WHY WE NEED ART

"Paintings, like poetry or music, are essential nutrients that help people sustain healthy lives. They’re not recreational pleasures or sidelines. They are tools that help us grasp the diversity of the world and its history, and explore the emotional capacities with which we navigate that world. They illuminate, they humble, they nurture, they inspire. They teach us to use our eyes and to know ourselves by knowing others."

Beautifully written by Roberta Smith in the introduction to the article "A World of Paintings in One City," in today's  New York Times Weekend Arts section.  And an eloquent thought to finish this year with and start anew in 2011.  Happy New Year!

RED SKY

On these wintry eves wishing everyone red skies to light their nights.

A MAGICAL PLACE

There is something magical about the Maine coast in the winter time.

NORTH

We came north in search of winter and found it:

And now we feel the magic of the christmas spirit.

BOOKS

Two books I can highly recommend reading over the holidays, if such time allows, or add these titles to your New Year's lists, are Seven Days in the Art World and Chuck Close Life.

Not new but very timely still is Seven Days in the Art World, by Sarah Thornton.  This is a fascinating insider point of view into the big events of the insular contemporary art world from the crit at CalArts, to the Turner prize workings and onto the studio visit of Murakami(!).  I would have preferred a studio visit of a working artist on a smaller scale not the global company of Murakami, but that is my only complaint.  Definately this is a worthwhile read and a hard book to put down until you finish it.

The other book is Christopher Finch's Chuck Close Life.  This book too is difficult to leave alone once you start.  Finch's weaves an insightful tale of the life and work of artist Close.  Not only is Close intelligent and talented but also he is highly likeable for such an art star. What I found a tad frustrating was Finch's idolization of Close in his portrayal even though we have to absolutely admire how Close overcame many challenging and life threatening difficulties.  And by the end of the story the person who remains of the most interest, to me, anyway, is the woman behind the great man - his former wife, Leslie.  Since privacy is crucial to her she will remain a mystery.  Still read this as Finch also provides invaluable history of the New York City art world starting in the 60s.  What a time to be an artist! 

CUT UP ART

Inspired by my friend Barbara, from Montreal, I decided yesterday to cut up some old watercolors and make holiday cards for my family and friends.  This turned out to be fun and also inspires me on some concepts for  a series to paint.  So far I have 12 different designs for cards.  Here are four that I really like.  Note though these images are scanned so the color quality is not as crisp as the original.  Isn't that always the case.

CARDS

For the Winterlude show I had some cards of my paintings printed.  I chose seven images: three are of buildings, two seascapes, and two flowers.  Cards were the hot sellers of the two day show - I was fortunate to sell many.  Interestingly the image most popular was this painting:

Memories of Home

watercolor

18 x 22

YELLOW

On those December days when the sun is hibernating surround yourself with blooms of yellow flowers.

WINTERLUDE 2010

This year, with 3 other artists, I join Frankie Brackley Tolman in a 2 day art show and sale called Winterlude at the Peterborough Historical Society in Peterborough, NH. This took place on December 3rd and 4th.  Since I do not own a set up for display I was lucky to have generous friends (Adria Arch & Jeanne Williamson) who allowed me to borrow their grids.  These grids are very versatile, lightweight and easy to set up. My husband, Pip, helped me with the set up thus making it a breeze.  Plus we learned some lessons if there is ever a next time.   I used white paper in 3 ft by 30 ft rolls from Staples for the backing.  Lesson 1: The paper can be put up after the paintings are hung.  Lesson 2: Borrow the hanging hooks offered by the grid's owner, in this case my friend Jeanne.  I thought "S" hooks would be a simple solution for hanging.  Lesson 3: Make sure all the screws for securing the stands are of the right size.  And lesson 4: Know where the local hardware store is.  The most essential tool for this set became the binder clip.  These were used to secure the paper to the back of the grid, to keep the "S" hook from sliding on the grid and extend the paintings' wiring for hanging.  Lesson 5: Make my mom proud and iron the table cloths.




Lighting was key but outlets were not abundent, so we used our photo floods for lighting.

The show started at 3 PM on Friday and lasted until 9 PM. During that time we had about 70 visitors.  Saturday the show was from 10 AM until 6 PM and we also had a steady flow but I soon lost count of the numbers.  Everyone commented on the work, "loving it" but sales were scarce this year.  Notecards were the hot item.  Regardless of the lack of painting sales it was fun meeting and talking to the visitors who passed through.  And I think I sold a few subscriptions to Wild Apples art journal and also to The Palette Magazine.

