January 4, 2012 In art, drawing, fine art, life and the universe By Patricia Saxton

Unfolding

Probably because I’m craving some time with brush in hand in front of a fresh canvas, I’ve pulled up an old drawing that reminds me of art for art’s sake. It also reminds me of the roots of what I do, and the kind of invisible forces that have driven me in the directions I’ve gone.

I say “invisible forces” because you can’t explain “why” you may have spent days drawing a larger than life Iris, or why it was an Iris you chose, not a face or an apple or a street scene. Of course there had to be a point of intellectual decision along the way, but you can’t necessarily say why in that moment it was a pencil you used, not a pen and not a brush.

Because time then becomes suspended  ~  the same as it does for a musician, a dancer, a poet; conscious thoughts dissolve, almost as if your being, through the act of creating, becomes a meditation.

© Patricia Saxton

And it is this piece pulled up today, I believe, because it also speaks to me now, years later, of gentle unfoldings, as opposed to dramatic, coarse unravelings. It speaks to me of a natural grace within life ~ one perhaps we all wish to nurture and maintain but feel we seldom do. It whispers of quiet gestures and grand plans, and of patience, and the knowing that all things blossom best with care and water and light.

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September 23, 2011 In appreciation, art, fine art By Patricia Saxton

9/11 Exhibit: An evening of community

Thanks to all the photographers at the opening reception of “Afterwards & Forwards: A Ten-year 9/11 Reflective Art Exhibit”, I’ve gathered a sampling to share. The event was indeed very special, with a lively, eclectic crowd ~ and a lot of heart.

Artists are a sensitive lot, who generally pour their more serious selves into their work…. so there’s a great sense of camaraderie when they find themselves in the same room; an invigorating coming together happens.

And over time, I’m getting to know some of them better. Charming Raul, effervescent Duda, gentle Midori. And of course, the incomparable Jose, interjecting his marvelous intellect right and left and showering magnanimous support upon others. And conversational, thoughtful Nick who has thoroughly convinced himself that my daughter is going to go to FIT. And the contagious energy of people-loving Robert…

They’re a vibrant, smart and fun mesh of talent and brains and backgrounds that’s absolutely refreshing. No pretense. Just an appreciation for art, and history, and humanity.

The NJCU 9/11 opening reception as a whole shared that essence of appreciation ~ as the artists, their work, the guests, the press, the professors, the town officials (heck, even the caterers) unconsciously formed an impromptu, cohesive community.

All were honoring a horrific event, yet paying tribute in the most uplifting, thoughtful manner. There was no somberness to the occasion; hope itself was present in the room.  And I’m truly proud to have shared those walls.

Although next time, it was decided … we would serve pumpkin pie.

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September 10, 2011 In art, fine art By Patricia Saxton

Update: “Afterwards & Forwards: A Ten Year 9/11 Reflective Art Exhibit”

“NJCU’s exhibit is the most comprehensive 9/11 Art Show ever assembled, presenting key 9/11 artworks from all over the world…” Ragazine.CC 

In addition to my own personal exhibit announcement of this special event curated by Midori Yoshimoto, there’s been some great press coverage leading up to the opening reception being held this Monday, September 12, 4:30 – 7:30 PM, Visual Arts Gallery at New Jersey City University, 100 Culver Ave, Jersey City, NJ.

Below are links to some of the articles written, as well as this blog-sized peek at some of the work being shown. A full exhibit catalog can be viewed here.

Press links: Art in America (listing) /  Jersey Journal   /  Star Ledger (listing)  /  Jersey City Independent   /  The Alternative Press   /  Ragazine.CC 

Map & Directions  Phone: 201-200-2496

 

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August 9, 2011 In art, fine art By Patricia Saxton

Announcing: A 9/11 Reflective Art Exhibition

This September 11th marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. We have all felt the effects of that day, individually and collectively, our reactions ranging from a deeply personal emotion to public outcry.

