Art Thoughts with Judith Reidy: January 2008

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Wisconsin Percent for Art Direct Purchase of Judith Reidy's work "Looking up into Nicolet Forest"

January 9, 2008

Judith Reidy has more great news. One of my artworks have been selected for permanent display through the Percent for Art Direct Purchase Program. My piece, Looking up into Nicolet Forest, has been chosen by the DNR's North East Regional Headquarters located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. My artwork will join The State of Wisconsin Collection, a growing collection of publicly owned artworks acquired since the Percent for Art Program began in 1980.

I can’t tell you how delighted I am by the news. I have been told that the piece, with my name plate near the bottom of the frame will hang in the public eye for over 30 years, viewed by thousands of people.

I have had this piece in several shows and have always kept it in my favorite viewing place. Being one of my favorite pieces because I can get lost in the tree tops, I was a bit sad that I was going to lose this “ friend.” I am happy that it will be going to a new home at the DNR office headquarters in Northeastern Wisconsin in Green Bay. Knowing the forest will be enjoyed by those who love the woods, gives me untold pleasure.

Wed 1/16/2008 8:29 AM

Dear Judith,

Congratulations on the purchase. In the interests of full disclosure, I was on the selection panel that chose the works that were available to state agencies! Your work was well deserving of selection and that it was purchased was a testament to its quality: we looked at almost 900 works by 186 artists in 5 1/2 hours! Our selections were then made available to the agencies.

Thanks for all your help with the LMA show. The reception was well attended and went well. I'm very happy with the show.

With best wishes,

Graeme

Graeme Reid

Assistant DirectorMuseum of Wisconsin Art

300 South Sixth Avenue

West Bend, WI 53095

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

Video view from Sandrock Hostel at Malin Head on Inishownen Peninsula, Ireland

My trip in Ireland form Belfast

Downtown

What a trip it has been since last November 20, 2008 when I flew off to Ireland for a visit with my daughter in Belfast and a seven day stay in the secluded peninsula of Inishowen at Malin Head the northern most point of Ireland. To the north on a clear day one can see Scotland. To the south one sees sheep pasture lands covering bony green hills receding into the horizon.

I first will show you a few pictures of Belfast where I visited my daughter. Then I will take you for a ride into the country and to Malin Head and my little hostel Sandrock Hostel, where I sat 50 yards from the bay watching the weather change the sky and the seas and the earth by the hour.

I would return there in a heartbeat for another painting trip. I had a huge shared kitchen with a attached sitting room with a wood burning stove where I kept a warm pot of tea ready while I painted at the bay window overlooking the bay to the south that cut into the land from the Atlantic ocean to the North.

From this one spot I could see the sun rise and set on any given day. I watched the tides rise and fall exposing the rocky shore and its sea creatures.
As I slept I could hear the rush of the wind and the pounding of the waves upon the shore.
I slept like a babe.
Take a look and enjoy.