The Crayola Girls

The Crayola Girls   oil on canvas   40 x 30 x 1.25

has been included in the second annual Akron Art Prize exhibition and competition.  I am thrilled to have my work included in this group of over 100 artists of amazing ability and variety.  The works are exhibited at several locations in Akron:

- Summit Artspace (140 E. Market Street) - this is where you will find The Crayola Girls

- Zeber Martell (43 Furnace Street)

- Akron Glass Works (106 N. Main Street)

- We Gallery (20 N. Hight Street)

There is a mixer at Summit Artspace this Friday, September 27 from 5:30-7:30 pm  where the housed exhibit can be seen.  Other galleries and exhibitions will be opening, including one at The Box featuring work by friend and colleague

 Ted Lawson.  There will be wine, light refreshments and good company.  Hope to see you there.

Of course, this is a vote-for-me kind of exhibition that seems to be today's rage.  I have a difficult time with all of this me-me-me stuff.  After all, each and every artist wishes to be the winner.  Honestly, I have the same wish.  But I am truly content to be among this very fine group.

"The Crayola Girls" was inspired by a vintage photograph of my Grandma Daisy, her mother and her sister.  The photographs at that time (early 20th century) were grim, grim, grim.  Dark clothing....no smiles...all about serious.  My goal in this work was to add a bit of impish joy to the feel...to break the surface a bit.  I am pleased with the result.

The Crayola Girls..jazzing up some vintage photos

The Crayola Girls   oil/canvas   40 x 30 x 1.25

A year ago, six months ago even, I would never have guessed I would be using cad yellow deep as a major color shape in a painting.  But...I do pay attention to what catches my eye visually, those little glances that give me a minor thrill.  And, in this case, it was a magazine cover that sparked the excitement.  Originally I had planned to give each of the skirts a different patterned treatment.  But the simplicity of the skirt forms won me over and I decided to wait a while on that decision.  Another prospect was to paint a dark horizontal behind the shoulder blades in order to bring up the hands resting on the middle girl's shoulders.  That, too, was considered and sent to the possibilities file.  A month later, I was still happy with the simplicity of the work.  As every artist knows, changing just one thing in a work sets up a domino effect of changes that must be made in order to make the work consistent, appropriate and balanced.  And so, this is my final answer.  "The Crayola Girls" can be seen at Hudson Fine Art and Framing.   

P.S. My Grandma Daisy is the sister on the right.