Between the Desert and the Deep Blue Sea

New artworks on view through May 25th
CORE Gallery, Seattle, WA

 

When I was a child a trip to Baskin and Robbins was a time-sinking endeavor for my parents. Choice making has never come easy for me, so how does one choose between two beautiful places?

 

 

Exquisitely opposite, the desert and the sea are two sides of the same coin. Loving each, choosing neither and living in-between, I have been exploring my concept of place and “home”. Each painted landscape and tiny house is a window into one of my heart-homes: Anza Borrego, CA, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Izmir, Turkey. Seattle, WA. Yachats, OR. For “Shelter Ship” I created two perfect houses in the colors of the desert and the sea, only to destroy them. 

 

Out of the wreckage, something new is built.      
Community dwells where you grow it.

Special thanks to Carla Grahn, Kim Powell and Andy Steers. Due to the help and involvement of my community, all proceeds from the Shelter Ships will be donated to the DowntownEmergency Services Center.

Shelter Ship in Progress

Copper Counterweight

Shelter Ship #2 Detail

Shelter In Progress - Desert Side

Shelter in Progress - Sea Side

The Story of a Commission

Longfellow Creek Views, in progress

Nearly complete are the three largest paintings on wood I've ever made, thus far. Youngstown Flats commissioned me to create these large-scale artworks based off the neighboring Longfellow Creek Trail.

It is an urban park with dense native flora, vivid graffiti and an incredible Fish Bone Bridge sculpture by Lorna Jordan.

In these six-foot panels I have attempted to capture the lush juxtaposition of nature and man that is found in the park. Using positive and negative stain to hint at a rainy atmospheric background with bright botanical paintings in the foreground, as a whole the panels evoke a sense of place.

Working this large has been a true challenge. Even simply designed, 18 feet of painting takes a LOT of time! But the experience has taught me much, opened doors to new creative ideas as well as collaborations and friendships. Too large to fit through the door of my home studio, the commission brought me to share a studio space with artist Carla Grahn. Which in turn has given me a taste of the working-artist community that my own studio practice had been lacking. Just goes to show you never know where a project will take you!

Youngstown Flats and a Curatorial Journey

Jan Hoy's sculpture "Continuity II" Installation at Youngstown Flats

 Over a year ago, I was given an incredible opportunity. A brand new apartment community was coming to the Delridge neighborhood of West Seattle. Maria Barrientos identified the area as a stronghold for the arts, and the development team wanted the aesthetic of their building to reflect that.

I was brought on board to make it happen.

Michael Harrison's Reclaimed Wood Wall

 18 months, a multitude of Calls for Art, selection panel meetings, artist proposals and installation schedules later, the "Art Program at Youngstown Flats" is finally happening!

Carla Grahn installs her piece "Yellow Brick Road"

 This has been a big part as to why I have been so silent the past month. All the last minute details and coordination kept me busy! But now installations are nearly complete - only a few works still to be installed.

Ken Turner aligning his photography

 To say that this has been an incredible experience barely scratches the surface. I have made connections with new friends and discovered a passion and talent that I did not know I had.
It is difficult work to coordinate this many permanent, site specific installations, but I enjoyed and met every challenge.

PUBS

And seeing a proposal on paper transform into real and true artwork? Pure magic.

Sofya Belinskaya & Antonio Fernandez Collaboration

 Right now, I'm beaming. 

Right now, I'm beyond proud of everyone's work and involvement.

Stephen Rock

At some point, too much has passed to ever be able to catch up. At some point, life jumps up and whisks you off your feet.

That point came and went ages ago.

I've found myself no longer thinking in blog posts, but to-do lists instead.

There has been studio work - long days and nights huddled over cups of tea to keep warm fingers and paintbrushes stuck in my hair while I nudged through a large scale commission.

There has been story telling. Words typed and clattered and scribbled into the wee hours of morning.

There was a deep breath pause of a journey to the heart-home of Anza-Borrego.

And then, a return to dive into the deep end of over-committed. I've barely had a moment to myself, much less been able to tell you about it. All good things, and I'm still in the thick of it. But friends are starting to wonder if I'm ill, jumped ship or moved back to Ireland and neglected to tell anyone.

No dears. No. Just giving my all into my creative pursuits and work life.

I'll have to emerge soon however, because there is a show to herald the news of: I'll be exhibiting for the month of May at CORE Gallery. Never has my work felt so true... and never before has it felt so crazed.

"Between the Desert and the Deep Blue Sea"

Paintings, prints and installations dealing with finding “home”.

May 2 - 25th, 2013

CORE Gallery

Studio Visit with Carla Grahn

 It's a somewhat long story, but I recently found myself in short-term need of some studio space. Fortunately, metal working artist extraordinaire Carla Grahn had some space to spare and took me in.

 It is quite fun to not only get to spend time in another artist's studio, but also metal is such a foreign medium to me that I've greatly enjoyed all the strange textures and colors. Inspirational, actually!

 I am of course bringing a little wood into the mix!

Time has passed... as it often does.

The new year and new age have moved into being. And no, I have not forgotten you dear reader. There just hasn't been all that much to say. Or, there has been an overwhelming amount of too much to say.

There was a little flurry of art deadlines followed closely on the heels by the Holidaze and house guests. But even that isn't really why I haven't popped in to say 'ello. I've been resting. Taking-in... Wintering over... Hibernating. And following my creative muse down a rabbit hole of writing that I did not expect.

But fear not! The seeds are germinating and I know my fingers will itch for paint again soon.

In the meantime, may I recommend a visit to Ghost Gallery? A very intriguing show of print makers will be on exhibition this month, including the Ireland works of yours truly:
http://ghost-galleryshop.com/pages/current-upcoming-events

Holiday Days at CORE Gallery

I've got new work out and about in two places this month!

Ghost Gallery's Holiday Miniature Art Extravaganza!

To kick off the holidays Ghost Gallery will be filled to the brim with miniature works by local artists. Inspired by my new experiementations I created little prototypes of a brand new series of work branching into 3/D! The show runs through December 31st. Though a word of warning - purchases can be taken home nearly immediately so stop by early if you want to see everything!

Ghost Gallery, 504 E Denny Way at Summit/Olive

Holiday Sale at CORE Gallery

It is time again for the December group show at CORE Gallery and I will be showing some of my favorite Ireland works, as well as a few brand new pieces!
The show opens on Wednesday, November 28th and runs through December 22nd. There will be a festive Art Walk Opening & reception the following week on Thursday, Decebmer 7th 6 - 9 pm.

Core Gallery, 117 Prefontaine (at Yesler)