Camouflage

Camouflage is one of a few of my recent paintings that are about identity - perception of self and how one is perceived and such things.  I am just starting to put this theme to words.  I'll have to explain my use of totems and getting tangled in patterns when I get to where I can wrap my brain around it and wax poetic.

Here is what I love about going to art shows: talking art smack.  With artists and art appreciators (love those).  When I am showing my own work I enjoy hearing what people think about my art and what it says to them, I also enjoy "educating" people on the meanings and thinkings behind my paintings.  Even better, I love getting to talk to other artists about their art.  I was in good company in Park City last weekend as part of a group show at the Meyer Gallery.  I had wonderful conversations with Ray Bonilla, Justin and Sunny Taylor, Brian Kershisnik, and others.  If you happen to be in Park City, stop in Meyer Gallery for a look-see.  It is a brilliant show and a wonderful gallery.  Lots of good art.  I'm trying to underplay my excitement by avoiding exclamations. !!!

I also had loads of fun on my trip to Utah canning all week-end long with my sisters!!  Oh there I go with the exclamations.  We just have so much fun!  And we turned bushels of produce from their gardens into delectable jars of winter blessings.  An old friend crossed our path in the kitchen and said, "What good little Mormon girls you are."  Yes, we most certainly are.

From Rhubarb to Tomatillos

Of Two Minds

Then, window, let day in, and let life out.

A new day, what will you make of it?

I am of two minds.

Adventure beckons, but duty is impatient.

I long for Branwyn's salty breath on my skin,

and I hesitate to serve my ungrateful stewardship.

Alas, adventure beckons and duty is impatient.

I have had some interesting responses to this paintings.  By interesting I mostly mean not super positive (but, I have to say this is one of my all time favorites).  My publisher said, "It looks, it's kind of like.. um, it looks like she's... tweakin'".  Oh man, that's funny.  I had to tell him that it wasn't an accident.

The composition for this painting might look familiar.  There is a painting called Gabrielle d'Estrées et une de ses soeurs at the Louvre.  Gabrielle d'Estrees was King Henry IV of France's mistress and the tweakin' is symbolic of her fertility as she is with child.  In my painting the tweaking is actually a pea plucked from the plant growing behind her.  Her children are waiting (unenthusiastically) for their meal, and though she would love to sail away on a pirate adventure, she has to remind herself of her duties.

Meyer Gallery - Park City

This summer I took a couple paintings to my NEW gallery on Main Street in Park City, Meyer Gallery!!  On Saturday, 4 September I will be there for the opening of a group show called "The Modern Figure" with Fidalis Buehler, Fatima Ronquillo, Chris Miles, Brian Kershisnik, and Yours Truely.  I have five new and great paintings to show.  I am so excited!  You can come, if you want to.  I hope you do.

Come Sail Away with Me