Lasting Impressions

All's Well ~ 18" x 24" ~ mixed media on wood panel

Shy Greeting ~ 16" x 16" ~ mixed media on wood panel
Lasting Impressions

Look at the slight valley of the horse between haunch and shoulder,
recalling its rider and the low hills between. Form never forgets.
Though they are free to be real horses not obscured by work,
not pull anything, they must think hard to do nothing but remember
their lovers to run the low hills and dream and eat up green landscape.
He thinks of her and the way part of him still sinks down the cushions
when he's gone. A few remembering shapes linger till the foam or feathers
take a deep breath and remember what they were. If he comes back soon
he may not be quite missing, indentations rising as if still getting up.
When he leaves he feels her still on him, a loving cinch like the feel of hat,
the hat gone.

- Allan Peterson

Cars were once known as horseless carriages. Although many people ride horses for recreation, there are also many places around the world where horses and other animals are the primary mode of transportation. These two paintings are based on some small acrylic studies I did a while back, and I actually used transfers of my original horse images in these new works. They are part of my show, Subject to Change, which opens tonight.

Subject to Change

I haven’t been around much for few weeks, but I have a pretty good excuse. I’ve been spending all my time painting for my show (the opening reception is Saturday), and save for a few final details - varnish, hardware, cards, catalog - I’m just about ready! I’m showing 15 paintings in all, and I must say that I’m happy with each one.

Focusing on a specific goal – in this case my first solo show – has reaffirmed the pure joy I feel when I immerse myself in creating art, and has also allowed me to experience the magic that happens when I have a plan and a concept for a body of work. I found working in a series to be empowering and synergistic… each new piece seemed to grow out of the one before, and I still have so many “unborn” paintings waiting their turn! And what’s even cooler is that I could feel when it was time to move in another direction, so I am actually showing two mini-series –one figurative and the other landscapes. The show is called Subject to Change, an apt title in so many ways.

My next projects include finally getting my website up and running and investigating more opportunities for showing and selling my work. I’m also looking forward to summer and uninterrupted art time… time to create those imagined paintings, take workshops with three very different artists and explore new techniques… I can’t wait!

My show runs from May 25 through June 24, with the opening reception on Saturday, May 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. Stop by if you're in the neighborhood! More info here.