It's up and running!

Here I am the night of the reception, feeling relieved that the work is up, and being enjoyed by such a receptive audience. The show is up through March 27--I'll be taking it down on the 28th. It's at the NECC, 1630 NE 38th Ave., Portland, Oregon. (Entrance one block north of Sandy Blvd.) Here is my artist statement, for the record:

"Texting"
I love to travel, and whenever I do, I have a little digital camera with me to capture the candid moments of human gesture and interaction, which I might later incorporate into paintings. The source imagery for the "Texting" portion of this series comes from my own adventures abroad, as well as from my traveling family and friends who are "on assignment" to find suitable subjects and post them on Facebook for me.

I chose the "Texting" theme because of my interest in classical "history painting". My college degree in cultural anthropology probably plays a role too. In my studies, I developed an admiration of Eugene Delacroix--one of the greatest history painters of all time. (Or perhaps just my favorite!) No matter that photography did not exist during his era, you get the full scope of emotional fervor directed at the issues of his time by looking at his masterful works. He has often caused me to wonder--if I were a history painter, what would be my subject matter? I am not interested in depicting the bellicose rancor in the politics of our own time, or the pollution that's contributing to mass extinctions, or any of the myriad social issues that bedevil us today.

No, I am Pollyanna, and prefer to look at things in a more cheerful context. So this series entitled "Texting" concerns itself with the contemporary phenomenon of social media, and I choose to look at it from the point of view of how it is bringing us together in an unprecedented experience of unity, which only the open flow of information can foster. We are talking to each other all over the world in an era that can no longer support firm boundaries, harsh ideologies, or unfair advantages to a few, if it means seeing and hearing of others' suffering. The abundance of communication today is ushering in a friendlier, more humane tomorrow. That is the history I choose to believe we are creating today. And we're texting it to each other, one selfie at a time!

© 2013, M. Kay Elmore

Texting in Paris

This is my favorite of the "Texting" series, perhaps because I was there and took the source photo. I remember the exhilarating day of sight-seeing, and the contentment I felt when I sat down at this cafe for a glass of wine (and complementary bowl of olives!), at the end of the day. Of all the paintings in this series, I am happiest and feel the most complete with this one.

Painting completed February 7, 2014.

Texting in Laos

Another in the "Texting" series. I am told by a painter friend that this is a Hmong girl; the source photo (permission granted by a travel agency), was identified as Laotian  The rice fields/mountains behind her are mostly made up.

Painting completed January 25, 2014.

Texting in Kyoto

This was commenced last summer, I think, and finally reached some degree of completion for the "Texting" show. Source image was thanks to my niece, Cassie, who is quite the traveler. (I am not jealous, no, huh-uh, not a bit. ha!)  I have a feeling I will revisit most of these, at some point--this one anyway. It doesn't feel finished. Time will tell.

Last work on this done towards the end of February, 2014.

Selfie in La Jolla

I took a break and did this one for fun... but it ended up in the "Texting" series after all, since a couple of the paintings that were slated for that show weren't up to snuff. The subject matter fit well enough, so there you go!

Painting done February 6, 2014.

Texting in Jordan

This is part of the "Texting" show at the NECC, up for the month of March. There was no context to suggest Jordan, in the source photo, so I made up a mid-Eastern rug behind her, and that part's not finished. I was still working on this one the day before hanging all the work! My favorite part of this one is the chipped fingernail polish on her little fingers.

Work-in-progress, February 27, 2014.

Georgia O'Keefe look-alike

Diane Marks is doing an outstanding job, getting our models into costumes that inspire more interesting paintings. This model didn't look as severe as her look here, but my painting went in that direction. I guess that's my impression of O'Keefe's persona.

Painting done February 14, 2014.

Frida Friday!

Nancy posed in Frida Kahlo outfit, including headdress and jewelry. I have more work to do on this one, but a good start, I think.

Work in progress, commenced January 24, 2014.

Drawing at Janet's

It's mid-March right now, and I have a log of catching up to do on this blog. If memory serves, I took only charcoal and paper to this "candlelight" session at Janet's. I think I was too tired to lug the painting gear, or think about mixing color! Also, I had just started a drawing class at Phil Sylvester's Drawing Studio, where I immediately appreciated working large and thinking in terms of simple notan.

Drawing created January 26, 2014.