Enjoy!!!
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| ocean sunrise--37x46 "--ann brauer 2019--photo by John Polak |
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| ocean sunrise--detail--ann brauer 2019--photo by John Polak |
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| ocean sunrise--detail--ann brauer 2019--photo by John Polak |
Showing posts with label Western Mass. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Western Mass. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
sometimes it is about color pure and simple
Sometimes I long to fall into the colors until they surround me. To inhale them until they become part of me. That is the story of my quilt "ocean sunrise".
Enjoy!!!
Enjoy!!!
Thursday, July 27, 2017
As in nature
OK--I confess I wasn't sure about going to see the two Helen Frankenthaler's exhibits at The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA. Sure I knew her work and had seen a number of her paintings scattered here and there throughout different museums but it always struck me as just a part of a larger movement of art from the last half of the 20th century. How ignorant that sounds, doesn't it?
Still it was a major show and only an hour away. The Boston Globe was calling her work "fearless". Didn't I owe it to myself to see it and try to learn more? When else would I get such a wonderful opportunity? It was a rainy Tuesday what could be better? So my DH and I went on an adventure. After all my studio in Shelburne Falls is only about an hour from The Clark.
The woodcuts in the first exhibit No Rules were amazing. So many different colors. So complex and yet so cohesive. Such large works. Sure, I didn't understand all of them. Did I really get the snow on the pines in the woodcut by the same name? No. But the large and I mean large blue woodcut with so many colors and the trees--I could have lingered for hours. Still it didn't hit me I should take pictures to study and absorb. There are quilts waiting to be made after I digest the magnificence of these works.
Then it was on the paintings in the other building. As in Nature. And all I can say is WOW!!!
These works were huge and powerful. Beautifully displayed and so much going on. It was hard to absorb them all. There was Tethys with its darker spaces. Almost a story there. When I glanced at the explanation I could see it was based on a mythical story which I didn't absorb but just looked at those complex colors and strange shapes almost going into another space.
The more intimate Birth of the Blues.
The expanse of Off White Square. So big and majestic and powerful. It took up its own wall.
I lingered at Scorpio. One of those works that demanded study and being. Such amazing colors. So many wonderful shapes.
Just look at the wonderful details in this painting.
What is not to love about these colors and shapes. The motion that echoes throughout.
And the story that wants to be told. Don't you love how it is all connected in its own way?
Oh there is so much here. I want to go back again and again while the show is still here until I learn all that I can. Then maybe they will become part of my language. Have you seen it yet? What did you think? The woodcut show No Rules runs until September 24 and the painting show As in Nature goes until October 9. For more information on the Clark Art Museum http://www.clarkart.edu/museum/overview
Still it was a major show and only an hour away. The Boston Globe was calling her work "fearless". Didn't I owe it to myself to see it and try to learn more? When else would I get such a wonderful opportunity? It was a rainy Tuesday what could be better? So my DH and I went on an adventure. After all my studio in Shelburne Falls is only about an hour from The Clark.
The woodcuts in the first exhibit No Rules were amazing. So many different colors. So complex and yet so cohesive. Such large works. Sure, I didn't understand all of them. Did I really get the snow on the pines in the woodcut by the same name? No. But the large and I mean large blue woodcut with so many colors and the trees--I could have lingered for hours. Still it didn't hit me I should take pictures to study and absorb. There are quilts waiting to be made after I digest the magnificence of these works.
Then it was on the paintings in the other building. As in Nature. And all I can say is WOW!!!
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| As in Nature--the paintings of Helen Frankenthaler at the Clark 2017 |
These works were huge and powerful. Beautifully displayed and so much going on. It was hard to absorb them all. There was Tethys with its darker spaces. Almost a story there. When I glanced at the explanation I could see it was based on a mythical story which I didn't absorb but just looked at those complex colors and strange shapes almost going into another space.
 |
| Tethys by Helen Frankenthaler |
The more intimate Birth of the Blues.
 |
| Birth of the Blues--Helen Frankenthaler |
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| Off White Square--Helen Frankenthaler |
I lingered at Scorpio. One of those works that demanded study and being. Such amazing colors. So many wonderful shapes.
 |
| Scorpio--Helen Frankenthaler |
Just look at the wonderful details in this painting.
 |
| Detail--Scorpio--Helen Frankenthaler |
What is not to love about these colors and shapes. The motion that echoes throughout.
 |
| Detail--Scorpio--Helen Frankenthaler |
And the story that wants to be told. Don't you love how it is all connected in its own way?
 |
| Detail--Scorpio--Helen Frankenthaler |
Monday, July 17, 2017
"it comes through me"
Recently I attended a business meeting at the Three Sisters Sanctuary in Goshen, MA. One of those places I have driven by for many many years. Always meaning to stop but it is so close. So convenient. I never made the effort. Still I was curious. Finally I had the perfect excuse.
