Sneak A Peek

Posted on April 20, 2015 by cecelia

I will be exhibiting collages and mixed media paintings as part of an exhibit featuring me, Alsison Jardine and Carol Ordemann at modartists gallery in Dallas.

modartists gallery (Dallas Design District), 2514 Converse, tel:214-728-9000

The exhibit opens on Saturday April 25 with a reception from 5-8pm.

My collages, assembled from collagraphs, monotypes, etchings and found paper, and mixed media acrylic paintings all deal with the nature of abstraction.

My work, whether in printmaking, painting or collage is about exploring relationships. Bits and pieces from my visual experiences bump against each other. There are references in my work to the textures, colors, lines and shapes of things in the real world. The layering or unfolding of shapes, punctuations or expanses of color or character of a line order the picture plane. The resulting abstract images often allude to natural forms.

#1269 Untitled, mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 30x30", 2013

#1269 Untitled, mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 30×30″, 2013

#1270 Untitled mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 30x30", 2013

#1270 Untitled mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 30×30″, 2013

#1271 Untitled mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 30x30", 2013

#1271 Untitled mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 30×30″, 2013

The relationship of visual components in my paintings and collages is similar to what happens in jazz. There are themes and variations, repetitive devices, tensions and releases, riffs, harmony and dissonance. Like a jazz piece, there is a lot of improvisation. At each step in painting or making a print I may ask myself, “what if…?”, or “why not…?”, or “how about…?”

#1280 Rational Exuberance 1, acrylic painting on paper with collage 22x30" 2013

#1280 Rational Exuberance 1, acrylic painting on paper with collage 22×30″ 2013

What if I limit my color palette, what if I work in a more minimal way or, on the other hand, what about excessive exuberance? Large or small? Paint or paper? Or both. Anything can spark an idea – something seen, heard, imagined. The results are often unexpected, and even though I may have some idea of the general direction, like jazz, there can be many twists and turns along the way.

#1282 Rational Exuberance 3, acrylic painting on paper with collage 22x30" 2014

#1282 Rational Exuberance 3, acrylic painting on paper with collage 22×30″ 2014

#1283 Rational Exuberance 4, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 30x22", 2014

#1283 Rational Exuberance 4, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 30×22″, 2014

Sometimes I assemble the collage on painted paper. The acrylic painting weaves its way in, out, and around the collage. Negative space and positive space play games with one another. There are all kinds of things to discover in this group of collages called “Rational Exuberance.” This is a case of “more is more.”

#1284 Rational Exuberance 5, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 30x22", 2014

#1284 Rational Exuberance 5, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 30×22″, 2014

Each step, expected, or unexpected, is the impetus to continue the exploration or the journey in this painting or print or the next one. Serendipity is the hallmark of my work. I love the unpredictability of working with paint, paper, ink and plate.

Showtime at Ilume Gallerie

Posted on November 6, 2014 by cecelia

This body of work consists of collages on paper and mixed media acrylic paintings. I recycle parts of my monotype and collagraph original prints and photographs with found paper from various sources. The collages and paintings are non-objective; the emphasis is on the relationship of line, color, shape and texture.

Working in one medium, i.e. monotype prints, usually leads me down another path because I’m always asking myself “what if?” What if I limit my color palette, what if I work in a more minimal way or, on the other hand, how about excessive exuberance? Large or small? Paint or paper? Or both. Anything can spark an idea – something seen, heard, imagined. There are always new avenues to explore.

Looking down can be rewarding. My “Underfoot” series of photos started when I had my head down and noticed the interesting abstract pattern of street and sidewalk marks made by construction workers. We seldom pay attention to such marks but they resonated with me and I began to photograph them wherever I traveled.

Combining my prints (re-purposed etchings, monotypes, collagraphs) with found paper to create collages took my work in a different direction. Cutting up and adding the “Underfoot” photos seemed like a logical next step. Their abstract quality echoes that of the other elements in the collage.

Sometimes I assemble the collage on painted paper. The acrylic painting weaves its way in and around the collage. Negative space and positive space play games with one another. The group of collages in this exhibit called “Springtime Suite” is colorful and energetic and was inspired by a visit to the Dallas Arboretum when it was ablaze with color.

Here are the “Springtime Suite” collages in this exhibit.

#1259 Springtime Suite 1, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 22x30"

#1259 Springtime Suite 1, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 22×30″

#1260 Springtime Suite 2, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 22x30"

#1260 Springtime Suite 2, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 22×30″

#1263 Springtime Suite 5, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 30x22"

#1263 Springtime Suite 5, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 30×22″

I love to travel and have a large collection of paper maps. Remember those? I decided to use them in my collages. Instead of cutting them up I photographed them, enlarged segments in the computer and printed them out. I cut them up and they became part of the collage series “Have Map Will Travel.”

