Vermont Pastel Society Members Show

Living in Vermont, just two and a half years, I like to explore; I took my first trip to Randolph yesterday. I drove through sleet, mud and downpour because I was delivering some paintings for the annual VPS members exhibit at the historic - and very much alive and thriving - Chandler Music Hall.


I could have taken Amtrak because the northbound Vermonter stops here in Brattleboro and then Randolph, every day.  Freight trains, too? I can see the typical rail yard assortment of buildings and mysterious equipment and piles of "material"....maybe a track repair facility? I'll find out because I am going back for some plein airpainting in Randolph. It's a town with character, music, art. What's not to like?

Dreams are Made of This 16 x 16 by Rodrica Tilley 2013

The exhibit of work by some members of Vermont Pastel Society is in the Chandler Downstairs Gallery. As you exit the ladies room you will see our paintings on two walls. You are invited to the opening reception this Friday April 4th, 5-7pm. (Stay for Mustard's Retreat and John Gorka performance) I have learned never to be disappointed at being placed near the bathrooms...many people will see your work...believe me, there are worse placements for art...and the lighting is good. My painting, Dreams are Made of This is available for purchase from Chandler. 802-728-9878

New Orleans Museum Visiting

 During a recent week spent in New Orleans we found countless works of art to appreciate. I fell in love with two painters in particular at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art; 

 Clarence Millet's 20th century landscape oils absolutely glowed. The brushwork was loose and fine at the same time.

 The "cosmic vision" pastels of Will Henry Stephens really hit me....so inspiring.

 Gaston Lachaise'  Heroic Man towered over the competition at The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden at NOMA. 
And plenty of competition there was...over 60 modern and contemporary sculptors from all over the world were represented in this pleasantly designed garden with walks, bridges, pavillions and lagoons. 
Free admission.  Thank You! 

City Park in New Orleans has a slogan..."Every great city deserves a great park"...they sure got that right. Art, music, great food and friendly people are the norm there!

If you want to see why we were in Louisiana and what else my daughter and I did there look at the Fifty State Plein Air Painting Project.

I try to visit at least one art museum/gallery every month and write about it here...usually, just briefly sharing what I liked most. I welcome your museum faves and comments, too.

Twelve Nocturnes

-->

Moons have appeared in my work over the past 35 years. I feel their energy; they pull me from bed to watch them set. These small pastel paintings began with rough pencil sketches and notes made in the dark, out of doors. I purposely did not use a camera for reference. What I actually see is usually better than I am able to capture with my basic photographic skills.  I wanted to rely on my plein air observations. They were completed during daylight in the studio. 

I chose Algonquin names (in English) for many of the titles...so descriptive, useful and evocative. Shown from top; Sturgeon Moon, Worm Moon, Long Night Full Moon and Wolf Moon (on desk).

Go to the Butternut Gallery, 204 Church ST, Montrose, PA and you will see these small (six inch square) night scenes, framed in shadowboxes (eight inch overall square). You will also see many new works from seasoned and emerging artists and have quite a good time there. Call 570 278 4011 to confirm winter and early spring hours...tentatively Thursday-Sat.11-5.

The moons were mentioned on this blog last year before the dozen were finished and framed. By Thursday, March 6th, the whole dozen will be on the wall at the Butternut Gallery.