Monday, May 14, 2012

3 Artists and a Conversation

Just getting set up for the event. Anne M. Bray's work can be seen in
the center background and Betty Sheinbaum's just glimpsed to the right.

We had a lovely audience for Saturday's Art Spoken Here event at TAG Gallery, and so many attended that we ran out of chairs. Here's a recap.

Gallery director Laura Korman began by announcing the exhibition’s three parts: Echo – representing Ann M. Bray’s revisiting of her work from the ‘70s, Eco, for my Murmuration series, and Econ, Betty Sheinbaum’s paintings about local people and our economy.

Laura asked why we choose to work in specific media? For us it boiled down to the benefits or drawbacks of oil versus acrylic, and digital versus hand drawn. I find it really interesting that there are a variety of opinions among us.

We were asked about our creative process in general and whether how or where we grew up had an influence on our becoming artists. And, what is an important turning point in our career? 

We were asked what other professions we've had and how that has impacted our work. Anne works in textile design, Betty was a sculptor, using car parts as material. I feel that my background in visual effects helped bolster my creativity, sharpen my eye and keep my hand skilled.


I got a chance to explain that Spooky Action at a Distance and Quantum Entanglement are both names for the same theory in Quantum Physics, that describes the way things that are physically apart from each other influence each other’s actions even though there is no visible or known connection.

I learned a lot about the other artists, that Betty went back to school in her sixties when she could no longer do sculpture due to physical impediments, that Anne is inspired by the Hudson River Valley school of painters, among others, that Betty’s favorite contemporary painter is Diebenkorn.

Our biggest fear as artists? The pressures of time, for Anne the hours of daylight and productivity versus down time, for me, not having enough time to get it all done, and for Betty, the fear of showing work.

Betty also spoke about the experience of being a founding member of TAG.

Finally, there were some great questions from the audience, with one gentleman asking how artists can deal with the discouragement that can come from frustration. We advocated patience and fortitude, putting the work away and coming back later with a fresh eye, and taking a nap.

More photos here on TAG's Facebook album.


Monday, May 07, 2012

Questions and Conversations on Saturday, May 12

Katherine Kean, Quantum Entanglement, original oil painting, contemporary, gray blue, murmuration  phenomena, ocean, sky, wave,  flocking bird storm, ethereal, two  piece modular, large, marine
Quantum Entanglement © 2012 Katherine Keanoil on linen, modular 40 x 60' over 8 x 60"
Curious about how the work is made? Questions about the process, the background? Join me this weekend, along with Betty Sheinbaum; 99% & Counting, and Anne M Bray; Pattern Recognition II, for an informal talk with queries posed by gallery director Laura Korman, plus any questions you might have.

 Conversations with the Artists 
Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 3PM
TAG Gallery, Bergamot Station 
2525 Michigan Avenue, D3 
Santa Monica, CA 90404


Monday, April 30, 2012

Murmuration Opening Reception


Thanks to everyone who could come out to the opening reception of Murmuration this weekend. I love this time of year when the sun stays out until nearly 8 pm and this weekend we had some of the nicest weather. I had a great time greeting friends and meeting lovely, new people.

 A part of this exhibition is a modular grid of small paintings that can be moved around to change the choreography of the flock. Next to this hang two pairs of white gloves and this label:

 The Bird By Bird Series can be grouped in sequential order, or re-arranged to suit. Please feel free to change the order. Move any of these paintings within the group, altering the overall configuration as you envision it. Each shift changes the choreography of the flock, the shape of the clouds, and the story of the murmuration. 

 I was pleased to see people step up and don the gloves and set about re-designing within the grid's
configuration.


I hope to get photographs of all of the various configurations people come up
with as the exhibition progresses.

In the meantime, you can see more photos here, on my Facebook page.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Behind the Scenes

Murmuration is now installed and open for viewing. Installation day was Sunday. For the first time in years I was able to fit all of my artwork in my own vehicle partly because I have a car with cargo space now and partly due to the modular nature of most of the pieces.

Below, installation genius Ellen Starr is about to add the wall lettering, while Anne M Bray, whose Pattern Recognition II runs concurrently, speaks with visitors. I love that people like to come in and look around while installation is in progress, sidestepping discarded bubble wrap, not minding booby traps such as wet paint, assorted step ladders.


Zabrina takes care of filing. I have her to thank for the organization level of all my paperwork. Perhaps she'll learn the alphabet one day. In the meantime she uses her own, secret method.

Bear adds his calming presence.

Murmuration: April 24 - May 19 2012
TAG Gallery, Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan Avenue, D3
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-829-9556

 Hours: 11am - 5pm Tuesday - Saturday
 Sunday: noon - 4pm

 Opening reception: Saturday April 28 5-8pm

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Complete Murmuration Preview Online

Bird by Bird 5  ©2012  Katherine Keanoil on linen 8 x 8"
I've finished painting, more or less, although I reserve the right to make last minute changes or additions if so moved and time allows. Sometimes trying to draw the finish line on a body of work for a show is like trying to cap off a well. Ideas continue to flow while I try to ignore them. Still I know that they are percolating beneath the surface, and wondering if they will resurface at an appropriate time.

All twenty paintings are uploaded to the preview site. If you're on my email list you have the access link. If you'd like to see the online preview, you can sign up below.

I'll be posting some of the paintings on Facebook too. Feel free to drop by and join in the conversation.




Monday, April 09, 2012

Murmuration Sneak Peek: More Paintings Added

Katherine Kean, Bird by Bird 13, series of small squares, patterns of bird flight, murmuration, aerobatic, swirling cloudscape, drama, modular, red violet blue
Bird By Bird 13 ©2012 Katherine Kean
oil on linen 8 x 8"

I've added more artwork to the online sneak peek of the Murmuration exhibition. This preview is only available for newsletter subscribers. If you'd like to see it sign up by clicking the link below.



I've also updated a section that allows you to click through a few of the dozens of possible variations of ways the modular pieces can be grouped together. Each change shifts the pattern and the story of the flocking birds.

I'm down to last minute touches, painting edges, and waiting for work to dry.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Murmuration Preview is Now Online


An early sneak peek of the Murmuration exhibition is now online for newsletter subscribers. If you'd like to see it sign up by clicking the link below.


Do not worry. I will not bombard you with endless emails. Plus you can easily unsubscribe anytime you want.

Or simply wait until the show opens in April!

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