It is my privilege and honor to be a participating artist in the 9/11 art exhibit described below. I hope those of you in the New York metropolitan area will be able to attend and experience this very special showing.

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In recognition of the tenth anniversary of 9/11, New Jersey City University will present “AFTERWARDS and FORWARD: A ten-year 9/11 reflective art exhibition,” a group show featuring works by 18 international artists, including Joel Meyerowitz, Yoko Ono, and Ultra Violet, as well as two works on loan from the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

The exhibit will be on display from Monday, August 29 through Tuesday, September 27, in the Visual Arts Gallery, 100 Culver Avenue in Jersey City. An artists’ reception will be held 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 12.

On loan from the National September 11 Memorial & Museum will be Milton Rosa-Ortiz’s “Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil,” a lightbox with World Trade Center debris, and Werner Pfeiffer’s artist’s book, “Out of the Sky-9/11 a tribute.” Among other works featured in the exhibit will be Mr. Meyerowitz’s “Nov. 12, 2001, 2001 North Tower Shroud in Smoke and Spray,” a photograph from his “Aftermath: Images from Ground Zero, 2001” series; Yoko Ono’s wish tree, and Ultra Violet’s sculpture, “IX XI.”

Exhibiting artists will also include Hugo Bastidas, an NJCU professor of art; Richard A. Buntzen, a 2009 NJCU alumnus; Nemat El-Nasser, Carole A. Feuerman, Ben Jones, NJCU professor emeritus of art; Thierry Palau, Duda Penteado, José Rodeiro, an NJCU professor of art; Herb Rosenberg, NJCU professor and chair of art; Patricia Saxton, Jacqui Taylor-Basker, Raul Villarreal, and Chee Wang Ng. Works by these artists include paintings, collages, prints, sculpture, graphic designs, a film, and an installation.

“AFTERWARDS and FORWARD” considers the implications of the momentous events of 9/11 and endeavors to shed light on a host of prevailing issues about violence in the world and to promote dialogue, deeper reflection, meditation, and contextualization relating to or emerging from the 9/11 disaster.

Works selected for the exhibition include works created in the wake of 9/11 or its ensuing war-on-terror in any medium and works about peace created after 9/11. Three themes are represented in the exhibition: artistic responses to 9/11; artistic responses to the war on terror; artworks to promote peace efforts. Each artist whose work has been selected for the exhibit has demonstrated a strong commitment to anti-war issues throughout his or her career.

The tenth anniversary of 9/11 holds great significance for both Jersey City and New Jersey City University. Jersey City served as the primary staging-area for aid, support, search-rescue, organization, escape, and clean-up. With its uniquely ethnic faculty and student population representing 57 languages, NJCU is a microcosm of the diverse socio-economic populations impacted by the events of 9/11.

Gallery hours are 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and by appointment. For further information call Dr. Midori Yoshimoto, NJCU director of campus galleries, at  (201)200-2197.

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A reminder will be posted as the event draws closer.

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July 13, 2011 In art, fine art, painting By Patricia Saxton

Waiting

“every flower must grow through dirt.”  ~ anonymous

I’m a patient person. I’ve even been accused of being too patient. Usually in good ways though, like being a patient listener, or patience with someone trying something new, or struggling to understand something.

But we all have our Achilles heels, and one of mine is “waiting”.  Not necessarily waiting for the light to turn (okay, well sometimes…) or the pot to boil, but things like waiting in long lines ~ drives me up a wall ~ or waiting for people to follow through on a task, or being kept waiting for a scheduled meeting or call. I suppose it all has to with how we value our time.

So lately (among other things) I’ve been waiting for my newest book shipment to arrive from overseas… I’m feeling impatient! Impatient to get all the parts in place, get the wheel cogs turning and keep the ball rolling.

Then I remind myself… “all things in their right time”. (Maybe I should go back and read my “P” post on Patience). But still, it happens. We’re human. We aren’t perfect. And I am not patient every minute of every day. There, a confession.

