NEW HOME SWEET MEMORY

This holiday season is always full of wonderful surprises.  My painting above, Black Chemise #8, recently at the Cambridge Art Association small works show, has been invited to a new home.

It is always a joy to have one's work honored by such an invitation. While I am excited by the sale I am more excited knowing that someone that I consider a dear friend and talented artist bought this work.  So my friend many thanks!

This work is from my Chemise series painted in 2011.  It is acrylic on handmade paper mounted on canvas.  The paper comes from Taos, NM.  The series is based on love, loss and what remains.  The remains is my imagination of my mother's soul wearing such a garment when on her spiritual journey during the time of Dia de los Muertos and All Soul's Day.  Black was a color that suited her.

My vision for this series is also based on a wonderful memory  When my mother dressed for an evening out she always wore black, a beautiful red glossed her lips and Chanel # 5 left traces of her as she walked out the door with my handsome dad.  Oh the memory...

TIS THE SEASON

Tis the season for the holiday small works shows.  

SWEPT AWAY
oil/panel  8"x8"

This year three of my paintings: Swept Away, Here Once Before & Reflections Can Whisper,  from my Wild Beauty series have been invited to Courthouse Gallery in Ellsworth, ME.  The exhibit is from Wednesday, December 7th through the 30th.  A open house and artists' reception will take place on Wednesday, December 14th from 5-7 PM.   I am honored to have my work in such as prestigious gallery.

HERE ONCE BEFORE
oil/panel  8"x 8"

These three landscapes were painted plein air in Boothbay Harbor and Pemaquid Point, Maine.  

REFLECTIONS CAN WHISPER
oil/panel  12"x12"

REMEMBRANCE
oil/panel  12"x12"

Back in the studio when the weather is not as inviting to paint outside I like to play with floral arrangements.  It is the closest thing to the landscape in shapes, colors and the wildness of the flowers's petals.  At Concord Art Association, where I also teach painting classes, I have two such works in their Holiday Originals show.  This show will run from December 1st until Sunday, December 20th.  The gallery is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10 AM until 4:30 PM & Sundays 12 - 4 PM.

A GATHERING
oil/canvas 12"x12"

Art is a wonderful way to escape the madness of the season whether visiting galleries or museums. This is a season to celebrate what is most important: family, friends and creative expression. Wishing you a sweet holiday season of magic and joy!

SHE BREATHES SLIPS

Yesterday I delivered eight of my Slip paintings to SheBreathes Balance and Wellness Studio in Walpole, MA.  As soon as I entered the door I was in awe of this beautiful space and positive energy.  SheBreathes is the brainchild of Jennifer Gulbrand and is all about empowering women to love and honor themselves.  

Here is their mission statement:

Promote the importance of self-care for balance, health and wellness and teach women to love and honor themselves.

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​Create a welcoming environment for women to gather, learn from, share with each other, grow individually and be inspired by the experience of women supporting other women in search of their own transformation.

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Establish a collaborative of professionals in the fields of health & wellness, life balance, education and the arts in order to promote their gifts, and strengthen their connection with the community.

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Our Studio at 85 West Street, Walpole, MA, offers a warm, inviting venue for all women.  

 

The hanging went smoothly under the expertise of Dave Amaral, musician, and the artistic eye of Beth Knaus, writer, art consultant & senior staff member of SheBreathes. 

The large space is serenely welcoming with such creative attention to details from top to bottom that it just invites one to linger forever.  I know I could.  Please check out their offering of classes, lectures, and speaker series all focused on women supporting women. Just being in the space one can feel relaxed and refreshed.  Its truly magical.  

I am so honored to have my Slip paintings grace the wall of SheBreathes this month of October.  Many thanks to Jennifer Gulbrand, Beth Knaus, David Amaral and Elizabeth Hermon who generously promoted my artwork to SheBreathes.

SPLASH!

Old Frog Pond Farm

On Sunday afternoon, September 11, 2016,  Old Frog Pond Farm & Studio hosted the 4th season of Plein Air Poetry .  It was the first time I attended the event.  What an inspiring day surrounded by poets, friends & families in a beautiful setting with stunning sculptures placed throughout the land and on the water!

