For those of you who couldn’t attend the opening of my exhibit of new works at Hand Artes Gallery here in Truchas last Saturday, August 2nd. I’m going to post some photos of the show as though you’re walking into the gallery and to my exhibit. It may be less than clear for anyone who hasn’t been to Hand Artes Gallery before, but I think you’ll get a sense of the show anyway.
The opening was truly wonderful, by the way. Thanks to every one of you who made the time to come. It was quite the celebration, wasn’t it?
Anyway, this is the entryway just as you come in…
Two lovely men named Tim and Scott are the new owners of this piece titled “A Summer Morning, Truchas” (one of my favorites) that shipped to their home in Kansas this week.
And this is as you step up into the next room of the gallery–not to my show yet but guiding you in with another of my paintings, “Homage to Beatrice Mandelman”…
… then coming through what I call the “knotty pine room,” and peeking into the main exhibit. These paintings to the left are rather whimsical pieces inspired by the sweeping valley view from my land, hummingbirds at the feeder, spring winds and summer monsoons…
Then here you are, standing on the steps to what I call the “piano room,” looking down at the main exhibit of my work…
… entering and crossing the room…
… getting closer to the work…
… until you turn around to the facing wall…
… and then back toward the steps…
… to my “red” painting, “Flight of the Young Raven” and a glimpse of the spare, “Winter Morning, Truchas” to the right…
… and turning further around…
… full circle to the first wall you see in the exhibit…
… and back up the stairs to “Winter Morning, Truchas” square on (this is Hand Artes Gallery owner Bill Franke’s favorite in the exhibit)…
… turning into the knotty pine room to the painting, “Winter Hills, El Valle” as you exit and “Snow Fields, Truchas” on the far right…
So the show is hung and has opened. It was an enormous amount of work for all of us who were involved and I am just now playing “catch-up” on everything that was shunted aside in the weeks leading up to the opening.
But the point of all of this, of course, is the art. Down through the centuries there have been and are those of us compelled to create–be they paintings, sculptures, the written word, song–some of us walk paths that seem to be rooted in making art. It is a blessing and a privilege to be sure, but one that comes with a price for most of us who are doing it. Few of us earn good livings at it. We don’t have accrued job accolades to prove the kind of worth our society understands. It can take an emotional toll on many of us in deeply varied ways. But we continue because we must. And the world is made better by it.
So in celebration of art and we artists who make it, I have painted and offer up this modest body of work intended to pay homage to the generations of modernists who broke through the barriers of understanding that make it possible for me to do what I do.
Love to you all,
Jeane
Jeane, so wonderful to see your work both in person and online. The show was superb! You really have a masterful body of work and I so appreciate you sharing the process and journey. I am so grateful I was able to get up to see you and some of the other wonderful people in Truchas that you have so generously introduced me to. Thank you for continuing to inspire and encourage the rest of us.
What a wonderful compliment, Sylvia, that anything I do might encourage and inspire you and others. Thank you. It was a great surprise to see you there at the opening and a lovely pleasure to meet your friend. So happy you have discovered Truchas.
Your paintings are just stunning and really speak to the stark beauty of Northern New Mexico. Thank you for posting them. And I certainly understand why you have not done much with your blog recently, but I do miss reading it and especially seeing the photos and recipes! Maybe we can coax you to write more often now?
Indeed, Julia, the paintings are why I haven’t posted to the blog regularly and thank you for your kind words about them. It seems I have trouble both painting and blogging at the same time. The one seems to cancel out the other, for the most part, and I feel I must choose painting if there is such a choice having to be made. But I’m resting a bit before beginning to paint again and Kim and I have been talking about doing some cooking posts in particular. So let’s see what the next weeks bring, shall we? I’ve noticed an inclination to carry my camera with me again so…
Hello Jeane, I’m sorry I have missed you! Been following art of many artists but I miss seeing your photos and your thoughts! I am very impressed at all you have done since we last “spoke” via Facebook! Soo happy for your show and thank you for your wonderful photos of the show again! I have started some Aquatic oils. trying something new. I will also be trying to keep up with you !! Love to you!! <3
Thank you, Alison. Having the show as a goal kept me very focused and disciplined. I knew I had that huge room to fill and, whenever I didn’t feel like painting for one reason or another, I sort of pictured my work in that beautiful space and the room itself became an inspiration. We work with whatever we can, right?