In The Between - Culmination of the Emerging Artist in Painting Fellowship by the Delaware Division of the Arts

It seems during this time of Covid-19, that most people have probably felt as if they were in the “between”. Webster’s Dictionary defines the word in several ways, but the one that makes sense to me is, “in the time, space, or interval that separates”. I don’t know about you, but I’ve felt a little separated from the world these past few years. Who knew it would last so long?

However, during that time, I was the recipient of the Emerging Artist in Painting Fellowship for 2021, awarded by the Delaware Division of of the Arts, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. What an exciting and affirming privilege for me! As a result, I was able to produce nine new works in 2021. The Fellowship provided me with the opportunity to show my work in three different venues.

In June, I had four of my paintings displayed at the Biggs Museum of American Art in Dover, Delaware. Photos of this exhibition can be found under the “Art Exhibits” tab on my website. As a result of that show, my painting “Tears On My Grandmother’s Braids” was chosen to be displayed at the CAMP Rehoboth Gallery in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware for the month of August (also under the same tab).

The culmination of my Fellowship was my solo exhibition, “In The Between” at the Mezzanine Gallery in the Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington, Delaware (see tab “Art Exhibits 2). I was so excited that even in these trying times, I had a great turnout for my show. According to Bruce Decker, the gallery coordinator, I had the best attendance at an opening in a long time. It felt so good to be supported by all the people who came out to see the exhibition.

At the end of November, we moved into our new, forever home, in Newark, DE. Since August of 2021, we have been under the gun to find a new place to live and decided to buy instead of renting this time. Kind of tired of moving. For any one who knows me, that is quite a feat, to be sure! Finding a place, making an offer, having the offer accepted, getting the new house in shape before we moved in, packing up our stuff, moving our collectibles, art and my studio ourselves, doing a local move which took 4 days to complete, unpacking, Christmas . . .well you get the drift. It was not a productive time at all. However, I am blessed to have a studio in my new home which suits me well. I have it set up finally except for having some of my larger works in the way until we can have them professionally hung in our home.

Now, the creative juices will have a chance to flow once more. Stay tuned for more updates.

Covid-19

Covid-19 has certainly changed many lives around the world. Being in a risk group myself, I’ve stayed close to home, wear my mask while in public, and socially distance when I’m around others. Its pretty hard when you see your daughter for the first time in 4 months because of the lock down (she lives in NYC), and not be able to hug her. Fake hugs only.

As the Covid-19 virus continues to wreck havoc around the world, I felt a need to add another painting to my “The Women Series”. Simply called “Woman - Covid-19”, this painting represents all women who are dealing with the virus in what ever way it has come to them. I believe I had a case of it at the end of February, early March. I suppose I will never know for sure. What I do know for sure is that it is real. Its unbelievable to me that the virus has become such a political football. Too bad our government didn’t respond to the pandemic in a more effective way. The world and this country seem mad (as in insane) sometimes. It makes me sad to think that this is how my senior years will be spent. I was envisioning quite a different scenario full of art engagement and new horizons. I guess the positive that has come out of it is that I’ve painted 4 new works and a block print since the beginning of the year.

In the Woman-Covid-19 painting I only wanted to show a close-up of a woman’s face so I concentrated on just the eyes, nose and mouth and only one side of the face. It started out to be a self portrait, but I didn’t want it to be just about me.

I used scarves, fabric, acrylic paint, beads, mirror tiles, crystals, and a little glitter. The eyelashes are the fringe from the scarf I used to make the eye ball. The mirror tiles make up the iris with a marble for the pupil. I wanted viewers to look into the eye and see themselves, making the portrait their own.

Making the Covid-19 viruses was quite a challenge but fun too. I had to unglue my fingers more than once and believe me that hurt! I finally found some gel type super glue which made it much easier since the gel would stay put and not run all over as I tried to attach the smaller beads to the larger Covid beads.

I hope you all stay safe and healthy during this horrible time. WEAR YOUR MASK!