'All Things Great & Small' Exhibition

I was recently contacted by Jeff Cooley of The Cooley Gallery in Old Lyme, Connecticut and asked if I would be interested in submitting some work for their annual small works exhibition. This year it is being combined with their annual 'Dear Santa' exhibition and thus titled 'All Things Great & Small'. I thought that was rather clever. And I was very flattered and happy to oblige them.

November 17, 2011 through January 3, 2012

On their website, Jeff Cooley describes Cooley Gallery's focus (partial excerpt):

While a primary interest of mine is the mid-19th century painters of the Hudson River School, we are inevitably linked as well to the painters of the Old Lyme Art Colony. Our proximity to the Florence Griswold Museum, one of our nations true gems of the museum world, has helped to promote the awareness and interest in the region's artists....

......

....Our move to a public space in Old Lyme, however, opened up myriad opportunities to present significant shows. We were also able to integrate contemporary representational art into our program.

From our extensive art and antiques show circuit, as well as our own exhibition schedule, to the various publications we produce, our mission has remained constant: to bring the very best quality art, regardless of the renown of the artist, to as many people in as fun and as welcoming a way as possible.

I had a chance to browse through their wonderful collection of artists past and present. It's quite impressive and eclectic and includes living artists such as Lisa Barsumian (Monotypes! I have long collected printmaker's works. A favorite of mine since dabbling in it in college and a dying art that shouldn't be, in my opinion.), Niamh Butler, Jefferson Hayman (Urban subjects, still life and silver gelatin print. Can't go wrong, there!), Walter Rane (I really do love urban subjects in art. Can never get enough.) and Maurice Sapiro.

For the exhibition, Jeff selected the following three works of mine:

From left to right: 'The Three Graces', 'Salt & Pepper' and 'An Overwhelming Majority'. All at 6"x6" in oil on hardboard panel except the two coin paintings also include actual antique dollar bills collaged onto their surface. I could paint the coins but there was no way I could manage to paint replicas of those intricate little bills. Uh uh. Not happening. I had never thought about putting them together before, but when I did, they actually looked like quite a handsome little trio! My not-so-humble opinion, of course. ;o)

The opening reception for 'All Things Great & Small' takes place Thursday, November 17th from 5pm to 8pm. If you are in the area, stop by and say hello for me!

Macaron Study IV

'Macaron Study IV' - 6" x 6" - oil on 1.5" gallery wrapped canvas - SOLD

The last of the four part series featuring these particular macarons; the circus tent macarons, as I like to call them. Now, onto other forms of culinary-delights-meet-canvas-torture.

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Eggshell Study - 'Odd Man Out'

'Odd Man Out' - 6"x6" - oil on 1.5" gallery wrapped canvas (no framing required)

SOLD

The title comes from the fact that only one egg is left unbroken in the carton. I took the photo for this the other morning while making breakfast. Am I the only one who marvels at the uniqueness of each shell, some speckled, some pale, others wobbly and oddly shaped as if the poor hen really broke a sweat in getting that one out? Anybody? Just me? Okay then. Moving right along.

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Artist.Blog.Critique

Today I received an email from Tony Moffitt of Artist.Blog.Critique. If you haven't checked out his blog, do so. He's written up some very detailed reviews of several artists so far, a few of which I am already familiar with and very fond of, such as Michael Naples, Jacqueline Gnott and Stephen Magsig.

Tony was very kind to write a review of my work as well, and even more kind in his remarks. To be truthful, I blushed when I read it. I am deeply flattered. An excerpt from his post reads:

"The paintings of coke bottles, stacked glass jars, wine glasses and bottles are simply a stunning testimony to the artist's talent and powers of observation. Faunce combines her unique 'close up' views with a skill to easily match the most complex of artistic challenges.

Scrolling down through the images posted on the blog is a real delight. 'Glass & Floral I', 'Glass & Floral III', 'Gomphrena in Blue Glass', and 'Color Therapy' are must-see paintings. They are outstanding examples of contemporary realism art."

Another thing that happens when my work gets write-ups in blogs or in print, is that I am reminded to keep to my A game. I don't freak out. I don't lose my cool. But I remember that there are people out there paying attention to what I do, and I want to give them the best viewing experience possible. I want what I paint to have a positive impact. Tony's post both affirms that and also challenges me to continue to put forth my best effort. Thank you, Tony!