Here are my friends' set up:  Elaine A Cummings

And Deborah Lloyd Kaufman:

Unfortunately I was remiss in not taking pictures of Frankie's and Joanne Boudreau's booth.  Overall our collaboration presented a colorful event with each having a unique vision in paint.

BLUE 2

This photo, by my husband, Pip Shepley, called Whiplash was accepted into BLUE.  This is his first juried show he has entered.  Along with this acceptance he is now a member of the Cambridge Art Association.  This image can be seen along with my painting Twilight Regrets at the Kathryn Schultz Gallery on 25 Lowell Street in Cambridge until January 12th.  It is beautifully matted and framed I might add.

BLUE

Twilight Regrets

watercolor 36 x 28

I feel very fortunate to have this painting accepted into BLUE, Cambridge Art Association's New England juried show.   This exhibit was juried by Amy Ford, Director of Sales and Rental for the CAA, and Susan P Vrotsos, Emeritus Director of CAA.  Also very exciting news  for our household is my husband's photograph Whiplash was accepted into the same show.  This is only Pip's second juried show he has entered.  Now, I just have to get him to send me an image so I can post it.  Join us Friday, November 19th, for the reception from 5:30- 7:30 PM.  Details to follow. 

STRIPPING NATURE

The weather on our last day of the 4-day workshop with Jon Imber was not condusive to be outside painting.  Instead our subject was a floral arrangement brought by my friend, workshop attendee and fiber artist Merill Comeau.  This painting is a new direction for me, trying to strip away the non-essentials, be less detail oriented yet compose a compelling painting.  For some time I have only been using palette knife when working with oil paints.  Jon encouraged me to utilize the brush more.  I think he is getting me back on track and in a direction I want to go.

STRIPPING NATURE

This is a painting I did recently in a workshop with Jon Imber hosted by the Concord Art Association in Concord, MA.  The work is oil on canvas, 12 x 12, painted while on location at the Minuteman Park in Concord.  My goal was to create a mood and strip the landscape down to the essentials.  We painted only a few weeks back when the temperatures were perfect, the leaves just starting to turn their colors and the park quiet on a weekday morning.  This park is the perfect place for plein air as the landscaping is varied, the vistas inviting, and the essentials of parking and a bathroom are available.  The park rangers and grounds crew welcome our types.  I will definately go back soon to paint.

EQUIPMENT

Equipment is very important to us artists.  We can spend hours and dollars in art stores, pouring over supply catalogs and searching the web for those deals on things that will make our work easier, better, cooler and memorable.  Whenever I paint with friends or take a workshop the one tool that makes the biggest impression is..........

(drumroll, please)

....my bungee cord paper towel holder.  This tool can even blind people to my painting there on the easel, at eye level, sitting above the paper towels.  They are so impressed with this device.  It is amazing.  And as we artists know, but don't like to speak of,  in the end it really is about the equipment.

THE WISDOM IN TEA

"Have wisdom in your actions and faith in your merits."







courtesy of Yogi brand green tea

A WALK IN THE WOODS

Sunday I went for a walk with my dad and younger brother down a dirt road bordered by a lake on one side and woods on the other.  And I came upon this scene created by man and nature.  The mushrooms glowed white in the afternoon sun while the trees wore their bands of color.

SHOWS TO SEE

Saturday night was the reception for the "Best of Rocky Neck" show in Gloucester.  Word on the street is the reception was a smashing success and the show is a must see.  Luckily I will be gallery sitting tomorrow from 11 AM until 2 PM and will have the time to see this show. 

Today, opening at Simmons College Trustman Art Gallery is Anne Krinsky 's show TIME/LINE, 2000 - 2010.  Tomorrow night, Thursday, is the reception from 5-6:30 PM and Anne will give a talk starting at 5:30.  I am looking forward to seeing what Art New England  states "...a fitting summary for a retrospective, and perhaps a jumping off point as well."

Friday night, Julia Shepley, a sculptor, artist, and cousin-in-law, is having a show at Boston Sculptors Gallery (from October 6th until November 7th.) and she will be giving a talk starting at 7 PM.  Julia also has a review in the recent Art New England  which I need to pick up a copy and also renew my subscription.

These are shows not to be missed and I hope to see you there.

