A Poem For Wednesday: Postscript

Poetry is like breathing. It happens all the time. Poetry is life. Poetry celebrates life. It is life as seen through the prism of another's thoughts, of their process of thinking. Poetry doesn't give answers. It asks questions but the answers are elusive. But in the poetry, in these questions, these perspectives, we find ways of coping, ways of venting, ways of release from all the vicissitudes that life presents us with.

Your Voice Was Smooth; Like Water Running Over Rocks

24" x 36" x 1.5"

Oil and Mixed on Canvas

This painting is currently on display at The Blues Jean Bar in Snider Plaza

Postscript

And some time make the time to drive out west
Into County Clare, along the Flaggy Shore,
In September or October, when the wind
And the light are working off each other
so that the ocean on one side is wild
With foam and glitter, and inland among stones
The surface of a slate-grey lake is lit
By the earthed lightning of a flock of swans,
their feathers roughed and ruffling, white on white,
Their fully grown headstrong-looking heads
Tucked or cresting or busy underwater.
Useless to think you'll park and capture it
More thoroughly. You are neither here nor there,
A hurry through which known and strange things pass
As big soft buffeings come at the car sideways
And catch the heart off guard and blow it open.


In college I took a course in Irish Literature. It was a course for Lit Majors but I took it anyway. One day my professor said "The finest poet writing in the English language today is Seamus Heaney."  That was the first I heard his name, over 30 years ago. With Heaney, I found a poet who engaged me in a constant conversation. Each poem was a kind of search, an examination of life and at the same time witness to life.

You Know What You Want

Elsewhere

24" x 28"

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

SOLD

"Some people say they don't know what they want.
They're lying.
You always know what you want.
You may not want to admit it, though, not even to yourself.
When you state what you want, you then either have to start making it happen
or you hav to start making excuses for it not happening.
Sometimes it's just easier to say you don't know what you want.
But that's a lie.
You do know.
So admit it.
No one is looking.
No one is listening.
So, what do you want?"

~ Joe Viatale, LIfe's Missing Instrustion Manual

I love this excerpt. And I love this book.  How powerful. 

I recently experienced a "want" that I realize will bring me exactly where I want to be professionally...it was one of those "aha" ideas that popped into my head when I wasn't even trying and now I can't seem to stop obsessing over it. If only there were 8 days in the week, or 12 extra hours in a day, I could make it happen in a few months, but being a mom of three ages four and under--and actually enjoying my precious children--is my priority.  Not to mention Fall schedules, activities, volunteer commitments and all the other "essential" errands that seem to occupy much of my days.  (Yes, I really did need to go to Whole Earth Provisions today and buy those purple corduroy Tom's...it was crucial...or was it procrastination at its finest?)

So, I am putting my goal in the long-term range and in the mean time using what is left of my free time to start helping the stars align.  I am so excited. Sorry to keep the idea shrouded in mystery, but I really feel like it's just not ready to be revealed yet. 

The term "slowly but surely" simply isn't how I roll....I like to run--fast. I'm an impulse shopper. I yell a lot more than I would like to.  What can I say? I'm a red-blooded Sicilian woman.  But, this new idea will need to be nurtured so I ask for your patience and encouragement as I continue painting, and teaching art, and expressing myself creatively, and working on a completely unique way unite these passions. Let me take it back to old school 80's hip hop and quote Rakim: "I'm thinkin of a Mastter plan..."

So, what do you want?

Top Ten Reasons To Buy Contemporary Art

The idea that contemporary art is a luxury reserved only for the rich is simply passe. My sweet Austin-based Artist friend Debbie Carroll shared this great little blog post and I think it's great reminder that ART IS FOR EVERYONE!

The Golden Afternoon

12" x 16" x 1.5"

Acrylic and Mixed on Canvas

This painting is available for sale, please contact me at utopiapkwyarts@yahoo.com

I love being an artist.

I also love top ten lists, soooooo

Ladies and Gentlemen, with a wink at Dave Letterman, here are the:
Top TEN reasons to buy original contemporary art

10. Bring yourself into your décor. Surround yourself with art that speaks to you and of you. You are unique, so why would you settle for the PierWhatever/BullseyeBox carbon copy stuff?

