while on my way to someplace else......

Recently at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, I was headed to a small watercolor exhibit.  As I wove through the maze of galleries, I stumbled upon one in which Japanese kimonos were displayed.  I stopped in my tracks.  The fabrics of these robes are so beautifully designed.  Each truly is a work of art.  ALSO this gorgeous basket is a wonderful example of functional art.

one week left!!

Still one week left to see Matt Adrian's show at Nahcotta.  These beautifully painted "bird portraits" are wonderfully stylized.  Somehow one feels the "personality" of the bird coming through.  The entire surface of each painting is very carefully considered.  The often quiet space surrounding the birds give the paintings a contemporary feel..........and some of the titles are hilarious!  Check them out here!  Oh....and you need to click on learn more in order to see the whole image on many of these.

mixed media at the MFA

I am currently taking a class in mixed media at the Museum of Fine Art in Boston.  So far we have created decorative papers using acrylic paint, built three dimensional constructions with cardboard and created a collage which references a master painting.  It has been such a great way to expand my creative thinking and process.  AND it means I am at the MFA every week!

This piece is a project called “call and response”.  First we sketched in the gallery from a drawing or print that was of interest.  Then, back in the studio, we each painted a background sheet.  On the right hand side of the page we responded (loosely) to some aspect of the sketch we had made.  Then we passed our page to another student who responded to that on the left side of the page.  It was so interesting to look at all of the results.

CHIHULY

Finally made it in the the Boston MFA yesterday to see the Chihuly exhibit. It was SO inspiring! The installations are incredible from conception to scale to execution. It was very uplifting. If you can possibly get there, I would encourage you to do so! http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/chihuly

MFA visit

The minute I walk through the doors at the Boston MFA, I can feel something wash over me that is a mix of serenity and exhilaration. This happens every time. It can be the new wing (which is AMAZING, by the way) or the older part of the museum. It doesn't have to be any particular show. It is just so amazing to be in a space where art is revered and beautifully displayed. Some people are talking animatedly about the work with friends, some are sitting with it quietly. Some work you love, some you don't. Other pieces seem hard to access. This is all okay. You are looking, thinking, expanding your own vision.

Ogunquit Museum of American Art Invitational

The OMAA invitational was a fun and BUSY weekend. Such a gorgeous spot and there was a wonderful and varied group of exhibitors. LOTS of attendees came through and were very receptive to my work :) It was great to see some dear friends who made the trek and I must say a special thank you to my friend who crazily volunteered to help with the set up!!

steamy opening!

The ETA8 opening at Nahcotta was hopping. It was crowded and steamy! Kind of like and opening and a spa treatment all in one! As always, it was great to see such diversity in one show. I had the pleasure of chatting with Virginia Fitzgerald who is new to the gallery. Love her work. Check out her blog! Am crazy about the beach installations which are part of her dress project.

portsmouth en plein air

I recently stopped into the Kennedy Gallery and frame shop here in Portsmouth. I had read about the show for which the artist, Erin Murray, had committed to painting plein air throughout the city for one month. The results are lovely; beautifully composed paintings capturing the charm of our historical seaside community. The color and light are wonderful. Erin happened to be there, so I had the pleasure of talking with her. I learned that 50% of her proceeds are being donated to A Safe Place, an organization founded in 1976 to prevent and eliminate domestic abuse. And there were LOTS of red dots!! (sales) Luckily there are still some works available and the show is up through June 28th, so check it out!!

AD 20/21

Diana Levine Fine Art, a gallery I have had the pleasure of working with for many years, will be exhibiting at the AD 20/21 show at The Cyclorama in Boston this weekend. With forty exhibitors, the show features a vast array of contemporary art, furniture, crafts, jewelry and more. Yesterday she and her crew worked very hard moving the work over to the Cyclorama and setting up the display. She will be including a number of my pastels and giclees in the mix. I hope it is a wonderful event for all of us!

north / south artist retreats

I recently heard from a long time friend of my sister and her husband, Scott Stoll. Scott is an amazing sculptor. I find his work to be stunning: fluid and graceful. He even did a series in homage to the stiletto! You have to love that! He was writing primarily to tell me about his role in managing North / South Artist Retreats. In January, the retreat is held in Antigua, Guatemala. In September the retreat is held on Georgetown Island, near Bath, ME. Both locations have their own unique magic. In addition to working in a beautiful setting, interaction with other artists will further enhance one’s creative growth. Take a look at the website. Sounds pretty amazing!

