I'm Thankful to Be a Female Artist of this Era

I am the writer for the Peninsula Museum of Art's blog. In the November post I talk about the Dutch art guild scene as described by Dominic Smith in "The Last Book of Sara de Vos." I compare this scene to what the present PMA-exhibiting artists are experiencing. As always, I write with a light touch.

You will find it here:

Hope you read and enjoy.

Tweety Fish Kiss

Gouache

4.5"x4.5"

This is just one of dozens of images I've been working on.

Most have been in b/w ink, with silhouetted forms.

This one returns to color and whimsy.

4.5 Months into the Yearlong Project

When Trump was elected I looked at my imagery to study the way I depicted mankind.

I saw a good sense of diversity in lifeline ages (babes to elders) and body shapes (small to large, thin to thick). A full spectrum of personality characteristics were addressed in my recent years of creating the MaybePerhapsIfYouWill cartoons.

I saw that while I was a bit weaker in creating specific worldwide cultural diversity (clothing and genetic facial form), these were improving.

What about drawn forms for "MANKIND" in all its universality? Finding universal mankind/womankind imagery has been one of the main quests of this Year Long Project -- honing in on forms that reach down into the deepest sense of humanity, where diversity of age, shape, personality, and culture drop away.

Yearlong Project has a Brutal New Influence

It is 3.5 months into the work.

Large local fires (CA wine country) have caused death and immense pain for those who have survived and lost their security (physical and emotional).

How do I address this monumental event?
     First is by getting over my initial paralyzing shock (a strong fear of fire and many close call occurrences of the real thing have been in my life since I was 11 yrs old.) This involves checking on loved ones and attending to maps, wind directions, and future weather patterns.
     Next is by realizing that this traumatic event joins many others in the world, and so is part of our natural course in history. Set up prayer patterns that incorporate the near and the far if I haven't already. Try to see if there is anything physical that I can do to help.
     Third is by putting my ink to paper and not worrying about what I create.

This is not a time to judge the artwork, but is instead a time to let flow... pour out onto the canvas what is inside. Artists throughout the ages have kept themselves sane during difficult times by releasing their honest flow. To be honest about one's own humanity is a natural and very healthy way of easing into change.

Yearlong Art Project into the Third Month

For the months of August and September I created every day, inks or gouache on paper. I work both at my studio and at home, simultaneously, so that this flow of art never leaves my awareness. I am hoping to keep this process up for a year, until next August. We will see where the flow of creativity goes. In September of 2018 the artwork will be installed at the Peninsula Museum of Art.

So far I have created through the influences of marvelous readings from literature, poetry, magazines and even newspapers. The news is difficult right now, but I'm trying to get to the essence of humanity within the chaos. Perhaps there's important things to be learned these days that will lead the planet to a better future.

Additional influences have been the community around me. This includes the untimely death of a dear friend, Bur McAllester. Perhaps I will write about him one day. Right now I create art with him on my mind.

There has also been the birth of a beautiful baby boy to another close family friend. I met the baby while surrounded by wild nature in Northern California. They named him Bodhi. He, too, influences the work.

A loss of connection and birth of connection seems to be the theme of the day in many more realms of my life and of those close to me. I am of the opinion that whatever comes to me can reveal wisdom, if I can get out of my self-centered psyche long enough to see it. (Artists by nature have to be self-centered... sigh.)

Just as poetry can appear to have a handle on balancing the dark and the light, I am hoping my art will reveal similar insights.

Be well as we head into October.
Leigh

Supporting the Burlingame Library and the Arts

It is always a pleasure to support local libraries.

I was invited to participate in a group art exhibit at the Burlingame Main Library for the month of July. The show features the works of the Peninsula Museum of Arts' studio artists. I raised my daughter with the books from this library, and am pleased to participate.

The curator has requested that artists bring extra works to show, and perhaps sell, on the reception evening, First Friday Event, July 7, 5-8 pm. She likes my little black and white graphics work, so I made three for the occasion. Perhaps I will make more during the next week. If I sell these or the painting on the wall, half of the proceeds will be donated to the Burlingame Library.

Catching an Idea

4.2"x4"

Sumi Ink

(Sold)

Gatherings

4"x4"

Sumi Ink

Walking with the Sun

4.5"x3"

Sumi Ink

Where the Line Leads

Why not walk with me through the

Peninsula Museum of Art and Studios,

looking for lines.

Revelation

30"x40"

Oil on canvas

On exhibition at Milton Marks Conference Center Gallery, San Francisco, thru July 28, 2017.
Group show: "Visions" by Women's Caucus for Art, Peninsula Chapter

Traveling Through

30"x40"

Acrylic on canvas

"Fishing for Hope"

Gouache

5"x3.5"

The depth of the story is in the detail, which one must take the time to explore to appreciate.

This Crazy Blind Faith

Gouache

4.5"x6.5"

(Detail)

Open Studios May 6 & 7

I've made about 25 tiny paintings in the past 3 months. Here are two examples that show that some are very simple and some very intricate. The top piece is an homage to the plight of Africans who were taken out of their homeland in slavery and have yet to find a sense of overall societal equality and respect. The second piece was sourced from an angry moment.

"Brother - Where Am I"

Gouache

4" x 4"

"Red Circle"
Gouache

5" x 5"
(sold)

"Shaman Dance"

Gouache

6"x5"

Photographing the subtlety of gouache is basically impossible, but here is the gist of one of my new images. My imagery has to do with humans as conscious/unconscious beings. Time and place are abstracted into unlimited spacial concepts.

I have been creating a number

of small paintings. At this point

in time I am not publishing them publicly.

Ah, the mysteries of the world...

"Elegant Feather Duster"

7"x6"

Gouache

(sold)

"Mushroom on a Rainy Day"

Gouache

4"x4"

IPC