Looking East from My Studio Window

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Returning from a month in sunny, but cold, northern New Mexico this sight was a bit of a shock. It turned out OK though (most of the shovelling and plowing was all ready done); just left me with some easel work to pull this together. It is 9 x12 and will be put in a black rustic wide wood frame with a thin gold bevel to match the snow scene from January. Thanks for having a look and keeping the homefires burning.

Hawley Farm

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Unusually restrained color for me in this typical Susquehanna County Farm scene. The image is 18 x 18 and will be for sale this summer at the Butternut Gallery. I am working on some new Susquehanna County pieces for an August showing by Bob Smith, Betty Bryden & me; part of a year-long celebration of the 200th birthday of our county. My focus for these new paintings will be places and small scenes that interest me; not the county icons. I'm on the look out for little buildings and quirky twists to a typical scene.

Moonlit Winter Garden

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This small painting was done in the studio yesterday, but the scene is outside my studio window. It is my snow covered garden complete with shadowy creatures and a crescent moon. 9 x12.

Earth Stewards Coalition Art Show

I am feeling very possessive about the beautiful Susquehanna River. A half century of canoe trips gave me an intimate knowledge of her islands and banks. I’ve swum in her waters; cold, rushing, warm, meandering; sometimes murky, sometimes clear. I’ve slept on her gravel banks next to toads and herons. I’ve shared her beauty and adventure with my own daughter and saw her grow strong, as I did when I took some of the river’s power and made it my own.

And I’ve seen the devastation that this river is capable of. Don’t anger her.

More river paintings at www.rodricatilley.com

The Earth Stewards Coalition Art Show is organized by an ad hoc collectiveof activist women artists called "The Gaia Grrrls: from Binghamton NYwho are trying to increase awareness about the potential ramifications of gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation of New York State & Pennsylvania. The purpose of this show is to give artists an opportunity to express their feelings about the situation, and hopefully to alert the public at large to what may happen in our communities.

First Fridays in February & March (2/5 and 3/5) from 6-9pm in City Plaza Gallery, as well as during regular business hours in Binghamton, NY's City Hall. City Plaza Gallery is located in Binghamton's City Hall. My painting is a large pastel of Standing Stone in Bradford County and it will be for sale after the exhibit.

Reuben Tam - American 1916-1991

I have recently "discovered" the abstract landscape expressionist paintings of Reuben Tam. Although born (and died) in Hawaii he spent much of his life painting and exhibiting in New England & the eastern US.

He was a beloved teacher at The Brooklyn Museum Art School, where he encouraged his landscape students to explore the geology beneath as well as the topography of the land. Another lovely pairing of science & art.

It has been difficult finding information and images...if anyone has other sources, please let me know. I will be looking for him in museum collections; Met, Whitney, Brooklyn in NY; Lowe in Miami, Smithsonian in DC, Farnsworth, Reading (PA) and San Diego.

Back in the Studio

Foggy Break is a studio painting done from my own photo references and recollections. I started the year trying to include water in most of my paintings...so it has been a dominant theme in both my plein air and studio work. I used a limited palette to convey the mood of an early day breaking through the fog. This is one of my favorite surfaces; Art Spectrum Colourfix paper with a mix of soft pastels....I have and use most every high quality brand available...and operate on the theory that one can never have too many pastels. They may look disorganized on my table, but I keep all my boxes sorted for value. Hard, soft, in between, French, Dutch, Australian, US made, red, green yellow, purple all jumbled together with others of their same value.

This 12 x 16 painting is being shown at The Butternut Gallery in Montrose through the holidays. 570-278-4011, along with French Broad & Roadside Flora...not ladies of ill repute as their names coincidentally might suggest.

Reflections of a Wanderer

Thanks to everyone who came to my solo exhibit at Orazio Salati Gallery Friday night in Binghamton. It is always a thrill for me to see my work hung & lit well in a lovely large gallery. I know many of you enjoyed it, too. Such a lovely evening. The show will be up until November 28 at 205 State St Binghamton. It will be open on Saturdays from 11-3, but you can call Orazio at 607.772.6725 for an appointment to view the paintings. The title refers to reflections of the mind as well as water & other reflective surfaces. There are some paintings from my travels and, as usual, about half the work is en plein air (painted out of doors on location).

There were many pleasant surprises of the evening; two are seen here...my cousin, Liz Tilley and my daughter, Zoë Tilley Poster. Do we look related or what?

And a favorite friend from Girl Scouting showed up that I hadn't seen in some 45+ years! Thanks to all who made my First Friday opening a wonderful one.