Jenny Saville + Rembrandt

Here’s a review of the J. S. Show at the Modern I in Edinburgh. It captures what I found to be the sensibility of the contemporary group show I saw there. Saville is new for me - I was stunned. When her figures became  too disturbing to look at (happened quite soon), I would begin examining her marks in paint and charcoal Instead. They were disturbing too. I couldn’t get away from these monumentally scaled, nude women. Their very flesh, so malleable and yet so solid, were hard to remain with but so compelling I had to stay. Her work will stay w me a long time.

i also saw an amazing Rembrandt show the same day. I was especially swept into his ink drawings. I’m inviting him into my studio and drawing immediately. I’m just on my phone so will post more notes later. 

www. scotsman.com

Kelvingrove

Tuesday: Kelvingrove Art Museum and Gallery in Glasgow. Loved it - focused on Scottish art and artists, and it was a great intro. I only have my phone, and dang it! Cannot figure out how to get a photo in here! Hopefully there will be photos soon!

Magdalene's Tangle

Complete installation will happen tomorrow for "Mary's Tangle." The run through pointed out, as usual, the things that needed further tending. Those done, and now ready for the real thing. The people at #trinitycathedral are wonderful to work with, and I feel very grateful to be able to submit a 3D piece in what is essentially a painting and drawing exhibit. With three shows this month, I am nothing if not busy. An abundance of good things. Looking forward to installing tomorrow and then the artist talk and reception at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday at Trinity Cathedral on NW 19th and NW Everett. #eggs #marymagdalene #installationart #contemporaryartist #contemporaryart

Tons of Opportunities!!

I have three shows in July! I hope to see you at one or all of them.

June 30 - August 11

Verum Ultimum

5th Annual Living Mark Exhibit

An international open juried call

Opening June 30, 6-8

Regular Hours are T/W/Th/Sat 11-4, and by appointment as well

My piece "Pussy Got Pisssed" has been included in this exhibit, and was chosen for the cover of the show's catalog! (sumi ink, small orange latex gloves, staples on wood; 24"x24")

Verum Ultimum Art Gallery
3014 NE Ainsworth Blvd
Portland OR 97211
347-752-8915
www.verumultimumartgallery.com

July 5 - 28

Gallery 114, Thurs - Sun, noon-6

Dwelling in Possibility

Annual member exhibit

Opening July 5th, 6-9 p.m.

My piece "Tangle" will be in the show (ink on paper, 36" x 50")

Gallery 114

1100 NW Glisan

Portland, OR 97209

503-243-3356

Hours: Thursday – Saturday, 12-6pm and by appointment

July 8 - September 9

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, NW 19th and NW Everett

Mary Magdalene Re-Imagined

Juried group show

Opening and artist panel, July 8th

My installation piece, "Mary's Tangle," is part of this exhibit. Image detail is on my home page. 

Trinity Episcopal Cathedral

147 NW 19th Ave

Portland, OR 97209

503-222-9811

10am – 12pm Sundays through September 9 or by appointment with Myra Clark (see “contact”)

Finale

This is a post I forgot to post in February! The show has become one of my personally most important of what I have done, and so I am offering the post now despite the date.

Responses to the show:

I had middle and high schoolers at the gallery last Friday evening, and they talked about the fragility of sanctuary, and how the only true sanctuary is in the heart. (Oh, Children). Another student, from PNCA and on a different day,  took note of my "interesting use of idolatry" at one point. I have to admit that caught me by surprise, and the ensuing discussion was super interesting and great. Love students!

This last Saturday, a woman started crying when she reached the chairs ("Playtime"). She has a 14 year old son she is trying to keep in school and wonders how she can keep working on this when schools are  no longer sanctuaries for children.

Several other people also found "Playtime" most disturbing. One person noted that in his tradition a rock would symbolize returning to the earth. Another said that in her Jewish tradition a rock was placed on a grave for remembrance. Another said it was hard not to think of the rocks as weapons given the shell casings of the other two pieces. 

"Empty Shells" has been one of the most engaging for people I have talked with. Many also like looking through the speakeasy door in "Narrow Door," like the embroidery a great deal and have a hard time with the nimbus. I feel in good company, as the piece keeps going in and out of focus for me at many levels, and the metaphors have become increasingly nuanced.

The theme of sanctuary is timely, evocative and provocative. It has become it's own exhibit; while I am the artist, the exhibit has it's own life and identity. I hope you can come and experience it.

Note: When I began these works, the school shooting in Spokane, WA, had just taken place The day I went out on the shooting range for a lesson on gun safety and shooting (I needed the experience to do the show),  Las Vegas had just occurred. When the show was up, the Parkland shooting happened. It was all far more timely than I had anticipated. The show seemed to give many people a way to dare encompass their thoughts and emotions, and to find ways to take these things to heart and somehow find healing. Again, an honor, in an unexpected way, to have offered this exhibit.

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.