sketches

Here are three "sketches" that I did a couple nights ago. If you follow this blog at all, you might recognize some of the elements with which I was "playing". I am compelled to comment on the "dark" sketch here on a number of levels. Firstly, I suppose you could say I was hesitant to post this composition. It does seem pretty "dark". But why should I feel hesitant to post it? Maybe it's because I don't consider myself a particularly dark person and I don't want viewers to "get the wrong idea". Part of me is hesitant because I don't want viewers to be "repulsed" by my work. On the other hand, if my work elicits any reaction, I suppose I should be pleased. Certainly folks go to see dark movies (some of which are violent). I just find it strange that I should care so much as to be hesitant (because I still am). But I will post it. On a less personal note perhaps is the interest I have in the base element (the substrate?) of the dark piece. My typical strategy is to go through vintage and contemporary magazines and rip or cut out pages that I find visually interesting. Sometimes I read about what the image is and sometimes I don't. The image here that looks like one boy is holding his hand over the other boys face is intense methinks. I like intensity. I don't recall the context of the photographic image, but I seem to recall that it was not as dark as it seems (although I can't be sure). And the fact that I don't have (and am almost precluded from re-obtaining) that specific information I think makes the image all that more intriguing. One of the primary reasons I love collaging is that it creates so many levels of intrigue!

Process

I try to stress upon my students when I am in class that "the process is much more important than 'the answer'"! I FINALLY got back into my studio this evening. It was great to be back! It was a little bit daunting initially, as I have not been doing much artwork lately (for a number of reasons). Anyway, I was just sort of getting my feet wet a little bit and exploring some placement of elements. In a very serendipitous manner, I ended up playing with this beautiful vintage photograph of an overloaded boat of Chinese people (note the photo of Mao in the back of the boat). I experimented with various elements and finally decided upon the one you see last here. However, I had many "candidate" compositional placements on the way. I love to document the "process" rather than simply show "the answer" (i.e., the finished composition). What you see is approximately a two hour "journey" to get to the final composition. The piece is 8" x 10" and is entitled "Love Boat (or My Night at Sea with Mao)"

Trenton Falls Arts Festival

I was invited this year to be one of the featured artists at the Trenton Falls Arts Festival (in central New York state). I am humbled to be exhibiting with an impressive group of artists. Another beautiful venue!

two shows

Currently I have a solo exhibit at the Rome Arts and Community Center (Rome, NY). The entire building is absolutely beautiful and the gallery in which my work is hanging is an excellent venue with lots of natural light. The show will be up until September 4th, for anyone interested who lives locally. I am really pleased with the way it all looks. The 24 pieces are coherent. I also was part of a group show at Utica College last month and really think that Joe Fryc, the curator, did a great job. Was happy to have Kyle Reicker's digital collages as part of the show. Great work!

some other "Alaskollages"

by Melanie Barnes

Alaskollages?

I just returned form an Alaskan cruise on Royal Caribbean's "Radiance of the Seas". I am happy to report that the on-board artwork along the hallways included these collages! The lighting for these photographs is not the best, but I couldn't do much about it without professional photography equipment. I'm just happy that collage got some "respect" from this corporate entity. These three are cut paper compositions by Willemein Stevens...

"You will find your way"

I'm not going to apologize for having not posted in a while. Although I do feel badly, I just don't want to sound like a broken record (or scratched CD). Here is a piece I finished last night (it's a bit larger than what I have been doing lately… 10" x 13"). I am also showing here some of the intermediates which I think speak to my Dada sense of humor. The one with the teeth I would have entitled "Breast feeding was out of the question for my daughter Isabelle". The other would have been entitled "Not me!" It was SO nice spending so much time in my studio again last night. It was partially inspired by going to an opening art reception in town and seeing so many of my "arteratti" friends.