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
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| Autumn Dune Grasses 16x20 |
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.
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| 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.
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| 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
