still/moving

I've been at Ballinglen Arts Foundation in County Mayo, Ireland for just a month now. It's a place I love, and my stay this year has been made special by the exhibit of my work, Still/Moving, currently showing in the gallery. I'm copying my statement for the exhibit below, along with some photos of the work in the exhibit:

In Quiet Light. triptych oil/cold wax on panel, 24x20" each panel

Bay #1, #2, monotype with pigment stick, each image 14"x11"

I've been coming to Ballinglen Arts Foundation each year since 2013, pulled back each time by the dramatic coastline, the intricate colors and textures of the bog and the hedgerows, and by the ancient ruins and archaeological sites. The title of my show refers to these aspects of the landscape, as well as to my own feelings for this beautiful place which grow stronger upon each return. 

There is work in the exhibit spanning the time from my residency of a year ago to several pieces done since I arrived back this year in mid September. I’ve  included paintings in oil/cold wax, acrylic and mixed media, and prints (monotype, drypoint and chine colle.) This variety reflects what what I experience being an artist in residence here—it is a special time outside of ordinary life that offers a sense of freedom and exploration, both inside the studio and out.

Coastal #1 and #2, 24"x20" each, oil/cold wax on panel

Abandoned #1, #2, 14"x11" oil/cold wax on paper

My work is created intuitively—calling upon memory, emotion, and the visual impact of the surroundings here. I also respond to what my materials suggest to me as I go. This means working with a balance of spontaneity and control. That is, I allow the work to develop freely, yet at the same time I bring thought and consideration to the process. There is a rhythm to this that has taken many years to discover. 

Still/Moving #1, 12"x12" oil/cold wax on paper

Moving Water #1, 28"x39" acrylic on paper

Over the past five years my experiences in Mayo have had a strong impact on my work as a whole, including the ideas I carry back home and develop further. I’ve found new directions in shape, contrast, texture and line, and a powerful source of personal meaning and memory that is at the core of the work. —-Rebecca Crowell; Ballycastle, County Mayo, Ireland, 2017

The exhibit will be hanging through October 23.