I’m in the last few days of finishing my work for the show that opens next week, June 10, at the Principle Gallery in Alexandria. VA. I’m sealing frames and wrapping the pieces for safe transport to the gallery later this week. This is always the time when there are alternating waves of relief and anxiety. Relief in knowing that the work is done and that I’ve did all I can for this show. Anxiety in the fear that it won’t do well, that I’m seeing something in the work that won’t be evident to others.
This is somewhere around my 30th solo show so I’m somewhat used to these mixed feelings by now and don’t panic when the anxiety hits. I know that I’ve given maximum effort and it’s out of my hands. I can’t control the response.
The anxiety, like most things, will pass with time.
I’ve tried to create a mix in this show with some new looks and some pieces that are easily recognized as being part of my visual vocabulary. The piece shown above, Night of Wonder (15″ by 20″), is such a piece. A very simply composed piece, it has many of the elements that have been part of my work for many years. The archetypical Red Tree, perched atop a distinctive nob of soil. The exposed and somewhat irregular edges. The two blocks of color separated by a thin white break between them. Dense color and a viewpoint with the eye-level set at the same height as the horizon.
I think they all come together well here and give this piece the sense of quiet wonder that I hoped for– quiet but not bland. It has bite , if that can be used here as a measurable quality, and that is what makes this piece come together so well.
It also has a solidness of feel that helps quell the anxiety of preparing for this show. It is like an old friend who I know will stand up well for me when I need it.
And that is saying a lot.
Redtree Times 