Invitational Exhibition III

Next Part of the Process

Once the statement for Tell Me A Story:  Women In Art was complete (it was included in my last blog post), it was time to begin the actual work of art for the exhibition. Requirements: 1.  Must be specifically created for this show, 2. Must be presented on an 18x24" gallery wrap canvas.

My thought was to create a painting in a style similar to the last two Basket Weaver paintings completed;  Madame Butterfly and Guadalupe Arenas, Snake Weaver.  

Madame Butterfly

40 x40

Guadalupe Arenas, Snake Weaver

48 x 48

If you follow my Facebook Artist's Page you have seen photos of the beginning and progress of the new painting. 

Beginning of new painting

Additional progress on new painting

New painting with stylized basket designs used by Delores Patencio circling around her.

However, every time I stepped up to the easel I had a nagging thought that this painting just wasn't right.  It wasn't the painting itself, it was the idea behind the painting.  This is Delores Saneva Patencio, an historical, basket weaving member of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.  She would be a perfect subject and one I have painted several times. Eventually I realized my problem was connected to the statement.  The statement that will be exhibited with the painting talks about telling the story of the women, not one woman.  This work needed several faces, not just one.

It was a break through that brought additional ideas.  If I was to paint several faces, representing several different women, why not present them in book form?  After all, this is telling a story, and stories are found in books.  This required book making research.

Creasing 140 lb. cold press paper with a bone folder.

 

Punching holes to facilitate stitching the pages together.

Sewing the pages together with waxed thread.

I decided I would present eight faces, eight actual women who lived in the Coachella Valley and are known as basket weavers from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I created one book of 8 pages, but before painting these pages thought I would paint on loose sheets and then perhaps create another book, with the painted papers, after the paintings were done.  This so I could paint freely, not worrying about mistakes, and have the option of using one or another.  After more research about basket weavers and hours of time in front of the computer to locate photographs, I selected the following seven women and painted them in large, rapid brush strokes: Ramona Lubo, Rosa Lugo, Guadalupe Arenas, Mary Kintano, Delores Saneva Patencio, Maria Los Angeles, Mercedes Nolasquez.

First a black and white palette with the thought of 'bringing the women out of the shadows'.

Then Raw Umber added into the palette,

Burnt Sienna added, 

Burnt Umber introduced, 

and finally Yellow Ochre was added.

For the cover sheet of the book I created a compilation of the women:

Back to the process of actually making a book out of the painted sheets of paper.  This time I used a raffia type of material to sew the pages before gluing the spine and attaching snake skin as the binding. Both the raffia and snake symbolize materials and designs used by these basket weavers.

Now that the paintings were actually in book form, names of many noted Coachella Valley basket weavers were added to the cover, circling the head of the woman.  Designs were added to her head scarf which symbolize those woven into some baskets.

As you can see, I also ripped the pages to obtain an undulating, wide, deckle edge which would allow the successive pages to peek out beneath the top page.  With this book of faces in hand I had to address a very blank canvas and figure out how to attach the book and what to create behind the book.  Stay tuned....

To contact me click HERE

To visit my web page click HERE

Day of the Dead Altar II

This Requires Some Shopping.

Sketch of Proposed Altar

Though I inventory loads of STUFF in my studio, the creation of an altar for Day of the Dead at the Palm Springs Art Museum requires some shopping.  After visualizing and sketching the design it was apparent I needed to make forays into the land of retail. Some of my ideas call for items I just don't keep around, and restrictions required by the museum dictate dried and imitation materials which mean: Retail therapy time!!!

First stop....computer,  for some on line sourcing of snake skins, because baskets woven by Arenas frequently incorporated snake designs. You remember I am creating an altar to honor and bring homage to Guadalupe Arenas, member of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians who was a basket weaver.

Though this altar will not be typical, it will have skulls which were purchased on line. 

This retail shopping was frequently spontaneous, purchases made on a whim.  I felt like I was being guided, allowing unexpected items to catch my attention and find their place in the shopping cart.  Amazing that I found this bird skeleton to represent the eagle theme found on baskets woven by Guadalupe Arenas.

Second stop....several shops for basket and floral needs. This altar should have plant materials that represent the plants collected and used in the basket weaving process, and I was able to find fabulous paper, dried and imitation floral goods in the desired palette.

An unplanned stop yielded two stately candelabra.

Then back to the computer for frames and photos of women who lived in the Coachella Valley during the late 1800's - mid 1900's, basket weavers.  Oh, these beautiful faces.

Next I begin to assemble the altar in my studio so it can be fine tuned remembering to follow my desire to create, not only an altar to Guadalupe Arenas and her fellow basket weavers but a work of art following ideas of composition, line, texture, color.   Check back to see the progress.

Mark your calendars for the Day of the Dead celebration at the Palm Springs Art Museum on October 30,  10:00 - 4:00.

To contact me click HERE

To visit my web site click HERE

Face and Body Paint

Oh, The Places We Will Go.

Untitled

48" x 96

This may have been something Dr. Seuss said, but it is oh so true when it comes to the art brain....oh, the places we will go.

Untitled

48 x 96

Recently I rehung a painting of mine that had been in storage due to its size.....48"x 96".  It's big.  After installation it was seen by someone who requested I create something similar, a painting inspired by the style and materials.

I am not sure what happened inside my brain.  Maybe it had something to do with my recent focus on the Indian Women Portraits, but swimming to the forefront of my conscience came the idea of creating a series of work based on Tribal or Cultural Face and Body Painting.  I am not even going to try to make the connection, or explain it, so however loose or disjointed it may seem, I was off to the computer to research. Oh, the places the art brain will go.

