Art At Touchstone Gallery

Featuring- 
Mi Godessa en clay

Touchstone Gallery Artist


I'm at the Touchstone Gallery once again to check out the current exhibit, there is always something good to see there.  As always, Leslie Nolan has work there which is captivating and strategically placed to be seen as soon as you walk in. There is a variety of art styles  to admire and ponder. 

Timothy Johnson

 As I walked around and took pictures, I spoke to a few of the artist there at the Gallery.  One gentlemen by the name of Timothy Johnson, works in acrylic and his piece called "Saint Sebastian"  is painted with emotion and depth.  Timothy explained that he used targets instead of arrows piercing the flesh like images of Saint Sebastian.  We all feel like we are being targeted in some way shape or form. The different chakras of the body can be targeted as well by negative forces.  Timothy seems to have given the viewer multiple ways of interpreting and connecting to his work. I like the way the body is pale and the pars exposed to the sun are more flesh colored.  This style gives the piece a sense of realism to the imagery and humanizes the person and the concept of the painting.  

Saint Sebastian

Saint Sebastian lived between the 3rd and 4th centuries between Gaul, where he was born, and Italy. He enrolled in the Roman army of Diocletian and became an officer of the imperial guard.  He converted to Christianity.  When he refused to sacrifice to the gods he was first shot with arrows and then clubbed to death.  In art, he is depicted pierced by arrows and is invoked against the plague. Aaah, it's wonderful to have worked in a Catholic School System, and to have a book of saints as a parting gift.


I really enjoyed talking to Timothy about his work and I  look forward to seeing more.

Another interesting artist to check out is David Alfuth who does 3-D collage "The Adventure" in black and white.  What I found captivating about his work is that it's all cut out images! arranged like a diorama.  Each cut out piece was done with a Sheffield scalpel which David orders from England.  Xacto knives do not provide the precision he needs to cut out the images.  He uses the xerox machine to enlarge or  reduce the image to the desired size and places them all together to make very detailed and intricate pieces. The black and white imagery reminds me of Gotham or some fantasy place where everything is dark, eery and oh so weird, which is right up my alley! The Dark side of an Alice in Wonderland type of element is captured in the way David manipulates the images and the placement of each item within the setting. Every time you look at his work you see something else who didn't see before. The shades and shadows created by the black and white scale also gives it an other worldly feel.  I got the feeling that I was peering in on a moment in time, a scene captured in the blink of a eye. David also has flower "specimens" also cut out flower images with chenille stems as the mixed media element. They create the stamen within the flower.  Each flower is enclosed in a clear box. Like a botany specimen.  It's so cool to look at because you can see it from all sides. He also has a few architectural style collages as well.  His work is totally awesome.







The  Gallery may be small, but there are plenty of artists there with one or two pieces on display that are worth seeing.

Another featured artist at the Gallery is Charles St. Charles, his works titled "Being Affected"  are interesting faces that are done in multiples, each face seeming to change in its expression. The illusion created by the changing of the colors in each face.  Some have bolder brighter colors accentuating the nose or lips.  The darker colors adds depth to the eyes and the splotches of color surrounding the face create the head in an abstracted way. The placement of each color along with the faded color layered from printing, also elongate the face and highlight the different features in the face, giving each face a different personality or expression.

Each of his pieces reflect different facial expressions by manipulating the saturation of color.  These intriguing prints offer a lot to ponder and wonder in the grand scheme of it's intended and perceived message. His work is truly beautiful in its application and it's ability to captivate the viewer.

Stop in and see these works and more on exhibit now through July 29, 2012 at the Touchstone Gallery located at 901 New York Ave., N.W. Gallery Hours Wed-Fri 11-6, Sat-Sun 12-5.  Metros: Mt. Vernon Sq. 7th St. Convention Center or Gallery Place 9th & G St. Exits.



Mi Godessa's en clay

I have a name for the new series of female heads that I am currently working on.  They started off being part of "Clay Gyrls Are Easy" and they still are, but the name Mi Godessa seems more fitting for the trio of hair whipping womyn en clay. They are part of a series of womyn that are supposed to symbolize the "self" in various states of transformation.  Somewhat of a reoccurring theme within my work. The transformation consists of variations  alternations, deviations of the "self." Not necessarily how I see myself but the "Inner Self"  and its ever changing moods, and faces . They come to me, not that they aren't sought out, but their image becomes clear quickly as if inscribed in my finger tips and is relayed into the clay as my fingers shape her face. Three is usually the magic number in a series for me. The pieces afterwards seem to lack the the vision that is intended within a series of work.  They often seem to be different conceptually and therefore ends or begins another duo or trio of pieces that may end up being studies instead of pieces for display. These will stay with me, providing inspiration for future pieces that better define the intended thought. 


Each clay gyrl has flattened & curled locz that become a little spiky in the back.  The first and third gyrls are created this way. Only the second one, with her head tilted back is created slightly different. The faces are built up from a shaped wedge of clay which is later hollowed out. 


Since this photo, I have added pointy tips to some of the "hair" that's on the forehead.  She now has a widows peak. Softened her eyes a little.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that there will be a fourth & fifth piece to complete the series. They will be fired in a gas kiln and become a tan/brown/white color. Can't wait!


This weekend I will be in Philly checking out the happenings there.  Since I'm traveling on a budget, the events that are free or low cost will be the ones I seek out, may visit a friend or two.


Plan to have plenty to say about my day in Philly next time.  Thank you for reading my blog. See you on the...

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