Monday, April 16, 2012

quietude











 written piece that describes this body of work:
 
Quietude-peace and serenity after times of struggle


Oftentimes we think that life should go smoothly and bring pleasure. The truth is life is made up of layers of happiness and pain, success and failure, triumph and doubts, endings and beginnings. When we take time to simply observe, we know that the beauty we experience could not exist without these layers. The paintings here are a metaphor for that journey. It was not my intent to make that metaphor; it simply imposed itself on me. The concept of “Quietude” was chosen before the struggle.

How does one create that feeling of “quietude” in an image? First I spent a considerable amount of time painting outdoors, making color notes. Later in the studio I created small color harmony studies. My goal was not to record a place, rather to understand the concept through the landscape. In the studio, each large painting was painted and scraped, lovingly glazed and then scratched down with sandpaper. Each painting underwent constant change. I allowed the layers to remain translucent so they would affect and influence each other. This constant alteration was not an intentional process but rather the byproduct of my striving to make something better as I struggled with my dissatisfaction with a certain outcome. After all my planning, I must surrender some measure of control and pursue the unanticipated. The pursuit of quietude is a long road. I hope that these paintings resonate to your personal journey.

the demonstration, Saturday afternoon- I do like giving a demonstration, even though I am so nervous before it begins.

As promised, this is my show- Quietude. Even when I say that word it comes out of my mouth differently. Hmmmm. My vision for this show was to hang one large painting and have it accompanied by its plein air piece and color studies. In addition to that, a few walls have small memory and plein air paintings and one wall is full of tiny color studies.
I would like to thank all the people who attended the opening reception. It always wonderful to see so many supportive faces and meet many new folks. The show continues through May 5th. If you are in town and get a chance to stop by the gallery shoot me an email. If it is possible I will happily come by and meet you there.

28 comments:

Stinson Fine Art / John W. Stinson said...

Nice presentation of the work!

Debora L Stewart said...

Beautiful show and lots of hard work.

Lisa Le Quelenec said...

B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. Looking at this exhibition must feel like being bathed in light. Congratulations.

Sarah S said...

STUNNING! Congratulations, it really looks absolutely fabulous*~*~ I wish I could see the work in person!

Janelle Goodwin said...

Really beautiful, Loriann! I love how you show the process and evolution to painting the largest paintings. Oh, how I wish I could be there to see them (and you) in person!

SamArtDog said...

These paintings look like windows full of light. I know a certain amount of craziness was involved in achieving this level of quietude. Achieve it you did. Thanks so much for posting this beautiful collection of your beautiful paintings in this beautiful show.

To paraphrase a Navaho song:
"Beauty is above me.
Beauty is below me.
Beauty is all around me.

Karin Goeppert and Kenneth Burns said...

Beautiful paintings in a beautiful setting. Impressive!

Donna T said...

Oh my goodness, Loriann, your paintings look gorgeous on those walls! All the colors glow against the neutral backdrop!

Caroline Simmill said...

Beautiful paintings Loriann, thank you for showing us the photos of your exhibition. It is so interesting to see the field studies and wee paintings along side the large painting of the same place. A good way of showing how the ideas and colour studies which are lovely works in themselves become a large finished piece.

loriann signori said...

Hi John,Debora, Lisa, Sarah,Janelle, Sam, Karin and Donna!
Thanks for taking a look at my paintings. The one thing my visitors did say is that the paintings glowed. With those words I felt successful.I really appreciate you kind words!
Loriann
PS Thank you Sam for the Navaho song.

Deborah Elmquist said...

Congratulations. I wish I could see it in person.

Paula said...

Loriann..I am so looking forward to seeing your show! The images posted here are so beautiful...I can't wait!
All best, Paula

Marilyn R Miller said...

Wonderful show! Congratulations!!!

Barbara Benedetti Newton said...

aaah...ssssh...beautiful!

loriann signori said...

Hi Deborah, Paula, Marilyn, Barbara and Pam,

Thanks so much for your kind words about my show. I was happy to share it with you!

Loriann
Ps Paula, let me know when you visit. I might be able to drop by. BTW are you doing the barns painting again?

Paula said...

Loriann,
I will definitely let you know when i am coming to see your show! And yes, this is the 6th Annual Barnstormers Paint-Out. I will send you the info. The Barns are really special this year and it would be so exciting to see a painting of one done in your gorgeous style.
Paula

Teri said...

Congratulations Loriann! The exhibit is beautiful and your Quietude statement just perfect. Wish I were closer so I could see it in person.

Anonymous said...

Hi Loriann-
What a beautiful exhibition!! Your paintings have that quality which takes them beyond mere description.
This is art that speaks to the heart & soul.
Your persistent striving to connect spiritually with the landscape is evident. Your statement is one of the better artist statements that I have recently read.
Continued success and creativity

NJ ART 73

Eden Compton Studio said...

Beautiful show Lori! I love the way you presented all of the paintings. Wish I could see it in person!

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

A beautiful show of shimmering warm light and sensitive land. It glows with quietude and shows your elegance and grace. Congrats! It's gorgeous!

loriann signori said...

Thanks for the info Paula! Sounds good.

Hi Teri and thank you!

Hi Nj!Thanks so much for you comment. It made my day!

loriann signori said...

Thank you Eden and Kvan!!!!

Lisa McShane said...

They look so beautiful! There are many I hadn't seen and I love them all!

loriann signori said...

Hi Lisa! Thanks so much!

JANE MINTER said...

i hope you show was a huge success loriann ..your text and progress on your beautiful work is fascinating to read .

loriann signori said...

Hi Jane!thanks for dropping by and for your good wishes. The show is doing well so I am soooo pleased!

Sue said...

Loriann, I stopped by the show a few weeks ago and truly loved it. I'd hoped to blog about it at some point, and got around to it today. I included one of your pieces with credit, and several links as well as your artist statement. I hope it's OK. Please let me know if there's something you'd prefer me not to use. The url is http://www.letschoosejoy.com/1/post/2012/05/the-pilgrimage-of-identity.html

loriann signori said...

I appreciate that you visited my show and enjoyed the paintings. As to posting my info I prefer you would ask first and since my artist statement is personal, maybe it would be best to refer people to my site to read it. Sound ok? Thank you once again for your support!