From the Corner of Your Eye

There is something foundational about making these papers. I use words, phrases and ink, writing them over and over again, this time with different colors (although sumi ink is always a given). My mind is free to meditate on the words, wander over other thoughts. I have been listening to Russian liturgical music again - I was introduced to this 41 years ago when I was first married and in NYC, as that was all my husband had in his collection - along with Gregorian chant, classical music, and opera. For a blues, rock and roll and jazz listener, this was a real switch. I grew to love all of it. This is from the St. Vladimir's Seminary Choir, "The Great and Holy Saturday." The phrase is "For as many have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ, unto the ages of ages, amen, alleluia." Who knows why this came up as the one to do, but it is a way to be mindful, playful, and doing something post-show - for which I am grateful. Easing back in, a process that reminds me of looking at a star that you can't see except from the corner of your eye.

Finis (or not?)

Farewell to my installations "Narrow Door," "Playtime" and "Empty Shells", as well as Lauren Carrera's wonderful creation "The Revelation: Everything That Rises Must Converge." Sigh - everything has now come down from the exhibit. Yes, it may re-emerge at other sites, but at Gallery 114 it had its own site specific identity. Once work is installed, it becomes its own thing, it goes its own way, never to be the same again if there is change in site, situation, or context.  

I focused on the tension in sanctuary. In response, people brought me stories, metaphors, memories, pains and joys of their own. It meant a great deal to me that there was such a deep exchange between the gift of art that I was giving (or the gift of being a channel for these creations), and the reflection, remembering, and for some, healing that came up. There was the experience of disruption and also the possibility of regeneration. Truly, the space became sacred. I was very honored and deeply moved throughout the time of this show.

Clark & Carrera Artist Reception Thursday, February 22, 4-6pm at Gallery 114

Rarely have I been so privileged to share in such perceptive insights and emotions with so many who have come to see this exhibit. It has been an enormous and mutual gift.

Please come by for a glass of wine and some chocolate tomorrow (Thursday) with Lauren Carrera, my guest artist who is showing her installation "The Revelation," and myself from 4p.m. - 6p.m. at Gallery 114 (1100 NW Glisan). We will be there to informally talk about our work with you and to answer any questions. Appreciations if you could help spread the word as well.

A New and Wonderful Home

During a colleague's show at Gallery 114 (the collective of which I am a part) there were several people purchasing her paintings (yay, Mary Jo!). One couple also asked me if I had anything they could see, so I brought up a piece on my computer, and also emailed some other images.  Last night, I took the piece they were interested in over to their house and we looked at frames and placement of the art. They loved it, put a deposit down on the work and I'm going ahead with the framing for them. It was the first time I have been asked to visit someone's home and to be part of all the decisions about framing and placement. I felt so honored, and so happy with the process. - And the piece is perfect for them, which makes it all super awesome.

I think that's how it's done, how a gallery makes things happen. So very pleased to be part of Gallery 114 and to be part of making connections with people who truly care about art.

Hats!

December 6, 2017

Here's a shout-out to my mom, who at 88 years old has spent the past year knitting hats for community members. These are people who come to the Friday Night Dinner that Grace Memorial Church hosts every week; many people who come are without housing and living outside. Community members all receive holiday gift bags during December with basic items like hats, gloves, scarves, toothpaste, etc. Warm hats make a big difference - it is really getting cold out. My mom has done this for the past three years.

Choosing the yarn, the patterns and the style - even the size. This is her creativity and art. I am so proud that she continues to use her gifts and skills to make a difference.

Getting back to drawing

I tried out an open life drawing session to day – and was I ever out of practice! Like using muscles that haven’t been used in a while. It’s hard to find the time to go, but so critical. I’m hoping to carve out some regular time, even though I am getting ready for my show in February.

Stuttering On

Yesterday I was enjoying the simplicity of pushing ink around with a big brush, and suddenly found with pleasure that my stuttering marks were being influenced by much-admired friend and artist, Fran O’Neil. Right now, these marks are resisting the addition of other colors, and loading up the page with more, different, and complex marks isn't working so well. Lately, creating harmony with similar marks and strokes has emerged as something I enjoy tending to. I look forward to seeing where all this leads — loving the new vocabulary.

The Horse (?) and His (?) Boy (?)

I loved the “Abstraction and Surprises” marathon at the New York Studio School last year, and I loved it this year. I thought to continue on my merry way, effortlessly getting better and better at the work. The key word was "effortlessly," but -  that's not the way it worked.  No surprise - right? Nonetheless, I was surprised, as I endlessly am, by the struggle and challenge of pushing towards a new level.  I was also thrilled by the opportunity to be stuck in the exact place in making a painting during the marathon that I am challenged by in my own studio. What relationship do the frenzied mark making studies I make have to the orderly picture/painting/forms that I have in mind for a painting?

I often go from the “known” to the “unknown” in painting, from order into chaos. But what about starting out chaotically, and going backwards into more orderly forms? Or not going into orderly forms at all? I really don’t know how to put this question, but asking it is important.

I look forward to another version of the above “The Horse Form and the Figurative Form.” The title (ahem) needs work.

Wish me luck!

This painting is of the royal bedchamber doorway at the Chateau de Langeais in France. As religion, mysticism and symbolism was central to medieval life, I have wondered if Anne of Brittany found solace in the light that penetrated the darkness of the castle after her forced marriage to Charles VIII.

This painting is a response to the religious art, architecture and symbolism I saw during a bicycle tour in the Loire Valley. I have always loved the medieval time period, where faith and belief in the unseen was a normal part of life. The experience brought to mind timeless spiritual questions, even while “Langeais" did not use specifically religious symbolism. 

