ENDINGS

Last Tuesday, I finished 12 weeks of teaching painting.  My classes consisted of Expressive Watercolors, Alchemy of Color I and II, Embrace the Sketchbook and landscape based Power Painting and Dynamic Colors.

I taught series of classes and one-day workshops at Concord Art, Cambridge Art Association, New Art Center and a private club in Boston.

Studio at New Art Center

New Art Center has a wonderful large studio space.  With a full house of 12 students we still had plenty of room to work.

Artist's value study in watercolor

Many artists embrace the versatility of watercolors and the value of doing a black and white painting.  Another fun workshop was my first Embrace the Sketchbook at Cambridge Art Association.  See my post Thursday, February 21st.  This is a class I hope to expand on and teach again

Watercolor class

Artist's color study.

Alchemy of Color I and II are challenging yet rewarding classes based on the feedback from many artists who ave taken these classes.  I teach the properties of color and the magic of mixing in Alchemy I.  In the next session, Alchemy of Color II, we explore color in depth putting many of the principles to practice by painting a still life each week.  Homework is always assigned.

Artist's homework in Alchemy of Color II

Endings are bittersweet for me.  While I am looking forward to spending time in my studio, I will miss the many wonderful artists I had the opportunity to work with.  Each artist brought a unique voice as well as an inspiring drive to pursue their art.   I am grateful to all of the artists who enrolled in my classes and the time we shared pushing paint.  Thank you!

NEW HOMES

Powers Gallery
Photo courtesy of Powers Gallery

The Essence of Abstraction show, currently on view at Powers Gallery, continues to draw new art collectors.  I am happy to report that Powers Gallery has found new homes for three more of my paintings.

The Edge of Possibilities
36" x 36" mixed media/panel

My paintings explore the fragility and emotional anatomy of memory.  I am intrigued by how memory has many forms from persistent vividness to fleeting passages to total loss.  Memory has no physicality: we cannot hold it in our hands yet we carry it with us.  It has no weight yet can weigh us down.  We bury it deep inside until a scent, a voice or place conjures it's power to rise.  This exploration of memory is a very personal journey so having interested collectors of my work is a high honor.

The Things We Carry
8" x 8" mixed media/panel

I work both big and very small.  My mixed media consists of acrylic, India ink, crayon, graphite, marker, cold wax medium and oils.   

Spirit & Soul
6'x6" mixed media/panel

Thank you Powers Gallery and collectors.  I am exciting these three paintings have found new homes.

EMBRACE THE SKETCHBOOK

Last Thursday, Valentine's Day, I taught a workshop at Cambridge Art Association's Kathryn Schultz Gallery in Cambridge, MA.  Embrace the Sketchbook workshop compliments the current exhibit This is How it Starts showcasing 23 artists sketchbooks.  I had the honor of jurying this show (please see prior blog post).  Do see this new exhibit as it is very inspiring.  

For this workshop the goal was to embrace the sketchbook as an important tool in our art practice. My class description:

The sketchbook is a wonderful tool in any studio practice to improve creativity, explore ideas, stay inspired and motivated. It becomes visual diary committing to paper those ideas rattling in the right brain. We will review some master artists’ sketchbooks (most pretty messy), sketchbook options and experiment with a variety of materials from a simple pencil to markers, paint and collage. Through exercises students can engage in the process of playing as it is the beginning stage of creativity allowing more risk taking since a “finished” piece is not the goal here. At the end of the workshop artist may find some gems to explore further in their art practice.

After my demo/lecture which I tried to keep short, nine artists embraced the materials and the time to play.  

Some of the many tools available to play with

The results were exciting.  We did a few exercises but the majority of the time the artists  pushed the materials and tools, experimented and transformed the blank pages into exciting content. 

doodling is important

A collaborative product with fun results

new sketches in the book

creating a pile of material to play with some more

One thing we all learned was that 3 hours were not enough.  I definitely could see this as a day long workshop.  Hmmm...

I wish to thank all the artists for enrolling in this workshop and for their inspiring energy and enthusiasm!  Many thanks to Cambridge Art Association for the opportunity to teach this. 

The Sketchbook Exhibit

Sketches by Emily Manning-Mingle

This is How It Starts is a new concept exhibit featuring sketchbooks at Cambridge Art Association's Kathryn Schultz Gallery. The show opened Thursday 2/7 and runs until 2/27.  Yesterday a reception was held from 11-1 PM and well attended by an enthusiastic crowd of artists, families, friends and art lovers.  It was fun for me to see some many people engage with each book. 

Sketchbook by Susan Byrne

I had the honor of jurying this show and was delighted by the quality and diversity of the work submitted. I commend all the artists who bravely brought their sketchbooks forth. Handling each book is like entering a sacred sanctuary as artists' sketchbooks can be very personal and private.  

Sketches by Roz Sommer

Despite the differences in process, media and mark-making, a few themes emerged: figures, abstraction, landscape, collage and botanicals. My aim was to come up with an inspiring show of cohesive diversity.  Do see the exhibit, engage with the books and loose sketches and celebrate the mystery and magic that emerges when artists are at play. 

