I don’t know anything better – I certainly cannot think of anything better than when the owner of a business tells me that my artwork is a perfect addition to her venue.  Thank you, Debbe Titus!  I am so grateful for those kind words, grateful for the opportunity to share these paintings again.  They are from my Talisman series of oil and collage works created in 2008.  Fifteen of this series of twenty-four are represented here at the Half Moon Bakery & Bistro, 6500 East Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville, New York (13078).

I do love the way they fit into the space, and that was all thanks to my friend Bobbi Rock Petrocci who came to my rescue and helped me install the show.  (gratitude times infinity – love you, Bobbi! <3)  No measuring devices this time – just our old-fashioned spatial intelligence, lol, and a power screw-driver.

The artwork will be on display and for sale through the month of October 2016.  If you are interested in purchasing them ($200 each), I have left contact information via my business cards.

There will be an artist reception for me on Thursday, October 20, 2016 from 3:30-5:00pm.  Light snacks plus you can try the delicious cookies and cupcakes, coffees and teas or go for a meal instead.  The quiche is out of this world!  Today they were preparing apple pies and other treats for an upcoming wedding reception and it smelled soooo good in there!  If you have never been there, please come out and meet me for a chat and a chance to fall in love with this gem of a place.

About the Talisman series – the paintings took months to create.  I created thumbnail sketches first, as well as a list of the text I wanted to use.  The titles of each painting created a personal narrative reflecting the trajectory of my life at that time.  I layered canvas on canvas as collage then gessoed the surfaces, broke up the space into an 18″ square with six inches to spare at the top or bottom.  I painted the latter in chalkboard paint.  Then I drew the image in pencil and began painting in oils.

These paintings are sort of the thread that ties all of my interests in art-making together.  I used abstract impressionist strokes, as I do in my watercolor paintings.  Months later I added varnish to these paintings, which is something I actually tried for the very first time in my work and I really loved the result – how it contrasts with the matte finish of the chalkboard area.  The chalk text is meant to eventually erase and/or be erased by the owner of the work, which might seem weird to a non-artist.  But I like the idea that love is like that text.  It comes and goes, grows strong or weak…and can grow stronger with help from the love of another.  The painting’s owner can interact as well, by writing their own graffiti on the chalkboard creating a dialogue with me.  I am especially fond of this idea.  We are all in this together sharing our love of life and through that togetherness the art transforms/will transform.  It’s all good.

The Half Moon Bakery and Bistro is open Monday through Saturdays.  Monday 10:00 am-3:00 pm, Tuesday 8:00 am-3:00 pm, and Wednesday-Saturday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.  Call  (315) 492-0110 for more information or visit their website, www.thehalfmoonbakery.com. I trust I will see you there!