2 x 4's

A pair of eight foot long 2x4's in cast concrete bases.

I made these this past winter in a contemporary sculpture class with Lynn Simmons.

The assignment was to take a 2 x4 and "transform" it. Pretty open ended. My attempt was to revert it to it's primal, tree- self. The method, which was with a hatchet, was as important to me as the end result. My own physical effort was very primitive and primal and I felt imbued the piece with that raw energy.

The shards that came off the lumber were equally important to me, and were used in the second manifestation of this project which I call PV Trees. They can be seen on the Worcester Art Museum's sculpture blog http://wamsculpture.blogspot.com/ scroll to the April 4th, 2011 entry.

To see my instructor's work please visit her website http://www.lynnsimmons.com/lynnsimmons_working/home.html

Fitchburg Art Museum

Tablet

2011

12x12x2

Encaustic on plaster

I just got word that this piece of mine has been accepted into the 76th Regional Exhibition of Art & Craft at the Fitchburg Art Museum. This is the first time I have submitted a three dimensional piece into a juried show, so I am very pleased it got in!

Jurors were: Candace Casey, Worcester Center for Crafts

Nick Johnson, New England School of Photography

Mary Ann Kearns, 119 Gallery, Lowell

Opening Reception is this Sunday, 26th of June 1-3 p.m.

Show runs until September 04, 2011

This is an art museum, so there is a fee for admission.

Members & kids under 12 get in free. Some public libraries may have passes AND the first Thursday of every month from 4-8 p.m. is free for everyone!

Fitchburg Art Museum is located at 25 Merriam Parkway, Fitchburg, MA

978-345-4207

http://www.fitchburgartmuseum.org/

for hours & directions

Rockin' Out

Another plein air abstraction from my trip to Biddeford Pool, Maine.

I was really excited by all the different kinds of rock formations. This spot had very angular, jutting forms.

The painting is 12x12, oil on canvas

Family

2011

beach stones,

Maine coast

So, is it art? I don't really think so, but some would argue.....

I was just getting awfully tired of looking at the last post, and haven't had the chance to photograph any paintings.

Today I have the time, but no sun! I might try under artificial lights and see how that goes.

More from Maine

Untitled

2011

9x12

acrylic on paper

One overcast morning in Maine a few of us gathered on the porch to work on some non-objective paintings. This is my favorite of the ones I made. I think there is a landscape in there.

Storyteller

2011

18x24

mixed drawing media

The Maine Abstraction

Tidal Pool, Maine

2011

12x12

oil on canvas

Took a trip to Biddeford Pool, Maine with a group of talented painters from Worcester, Massachusetts, and spent several days painting at the rocky shoreline.

This was the final painting I did there which was a loose abstraction of a tidal pool. I thought you might enjoy the snapshot of what I was actually looking at. You can see where I wanted to be faithful to the forms, and where I made my departures. There comes a point when getting the forms and colors on the canvas in the way you want them takes precedence over simply recording what is in front of you.

Tripod with Pendent

2011

32x30x26

wood, metal, wire, twine

The wood was chewed by a beaver, the metal chewed by rust.

Weary (detail)

2011

mixed drawing media

Chairs

2011

48x30x13

mixed media

The Outskirts of Town

2011

15x23

mixed media on paper

2011

18x24

mixed media

on paper

2011

23x15

Mixed media on paper

Isn't she a saucy red head?

Mixed Media Show

Creation: Day Two

2011

mixed media, hanging sculpture

There is a very exciting show at the Post Road Art Center, Marlborough, MA through the 29th of April.

This show's category is Mixed Media. and it seems to have attracted some really inventive works by creative local artists working both two and three dimensionally. I am pleased to have my painting, Remembering New Mexico (see entry for March 24, 2011), be one of the works selected by juror Catherine Carter of the Danforth Museum.

If you have not been to PRAC, this would be a show worth making the trip for. The Center an art supply shop, custom frame shop, gift shop, and art gallery all rolled into one.

If Marlborough is too far for you, they always post their shows online. Visit http://www.postroadartcenter.com/Mixed_Media_Show_2011_Page_1.html

Opening reception is Thursday, April 07, 2011 5:30-8:00 p.m.

1 Boston Post Road, East, Marlborough, MA

508-485-2580 for hours and information

Thank you!

I want to thank my friends & family who made the trek to Lowell today to attend the opening at The Brush Gallery.

I truly appreciate your support, insight, and encouragement.

You fuel me.

Tablet

2011

12x12x2

plaster and encaustic

Painted sculpture?

Sculpted painting?

Yes.

2011

18x24

mixed media on paper

Remembering New Mexico

2011

24x18

mixed media on panel

2011

17x14

Acrylic on paper

April 3rd, 2011 opening at The Brush Gallery

Spring Begins

Fleur

2010

5x8

acrylic & graphite on rag board

Spring begins at 6:21 p.m. today, so here's something with a spring-like feel for you to enjoy.

Found Object Sculpture

Dancers

2011

8x21.5

found metal wire and wood

This piece was for an assignment for a class at Worcester Art Museum, in which we had to make a sculpture from found objects.