9. Assure your place in civilization by supporting the Arts. Bonus: by buying from local (and there are fabulously talented people in your community) artists, you stimulate the local economy directly.

8. Develop your own collection. Art is lots cooler to collect than stamps or coins and when you collect contemporary art, you can collect artists as friends- and we are a very cool group.

7. Make your neighbors jealous. All of them will wish they had your self-confidence and sense of style!

6. Connect with your deeper self. Buy original work that speaks to you emotionally, not because it matches the couch. (NOTE: It’s okay if it happens to match.)

5. Feel less like a cubicle-dweller and more human by surrounding yourself with art born of real live passion and creativity – art made because the artist was moved to do it, not paid by the brushstroke.

4. Tap into the mystery of the muse. There is something magical that happens within artists that often pushes them beyond their initial vision; share that wonder.

3. Learn something new. Exercising your mind is healthy and realizing you are developing your eye for quality, style, talent while you’re having fun looking at art is a real kick.

2. Honor your inner creative spirit. We all have the need to express ourselves. Twitter, Link’d In, board meetings, and lawyers are not sufficient. Express yourself visually by living with art you love. Get back in touch with your own creative self.

1. Delight in the presence of art that “you get” and realize that the art “gets you!”




(this post comes from Paula Lewis of Scorched Eyebrow Studio)

New Painting, "Always Ourselves We Find in the Sea"

"Always Ourselves We Find in the Sea"

30" x 40"

Oil and Mixed Media on Canvas

SOLD

This piece was commissioned by a Collector who liked my painting, "On Golden Waves" (below), but wanted something with a similar color scheme to fit her dimensions.  Some artists hate working on commissions; I love them. I enjoy the challenge of getting an idea form someone and incorporating their essence, spirit and purpose in the painting. When working on a commissioned piece I am never alone; I without getting too existential I feel like I'm taking a journey with someone and they stay in my head until the painting is finished. By the way, the below painting is 24" x 36" and still available for sale. It's currently on display at the Blues Jean Bar in Snider Plaza.

The title "Always Ourselves We Find in the Sea" was inspired by one of my favorite e.e. cummings poem of the same name.  His poetry is so soothing to me.

maggie and millie and molly and may
went down to the beach (to play one day)

and maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles,and

millie befriended a stranded star
whose rays five languid fingers were;

and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles:and

may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone.

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea.

Thanks for a great night!

A big thank you to all my friends, collectors and new friends who came by the Blues Jean Bar in Snider plaza last night for the opening of my art show. There was an awesome turnout. I got to visit with some lovely people, sold some artwork and got my shop on (Looking forward to breaking out the new jeans and Dolce Vita top with Mr. D on our date night tomrw.) All in all a great night!

My paintings will be there on an ongoing basis so if you didn't make it by last night please mosey in to check them out. Last night's event went so well, Ashlee Medina, the sweet BJB Mgr., has asked me to show new works again in Winter 2011.  I didn't even flinch before giving her an enthusiastic yes!

ps. Sorry about the crummy photos...  was having so much fun chatting the night away I snapped some really quickly at the end.  As I always say, I'm a painter, not a photog...

Texas Style and Substance

I am a huge fan of Editor and local Style Maven Kristie Ramirez and her blog, Texas Style and Substance. Her musings about style, design and culture across the state help keep me current.  She  has an uncanny eye for all things chic, whether it's what to wear, where to stay, where to work out, or must-try activities.

          That's why I was stoked to have my artwork featured on her blog and so appreciate her helping spread word about my upcoming show this evening.

Speaking of, local friends please come out to the Blues Jean Bar tonight from 6-8. I will be featuring several new works. Along with cocktails and light bites, The Blues Jean Bar is offering a 15% discount on purchases that night.  So, you can get your shop on and perhaps take home a Gina Dunn original, like the one below which will be on display.  Sounds like a good time to me!

 "Forest of Dreams"

24" x 28"

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

 

Thursday's Other Creative Soul: Robert Bridges

Today's feature highlights Colorado-based artist Robert Bridges, whose musings about the creative process are almost as interesting as the pictures he takes.

Name/Location  

I introduce myself as Robert Bridges and wife and I  live and work in Durango, Colo.

Education 

Ph.D. in Psychology of Religion

Describe your work in one sentence.