Enormous Tiny Art Show 5 !!!

I just delivered twelve small paintings to Nahcotta for the ENORMOUS TINY ART SHOW 5. They are works in acrylic done on 6x6 panels. Deb and Abbie are knee deep in tiny art! As always, it's exciting to see the great diversity of work. The opening is Friday, Feb 6th, so mark your calendars!!

left bank gallery in wellfleet

I recently delivered a new body of work to the Left Bank Gallery in Wellfleet. What a gorgeous spot, right on the marsh. The gallery is filled with amazing original art, fine crafts and furnishings and jewelry. It's true, the cost of gas is through the roof, but go anyway!! Summer is short. Go to the beach, barbecue, ride bikes, garden, eat ice cream and BUY ART! :)

a few more bits from Cali

A few more things worthy of mention RE: my Cali trip.

In San Francisco, I saw a wonderful show at the SF MOMA. Olafur Eliasson. The exhibit, which is interactive, opens one's awareness to aspects of light, movement and perception. It was truly delightful as well as thought provoking.

While in LA, I had the opportunity to attend the LA Art Show. There were approximately a gazillion galleries represented from across the country, and actually one or two from England. Two artists really stood out for me. One is Rusty Scruby. His works on view were essentially two dimensional, but had undulating surfaces. They almost looked as though they were woven. But the representative explained that his pieces were actually constructed by using a tabbing system which was stable and yet allowed for the variation of the surface. When I looked at his site, I could see that some of his works actually reveal the tabbing system on the front of the piece.

Broken Angel by Steve Yeates really caught my eye. The artist creates sculptures with recycled glass and poured resin. Looked beuatiful in the spotlight.

working my way back to Eastern Standard Time

Returned from my FABULOUS West Coast Tour early Tuesday morning and am slowly getting back to real life. It was an amazing trip for me in every way. I had the chance to see some wonderful artwork, drink yummy wine, eat delicous food.....and SHOP!!! And most importanty, reconnect with family and friends AND meet some great new people. Where to begin? Well, oddly enough, the LA pastel tour actually started in San Francisco. I was traveling with my friend, Deb, owner of the way hip Nahcotta gallery, here in Portsmouth. It just so happens that one of the artists she represents, Tjasa Owen, lives and works in San Francisco. I have always admired her work and so we were both thrilled to visit her studio, which is a beautiful space in a quiet little nook, but right around the corner from a thriving neighborhood. Tjasa was so helpful in terms of suggesting galleries we should visit. (Hang was my favorite) And places to eat. At her suggestion, we had breakfast at La Boulangerie, an amazing bakery where everything was freshly made. When you order a large coffee there, they serve it to you in a BOWL!! A bowl of coffee. Yes, indeed, that's the way to start the day. While innocently walking on our way to a gallery, I happened to glance in the window of boutique, Christine Foley. The manager unlocked the door and invited us in. What could we do?? I treated myself to a couple of jackets that are beautifully made........and will serve as a reminder of a wonderful little vacation. Stay tuned for part 2.........LA

Magical Mexico in Portsmouth

While gallery sitting this afternoon at Three Graces Gallery, I was surrounded by the beautiful, colorful works of Santiago Martinez from Oaxaca, Mexico. Even as they reference reality; the figure, a studio, nature, the paintings also have a fantastical quality. Each compositional element is included intentionally, beautifully, while much is eliminated. It it a luminous and enchanting world, one well worth visiting if you are able. The show is up through November 25th.