Of course the concept has been around forever, but I still like the simplicity of the resulting piece.

The line of the metal actually feels like one of my own gesture drawings. Maybe that's what attracted me to it in the first place.

For those who are curious, the wood base was also found and the holes in which the wire fits were pre-existing. The metal piece is a fragment from a cage that goes around the root ball of a tree.

Pebbles & Splash

2011

18x24

mixed media on paper

Pine

2011

17x14

acrylic on paper

more than just a two dimensional gal

I've been busy this winter with a couple of classes at Worcester Art Museum that deal with three dimensional art.

In this clay piece I was trying to make a hybrid of sorts between the classical sculptured female figure and the expressionistic manner in which I tend to draw the human form.

She is about 16" high.

When one door shuts, break the freakin' window

2011

14x17

mixed media on paper

I hate to let so much time go between posts, but it has been kind of a stressful time lately.

The space I rent to paint in, which gives this blog it's name, has become unbearable with lack of heat and general bad behavior by the greedy landlord. Hopefully, a resolution is not too far off.

Now, back to what matters: Art, or as we say here is Massachusetts, Ahhhht.

This subdued piece is one from another fine class with Christine Cross at Worcester Art Museum. It makes me think of windows in a building or a card game we played as kids, "Concentration".

2011 Massachusetts Artists Biennial

The Other Side of the Fence

2011

8x28

acrylic on panel

I recently got word that two pieces of mine (not this one) have been included in the 2011 Massachusetts Artists Biennial. The juror was Jen Mergel, senior curator of contemporary art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. I am really pleased to be included in what promises to be a wonderful exhibit at the Brush Gallery, Lowell, MA. I will post more information as the date draws closer, but if you just can't wait, visit http://www.thebrush.org/

Trees of Winter

2011

8x10

encaustic on panel

Still not really confident with encaustics, but I am having fun trying to get a handle on them. Okay, so, sometimes it is frustrating, but mostly it is fun.

model muse, woodland snooze

mixed media on paper

as of yet, untitled

2011

14x11

mixed media on paper

Members Juried II, Concord Art Association

Aggregate

2010

32x20

mixed media on paper

I am very pleased to announce that both of the mixed media pieces I submitted to Members Juried II at the Concord Art Association have been accepted by juror, Karen Hass, Curator of the Lane Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This exhibit showcases photography, drawing, mixed media, graphics and crafts. If you are in the Concord, MA area, please drop by to see the show. CAA also makes their exhibits viewable online sometime shortly after the opening.

Show runs February 15-March 13, 2011

hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10-4:30, Sunday noon-4

37 Lexington Rd., Concord, MA

978-371-2496

www.concordart.org

Opening Reception: Thursday, February 17, 2011 6-8 p.m.

Figure Painting

What Lies Ahead

2011

40x30

oil on canvas

A month ago a group of my artist compadres came over for an afternoon of figure painting. Our model, Katie was just wonderful! I think everyone enjoyed themselves; I know I did, which is not to say I didn't find it very challenging.

I've done quite a bit of figure drawing over the years, but not much figure painting . I think this is my second time ever (the last time being back in the mid-1980's. Yikes.)

Since our session, I have returned to worked on this a few times, but I think I am finally done messing around with it.

I have mixed feelings about the end result. I guess I thought I was going to approach this much more loosely, abstractly than I did. I will just have to try again, and this time, perhaps, I won't let 25 years pass between attempts!

For you local artists who might be in search of a fantastic model to work with:

http://katiemariemodel.weebly.com/

Exhibit at Goodnow Library

Untitled

2011

3.5x9

oil on canvas

Now through the end of February, 2011 I will have three paintings on display at the Goodnow Library, Sudbury Massachusetts.

This is a group show along with artists, George Hancin, Thomas Kellner, and Patricia Kelly. Together, we represent a broad spectrum of contemporary approaches to painting.

Gallery is open during regular library hours. Please check their website or call for more information.

http://sudbury.ma.us/departments/Library/news3275/

(978) 443-1035

Show of Hearts, 2011, Post Road Art Center

Tremble

2011

8"x3.75"

Encaustic on panel

This is one of four paintings I have donated to the annual breast cancer research fund raiser hosted by the Post Road Art Center in Marlborough, MA.

This is such a great event! You can view the show on line and bid by email, or if you are local, of course, you can do it in person.

All the works are small (read: affordable), unframed, and have a loosely interpreted connection to the theme of hearts, just in time for a fabulously original, no calorie, wilt-proof Valentine's Day gift!

All proceeds go to Art beCause a breast cancer research charity http://www.artbecause.org/

Show of Hearts runs just until February 10th, so don't dilly-dally!

Closing bid Party, February 10, 2011 5:30-8:00 p.m. (snow date Feb. 12)

1 Boston Post Road East, Marlborough, MA (508) 485-2580

http://www.postroadartcenter.com/

January Thaw

January Thaw

2011

30x40

oil on canvas

More work on Paper

Adolescence

2011

11x11

mixed media on paper