This is what I have come up with, what will lead my series:

The art of transforming ourselves with make-up and masks is a universal phenomenon.  Before we sought to vent our artistic impulse on a cave wall, we painted our faces and bodies, providing the power to change ourselves and demonstrate our humanity.  For thousands of years, cultural groups from all over the world have participated in ceremonial face and body painting for a variety of reasons. 

In this new series of paintings titled Hidden Identities, layer upon layer of pigment mimics the application of mud, clay, and pigments created from plant material.  Scoring through the paint and the thick cracking texture are reminiscent of how these materials dry as a result of movement of the face and body.  The addition of other natural materials will vary from canvas to canvas to assist in telling a story, relaying a thought, providing a historical link.  Each painting will be different from the next yet all will follow the theme of Hidden Identity, Spiritual Connection and a Bond with Nature.

Out came a gallon can of paint,

a mess of raffia, 

and a collection of feathers.

A Flicker hit one of my house windows several years ago, dying, giving up its magnificent plumage.  I always save this type of thing, so the feathers had been sitting in my studio just waiting to be used in some way to honor the bird.

A canvas was under painted.

Additional color was added.

Layer upon layer of paint was applied.

I cut through the pigments with a variety of tools allowing the various colors to show.

Raffia was added.

The feathers of the Flicker were tied onto the canvas.

Yellowhammer Dreams

48 x 60

Mixed Media

Glazes were added and the end result is this painting: Yellowhammer Dreams.  Native American legends of Northern California and Oregon relate that the Yellow-Shafted Flickers or Yellowhammers are believed to bring good luck and healing;  hearing their cries means that you will soon receive a visitor, and in some Northern California tribes, dreaming of a Yellowhammer is a sign that a person will become a traditional healer. The first in the Hidden Identity series is 48" x 60", created with layer upon layer of pigment reminiscent of the colors used in traditional face and body painting.  The addition of raffia and Flicker bird feathers was inspired by the connection to nature and the idea of extraordinary characteristics borrowed from the bird. These materials also lend line, form and movement to the composition.   The intent with this painting is to capture the texture of face and body painting, to emote the feeling of hiding behind the paint as well as the spiritual connection to this bird.

Yellowhammer Dreams

48 x 60

Mixed Media

5000.

This is where my art brain has gone, to Hidden Identities. Check back to come along, there will be more, and it should be most interesting.

 To contact me click HERE

To visit my web site click HERE

Creative Thinking.

Tapping Into Your Creativity.

Big Blank Canvas

Whether or not this is true, I read several years ago that looking at or drawing circles will help you tap into your imagination and creativity.

Page from sketch book

So when I am faced with a blank canvas I take out my sketch book and begin to draw circles.  Those circles become sketches.  A painting is born.

Beginning of a Tahoe Rock Painting

To contact me click HERE

To visit my web site click HERE

Public Art V.

Installation

Yes, today was the day scheduled for installation of my Public Art piece for Detours Kings Beach 2014   Wouldn't you know, though I was hoping for a calm day, we woke to 15 mph winds blowing off the lake, white caps, cooler temps. This is problematic because the cool temps keep the canvas stiff and the wind blows everything all over the place making the installation effort just a bit more challenging.

I hired Duncan of D's Windowns ,a competent, ladder experienced man who does a fabulous job washing windows, to assist with attaching the painting to the tree.  He arrived with ladders, a big smile, and can do attitude.  That's Duncan.  Any anxiety I might have had about getting this painting up vanished in his presence.  

The view from the top of my ladder.

Once at the site, we realized it was going to take both of us climbing ladders to get the painting wrapped around the tree's trunk.  It's a good thing I am not too bothered by heights and teetery ladders, well, not too bothered.  There were just a couple little panic moments.

Adjusting the level of the painting, and yes, I climbed that ladder, almost to the top.

There was a bit of climbing up and down to get a visual so we could adjust the painting, where it would be placed on the tree and whether or not it was level.  The wind blew down one of the strips which started to whip in the breeze, crashing into my legs.  Ouch.

Looking up at the painting as I climbed up the ladder.

While I held the painting in place, Duncan adjusted, looped, and prepared the ratchet strap.  I also stared to remove the tape from the individual strips so they could cascade down along the trunk of the tree.  More whipping, crashing and ouch-ing.

Duncan completed the attachment by taping up the loose end of the ratchet strap, we removed the ladders, stepped back to take a look.  All in all a fairly simple installation.

Because the wind is blowing you cannot see all of the painting, some of the strips are flapping, that celebratory ribbon effect I was after.  I will go back on a calm day to take a few more photos to share.  Better yet, if you are in the area, stop by to take a look.  And while you're at it, look for the rest of the Detours Kings Beach Public Art. It will be exhibited through Sept 30.  Maps are scattered throughout Kings Beach.

Big thanks to Duncan of D's Windows     I could not have done this without you.  

Duncan Lee

D's Windows

D & Me

Just another view of the installed painting

Additional thanks to Village Interiors for their support and sponsorship of my installation and Public Art.

Detours Kings Beach 2014, a site specific, Public Art Exhibition.  August 23-September 30.  Maps can be seen by clicking HERE  DETOURS includes artists from the North Lake Tahoe/Truckee area, and two coming from Southern California. The site-specific art pieces will celebrate Lake Tahoe, with each piece telling a story that interprets the site on which it is located. Visitors will leave their cars to embark upon the free, family-friendly “art treasure hunt” with the help of free walking maps.Maps will also be available at the North Lake Tahoe Visitors’ Centers in Tahoe City and Kings Beach and near individual art installations.

To contact me click here

To visit my web site click here