A Break From Nature

A rework of a painting experiment from 2013

When I take a break from painting nature I often go to the human figure. I'm interested in how extreme an image can be blurred while maintaining just enough information for the mind to assemble the shapes into something, or someone, recognizable.

Living with myopia allowed me to experience this trick of the mind in realtime.

I also suffered from allergies, and often wore only one contact lens. I would see the world in vague shapes in one eye, clarity in the other eye. This was a useful tool for painting. My left eye identified broad strokes of shadows, color and form that became the base of the painting. My right eye gave me the detail to complete the work.

 Splatters of paint on the surface help to build form

Art Scams

I received an Email from "Larry Douglas" in February. He said he was a collector who found my work on the internet and was interested in purchasing a piece he found online. The painting he referenced was sold by Pryor Fine Art in Atlanta. I forwarded his Email to the gallery director, who immediately responded that I was their third artist to contact them. They immediately sent out a warning to all of their artists.

This is how the scam works:

The scam is that they say they want to purchase your art, and that they have a shipper that they will put you in touch with. Then, this scammer sends a check exceeding the sale price, and when you bring it to their attention, they say, "oh my...I am sorry, you can just send me a check for the difference". Do not correspond with him. 

I've copied the text of the Email below:

Hi there,my name is Larry im an art collector from Connecticut,was browsing through the internet and my eyes caught this particular work on the subject,will like to have it for my new apartment probably this month.please let me know if the piece is available and if yes let me have the detailed price and more information about it.kindly reply me with your phone#.

Regards.

Sadly, there are many scams targeting artists and galleries. If you want more information, check out this blog by Katie Moe, a self-professed "Anti-Scam Samurai". stopartscams.blogspot.com

We can have an isolated work life in our studios. Special thanks to Judith Kindler for reminding me how important it is that we artists look out for one another.

color variation in wax medium

Left: new bag of RF Encaustic Medium     Right: original batch of same medium

I'm in the beginning of frenzy mode for my next solo show, so even the smallest of disruptions to my work plan can be irritating.

The current culprit for my diminished comfort is a new batch of R&F pellet medium that I recently received from the Dick Blick online store.

This is the first time I've noticed a significant shift in color quality. The bag on the left is the new batch. It may be difficult to see in the photo, but the pellets are remarkably yellower than the original bag on the right.

I called R&F to see if they changed their mix, or wax, or methods. They had not, and the nice customer service person I spoke with said that since the wax is an organic substance, there will be variation in pigmentation of the medium. She suggested that placing the wax pellets in sunlight will bleach them to my desired level.

This is surprising news to me, because I always thought that wax was impervious to UV. In the spirit of experimentation, I've proceeded with the test. After 5-days, still no perceptible change. I'll keep trying until I run out of wax and need to use the pellets to finish the show.

The yellow wax is especially confounding because I believe that the clearer the medium, the less it effects the color of my base image. My newest work has a lot of cool white background areas. The yellowing of the background caused by the medium will require more layering of transparent white to bring it up to a level I like.

It's simply a matter of more hours in the studio. Good thing I like my job.

hard at work

Brushes are out and wax is hot. Two paintings just completed, one on the easel, one at the waxing station, two ready to print and glue.

My gallery has requested large pieces for the June show. Next up: figuring out dimensions so I can get an order in to HoldStudios in enough time to finish those big babies!

Stephanie Hargrave, Proliferous

Stephanie Hargrave, detail

Missing opening night of a talented and popular local artist can have it's advantages. I love going to the openings to support the artist, and experience the excitement in the room. But often there is so much energy in the room, that I find myself missing some really beautiful details.

Stephanie Hargrave, detail

This was exactly the case for the January show at Patricia Rovzar Gallery featuring new work from encaustic artist Stephanie Hargrave.

Stephanie Hargrave, detail

Stephanie's newest body of work displays both the maturity of an established artist, and the joy in exploring the depth and breadth of a difficult medium. I found myself getting so close to the paintings that my nose almost grazed the surface. There are bumps and etchings, and layers upon layers of yummy wax to explore with your eyes. It is almost impossible to resist caressing the surfaces with my hands. Lovely.

Stephanie Hargrave, Proliferous

Patricia Rovzar Gallery

through January 31st, 2014

Catch Up!

I've been remiss in updates to my blog, so todays post is an attempt to summarize my work over the past few months.

I completed a large commission for the cafeteria of a Puget Sound Hospital,

flight, 30 x 132

painted four new pieces for the annual December show at Patricia  Rovzar Gallery

I'll not forget you, 32 x 24

morning dance, 36 x 32

the heart finds its morning, 30 x 52

touch softly, 44 x 14

experimented with several new figurative studies,

plunge, 18 x 36 

the grass was wet with dew, 36 x 24

and began work on a new body of work for my next solo show in June 2014 at Patricia Rovzar Gallery.

photo mounted and  ready for wax

Over the next few months I promise to post updates of my progress. Happy New Year!