NEW WORK

My new series in watercolor is finally photographed.  Now I just have to format and file the images.  This one I plan to enter in the upcoming "The Best of Rocky Neck Members Exhibit".  Deciding on a title for this painting was a challenge and I didn't want to simplify the name to just Figure I or worse Untitled.  Luckily the title revealed itself one night while I was listening to Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto #2 CD recorded live at Carnegie Hall in 1994.  Song number 12 - a bonus track - is the inspiration. 

BEYOND WILD APPLES

Beyond Wild Apples: Dwelling, Refuge, Shelter is the theme of the Fall 2010 issue of  Wild Apples "a jounal of nature, art and inquiry."  I am very excited to be part of this issue featuring a few of my paintings along with participating in the show at the Owen Smith Shuman Gallery at the Groton Public Library with such distinguished artists as Anne Krinsky, Margot Stage, Parrish Dobson, Betsyann Duval, Linda Hoffman and Beth Van Gelder. 

There is a wonderful article of the show by the curator Deborah Santoro. Please visit the article at this link:  http://gpl.org/events-and-activities/art-gallery. 

To borrow a few paragraphs of Deborah's article: 

Wild Apples, a Journal of Nature, Art, and Inquiry, brings together the work of artists and writers who are connected by the common threads of care for the environment, engagement in social concerns, and commitment to the arts and the way they shape our world. The twice-yearly journal takes its name from Henry David Thoreau’s essay, “Wild Apples.” (Wild Apples Journal)


A collaborative effort of its three editors, Linda Hoffman, Kathryn Liebowitz, and Susan Edwards Richmond, each issue of the journal is filled with art and words that uplift, explore, elucidate, and pierce the heart with the fiery stab of a pen or a brush.

Wild Apples is a treat to read and own.  This is a work of art.  Visit the journal at http://www.wildapples.org/

REFLECTION

Recently we saw the movie I AM LOVE at Kendall Square's Landmark Cinema.  A interesting tale filmed in Milan involving food, love, family and betrayal.  And Tilda Swinton.  After the movie we went to have a drink outside by the pool hall there only a short walk from the theatre.  Another favorite haunt.  Anyway I was inspired by the reflection in the office windows surrounding the plaza and was thinking this would inspire paintings of abstraction.   Here it was done so well by light meeting glass, layering shadows, shapes, interiors and exteriors.  One can find inspiration anywhere when we just sit and observe.

MY PAINTING BUDDY

This is my painting buddy Everett.  We have traveled far and near to paint together.  Plus his wife Charlene is a joy and the best assistant to accompany us and indulge our artistic ways.  Everett is one of my inspirators not only as a talented painter but also as a sculptor, let alone being a surgeon.  Unfortunately we do not live close enough to paint  often but we are planning our schedule for 2011.

BACK TO WORK

My cats are telling me to get back to work...summer is over for most people right after Labor Day. Yet summer is not really over until September 23rd.  Still I have ignored my blog for to long.  And this is not due to being a beach bum this summer.  Though it would be nice to actually have some tan lines.  I have been working quite a bit in the studio and out.  I will write more on that later.   Right now my studio assistants are demanding attention and getting me organized for a new season.  Now, if only I could train them to clean up the fur balls.    

BEACH DAYS

August already! This blog has been ignored as if I have been on summer vacation.  Not really.  I will post more later about what I have been doing besides having beach thoughts.  Hope everyone is getting enough beach days this month.  And I could use more photos of a stretch of sand and salty surf.

MAINE PAINTING

In June I escaped to Maine.  Just to paint for two weeks.  And it was a fruitful two weeks as I was able to have a creative break through and to get a strong start on a new series of work.  They have yet to be photographed but once captured on film I can share my progress.  As inspiring as the Maine coast is for me my new paintings are not about the land and sea.

TALKING ABOUT ONE'S WORK

Tuesday night I was invited to be part of an artist panel discussion at the 2010 Art @ Bass Rocks reception in Gloucester.  Two of my paintings were juried into this loan program sponsored by SeARTS.  My work will hang in the club house of the Bass Rocks Golf Club for the year.

Carol Seitchik lead the panel discussion randomly choosing 8 artists out of 22 to talk briefly about their work. Carol, an artist and poet, developed a program to bring art to the workplace and curates several shows a year for employees of the New England Biolabs and Cell Signaling Technologies.

When I first received the invitation I thought "I can do this," - be part of a panel discussion except we were up there one by one.  Still having to talk about one's work makes one focused on the essence.  I could have said many things about the work and the process yet I found I was quite nervous and not sure if what I said made sense...however receiving positive feedback on the work alleviated some my fear. 

