A Gardener’s Art: An Introduction
Greetings, wherever this note might find you.
I am writing to introduce myself to those of you who don’t know me. And to the many of you who have already crossed paths with me, I extend greetings again since my last newsletter from Full Belly Farm - back in 2012, Old Chatham, NY. It’s been a decade!
Rather than the Week’s Fare from the farm stand, consisting of the likes of salad mix, asparagus, radishes, and a farm story or two from the week’s work, I’d like to tell stories this time about the art that was generated out of those many years of watching light and land and weather bring changes to the garden row. Much of what interested me then, and now, has to do with two things: the patterns, shapes, textures and lines that are the tracks the natural forces make on the world - like fissured bark, crackled dried mud, rivulets of beach sand in low light, the freckles on a little kid’s face; and then there’s the energy or pulse just below the surface of things that animates them. And I never know what part of all that will show up in my artwork.
Painting has become a second voice and a way to say better what I mean. I paint in oils on paper or wooden panels. I follow the marks that my hand makes, without a reference, until I recognize something that really hooks me, and then follow its lead.
I’d like to share my work in the hopes that it will bring something into clarity for you that is known or new and interesting. We all have something in us that might make a difference to others, and I figure it’s my job to put my work out into the world while I can - my birthdays are certainly accumulating!
My plan is to write a note once a month or so, telling a bit about what it’s been like to paint, with some images of finished work. In the writing, I’m hoping to understand my work better, and to maybe even encourage you to think about your “other voice” that is also the outgrowth of many years of paying attention to what you pay attention to.
I’ve taken the liberty of adding you to this subscribed list for technical reasons. If you’re not interested in receiving additional newsletters at any point, you can easily unsubscribe by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the end of this email. And please feel free to share this with anyone you think might be interested.
Your reactions or reflections or any comment in general would be much appreciated— feel free to contact me.
Exhibit opening at St Francis Gallery. April 2022!
I am pleased to be included in this exhibit, opening Good Friday, April 15, 2022 in South Lee, MA. The gallery is located at 1370 Pleasant St, Lee, MA 01260, just east of famous Stockbridge which is home to the Norman Rockwell Museum.
The gallery, owned by Phil Pryjma, is one of a kind, focusing on art of both emerging and established artist in all genres, many of whom are local. Check out the gallery website at: https://saintfrancisgallery.com/
The gallery supports the SawaSawa Foundation which gives support to a Kenyan community. And beautiful Kenyan art is included in the gallery, some of which was made by the kids during Phil’s annual travel and work there. Plan to give yourself plenty of time to check it all out. It’s a high!
Gallery opens: April 15th, Good Friday.
The gallery will be open this season Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 10-5:00.
Reception scheduled for May 7th, 3-6:00 pm.
“A Gardener’s Art” newsletter is available once a month to subscribers. The newsletters will be archived in this website by date.
Each newsletter will focus on my experiences in the painting world - a hinterland and veritable dance of imagery and accumulated sensation of the thousands of moments of my life. Photos of recent work and relevant past snapshots of my sojourns will be included. Do come join me! Comments and suggestions about content and format will be welcome.
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My best to every one of you.