At the Harrington Brown Gallery in Memphis, TN, March 2011
Seven years ago, in 2011, I had an exhibition at the Harrington Brown Gallery in Memphis, Tennessee. It was one of those shows where I took a major right (or left if you prefer) turn after that. Seeing my work on the walls outside my studio is always educational, sometimes upsetting, other times exciting. This particular time I could see very clearly that I had been painting myself into a corner. Every painting used the same motif as a solution to whatever was not right. The conclusion was the same, that is, the use of a circle image to “fix” the painting.
When I came home, back to my studio, I knew something major had to change. It was a struggle for several months. On the other hand, some of those paintings still linger with me as exceptional. That, I think, is because I was searching for something fresh, pertinent, important. A new way of solving visual issues. That way of working is always difficult yet extremely rewarding. After a while, I did become comfortable with this newer way of working, resolving painting issues.
Lately I have been feeling that same intense energy, the desire for change, to challenge, to be honest in my work. Now, in truth, I have always been interested in and studied things unseen: dreams, meditation, astrology, numerology and such. I suppose this kind of interest also aligns with my need for abstract painting.
Today I read in an astrology blog that Uranus, the planet associated with change, has moved into Taurus, an earthy, grounded sign, and will be there for seven years. The writer suggested looking back at the past seven years to see what has been the focus of change. In seven years, again, all will be different. More than any other astrological transit I have witnessed, this one felt the most true to my life. So very clear. And now, the beginning of more change, more excitement and challenge.
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