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

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/ 

A Fox and Octopus walk into a studio.....

While waiting for Spring to take a more permanent seat here in Charleston, staying cooped up in the studio to paint will have to do.....creating new pieces for the next upcoming show at Michael Mitchell Gallery for Spoleto!  

ITS EARLY BUT...

Royal Winnie

Sweet Olive

That season is coming up and a great gift could be a portrait of a beloved furry family member.  Yep its early but paintings take a little time to paint so its nice to think ahead : )
Above is an Airedale Terrier recently portrayed with a touch of royalty.  Sweet Olive is a commissioned portrait remembrance of a missed friend.

Contact me: vertindigo@gmail.com  for more info.

Autumn Entrance

Seeking Knowledge, 5" x7"

Autumn Entrance, 16" x 20"

Beginning to paint some more "up-cycled" postcards for the holiday season.  Postcards left over from past art shows are turned into my painting canvas, sometimes you can see bits of the original postcard as part of the new composition (i.e.: see the edges of Seeking Knowledge above).  Gift season is coming!
Autumn Entrance is yet another in my current abstract series. 

Summer Abstracts

  Summer Wane (top) and Brume are from a new abstract painting series I've been working on.
Painting non-representational pieces uses a different part of my brain, keeping me balanced for my "other" works.  Haven't pushed my abstracts as much but maybe on the horizon that will change.
For more abstract pieces please check out my website.

Trees Need HOME(s)

So these 24" x 60" wood panels need a new home.
Panel 1 has a spring blossom tree on one side and an orange tree on the other.
Panel 2 has a birch tree on one side and an oak on the other.
Either hang in a space, perhaps as a partition of sorts or hang against a wall, when you get tired of one side you have a painting on the other so you can switch it up.

Also I have a Pink Blossom fabric scroll needing a home.
Its 26" x 84".

Email me: vertindigo@gmail.com if interested.

Libertas

This diptych, Libertas, was inspired by the quote: "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner.  Liberty is a well-armed lamb."  

There are other versions of this quote and it has been mis-attributed to Ben Franklin. Not sure who actually "said" it, or the variations.

Nevertheless, this is my version. The handkerchief has written, "Libertas Cibum" latin for "free food".

There are many other "symbols" in this piece. See if you can figure them out. 

More Lil' Summer Art

I'm keeping up the summer theme....ah, fruit! These lil' ones are 5" x 5" wood panels. 
Hummm, what will be next...?

Summer

So its summer and I've enjoyed painting one of my favorite things....fruit and veggies.  Its been awhile since using them as a subject, but perhaps the summer heat and craving for eating on the lighter side has inspired the paintings.  After seeing my Strawberry Grenade (look at earlier blog post) painted for Guerrilla Cuisine,  a fellow painter commissioned the Tomato Grenade II. 

More summer paintings to come......

Boom

So this Strawberry Grenade was added to the GUERRILLA CUISINE gallery this past Sunday at the beautiful event space Sanctuary Hall and Gardens.
The Alice and Wonderland dinner theme was delightfully theatrical and tasty!  The all ladies dinner benefited The Center for Women with paintings by moi, and the culinary art by Chef Meredith Adams from Eurasia and Antonia M. Krenza of Sette, also musical loveliness by Jenny Lee Ford.  
If you are hosting an event and need a great space check out Sanctuary Hall and Gardens. I haven't been to Eurasia or SETTE yet but after sampling the delicious food created Sunday by these Chefs definitely want to try both.
And of course you need to do a Guerrilla Cuisine at least once. Check it out!

Apple and Orange

Just finished a commission that will be flying to Indiana.  Each canvas is 3' x 4'.

I've done many a fruit painting in the past, its been a while so it was a nice exercise to

revisit this subject matter.

WELCOME PICCOLO SPOLETO

A Long Time Ago had its opening last night.....Welcome Piccolo Spoleto !


Check out the lovely article in the Charleston City Paper by Amy Stockwell Mercer.


Trever Webster had a great little piece written by Vikki Matsis about his art and the show in this week's Charleston Scene.


Plus the show, A Long Time Ago, got a top pick for Piccolo Spoleto events also in the Charleston Scene.


Have to say the eclectic and diverse array of artists and mediums created a really enjoyable show. The opening night crowd's energy was really great...not to sound too "crunchie" about it,  but the gallery had a swell glow about it.  


If you missed the opening night, the show is up till July 29th.  This show really does speak to all age groups.
Admission is always free!  


The Saturday artist lecture schedule:


Artist Lectures: All begin at 4PM
July 7: Liz Vaughan & Baird Hoffmire
July 14: Lisa Abernathy & Lisa Shimko
July 21: Becca Barnet & Seth Corts & Michelle Jewell
July 28: Xin Lu & Trever Webster


Let me know what you think if you see the show : )