - paralyzed artist (participating in the 5 mile race) www.kaseytararuj.com

About Rise Up Gallery:

Rise Up Gallery is a place where disabled artists may collaborate, attend workshops and have access to adaptive art supplies. The Gallery supplements income to individuals living with paralysis who struggle finding employment. In addition, the Rise Up Gallery serves as a sanctuary and social meeting place for people who may feel isolated as a result of a Spinal Cord Injury.

Proceeds of this 501(c)3 fund an Adaptive Art Therapy Studio, provide grants to improve the quality of life for individuals living with paralysis and research grants to medical institutions searching for a cure to paralysis.

http://www.riseupgallery.com

Check out David's video on our page too!

Facts about Paralysis:

There are nearly 1 in 50 people living with paralysis- approximately 6 million people. That's the same number of people as the combined populations of Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Over 80% of those injured are unemployed, yet the estimated lifetime costs due to spinal cord injury can range from $681,843 to over $3 million for a 25 year old.

Thank you!!

rise up gallery grand opening !

this past friday was rise up gallery's grand opening exhibition! i flew out to miami, fl for the exciting event and it was a really amazing night.  the gallery looked fantastic, i got a lot of really good feedback on my work, i met and chatted with tons of really cool people, and sold some art. there was a constant flow of people, and aside from the fact that the gallery lost power 15 minutes before the opening, i think it went extremely well.  huge congrats to all the rise up artists for great show!

huge thanks to all the rise up volunteers and helpers, and especially david mccauley (founder of rise up and amazing person!) for making all this happen and for being my tour guide throughout my miami adventure :)

check out my facebook album to see all the photos from the opening here!

early in the night

me with my pretty ladies!

pretty dandy

"pretty dandy"
16"x20"

another new piece premiering at rise up gallery's grand opening on friday in miami!

see you there! 

pearl

pearl (her name is pearl.) will be attending rise up gallery's grand opening exhibition this friday in miami!  i am leaving today to head out to miami for some fun times and awesome art.  very excited to be able to attend the show live and in person friday night! 

the beekeeper

"the beekeeper"
18"x24"

brand new painting all ready for rise up gallery's grand opening exhibition this friday, january 18 in miami!

the beekeepers is definitely another new personal favorite. i've been having an absolute blast creating new one-eyed girls lately.  i have a ton of ideas and each one comes out better than i imagined.  although, i may be biased because i am a huge fan of the 1EG's.  is that narcissistic? so be it. many more new ones to be shared!

the tattooed lady

"the tattooed lady"
18"x24"

one of my latest one-eyed girls, and newest personal favorite. the tattooed lady! she will be on display and for sale at rise up gallery for their grand opening this friday, january 18 in miami, fl!  

facebook event

rise up gallery grand opening! (sneak peek)

it's an exhausting, busy week and month for me and my tired eyes are unforgiving of it! but all for good reason. i'm currently creating some new pieces to put on display at the new Rise Up Gallery in Miami, FL!  four more brand new pieces (see above for sneak peek) to add to the few i had on display during Art Basel, when the gallery first opened its doors to the public:

2012 ART BASEL MIAMI BEACH, DECEMBER 6-9:

With great speed and tremendous help from our amazing volunteers, Rise Up Gallery opened its doors just in time for a "soft" opening during Art Basel, one of the most prestigious and explosive art festivals in the world.  It was an exciting few days with artists and art buyers in town from all over the globe.  Well over 1000 visitors in 72 hours came through our doors, so were able to spread word about our organization.  Thank you to everybody who helped make it a success.

now it's time for Rise Up's grand opening exhibition!  i'm struggling to keep my eyes pried open every night with continuous episodes of my new favorite tv show, Psych, as i paint new pieces after a full day at work.  as worn out as i am, i can't say i don't love the pressure. it can be a thrill and i'm most focused and motivated when the pressure's on.  it will be worth it in the end to see my work hanging on the rise up's walls...in person!  i'll be flying out to Miami for the opening and i'm stoked. i encourage anyone in the area to come out and check out all the work from rise up's artists. it's going to be a great time! 

RISE UP GALLERY GRAND OPENING FRIDAY, JANUARY 18th (7-11pm):

Come celebrate the opening of our new gallery space located in Miami's Wynwood Arts District.  We will be hosting a wine reception complete with DJ and Live Music Performances.  Check out our latest pieces, meet our artists, and enjoy a wonderful evening with other Rise Up supporters.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18th (7-11pm)

Rise Up Gallery - Wynwood Arts District

187 NW 27th St, Suite CU1

Miami, FL 33127

facebook event

squidress

"squidress"
18"x24"

new painting! probably one of the quickest paintings i've ever done. see it now at the brand new Rise Up Gallery in miami, florida for Art Basel!

rise up gallery art exhibition

it just occurred to me that i never posted photos from the rise up gallery art exhibition back in december! the show was up december-january and it was a great show. i loved the space it was in and the opening reception was a fantastic turnout. my work on the walls accompanied by david mccauley (founder of rise up), jay liesener, isabell villacis, laurie kammer, and kenneth martin! the best part about the show, other than the awesome art of course, was chatting up with david, some of the other artists, and a ton of people who came out for the show.

