Here are the finished Ribbons without the base. The ribbon to be on display at the local Kohl's Department Store in Oak Creek in September and October, accept for a time where this sculpture and others will be along the route of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, September 25th. At the end of October there will be a national auction of the 17 sculptures, including my , Judith Reidy's 'Friends'.
I hope that my sculpture, Friends, will end up in a hospital or cancer care center to serve as an inspiration and encouragement to cancer patients and their families.
I have an idea. I am looking for an apprentice to train and work. This apprentice would observe me paint and learn to paint as well in exchange for labor. The tasks of the apprentice would be to observe me place paint on my pallet after they brought me a cup of freshly prepared latte. Throughout the day they would bring me ice water in a glass and adjust the fan on hot days. They would be taught to build canvas stretchers and stretch canvas. They could then make my stretchers and theirs. They could gesso the canvases. They can drive out to the mill and purchase frames or parts for frames and assemble them, remembering to pick up the glass and matts as well. They would take my business calls and take down messages from me for correspondence which they would prepare and send on my behalf. They could prepare lunch and supper and bring it to us for our meal.
If I wanted another chair they would get it. ....and maybe something for my feet. which might get tired since I would be standing and painting most of the day.
At the end of the day we could share a glass of wine or a beer and sit on the porch.
After 5 to 10 years depending on their progress, I would certify them as a master painter and begin bringing up my next waiting apprentice.
I began in the previous post...."As I have explored the effects of light burning away the mists, I have considered what it is in the imagery that has fascinated me..."
but that was not it.
Hearingthose rattling cages, I gather my recent work in my “From dust to Dust” series has created quite a stirring reaction from many of you, .Good!
I have been stirred up and the work is a bi-product….but the motivation behind the work may not be what you may think.I am passionate about the stunning reality of the transformations and troubles of the unsettled dust of the past several months because…
“She held out her arms and pulled me toward her…. “
In mid- December a woman arrived to be a guest in my home for the holidays.She is an unbelievable delight..always an encouragement.For one she has always been the one who said I could do anything.She was my first art patron.Everyone has a mother, even artists.
At the time of her recent arrival, she seemed more unsteady on her feet than at her last visit.As the month past, her ability to walk declined rapidly, until now her walker is her constant companion.
Her falls began daily as she would attempt to rise or sit or turn, until I stood guard spotting for her at each step.When she collapsed in my arms, I then understood I could not support her with my strength nor was I capable of being her main and only guard.
I saw time and strength slip through our fingers.
It is out of this context and the ensuing struggle that my new series “From Dust to Dust” took shape.As I wrapped my arms around her frail body and bathed her back while she clawed herself through the day in and out of her bed or chair, I saw time and strength slip through our fingers.
I ask why.I hear reasons, but they are not fitting into our Madison Avenue view of life.They are not tidy.My religious conviction prepared me, but only the reality of being with her gave me understanding.
Atnight, I tucked her into her covers, she held out her arms and pulled me toward her to gently kiss me with her quivering lips, holding me so tightly for ever so long … then whispering, “Thank you, Judy;… I love you.”
Yes from dust we came yet, most assuredly to dust we will return.While “From Dust” may declare the glory of our bodies, “Fallen Again,” returns us to the troubles of living in a world gone awry.
My mother had to move to a place where she could be assisted with every task and where staff were prepared to carry her.
A slight breeze brushes the green leaves, a reminder of summer’s crossing, the green lobes of the oak leaf polished and glistening liked waxed fruit will crinkle from water loss like the rest of nature aging, no tarted up polyurethane for you, later gawkers at your colors, leaf peepers, and you blind to adulation, knowing no one can re-live what isn’t known. But we know lost passion. It remarks on wrinkles like withering strawberries ripe and red, losing taste and succulence, not a single mouth wants you. A season can be enough to rage the soul. Memories tied to a face tattooed with mold but those are hard to understand, when words for you are the mist of warmth–– breath to push away the fate of winter.
Our gathering should provide an enriching and interesting evening this Saturday, October 17, 2009, at the Raven Gallery: the spot light being the reading of the poems by the poets and the presentation of the accompanying paintings.
