continuing the dialog

As I mentioned earlier, Fran has sent me some of her exquisite stitched masterpieces, most on cloth and some on paper or without a material support. I've been puzzling over them, turning them over, examining both sides. Even the reverse sides of her samples are fascinating.

A friend of mine, "Scottye" Cohen and her husband, Larry, make wonderful art boxes in wood. A few months ago, I commissioned a box from them, with an inner window. I had been drawn to this concept by the art of another friend and accomplished artist, Audrey Phillips. But, unlike Audrey who seemingly whips out creations from highly imaginative worlds, I've been puzzling for months about what to put in the window of the Cohens' box. Since that time, I had ordered some unusual acrylics from a heretofore respected oil paint manufacturer venturing into a new medium. Well, when I spied two of Fran's stitched samples, I found my answer and incorporated the unique acrylic colors.

Here is what I've assembled. I think that this piece is getting close if it isn't already done. As I was painting the box (the overall dimensions of which are about 16" X 40"), I focused on the texture and line evident in two of Fran's stitched works. I kept touching Fran's stitches and glancing over at them from afar as I painted on an easel. I found the "reverse" side of one of Fran's little tapestries far more interesting than the "right" side and have decided to show the "wrong" side instead. For this Gardner-Zalisko collaboration, I was thinking of titling it Tree of Life.

art therapy

Art is life for me. It is my therapy, but also often my frustration. Have you ever struggled to find an answer to a puzzle or the secret ingredient in a tasty dish that you're trying to duplicate? It's elusive, but once you think that you've found the answer, you savor that small victory (at least until the next challenge comes along).

A case in point is this painting. I started the usual way: by writing, responding to music (in this case, some wonderful Ukrainian ballads about Spring and Summer love), and working into a compositional format. I thought of the luscious colors of June and July, and selected a limited palette. I started painting into my words, some of which were lyrics from Cheremshyna. Two colleagues in my communal studio felt that I was painting a bouquet, hardly something that I would normally paint. But they seemed to have something there, so I went with it. When nearly done, a few colleagues pointed out that the vase containing the flowers seemed to be "floating." Thanks to my pals and mentors, Melissa Mason, Fran Gardner and Peter Cerreta, possible solutions were developed and this painting resulted. Reluctantly, we have to brand it a "still life." But here it is for now: For You.

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.