Sweet Home California

 

This Friday, October 5, 2012, 6 to 9 p.m., is my artist's reception for my newest works at the Blue Wing Gallery in Woodland, Ca. The piece above is one of the works on display there now, titled "Only Hearts Can Build It" and features the house that one of my best friends is now living in with her recently reconciled husband. I had thought of titling it "The House That Love Rebuilt," but I decided to go with bits and pieces from quotes on home that I like instead. The quote this one comes from is by an unknown author and says, "It takes hands to build a house but only hearts can build a home." Like many of my works, the quote is also written in the piece itself, providing one of many little things for the viewer to discover.

And here's my artist's statement for this show: 

Born and raised in California, the great valley was always my home. As a young adult, I could hardly wait to get out and see the rest of the world and I happily traveled wherever the Army sent my husband, to other states and countries. But one day I found myself, much like Dorothy, longing to be back. In my mind’s eye, I longingly envisioned open spaces and dry brown hills dotted with giant oaks, the rough coast interrupted by beaches, and the imposing Sierra Nevada. After several years we finally returned home to our native landscape, living in the valley, traveling east and west and then north and south, my cameras ever at the ready. 

I spend my creative energies in recording the landscape I see as my home, the places not only precious to me but truly unique and special in the world. After capturing the images in photographs, I collage them onto a surface with other snippets of home,  a fallen leaf or twig, a sketch of a native creature or pet, a piece of map. Sometimes the collage becomes three dimensional, growing into an assemblage, but the undercurrents of home and landscape always remain. Color is applied with pencils, acrylics  or whatever I find useful, until the depth of my emotion is expressed in the palette of my art. One of my greatest joys is that I live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I have the true privilege to be able to share it with others.

packed car

Delivered my Tree Stories show to the Blue Wing Gallery today - it all fits in my car, even the two 3'x5' canvases - looks like it will be a beautiful show!

tree stories at blue wing gallery

From the Blue Wing Gallery press release:

In celebration of Arbor Day, four very talented artists have joined forces to create an inspiring exhibit dedicated solely to trees. As a point of interest, the first Arbor Day celebration took place on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska and was an immediate success as more than one million trees were planted. Julius Sterling Morton was the founder of Arbor Day and to honor him Nebraska made it an annual legal holiday in 1885, using April 22 to coincide with his birthday. In 1970, President Richard Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day.

Join us for the opening reception on Friday April 2nd, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Blue Wing Gallery, 405 Main Street, Woodland, Ca 95695.



"Tree Stories Chapter Two" is an ongoing project that marries Judith Monroe's photographic images with stories that she has written or found, or that have been shared with her by other writers. Visitors to the Blue Wing Gallery can view these stories in an exhibition binder on display during this exhibit.

"Each artwork tells the story of a tree when the viewer carefully examines the details, though they may not be able to read all of the text and may have to fill in gaps with their own imagination. Likewise, each of us brings our own story to those of others, coloring them with our own experiences; if we listen carefully, we can share a story between us."

"Tree Stories Chapter One," was exhibited April 2006 at a gallery in Sacramento. Four years later, with a new body of work for "Tree Stories Chapter Two," Judith has honed her trademark style of applying her own photographs and other items onto a canvas or panel then adding color with pencils and acrylic glazes. Judith's unique combination of photography, collage, painting, and text in one mixed media art piece is amazing. The end result is clearly recognized as a Monroe masterpiece.

About the artist Steve Cook: "I create three dimensional sculptures from everyday objects and found pieces. I've been told this is called an "assemblage artist" to me that sounds like a fancy title for someone else. I am just the guy you see picking up rusted pieces of castoff junk because I see a sculpture waiting to happen." Steve Cook's art is engaging and humorous on purpose, it is very apparent that he receives great joy from watching how adults and kids interact with his art. "I love to see them smiling and even laughing at my creations. I can only hope that the piece inspires them to open their minds and use their imagination."

Butch White learned to use metal while making jewelry and stained glass in college art classes. This initial outlet for his creativity developed into the intricate wire sculptures he is creating today. He begins each piece with a basic shape, gradually adding dimension by applying solder, refining the shape into a well crafted sculpture.