It also reminds me that “every flower must grow through dirt.”  Just like the one in the painting above, before it made its way to my canvas.

Some things are worth the wait, and worth some time spent in the dirt first. Sometimes, “waiting” is what’s needed… even if we don’t think so at the time.

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June 30, 2011 In art, fine art, imagination, inspiration, painting By Patricia Saxton

Suspended in Time

I’ve been a little lax in my postings this week. Not for lack of things to say or share … honestly, I’ve just been pushing pretty hard, lots of irons in the fire. And in some ways I’ve been feeling a bit like this painting.

When I painted this piece several years ago, I didn’t have an “intent”. I simply liked the visual that came to mind, and have always liked drawing and painting fruits… which, if I thought about it, is probably because they’re shapely, rich, innocently sensuous; somehow mysterious, cloaking nature’s passion.

Once the painting was complete, I stood back and quickly understood what had been a subconscious expression ~ and it’s been a favorite of mine ever since. It holds promise and vitality; it breathes and ripens ~ yet floats, in suspended anticipation, like a dream awaiting fruition.

You can almost reach out and pluck it from the air … just not quite yet. But soon.

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April 17, 2011 In creativity, drawing, fine art, illustration, inspiration, intelligence, painting, poetry, writing By Patricia Saxton

Creative Duets & Human Nature

The human mind is a minefield of creativity and brilliance.

A couple years ago, inspired by Donald Friedman’s acclaimed book “The Writer’s Brush: Paintings, Drawings, and Sculpture by Writers”, I began to look more at artists who write and writers who draw and/or paint ~ creative people who are known for excellence in one art form, but also have credibility in another. Sometimes the second is overshadowed, or completely overlooked, due to the prominence of the first, but it’s interesting to see dual talents exposed.

"Palm of Creativity" / © Patricia Saxton

I love the topic. But it got my thoughts bubbling. …  As I see it, there have always been artists who cross mediums. Artists who write, writers who dance, dancers who sing, singers who paint, poets who play the saxophone.

It’s as if all these outlets arise from one great vat of creative expression.

So it makes sense to me that individual creativity, more often than not, spills from one medium over into another. It’s probably far less common to find a musician without a drop of interest for painting, or an artist with no stirrings of choreography running through their mind.

At the same time, it seems to be human nature to categorize or label: He’s a writer. She’s a dancer. He’s an artist. She’s a pianist. Just the way someone is a carpenter, or a doctor, or an accountant.

Yet none of us are one-dimensional. We arrive packaged with multi-faceted interests, talents, skills, propensities. I never understood why some feel the need to box people in to one “thing” or another, to say they “are this” or they “are that”. But to answer my own question, I suppose it helps frame the individual, helps us see them in some logical way.

In reality it isn’t always logical. There may well be strong leanings – creatively, mechanically, scientifically, etc. But there are also lawyers who paint, writers who fix cars and accountants who sculpt.

It starts early. There are “good kids” and troublemakers. Cheerleaders and jocks, geeks, nerds and rebels. Later your career choice defines you. Or your mate’s career choice. Or your kid’s career choice. There’s some real pigeon-holing that goes on. But we are all so much more!

We’re all fascinating, creative beings – whether writing, painting, solving crimes or tending the sick, cooking, singing, crunching numbers, building engines or raising livestock.

Sure, it’s flattering, that someone who writes and paints and draws is considered somehow unique. But I don’t agree that it’s so unusual ~ I believe that every single one of us has gifts that overlap. Maybe they’re not as easily defined, or maybe just not as romanticized, but they’re there ~ awesome, mysterious and immeasurable.

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April 8, 2011 In appreciation, art, fine art By Patricia Saxton

Far From the Fray

The world seems to be self-destructing all around us; chaos reigns, governments play with our fates and Mother Nature wreaks havoc. It makes me feel irritable, and kind of helpless ~ and makes me yearn for a side trip to a topic that’s far from the tangled fray: Art.