I practice and teach photography as a sacred art.

Describe your normal day.  Arise, pee, greet wife, pet dog, meditate, drive to the office and my cubicle through breath-taking day-to-day scenery while playing my shaker to Van Morrison.  Explore the depths of some mortgage loan files for fraud and other nefarious things.  Drive home up to the coolness of fresh mountain air, home to smiling wife and tail wagging dog.  Walk dog.  Be present for and with the wife.   Read a story out loud to each other before turning out the lights.   My “ideal day” would be the same only I would drive to a garden instead of a cubicle.

What are your passions?  

Color!  The perceptions of and playfulness of color, which of course is light and it is energy and life!  I am much more passionate about life as an old coot than I ever was as a young buck.

What are your goals?  

I want to be able to say, at the end of my life, that I loved enough. In the meantime, I’d like to sell steadily and enough to spend less time in the box.

Who are your creative influences?  

The Rolling Stones, Paul, John, & George, Alan Watts, LSD,  Viet Nam war, TM, William James,  Carl Jung, Bernard Spilka, Minor White, Edward Weston,  Freeman Patterson and all those many souls doing beautiful, inspired work.

What motivates you on a daily basis? 

My age.  Realizing that life is an incredible adventure in which we never know what is going to arise next, and that being embodied here/now is a wondrous gift.  That and the understanding that none of us  can ever really know the moment in life when the truck won’t start no more.

Fine Art Show at BJB

Dear Friends, 

I hope you can attend my art show this Thursday evening. I will be featuring several new works. Along with cocktails and light bites, The Blues Jean Bar is offering a 10% discount on purchases that night.  

Best, 

Gina Dunn

Website: web.mac.com/utopiapkwy

Find me on Facebook here.

A Poem for Wednesday: Dutiful

"Transition"

30" x 40"

Oil and Mixed Media on Canvas

Fine Art Giclee Prints available on my Etsy site.

DUTIFUL


How did I get so dutiful? Was I always that way?
Going around as a child with a small broom and dustpan,
sweeping up dirt I didn't make,
or out into the yard with a stunted rake,
weeding the gardens of others
– the dirt blew back, the weeds flourished, despite my efforts –
and all the while with a frown of disapproval
for other people's fecklessness, and my own slavery.
I didn't perform these duties willingly.
I wanted to be on the river, or dancing,
but something had me by the back of the neck.
That's me too, years later, a purple-eyed wreck,
because whatever had to be finished wasn't, and I stayed late,
grumpy as a snake, on too much coffee,
and further on still, those groups composed of mutterings
and scoldings, and the set-piece exhortation:
Somebody ought to do something!
That was my hand shooting up.

But I've resigned. I've ditched the grip of my echo.
I've decided to wear sunglasses, and a necklace
adorned with the gold word no,
and eat flowers I didn't grow.
Still, why do I feel so responsible
for the wailing from shattered houses,
for birth defects and unjust wars,
and the soft, unbearable sadness
filtering down from distant stars?

by Margaret Atwood

New Homes

I love when collectors snap photos and email them to me.  As an artist, there is nothing more special than knowing a piece of me has been left with them for as long as they choose to display my paintings on their walls. Here are a few shots of my paintings in their new homes.  

Thursday's Other Creative Soul: Derrick Hickman

This week's featured "creative soul" is Visual Artist Derrick Hickman from Columbus, Ohio, whose multi-disciplinary approach to art leaves no stone unturned.

    "My recent work is an attempt to reconcile the conflict of that occurs between truthful memory and self perpetuated myth.
     The passions of my life are pretty simple.  My family (wife and three daughters), creating work that I am proud of, they are proud of and that also resonates with its audience. Aside from this core, I also love the process of writing (short stories and poetry), reading (biography and theory),  exercising and entertaining friends (cooking for friends is such a comfort thing for me.)
       I earned a BFA from Ohio University and have worked in commercial art since 1990, but have only had my fine art represented for the last 3 years.  My goal is to produce only fine art and work towards a      more national audience.  I am currently trying to find east coast and west coast representation.

