“flowers grow out of the dark moments.” corita kent
Musings on dark moments and the artist’s role
As artists, when we focus on beauty in a time of darkness, it may seem as if we are turning away from reality. Yet, through our vision, we plant seeds of hope. I bought these tulips back in March to remind myself that spring is coming. Despite the terrible news cycle, nature offers us another perspective. While the blooms are sitting in my dining table, you can see my “Tree of Life” linocut print hanging on the wall in partial view. Also, you may notice my husband Jon’s acoustic guitar nested on it’s stand while snow is visible through the window. It’s a picture of contrasts and, like the world, it’s full of darkness and light, warmth and cold, yin and yang.
My studio blooms with color, but where does the color come from?
The color I work with comes from acrylic paints. Having begun painting with oils, I switched to acrylic paints several decades ago. In the photo, below, you can see my current palette setup. Acrylics have many advantages over oils, particularly when working in a studio space in my home. They are free of toxic fumes and can be cleaned up with soap and water.
A peek into my art studio where color and ideas percolate
Seeds are where growth begins, and I fertilize my ideas with the compost of my life experiences. So sometimes, things happen slowly. And life in the art studio, like the growth of a seed, has to germinate and sprout before the blooms are visible.
Many of you have never visited the space in my home that serves as my art studio, so here’s a peek.
I’m fascinated with Henri Matisse’s Red Studio
Matisse is an artist I can turn to when I feel the need for a spiritual uplift. And I’ve long been fascinated with how Matisse used the color red and floral motifs. The color red dominates this painting, but my eyes can travel around the space, lighting upon colorful notes distributed around the perimeter of the room–paintings, furniture, tableware, etc. Intriguingly, you may observe how the color red defines both space and form, appearing as the color of the table, the walls and floor of the room itself, but also in the interior of objects such as the chair and sculpture pedestals and even the figures in his depiction of the Bathers painting in the upper left hand corner.
How artists make space in a painting
In “The Red Studio,” Henri Matisse leaves behind the verity of the interior scene to show us more about what it means to see. His playing with space and form marks Matisse as a true abstractionist. Fun fact: MOMA, the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, devoted an entire exhibit to this painting back in 2022! In this short video from MOMA’s website, you can watch as four conservators discuss “The Red Studio” and explore the painting’s genesis using high tech tools. Interestingly, the video answered some of my questions and gave me insight into Matisse’s painting process.
Venetian Red–a Color that Grounds and Vibrates
The red paint Matisse used is Venetian Red, a very opaque earth pigment. In Matisse’s “Red Studio”, notice how the placement of objects clinging to the edges of the canvas leaves a space in the lower center. Is this where the artist stands? Also, you may observe the way he indicates transparency versus opacity in objects. Compare the the wine glass on the left side of the canvas to the ladder back chair on the right side. Finally, observe how Matisse indicates spatial relationships in the placement of things–furniture and artwork, and how he contrasts the arabesque of curved lines with straight ones.
Spring exhibits and openings
- Currently on view at River Arts Gallery in Damariscotta: “New Work” Gallery hours Wednesday through Saturday, 10-4 PM.
- “Crescendo” at Dutchman’s in Brunswick: 90 artists display 10 x 10 paintings, a fundraiser for ArtVan’s mobile art therapy program. Reception on Monday May 5th, 5-7 PM.
- Maine Art Gallery in Wiscasset, “Whimsy”, Show Runs
Thursday, 5/1 to Sunday, 6/15
Gallery Hours, Thursday – Sunday 11 – 4PM
Reception on Saturday May 10, 4:30 – 6:30PM
- “Gardens” at the L.C. Bates Museum, Hinckley, Maine. Opening Reception on Saturday, May 10th, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the L.C. Bates Museum, located at 14 Easler Rd, Hinckley, ME 04944.
“Jon in the Garden” is my contribution to the invitational exhibit called “Gardens” at the L.C. Bates Museum in Hinckley, Maine.
Enjoy the color blooming in your world.
Be well, stay healthy, and enjoy!
~Robin
Robin, agreed, art ( creating and experiencing it) as well as nature are two strong antidotes to all the static and depressing events in the world… have enjoyed your images of those tulips online. But really wanted to thank you for the link to the MOMA video on the Red Studio. That is one of my favorite Matisse paintings, ( neck and neck with the Harmony in Red at the Hermitage). In fact I have contemplated more than once painting my studio that exact red… but it was absolutely fascinating to see the the underpainting.. and i forgot how large the painting it too. Thanks for the share . I think you know it didn’t work on the email but for sure it worked here. Feels like spring out again . Yeah!!
Hi Chake, How cool that we both love these iconic Matisse paintings! I realized that the video link didn’t work through email. But what an incredible learning journey to hear those conservators discuss what their research revealed and the underpainting. Harmony in Red at the Hermitage is another favorite of mine. It’s spring for sure–hurrah!!!
Hi Robin! I have always loved that painting, it makes my heart sing! I love it that he painted in layers, intentionally having underpainting peeking through. His work is joyful and inspirational , thank you for digging it up and sharing. Also I appreciate your comments on the joys of spring in these dark times, flowers are simply beautiful without intention, they just ARE! Keep writing, you are very skilled at putting thoughts to words and simply communicating.