from the mouths of babes...

The past two weeks have been spent volunteering at local art camps in central Florida. As I have noticed in the past, I am learning more from these young students that I often can from an adult instructor. Their innocence and fresh impressions impact how I create my own art.

This past week, I displayed a newer painting of mine, Channeling Joan, which measures 54X42 on canvas, to an art camp student, who also happens to be multi-lingual and reads and writes Russian. As usual, I started with language and writing: in this instance, I wrote out an old Ukrainian church hymn, which focuses on doubt and faith, in inks and started painting into it, using my fingers and brushes, thinking of Joan Mitchell's work.

The student could read portions of the Cyrillic letters that were left exposed in this piece, but the astute camper's impression of the piece focused on the entire composition. "I see the face, it looks confused but happy." Perhaps it is time to retitle it Pondering Joan?

unpacking my thoughts

A few days before leaving for USC-Lancaster, I pulled out an unresolved older painting in storage. The gallery-wrapped canvas was narrow (48X24) and originally painted with a vertical orientation. A detail of the 2006 painting appears on the left.

When things don't work out, we paint into them. In this instance, I changed the orientation and my source, focusing on the theme of this exhibition. Playing with my materials, That's the Story of My Life emerged (depicted on the right), a few hours before leaving for South Carolina. I'm still tinkering with minor things in the latest painting. Like our lives, it too may morph into something different in the not-too-distant future. But for the most part, I will let it rest for now.

collaboration - last day

Fran and I produced some great work this past week. As we wind down, we've shared our thoughts, inspirations, drawbacks and strengths. Much of our respective art is still in progress and more photos are included in today's entry. It will fascinating to see where these pieces go. We welcome your criticism and suggestions here.

I've particularly enjoyed working side by side with Fran's gifted students and instructor Brittany Taylor. Fran's academic colleagues, all of whom are dedicated to the education of the adults in their community and state, shared their time and observations, stopping by the studio throughout the week. Special thanks to John Catalano, Dean of USC-Lancaster,and Van Richardson, Esq., who welcomed me into their academic and personal residences, respectively. I will enjoy the antique Ukrainian stamps gifted to me by the University's archivist Brent Burgin, who impresses everyone with the breadth of his knowledge of Catawba Indian culture and pottery. Professor Lisa Hammond provided her inspiring poetry and started this blog for us, photographing many of these images. And as for Professor Fran Gardner, she's a dear friend, colleague, educator and extraordinary artist. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for all she's given me this week.

5pm Friday

Last hour of our week of work together, Pat and I have had intensive and focused work time and we have both had some struggles and some successes! It had been a pleasure having her to work with this week alongside my students and me. The students have enjoyed watching Pat "morph" her work each day, rapidly making both radical and minor changes until the piece "worked." Here is the beginning and maybe the ending of one very large piece of Pat's.

Our show title "Across the Universe" started with a common interest in a cruciform format, but has grown into a greater concept of crosses -- cross section of materials, processes, ideas -- in addition to a way to structure a work or make a mark. Here are a couple of pieces that I worked on. I focused primarily on stitchery this week and brought two pieces close to conclusion.

We have had great critiques, lots of interest from students, faculty and administrators all week.

A VERY special thanks to Lisa Hammond for shooting some really beautiful pictures and getting us started with the blog. She is an artist of many talents.

A VERY special thanks to my husband for the great meals he cooked for us so that when we got home the food was warm and delicious and the wine was chilled.

And a VERY special thanks to Pat for agreeing to take the long drive up to SC, set up in an unfamiliar studio, serve as a role model for my students and work these long wonderful hours together. I can't wait to do it again.

Fran & Pat Collaborate at USC Lancaster

Pat joined Fran's summer fine art class in June 2009 when Fran graciously invited her to stay with her family and paint in her wonderful university studio. Some photos of works in progress are attached to this posting. Can you believe the varieties of colors in our paints and threads?


In exploring the theme of their exhibition, A-cross the Universe, Fran stitched and applied her intricately worked fabrics to elegant oil painted wood surfaces. Pat painted on canvas pinned to the walls of the studio, writing, drawing and applying liberal layers of paint to her surfaces.
We would love to hear your comments and critiques of our works
in progress as we draw closer to the March 2010 exhibition.

Fran and Pat