"A Collection of Silence" Opens in Hattiesburg, MS Tonight!

Muse 1, Part 1 and 2

The above installed image of "Muse I, Part 1 and 2" and the subtle reflection of Southern Portraits in the historic library that the Hattiesburg Cultural Center and Arts Council now inhabit says it all about this exhibit. It is about Southern culture and history, past and present. 

"A Collection of Silence" opening tonight in Hattiesburg, MS. Reception from 4 - 6 pm, 723 North Main Street, Hattiesburg, MS.

Masur Museum Fundraiser

The Masur Museum's yearly fundraiser Off the Wall  will be Friday, April 1, 2016. I would love to be there but have an opening at the Hattiesburg Cultural Center to attend that night for my exhibit "A Collection of Silence". 

The two paintings pictured "Penny Candy Bag" 12 x 12.5" oil on paper (above) and "Study for Nest with Leaves"  8 x 8" colored pencil and oil on paper (below)

will be in the auction and available at a crazy low starting bid. All works $500 or under and starting bids begin at $75 or lower.

Please go this wonderful event if you can and support the Masur Museum.  It is a fantastic regional museum with a fantastic permanent collection and cutting edge contemporary exhibits.

Information for tickets here.

A New Series of Drawings

A new series of drawings predicated on conversations in Louisiana about the definition and use of the word Creole. One conversation on the use of this word prompted more research into this topic. 

A series of drawings in two and three parts is called "The Definition of Creole" with each figure depicted being a muse. 

Many beautiful people and interesting discussions come from this idea of lineage and generations. 

Large Florals

I am working on some large paintings of flowers from private gardens.  The photographs that I took last year of gleaned blossoms are perfect imagery for these paintings. It is nice to see the forms and details so large.  They become very sculptural even though the presentation is two dimensional. 

Removing the color, or most of the color, from the images can produce wonderful results. The form, shadows and highlights become almost tangible.

A detail of a peony below.  Painted with ink and oil on paper,  40 x 40".

Floral Portraits

I will be taking portraits of garden flowers from Louisiana soon. This is the first lavender rose of the season.

Henry James and Winter

Remembering last year's photos of Louisiana in winter brings to mind a quote from Henry James describing Versailles in winter.

"But all deserted places and gardens should be seen in the chill and leafless season.  Then nature seems to give them up to your sympathy and they appear to take you into their confidence."  

This quote from "Parisian Sketches"  seems to describe perfectly a reclaimed area near Monroe, LA that is now a Waterfowl Preserve.  

53rd Juried Exhibition at the Masur Museum

My piece Tenure and Terpander has been selected by juror Holly Hughes, Godin-Spaulding Curator for the Collection, Albright-Knox Art Gallery for the 53rd Annual Juried Competition Exhibition at the Masur Museum.  The exhibit opens March 9 to July 5, 2016. 

http://www.masurmuseum.org/upcoming-exhibitions