     My artist influences range anywhere from Joseph Cornell to Basquiat.  I am also a big fan of outsider art and low brow art.  Other things that inspire me: Mid century architecture, vintage carnival art, used and worn toys, elaborate signage, discarded objects.   I have a strange duality in my art.  I am attracted to creating these clean graphic abstracted narrative pieces that I see as a growth of my modernist aesthetic.  Simultaneously, I want to work with clumsy tools to mesh together found objects in to some sort of crude play thing.
     I have great admiration for my mother.  I tend to be a little too doey eyed when it comes to my wife and children.  Outside of that, I am not really much of an idol worshiper.   If really pressed, I would have to say that Tom Waits is pretty damn cool.
     When I was younger, my motivations were purely intrinsic.  I wanted to do what I wanted and was willing to accept less in exchange for this freedom.  However,  as a middle aged husband and father of three, I no longer see myself as above commerce.  Current motivations are of course still rooted in personal expression, but I realize that art is still a business with the intent of sale.  What could be better than creativity combined with income.

   My work style is all over the place.  I often have two easels going at once with paper tacked to the wall for drawings.  I prefer to jump around.  This feeds my desire to have several ideas going at once as well as allows for continuous working while pieces dry.   I usually do not take many breaks.  My wife or kids often have to come knocking on my studio window to tell me its time to eat or that i was supposed to be somewhere an hour ago."

     www.canvasmuralstudio.com 

A Poem for Wednesday: The Road Not Taken

Solitary Pine

10" x 12"

Watercolor on Paper

This painting is available on my Etsy site.

The Road Not Taken 

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

by Robert Frost

New Painting(s): Podcast I & II

two canvases, 

15" x 30" x 1.5" each

oil and mixed

"You must be who you are and cultivate this. Do not wait for inspiration. It comes while one is working." Henri Matisse

In these two paintings (Podcast II detail on left), I have begun to explore a new series in my works...the theme of Growth: The Miracle in the Seed.  So many of my paintings explore this already, how nature grows and changes and how that is reflective of personal development. Where we come from, who we become...how we were made, how we change...why only some thrive and why...

Gallerina on the Scene: Artisan Style Gallery

(photos courtesy of Brandon Lynch)

Last week yours truly made it Uptown to Artisan Style Gallery to meet Seattle-based Artist  Tami Figliola who was in town to promote her new works. That's Tami, above, standing among some of her dynamic pieces. I was pleased as punch to learn she was as warm, colorful and captivating as her paintings. Amidst the sangria and the sea of people, the walls of Artisan Style's downstairs gallery came alive with Tami's textured works, rich both in color and depth.  Kudos to Brandon Lunch and Steve Iha, Co-Owners of the Gallery for creating this happy hour event  in a very happy environment.

I had a really nice chat with my friend Erin and Tami about what inspires us and keeps us motivated.  As a creative person myself, I love hearing what makes other artistic people tick.

Tami's painting, "Urban Deer Head", below, really stands out as a favorite of mine.  I keep picturing this in my husband's office.  Tami, a native of Grapevine, TX, noted that living in Seattle has definitely influenced her style of painting and her subject matter, but she creates some works expressly for Texas and her Texas clientele....can you guess which category this one falls into? :)

It is in All of us to Create

Enjoy this as you head into your weekend!

Thursday's Other Creative Soul: Alex Passapera

This week's feature highlights Alex Passapera, a Visual Artist currently living in my hometown of Brooklyn, NY.  I love how the rhythm of the city permeates all of his creations.  Here, in his own words, Alex  talks about what makes him tick:

I was ducated at Savannah College of Art and Design and am currently living in Brooklyn, NY. My hometown is Glen Ridge, NJ

In one sentence, my work is a pouring of impulse, emotion and meandering imagination over a blank page.

My normal working day consists of waking up, coffee, stretch, walk, think, coffee, toast, stare, work, stare, work, procrastinate, procrastinate, stare, work, coffee, lunch, procrastinate, procrastinate, think, stare work, work, work, dinner, work, work, work, stare, stare, sleep.

My ideal day would be all of that without the procrastination.

I am absorbed by meaning in everyday life.  I like to think there are layers upon layers in this world and peeling them back brings excitement and mystery to life.  Over the years I have been lucky enough to meet people and uncover books, films and art that help add to the layers of the world around me.   

