My work for final critique, December 4, 2013

Blue Memory, 2013
Acrylic, oil stick on panel
24"x 24"

Pink Memory, 2013
Acrylic, oil stick on panel
24"x 24"

Red Memory, 2013
Acrylic, paper on panel
18"x 24"






Blue Stripes, 2013

Acrylic, paper on panel

24"x 24"




Artist Statement

My work is about memory and the recurrence of events, large and small, in my life.  I repeat images, rhythms and color to evoke the idea of memory.  Repetition implies memory in the sense that an object seen for a second, third or fourth time is an echo of the thought of the first time it was seen.  I use repetition to represent events that happen over and over again.  It is also a way of outwardly expressing a déjà vu type feeling of having experienced a situation before. 

The investigation of my awareness of how seemingly different sights and situations can share an often startling sameness informs the imagery of my work.  To depict this idea, I may start a rhythm of shapes and then obscure them.  A repeated shape may start to disintegrate or look like it is disappearing.  These are tactics which I use in my work to seek meaning of my memories and my observations of events. 

Summary of my experiences this term;

During this term, I was introduced to several artists whose work will resonate with my students.  I will definitely include them in my teaching, and have begun already doing so.  Among these artists are Eleanor Aldrich, for the way she builds up surfaces; Mitchel Gaudet, for the way he uses art to describe a social event; and Lalla Esaydi for her rhythmic patterns. 

Steve Griffin, Robert Stuart, and Josephine Halvorson, among others, are artists that I have discovered this term who will, and have, influenced my work.

I had no idea that I would enjoy InLight as much as I did.  I thought it would be interesting, but it ended up being mesmerizing for me.  I also enjoyed the show at the Visual Arts Center, and was delighted to find a ceramicist whose work would inspire my own work.  I found inspiration there in the work of Blair Clemo.

I discovered a blog by Erin McNellis where she writes about her poetry and her research for her dissertation.  There were very interesting comments on Gertrude Stein and repetition which mirrored my own ideas, and helped me nail down how I could relate Stein's writings to my work.

I had many great aesthetic experiences this term.  It is hard to pinpoint the best.  I thoroughly enjoyed the work and the artists talk at Reynolds Gallery when Jessica Mann was there.  InLight put me on cloud 9.  I had an epiphany discovering the work of Josephine Halverson in Vitamin P2.  And, oh my gosh, the night at Try Me gallery was a long-held wish come true.  It was phenomenal, and it was fun to sit in the courtyard at Linden Row Inn at night and talk it over with everyone in class.

My most frustrating experience was sanding.  After carefully planning and adding layers with a purpose in mind, I would then lose all control when I sanded.  I never knew how it was going to turn out.  I had little control over the sanding because some areas would not uncover themselves no matter how long I sanded.  Other areas popped out from the sanding that totally surprised me.  I would have given up the whole idea of sanding except for the feedback that I got in class.  Because of this class, I will continue using the sanding process.