Friday, November 6, 2009

man vs nature


Today is hanging day for the show. Needless to say I am a  bit frantic. Two main pieces (including the main image represented on the postcard invitation) are not ready due to different snafus. So I sit a Starbucks waiting for them to be prepared. Here is  my artist statement prepared especially for this show.


"I have never thought of myself as an activist or environmentalist, simply as an artist who loves the outdoors.  This has changed since that one day when the bulldozers and big machines arrived in "my field." That is when I learned approximately 800 acres of forest, including large tracts of mature forest, and nearly 10 miles of streams are being destroyed to build the 18.8 mile, 6-lane toll road called the ICC (or Inter_County Connector.) Since that time I vowed to paint these fields, which I named "the forgotten fields," and record the beauty that will disappear within months.

As a painter I am drawn to the wonderful "chaos" that is a wild field.  The sweetest light of the day, the magic hours of dawn and dusk, are my chosen times to paint. Therefore each day, regardless of the weather, I tie on my hiking boots and head to the fields. I paint from life so that I can feel the poetry that is light.  Sometimes I use my smaller plein air paintings to allow me to create larger studio works.  When beginning a painting I first set the tone and value with thin washes of watercolor or oil. next I use my pastel as a glazing medium, layering one color on top of another in a translucent fashion to heighten the vibration between colors and the feeling of light. Subtle play between warm and cool colors, transparent and opague passages intrigue me.

Sublime was a term that cam to mind when painting the fields: the elevating of this classic/common northeast landscape to the greatness which it deserves. that was my mission. A mission I accepted with the love and seriousness it required.

So please take a moment and savor the timeless, bittersweet feeling of something special lost forever.

7 comments:

Donna T said...

Wow, what a heartfelt statement, Loriann. I'm sure everyone who sees these paintings will be grateful that you took the time to see the beauty before it was destroyed. Best of luck with the show!

William Weith said...

Loriann-
I like this artist statement. It's poignant, distinctive, and thoughtfully written. And, yes, you ARE an environmentalist--good on ya!
Hope the show works out well. -W

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

Beautiful work, important message. Best of luck on your great show! K.

NJ ART 73 said...

Hi Loriann,
I wish you much success with your show. I am curious as to how many or if any one "protested" this highway. What has been the public reaction to this 18.8 mile highway? I am curious because since there is so much traffic congestion in your area did anyone or an environmental group try to stop this project or reroute it? You know here in New Jersey the governors chair will switch over to the other side and I truly fear the environmental impact. There are areas where development has been restricted for good reasons and those who could profit from these limits being lifted have been waiting for this day. What troubles me about this highway in your neck of the woods is after the highway comes the strip malls. Hopefully this will not be the case.
Your paintings as always are beautiful poetic statements in color about the landscape .

loriann signori said...

Thanks about the artist's statement Donna. The opening went well thanks for your warm wishes! Sometime soon we will have to get together to paint.

Hi William! Thanks for checking my blog. The show went well. It was good to bring attention to a problem that plagues all areas. See ya soon!

Hi Katherine and a big thank you!!

Hi NJ!
It's funny you talk about the protesting aspect. From what I understood from the many people who shared stories at the show- yes people did protest, but it seems as if not enough of it was taken seriously. The actually building of this road was on the minds of the government for over 10-15 years. At this point residents thought it would never happen. It seems the early resistance and long quiet time lulled everyone into a false security.
You are right the true environmental impact is to come. Signs have already gone up announcing the building of many new houses (more fields gone) and sure enough there will be strip malls. It truly is a sad day for the universe.

Adam Cope said...

Thank you Loriann for sharing this. Sadly you're not alone in these feelings & circumstances. BTW, see the label 'artists & ecologists' on my blog.

Loriann, I've taken the liberty of linking to this post & using one of your images on my blog for a Hommage à Loriann Signori

a french tradition where fellow artists recognise other artists achievements.

loriann signori said...

As you say, sadly I am not alone. Thank you, Adam, for honoring my effort. I will go check it out now.