Here are some in the exhibit.

#1272 Have Map Will Travel 4, collage, 30x22"

#1272 Have Map Will Travel 4, collage, 30×22″

#1273 Have Map Will Travel 5, collage, 30x22"

#1273 Have Map Will Travel 5, collage, 30×22″

The mixed media paintings are whirlwinds of line, color and texture.

#1269 Untitled, mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 30x30"

#1269 Untitled, mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 30×30″

#1270 Untitled mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 30x30"

#1270 Untitled mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 30×30″

#1271 Untitled mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 30x30"

#1271 Untitled mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 30×30″

The show runs through November 29 at Ilume Gallerie, Dallas, Texas.

Catch it if you can!

Opening In Dallas

Posted on October 15, 2014 by cecelia

On November 1, 2014 I will be meeting and greeting at the opening reception for my next exhibit. It’s at Ilume Gallerie on Cedar Springs near Oak Lawn in Dallas.

The exhibit consists of collages on acrylic painted paper from the “Springtime Suite” series and collages from the “Have Map Will Travel” series. I’ll also be exhibiting several mixed media acrylic paintings on panel. It’s a high-energy show with lots of color and movement in each piece – so get your groove on!

Here’s the info: Illume Gallerie

4123 Cedar Springs, suite 107 (next to Dish restaurant)

Dallas, TX 75219

214-507-7369

Opening Reception – Saturday November 1, 2014 7-10pm

Check out one of the paintings in the exhibit.

#1269 Untitled, mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 24x24", 2013

#1269 Untitled, mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 24×24″, 2013

Name That Painting

Posted on May 14, 2013 by cecelia

I recently completed three mixed media acrylic paintings on panel. They are 24”x24”. All are, presently, “Untitled.”

I thought I would ask you, my readers, to help me title them, so they do not stay in a state of untitledness forever.

There is no story or narrative for the paintings. When you look at them, what comes to mind? Emotions? Musings? Reflections? Memories? Connections?

Title the Untitled. One, two, or all three. Give it your best shot.

Here they are, with a detail of each.

#1269 Untitled, mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 24x24", 2013

#1269- 2 Detail

#1270 Untitled mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 24"x24", 2013

#1270-2 Detail

#1271 Untitled mixed media acrylic painting on panel, 24"x24", 2013

#1271-2 Detail

Get the naming rights. I’ll select the most intriguing titles and give a shout out to the winners by noting your initials and city in a future blog. You’ll know who you are and the painting, formally known as “Untitled”, will be sporting a new name.

Contests. Love them. Title away!

In Like A Lion

Posted on April 18, 2013 by cecelia

Out like a lamb (March). Unless you live in Boulder, Colorado which got more than a foot of snow the middle of April. Here in Texas, April showers will bring May flowers. The flower show really began with tulips mid March and continues right through spring and summer.

Inspiration, for me, is everywhere. Springtime at the Dallas Arboretum provided just the right burst of color needed for a series of collages I made called “Springtime Suite.” I built the collage on an acrylic painting on paper. I let the painting dictate the overall composition and color scheme of the collaged papers which included my own re-purposed prints (monotypes, collagraphs, etchings) and found paper. When you look at all seven of the Suite you’ll notice the differences in directional movement from one collage to another. In these collages negative space, the areas in and around the collage, are as important as the collage itself.

The seven collages in “Springtime Suite” express the joy I get from working with color inspired by the spring landscape.

Here are “Springtime Suite 1-4.”

#1259 Springtime Suite 1, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 22x30", 2012

#1260 Springtime Suite 2, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 22x30", 2012

#1261 Springtime Suite 3, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 22x30", 2012

#1262 Springtime Suite 4, acrylic painting on paper with collage, 22x30", 2012

Intrigued? To see the complete Suite 1-7 go to my website www.studio7310.com and click on “New Work.” Check out the rest of the website while you are there.

I hope these collages add some sunshine to your day.

Cecelia’s Art Pick – March 2013

Posted on March 4, 2013 by cecelia

I have always liked working in series. It seems that an idea needs to go through a range of possible expressions before I am satisfied that it is “finished.” Sometimes a group of related work consists of a few pieces, sometimes many over a long period of time.

This month’s Art Pick is one in a series of fourteen acrylic paintings on paper with embossing. It is number 7 of 14. It is typical of my work during the 80”s when I was also making large acrylic “stain” paintings. Instead of pouring on canvas on the floor, (which made my studio look jazzy) I poured the paint on paper. I embossed the paper front and back (convex and concave lines) using heavy cord or lightweight wire and a press.

Here is “Fourteen 7”.

