Razored your paintings or films? Wow.

That's like the film I made with staple splices, titled 'Unwatchable Film', responding to some of the stuff I sat watching over the years at SFAI.  The instructor wasn't game and didn't bother to thread it in the 16mm projector.

But at least he didn't carry a razor.  Aren't those outlawed? At least he made a comment!  Some of the teachers I had couldn't have cared in the least, and unless you tried firing a gun in class at the screen you might not ever get a glance.  That was the bad, the ugly; there was good there too.  But that is a longer email.

Perhaps your boyfriend/husband had something else to do in the rainy NW, and all has worked out well for you; for me, I just kept painting and learned to make furniture for a living.

How about that!  My art background, and undergrad degree is i film.  I found that the ideas I was interested in conveying were narrative, and perhaps that is something you call creating an image you "get through to" as another place.  My films ended up being little pictures you had to view piece by piece.  Eventually cost drove me out of it, and my short foray into the commercial industry was just not my thing.

Once realism is left behind, as I think you and I have partially done, the question of how to represent the images becomes an issue. It comes from imaginary landscape work.  For me, I have used a sculptural approach to formalize my work.  I am trying to work more from the experience of color itself.  Others tend to go painterly and use an impressionistic touch.  Some use dreams and the surreal.  These two images in your gallery here are limited palettes, that convey a heavy mood. 

How would you say you mostly tend to the issue of rendering this imaginary world of paintings?  Are you living into the image as if you were there?  Or are you using the compositions to create depth? Or something else....I am working these issues out myself just now.

Hello Barbara.  I just wanted to thank you for the compliments.  Your paintings are great, I especially love your use of color.  You have a very "cool" palette, that to me, seems to suggest crisp cool expanses.  I am sure you have plenty of inspiration in WA.  Thanks again, and keep up the good work!

Kevin 

Barbara:

Thanks for your comments and time at my gallery.  It is interesting to see your work.  Some of my favorites include Rainbow Shore, Zandar Peaks, and Whisper of the Vines.  I like the composition, as much as the colors.  They have a balance, and seem complete in their statement.  I also like the thematic openness of your work.  Some of it reminds me of New Mexico.

Do you notify everyone when you post a new image?

Robert 

Hi, I just wrote you a message but it wouldnt let me send it because it said your message folder was full! (I didnt want to post this on your guestbook section). I had asked if you thought it made sense to only show one subject matter in a gallery, say Landscapes for example (you and I both do that mostly) but then just now I posted 2 still life paintings from classes I teach. Should I take them off? Your gallery is all landscapes aside from your 2 people but even they are set in landscape backgrounds so they fit in.. just wanted your opinion. I may blog this topic!

Robin

Hi Barbara, I was surprised you werent already on my friends list because I remember visiting your gallery and feeling connected to your artwork. I think one day I need to go to Washington state just to visit some of the big old trees first hand!

Robin