I haven’t visited enough exhibitions since the first of the year, but last weekend was a start to getting back on the right track. If you are looking to stir the creative juices, here are two suggestions — one online and one local.
First, the Shelburne Museum doesn’t open again until May 13th, but don’t let that deter you. They have an impressive and diverse line-up of online exhibitions to bridge the gap until then. Each intriguing in its own right, I’m slowly making my way through them all. But Action Figures: Objects in Motion is the one that first caught my eye…such a treat!
Shepard Hardware Company (Buffalo, New York, ca. 1882–92), Jonah and the Whale Mechanical Bank, ca. 1890 Painted metal, Collection of Shelburne Museum
Secondly, an in-person trip to the Vermont Ski & Snowboard Museum in Stowe may not be the first place that comes to mind when looking to get an art fix, but go and be surprised. Scott Lenhardt’s art for Burton snowboards is fantastic! What I loved most was being able to see more than just the finished product. The compilation of sketches, saved margin notes on designs in process, and overviews of the overall progression from rough idea to finished painting is catnip for anyone interested in behind-the-scenes particulars. Lenhardt’s work is full of wonderful details and raw imagination, and the sheer volume of his output is, well, awe-inspiring. To round out the exhibition, don’t miss Pamela Polston’s article about Lenhardt in Seven Days.
Sketch for ’04 Powers ©2003 Scott Lenhardt, Ink on paper I took very few photos at the Lenhardt show because I got so caught up in the work. But this ink drawing is a good example of what I’m referring to when I say his art is full of wonderful details and raw imagination.
Meanwhile, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes here in the studio. I held a flash sale for my collectors on Valentine’s Day that went well enough that it’s likely I’ll repeat it next year. Maybe by then you’ll be on that e-mail list too! Anyway, with that goal under my belt I’m now juggling between pieces in progress, the nuts and bolts of getting finished work ready to exhibit, and preparing for a couple of upcoming studio visits.
This shows the early stages of a new piece. It’s destined for paint soon, but there’s something about the white-on-stitching that makes me want to explore it further as an end unto itself. This is not a new line of thinking for me, as you can read here and here. There are always more rabbit holes to follow.
Part of my to-do list this week has included framing “Eroded Boundaries” and “Caged Again” for the upcoming show Beacon of Light, which is due to open on March 15th at Studio Place Arts. More about that as we get closer to the show’s opening.
In the meantime, I’m tickled that “House on Fire” was selected for the exhibition SHE, at the online art gallery Art Fluent. You can view that show in its entirety here.
House on Fire, detail ©2022 Elizabeth Fram
That’s all for now; back to work.
You are such an eclectic, Betsy, appreciating so many very different things! That is such a great model for us all.
I looked at the SHE online exhibit. I think you were the only one of many of a huge pile of artists to depict an old woman. We are mostly invisible (for which I am mostly grateful!).
I’m glad you picked up on that too, Janet. It was glaring to me. I thought about mentioning it and then decided I’d leave it for another day/post. But it underlined for me that I’m on the right track with these latest pieces and, considering how many strong, accomplished, interesting, intelligent, beautiful elder women I have known/know, it’s time to rock the boat.
Hear, hear! Rock that boat!
“something about the white-on-stitching that makes me want to explore it further as an end unto itself.” Maybe with cross lighting to show shadows of raised stitching and, perhaps, even back lighting to show the needle holes?? Whatever happens, I look forward to seeing what you explore.
Love the way the photographer in you thinks about light, John. Great ideas!