Death and Rebirth - 

Here are some before and after photos from this past week's post-Sandy painting frenzy.  See the next entry down for a little back story.

On Thursday I reworked my Jill painting which I loved because of the light, the idea...and was totally infatuated with how the big cat was painted.  It's 30"x40".  Oil on canvas.

On Friday I took the plunge and went into my Sophia Room painting.  It was a was very emotional experience.  That space was my solace and my home.  The painting is 60"x30".  Oil on canvas.

On Saturday I touched a painting that had been featured almost full page in the March 2011 issue of Seattle Magazine.  Again, I loved the light and the geometry.  But it was time.  This painting is 36"x36".  Oil on canvas.

Now they all need to dry for a few weeks before I can go into them again. 

I have been reading up on all the devastation Sandy left in her wake.  So many stories.  

Some of the stories that struck me involved artists…not only the damage to all the galleries, but more importantly, the studios and therefore years of work destroyed.

It begged the question "what if it happened to me?"  I realized that it would hurt more to lose my creations than my personal belongings such as clothes, furniture, books, camera, etc.   

A common theme in my life, but one especially brought to the forefront by the recent storm, probably because of my proximity to affected areas, is impermanence.

I always have paintings that I hold onto because of emotional attachment.   They may not all be successful work but there are moments that keep me connected such as subject, color or paint handling.  But when I would look at them, I believed they would be wonderful grounds for new paintings yet didn't have the heart to touch them.

Sandy demonstrated to me that it is crazy to hold on to something that I know can evolve into something greater. 

So what have I been doing this week?

Painting over paintings I never thought I'd touch.  It feels good.

I'll share them in a later before and after entry.

The photo was taken on the first really cold day in the studio.  I just had to pull out my super baggy, extra comfy, paint-stained sweatshirt.

This evening's light on my way home from the studio.

Hurricane Sandy - 

The wind through my bedroom window.

I woke to an email and voice mail from United airlines.  My flight on Wednesday is cancelled.  It was from Providence to Newark to Seattle.  I'll reschedule later today.

While out to grab peanut butter, bread, beans and mini raviolis, I stopped to take a photo of the Fox Point Hurricane Barrier. The governor ordered the barrier closed about 6:30 this morning. It's wet, windy, rainy and cool. I'm settled in for a spell.

Here are a few more photos of Friday night's Iron Pour.

Last night was the Steel Yard's annual Halloween Iron Pour.  The Steel Yard and the Iron Guild create an experience of music, theater and molten metal.  Surreal and provocative.   It was a gorgeous evening.

Here are a few of the many photos I took of the Iron Pour.

little bit of this and that -

I'm flying to Seattle early next Wednesday morning - Prov to NYC to Seattle.
Hoping, hoping, hoping my flight won't be delayed or cancelled.  Looking forward to seeing all my Seattle peeps.  And I actually booked a therapy appt for 3 hours after I land.  It was the only time my shrink could see me and it would be a nice break from our periodic skype appointments.

Last night I applied for a very part time (10 hrs/wk) position as a database person for a place that really intrigued me.  It's a Quaker school and I love, love, love their mission.   It would be a joy to be involved again with an institution that works for social justice and actually lives their values.  Practice what they preach, so to speak.   This morning the woman I sent my resume to replied with a delightful email explaining they had just begun the search, thrilled to have my email, and it would take a little time and asked for my patience.   There was genuine kindness in her words and it was a pleasure to read.

Tonight I'm going to an Iron Pour, at The Steel Yard.   Pretty excited and get to spend time with a good friend.

I like where my paintings are going.  And I'm filled with so many ideas for different series and projects. My cup overfloweth.

Some recent NYC snippets...

Even though I was there last week, last night I returned from 30 hours in NYC.  It was a fairly spontaneous and wonderful trip.  I enjoy these short adventures where I only carry a small bag, my dumb phone, my camera, a sketchbook and map.  

I made it to the Met for their Warhol show and especially the photo exhibit - Faking It: Manipulated Photography Before Photoshop.   I highly recommend the photography show and felt a little sadness as I wandered the exhibit, examining the photographs.  We seem to want everything at the touch of a button and today's ease of manipulation and the massive output of information carries much emptiness.  There was so much character and soul in the works on the wall.   