I've submitted it to a show "Light Out of Darkness." Wish me luck!

Update: This piece was accepted. I was very proud to send it to Sacramento, even though shipping cost an arm and leg!

Seeing angels

Guardian Angel detail, DMC#5 Cotton Pearl thread on linen

Time to experiment; I draw and paint because it feels like I am “really” making art when I do it. I’ve decided to push myself on some other fronts as well, with the thought that this may also push my drawing and painting. Or not – I'll find out. Here is a detail of “Guardian Angel,” an embroidered icon that I am working on. Having grown up with both my grandmother and mother sewing and knitting for their families (as I also used to sew, although I don't knit), employing needle and thread is a welcome return to my roots. The “zone” is found in this art form as much as any other I have practiced – so far, so good!

Beautification

Art has been more homely this summer – making my first chalkboard sign (it really isn't off kilter or poorly lit, but you know how iphones are), drying the flowers from my daughter's wedding and embroidering an icon. The embroidery may well find its way into my February show, as shows are most often a snapshot of what I am exploring in the studio. I have loved the daily beautification projects and how art is permeating the dog days of summer.

Unwavering

In this piece, I am thinking about the importance of holding fast in the midst of turmoil. This is a small piece 12" x 12") from my show "Pussy Got Pissed." The show is wrapped, but part of unwinding is going back and ruminating on all that went into the work, all that went into putting it up on the wall for people to see. I felt very good about it. 

The Muse Takes a Nap

Post-show I’ve been feeling pretty slow. I’ve been making little things, making (minimal) progress on cleaning up the studio, and I’ve applied to some other shows. A highlight – today, I finished an Elmore Leonard thriller, “Bandits,” and enjoyed stretching out on the sofa for a nap. Another highlight – meeting Leslie Peterson Sapp for lunch to talk about life after this last exhibit. Yeah, the art muse and my kitty cat muse are enjoying a fallow time. Love it.

Last Day of "Pussy Got Pissed" is Saturday May 27th from noon-6 pm

You are invited to the last day of "Pussy Got Pissed" on May 27th at Gallery 114, 1100 NW Glisan, pdx. I will be on hand from 3-6pm to talk about the art and to answer any questions you may have. I hope you will come by! In addition, regular hours are hosted by gallery members and are Thursday - Saturday from noon-6 this week.

And the Winner Is!

The winner of the pussyhat is (drumroll!) George L., who entered the drawing for his 7-year old daughter! I hope she will love wearing it, especially whenever she needs to stand up to anyone, or needs to do something hard. Here’s to the girls who carry the future.

George is graciously keeping the hat at the gallery until the end of the show. It is still on view during regular hours, Thursday - Sunday, noon-6pm through the closing day, May 27th.

Dreams and Marks

My show is up, it’s going well, and I love the events that have gone with it. I've done a small artist talk, there was a reading by the authors accepted into Timberline Review (an international, Portland-based literary magazine), and I am doing a gallery talk with students this Saturday. In addition, my friend and fellow artist Leslie Peterson Sapp is doing a presentation with art historian John Doyle this Friday evening at 7:00 PM  centering on Odysseus (the theme of her show) in art through the centuries. Yay for all this traffic at the gallery!

The best thing though, is that I continue to be in the studio every day. The work isn’t happening because of a show (although I do love that motivation), but because I love making art. I’m focused on playing with ink, calligraphy brushes, and color right now and I can feel the burgeoning connection of these small 10"x10" pieces with developing work. Two pieces are already on my wall, quietly gathering energy and getting themselves ready for the next round. And even more...I dream about painting or simply have images in my mind that want to be made as I am waking up. This is a precious time.

embedded reporter + love + paintbrushes + poetry + art

Join Gallery 114 in welcoming six authors on Friday, May 12th from 6:30 – 7:30 PM.  Writers Evan Morgan Williams, Robin Schauffler, Mike Francis, Barbara Freeman, Andrea Hollander and Kristin Berger will read and discuss their work from the Timberline Review 2017 Winter/Spring issue. Sharing nonfiction, fiction and poetry, stories will range from the experience of a military reporter embedded with the Oregon National Guard in Iraq, to a humorous piece called "Saving the World" that will resonate with anyone working with young people. 

This will also be an opportunity to view the current Gallery 114 show, "Pussy Got Pissed," mixed media work by Myra Clark; and "Man of Many Wiles," collage paintings by Leslie Peterson Sapp.

The Timberline Review is the Portland area's newest literary journal, a semi-annual collection of short fiction, creative nonfiction, essays, and poetry.

 The event is free and open to the public.  Refreshments and light appetizers will be served.

Perfect First Time Out

I enjoyed doing an artist talk So Much yesterday! It was a small group, which meant there were lots of opportunities for everyone to jump in with their thoughts, observations and feelings. As always, hearing from the viewers is so inspiring. I have talked with other kinds of groups, but I was nervous about my first gallery talk. It was a perfect first time out for this kind of thing! Thanks to all who came!

Artist's Talk • May 7th • 2:00 - 3:00 PM • Gallery 114 • 1100 NW Glisan • PDX

Please join me for a short artist's talk for "Pussy Got Pissed," Sunday, May 7th, from 2:00 - 3:00. We'll be looking at cats as comfort creatures, metaphors for the strength and resilience of women and the male/female gaze as seen in the art of this show. There will be time for questions and discussion.

Incoming!

I'm very excited for "Pussy Got Pissed," opening on May 4th at Gallery 114. See my website for more info: www.myrawclark.com and go to my new home page. I hope you will enjoy the more pared down look, and the focus on recent work.