Friend...a tribute....Jo McGarvey

Jo   Oil/Canvas   20 x 10 x 1.5

I believe that it was Andrew Wyeth who said that one can create from love or from hate.  It is indeed strong emotional content that makes for a good painting.  Creating from passion.  For me, anything in between just won't do.  In this case, my painting of Jo is a tribute in love for the friendship that has lasted for ever-so-many years.  Our families were fast friends.  We each had 3 boys who were stair-stepped in ages.  We holiday-ed together.  We played together.  We shared each others'  traumas as well as the triumphs in-between.  And....we cooked together.  Lots of hungry boys.  Lots of cooking.  Our paths have paralleled throughout the years and created braids of time....with some times away from and some times the returning-towards.  But the foundation is always there.  Jo is an accomplished woman and a strong woman.  We seem to be able to read each others' minds at times....the knowing that that is intuitive and yin.  And, so, this portrait is, for me, greater than the sum of its parts.  It is a tribute.  Merry Christmas, my friend.

Homage...

Bundled   watercolor   14 x 10

is pronounced o-maj'  in French.  My friend Tom painted an homage to Dean Mitchell after viewing his exhibition in Canton.  My homage today is to my friend Mo.  She has studied with me for years.  She is an open-minded and fair individual.  She treats everyone with kindness.  She is enthusiastic.  We are both perpetual students.  And....she lives an artful and considerate life in every way.  Her portrait of me is just wonderful.  Simply rendered.  Texture has been liberally suggested.  Energetic.  And, as it seems to me, she only represented the good parts....of course, my hair and mouth were covered.  (definitely a good thing)

Mo was not at class last week.  Her wonderful dog Farina, who is also a member of our class, suffered an accident at a dog park and had to have surgery on Monday.  Farina's leg was dislocated as she leaped to get away from some other large dogs.  And the very sad thing is that not one individual stepped up to help her, or to acknowledge their part in the accident.  I would have to say that this is anti-Mo behavior.

Which is exactly why I like her so much.

It Takes a Village...

Every Mother's Daughter   oil/canvas   36 x 48

I am a painter.....yes, indeed. And a painter with focus, I believe. But I am a mother, first of all. We human beings are very fragile....our children are fragile.....and I believe that the responsibility of raising feel-good children belongs to us all. Many years ago, I painted a young friend while she was still a university student. For me, she epitomized the notion of openness, of inclusion....she still does. She posed, somewhat painfully, on the fireplace mantle in her small apartment, with an Indian mandala cloth tacked up on the wall behind. This holiday season I heard from dear Kate.....she is really one of a handful (sadly - yes) of women I have met who celebrate others as well as themselves....who understand the notion of different but equal.....a very difficult lateral adjustment for those of us who grew up within the vertical ladder of success of authoritarian behavior. ( Escape from Freedom, Erich Fromm) Sure, she demonstrates good-for-me......but she also celebrates good-for-you. She is the product of lots of love....from her parents.....and from the village. She now lives in LA and works in Hollywood in the movie industry....and travels the globe. Good for you, Kate!

Water Warrior

Water Warrior   oil/canvas   48 x 24 x 1.5

Our friend Pat is a water warrior, i.e., an expert kayaker in white water. What an interesting concept that is a perfect balance of the yin and the yang! Maneuvering through the fast-moving white frothy stuff requires great intuition and moment-to-moment decision-making. As for me, the notion of a warrior that can prove his strength in a quiet, self-sustained way is an appealing one indeed. No killing. No guns. No squealing tires. No arrogance. When Pat saw the finished work, he seemed moved that the face seemed to be timeless....he saw himself as a 17-year-old and at present, somewhat older. At first I was clueless and thought myself to be the recipient of a happy accident. However, my process involves lots of reductionism, lots of wiping out. Perhaps the details of the present were wiped away. Perhaps an essence of my friend is what remained. My goals were only to render the notion of water without droplets and to show the deep admiration that I hold for the man that he is, and the ways in which he chooses to participate in this life. Amen.

Painting is Life

Every Mother's Daughter   oil/canvas   36 x 48

For me, painting is life. Every noteworthy moment either reminds me of a painting already done or spurs me on to one that is yet to be. "Every Mother's Daughter" is a painting of a young friend done several years ago when she was in college. She posed while sitting on the fireplace mantle in her rental apartment. My easel was as far back as it could possibly be.in the small space. I loved painting her and, to me, she somehow represented all young women who are coming of age and recognizing their potential, seeing all of the possibilities. I had the opportunity to visit with her last evening where friends gathered at a local winery. It was a treasured time. She and her siblings have grown into the most beautiful young adults. Kate now lives and works in Los Angeles.