I love the occasional rainy day, like today. I developed an affinity for the rain during my college days at Oregon State University. (I even have a playlist called Rainy Days on my ipod.) Rainy days tend to be productive and contemplative for me... not sure why, maybe it is the noise of the rain on the roof. I like the view from beneath a hood. And then there's the intriguing smell of rain, also known as petrichor. So, back to work!
I went to see "Glass: a portrait of Philip in twelve parts" last week. It was fascinating to see the creative process of a composer documented -- so foreign to me -- however much of what he said about his work was quite relevant to all artistic endeavors. I was amazed that he could compose with an open window amidst the noise of New York and with children running just outside his office. He said music runs like a river below the surface of his life. He does not imagine the piece of music, he has to listen carefully for it as it comes to him and get it down on paper. His level of focus and productivity is huge and inspiring. Interviews and comments from Chuck Close, Martin Scorsese, and Woody Allen, as well as his family, were quite revealing. Discussions of the work he has done in scoring film and opera brought out his thoughts on collaboration. Even his spiritual practices were included. Glass is just as complex and interesting as you would imagine him to be upon hearing his music... I highly recommend the film.
I'm pleased that one of my collages has been juried into the All Colorado Art Show at the Curtis Center for the Arts and Humanities. "Rising Sun" is composed of fragments of contemporary imagery and joss paper and measures 20 x 16." The show will be on view from June 13 to July 31, 2009. An opening reception will be held June 13th from 5 - 7 pm.
I've donated two small collages from the Circular Series for an auction to benefit the Denver School of the Arts Department of Dance and Movement. My daughter has been fortunate enough to attend this public magnet school as a dance major for the past seven years and will graduate in May. The silent auction will be held in conjunction with the spring dance concert, "Flourish," on the evenings of May 1st and 2nd, 2009. All proceeds go toward student scholarships for summer dance training. Both pieces are 10 x 8 x 1", collages on wood panel composed of contemporary recycled imagery and found papers. Collage at left is titled "Arc," at right is "Around."