The place was even more fantastic and imaginative than I thought. So many great spaces with dragons and butterflies,
ladies waiting,
dancing children
And the rocks. So hard to capture on camera but they were the stars. Set around spaces for meditation and celebration. I wanted to just wander quietly and revisit them one at a time. Run my hands over them. Pause and commune with them. Then examine all the wonderful mementos that had been left by others. Absorb the space.
It became even more special when the creator of this space explained his vision. How it kept growing. Each new addition flowing out of him. The rocks that positioned themselves just right to create the perfect feeling. One place where he said he could feel the push pull of two rocks interacting with each other. The stories. Even the sorrow that inspired the initial vision and that grew as others added their stories and their sorrows and joy to the whole.
Isn't that in part what art is? Something that comes from beyond ourselves and can communicate to others. That taps into the universal and lets us all get a bit of a glimpse of the larger story that is beyond words.
And now that I have stopped by once, I know I must return and absorb it in my own way and with my own vision. Have you been to the Three Sisters Sanctuary? Do you have a space like this near you? Have you stopped and learned some of its mysteries and voices? Does the art come through you? For more info on Three Sisters:threesisterssanctuary.com
The place was even more fantastic and imaginative than I thought. So many great spaces with dragons and butterflies,
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| butterfly--Three Sisters Sanctuary--Ann Brauer |
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| lady--Three Sisters Sanctuary--Ann Brauer |
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| Dancing girl--Three Sisters Sanctuary--Ann Brauer |
And the rocks. So hard to capture on camera but they were the stars. Set around spaces for meditation and celebration. I wanted to just wander quietly and revisit them one at a time. Run my hands over them. Pause and commune with them. Then examine all the wonderful mementos that had been left by others. Absorb the space.
 |
| Memento--Three Sisters Sanctuary--Ann Brauer |
It became even more special when the creator of this space explained his vision. How it kept growing. Each new addition flowing out of him. The rocks that positioned themselves just right to create the perfect feeling. One place where he said he could feel the push pull of two rocks interacting with each other. The stories. Even the sorrow that inspired the initial vision and that grew as others added their stories and their sorrows and joy to the whole.
Isn't that in part what art is? Something that comes from beyond ourselves and can communicate to others. That taps into the universal and lets us all get a bit of a glimpse of the larger story that is beyond words.
And now that I have stopped by once, I know I must return and absorb it in my own way and with my own vision. Have you been to the Three Sisters Sanctuary? Do you have a space like this near you? Have you stopped and learned some of its mysteries and voices? Does the art come through you? For more info on Three Sisters:threesisterssanctuary.com
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| Forest person--Three Sisters Sanctuary--Ann Brauer |
Saturday, June 10, 2017
finally June!!!--day 18
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| july!!!--about 24x50"--quilt--Ann Brauer 2016 |
Sunday, June 4, 2017
you never know what may happen--day 13
Many many years ago--just before I got my studio in Shelburne Falls--a group of some of my favorite artists decided to try a tour of our various studios in the West County area. What fun it was working with all these artists to plan the event and see their studios. What a lot of work it was. We sent out a mailing list, press releases, put up signs.
At this time I was working in the basement of my DH's house so he even put a door in. I cleaned my space. Made some form of munchie and then I waited. Gradually cars showed up. Not a lot but enough. After all, the studios were scattered over many winding country roads and you had to be dedicated to make it to all the places.
Still I had a few sales and met some great people--both the other artists and the customers. A couple months later I bought my studio in Shelburne Falls and my studio was now open to the public most of the time.
Last year I was working in my studio--not the same studio but that is a story for another day--when a couple walked in. They had actually been to my studio in the country those years ago. Finally they had their house at the end of the world. Their business was established. And now it was time to begin decorating their house with local art. How honored I was that they chose my quilt "rainbows of autumn" to reflect the view from their home.
How much it confirmed my belief that you never know when that next casual conversation may be remembered for years until finally they have the perfect space for your work.
At this time I was working in the basement of my DH's house so he even put a door in. I cleaned my space. Made some form of munchie and then I waited. Gradually cars showed up. Not a lot but enough. After all, the studios were scattered over many winding country roads and you had to be dedicated to make it to all the places.
Still I had a few sales and met some great people--both the other artists and the customers. A couple months later I bought my studio in Shelburne Falls and my studio was now open to the public most of the time.
Last year I was working in my studio--not the same studio but that is a story for another day--when a couple walked in. They had actually been to my studio in the country those years ago. Finally they had their house at the end of the world. Their business was established. And now it was time to begin decorating their house with local art. How honored I was that they chose my quilt "rainbows of autumn" to reflect the view from their home.
How much it confirmed my belief that you never know when that next casual conversation may be remembered for years until finally they have the perfect space for your work.
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| rainbows of autumn--quilt--ann brauer--photo by John Polak |
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