new stuff
When I have a show coming up, pictures come into my mind of how it will look when it's all done and installed. These are general visual impressions, nothing specific--since my work evolves as it goes, and is never planned out ahead of time. But these mental pictures do tend to guide and inspire me as I work. For my October show in Santa Fe, I pictured earthy colors and textures reminiscent of the area in Catalonia where I spent a month last fall. (The painting above, Dwelling, 30"x34" oil on board, is one that I shipped out for the last part of that show, after several had sold.)

For my upcoming February exhibit with Maren Kloppmann at Circa Gallery in Minneapolis, I am picturing brighter, more vibrant color, and livelier paintings in terms of gesture and mark-making. A friend asked me tonight what is inspiring me lately, and my answer was simply ...color. Color in rich layers, color in unusual juxtapositions (or at least, unusual for me.) Nothing is very far along yet, but for now this is my guiding idea. I think colorful paintings will show especially well with Maren Kloppmann's work--what I have seen so far are her sensuous, minimalist black/dark colored and white porcelain pieces.

I have recently bought a variety of new kinds and colors of paint, and I'm also excited to work on some of the new large panels from Ampersand. Previously the largest size they stocked was 36"x24", and now there are ready made panels up to 48"x36." it's not a huge step up, but I appreciate the difference. Sometimes it only takes a small change to inject new energy, and new art supplies do that for me every time.  ¶ 9:37 PM