Art quotes

"For the last 20 year period I've been working with ideas conceived as a child." -Red Grooms

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Where Are the Butterflies

       The fourth of July has come and gone with all of its boom booms and summer comfort foods. The art show we have been planning has also made its debut at the Arts Council of Greater Lansing (ACGL). These art exhibitions take more time than the casual viewer may realize. For this show we selected a dozen paintings that we thought would be compatible within a concept of contemporary works. We then gave a title to the idea that explained the grouping vision of paintings - Color, Form and Possibilities. Each label also has a one-line explanation of its inspiration. The display will be exhibited weekdays from 8 to 5 in the ACGL offices in charming Old Town Lansing through the month of
Autumn Dune Grasses 16x20
August. Please check the Arts Council of Greater Lansing for location, www.lansingarts.org .

       After seeing the show in an open house setting and talking to visitors the title and concept seemed to work. Interested visitors did take an in depth interest in the back story of how each piece came to be created. Comments from visitors were encouraging.

Bold Beach 16x20
       We live on this beautiful planet with all its interactions which makes interesting subject matter for artists. Monarch butterflies are one of those interesting and mysterious creatures on this spaceship earth. For the complete story of this magnificent creature please go to Wikipedia and marvel at this inspiring true superhero. We like to go to Michigan’s sand dunes in late summer as hundreds of these creatures drift along the water’s edge. We stand in awe at their golden dance gently fluttering over the dune.

       This year - no monarch butterflies.  So we Googled and tried to make sense of this great loss to the natural mix of earthly events. Every day we walk past a nice stand of milkweed, a favorite site for Monarchs, and check for larva of the butterfly or at best any sign of their presence. So far none.

Homage to the Butterfly 20x16 acrylic on linen
       Today I went into the studio with butterflies on my mind and painted monarchs. Another painting, another backstory. A hopeful gesture that this awe inspiring creature will return to us all.

Wishing you a colorful and inspiring summer.

Joel 

1 comment:

  1. Quite interesting and touching story behind your work. Really like the "Hommage to the Butterfly".

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