#215 Fourteen 7, acrylic, embossing on paper, 22x30, 1982

This is a painting from that period.

#260 Now You See It, acrylic ptg, 71x61, 1984

Here are three more from the series. You can compare and contrast them to “Fourteen 7”.

#211 Fourteen 3, acrylic, embossing on paper, 22x30, 1982

#214 Fourteen 6, acrylic, embossing on paper, 22x30, 1982

#222 Fourteen 14, acrylic, embossing on paper, 22x30, 1982

When is a series finished? Usually, when other ideas intrude.

Remember – the Art Pick is available all month at a 30% discount. $850 less 30% = $595.

Ring In The New

Posted on January 3, 2013 by cecelia

#1135 Untitled acrylic, collage on panel, 13x13" 2006

Another year has sped by and here I am again trying to capture those moments, all of which have added up to make 2012 a memorable year. Big moments, like celebrating my 70^th birthday in San Francisco with my family, small ones like finishing the Neef’s baby blanket before baby Kate was born. Most of the moments are modest in size but added together they speak to my life, active, inquisitive and hopefully creative.

I’ve always believed the journey is more important than the end, for what is there when the “end” is reached? As I enter the next decade of my life I hope I will continue to explore and try new things, possibly (probably) failing here and there, but always moving forward. I have no doubt that some of the books on my shelves will go unread (I’m good about putting only one at a time on my iPad), there will be canvas left unpainted and my yarn stash will be diminished only to be replenished. I’ll hope for patience in these and other matters. The tragedies that abound in this world makes us realize how little is in our control. We must experience joy in the things we do and with the people we love right now, as we may not get second chances.

This was the year I started my ArtEveryday blog. I have a tendency to drag my feet when it comes to new technology (just ask my man), but with encouragement (pushing?) and help, eventually come around to embracing the new “new.” Sharing my passion for making art and my love of all things artistic with a wider audience has been fun and rewarding. Once a month seems to work out well. More to come in 2013. Stay tuned and keep re-tweeting!

My family’s blogs have helped me keep up with the world of healthcare, fashion, business, technology, travel, food, books and education. Dan, our non-blogger, has kept me supplied with pictures and videos of granddaughter Sabrina’s activities, which makes the time between visits bearable.

We’ve traveled a lot this year, here and abroad. I would dearly love to finish working on January 2012’s Chile/Argentina pictures before our trip to Iceland in June. Keep your fingers crossed.

I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions (too much guilt associated with not keeping them) but I recently saw the following list (author unknown) and thought it expressed my desires for the New Year beautifully. I’ll call it my list of good intentions. Maybe it will be your list, too.

Dream more

Complain less

Listen more

Talk less

Love more

Argue less

Hope more

Fear less

Relax more

Worry less

Believe more

Doubt less

Play more

Work less

For all of you I hope that 2013 will be a year of great expectations, successes large and small, and many joyous moments.

I’ll begin the New Year with this poem with words of wisdom by Shel Silverstein.

HOW MANY, HOW MUCH

How many slams in an old screen door?

Depends how loud you shut it.

How many slices in a bread?

Depends how thin you cut it?

How much good inside a day?

Depends how good you live ‘em.

How much love inside a friend?

Depends how much you give ‘em.

From me, remember to make your life a work of art.

This Must Be Your Lucky Day collagraph collage, 8x11" on 15x22" paper, 2009

New Guy In Town

Posted on March 22, 2012 by cecelia

One of my favorite activities, when I’m not in my studio, is visiting museums. On a recent trip to Denver I went to the new Clyfford Still Museum. It is adjacent to the Denver Art Museum, its straight lines and solid mass contrasting sharply with the DAM’s angular walls. The Brad Cloepfil designed building houses almost 94% of Still’s total output (paintings, works on paper and sculptures).

Clyfford Still Museum - gallery

The path from representational depictions of farm workers in the 1920’s and 30’s to his fully realized Abstract Expressionist paintings of the 50’s until his death in 1980 are beautifully displayed, several to a gallery.

I was in college during the heyday of Abstract Expressionism. I was not as aware of Still and his contemporaries as maybe I should have been, (no Jackson Pollacks in my collection), but I was greatly influenced by one of the group, William Baziotes, who was my teacher at Hunter College. His discussions of how to “see” the world around us in terms of color, shape, line and texture influenced the direction my own art would take.

Clyfford Still "PH-272", 1950, detail

I have always said my work is about those “relationships.” As long as you understand that, you will be comfortable with the absence of object or narrative in my work.

Cecelia Feld #249 Sienna, acrylic painting, 69x53", 1983

Cecelia Feld #1209 This Must Be Your Lucky Day, collagraph collage, 8x11", 2009

See what I mean?