commission!

In my last post there were lots of pictures of a partially finished 36" square panel I was working on. It was something new for me - as well as working bigger than before, it was a commission.  Someone had seen an image of a similar painting which had sold during Gallery Blink's first show and wanted one "just like it, only bigger".  I was torn about taking it on.  I've had experiences where people keep wanting me to change things to suit their often vague vision.  I decided to do it, but to make it another in a "series", and if she liked it great, and if not I would just add it to my portfolio (and perhaps show in another Blink show).  John and Gill Ross, the wonderful owners and directors of Gallery Blink (who had set this whole thing up) took the painting to the customer and she bought it!  

Yay! Good news all around.

I converted (my easel)

In 2013 Deb Claffey and I took a workshop at R&F from Alexandre Masino.  

It was a wonderful experience.  

One of the more basic take-homes was the idea that a completely vertical easel is an important part of a studio because it enables you to see your work as it will be seen when hung on a wall. 

When I got home I made a vertical easel…from 2x4’s and scrap wood I had in my shop. 

It may not be elegant, but it has served me well for many years.  

However, I recently started working on a 36” x 36” panel, and found that wrestling it on and off the easel in order to lay it flat for heavy painting, burnishing on collage material, or fusing was an awkward chore.  

I couldn’t reach the far edge very well, and the edges kept getting smashed.  There must be a solution.

I decided to try to make my easel convertible.  It took a lot of pondering – I needed something strong enough, yet easy to convert.  After a few near disasters I did it!  Here is my new easel.

From the back.

 Undoing the latches.

Letting it down.

 Flat.

 Now I can get around it to reach all sides too!

The latches that hold it up.

It still is not elegant, but then, neither am I…

Whew!

Well, I managed to get to some of the receptions, and I'm so pleased about all the shows.  Now I'm getting organized and on to the next projects.  In the meantime I'll show a few close-ups of the newest origami box creations.  These are hanging at Gallery 55 in Natick.

Gallery 55 Hours - Tuesday-Friday, 10am- 4pm. Saturday, 10am - 3pm 

Grass Dragon City

Tree House

and this is at Gallery Blink

which is open on Sunday the 17th and 24th, 11am-5pm

Antennaville

Wow.

It's been a long time since I posted.  I've been really busy, and here's what's happening.

I'm in a lot of shows!  When it rains it pours.  In a good way.

Be sure to read about all four.

1st

I have 3 pieces in the New England Wax Exhibition at the Saco Museum.

BENEATH THE SURFACE 

NEW ENGLAND WAX

 SACO MUSEUM, APRIL 2 - MAY 28, 2016

Opening Reception

Saco Museum, Friday, April 1, 2016, 

5:30-7:30 pm

I'll be there!

Dyer Library/Saco Museum, 371 Main Street, Saco, Maine 04072

2nd

My print was accepted in the Monotype Guild of New England's 4th National show, and they even chose my piece for their e-card!

3rd

I have some prints, and art made from prints, in the latest show at 

Gallery Blink

APRIL 7 - 24, 2016

'FIRST IMPRESSIONS'

a printmaking exhibition

Gallery Blink, 1963 Mass Ave, Lexington, MA

4th

AND THE BEST FOR LAST!

I'm having a solo retrospective show at Gallery 55 in Natick!April 8 - May 30

I'll be there on the 8th!

Please come out and visit one or more of these shows. 

Another show at Gallery Blink!

Writers' Tower (detail)

I am very excited to have work in Gallery Blink's second pop-up exhibition

Winter Promise

January 28 - February 14

Reception, Friday, January 29, 5-9 PM

Hope to see you there!

1963 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA

Happy New Year!

Here are all the magic castles, they magically appeared right after the snow stopped. 

Looks like a world of Babel.....

I hope we can get past the babel of languages (and lifestyles and religions) and be able to live together someday.

30

I've backed away so you can see all of this one too.  So many little box houses all stacked together...Good thing they're not all made of ticky-tacky!