Odd shadows

The new street lights are strangely dismantling the shadows that I have found inspiring outside of my studio for the past 7 years. They're still inspiring to me, but odd and new.

Reliquaries

"Reliquaries" are pieces of art that hold a sacred object. Often the Christian church , especially in the Middle Ages, created reliquaries. 

Most of what I have seen in person have been artwork depicting the life of a saint or their martyrdom and in some part of the piece, a window containing an actual piece of that saint's body. 

Since I first learned of reliquaries I was fascinated by them- odd, dark, potent, meaningful and to me strangely beautiful.

I am quite a sentimental person. Over the years I have collected many, often seemingly useless, objects because they represent something important to me. 

About a year and a half ago I was struck with the notion of creating my own personal reliquaries. I have finally completed the first 4, but have several more I'd like to do. While the objects contained within the paintings (some are simply embedded, others are inset and covered with glass) are not sacred in of themselves, they represent something very important and personal to me. 

All of the "objects" involved represent  a difficult time which God carried me through. These are real struggles that I faced with the goal of not only overcoming, but learning from them.  

Each piece contains a very personal story. These are literally parts of my life. Precious to me but I'm offering it all up to the viewer...

"Reliquary No.1"

36"x36"

Encaustic and natural materials on panel

Inset: vine, acrylic, encaustic and glass on panel

"Reliquary No.2"

24"x24"

Encaustic, acrylic and paper on charred wood panel

"Reliquary No. 3"

24"x24"

Encaustic, enamel, satin ribbon and ring on panel

"Reliquary No.4"

36"x36"

Encaustic and shellac on panel

Inset: feathers, encaustic, pins and glass 

Green paper leaf

About a year ago I attended a funeral for a good man who I cared very much for and had known for a long time. He went home after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer.

This green paper leaf was given out for another purpose, but I kept mine. (Was that wrong?)

I added it to the collection of sentimental and beloved objects on the mantle in my studio-that I might remember to thank God for him and pray for his family often. 

I grieve with these loved ones in my heart now, but I'm so thankful to have had my life intertwined with him and his wonderful family...

The shrine of my heart...

(There are more objects crammed into my studio than fit on the mantle.)

Self prescribed deadline

Life has been a bit a whirlwind for me recently. 

A painful episode with Lyme disease (which hopefully had a furious onslought and was nipped in the bud), wedding planning ( then thank you's and albums still not completed) and the daily life of to-do's: 

participating in exhibitions, being the main caretaker of my 3 year old, teaching art classes, working almost full time bartending and using whatever hours are left of the deep night to paint and to keep my career going...

I usually try to complete about 10 paintings every 3 months. I am painfully aware that I haven't put new work "out there" since may. But my rush to get new work out there and to keep the momentum of my career going doesn't always synch with my creativity or the unavoidable restrictions of my life. I aim to do my very best in all things. Sometimes there's just too many "things"... Including the need to rest. Arg.

Luckily sales have been stable despite all of the way lays. Amen.

With all this being said, there is a body of work that I've poured a great deal of my heart, soul, body and mind into. I aim to have my photographer out to take photos of these pieces by the first week of November. God willing, they will be strong, poignant and many.

Just keep going... 

"Getting it"

The other night, while bartending, i found myself in a great conversation with a regular who is a statistician. It was the  first time we had been allowed an extended time to talk. 

Somehow we got into the fact that I am an artist. From there some phrases were thrown into the conversation such as- "I am not artistic at all" and " I just took one art history class in college". 

When I hear such statements it is a trigger to reassure and break down barriers. In many ways I'd much rather talk to somebody who doesn't know all the fancy words and instead just speaks from their gut. With such disclaimers out of the way, they are usually more free to speak from their hearts without encumbrance. And I am eager to listen.

This man, unbeknownst to himself, knows a great deal about art and how to observe it. My medium , encaustic, elicited the most explanation- but he needed little assistence in internalizing and reflecting on specific pieces. Beautiful... 

This was in joyful contrast to recently observing another artist (who is of a more traditional bent) railing an installation art piece to a patron at an exhibit. The Patron might have been confused by the piece if they are not familiar with installation or concept art, but the guide made them dismiss it completely. I was greatly offended.

Artists who "take it out of the box" and shake things up a little are often a breath of fresh air.  Famous artists who once did that and were greatly ridiculed are now some the most praised  (Ex. Monnet, Sargent, Duchamp)

My guess is that if that patron was left alone and not told what to think, her reaction would have been at least a bit different. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the putting on of eirs in regards to art is often inhibiting.  Just because you know some fancy terms ( and yes, I know them too and will spend the next 10+ years gladly paying for it)  doesn't mean that you actually "get it".  

And whatever is to be "gotten" from my work and many others is in the unincumbered viewers gut response.   They observe without being told what to think and if it strikes them, it is in a meaningful and personal way. That is sacred in its own right.

Mrs Gerrard

I finally married my Joel a few days ago with our almost 3 year old daughter in tow. It's a crazy story of how we finally got here after knowing each other for the past 17 years. Now that the wedding has happened, I am eager to continue to pursue my "Reliquary" series. This is by far the most personal group pieces I've ever painted. Looking and hoping for a good place to debut them later this fall...

Regardless, you're sure to see them here.

Fantastic paper sculptures...

A great article I found tonight-

Astonishing sculptures made from plain paper http://us.cnn.com/2014/08/29/world/astonishing-sculptures-made-from-nothing-but-paper/index.html