I had some reflections on a wonderful discussion panel this past Friday evening at the Charles Allis Art Museum on which Graeme Reid, Michael Foster, Kattie Musloff and her dear 87 year model where members.
Though I have been a landscape painter most of my career as a painter, I have a fascination with figure work and portraiture for the very reasons they discussed that night.
Particularly, I was attracted to how Katie made her models part of her life. So often as painters we are loners who paint forms or respond to forms as if they were inanimate and we are the ones who give them life in our art. Perhaps, that is what Graeme was referring , when he asked about "objectivity" as a necessity for an artist.
I do at times appreciate when artists take a dis-interesting object and infuse it with life; i.e. paint something ugly beautifully. Nevertheless, while, I, as did the panel, recognize the need for an artist to have an objective technical understanding of the painting before him and in some measure an objective view of what painting is about in general, I often fail to be intrigued by the commonly clinical-like-view that is respected among my contemporary artists when discussing their work "objectively" or mechanically.
What appealed to me in Katie's work was the personal response and respect she maintains for and toward her models... who often become her friends. You may ask what does that have to do with painting or making great art.
In Katie's personal engagement with her models she is able sensitively to begin to connect with the humanity of her model/friends not through a mechanical process but through the her own body kinetically, perceptively and personally in drawing and painting responding to the humanity and life in her subjects before her.
I think that is what made Rembrandt great. Not only was his mind able to connect psychologically with the humanity or soul of his subject, his hand was able to kinetically capture not just the physical likeness but more significantly articulate/capture the soul or humanity before him. That is not objective, but subjective response at its best. His sensibilities matched by his skill, touch a chord that resonates over time and communicates only in the way great art does in truth. This phenomena is the attraction in making paintings and why painting and drawing will never die.
As for myself and my drawings of my mother, I found my line drawings to be very much a kinetic response to my feelings for her and about her. They go beyond a mere likeness. I felt a connection to her moods and her dilemma as an aging woman. I felt elegance and brokenness. I connected in my body with her in my physical response of making art.
What I like about my opportunity with the Lake Country Ten Artist Ten Poets One Vision Project is being able to share my painting “Leaves” based on my drawings of my mother in collaboration and response to my poet, Paula Anderson who has similar sensibilities in writing. In this project, I feel the joy and exhilaration of meaningful human connection as well as the pleasure of kinetic response in painting.
I hope you can join us this Saturday, October 17, at 7 pm at the Raven Gallery in Pewaukee, WI
Each day a square hiding the image will be removed until Judith Reidy's painting will be exposed.
click on the image below
See the painting in person at the event as well as hear Paul Anderson's inspiring poem read by the poet herself.
Judith Reidy and Paul Anderson invite you to Join us Saturday, October 17, at 7 PM at the Raven Gallery read the detailed description in Lake Country Living
Do any of you have an item you just can't throw away. Well so do I. I hold on to the memory of friendships with items we have shared together. One such item is our tea tray, which sadly broke this past Thursday while I was carrying in dinner dishes from the patio.This tray holds memories of service to friends and family served tea and special coffees and pie around the table. It holds memories of laughter and stories and heart break in summer, winter, fall .... I hope we can repair it. Most of all it was made by my husband some twenty plus years ago.I have other such memory with a recipe storage book that is falling to pieces. It was a wedding shower gift from one of my favorite aunts, Aunt Christine, whose middle name I have. As a young girl, I was impressed with her kindness and elegance. She taught me how to set a table. She taught me how to create things. She taught be that I could create beautiful things. Yet the recipe book cover itself is more sweet than I prefer, every time I use it I think of her.
Walkway 11" x 14" Oil on Canvas on exhibition at the Cedarburg Cultural Center in the CedarburgPlein Air Event June 25-26 silent auction June 27 open sale exhibit through July 5 Starting bid $250 Retail if not sold in auction $375
This painting I finished in the morning at 2 AM so I am counting this painting for today. I painted at night on the corner of Columbia and Washington in Cedarburg at their AnnualPlein Air Painting competition.
