2020: Are We Done Yet?

I won’t be the first nor the last to describe this year — 2020 — as one of the crappiest on record, at least in my lifetime so far. The drawing above pretty much sums up my feelings. Between the Corona virus, the reaction to racial reckoning in this country, the mad man in the White House (soon to be out the door, thankfully), the almost-coup, and overall environmental, social, and economic despair, I really don’t know what has been left out of this basket of terribleness.

As an artist, I’m wondering what my role will —and should be— in 2021. My work is not overtly political (other than the occasional drawing) but maybe that will change. Or, maybe I let my drawings do the political work (organizing, motivating, sharing information) and my paintings and collages can do what they do in capturing surreal, contemporary moments. I’m not the first nor the last to ask this question - what is the role of art in a (struggling and raw) democracy? I’m hoping 2021 will hold some answers. In the meantime, I’m taking particular inspiration from artists Marcel Dzama and Deborah Roberts whose Instagram posts are daily reminders of the power of art AND the power of the people.

Unfolded

People are often interested in the process of how I make collage paintings. It comes down to layering one detail on top of another, and another, and so on. I am at once a craftswoman, an artist, and a laborer. I mention that last one because it’s laborious, even tedious at times, but I can’t help but enjoy that monotony. I like repetition as much as I like spontaneity. After all of these steps, a (hopefully) unified piece appears. I’m not saying that this final art work isn’t important; I just don’t see it as the goal. What I produce in the end is a culmination, a travelogue of the visual journey I’ve taken. Layers and detail. I seek out the stories that happen in between.

These are process shots of Nearly High Noon, gouache, Flashe, and paper collage on board. 10 x 10 in. 2019.

Artist to Watch

It's all things February right now: confusing weather (snowstorm followed by rainstorm, followed by 60˚F days, followed by flooding), dreams of seed starting and growing the garden, and studio work. I'm working hard to finish collage paintings for my upcoming show (opens March 27) at Studio Place Arts in my home city of Barre, Vt., where I currently have a studio space as an artist-in-residence. 

My studio, looking out...the fishbowl!

In other news, Vermont Art Guide just published their latest issue--#6--and included me as one of their "artists to watch." I'm honored to be featured alongside the likes of Janet Van Fleet and other favorite Vermont artists. I'll also have work included in one of the two exhibitions at the Vermont Arts Council later this spring, showcasing the artists featured in the artist-to-watch series.

Back to the drawing board, now.

May your spirits stay high--despite of or because of the rain--and may you see some good art!

A work in progress in my studio - I start with a collage base of vintage images and paint over them.

Residing in Barre

I found out some good news yesterday! I've been selected to do an 11-month studio residency program at Studio Place Arts (SPA) in downtown Barre, Vermont. The residency will take place Dec. 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018; I’ll be based in a small private studio on the second floor of SPA, working on collage paintings and soft sculpture installations for my upcoming show "The Feast of Fools" opening on March 27 in the third floor gallery at SPA.

This is exciting news for several reasons: 

• I am a new resident of Barre, having bought a house up on a (very steep) hill this spring. We overlook downtown. So now, I'll actually BE downtown in my new city.
• I will be part of—and surrounded by—a great community of artists with studios at SPA, including two of my favorite fellow artists Janet Van Fleet and Matt Monk. I can't wait to bug them incessantly—er, I mean—have studio visits with them.
• More space! Enough of this cramming paints, boards, fabric, sewing machine, tables, scanner...all...into a small space (my wee home-based studio.) 

Starting in December, you can find me on the second floor at SPA. There's a window that looks into my studio so you can spy on me. Or you can knock and come in - I plan on having a chair for you to sit in.