TERRA VI from the TERRA SERIES was accepted for publication in the 2009 American Art Collector. Artists from across the United States submitted work for consideration and the entries were juried by California College of the Arts instructor Howard Eige and gallery owner Jan Christensen-Heller.

TERRA XXV

JOURNEYS

July 6 – 24, 2009

Opening Reception:  Thursday, July 2, 4:30-7 PM

LOWER COLUMBIA COLLEGE

The Art Gallery – Rose Center for the Arts

15th Ave & Washington Way

Longview, WA

Call (360) 442-2510 w www.lowercolumbia.edu/gallery

New work but a new direction??  That is the question for me.  It was exciting working in with this new abstraction.  What do you think?

New Abstract

On May 8 I participated in a workshop presented by RACC which was conducted by Mark Grimes that covered the “technically outlandish” to the tactical and the practical on how artists can market themselves online….consequently I have been spending several hours trying to connect to various website, search engines and the latest innovations including opening an account on twitter that can feed directly into my blog page.  Also, Mr. Grimes with the rest of the workshop participants critiqued my website with a lot of useful suggestions…now to figure out how to make the changes with my naive skills.

In the meantime, keep an eye on my site and maybe we’ll see some great advances.  Please comment if you see something you like or even more suggestions for improvement.

Also, please don’t forget about my critique group The Art Pack on the internet.

Celestial Bearings #2

I am now busy painting, matting and framing to prepare for a one-person show to be exhibited in July at Lower Columbia College in Longview, Washington.  I am combining the two series–Terra and Celestial Bearings into a single exhibit entitled Journeys.   The Artist Statement for the exhibit explains my thinking behind the work–

        “Rather than force a focus onto the viewer, I prefer to suggest several interpretations of the Terra Series and provide a starting point for individual discovery. 

         “The work may stir exploration of the imagination to a place remembered or yet to be found.  The painting may suggest unknown continents and the symbols chart a path to new frontiers.  The travel to a distant country gives the viewer gives the viewer the opportunity to conjure their own unique story for each painting.  Another interpretation is the juxtaposition of the human imprint and nature building a bridge between the planet and man’s attempt to exact a structure on the organic.

         “Celestial Bearings followed the Terra Series as a natural progression bringing attention to the mysteries of the skies.  Once again, these are unknown parts of the universe and prompt one to take their imagination along on this journey to the outer limits.”

To those of you who follow my work and wonder what’s become of me, I was diagnosed with cancer in May 2008 and underwent surgery in June.  It kept me from the studio in one way or another and slowed down the progress of my work although I participated in Portland Open Studios in October.  I feel as though I am getting back on the road to creating my work and look forward to a fruitful winter.  I am still at work on the Terra Series without leaving behind my beloved Technicolor Cows.  I hope to do more postings to my blog to keep my friends and follwers up-to-date.  Check back at least monthly to learn what progress my work is making and thanks for your interest and support.

I did complete one painting during Portland Open Studios that I like very much and hope you do too.

Technicolor Cows XVII

                                               Untitled #1

                                                 Untitled #2

Continuing with the Journeys Series, I do not consider the previous post’s image complete.  As you can see by both Untitled #1 and #2, I have added the complementary color–a red-orange–to the composition to guide the eye through the painting.  At this time, I have four paintings and am considering the name, Celetial Journeys and renaming Terra to Journeys through Terra.  The fourth painting of Celestial Journeys appears below:

Although lighter in tone, it reveals more layering of images and greater depth.  Once again, the use of a red-orange detail guides the eye around the composition. 

And now as I approach another season in my life, I am considering adding another journey–Spiritual Journeys which may complete the Journeys Series–Terra/Celestial/Spiritual.

Untitled #1

      Untitled #2 in Process                            Untitled #2                         

 I am continuing with the Terra Series but am now considering making the Terra Series a part of the Journeys Collection which would be composed of the Terra Series and Celestial Bearings (working title).  The Celestial Bearings would continue the theme of mapping but rather than the earth or geography, it would be a mapping of the skies, but certainly not this galaxy. 

My first attempt is Untitled #1 above which though it has some good qualities seems to lack a sense of depth and interest.  My second attempt is shown above as Untitled #2 and is the end product that starts with the process shown in the preceeding image–Untitled #2 in process.  The first image is the foundation for the detail which is laid on top with India ink.  I find the theme intriguing and challenging and reminds us all of the journeys in our lives.