New Year, New Gallery

I am pleased to announce representation by the outstanding contemporary art gallery,  Forré & Company, in Aspen and Vail.

Forré represents some of the most respected contemporary artists in America, including a few of my personal favorites: Lynda Lowe, Judith Kindler, Julie Spiedel, Ashley Collins, Kris Cox, Michael Schultheis, Victoria Adams and Michael Shemchuk.

They now have eight of my paintings available for viewing and purchase. If you have the good fortune to make a trip to Vail or Aspen this ski season, please stop by to visit this beautiful gallery.

Atlanta

If you happen to find yourself in Atlanta within the next few weeks, be sure to stop by Pryor Fine Art. This Friday is opening night for what looks to be a gorgeous show with new work from Atlanta artist, Dusty Griffith paired with one of my favorite Seattle artists, Michael Schultheis.

And, while you're at it, check out my six new paintings delivered to Pryor Fine Art this week. I've been fortunate to have great success with my work here in Seattle at the stellar Patricia Rovzar Gallery, so it has taken me over a year to get new art to Atlanta. I am pleased to have the great fortune of representation by the patient and professional people at Pryor Fine Art.

"mon ange", 36x42

"village beat", 36 x 34

"let go", 32 x 42.5

"honey pie", 36 x 34

"du jour", 36 x 34

"a delirious dance", 32 x 42.5

Openings, Mid-Show, and Final Days

Erik Zener,"Reaching In Reaching Out", 40 x 60, mixed media

June is a great month to view art in Seattle. I've been following Erik Zener since I viewed his work at Hespe Gallery in San Francisco about 5-years ago. And now you can see some of his remarkable pieces here at Foster White Gallery in Pioneer Square. Erik combines photography, paint or dyes, gold or silver leaf, and layers of resin to create these irresistible underwater images.

Betsy Eby, "Nocturne 2", 45 x 35", encaustic

I can never resist a Betsy Eby show. This weekend I'll be visiting Winston Wachter Gallery to view her newest work on display through July 3.

William Morris, "Drum", 24 x 15 x 12, blown and hot-sculpted glass

You'll have one more month to visit the William Morris show at Abmeyer+Wood Fine Art. DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW.  Many of the pieces in this collection have been exhibited in museums, archived by the artist and only now released for sale. This is a great opportunity to see a large group of sculpture from a Northwest Master.

Junya Watanabe, "Comme des Garcons", polyester organdy jacket and skirt. Photo by Takashi Hatakeyama

June 27th marks the opening day for "Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion" at the Seattle Art Museum downtown. I can't wait!

Joyce Gehl, "be still", 52 x 48, photo encaustic

Finally, one more shameless plug for my own show at Patricia Rovzar Gallery through June 30th. Just a few days remain to see my newest work. The gallery is conveniently located across the street from both Abmeyer+Wood and the Seattle Art Museum. Come next week and you'll get the trifecta: A museum opening, a William Morris show in full stride, and the final days of Forgotten Garden.

Opening Night, Thursday, June 6th 6pm-8pm

Tomorrow is opening night, forecast is sunshine and 70's. I'm loving it. Hope to see you there.

Click on the images below to view our featured work.

Countdown

"untamed", 48x64

I have been working hard in the studio and sadly neglecting my blog.  It's now just ten days until opening night on June 6th, and all of the work has been delivered to the gallery. I have a long list of subjects to write about, so hopefully you'll see more of me on these pages very soon.

But now I'm entirely focused on the upcoming show. In "Forgotten Garden" I have released the constraints on myself and my garden to create a sort of chaotic abundance. It is a collection of fifteen new works that compositionally explore the garden as metaphor to life. By freeing our lives from self-constraint, we become more like that forgotten garden: self-propagating, self-nurturing, and self-flourishing.

This year, my paintings will be shown in conjunction with new dimensional work from Morgan Brig. I have admired Morgan's work for years, and am excited to witness the synchronicity of our two very different approaches to life's personal reflections.

Morgan Brig "sitting here risking being more me", 28 x 39 x 5

The show will be up the entire month of June, and I hope you will join Morgan and myself for opening night on June 6th at Patricia Rovzar Gallery, 6pm-8pm.  

committment

I'm hard at work in the studio producing an abundance of new work. In addition to my solo show in June at Patricia Rovzar Gallery,  I promised delivery to the ever-patient Pryor Fine Art in Atlanta for arrival this Spring. And, I'll be joining the roster of commission artists represented by Art Resource Boston.

I've completed four pieces, have one on the easel, two on the hot wax table, and one in the wings. This sounds good in writing, but the holidays and a cold that lasted months resulted in a later-than-normal start.  In addition to my studio practice, I now find myself working through persistent personal issues of confidence, fear, and self trust.

Luckily, I have a terrier personality. Once on the track of something, I won't stop until I'm satisfied.

I could still use any extra good luck wishes you have laying around.