Waterpump 11" x 14" unframed oil on exhibition at the Cedarburg Cultural Center in the Cedarburg Plein Air Event June 25-26 silent auction June 27 open sale exhibt through July 5 Starting bid $250 Retail if not sold in auction $375
Back of reality building on Washington north of Village Hall
You are receiving this mail because someone read a page at The Story from American Public Media and thought it might interest you.
It is sent by judithreidy@sbcglobal.net with the following comment: "I heard this program this past Friday and thought it presented two stunning stories, one about a father's love for his children and the second the desire of a young man's love for his father. I found it very interesting how the young man grew up always longing for time with a busy father who left the family when he was seven. It was interesting how the father and he came together when the father retired.
Listen to the stories yourself."
A Son, a Dad, and a Treasured Friend
A father of eleven reunites with the man who helped him settle and gain citizenship in the States. Also, the restoration of an old building brings life back to a father-son relationship.
Today, I took my small inflatable boat onto to Kelly Lake, rowed across the lake and tied my boat to a raft and began this painting. I worked on it until the rain came down heavily. Then I rowed to shore loaded the boat and went home.
This secluded lake is a hidden gem in Hales Corners... my little Eden where I can go to decompress.
Oliver is Rescued At first I felt it was a lost cause, but due to your supportive, non-judgmental comments, I kept hoping the cat could be returned to us. I made and distributed fliers, scouted the neighborhood and after all else failed prayed. Thank you for your suggestions, and support and most of all thank you for encouraging me to pray!!!!! You reminded me that, "Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows..." James 1:17f You , your good advice, and your kindness is a another gift in my life.
Indoor Cats can get very scared when they are lost outside, CATATONIC scared. They try to hide in bushes or in some secluded site. They are often so afraid that they won’t come near even their owners. They can scratch or bite out of fear. Oliver, our cat, normally is very loving and gently persistent, but has a skittish nature in strange new environments...like being outside or with strangers. Normally he hides when strangers visit. He has been friendly with a few. If you see him, please call us at 414-529-1624 We live at 5715 South 115th Street Hales Corners, WI
I had a great time going through our old family photos when I was preparing the life display poster for my son's high school graduation. Here he is held by his sister in a garden at the Milwaukee domes.
6" x 7.5" Watercolor on Paper $50 print Original not for Sale
Back several years ago, I took an advanced drawing and anatomy class with Stephan Samerjan (now retired) at UW- Milwaukee. I was inspired by the volume of work he demanded of us, the freedom he gave us to explore and the conversations and class critiques in a fresh way.
I had begun doing a series of line drawings of my mother catching her various moods with a few strokes. It was like writing poetry sketches, fluid yet sharp and clear catching a life of their own. I have talked about expanding that figurative series with color. But because I have always done landscape painting and even Plein Air landscape painting once the magic of the classes influence passed, I fell back into my old habits of doing landscape imagery. Yet the desire to return and expand the exploration of the figure remained with me. Now the last week's busyness forced me to do what I always wanted to do all along. Now I am making expressions with the figure.
Young Actor for Spanky 6" x 7.25 " Watercolor on Paper $75
I actually am having a relaxing time with this painting. After hosting my son's High School Graduation Party this weekend, I am enjoying working from one of my son's younger days photos.
This weekend marks a MAJOR milestone in my life - my youngest son's graduation from highschool, probably up there with my wedding day and the birth fo my first child or the death of my father. Many of you may not be aware that I had homeschool our four children. Raising and teaching these children was an act of love and my major creative enterprise for over 28 years. I had some of my greatest joys and most wounding experiences in this role as mother and teacher. The goal of teaching was to put myself out of a job. My other more important goal was for my children to have a sense of calling and service to God and their fellow man. Yet another goal was for them to be both kind and happy in being kind. I have not succeded in all these goals, yet in some measure there was some sucess for them. Now my role has changed. I officially have retired as teacher. This weekend's Graduation Ceremony marked the end of an era and a new beginning. To many of you I wish to thank you for sharing with me this time.
I am now going to restructure my life, assess my activities and reprioritize my time. It is an exciting time. This photo I found while my son and I were preparing a photo display board of my son Caleb's life. I found a few others that I would like to use as source materials for other paintings.
