Art N Motion

Featuring -
Revisiting the Corcoran Gallery-An Alumni Perspective
Touchstone Gallery Opening
Sandy Spring De-Installation
Artist Corner-Finding Your Muse

On Friday I made my way downtown to a familiar place, a place that I haven't been to in a while. A place where my memories and delusions of grandeur were fueled with creative enthusiasm and a free spirited willing mind begging for an education made of dreams. Well, here I am ten years later, going for an interview for the Arts 101 Program. My how things have changed, while some of the people remain the same.  

After my interview which went great, I decided to walk through the Gallery. Its marble floors, and high ceilings looked the same as it always does.  Glad to see the change in artwork in the permanent collections galleries. You can't take pictures when looking at the art, but I managed to find pictures and descriptions of the main exhibits going on.

A pivotal figure in the history of modern painting, Richard Diebenkorn (1922–1993) was an innovator whose work inspired legions of artists and greatly advanced the lexicon of abstraction. 

The Corcoran is the only East Coast venue for Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series, the first major museum exhibition to focus on the artist’s most celebrated body of work. The exhibition features more than 80 works, including large-scale paintings, smaller paintings made on cigar box lids, mixed-media drawings on paper, monotypes, and prints.

Both Diebenkorn and Rothko share a similar style of working abstractly. As celebrated as they are, I fail to understand the concept of color blocks, grids, the whole process. It's interesting to watch the viewer who chooses to sit and stare at them contemplatively, perhaps trying to figure out the purpose of the painting. However, what experience a person gets out of the work is personal and unique to each individual. The Diebenkorn exhibit is fine for some, but one that I walked quickly through. 

Robert Colescott, Auvers-sur-Oise (Crow in the Wheat field)

The new permanent collection installation highlights the strengths of the modern and contemporary art holdings. These galleries provide a sense of the breadth of practice and the range of ideas that animate postwar and contemporary art. Major works are presented by Lee Bontecou, William Christenberry, Robert Colescott, Rob Fischer, Ellsworth Kelly, Martin Puryear, Sean Scully, Jessica Stockholder, Anne Truitt, Andy Warhol, and others.

I love this painting! so much symbolism. A great painter Van Gogh was, his mental state was the greater question. The painter, covers the same ear that Van Gogh cut off, as his portrait looms at the crest of the wheat field. It is one of the first paintings viewed in the   Modern and Contemporary Art Since 1945. Part of the permanent collection.

RICK WALL, SAFE HOUSE #3 (ASYLUM), 2006, COPPER OVER WOOD, STEEL, AND LEAD 24 X 24 X 5 INCHES

“The artifacts are grounded in utility and have a functional honesty that gives them considerable aesthetic heft.” -Rick Wall

Rick Wall, who has been producing sculpture and furniture for over 40 years, has been teaching at the Corcoran since 1981. As he plans his retirement, this exhibition presents a selection of his sculpture and furniture, which often includes found objects, such as well-used machine parts.

Don't remember having a class with Rick, some classes were hard to get into, and I believe his was one. If he taught metal sculpture, had him in foundations sculpture, but then again, "it was long ago and oh so far away..."lol  His work is really interesting, it's sad to see him go.

Making my way to the school, I noticed it's changed, a lot.  I made my way to where White walls gallery is/was. It used to be a long hallway ending with the photo lab.  Its not quite like that anymore, and white walls is really just that now.  Everything changes with each new generation that comes along, but it's always interesting to see what's now vs what was then. The selling point for us was White Walls Gallery, and the Hemicycle Thesis Exhibit.  Now, they have a separate gallery for thesis exhibits. 

