Thursday, June 29, 2017

SOLACE SUMMER

Some tidbits from my current show SOLACE on view at Mitchell Hill Gallery, Charleston, SC.

sol·ace
ˈsäləs

noun
1.
comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness.
synonyms: comfort, consolation, cheer, support, relief

verb
1.
give solace to.

synonyms: comfort, console, cheer, support, soothe, calm


Mother and Child Jasmine, 11" x 14", acrylic on wood

Childhood, 16" x 20", acrylic on wood
Anthropology, especially the aspect of the symbols we use to express, describe, communicate our human existence has been a foundational spark for past paintings and continues in this series. 

I try to stay educated about what is going on in the world which tends to lead to anxiety and sadness but also a questioning of my role as a responsible human and specifically an artist.  
There are artists creating poignant activist pieces addressing important, big issues, unfortunately my talents have not given way to such cleverness so I have to find what does fit within my voice to do my part.


Here I am with "Solace"; choosing to look at personal and wider cultural symbols that may give some comfort, cheer –solace, to viewers as they gave me a bit of a respite in painting them. Guilty pleasure or not, can't art just sometimes be about a piece of happy magic in the maelstrom?
Rose Violin Mother and Child, 16" x 20", acrylic on wood

giraffes
Pansy Rain, 12" x 16" acrylic on wood

Cupid Bear, 11" x 14", acrylic on wood
Limited edition prints of “Cupid Bear” are available with proceeds going to HEART Artist Guild and Theatre Company https://www.heartsc.org/