PICK NICK

This spring and start of summer has been a most enlightening one for me while observing various bird cams on-line, watching as they nest, lay eggs, feed hatchlings, and anticipating the moments the youngsters fledge. The learning experience has been expansive as my visual and audial awareness has been heightened. While on walks I hear and see so much more now and look to see who is making a particular sound. This led me to reflect on my observations of how some birds find benefit in situations where they are most likely not welcomed, like for instance, at a picnic.

When I think of picnics I envision of a peaceful or playful time sharing a meal outdoors from a basket packed with scrumptious food or a boxed lunch eaten perhaps on a blanket in a meadow, in a park or on a sandy beach, or that cookout barbecue with family and friends. But what about those uninvited guests who take advantage of a stealing moment by way of an enticing spread of food? This notion presented all sorts of visions of picnics, picnickers and the unasked which, of course, lead me to imagine the scenario for this piece, Pick Nick. I have heard a picture can convey a thousand words.

(For those of you who might not be familiar with this use of the word Nick in this setting... Nick = nick someone - to cheat or steal from someone). Alas, Raven made off with someone's delectable dessert efforts.

Pick Nick was painted on a heavy, acid-free vellum with acrylic paint and colored pencil and was created for a group show, PICNIC, that opens Friday, July 6th, 2012 at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Gallery in Winslow, Bainbridge Island, WA. Visit their web-site to learn more about the gallery, this show, who is participating and how to get there. Thanks for your continued support. I hope to see you there.

Approx. size of Pick Nick is 21" X 21" framed. Remember to click on the image to enlarge.

THE OPENING

The Nature of Things opened with a good steady crowd to the very end of the evening. Along with the interested public, many friends and family members attended to support the artists so it was a wonderful time for talking art, techniques, and simply catching up.

The show is beautiful with many thanks going to  Jay Haskins, print-maker and Northwinds Arts Center's gallery manager, whose eye for placement and grouping of artists' work as he hangs a show is exceptional (hanging help from Don Tiller. It is one of his paintings that graces the front of the Northwind Arts Gallery - see photo).

Our work goes very well together so it flows with a nice continuity to it. The four of us all have an affinity and reverence for the natural and mysterious. You will notice that crows, ravens, various other birds, dogs, and other wonderful animals appear in our work in various scenarios evoking emotion and laughter.

The two pieces I posted previously on March 12th, Looking For a Place to Call Home, and March 24th, Seeking Reflection, sold the day before so it opened up and moved the energy to generate more sales for me, Rae, Ellen and Kathleen. Ellen Reichart sold 2 pieces opening night. We're holding visions of more red dots for Kathleen Snow and Rae Belkin and all of us for that matter. We all worked diligently to make this show as beautiful as it is.

If you are in the area I hope you can get by the gallery. For more info on the Northwind Arts Center click here.

Thanks to all who came out to see the show Saturday during the opening and throughout the duration of the show...May 4 through 27, 2012.

STARLIT GAZES

This piece, STARLIT GAZES, is a much smaller 2D piece and unusual for me to render, but I had fun bringing it about. It is a simple piece, yet still has depth to it as I put spacers between the glass and the matte with additional spacers between the matte and the art itself (not shown-the photo of this image was taken before I nestled it into the frame) I enjoyed working in this smaller format (once framed it measured 9" X 9") and hope to do more. The next piece I will be posting is small in nature also, but in an assemblage composition.

This was the first piece to sell at the BIRDS OF A FEATHER exhibit at Northwinds, a recent show mentioned in previous posts. I am happy to say it now resides with a friend and fellow local artist, painter and illustrator, Max Grover, along with his cats in his very fun and artful home. I can understand why he was drawn to this piece since his paintings are so whimsically fun, colorful and playful. You can see more of Max's work at his web-site. His motto is Fun Art for the Serious Mind. I like that.
Thanks Max. I am delighted and flattered you connected with STARLIT GAZES.