The exhibit is exciting and a reminder that I am an old-fashioned girl.  I have to consciously top technology, working to balance it in my life, reminding myself that also it can assist with sharing information it is not a requirement for living and experiencing the sacred within the mundane.  

In addition to the art on the walls, Tuesday evening's art on stage at Zinc Bar was magical.  S.E.Charles Quartet continues to amaze and astound.  At times I felt I was in the midst of something other-worldly.  Gorgeous, gorgeous stuff.

Now, I've much to do before a quick trip to Springfield this weekend for the Rays of Hope walk to raise funds for breast cancer treatment and research, and then a trip to Seattle next week.  

There is still time to donate before Sunday's walk.  It's quick and easy and you can do it at this link here.  Just click on the "support me now" button on the left.

Hopping early bus and back to NYC for 30 hours.  Quickie trip.

After spending a full day...a beautiful, warm autumn day, at the computer doing research, I had to get out and go for a long walk in the late afternoon sun.

This is part of my thinking wall in the studio...

and...a painting that has me excited.  I went in and pulled a painting that had been sitting for a few months...giving it an overhaul.  28"x22", oil on canvas.

Next Sunday I'm walking to raise funds to help fight breast cancer.  Eight more days and I'd love to reach my goal of $1000.   Please help me with this important cause!  If everyone on all my friends lists donated the cost of a latte, we'd surpass the goal.  

You can donate here at this link.

Photo taken in NYC.

Photo taken yesterday, as I was leaving NYC.  It's always a little sad leaving the city but I will be back in a few days for a quickie trip.

I like sitting on the upper level of Megabus.

It was a very full and wonderful few days in the city.  

I had a delightful exchange on Wednesday morning.  I was wearing new shoes and they weren't broken in yet which made for painful walking.  There was a shoe repair across the street from where I was staying and so popped in and asked if my shoes could be stretched.   The owner said "yes.  you want for now?"

"If possible, that would be wonderful.  Thanks."

"Give me your shoes.  It will take about 10 minutes."

I'm sitting on the bench in my socks waiting and silently wishing I had first grabbed a coffee from the corner.

Out of the blue the owner says "you want coffee?  I get you coffee.  How you like it?  I get it for you."

Surprised and pleased I told him and tried to give him money but he wouldn't take it.

He left the store and I assumed he wanted coffee too and it was a good opportunity because I'd be minding the shop…sitting in my socks.  But he returned with only one coffee.  Mine.   

5 minutes later, shoes were somewhat stretched (they did need more time but I couldn't stay) and all he wanted was the 5 bucks for the stretching.   His shy smile told me the coffee was his treat.

I love special little connections that happen between humans.   Regardless of our differences, we can share intimate experiences.  And even momentary ones are powerful.   

From there, it was off to museums and then some good music.   We opted to do Chelsea on Thursday.

Walking the galleries in Chelsea is always hit or miss.  Mostly miss.   I see it as a scavenger hunt…hoping to find one really good thing.   Sue and I both were pleasantly surprised because we saw quite a few powerful works and good shows.   We also were surprised and pleased to see that there were more paintings than in the past.

I am so filled with inspiration and ideas…hoping to translate that into my own work and with a little luck, maybe take my paintings to another level.   In a couple hours, after I wake up a little more, I'm hitting Utrecht for another large canvas and then it's three days of painting.

Reflection from last night while at dinner in the meatpacking district...

Some more NYC photos...

Central Park...

Very full day in NYC.  

I left my room at 8:30 this morning and didn't return until 12 hours later.  In that time I went from mid-town down to Chelsea where my Seattle friend and I had breakfast.  From there we headed to Queens to check out MoMA PS1 (with some subway back-tracking due to missed stops only to find out it's not open on Wednesdays.) But we saw the most awesome and amazing work across the street at the 5 Pointz which is a major graffiti installation.  (check out the link).

