Redtree Times

Guiding Light– Coming to West End Gallery

Beauty, Inspiration, Magic, Spellbound, Enchantment, as well as the concepts of Serenity, Silence, Intimacy and Amazement. […] They have never ceased to be my guiding lights.

–Luis Barragán, acceptance speech for the Pritzker Architecture Prize, 1980

Luis Barragán (1902-1988) was an influential Mexican architect whose buildings were a blend of Modernism and traditional Mexican culture. They are marked by his use of bold colors, simple natural forms and materials, the play between light and shadow, and spaces that invited introspection and contemplation. Looking at his work, I was struck by his use of color, particularly his vibrant yellows and pinks that were bold but surprisingly calming. It was easy to see why his work is considered emotional architecture.

I was also struck by the qualities he listed above in his acceptance speech for the Pritzker Prize. We all follow guiding lights of some sort in our lives, attributes that form the paths we follow, the dreams we dream, the beliefs we hold sacred, and the standards– the ethics and morals– to which we personally adhere.

I would like to think that my list is not too far removed from the list of Barragán, especially those final four concepts he mentions: serenity, silence, intimacy, and amazement. I might throw in harmony. They certainly were close to the surface of consciousness while at work for my new exhibit, Guiding Light, that opens two weeks from today, Friday, October 17, at the West End Gallery.

The painting at the top, Guiding Light, 24″ by 30″ on canvas, provided the title for this show. I also believe it perfectly transmits those four concepts, particularly the serenity and silence. And though it depicts a landscape with distance and depth, there is also a sense of intimacy, as though the moon here is communicating directly to the viewer. That might also be the source for amazement, something that often comes with revelation.

This piece also makes me think about what other guiding lights each of us follow. Were they always influencing us from day one or did they one day rise up and become visible to us, like the moon rising in the evening? I think some of my guiding lights were present from childhood, but some have risen in my own sky, becoming more apparent and important to me as I age.

And how closely does each of us follow what we believe to be our guiding lights? I certainly follow mine more than when I was much younger. Well, at least I think I do.

Maybe self-deception is also a guiding light? I sure hope not though I think many folks do see it as one.

I have often employed the simple shape of the sun/moon in my work as a symbol of guidance and of something greater than ourselves.  This show, my 24th solo exhibit at the West End Gallery, is filled with moons and suns. I have come to see the sun/moon as being equal in importance to my work as the Red Tree or any other of the icons that often inhabit it. As an element, it creates a palpable presence in each piece.

The third eye of the painting? I have to think on that.

As stated above, Guiding Light opens at the West End Gallery two weeks from today, on Friday, October 17, with an opening reception that runs from 5-7 PM. Also, on Saturday, November 1, I will be giving a Gallery Talk at the gallery beginning at 11 AM. Keep an eye for more details in the coming weeks.

Here’s a song that has been in my head for a couple of days. I was big fan of the album Pontiac from Lyle Lovett years ago when it first came out, but in the confusion of time and space, it somehow, for no reason, fell off of my playlist. While building frames the other day, I found the CD and played it for the first time in quite a while. It reminded me of why I liked it so much and made me wonder what other music that really hit the mark had fallen to the wayside. This song, Simple Song, has been stuck in my head ever since and seems to fit this painting this morning.