What was your first experience with a magnolia blossom? I bet you remember it as well as I remember my first encounter:
The first time I saw a magnolia blooming I thought I must be in heaven. That amazing size along with the pure white hue, the density of the petals, and its amazing beauty made it seem immortal ... although I could see that it appeared to fade as all flowers do. This first encounter was on a wooden stair landing in an historic 1850’s house in North Georgia. The magnolia bloom was floating in a bowl of water. It was a magical evening filled with candlelight and the deep odor of magnolias and honeysuckle.
I created this new painting, titled “The Sweetness of the Magnolia Bloom”, to send to New Orleans for The Cultural Landscape Foundation auction this year, and the above text is what I wrote as my artist statement. I am delighted with this new painting and feel like it is moving my art in a new direction with its simplicity and linear quality.
As part of the process, I created a second magnolia blossom painting; see it here:
Both of the magnolia paintings are hand-painted with dye on silk broadcloth, a lovely, soft, dense, matte silk. Last year, the painting I donated, “Kennedy Road Beaver Pond, Oconee County" valued at $500, sold for $700. How cool is that! The second magnolia painting "Lavender Blooms" is now for sale in my shop HERE.
LET'S TALK ABOUT SUMMER!
Ahh, summer. I love to travel; I love the sound of the wheels on the pavement, the sound of airplane engines starting. I love to think that my art goes to places like Chicago, New Orleans, New York City, and Paris and represents me there. Where will you go this summer? I’d love to know.
T-SHIRTS ARE HERE!
As you travel, you can wear my Globe t-shirt so everyone can easily recognize which town you love! For those of you who live outside of Athens, I now have a contact at the Globe who will send shirts to you: Write to Norm at globeupstairs@gmail.com. The shirts sell for $15 each.
NEW EXHIBITS + CLOSING DATES
The OCAF Members exhibit is opening this Friday, June 3, from 6-8 pm. I entered two new paintings, both scenes from the Ashford Manor in Watkinsville, Ga. I am especially happy with this painting of their kitchen:
Also, the closing dates for two of my exhibits have been extended – but hurry!
- My solo exhibit at Café Grumpy, Grand Central Station, NYC has been extended to June 2nd.
- My exhibit at KA Artist in downtown Athens, Ga has been extended to June 25th.
- And my year-long show at the Columbus Museum in Columbus, Ga will close on July 31st.
- I will also be teaching a silk painting class at KA Artist on July 9th – sign up now!
Thank you for supporting my work! And don’t forget to let me know where you are traveling this summer, so I can travel along with you.
Cheers,
-René
