A Story Art Work

What do you get when you mix Stuart Davis' "Early American Landscape" with...

 a children's drawing story?

Something that is more than a little weird. I simplified and brightened up the background to be more child friendly. Plus it works better with the drawing of the kangeroo mommy.

So a wee bit of time has passed since last post.

My daughter Lily became engaged on December 25th to Andrew Boyd Lindwall. On March 17th they tied the knot. We had a VERY short time to prepare, but the wedding turned out well! Hooray!

 Figuring out how the wedding will go.

 Mom and my brother Eric enjoying the balmy March weather in Texas.

Sisters & longtime friends, Stephanie and Candace Hoeckley who flew all the way from Orlando, Florida. Boy, were their arms tired! >snort<

 Lily's Grandma Ellen.

A hug before the ceremony.

 The vows. The minister is Andrew's grandfather, Ted Lindwall.

 Oh happy, happy!!! Meet the newlyweds Andrew and Lily Lindwall!!!

 Lily and Andrew cut the gluten-free, and totally YUMMY wedding cake. The cake topper and bride's dress were from Jeff and my wedding in 1982. It was so sweet to see Lily in my wedding dress - she wore it better than I did.

 Yum-yum!

A tender, loving dance between a bride and her daddy. Oh my, how time does fly.

The Ghost of Ellen Henry

The Heritage Farmstead of Plano, Texas premiered a new event called Murder and Mayhem: True Crimes of Collin County. It was a big success. Members of  the North Forty Storytelling Guild brought the stories to life brilliantly. Such a talented group of people!  I was in a mini play about the story of a woman (Ellen Henry) murdered by her husband. She was very boldly cheating on him with Hunter Farrell the man who built the house at the farmstead. The very house where we reenacted the story!

I think her ghost was with me that night. Do you see Ellen floating by my head?  She caused no ill harm.

One of my artist heroes, Mark Bradford

I’ve been working on a few projects inspired by the art of Mark Bradford whose work is currently on exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art.

To learn more about Mark Bradford visit this website: http://www.pinocchioisonfire.org/  I attended one of his talks when the exhibit opened. He came across as a thoroughly likeable, humorous and gentle soul. A TALL one too, he stands at 6'8". This might explain why he often works on such a grand scale.

I find his work super compelling. His use of incorporating found objects and non-traditional materials into every piece of art provides a wealth of texture, lines, layers and mystery.  He has referred to his work as a series of "negotiations". Brilliant!

While looking at his work questions arise. “What is that? How did he do that? What does this mean? Is that what I think it is? What does he want to show, tell us with this artwork?

His work draws me in, I want to look closer at it. The closer I look, the more surprises I see hidden in the layers.

I delight in finding surprises!

I would compare it to the same sense of a delight an anthropologist feels when discovering a relic left behind by a passing culture. (By the way, I considered briefly majoring in Cultural Anthropoly while in college.) Mark’s work provides this for me in spades. Plus, his work is thought-provoking in meaningful ways that lead to discussions about current, yet ageless cultural issues we deal with daily as human beings.

His techniques, his creative processes, intrigue me a great deal. I have experimented with some of his ideas and like where it has led me. That is, after dumping the first two failed attempts into the trash! I finally found my way though. This is my first finished effort titled, “The Talkative Turtle”.

His shell is cracked because he couldn't keep his mouth shut long enough to be carried

through the air by two geese. (He was holding unto a stick with his mouth.)

Close veiw of the distressed surface.  The embedded lines of yarn were laid out over a map of the DFW area. It's fun to point out the major highways and roads to young viewers.

My second piece was an exploration of another technique. I call it "Dream". I have the word stamped into it in several places. One has to be observant to see it. One little boy found it right away without my telling him it was even there.

I have actually altered "Dream" since I took this photo. I like the newer surface better. I'll see about getting a new photo of it. Still this is very much like the final one.

Up close view. The colored squares are dyed and cut coffee filters. The idea is that each square represents a thought, an idea. They are floating about, clustering together in my dream landscape. I wanted to capture how my imagination works when I'm coming up with new ideas.

There is one other Bradford inspired work in process. I'm attempting a 3D concept. I expect to finish it. WHEN is the question at this point! I'm needing to do some experimentation with materials and haven't found the best solution yet. It'll happen though, I'm sure of it.

How do I know? I've already named the artwork. It was named before I began! It wants to be born.

A GOOD omen.

Canstruction

While walking through the North Park Mall in Dallas, Texas I came upon a very clever and creative concept.

Check out these photos:

What a great way to nurture one’s community.It would be wonderful if more communities could “borrow” this idea and do the same thing.  You’re making art that grabs the public’s attention, draws attention to the issue of a growing population living in poverty, and provides food for the hungry.

Take time for looking at art

Maybe someone has already said this, but here goes.


While noticing so many, many people merely glancing at the art on display at the museum and making quick judgments (often thoroughly uninformed) this thought fluttered through my mind…

Judging art with just a glance
Is like judging a book by its cover.
You can’t know either one until you
READ it
with your
eyes,
mind,
and heart.

This takes time.

Naked Truth Dressed as Story

An old Yiddish tale.

Once there was Truth who went around naked as the day he was born. No one wanted anything to do with him. When people would see naked Truth, they would turn around and run away from him. If for any reason, people had to be in the same room with Truth, they would not even acknowledge his presence. He was never welcomed by anyone. Ever. 

Poor Truth. He was very lonely and sad.

One day, Truth was out walking and came upon Story. Story was clothed in a splendid robe and headdress of many lovely colors. Story was beautiful to behold.

Seeing Truth, Story asked, "Why do you always look so sad?"

"Things are bad for me," said Truth bitterly. "I am old, so very old and no wants to have anything to do with me. They refuse to even look my way."

"I am very old too," said Story. "In fact, the older I get the better people like me. People do not run from you because you are old Truth. They run from you because you are naked. Here is a secret, everyone likes things prettied up a bit. I will lend you some of my colorful clothes. When you put them on, you will find that the people who pushed you away will welcome you into their homes. In fact, they shall willingly seek your company."

Truth listened thoughtfully to Story's words and decided to follow his advice. Ever since, from that time to this, Truth has covered his nakedness in Story's many colored robes. Truth and Story have become the best of friends, walking hand in hand. Everyone loves the happy pair who are welcomed everywhere they go.

Naked Truth Dressed as Story
by Ann Marie Newman
2011