Splash Plein Air Poetry books
sold out!

I am honored to have my painting Lily Pond grace the cover of this year's poetry book.  Many thanks to Linda Hoffman artist, writer & orchardist, Susan Edwards Richmond, editor & poet, and Lynn Horsky, graphic designer, artist & poet. 

Following the editor of Splash, Susan Edwards Richmond, and the poets we covered a lot of ground walking among the apple trees, by the meditation sanctuary and near the winding shore of the pond.

Editor & poet Susan Edwards Richmond reading her poem
 "Palm Warblers and a Yellow Rumped for Jim,"

There are 19 poets in this year's edition.  Each artist read their poem inspired by a certain spot on Old Frog Pond Farm.  These magical spots are noted in the book. Hearing their words, in their voices, at the place of inspiration made such a powerful impact.  

Lynn Horsky reading her poem Just Splash It

The crowd at the Plein Air Poetry reading 2016

 

An added treat was seeing the sculpture exhibit featuring artwork by many New England sculptors. I have several favorites.  There is still time to see this outdoor exhibit as its open weekends 11-5 PM  through Columbus day on 10/10. 

Branch Crossing
Barbara Andrus
#46 sculpture walk

The day ended on an amazing note with the book selling out and my painting finding a new home! Splash created such lovely ripples...

NEW BOOK COVER

Lily Pond & Dark Woods
o/p
10" x 10"  2014

My painting, Lily Pond & Dark Woods from my Wild Beauty series, has been chosen as the cover of a new book titled Splash, Plein Air Poetry, Old Frog Pond Farm, 2016.  This is my second book cover & I'm very exciting to be part of the many artists events at Old Frog Pond Farm in Harvard, MA.

To obtain copies of this book featuring the poems of 19 artists please click this link.  

To attend the poetry reading on Sunday, September 11th @ 2 PM please click this link. Here is a description of the event from Old Frog Pond Farm's website:

Old Frog Pond Farm & Studio's Poet-in-Residence, Susan Edwards Richmond, has once again invited poets to walk the rich landscape of pond, waterfall, fields, and woods of our farm and write poetry inspired by a particular location, artwork, or vista.  This year's theme: SPLASH

We invite you to join us during the fall harvest to walk around the farm, stopping at the various locations of inspiration to listen to the poems. Chapbooks of the poetry will be available for sale.  Refreshments will follow the reading.

Special thanks to Linda Hoffman for selecting my painting and to Lynn Horsky for the beautiful cover design!

PAINTING UPDATE

acrylic/panel 36" x 36"

When I lasted posted on this blog it was May 28th, 2016.  Yikes.  Only a few months have passed - still it's embarrassing how little I have posted this year with all my grand plans!

This painting above was featured in the last posting.  It went through a few more workings and I called it finished in August as pictured below.

But a week ago I decided it wasn't "finished" and I reworked the painting.  Below is the latest version.  For now I am letting it rest so I can revisit the other large panels strewn throughout my studio in various states of rawness.

When is a painting finished?  I think, maybe, when the painting tells one it is....  We will see...

acrylic/panel 36" x 36"

IN THE WORKS

I have been busy in the studio working large with acrylic on 36" x 36" birch panels.  Here you can see the progression of one panel, #9 out of 12,  that I am working on.  It is a painting in process.  

I started this group of panels in January.

Each one has a story to tell.

Besides working each day in the study I am also documenting the panels many lives of chaos, to refinement and back to chaos.   

This is the current state of panel # 9 from yesterday.   The journey continues...

INSPIRED BY TURNER

Lily Pond & Dark Woods
oil/panel

Katherine Henning, Associate Curator at Saatchi Art, has chosen my painting Lily Pond & Dark Woods to be be featured in the Inspired by Turner Collection at Saatchi Art's homepage.  This painting, part of my Wild Beauty series,  is oil on panel 10" x 10" in a black floater frame measuring 11" square.

This painting was done plein air at one of my favorite spots in Maine.  Now with warmer temperatures arriving I will soon be out abstracting the landscape plein air.  I am very excited to have my work curated into this new collection and featured with the many other talented artists on Saatchi.  You can see more of my work on my website under the Wild Beauty series and at Saatchi Art.

