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.

Winter Gatherings

Winter Gatherings, catalog of the exhibition at Selby Fleetwood Gallery, Santa Fe 

December 14 2012 - January 7 2013 Winter Gatherings Interactive Catalog

I am excited to have two paintings selected for inclusion in the Winter show at Selby Fleetwood Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santa Fe is a mecca for artists and collectors alike. 

If you happen to be in Santa Fe over the holidays, stop in and give my regards to Selby, Sam, Eddie and Karinna. Opening night reception is December 21, 5pm- 7pm. Wish I could be there!

http://www.selbyfleetwoodgallery.com

20th Anniversaries and December Art

December 2012 is a great month for art, beginning with the 20th anniversary of Patricia Rovzar Gallery. The celebration began with a reception populated with artists and collectors in a room of walls covered with brightly colored art, wine, music and high energy. I am honored to be a part of the legacy of this remarkable gallery. For more background on Patricia and the gallery, be sure to read the Seattle Times story by clicking this link:  Gallerist Patricia Rovzar marks 20th anniversary

Opening night is Thursday, December 6th, 6pm - 8pm. The paintings are already being gobbled up by happy collectors, so make sure you come early to be sure you see all the new work from all of the gallery artists.

Elsewhere in Seattle, there is an abundance of shows that I don't want to miss. Around the corner from Patricia Rovzar Gallery is Traver Gallery. I am in love with the new work from Nancy Worden.

THE REVENANTS    Nancy Worden

Many galleries call Pioneer Square home. One of my favorite photographers is Michael KEnna. New work is on display through December 22nd at G Gibson Gallery 

Tidal Pool and Posts, Berck Plage, Normandy France    Michael Kenna

Outside the downtown core lives the Woodside Braseth Gallery with new work from Jared Rue until December 22nd.

When the Bough Breaks    Jared Rue

Fall Color

The rains finally arrived, but we were fortunate to have a summer that lasted late into October. This translates to astounding colors  before the rain and wind pulls the leaves from the trees.

These images are details from my current work, and they reflect my vision of the beautiful fall days.

simple pleasures

Most of the time, studio organization takes a back burner. Until the burner starts really burning.

This is one of those projects that I should have completed years ago. When brushes are left to float in the molten wax they will slip to the bottom of the pan. When the bristles touch the metal of the pan, they burn, causing the entire tray of wax to alter color. I purchase pre-mixed medium in bulk from R&F Paints. Not cheap. So every time I discard a pan of tainted medium, a little bit of profit slips away.

I made this simple brush rack out of scraps from my studio and the workshop. The base is a piece of flat plywood. Attached are two metal brackets from one of my industrial shelving systems. I've screwed some scrap filler wood into the brackets, and attached long screws to hang over the tray of wax.

It's not very pretty, and it's incredibly basic. But I'm oddly proud of my modest handiwork.

Special thanks to Larry Calkins for reminding me how easily influenced wax is to foreign material.