  “...He’s a Player”
‘Blues’ Juried Art Show Toucan Gallery August 2 Artwalk During the Blues Festival Billings, Montana. The player? Well, that silver tongue dandy is the red wing blackbird often spotted on Montana Avenue. He’s been seen chasing the sweet, blue tipped moon moths dancing on the right-top corner. Big sky starlight is mimicked with glass beads. Player piano roll paper (LaPaloma, the Dove) is collaged atop vintage Montana geological maps. The bottom right hand white square holds movement marks of the Meadowlark’s song. Classical music of Beethoven is affixed throughout the painting. 36“ x 24“ x 2.5“
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 Mother Earthscape, Acrylic, gold leaf, patina, glazed. Labyrinth impression in venetian plaster. 30"x30"x2.5", cradled birch support. Mother Earthscape Air creatures reminding us we only need to breathe, And to set us in motion are river trout swimming in life’s fluid waters . May we be as grounded as earth’s stones, then Bear witness to the green growth that moves us forward. The strong white light contrasting the shadow’s deep Prussian blues bring balance to our days. May we walk a Labyrinth’s path to help center us on our way… …‘real creatures in symbolic space.’ -Wanderlust Rebecca Solnit On a walk I pondered layers, and how they connect with one another. My intention became to paint a symbolic, organic, layered composition that speaks of our mind’s natural landscapes. My quest was to to connect with basic human elements-breathe, fluidity, growth, centering and grounding with this art. My wish is for all of us is to remember our place in the natural world, and to seek and share guidance from it. May we all be reminded we can leave ego aside, and dwell in our true self. "The rhythm of walking generates a kind of rhythm of thinking, and the passage through a landscape echoes or stimulates the passage through a series of thoughts. This creates an odd consonance between internal and external passage, one that suggests that the mind is also a landscape of sorts and that walking is one way to traverse it. A new thought often seems like a feature of the landscape that was there all along, as though thinking were traveling rather than making. And so one aspect of the history of walking is the history of thinking made concrete — for the motions of the mind cannot be traced, but those of the feet can." - Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust      
I'm not sure the grammas knew how much fun we'd have too, thinking the grandkids would be the fun machines. But wow, what a memory making day! Thanks Liz, for the diligent photo-taking!          When I was in Helena for the Governor's Cup, I had the opportunity to visit an artist in her studio who's work I have admired for quite awhile. Amy Livezey paints in a beautiful home studio with a WOW view. From her website, which the above button will take you to, she says: "My paintings are explorations of history using paint, photographic finds, pieces of paper old and new, and a variety of tools to build up and then mine the images for a fresh look at the past. Layers and abstraction serve as an homage to the complexity of this endeavor - the chaos of the moment and our ever changing cultural perspectives. " Visit her site, or better yet, see her works in person in Helena, so you too can fully appreciate her talent and thoughtful works of art. She is one of my favorite Montana artists. Thanks, Amy-such a treat to meet you and spend some time with you!   The Governor's Cup Half Marathon was a fun experience! It was a hilly course, but well paced. The comradery of other participants, the satisfaction of meeting a goal, and the scenery... Cheers to Helena's event! Heartbeat Can we be weightless and still have a heartbeat? I am reminded to always be well within, and our heartbeat will carry us forward. Wishing a strong heartbeat for all of us.  "Heartbeat" Deep water, tall skies and grounded stones. Diptych. Acrylic, gold leaf, glazed. Venetian plaster labyrinth impression. 30"x30"x2.5", cradled birch support.   Check out the link above to Toucan Gallery, who hosted Ron Campbell and his pop up show. It was so interesting to meet this gentleman from Australia, listen as he shared his craft and experience some live influential pop culture art .       The Hart-Albin Building in downtown Bilings, Montana has a golden past. Around the turn of the 19th century it took the post as the region's star department store. Experiencing premier shopping at "Hart's" meant you had arrived! Sadly, in 1989 this iconic store's doors were closed.
In my mid twenties to early thirties I worked as an advertising artist for the store. That position still rates as one of my top jobs! I drew and illustrated merchandise in ink/wash for ads eight hours a day, designed brochures, conceptualized promotional graphics...and whatever delightful tasks crossed my path. And the people I worked with have kept special places in my heart. I was contacted for some consultation work by the current building owners this spring to develop a color palette for the re-configured lobby, and create a new logo and signage. They weren't aware of my past connection with the store, of course it made the job extra special for me. The photos are part of the signage that was hung above the sandstone fireplace in the lobby. A shout out my amazing and talented buddy Mark Lynde at Sign Pro for the professional work on the piece! The rectangle shape is paying homage to the gold Hart-Albin sticker that was adhered to wrapped packages from the store. The font in reverse matches the font used by the department store from the 1940's through the eighties. A salute to our downtown diva!  Montana is an experience. Our state makes memories every time you go out to play and Memorial Day was no exception! Although we drove a total of 400 miles on our day trip, we experienced a horse drive from Gardiner to Jardine, the new Yellowstone Hot Springs, and Yellowstone National Park. I'll just let the photos speak for themselves.     The soft spring color, the scent, and then there's the taste-I felt I was literally sipping the Spring Season. This Rhubarb Liqueur is only a couple weeks old, and it still needs to age another month or two...I can't even imagine how delicious it will be. I like to sip the cordial straight over ice. Why dilute that exquisite flavor? This Rhubarb Liqueur nectar has made my top five list. This batch is made from my beloved father-in-laws rhubarb that continues to produce in his garden. George has been gone for several years, but his garden still grows for him. The smaller bottles pictured are for his children and grandchildren's holiday gifts. Planning ahead! I hope it evokes beautiful sharing of memories of their dad and grandpa. What fun conversation to look forward to. He was such a great human being! The recipe is from the Homemade Liqueurs book pictured. I cut back the sugar (as noted) as I didn't want to cover the taste. I knew I could add more sugar if it needed. The color was pulled from the rhubarb into the liqueur the first day of aging. |
KTAs a working artist/retired art educator, I've always lived the artful life. Let's share! Archives
June 2019
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