Walking down the hallway it all came back to me. I was a single parent and worked hard to have the opportunity to fly on a wing and a prayer, starve, & struggle for the sake of my art, mostly to have as close to a real college experience as possible was the ultimate high for me then. Thought I could conquer the world! hehehe, "what a fool believes he sees, the wise man has the power, to reason away."-Michael McDonald. Bumped into a few instructors that I had the wonderful experience of studying under.  Bob Devers, is one that comes to mind. His passion for ceramics is inspiring and makes me want to run to the nearest clay studio and play with glazes. Also, chatted with long time security guard Quashie and my good friend and former boss John Dickson who is now the Dean of Student Affairs. Upon entering his office, all his coffee pots of all kinds glint from the shelves on his wall. They were phenomenal to look at in such a small office.  But they reflect and give the office a larger look when the illusion is at play. His office is where part of the photo lab used to be, and a teachers room. (Sorry, no pictures, too dark).

It was nice to go back and see the new and enthusiastic art students in the hallways. They smile and say hi, everyone somewhat like family in the small school environment.  But I'm no longer a student, would prefer to be on the instructor end, more like a parent in the family to guide and share my experiences in the art world. Any takers?

TOUCHSTONE GALLERY OPENING

Leslie Nolan

Another great opening at the Touchstone Gallery.  The work was fresh and vibrant, picking up the fall coolness in the air with the use of color. The pieces are energetic much like its creators and there is always a new artist that I haven't met. My best friends (the bartenders!) Nicole and a new guy were there for good conversation. Want to be in the know, talk to the event staff. Then make your way to the artists. Opening night is always a bit chaotic for the artists, so its hard to get a decent interview, but I did get there a little early and got some good pictures.  The people are always interesting to observe, some to talk to, others to walk away from.  

Some familiar faces like David Alfuth came through,and Susan Feller to name a few. I met Rosemary Luckett, who works with wood, and Charlie Dale whose work Color Grids resemble the abstract quality of Rothko and Diebenkorn, it was great to talk to them both. While waiting for my good buddy Leslie (I've got to have her painting in my house!), I met artist/educator Janathel Shaw who had two of her pieces in the show. They are actually behind Nicole in the photo.We had a great conversation, talking about education and art.

There was a great guitar player who played wonderfully. Never got his name, but he was fun to talk to. Eventually, Leslie shows up and the evening is complete.  We chat for a few moments, promising to get together for margaritas and art talk. Can't wait.

The show was a great way to top off a Friday night. The turn out was a little light, left more wine  for me to drink.lol

Sandy Spring De-Installation

Recently, I was in a show at the Sandy Spring Museum in Olney Maryland. As part of the WCA-DC, we exhibit as a group in the metropolitan area. I hung the show back in June and now I'm taking it down. Sandy Spring Museum was a nice venue and overall the show went great. What impressed me the most was the outside where the walkway and entrance had a gazebo type look with vines and foliage growing on some of the beams. I just thought it was cool to see. If you get out this way, check the museum out, the grounds are beautiful.

Artist's Corner-Finding your Muse

Lately, it's been difficult trying to balance all that I do.  One of the things that I have not done, is give into my muse.  I have new stone, new tools and new ideas, but yet nothing is being done.  After several conversations with a few of my artist friends, it the consensus that we all need to give in and let the muse take over.  Stop putting everything else in your life first.  Of course, there are some thing more important that must take precedence, but some things can be put aside for a few hours. We all know, that when artist are productive, we are nicer people. We must remember to socialize, and talk about our work to each other.  Isolation comes in when we don't have that outlet and we don't leave our studios to interact with others.

Often, we complain about much more than our art. The trick is to get it off your chest and let it go. This isn't free therapy.com! Part of being inspired is to know there is hope in an idea or a suggestion, not wallow in the depths of woe is me! I can do that at home by myself, don't need company for my misery.  Motivation to produce work helps keep things positive.

So stay tuned, there are more pieces coming from StoneWomynArt....now I have to dust, wash the dishes, sweep the floor, walk back and forth, and scream bloody murder! all before I can sit down and do my work. Guess whats not being done, the muse is calling.lol  

Get out there and explore your world! The internet will be here tomorrow! Thank you for reading my blog, and until next time, I will see you.....

Same blog time, same blog channel!