Against the Wind

Against the Wind

I wanted to paint a piece with the sea in the distance and lupines in front. This piece had to be adjusted dramatically from the photo I worked from. The houses were made smaller and the sea closer. I first painted the chair as it was in the photo, facing toward the viewer. I just didn’t like it, it didn’t feel right some how. So I took it all out (ouch!) and re-did it, using the pink chair in my studio as a reference, this time I faced the chair toward the house. This piece has areas painted very thinly as well as thickly and an intense sense of drama, unusual for me. I am still trying to get the message of it clearly, as there are several in there. It is clear that there is something going on with that white house, a conversation of sorts, but what does it mean? Are all those lupines representative of family? Is the white house on the edge of the canvas about looking forward to a hereafter? I certainly didn’t expect that to be such a strong element. My title gives a clue as to what I feel. Right from the beginning this piece has been called “Against the Wind” I always see the chair as counteracting the forces that are pushing against it and up the hill. My sister clarified it for me yesterday when I discussed the difficulty of producing a solo show while suffering from chronic pain: “You have a goal in mind and you will reach it!  I know the "where there's a will there's a way attitude".  It came from Mom. (This) attitude has been a big part of my life.  I have thought of her saying that often all my life and often said it to my kids.” Thank you, Georgie. You made that part so clear. But, hmmm, there is still that white house. Ideas welcome!

Sharing your Thoughts

A beautiful ship that sailed by when I was painting at Marshall Point, Maine

One of the items that I have at the exhibit in the Topsfield library is a Remembrance journal. People sit in the pink chair, think of their own loved ones and write a message in the journal. It is my hope that this sharing can go on as the blog does, which will be for a while....


My friend Val, lost her mother recently She has posted some lovely thoughts about her but I was really taken with the quote she found and shared. She has approved my sharing it with you.


the quote:

"I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, "There, she is gone."

"

Gone where?"



Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side, and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, "There, she is gone!" there are other eyes watching her coming, and there are other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!" And that is dying.

"

- Henry van Dyke (1852 – 1933) American author, educator, and clergyman

SOLO ART EXHIBIT OPENS

"Against the Wind" oil on canvas 18x24"

 location: Friendship, ME

REMEMBRANCE - THE PINK CHAIR PROJECT

TOPSFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY

One South Common St.

Topsfield, MA 01983

(978)887-1528

EXHIBIT November 1-29, 2011   

Library Hours: M 10-8; T 10-5; W 12-5;TH 10-8;   

F 12-5; Sat 10-5; closed Sunday   

RECEPTION 

Friday, November 4 from 5:30 - 7 PM

I will be presenting a solo exhibition of my recent paintings from November 1 - 29, 2011 in the meeting room of the Topsfield, MA Public Library. A reception will be held from 5:30 - 7 PM on Friday, November 4 "Remembrance - the Pink Chair Project" celebrates the memory of my mother in moving and beautiful images.  

I sensed her presence while painting an Adirondack chair of her favorite color - bright, knock-your-socks-off pink. After the initial surprise of that experience, I began placing the chair into various locations which had special meaning to me or Mom. In this way, I have created a cohesive body of work that shines as individual paintings as well as a sensitive and powerful grouping.  

Please continue to read my blog on the process, which will I will add to throughout the show, telling the story of each painting as it is posted. I will also be continuing to paint during the show on the series, so you will get the first news on those pieces as well. http://pinkchairpaintings.blogspot.com/. Bookmark it or sign up at the top of the blog to get these postings directly in your mailbox!

I will display the pink chair (or maybe two of them!) at the exhibit with a pink table and footrest, and I am encouraging an interactive component at the exhibit, encouraging visitors to sit comfortably and tell the story of their loved ones in a remembrance book. Mom's book "This is Me" will also be on display, along with some pictures of her so people can get to know her better. 

I invite each of my readers, especially those who cannot come to the show,  to contribute to the show by writing a bit about someone who was special to you that you would like to remember so that the sharing of this experience can grow and become richer. You can add the comments directly to my blog or e-mail them to me if you want to contribute, but do not want the comments posted. It is a great way to connect with the exhibit as well as my mother and me.

The Topsfield Town Library meeting room serves as a monthly exhibition space for local artists, featuring a different art display each month as well as a community meeting place. If you come during the week, you may want to call to check if there is a meeting or event in that room. Saturday is usually clear.  

A portion of each sale will be donated to childhood cancer research, as well as to the Friends of the Topsfield Library.