'Fall Forward'

'Fall Forward' Show @ Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery Lafayette. CA

The show was about taking leaps, trusting process and moving forward. I feel it met that on so many levels; from Jennifer's curation of 6 Bay Area artists working in different mediums, to the idea that each of the artists is also taking leaps, trusting process and moving forward in their art.

http://jenniferperlmuttergallery.com/2014/10/fall-forward-taking-leaps-trusting-process-moving-forward/

I think the show was perfectly titled  'Fall Forward'. It takes courage to share your work. Sharing helps an artist identify themselves with their work on a level that can be taken for granted everyday in the studio, usually alone. It's a moment to stop and assess, enquire and address what one is doing and why.

Real engagement with artwork requires courage, looking with an open mind and a receptivity to how it makes you feel. Art is a language not spoken with words. It is color and lyrical brush strokes that speak in painting. Vibration that moves you, opens you to feeling something. It is a beautiful moment when viewer and painting find themselves a match.

It's been wonderful to be included. I've met some  awesomely  talented people and couldn't have asked for a better welcome to the neighborhood! We toasted the night with 'New Age' -effervescent wine with lime over ice! Delicious!

Here are some pics from the opening reception:

@'Fall Forward'

10351335_750619925008535_1603258272732996069_n

10471431_750620081675186_7606782320020651219_n

10606021_750620295008498_5522769601597447600_n

10349209_750620015008526_6214196671371076169_n

'New Age' Sparkling Wine -over Lime and Ice.

'Fall Forward' Group Show

I am pleased to announce I have been invited to participate in the 'Fall Forward' group show @ the Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery here in the East Bay. The show opens on Thursday the 6th of November 2014 Jennifer Perlmutter Gallery 6.30-8.30pm- reception 3620 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette CA (925) 284 1485

http://www.jenniferperlmuttergallery.com

The Exhibit features 6 East Bay artists presenting a variety of medium. Artists: Jeffrey Sully- Sculpture Lisa Carroll- Paper Allen Wittert- Acrylic Jon Larsen- Pastel Jennifer Perlmutter- Mixed Media and myself, Deborah Rhee- Oil

It's interesting to note the draw different mediums have on artists. How is it we are drawn to a particular form of expression? How do our materials convey a deeper understanding of our own personalities and points of view?

I have always worked in Oil- Oil and layers of Glaze. There is something that brings to mind the history of painting when using these materials that makes me feel part of something larger than myself. I love their buttery texture, the fact their longer drying time affords me the luxury of returning to rework an area over many times, adding and subtracting until I am happy with the result. I delight in playing with the consistency by adding glazing mediums of various viscosity and watching in turn how that affects the outcome of the application, in itself and how it affects already existing layers of color. Building layers of transparency and opacity, creating world to explore in what I see presenting on the canvas. I consider my work a true collaboration with my materials. The techniques I use bring a certain element of surprise as I work, with gravity playing an important part in the finished product. Where and how my drips run or collide and where washes pool and rivulet, all adding to the scape building before my eyes. Honestly, I get lost looking at the smaller detail of these actions. It's mesmerizing to me, like cloud gazing. I lose myself. Time disappears. A blue wash will run over a section of yellow already applied and a small hint of green will appear. There is an innocence in my participation. Guided by intuition and discovery rather than following a preconceived plan of something I am trying to create. I let the materials show me what we are creating together.

This show of mixed mediums has made me consider more deeply my choice of material. What exactly my choice of material says about me is not yet clear but I am happy to be entertaining the question.

I look forward to learning more about the other 5 artists contributing to 'Fall Forward' and the story behind their choice of expression. Hope to see you at the show!