Many thanks to Katherine Henning for this honor!

NEW HOME

Without a Destination
mixed media/paper
30" x 22"

From my Journey series the above painting Without a Destination has been invited to a new home in New England.  This painting went through many journeys in its development - see the image below.  Quite different from the initial rendering!  I often take photos of work in process.  It helps me critique my work, especially if stuck, and avoid getting lost.

One never knows where a painting will take them.  It is always a fascinating trip and even without a specific destination it is worthwhile.  You can see more of this Journey series on my website or visit Powers Gallery in Acton, MA to see the paintings.

WINTER IN BLOOM

FINDING A WAY THROUGH
mixed media/paper
22" x 30" 2015

Tower Hill Botanical Garden in Boylston, MA invited these two paintings to exhibit at their Winter in Bloom, A Month of Flowers show.   This exhibit is running from February 5 - 28, 2016.  Each weekend Tower Hill offers events for all ages.  The artwork is complimented by floral arrangements specially created for the event.

INNER SIGHT
mixed media/paper
22" x 30" 2015

I am excited to have this new work shown in this special place. It is delightful destination spot to visit in all seasons and especially in these winter months as the place is buzzing with events both inside and out.  Tower Hill Botanical Garden is located on 11 French Drive in Bolyston, MA, an easy drive from the Boston area.

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

New classes and workshops will be offered (all levels & water media) soon at Concord Art Association in Concord,  at Mother Brook Art & Community Center in Dedham, and at the Rockport Art Association in Rockport, MA.

Rockport Art Association: 2 day Expressive Painting Workshop on Saturday, April 30 / Sunday, May 1 from 9 AM - 3 PM.  All levels, any media.  Stay tuned for links to sign up and more workshop details.

Concord Art Association: Abstracting the Landscape,  5 week class starting Tuesdays May 24 - June 21, 1:30 - 4:30 PM.

Mother Brook Arts, Dedham, MA  1 day weekend workshops TBD and a 5 week beginner water media class on Tuesday evenings, starting April 5th, 6:30 - 9 PM.

I will be posting dates, times, class descriptions and links in the next few days so please check back.

2015 REVIEW

Talk & painting demo at Concord Art Association

Happy New Year!

We celebrate the new year as we say good bye to the past year.  In reflection 2015 was a year of bounty for me.  Here are a few highlights of 2015:

I finished the year giving a painting demo at Concord Art Association in early December.  It was a treat to connect with many friends and meet new followers of my work.  Since my art practice is solitary it is so refreshing to know there are fans out there.

I had the chance to study with Katherine Chang Liu in October and meet a wonderful group of artists from around the country.  I also continued to work with friend and mentor Skip Lawrence marking 10 years together.

Powers Gallery of Acton, MA, now represents my work on paper.  This relationship started in June of 2015 and I am happy to report they have sold 4 paintings since then.

SHIFT # 19
watercolor & India ink/paper
30" x 22"
sold by Powers Gallery

I had a solo show of my Wild Beauty series in Gloucester, MA, last August.  In late October I was in a 3-person show Detangled with Wendy Young (studio mate)and Joseph Fontinha at the Kathryn Schultz Gallery in Cambridge, MA.

My paintings were invited to other shows in 2015 from California to Maine.  I was awarded 2 prizes,  one being a large gift of acrylic paints from M. Graham & Co.  Thank you!

As a staff writer for The Palette Magazine (back issues now available on Etsy) I enjoyed writing about such interesting artists at work in Canada, New Hampshire, Montana and Georgia.  Plus working with my two editors is never dull.

Teaching is something I really enjoy and this past year I gave several workshops at Mother Brook Arts in Dedham, MA on color and the graphic language.  This year I plan to do more workshops as I find its a great way to share information and even better learn from my students.

new work in progress
acrylic/panel
36" x 36"

The new year is starting out with a brand new series.  For the first time I am working on 12 panels 36 inches square.  A new size for me.  I will be posting about this series in the days to come.

Thank you all for following my blog this past year,  for supporting and sending me feedback. I am finally on Instagram and posting daily.  You can find me @ MMWakefield.  And I plan to be diligent about posting on my blog and twitter  - at least weekly!  But for now the studio calls!