Experiments in Paint and Paper

Sometimes my interpretations of Louisiana come in the form of memories about color, texture, light, smell and taste. 

The artwork resulting from my trips to Louisiana began as figurative  realism. The pieces are becoming increasingly abstract and more expressive of moods and memories  than than representations of specific images. 

Gardens and Drawing

I realized this morning that I approach creating a garden the same way that I create a drawing. Sometimes the garden is completely planned out ahead of time - plants, locations, balance... everything.  Other times I work on the garden a little at a time adding things that I like then removing and transplanting until an organization begins to emerge.  

Most recently I have started to plant gardens based on what I want to photograph and draw as well as what I want to look at.  I think about plants that will be interesting at different times of year, the flowers and fruit and perhaps even the roots of the plant.  

A garden composed of things that I want to draw is taking shape.  Some large very colorful pieces will happen in the next year based on these ideas. Seasons, growth, stages and time to observe are becoming more important to me as a person and as an artist.

Above:  Bear's Breeches or Acanthus Mollis.  Not native but works beautifully in part-shade locations in the Southern US.  Slowly multiplies to create nice groupings.

Textiles and Paper

For several years now I have been using paper to create textile forms and textiles  to create sculptural forms.  The above photo is a detail of a blouse constructed on a sewing machine using tissue paper.  Below is a detail of sculptural silk forms that I constructed for an installation a few years ago.  

I have been working with photography, drawing and painting for the artworks exhibited so far in the Louisiana Portrait Project exhibits.  I am working now on some sculptural pieces that will be exhibited in 2017.   

Some of these pieces will be made using textiles and others will be cast with plaster or clay.  I usually let the idea dictate the form that a piece will take.  I am looking forward to a period of experimentation with some new ideas and direction.

"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".