Both of these paintings were not planned and then executed.  Once the paint was applied after the gesso and graphite these works evolved.  And both reflect a place I once lived and loved living there... Manhattan.  West Side (below) represents the many nights I looked out at the city from my 8th floor apartment on the upper west side.  This is mystery and magic of a city at night.  Central Park reflects the many days and seasons this place was explored: walking through archways, over bridges, by the water and into the woods.  I lived in New York City for 18 years.  This painting, in essence, is a celebration of a journey.

What was worthwhile about the event was meeting the people who organized this exhibit and reception.  All of them are strong supporters of the arts and the community.  Also meeting the other artists and hearing those artists talk about their work initiates a deeper connection to the work.  And being part of a community celebrating a event, a place and witnessing a beautiful rainbow after a spring shower. 

ESSEX

Art delivery day was well worth it when I had the chance to stop by here and watch the tide ebb, the clouds build, the breeze play and nature sing.

ART IN THE BARN

Today is art delivery and art pick-up day. I am heading first to Gloucester to pick up my painting Channel Marker to my Heart that was in the new members’ exhibit for the Rocky Neck Gallery. From there I am driving to Essex to deliver new work for Art in the Barn.

Art in the Barn is a one weekend art exhibit and fund raiser. It takes place at the Cox Reservation and on display is a bounty of art from paintings & prints to sculptures, ceramics, and jewelry. Over 150 artists are juried in and the show attracts over 3500 art lovers. Due to the limited time (June 11 -13th) the works are on display the public is in a buying mood. Plus the added benefit is supporting the organization that sponsors the show: Essex County Greenbelt Association.


From their website http://www.ecga.org/ here is the description of the organization’s mission:

The Essex County Greenbelt Association is a member supported nonprofit land trust that has conserved nearly 13,000 acres of land in Essex County. Greenbelt works with local communities and landowners to acquire and protect ecological areas, farmland and scenic vistas. One of our major goals is the creation of "greenbelts" consisting of river, trail, and other natural corridors, coastal systems and visually intact landscapes.”

So I am delivering 2 new oil on canvas paintings: framed, signed, photographed and labeled, and 10 new (7” x 10”) oil on gessoed paper paintings: matted in 11 x 14, 6 ply archival matboard, and signed, photographed, labeled and shrink-wrapped.

The show runs:
Friday, June 11 from 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday, June 12 from 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday June 13 from 10:00 - 4:00 PM

I will be there Friday from 1 -4 PM  stop by and say hello.

oil on gessoed paper

11 x 14

BEACH DAY

Dune paintings

 oil on gessoed paper

11 x 14

BACK TO THE BEACH

more paintings of the dunes

oil on  gessoed paper, 11 x 14,  

for the upcoming Art in the Barn exhibit and fundraiser in Essex, MA. 

IN THE DUNES

When you can't get to the beach and enjoy the scenery then paint it.

LOUISE BOURGEOIS

From the New York Times: Louise Bourgeois, Sculptor of Psychologically Powerful Works Dies at 98, June 1, 2010 by Holland Cotter.

Ms Bourgeois, a professed atheist, said about the emotional and spiritual energy that she poured into her work.  "I have a religious temperment.  I have not been educated to use it.  I am afraid of power. It makes me nervous.  In real life, I identify with the victim.  That's why I went into art."

ART ADOPTION

The other day I received that wonderful call from the gallery telling me two of my paintings had just sold.  These are part of a group of work I had just delivered there.  This watercolor called Flare (left) 30 x 24 was painted this past  winter while in that grand studio space in Maynard and is the start of my floral series.  This same work was accepted into the Rhode Island Watercolor Society's  Floral Fantasy show in February 2010 juried by Mim Fawcett, Director of the Attleboro Arts Museum.  The Color of Morning  (below-right) is also watercolor on 300 lb paper measuring 24 x 24 and is a new technique I developed as described in an article for The Palette Magazine called "Paper to Canvas".  The actual painting is not behind glass but is well protected by a special medium.  If you are interested to know more please contact me at marthawake@aol.com.    I am so grateful to have these paintings adopted and on their way to a new home. 

FROM A FLOWER

Watercolor
30 x 22

Inspired by a flower, a thumbnail sketch in pencil, then thinking big on paper portrayed in paint.

TAOS INSPIRED

Watercolor
30 x 22

TO THE POINT

"I paint what interests me and what I see."

Georgia O'Keeffe

1965