Nude Descending a Staircase

While the Seattle area has been experiencing cold, snow and ice, I’ve been taking advantage of the time indoors to work in the studio, developing my next body of work.

With the Marc Bradford and Picasso exhibits still on my mind, I’m finding myself intrigued by repetition, abstractions and cubism.

Here’s Nude Descending a Staircase.  Happy New Year 2011!

Serendipity…

I was recently in the Boston area, where a friend of mine recommended I go to the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art).  While the venue is stunning, what really caught my eye was the Mark Bradford exhibition. Bradford has found a way to incorporate so many elements of my past work (collage, texture, repetition, iconography,  partials and personal history) into work that is visually compelling and thought-provoking.

“Disappear Like a Dope Fiend” Mark Bradford, 2006

Bradford uses found materials (permanent end papers, wrapping paper and street posters) to develop these extraordinary abstracts.  Rich with subtle imagery, his work compels you to step forward, then back away, then step forward again for another look, than back away once more, until you’re dizzy and you must sit down to take it all in.  I can’t recall seeing the work.  It’s like of falling head over heels in love, where you’re so overwhelmed, you know who he is, but can’t remember what he looks like.

Robert Rauschenberg, Gerhardt Richter, Jasper Johns and Jackson Pollock are all alive and well in Bradford’s intricate and spirited work.  Mark, to put it mildly, you’ve inspired me to spend my every waking moment in the studio making more work, taking it way beyond what I’ve done in the past.  I didn’t think it could be done, but Mark, you showed me how!  Thank you.  (and thanks to Brenda for recommending ICA).

Hello Pacific Northwest!

If you’ve noticed that my blog is out of date, you’re correct.  We’ve been busy relocating to the Seattle area, and the studio’s been packed up for a while.  The good news is we’ve arrived safely and have landed in Redmond, WA.  We moved in to our new home in August and are slowly unpacking boxes. 

In the process of relocating, we made some time to do a little sight-seeing in this incredible area.  Of course, what trip to Seattle is complete without a visit to the Space Needle?  It’s touristy, but so much fun!  The entire area is themed in 1960′s era decor, which makes it so reminiscent of the Jetsons.   We’ve been twice and will definitely go again.

With the studio packed up, there’s not much art happening, outside of my photographs.  But there are many projects percolating while I unpack, so stay tuned!

Space Needle

Short Evening Frock

Christian Dior’s Little Dictionary of Fashion was my inspiration for this piece.  While the dress is lovely, the woman’s waist is about as wide as her neck.  This poor faceless woman has become a backdrop to the glory of haute couture and social propriety.

Delightful Garment

Delightful Garment

December, 1959, Glamour magazine.  A particular ad promises nirvana, (a  younger, smaller silhouette) after the purchase of this ‘delightful garment’, a large girdle.  But, really, how delightful is a girdle?  How good can this be for a body, to be held taught and crammed into a tiny space in order to produce the right curvature in the right places. 

And, after one had landed a prospective mate, what happens when the delightful garment is removed, releasing its victim to the realities of a human female body?  Maybe the delightful garment could also be used to reign in an unwilling groom?

Cinderella Suddenly Had A Craving for Pumpkin Pie

Cinderella Suddenly Has a Craving for Pumpkin Pie

Cinderella is a story told around the world.  In the Western version, she’s a good girl, upon whom life has dealt a harsh blow.  She continues to be kind and helpful, and is eventually rescued by a handsome Prince (would she have been so willing to leave had the Prince been less attractive?).

In my version of the story, Cinderella is hungry.  She’s been starving herself for a week in order to fit into her gorgeous designer gown, the one with the teeny waist.  After riding in a bumpy pumpkin-coach, she finally arrives at the ball.  But, at this point, the Prince can wait.  She’s hungry.  And the pumpkin coach has whetted her appetite for pumpkin pie!  After a piece of pie, she’ll consider the prince’s offer.

Shopping List

Grocery List

Grocery shopping can be a frustrating experience.  I keep lists of what we need, only to find that in the middle of preparing a meal, I only have one egg left, when the recipe calls for two.  Wandering up and down the aisles of the grocery store, I try to remember what we have, what we’re missing, and what we’ll potentially need.  

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to bring home a good night’s sleep when you know that your 8 year old son is likely to need tucking back into bed at 2am?   Or having a spare sense of humor in your pantry when your dog finds that hole in the fence and is ravaging your neighbor’s back yard?   So the grocery list continues to grow!

Red Bow

Red Bow

About two years ago, my mother-in-law gave me her copy of Christian Dior’s Dictionary of Fashion (published circa 1950).  Leafing through it, I was amazed at the complicated list of fashion dos and don’ts, so important to being a well-groomed young lady.

This painting (Red Bow) was all about emphasizing the bow, while the woman and dress fade into the background.  How interesting that the Bow is the star, and the woman has a supporting role!

What I did love about the book were the fashion illustrations, and the quality of the linework.  While photography has replaced most of these illustrations, I do miss the artistry ever-present in these beatiful drawings.

Rainy Day

Rainy Day

Rainy Day

One rainy Saturday afternoon, my husband thoughtfully offered to take the kids out for the afternoon, so that I’d have some time to myself.  I was very excited at the prospect of some free time. 

However, as soon as the door closed, I started to go through a long list of all of the things I wanted to do.  And I only had two hours! 

This piece is about the realization that I can feel overwhelmed even when I find free time.  Raising children in the suburbs can easily lead to a fast and frenetic pace for families.  Downtime can become a rare treat.  You want the best for your kids and your family.  Yet, there is only one of you, and eventually, you have to say no to things.  This is my lesson, deciding when I will say ‘Yes’, and when I will say ‘No’.

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