I’m looking forward to the opening on April 30 of Common Swell, a group show I’m in along with four other lovely and talented artists at Together Gallery’s brand new space at 2916 NE Alberta. I have fond memories of many hours in the print shop with Allyson Mellberg and Catherine Stack when we were in school together at MIAD. I miss the print shop!! We’ll be joined by Jeremy Taylor and Matthew Feyld, both inspirational for me in different ways.
Curleds (AP/a), six color gocco print by Jeremy Taylor
Allyson and Jeremy often work collaboratively, though not always, on elegant renderings of animals and people suffering from various maladies and growths, in an effort to visualize the deleterious effects of our society’s handling of toxic materials. They use all non toxic materials - natural pigments derived from sources such as walnuts, spinach, and squid ink. They also make soft sculptures and ceramic pieces.
Allyson Mellberg
Matthew Feyld paints a mean crisp edge! I have been a fan of Matthew’s since my early days on flickr. He is a prolific and gifted painter who has fleshed out a very recognizable stylized form of figurative paintings. They are very graphic, flat shapes with exaggerated proportions. I read his paintings as dramatic depictions of states of mind. I think the earlier ones from a couple years ago dealt more with fear and possibly a touch of shame and embarrassment - men with shirts, but no pants, like those awkward dreams when one suddenly realizes that they forgot to get dressed before going to work. Lately, his paintings seem to have transitioned to a more satisfied but still shocked stage, the figures are more rotund and balance fruit bowls, wear cheery patterned sweaters, and generally look like they are feeling somewhat better.
Matthew Feyld
Catherine has recently launched a new website, which I am so excited about! She finished up grad school in Boston last year I believe and now lives in Brooklyn. I was happy to get to see her, if only for a few minutes, last December when I was there. She has been making lovely etchings and paper sculptures, and has a lovely artist statement to boot:
My materials, translucent paper and ink, hint at what may lie just below the surface both revealing and concealing. Fine threads penetrate the paper membranes weakening them by each puncture of the smooth surface, but also strengthening them by sewing layers together. The small fragile bodies invite the viewer to linger in the small details and try to look beyond what I am revealing to discover what I may be trying to hide.
Out of Proportion, etching on muslin by Catherine Stack
Stepping Off, 8x10 acrylic gouache on panel by Betsy Walton