January 21, 2022 Weekly Musings

 Announcements:

Blue Bird On Her Shoulder Accepted Into The Art-Fluent Gallery, Figures Exhibition

“Blue Bird On Her Shoulder” has been accepted into the Art-Fluent Gallery, Figures Online Exhibition. 

The jurors received 617 entries from 5 countries around the world and stated that the quality of the works was incredible. 

Figures Statement. The figure can offer us insight into the range and complexity of our human emotions. The construction of identity, whether at our most beautiful and strong or in our most raw form with scars exposed, helps shape how we see ourselves. Here, FIGURES expresses beliefs, tells stories and explore what it is to be human.

Blue Dress Will Be At The Kenosha Exhibition

I will be having a solo exhibition, "The Middle Is Not Grey - Rocking The Boat" at the Anderson Arts Center, 6603 3rd Ave, Kenosha WI starting February 6th through March 20th. See you there! 

Click to view video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSQSPOsdP1c

The Red Dress Will Be In Kenosha

"The Red Dress" will be another of my works that you can view at my upcoming solo exhibition. Listen to a bit of the story behind this work.

Click link to view video. https://youtu.be/E2DjjvIpWG0 

 Blogs:

Many Failures

Featured image: La De Da

I have experienced many failures in my art, as I have experiences many uncertainties and doubt about why I wanted to be an artist in the first place.  But in life and in my life's work of creating and painting, I can’t, simply can’t imagine what I would do without something greater than myself. I consider life itself as greater than me.

It's More Than Just Applying Color

Featured image: Gatekeepers

Painting for me is much more than applying color to a canvas, like many images today are. Painting for me is about conveying a message. It is my hope that the messages resonate with you as a viewer. Anytime you wish to know the message or story within the work please just contact me and I will happily share it with you. You can also choose to schedule a zoom visit to talk about a particular piece you enjoy and my studio is always open by appointment.

My amaryllis

My amaryllis are blooming – I have 6 plants and they are all so beautiful.  They are so tall and so steadfast. They remind me of my painting of the General Sherman Tree.

But the really neat thing about these plants are that they are the shape of a star and they are red.  Brilliant, brilliant red.  I have been swamped with getting ready for the Kenosha show but I just had to take some pictures to paint later of these wonderful, happy, delightful, gorgeous plants. 

As I was writing this I asked myself, "What is the symbolism of the Amaryllis plant?" This is what I found – no wonder I love this plant.

• These stunning flowers are believed to mean pride, strength and determination as they stand tall above all other winter blooms. Amaryllis is also a Greek name which means 'to sparkle'.

• Red amaryllis is the most classic variant of this bloom. It symbolizes love, attraction, and passion. Therefore, it is perfect for giving to a romantic partner. However, keep in mind that in some places, it is simply a symbol of beauty, and in others, like China, it symbolizes good luck.
• The amaryllis commonly means determination, beauty, and love. The Victorians associated amaryllis with strength and determination because of their height and sturdiness. Amaryllis can also mean success, and are commonly given as gifts of hard-won achievement.
• The name of this beautiful flower comes from the Greek word “Amarullis”. This word meant splendor or sparkling, which is self-explanatory of why this flower got such a name. There is even a literary base to the name of the Amaryllis flower and that is the story about nymph Amaryllis from a poem written by Virgil. In this dramatic poem, the beautiful nymph decided to show her love to her gardener Alto in a very strong way, and she did that by piercing her heart with a golden arrow. She pierced her heart for a month every day, at his doorstep to get him to notice her.