Chris Frieders' nature inspired iron wall sculptures are embedded with rich patina achieved by applying heat. His oak and pear tree sculptures are specifically influenced by the Sacramento River Delta area, where he grew up and still calls home. Other works capture the spirit of the rugged coastline and the inland mountain terrain of California. "I am a farmer by trade; I live and work on my family's farm near Walnut Grove. I've spent my entire life tending and caring for trees and vines." As we view Chris' artwork it is easy to discern his love of the land, each of his sculptures is a tribute to the beauty of this region.

first friday reception

Went to the opening reception of "Jacks, Queens & Suicide Kings" at the Blue Wing Gallery in Woodland tonight to see a bunch of my friends, many who had work on the walls. Nate couldn't be there, but his photo got a thumbs up from Allison Carlos, Karen Dukes and me.

getting organized...

I've got this big Tree Stories show coming and all the wall space I'll have to fill was making me a little nervous, so I inventoried what I have done, what I'm working on & what I've got planned (which usually just stays in my head in a fuzzy way.) I got it all on paper, including the production schedule I need to keep & I'm feeling much better - maybe even be able to squeeze out a little more, who knows - thought I'd post it here to share & keep myself accountable (not that I really need that right now.)


A quick & dirty shot of "With Eager Hope" - it's hanging in my midtown studio, with a sign that lets viewers know they have to wait to get their hands on it until April in the Blue Wing Gallery.


Production schedule for
Tree Stories “Chapter Two” - 2.15.10

Completed canvases:
1. 24x24 - Beckoning Path
2. 24x24 - Remembering
3. 24x24 - Her Self
4. 24x24 - True Love
5. 24x36 - With Eager Hope
6. 30x30 - Reunion
7. 30x24 - Under the Shade
8. 36x24 - Longing for the Wind’s Embrace
9. 36x36 - Late Afternoon
10. 36x24 - Meditations
11. 24x18 - Endless Battle

In process
12. 60x36 (Life Story)

Planned
wk 2.22
13. 30x30 - Jacob’s Ladder
14. 36x24 - Heaven
wk 3.1
15. 60x36 - The Taller Tree
wk 3.8
16. 30x30 - Still Singing
17. 24x24 - Castle in the Sky
wk 3.15
18. 24x24 - Things We Cannot See
19. 24x24 - Cast & Reel
wk 3.22
20. 24x12 - palms
21. 24x12 - orchards
22. ?


Tree Stories “Chapter One” - framed & completed
1. 24x20 - The Mustard Tree
2. 20x24 - They Speak of Angels
3. 20x24 - And Trees Caught Fire
4. 20x24 - Jack and the Redwood
5. 24x20 - Teletype
6. 20x24 - Honduran Mist


Total pieces for show:

20's x 4 = 7'
24's x 13 = 26'
30's x 4 = 10'
36's x 4 = 12'
60's x 2 = 10'

As planned about 105' wall space

new hope tree story

I got started on the next tree story piece, this one will be on display in my studio at Kennedy Gallery for the month of January where I'll be one of the featured artists and our theme is Inspiration:Hope.

Hope as the inspiration for artwork is one of my personal recurring themes, so I'm happy to be chosen as a featured artist for this. And since this was the next Tree Story that I was going to work on for March's show, it seemed a good fit & a way to preview one of the pieces - you can see more of how hope ties into this work at my Tree Stories blog.

back in the studio

Getting back to work again - and back to a previous project - Tree Stories: Chapter Two will be showing in a real-world gallery in March 2010, which means I need to start working on pieces for that show. There will be a couple re-worked images from the first Tree Stories series and several new stories as well. I began studio work on the first of the new stories just last night, collaging, adding texture & even a little pencil work...

Some detail from the new piece, I like how the texture is picked up by the light coming in my studio windows. I'm still deciding if I should preview the new works on my blogs or just leave them for a surprise when I show in March. (I'd post them online then, too, as I know not everyone will be able to make it to Northern California for the show.)