gallery work and a clear path
June 20, 2007I have been really trying to limit the number of gallery shows I take on each year because they are so time consuming… I have to fight my tendency to say yes to everything because I’m so excited about the possibilities. But I know it’s not good for me because I think that the good art comes when you have just a little space around you. (And twice this year my yesses ended badly because I had to drop out of two shows and felt TERRIBLE about it. gulp.)
I also tend to procrastinate when it comes to gallery work because sure… there’s a due date for when you have to get it to the gallery. But it always feels like decades away. And there are things due tomorrow that require immediate attention.
But not this time. I am doing my first solo show (!) in September and I am very excited. (and a little nervous… will people show up? a solo show is SO much work!) But I have already started on the work for it. (yay me!) I was thinking about posting them here as I finish them to kind of give me someone to answer to. You know? A visual look at progress made that acts as incentive to keep going. (So if I start slacking on posting more work, yell at me please!)
I was really discouraged a few weeks ago because I didn’t know what i wanted to do with my personal work. Or at least, I didn’t think I did. Colin and I talked about it for a while and he said something that just clicked for me. (A “click moment” where everything that’s hazy seems to crystallize… love those!) He was finally able to put words to my work that made it feel cohesive and directional. He said: “you usually seem to draw people that somehow connect or are one with nature.”
Um. Yes! That’s so true! (Check out past pieces…)
And while that statement is not always the case, it felt like I suddenly had a clear path to walk down.
Thank you so much Colin!
So, with that direction in mind, I completed the piece below for that show… untitled as of yet… The ocean as a woman. Or the woman as part of the ocean. Not sure, but I like it anyhow.
(approx 19″x29″, mixed media on paper)
Second piece coming soon…
June 20th, 2007 at 7:39 am
Love this piece, the blue is so vivid, and I like how the white hair doodad (not sure what to call it) looks like the plants that grow by the water.
June 20th, 2007 at 8:12 am
it’s serene and peaceful as the ocean can sometimes be.
her look is longing. . .like she’s searching the horizon for a lost lover.
I, too, love the detail of the coral in her hair.
June 20th, 2007 at 8:28 am
wow…this is gorgeous. i love the blues.
you rock!
yesterday a friend was over. she hasn’t been in my
house for about 5 years. we were standing in my studio
and she noticed the girl on the stool piece, that i
bought at silver in the city. she loved it. so i got
to tell her all about you and your talents and what
a great chick you are!
June 20th, 2007 at 8:34 am
Love it! She’s so beautiful! Love the colors and the white coral. The color contrast is awesome.
June 20th, 2007 at 8:34 am
I love how simple and elegant the line in your pieces can be. She is the picture of beauty and you’ve created her with just a few simple lines. That is a gift for any artist to be able to do and I must say that you do it splendidly. I’m looking forward to seeing the rest of the show.
June 20th, 2007 at 9:20 am
Wow, I love this! It’s beautiful and serene and I love the blue! Gorgeous!
June 20th, 2007 at 9:36 am
Penelope, I love your work. The colors, the emotions, the feeling you get when you look at the pieces. This new piece is especially lovely. Great job, and good luck with your solo show!
June 20th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Hi Penelope, let me echo everyone above me and say that I love your work. It is so lovely and thoughtful and eloquent. What kind of paper did you paint this on?
June 20th, 2007 at 9:48 am
Glad you all like it! :)
Ann: I almost always paint on Hahnemuhle German etching paper. It’s soft and scrubbable. Almost cloth-like.
June 20th, 2007 at 10:36 am
OK this is my favorite penelope piece now:)
June 20th, 2007 at 10:52 am
what not to love? i have enjoyed my little piece of penelopia here in the gallery… good luck on your solo and i just know … you. can. do. it!
June 20th, 2007 at 11:01 am
Wow, this is simply amazing. I think it’s the best you’ve done, ever. And you’ve done some prety good things already!
June 20th, 2007 at 2:44 pm
It is beautiful!I love the expression on the woman’s face.
June 20th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
I have a print of your piece entitled “my own best friend”, which I adore. This newest piece is terrific, and I really like the “i am” piece from your photo set. Your work is divine!!!
June 20th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
What a lovely painting! Instant pleasure, thank you :)
June 20th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
penelope! whoa! this is your best. i mean it. it’s just so damn cool!!!!!
June 20th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
oh wow… i like this SO much miss penelope…
like a LOT.
colin got it smack bang on…
what a beautiful direction to move into, or encapsulate on a more meaningful level, if that makes sense?
i’m in love with us human souls connecting more with the land around us… so i say this with a big resounding YES!
yes oh yes oh YES.
i can’t WAIT to see more!
brightest blessings to you,
Leonie
P.S. The coral in her hair is the piece de resistance!
June 20th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
p.s. further on discussion of website integration/stylism…
what about fonts/type in the hard coding replicating your signature up the top?
June 20th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
She is so beautiful… wow. Where is your show going to be? I would love to be able to see her in person.
jen
June 21st, 2007 at 5:45 am
That is GORGEOUS.
June 21st, 2007 at 6:10 am
Thank you all! So glad you like this direction. :)
Leonie: I’m am unclear about your question… what do you mean about hardcoding? Sorry! :D
June 21st, 2007 at 6:41 am
This is such an awesome piece. So awesome that I’ve come out of my comment-leaving absence. I really do think it’s my favorite, and shows so much growth in your style and sophistication. LOVE it.
June 21st, 2007 at 7:46 am
beautiful!
June 21st, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Phenomenal — really, really great.
: )
June 21st, 2007 at 7:43 pm
This is so great… Where will the show be? I would love to come! Do you know yet?
June 22nd, 2007 at 5:32 am
This is one of those pieces you look at and it makes you ache and wish you did it yourself. Beee U Tee full!! At first glance she is like a flamenco dancer of the sea!
June 26th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Where can I get this painting? I am so in love with it!!! I have been neglecting work and flipping back to it…help!
July 14th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
It’s great that you have such an open dialogue with your husband regarding both of your work. And congratulations on the solo exhibition. That’s exciting!