Playing in my Topsham art studio

Gardens, Whimsy, and Play are three themes that have been present in my art studio this winter. As I emerge from winter’s cold and darkness, I happily find myself feeling renewed and energized. Most of the time I play in the studio without regard to the outcome or “product”. But then reality sets in. Summer shows and their demands can impose on my playful spirit, creating a burden of expectation. However, my playful approach can lead to intense focus, new discoveries, and surprises. Interestingly, by adding a new material–this winter it was acrylic inks–I discovered new kinds of marks and possibilities. Curiously, the artwork that emerged from my playful explorations may offer alternative viewpoints and new ways of seeing.

Gardens Exhibit at the L.C. Bates Museum in Hinckley

Many of us in northern New England dream of our gardens during the long dark winter days! This past winter I was invited by two Colby College students and their art history professor Veronique Plesch to participate in a summer exhibit called “Gardens”. The Gardens exhibit will be installed at the L.C. Bates Museum in Hinckley, Maine. Thankfully, last summer I had spent some time drawing and painting in my own garden and also in a wild garden on the island of Monhegan.

To focus on the garden theme I started looking back at my photos and sketches. Finally, I settled on a photo I had taken of my husband Jon standing in the garden at Brunswick High School. Notably, Jon decided that the high school needed a garden and, for over ten years, he has been greening up the landscape, growing food and flowers for the nourishment of his school community. The BHS garden is a year-round program that involves an after school club and also, for many years, a farm stand staffed by students.

Jon in the garden

In my painting, pictured below, you can see Jon with some fresh cut flowers in a blue plastic pitcher. The flowers are destined for bouquets that will grace the desks of the school secretaries and guidance staff, brightening up their institutional offices for a few weeks in the fall. I focused on the contrast between the farmer in his dirty overalls and the brightness of the flowers–mostly zinnias and sunflowers. There is also the background with its moody sky and glimpses of the garden rows to the left and right of the figure.The rows are a bit out of focus and I painted the sky with loose dynamic brushstrokes to indicate the changeability of the weather.

Compositionally, I placed the farmer slightly to the left of center in this square canvas. By doing so, I allowed the flowers to sit squarely in the center where they become our focal point. I took a lot of delight in painting this image of Jon in the garden. My painting reminds us that without gardeners there would be no gardens! Finally, I look forward to seeing the exhibit installed.

Here is the photo I used for inspiration. You’ll notice that I didn’t strive for a total likeness–I was more interested in using the image of Jon symbolically to represent a hard-working farmer out standing in his field. (pun intended.)

Crescendo in Brunswick

This year, the local non-profit ArtVan, is holding their 10″ x 10″ art fundraiser at the venue in Cabot Mill now called Dutchman’s Bagels, originally Frontier Cinema. I’m happy to be showing two pieces at this exhibit. One is a small painting, pictured below, and the second painting will be larger, probably 24″ x 18″. It’s what I’m working on now.

For those of you who are not familiar, ArtVan is a program that offers a creative space for children in underserved communities in our region and they have expanded to include adults in their programming. I’m inspired by ArtVan and their mission to “promote equity and accessibility by delivering mobile art therapy for transformational healing to people in their communities.” Founded by Jamie Sylvestri in 2004, they are an intrepid and resourceful non-profit. And I’m delighted to be supporting ArtVan again this year. The opening reception for Crescendo will be on Monday May 5th from 5-7 PM and the work will be available for viewing and purchase online.

Whimsy in Wiscasset

I love the idea of an art exhibit centered around the concept of “Whimsy.” Whimsical art may seem non-serious, but I believe nothing is farther from the truth. Just as art can show us the dark side of life, artists can also depict light-heartedness. Think of Comedy and Tragedy, the two masks of the theater.

For Whimsy, I’ve entered two 12″ x 12″ paintings–“Lyrical” and “Uplift.” Maine Art Gallery in Wiscasset will be the venue and the opening reception for Whimsy will be Saturday May 10th from 4:30-6:30 PM. In my two entries I play with a light touch and brushstrokes that graze the surface, revealing the textured watercolor paper I painted on. As I developed the image I continued layering, inscribing, and playing with a kind of “hide and seek” approach to the composition. Friends on FB and IG have said they are reminiscent of the Wassily Kandinsky’s musical abstractions. But actually, the creative voice and vision I was channeling was that of the Swiss artist Paul Klee. No matter–they were both of a time when artists were breaking free from the literal and heaviness of academic painting and I’m delighted to hear of this resonance with the past.

Free play with acrylic inks and layering

Gardens, Whimsy, and Play!

As you emerge from winter, my hope is that these three themes will resonate within you, waking up your own playful and creative spirit. For, despite all the difficult challenges of this moment, we humans really need the energies of play and joy and creativity. I offer this post as a reminder to all of us to find ways to play, and to find whimsy where you can. Enjoy the emergence of green in your world. Be well and enjoy!

With love,

Robin