The goal for my work is to find a medium or venue where I am able to get across my intent and still have room to embellish the visuals.  The main focus in most of my pieces is to have a certain message come across using different symbols and archetypes people will instinctively respond too.  I've been very interested in comics and working with a narrative in my work.  

New York itself has become my creative influence.  This city holds the gamut of different people, lifestyles and cultures and living here has absolutely changed the way I see the rest of the world.  Living in Bushwick, there is a growing artist community that seems to accept all types of work.  I have received a lot of support here and it helps to fuel my resolve and keeps me motivated to try new things.

Dali was a great influence on me when I was younger.  I was given a book of his paintings by my parents and was inspired by the complexity of his work along with the hidden stories behind the seemingly random imagery.

My motivation to make work is just that,  to keep on making work, because it's what I love and what I need.  If I go too long without sketching or writing I become depressed, restless and agitated.  Not very fun to be around.  I keep a sketch pad with me at all times, just a small pocket size moleskin.  Its like having my methadone handy if I were itching to jump on the ol' H Train.  Not that I do that. 

I use a lot of stipple and mark-making in my work.  This is usually done hunched over my desk for hours on end pricking  the page and moving inch by inch around the desired areas.  Its immensely relaxing in the right mindset, almost zen.  A bit of herb helps too but not required.  Good music is essential though.  I take brakes here and there to keep from cramping up but often I'll lose myself in my thoughts and go on until the early morning hours and realize I haven't eaten anything and my bladder is bursting and my phone has a dozen missed calls.

I am in the process of revamping my website, it should be going in a few weeks, or a month if I'm lucky.  Check it out:

www.passapera.com

I am also on facebook and myspace, though I really don't like to admit it.  You can look me up using my last name for both i think.

A Poem for Wednesday: The Child Angel

"Just Like Heaven"

The Child Angel

Let your life come amongst them like a flame of light, my child,

unflickering and pure, and delight them into silence.

They are cruel in their greed and their envy,

their words are like hidden knives thirsting for blood.

Go and stand amidst their scowling hearts, my child,

and let your gentle eyes fall upon them like the

forgiving peace of the evening over the strife of the day.

Let them see your face, my child, and thus know the

meaning of all things, let them love you and love each other.

Come and take your seat in the bosom of the limitless, my child.

At sunrise open and raise your heart like a blossoming flower,

and at sunset bend your head and in silence

complete the worship of the day.

By: Rabindranath Tagore

Collective Subconscious

20" x 52"
(3 Canvases, 16" x 20" each)
Oil and Mixed Media on Canvas

The Swiss pshychoanalyist Carl Jung suggested that we all share a reservoir of memories--the collective unconsciousness--which consists of common images or archetypes, expressed as kind or wicked people, good or evil spirits, images in nature, etc.  These are derived from the long experience of the human race, passed down in an unconscious mode from our ancestors.  Thus we may all share the same images within our dreams or nightmares.

Do you ever dream of trees, forests or a quiet sky?  Sometimes I dream of things over and over again, only to process these dreams through a painting and then find the image in my head is gone.

Gallerina on the Scene

Jerry Cabrera, Haven #49, Oil on Canvas

Last night, Mr. D and I got to an enjoy a little grown-up time and headed to Dragon Street for some excellent art- and people-watching.  (My young daughter calls herself a Ballerina and when I actually put on makeup and head out on the town she calls me a Gallerina, hence the title of this post.)  


I wanted to share the art of Jerry Cabrera, whose show opened at Craighead Green Gallery yesterday.    I saw photos of them before we went to the show, but the impact of them in person and the story behind them has left me longing to go back and visit them again.


For his first exhibition with the Gallery, he is presenting long horizontal canvases that are brightly colored with an almost neon feel. The inspiration for this body of work was discovered when he visited the concentration camps of Germany.  At the same time, he was also inspired by the sacredness of light that is felt upon entrance of churches and cathedrals. Cabrera states that “With light color exists, and color itself denotes life.  Light is also associated with knowledge, hope, warmth and energy”. All of these observations or feelings are obvious in each of his paintings. His sensitivity to the environment and mankind is the driving force of each painting.


I am struck by these paintings, they haunted my dreams last night. To me, they conjured up feelings of being alone in a dark room, looking at a sliver of light beckoning from under the door, or entering an old, dark church through slow-moving ancient doors and slowly being bathed in light.