Maybe it’s to maintain a sense of balance. Maybe sanity.

Not to suggest we ignore what’s happening out there, but to suggest that sometimes our collective focus adds to the madness ~ and that sometimes it’s healthy and good (and wise) to turn our attention away from a negative alignment, and towards something neutral, lighter, brighter, simpler. Maybe breathe in some art. Even briefly. Can’t hurt ~ can help.

As Oscar Wilde said:  “It is through Art … and through Art only, that we can shield ourselves from the sordid perils of actual experience.”

Cezanne

‎And as some others have said:

“Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.” ~ Twyla Tharp

‎”Imagination is the true magic carpet.” ~ Norman Vincent Peale

“It has been said that art is a tryst, for in the joy of it maker and beholder meet.” ~Kojiro Tomita

“Great art is as irrational as great music.  It is mad with its own loveliness.” ~ George Jean Nathan,

‎”Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep”. ~ Scott Adams

“Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life without it.” ~ Robert Motherwell

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” ~ Pablo Picasso

Wyeth

And finally (lest we be all too serious) …

‎”How important are the visual arts in our society? I feel strongly that the visual arts are of vast and incalculable importance. Of course I could be prejudiced. I am a visual art.” ~ Kermit the Frog

 

You may now resume your regularly scheduled day. Hope you feel a little mentally refreshed. I know I do.

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January 28, 2011 In art, creativity, design, fine art, graphic design, inspiration, photography By Patricia Saxton

In Praise of Black and White: Part II

Ansel Adams / Aspens / Northern New Mexico 1958

I wrote this post a year ago. The text (with some edits) remains meaningful to me, but the images are new. (If you want to skip to the pictures, the short version is that I love black and white art and feel it’s under-appreciated…!)

Each year, a new Ansel Adams wall calendar hangs on the door leading to my studio. His superbly articulated, stunning black and white photography reminds me daily of my love for the natural world and the innumerable shades, shapes, shadows and tones that create, change, and emerge from, our world.

Yet the classic beauty and the powerful visual possibilities of black and white are often neglected. Straight black and white design is often passed by in favor of any use of color. As if black and white implied something dull or less important.

But when used well, black and white is intensely dramatic, vigorous, elegant and rich. It can get a powerful point across without the distraction of colors. It can be bright or moody, edgy or slick in ways that color cannot. It can sparkle with cleanliness. Black and white carries undisguised strength, character and integrity … when used well.

Of course, not all photographers have the eye nor skill of an Ansel Adams. Not all designers *see* in black and white. Clients rarely consider it. But it would be nice to see a greater appreciation of the noble duo of black and white.

When people want straight talk, when they want the truth, they’ll say “tell me in black and white”. But people often speak in shades of gray, or dress their language in garish colors for dramatic effect. And so it can be with design – a multitude of colors becomes too competitive, potentially drowning in an undifferentiated sea of tones or gussied up so much the point is lost for the color, like shouting for attention in a crowd.

Color, in and of itself, is naturally beautiful. Bold, rich fusions of color. Subtle, earthy color. Pale, cool, warm or dense. It’s vibrant and alive and emotional. But color alone will not make a bad design good. And it’s not so much that color is overrated, but that black and white is underrated. You don’t see it a lot, which is too bad, because the effects of black and white can be pretty spectacular.

Stripped of color, a million shades become a lansdcape of lights and darks that blend and weave and bounce against one another to create a very rich whole. A striking black and white image often touches us unexpectedly …  refreshing, engaging, and wonderfully inspiring. It’s raw and fundamental – and like a good story, it’s satisfying. Like a good story, it allows your mind to add its own color by filling in the parts left unsaid.

Enough said. Enjoy.

Ansel Adams / Tetons Snake River

 

“In Praise of Black & White: Part 1” images can be seen here.

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