Last Week for Conversations in Paint

Conversations in Paint: Danielson, Hamje and Gagnon at Vermillion on 11th between Pike and Pine closes on Saturday. Be sure to stop by and check it out before the end of the week. 

Mixing it Up

Do you put cereal into your bowl first when making breakfast in the morning? Consider mixing it up by putting the milk in first. The result may just be a more nimble mind. According a new study reported by Tom Jacobs on the Miller-McCune blog,  changing the order in which you perform routine tasks such as making breakfast or building your favorite sandwich can open up your thinking and allow for more creativity. Who would have thought!

Britches by Julie Alexander

Britches, Julie Alexander, 2011, oil (image used with permission of the artist)

This is my favorite painting by Julie Alexander in her show at IMA Gallery. Today's the last day of the show so catch it quick.

Sarah and Evan Make Magical Music

Last night in the back of Vermillion Gallery and Bar, surrounded by soft light and old-brick walls, Sarah Charles on vocals and Evan Flory-Barnes on bass, shared a mix of classic jazz and original compositions by Sarah. It felt like a conversation between old friends. In truth they had originally met by chance in New York City the week before. Sarah was in Seattle for the first time and Evan was home. Yet after only an hour of practice they put together a set of music that was nuanced, lyrical and accomplished. 

You could have argued that it was Sarah's show - she had flown in to play in the gallery where her aunt, Marie Gagnon, had curated a show, and yet they shared the stage equally with a respect and generosity that was palpable. The resulting music left the audience completely charmed, and continually delighted and surprised. The hour-long set felt like 15 minutes because it went by so quickly. These two clearly have a future together on stage and both have long careers ahead of them. 

Sarah will be heading back to NYC soon but Evan plays around town when he's not on tour. Be sure to check him out. Maybe I'll see you there. And Sarah plays around NYC so if you're ever in the Big Apple look her up.

About Painting

Painting is assessing. Painting asks nothing of me except to question until an honest conclusion has been reached. 

Jazz and Art at Vermillion on Thursday

I received this e-mail today from Marie Gagnon and am passing it along here:

For over four years I've yearned to have a Sarah Charles jazz performance combined with an exhibit of my paintings...craving a melding of art and jazz.  Surprisingly, over a week ago, this dream has become a reality.   I am thrilled to announce an evening of Jazz and Art.

Thursday, February 23, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Vermillion Art Gallery and Bar

1508 11th Ave

Seattle WA 98122

www.vermillionseattle.com

Sarah Elizabeth Charles is a vocalist and composer based out of New York City. Her musical stylings are unique and the intricacies to her art focus on modernizing classics and composing distinctive originals. The Vermillion show is the first time that Sarah will be performing her original compositions/arrangements as a duo with renowned Seattle-based bassist Evan Flory-Barnes. Combining this debut artistic presentation with the paintings of Seattle artists Marie Gagnon, Sue Danielson and Laura Hamje, in "Conversations in Paint: Danielson, Hamje and Gagnon" will make for an eclectic evening of art, jazz, soul, and folk. Two of Sarahs's performances: *w/ The Jesse Elder Group Live at the Blue Note NYC-April 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09rtyeSDN6s *S.E.Charles Quartet Live-November 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO2pcd0vplE *Evan Flory-Barnes website: http://evanflorybarnes.com/

Artist Talk

Instrument, mixed-media, 2012, Sue Danielson

Please join Therese Kunzi-Clark and me tomorrow at 1:00 pm when we talk about our current exhibitions, Amalgamate and The Truth of What I See at Core Gallery. See you there!

More Painting Shows to See in Seattle

Here are three more painting shows that I highly recommend you see this month:

Emily Gherard and Michael Howard at Francine Seders Gallery. I'll be back to see this one weekly until it ends. Killer!

Kimberly Trowbridge at Plastile Frames. I haven't made it to see this show in person yet but Kimberly is one of the best painters in town so it will be a treat when I do.

I also haven't gotten to see Julie Alexander at I M A Gallery but from what I can see on line, this is a new body of work based upon tree bark is wonderfully abstract and beautifully painted. It's a departure from Julie's prior work and I'm anxious to see it in person.

I'm still looking around. Let me know if there are any other shows in Seattle that I shouldn't miss.

The Truth of What I See, Virtually

Thank you to Bradford Bohonus for shooting these (here and here) virtual reality photographs at Core Gallery of both my show, The Truth of What I See, and sculptor and photographer, Therese Kunz-Clark's show, Amalgamate. You can, of course, see them in person through February 25.

Let The Conversation Continue

One of the most exciting aspects of last night's opening at Vermillion was the unexpected surprise generated by our decision to hang the work salon-style in multiple groupings, based solely on how the work interacted with each other. The result was that we had so many great conversations with so many interesting people. Thank you to everyone who came and talked about painting and art. May that conversation continue long after this show is over.

Opening at Vermillion Tonight

The installation with Marie Gagnon and Laura Hamje is almost done.

Please join us tonight at the opening of Conversations in Paint: Danielson, Hamje and Gagnon at Vermillion Gallery during the Capitol Hill Art walk from 6-8 pm. Thanks to The Stranger for the recommendation.

Participating with Marie Gagnon and Laura Hamje in this show has been one of the best collaborative experiences I have had. It's a thrill to have my work share the walls with these two terrific painters. Marie curated this show and brought us together. Diana Adams at Vermillion generously agreed to host us.

Heighten by Julia Hensley at University Heights

Check this out! Heighten is an installation project by Julia Hensley, who "treats the interior of this beloved, 110-years old former school building as a canvas for a vast, site-specific collage painting." Ongoing during the month of February at University Heights, 5031 University Way NE in Seattle.
You can visit Julia on Saturday, February 11, 11-2. There will also be live music, wine and snacks at the opening reception on Friday, February 17 from 6-8. Closing reception, Friday, March 16. For more information go here. (all images used by permission of the artist).

About Another Last Night

Good weather brought out the crowds last night in Pioneer Square for First Thursday Art Walk. The gallery was pretty much full all night. A big, warm, sloppy kiss to all of you who made it to Core Gallery, old friends and new.

Putting together an exhibition is a group endeavour. While it's true that the paintings are my creation, getting them to the walls of the gallery requires many hands. First and foremost, thank you to my husband, Dave, for his undying support. You might have seen him wandering around the gallery with a camera last night. He always documents my openings, one of his many talents.  Many thanks to the members of my monthly critic group of four years running, to Robert Hardgrave who helped to install the show, and to Art & Soul Photography for taking such wonderful documentary photographs of my work. Thank you also to the many friends who have backed me up along the way.