Sunday, August 28, 2011

WATER AS MAGIC


We have been soaked with the power of water in a liquid form as Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene passes through New England now.  This past Thursday not being an enticing beach day we searched out other venues for water.  And we were richly rewarded with this new exhibit at the Peabody Essex  Museum in Salem, MA where water in it many states is eloquently portrayed.   



The show is Ripple Effect, now on view until April 30th 2012, in PEM's interactive Art & Nature Center.  This exhibit: "highlights water as a medium for artistic expression and hands-on exploration. Visitors encounter water in its different states - solid, liquid and gas - as they investigate artworks inspired by rivers, geysers, snowflakes, fog and more. Water's allure to contemporary artists as a creative medium is compelling, especially in relation to the unique, life-giving properties of this substance we so often take for granted."



Artists, local and around the globe, explore the many states of water.  My favorite is this pictured above - water in a gas state.  It is mesmerizing to watch.  Other exhibits in the same vein also showed the power and magic of water.  Of special note is The Unseen Sea by Simon Christen - a must see video that showcases the majestic beauty of the everflowing natural world. 

Monday, August 22, 2011

BARELY

Barely
watercolor
30 x 22


This painting titled Barely was recently selected for the Rhode Island Watercolor Society 18th Annual National Show.  This is part of my slip series I have been working on since January.  Barely was painted while in Taos, NM at the end of April.  Truly, an inspiring place to be.  My goal in Taos was to take the acrylic on canvas slip paintings I had been working on and continue the series on full sheets of 300 lb paper in watercolors. There are many more paintings in this series.  I am happy to have a cohesive body of work.  For the last year I have not entered many juried show due to other demands, now with paintings at hand it is a plus to have one's work resonate with others. 

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

MY SHOW IS UP

Slip # 1

My new show Slipping the Knot opens today at Rocky Neck Gallery.  This will be up until Tuesday, August 16th, and is part of the new Summer Artist Series inaugurated this year.  The gallery has featured 4 exhibits so far, showcasing new artists and media to the gallery. My show is the fifth event with four more exciting exhibits to follow.  For this exhibit I have 7 paintings (18 x 18 - acrylic on canvas), 4 acrylic on handmade paper on canvas and one large watercolor 36 x 28. 


I started this series in January with the intention of using fabric and doing mixed media.  But my intention was changed when the painting above emerged into a silhouette of a slip.  This image directed me to another path - it has been a wild ride and fascinating series to work on. 




Chemise # 7
acrylic on handmade paper
about 9 x 9

 These small works are on handmade fine 100% luscious cotton rag paper I bought last year while in Taos.  This is gorgeous paper to work with and can be ordered on line at:  Taos Paper Works    I had this for a whole year before I was brave enough to work on it.  Maybe this paper was just waiting for the slip series.  

Red Slip # 3
watercolor  36 x 28

I hung the show last night. It was a gorgeous cool night to be on the neck.  Lots of people were out enjoying summer.  

Here is my slip show - quite intimate.  I took this image with my little digital camera ( no flash), as you can see it was dark and late.  Better images to come!


The gallery is hosting a reception is this Saturday, August 6th, from 5 - 8pm with food & spirits along with an artist talk scheduled for 7 pm.  I am pulling this together now - wish me luck! 

Come join me and see not only my show but the diverse and original works by the talented artists of the gallery.   



Rocky Neck Gallery  is open 7 days a week.  Vist our blog at http://rockyneckgallery.blogspot.com/ for hours and location.  Hope to see you Saturday night!