From there it was back into Manhattan where we hit the Guggenheim for the Picasso Black and White show and then walk down to the Frick for a very sweet and lovely drawing exhibit. After the Frick we walked down to 51st to a wonderful gallery exhibit in the Ave of the Americas Gallery and then off to the Bronx for some italian food and amazing jazz.

I'm exhausted but satiated.  That is, until tomorrow morning when we begin again.

Here are a couple photos from yesterday's adventures.   There was some filming going on in a park near Madison and 24th.  They were filming the little boy playing with his boat.

Also, one of my most favorite things is street music.  And even more favorite is when I see people enjoying said music.  That photo was taken in Washington Square.

Sue, Sarah and I at GBar in the Bronx.

I'm hopping the 7 am bus to NYC for four days.  A fellow artist from my former studio group in Seattle, another painter, is coming into town and we are spending the time immersing ourselves in a ton of art, a little jazz and maybe even some drawing.   It will be so great to see her and I've been looking forward to this for a while.  

My viewing list may be a little ambitious but we'll take in what we can.

(Photo taken on my walkabout in Providence yesterday - a wall in my 'hood.)

The remnants of summer dancing with autumn.

(found on S. Angell St.)

Opening Tonight:

This Is Not Your Grandmother's Still Life

I am honored to have been asked to show seven of my Bleeding Vessels paintings in this group show, exhibiting with artists I've admired for many years.  

This Is Not Your Grandmother's Still Life opens tonight at Bherd Studio Gallery in Seattle.

Bherd Studio Gallery

312 N 85th St, Ste 101

Seattle WA 98103

Opening Reception: Friday, October 12 from 6 – 10pm
Showing through Friday, November 2

"For their fourth appearance as guest curators at Bherd Studios Gallery, Seattle artists Kate Protage and Chris Sheridan explore contemporary artists’ approaches to an essential theme that is sometimes undervalued because of its traditional roots—the modern still life.

This is Not Your Grandmother’s Still Life showcases the work of eight artists who are breathing new life into the genre by making drawings and paintings of objects that are relevant and contemporary, whether that’s through their choices in subject matter or their technique. From gorgeous, intricate stencil-based paintings of tattoo equipment to intaglio prints of seemingly straightforward objects that offer subtle commentary about society’s current hot-buttons, Protage and Sheridan present work that encompasses a wide range of subjects, styles and resulting emotions.

Exhibition runs from October 12th through November 2nd and includes the art of: Marie Gagnon, Sullivan Giles, Steve Klinkel, Molly Peters, Albert Shelton, Chris Sheridan, Kellie Talbot and Mark Tracy and Andrea Wicklund."

Been in a funk this week and decided some cooking was in order. I created a new dish a few weeks ago that my roommate loved.  So tonight, I made a huge pot of it and split it into little containers for each of us. 

Brown rice, black beans, corn, chicken, jalepenos, sauteed celery/onion/red peppers. Garlic, cilantro, a little chix broth and a generous amount of lime juice. 

Now I feel better.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

My mom is a breast cancer survivor.  She had a radical double mastectomy.  My memere was a breast cancer survivor.  She also had a radical double mastectomy.  My sister is a breast cancer survivor.  She was very fortunate because they caught it early.  I have many friends who are survivors.

On October 28th, I am walking with Rays of Hope, part of the Baystate Health Foundation.  All funds raised go to assist with care and treatment in Western MA.

As part of a team, we each need to only raise $100.  But I've upped my personal goal to $1000.  If everyone reading donated $5, the cost of a venti latte, I could easily surpass that goal.  I deeply appreciate any size gift for this important cause.

Here is the link to my donation page.  

Just click on the "support me now" button on the left.

Thank you for reading!!

(detail of "The Kiss", oil on canvas, 2009 - artist: Marie Gagnon)

Noho toys!!!

Seen yesterday while in Northampton, MA.

I needed a little break from the dune paintings and so began a second painting of Henry and Parker. This is only the second day and it still has a ways to go, but it's settling in. Sometimes it feels so good to simply work from a photo and paint from observation instead of creating fully from within. 

I chose to keep the first painting of the boys as a drawing on canvas (drawn in oil) because well…it felt good and I knew I could always begin another and push that one further.  

24"x24", oil on canvas.