In February, I instigated a progressive art project involving 20 fellow MoMA online Alumni, it’s titled ‘Cedar Bar Shenanigans’ in homage to the Post War Abstract Painting course at MoMA we undertook together back in 2011.
To begin, I sent out 4 primed canvases to groups of 5 artists across the world, each artist made a contribution to the canvas and sent it on to the next. The blog post I wrote about the project can be found here.
On completion, I compiled a sketchbook containing imagery and text explaining the process from artist to artist as the paintings travelled across the world. The finished art journal was then send in to the Brooklyn Art Library for inclusion in their traveling sketchbook project.
It seemed a perfect a fit for a collaboration that traveled so far in creation, to continue its travels and inspire others. The sketchbook project also affords us the opportunity to log in to the library website and keep track of the sketchbooks journey forward. Here is the code if you would like to log in to the sketchbook project page and see where the project is traveling. (It will be live in volume 15 after February 2020)
In October, I received a beautiful surprise in the mail….
Three of the artists involved, Cathy Sheafor, Jennifer Schaudt and Carol Schaudt, decided to create a progressive painting for me as a thank you for our shared experience.
Not only is it a beautiful work of art but it touched my heart so deeply that they would think to do that. It hangs proudly in my studio reminding me of the talented friends I have come to know through the joy of continued art education. I hope we get to do another undertaking together in the future!
Jennifer Schaudt began with inspiration from Barnett Newman and Mark Rothko
Cathy Sheafor’s addition inspired by Barnett Newman, Robert Ryman and Yayoi Kusama
Carol Schaudt’s final layer inspired by Yayoi Kusama and the Pacific North West, to provide a link to me!
The addition of the Totem pole on the final layer was Carol’s way of adding a connection to the work to the Pacific North West where I live. So thoughtful!
This painting survived two tropical storms…It evacuated with Cathy as she fled Hurricane Dorian and later moved to higher ground by Carol when her home was hit by Tropical Storm Imelda!
Grateful to say they all weathered the storms and the painting made its way safely to me.
Isn’t that a tribute to the passion of artists…to consider an artworks safety when their own was in question!
I am truly honored to have this beautiful work in my home and these wonderful artists in my heart!
Thank you all so much for making me feel so special! I will treasure this piece!
(A special shout out to Ken Schaudt too, for stretching and priming the canvas)