II am pleased that all three of my Rock Paperglyphs were selected for the virtual exhibition Rock Paper Scissors, curated by Kate Savage for Arts Connects Lexington. Artists were asked to respond to the idea of “Rock, Paper, Scissors”.

©Kathleen O’Brien, “Rock Paperglyph 1” in sunset light, watercolor and Neolithic quartz beads

Everything I paint or draw is on paper, so I’m good so far as I consider what to create. After reflecting for a while I realized it could be an opportunity to include my bead passion! My husband recently gave me some Neolithic quartz beads, each about 1/2 inch wide. One can only imagine how long it took and with what hand knapped drill would have carved the conical holes. They are a wonder of ancient human creativity. Next I thought since they were found in the Sahara desert I could paint a petroglyph on paper along with the beads sewn into the thick Khadi paper.

©Kathleen O’Brien, “Rock Paperglyph 1”, detail, watercolor and Neolithic quartz beads

I decided to go further with the idea and used some Kentucky crinoid fossil beads sewn with Irish linen thread, and paint the Red Bird Stone petroglyphs from Manchester, KY for Rock Paperglyph 2.

©Kathleen O’Brien, “Rock Paperglyph 2” in sunset light, watercolor and Kentucky crinoid fossil beads

Rock Paperglyph 3, features Colorado mica sewn with Irish linen thread and some of the Petroglyph Point petroglyphs from Petroglyph Point, Mesa Verde, CO. I visited that site several times, and collected the mica on hikes on the Front Range.

©Kathleen O’Brien, “Rock Paperglyph 3” in sunset light, watercolor and Colorado mica

Each of the three “Paperglyphs” are painted with rocks, that is gem pigments – Sleeping Beauty Turquoise, Minnesota Pipestone and Serpentine.

The thirteen artists who submitted and had work accepted are: Janet Dake (Lexington), John Andrew Dixon (Danville), Damon Farmer (Versailles), Steve Heine (Louisville), John Hockensmith (Georgetown), Jim Joyner (Lexington), Banning Lary (Lexington), Marianna McDonald (Lexington), Kathleen O’Brien (Harrodsburg), Gavin Reiland (Cleveland, OH), Connie Tucker (Lexington), and Clay Wainscott (Lexington).

There will be an opportunity to join the artists for a hosted zoom conversation about their work in this show. This meeting is scheduled for Sunday, 2nd May at 4:00pm.
​All are welcome.  Registration required but FREE