"Rise Up Gallery is a collection of artwork created by artists with disabilities. Proceeds go toward Quality of Life Grants for individuals living with paralysis, Research Grants to Medical Institutions searching for a Cure to Paralysis, and an Adaptive Community Art Space"

for a better look at my pieces from this show, click here.

more photos after the jump!

tree pump

my 6th and final piece in the rise up gallery art exhibition! this is possibly my favorite, but it's a toss up between this one and the bees knees.   wanted to paint several more of these "tree" paintings and i plan to once my christmas art rush is over. i'm anxious to share a ton of new work after the holidays!

once again, feel free to stop by 280 grove street, jersey city to check out the awesome show of artwork by artists with paralysis for the entire month of december.  www.riseupgallery.com

the bees knees

the bees knees. 24"x 30"

my 5th of 6 pieces in the rise up gallery art exhibition, which opened this past thursday at city hall rotunda gallery in jersey city. this painting is one of my personal favorites in a while. 

the opening was fantastc. i met and chatted with the other artists and lots of other cool people. more on that later, with photos to come. stop by 280 grove street, jersey city to check out the show for the entire month of december !

www.riseupgallery.com

rise up gallery art exhibition!

earth air fire water! earth air fire water!

TONIGHT!

"Rise Up Gallery will be showcasing art at the City Hall Rotunda Gallery in Jersey City for the entire month of December and Thursday, December 8th will be the opening night reception! Come support an amazing organization and help us reach our goal of opening an ADAPTIVE ART THERAPY STUDIO in April 2012!"

6-9 pm

280 Grove St

Jersey City, NJ

www.riseupgallery.com

facebook event

"Rise Up Gallery is a collection of artwork created by artists with disabilities. Proceeds go toward Quality of Life Grants for individuals living with paralysis, Research Grants to Medical Institutions searching for a Cure to Paralysis, and an Adaptive Community Art Space."

water

water. 24"x 30"

4 of 6 pieces in the rise up gallery art exhibition, opening this thursday!

"Rise Up Gallery will be showcasing art at the City Hall Rotunda Gallery in Jersey City for the entire month of December and Thursday, December 8th will be the opening night reception! Come support an amazing organization and help us reach our goal of opening an ADAPTIVE ART THERAPY STUDIO in April 2012!" 

6-9 pm

280 Grove St

Jersey City, NJ

www.riseupgallery.com

facebook event

"Rise Up Gallery is a collection of artwork created by artists with disabilities. Proceeds go toward Quality of Life Grants for individuals living with paralysis, Research Grants to Medical Institutions searching for a Cure to Paralysis, and an Adaptive Community Art Space."

fire

fire.  24"x 36"

3 of 6 pieces in the rise up gallery art exhibition, opening this thursday!

"Rise Up Gallery will be showcasing art at the City Hall Rotunda Gallery in Jersey City for the entire month of December and Thursday, December 8th will be the opening night reception! Come support an amazing organization and help us reach our goal of opening an ADAPTIVE ART THERAPY STUDIO in April 2012!"

6-9 pm

280 Grove St

Jersey City, NJ

www.riseupgallery.com

facebook event

"Rise Up Gallery is a collection of artwork created by artists with disabilities. Proceeds go toward Quality of Life Grants for individuals living with paralysis, Research Grants to Medical Institutions searching for a Cure to Paralysis, and an Adaptive Community Art Space."

air

air.  24" x 36"

2 of 6 pieces in the rise up gallery art exhibition, opening this thursday!

"Rise Up Gallery will be showcasing art at the City Hall Rotunda Gallery in Jersey City for the entire month of December and Thursday, December 8th will be the opening night reception! Come support an amazing organization and help us reach our goal of opening an ADAPTIVE ART THERAPY STUDIO in April 2012!"

6-9 pm

280 Grove St

Jersey City, NJ

www.riseupgallery.com

facebook event

"Rise Up Gallery is a collection of artwork created by artists with disabilities. Proceeds go toward Quality of Life Grants for individuals living with paralysis, Research Grants to Medical Institutions searching for a Cure to Paralysis, and an Adaptive Community Art Space."

earth

earth. 24" x 30"

1 of 6 pieces in the rise up gallery art exhibition, opening this thursday!

"Rise Up Gallery will be showcasing art at the City Hall Rotunda Gallery in Jersey City for the entire month of December and Thursday, December 8th will be the opening night reception! Come support an amazing organization and help us reach our goal of opening an ADAPTIVE ART THERAPY STUDIO in April 2012!"

6-9 pm 

280 Grove St

 Jersey City, NJ

www.riseupgallery.com

facebook event

"Rise Up Gallery is a collection of artwork created by artists with disabilities. Proceeds go toward Quality of Life Grants for individuals living with paralysis, Research Grants to Medical Institutions searching for a Cure to Paralysis, and an Adaptive Community Art Space."