Stanley Whitney at Team Gallery

I caught the last chance to see Stanley Whitney's work at Team Gallery. The show, Einarsson, Rhodes and Whitney is down now which is too bad because I'd really like to go back and see it again. Whitney's works take time to view. I think you really need to stay in front of each one for a good, long while letting the work unfold and reveal itself. The image above is of a small piece. The photo gives you a hint of what you can get from Whitney's work. The photo below is of a much large painting and so you can't really see the details that make this work resonate. But you can still enjoy some of the color and structure of the painting.

Peter Doig at Gavin Brown

Yesterday's trip to NYC was great. A major highlight was the Peter Doig show at Gavin Brown. I think I'm in love...especially with these two small paintings. But really I loved them all.

Looking Backward

I pulled out this drawing last week for another look and to get some perspective on where I'm going with my work. It was really these layered works from last summer that inspired me to begin layering the actual surface. And that, of course, led to the sewn pieces I'm doing now. I'm still so excited about where it all might be going.

Melodrama

So it wasn't the flu, it was strep- joy. Well at least now we can start getting better. Yesterday I visited my studio because I needed to drop a packet off at InLiquid. It was still there. As was the double spiral, last worked on long ago before illness struck. Matt came home from work the other day and asked what was up and I said, "This is all my life has ever been and all it ever will be." But finally the clouds break and I remember that once I didn't have a fever all the time and I did fun things like paint!

Cruising

I've been sick with the flu for almost a week and therefore have neither thought nor done anything of interest. But my folks are on a cruise around the world and sent this great photo of a White Eye from New Caledonia. New Caledonia looks awesome and I would love to be healthy and laying on the beach there! In fact I've been struck by the "laying on the beach" desire frequently lately. Ah well, in the mean time I can enjoy photos from their cruise!

Ella Watson needs a Liver

The best thing about Facebook has been reconnecting with friends from long, long ago. Bruce Watson and I went to high school (what turns out to be almost 20 years ago- thanks for that reminder Alumni Committee...) Anyway his sister, shown below, is an artist in need of a liver transplant. Below I've pasted the information about an upcoming benefit as well as how to donate money to Ella's liver through PayPal.

Get good mojo on Friday the 13th by coming out to help raise some cash for the badass and beloved artist, Ella Watson (and her soon-to-be adopted liver). Even if you don't know Ella, the night promises to be a blast: there will be live music, dark humor, affordable art, light hearts, treats from Gramercy Tavern, and Brooklyn Lager (for the good livered amongst us). Show your love and your civic sensitivity by coming out to support this special person in her quest for her one true liver... and have a great time!

Suggested Donation $10.00

Date:	Friday, February 13, 2009
Time:	7:00pm - 11:00pm
Location:	The City Reliquary Museum and Civic Organization
Street:	370 Metropolitan Avenue
City/Town:	Brooklyn, NY

To make an online donation to help Ella
1. copy this email address:
blahblahblah.ellas.liver.blahblah@gmail.com
2. click on the blue "Online Payment Merchant" link above
3. click on "Personal" in the menu bar
4. click on "Send Money Online"
5. paste in the email address in the space on the right.

Viva la Liva!

One More Time

Just thought you might need to see more of my snow photos.




I'm actually in this one. See my shadow just to the right of center.

Snow, Snow, & More Snow

It really was beautiful this morning. I can't resist posting more images.

Double Spiral Still in Progress

So this is what I've been suffering over. I'm seriously considering taking it the laundry mat and seeing how much paint will wash out. But first I'm going to keep working on the front (below) and see what happens. A project for today although I'll have to hurry. Looks like we might get some disruptive snow this afternoon.

School Bus

I haven't had a lot to say lately. I'm suffering over my work in the studio, trying to reconcile what I want things to be with what they are. In the mean time a few sunny days.

Indoor Soccer

Blue Paint & Birds

Yesterday was a day for blue. I stained my hands blue working in the studio. Then when I was waiting at the bus stop for Olivia I discovered a flock of blue birds. They were very bright and very animated. It makes me feel like spring...but I still would like a decent snow storm! One day to play in the snow does not seem like enough for one winter. I have great childhood memories of entire winters covered in snow followed by intense longing to see the grass again.

Philadelphia

I love the people you encounter in Philadelphia. This morning as I swam laps at the Broad Street YMCA the lone lifeguard broke into song. Yes, I said BROKE INTO SONG. She belted out several songs, one of which I recognized from Corinne Bailey Rae’s album. She had a fantastic voice but even so as I swam back and forth enjoying the music a part of me was saying “the lifeguard is SINGING!?!?!?!?!?!” Man, I love this place.

Drawing

I've been working on this drawing for well over a year. I'm really going to miss it when it's done.

Double Spiral Continued

The double spiral now joined but still awaiting the additional rounds that will surround both bodies. This is the same piece shown in the Jan 13 posting. Yep, it's taking awhile to construct. I really can't wait to finish it because I have big plans for the next phase of it's development.

A Fine Day

Friday was an unexpectedly fine day. Warm and sunny and just generally beautiful out. It would have me wishing for spring except I'd still really like a little more snow before winter ends. I keep hearing about all this snow in Ohio and New York but we've had almost none in Philadelphia. And I do love the snow!

Terry Winters at Matthew Marks

This show was one of the highlights of my Chelsea trip. The colors and shapes are very blunt. They knock you out when you first see them. Several times I looked at the paintings and thought "Yuck!" But what beautiful yuck, like playing in the mud, texture, depth and then finally beauty. I'd spent some time in the previous galleries looking at work and trying to decide if it was good or not. But then I came in here and knew I was looking at a painter who knew what he was doing. What an awesome relief. Unfortunately I didn't get that feeling again until I encountered Dona Nelson's painting some 4 blocks later.