Award winner Mick Provencher with Erin Becker & me.
Mick has two sketchbooks in the show.

Rom Sommer award winner.  See her work in the image above.

My juror statement:

“The portable studio,” is how Richard Diebenkorn defined his sketchbook. Andrew Wyeth referred to his sketches as his “messy side” and debated letting them out of the studio.  A sketchbook is a pad or book of paper for drawing according to the Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.   In the hands of an artist these blank sheets of paper are transformed into personal artistic meditations.

In a first ever exhibit This is How it Starts we enter the inner sanctum of private scribbles, exploration of ideas and celebration of play by 24 talented artists.  Each has a distinctive and personal process chosen from a wide variety of materials and techniques.  The interplay of the conscious line to sub-conscious doodles meld as this ritual is practiced. 

The hands-on craft of creativity is evident, as is the innate curiosity to experiment and the capacity to wonder in each artists’ mark-making.  Here we witness the endeavors of form, shape, and line as well as circling in on intriguing projects.

As artists we spend inordinate amounts of solo time mysteriously working in our studios.  Yet we share a strong need to engage with other creatives.  In this exhibit the sketchbooks are linked by the process and motivation as artists commit ideas to paper.  And each in turn unveils the mystery by welcoming the viewer to peek through the keyhole of the studio door.  

It was years after Diebenkorn’s death that his wife Phyllis decided his 29 sketchbooks should be shared with the public.  I thank all the artists who courageously reveal their sketchbooks for this exhibit. 

Sketchbook by Martha Chasson-Sokol

I also wish to thank Erin Becker, Norma Jean Calderwood Director of Cambridge Art Association, Rebecca  Schnopp, assistant director and members of the exhibition committee for the honor to jury This is How It Starts.  

NEW HOMES

Mixing Memory & Desire
mixed media/panel
8" x 8"

Memory Bowl 1
mixed media/paper
5" x 7"

Powers Gallery has already sold two of my paintings in the current show The Essence of Abstraction.  The show opened last Saturday 1/26 with an afternoon reception that was well attended with a steady flow of art collectors, friends, family, and other artists.  

It is a powerful show with a talented group of artists working across the media spectrum and offering  colorful expressive work.  The exhibit runs until March 9th.  Gallery hours are Tuesday - Saturday from 10 AM - 6 PM at 144 Great Road (Rte 2A), Acton, MA.

These paintings above are recent.  I am now exploring cold wax medium and oil and I am loving the versatility of this medium.   Other media included in these are India ink, crayon, graphite and pencil.  The series continues to explore the fragility of memory, a theme I have been working with for a few years now.  Intrigued by how memory can be ethereal to truly weighted, this medium allows me to explore memory's transient nature. 

I am grateful to Larry Powers and his staff for supporting my art and to the collectors who have invited my work into their home.  Thank you!

NEW SHOW

The Things We Carry
mixed media/panel
2018

I am happy to announce that I will have paintings in Powers Gallery new show The Essence of Abstraction opening Saturday, January 26, 2019.  This exhibit will run through to March 9th.  I will be joining artists: Charlie Bluett, Kathy DeFlice-Secor, Robin Remick, Fran Busse, Ellen Rolli, Jan McElhinny, Iris Marcus, Pat Gerkin, Elizabeth Ahern, & Joe McCarthy.

My work will range from large 36" x 36" to small 6" x 6".  Many are new paintings  -  mixed media consisting of cold wax medium with oil and including graphite, India ink & crayon on panel.  Cold wax is new medium for me and one I am loving due to its versatility.  I will also have several small matted cold wax/oils on paper there.

Powers Gallery is located at 144 Great Road (rte 2A), Acton, MA.  Telephone is 978-263-5105.  For more information click this link.  Stop in next Saturday from 3-6 PM, have a glass of wine, meet the artists and enjoyed a visual feast of contemporary art.  

BREATHING INTO 2019

Lily Pond II
oil/paper 24" x 24"

Its unbelievable today is already the 16th of January.  My Wild Beauty show has been up for that long.  Last Friday night was the reception at SheBreathes Balance and Wellness Studio in Walpole, MA. I had a fabulous evening greeting old friends, family, former students and meeting many new acquaintances.  Seeing the paintings through others' eyes is a rewarding experience for any artist.  And catching up with everyone in colorful setting on a cold winter night of a new year was priceless. 

The Gallery Wall
Photo courtesy of Jay Wu

The show will be on display through this month.  Gallery hours are Mondays & Fridays 10-1 PM, Wednesday 10-12 PM, and open for viewing during scheduled events.  The show can also be seen by appointment by contacting Beth Knaus at bethknaus@comcast.net.

A sweet turnout of friends, family & new  aquaitances
photo by Jay Wu

photo by Jay Wu

Though I tend to favor black outfits I did wear some bright turquoise shoes that also were quite a hit!

photo courtesy of Robbin Bell

Many thanks to everyone who came Friday night!  And to Jennifer Gulbrand, owner and creator of SheBreathes Balance and Wellness Studio;  her husband Dave, art & lighting installer extraordinaire & musician; and Beth Knaus, gallery curator and owner of That's a Spade.