The Art Blog

Turquoise Dream - encaustic w/mixed media 2010 Studio Update: I shipped this little gem off yesterday and today I am putting the finishing touches on a commission that I will install this weekend. I am almost caught up now with my studio schedule. I still have to wrap up the five paintings that will be going to the Alexis Hotel (I will post images of this work soon) and then start preparing panels for my July show in Sun Valley. I may have to hire a studio intern this year but feeling very fortunate to have my work in such demand. To top it all off it’s a sunny January day here in Seattle. Miracles continue…

This painting was recently acquired by the Swedish Medical Center The Swedish Medical Center in Seattle just purchased another one of my paintings for their permanent collection. They now have two of my pieces and I am thrilled and honored to be included in such an important corporate collection. I had a special request to create a nest piece and this is the result. Studio Update: These rainy Seattle days are keeping me inside the studio. I just finished up a commission and have a few more to complete for some very patient collectors. I will post the final images soon.

Bookscape detail by Katya Marritz First Thursday Art Walk is tonight and here are a few shows worth mentioning. The first is a series of “Bookscapes” by Seattle artist, Katya Marritz. She is creating her own kind if visual poetry as she folds and sews these literary classics into textured and compelling sculptural statements. Marritz’s Bookscapes will be on display at the Zeitgeist Café now through Feb 3rd. Scroll down to see more images of these lovely book sculptures. Bookscapes by Katya Marritz on display at the Zeitgeist Cafe thru Feb 3rd Also on my priority list for tonight is an exhibition presented by the Catherine Person Gallery featuring the work of Jessica Drenk and Patrick Kelley . Right: Patrick Kelley "untitled" 2009 -  Left: 2005 sculpture by Jessica Drenk  Drenk is an inventive sculptor and has a talent for reinventing everyday ordinary objects and transforming them into delicate and compelling artifacts. She uses toilet paper,...

  Spotlight - featured emerging artist - Barbara Dunshee Prince Heap 2006 - porcelain, oxides, milk paint The Studio - January 1, 2010 -  filled with works-in-progress. A friend and I were talking about the New Year and the tradition of making resolutions. Instead of making resolutions for change my friend is going to state her intentions for the new year ahead. I like that idea so much that I am making my own list of intentions for 2010. In 2010 I intend to be very productive. I have one of my busiest art schedules ever this year and I welcome all the wonderful opportunities that have opened up for me. I have a solo show in July at the Gilman Contemporary and I will be participating in several group shows and working on commissions over the next twelve months. The Alexis Hotel in Seattle will feature my work from 4/1 to 8/3 2010 I will have work on display in the Alexis Hotel in Seattle from April 1st to August 3rd in a show curated by Barb...

The Christmas Dress 2009 It’s a tradition in our home to celebrate the season in an unconventional way. This year instead of a tree we setup a Christmas Dress. It’s an old mannequin that I transformed into a holiday gown with evergreens, ornaments and feathers. Another tradition in our neighborhood is the parade of Christmas boats – I love seeing the lights reflected on the water and they play holiday music that echoes out over the Puget Sound. It really put me in the spirit. I'll be spending my holidays painting in the studio so I will post some images of new work soon. Until then I am wishing you all Happy Holidays and a joyful New Year.

Margie Livingston, Folded Painting Small 2009 - Greg Kucera Gallery Last week I trekked out to soak up some area art shows and here are a few highlights. Starting with one of the bright spots from the 1st Thursday gallery walk : Margie Livingston at the Greg Kucera Gallery . The exhibit is titled Riff – New Paintings , and features a mix of 2d and 3d works. In some of her pieces Livingston removes the sub-straight entirely: no canvas, no paper and no wood to support her paintings – just pure paint as in this piece above titled Folded Painting . Not to take away from her works on canvas that are very captivating and when seen with her “paint sculptures” they take on a new depth. She started creating 3d objects to inform her paintings and now has come full circle with the paintings becoming three dimensional objects. The show runs until December 24th. Margie Livingston, Folded Painting Big 2009 - Greg Kucera Gallery Margie Livingston, Paint Line 2009 - Greg Kucer...

Robert E. Marx. The Red Bishop, 2009. Oil on linen. 20 x 16 inches. O n display now at the Davidson Gallery As the month comes to a close it means a new rotation of gallery artists will open for the First Thursday Art Walk next week. Before it comes down I highly recommend the November show at the Davidson Gallery featuring the work of Robert Marx . His work is fantastic and has a compelling naive quality to it. My Second Nature show also closes this Saturday so if you planned on seeing the exhibition you only have a few days remaining to see the entire show. Some of my favorite pieces sold so when the show comes down the paintings will be gone to their new homes. For updates on the gallery check out the new Pacini Lubel Gallery Blog. Robert E. Marx. Shaman, 1986. Oil on linen. 34 x 26 inches. Living in a state of gratitude is not always easy but this time of year when we are reminded to give thanks I am counting my blessings. These are some of the things that I am celebr...