Spring Shows Up, Almost
Spring shows up in the most deliciously distracting ways on the farm. My next show, Drawn to the Earth, is almost ready to hang, but there are still many small logistical To-Do’s on my list. Meanwhile, the spring birds are coming back in full song. If I open the window to hear the Robin song, the Bluebird song, the Red-Winged Blackbird song, I’m drawn out the door and into their world, away from my hectic studio tasks and checklists.Even with the recent time change, I still arise early, as before, but now I’m writing posts like this one in the dark. That’s OK – it leaves more daylight time for taking birdsong breaks in between working my lists. As always, my highest priority item is “Finish all the artwork!” Once that’s done — and especially when you’ve shared your responses — I can finally see the show as a whole. Until then, here are a few glimpses I’ve had so far…
Walls & Gates, detail 2 of watercolor, drawing collage by Kathleen O’Brien
These 30 geocentric artworks emerged as soul maps that are intended to help the viewer rediscover our precious collective time on this sacred ground, our Earth.
Some of the collages are geometrical, such as Crossroads and Quadrants, some are geoponic (Blue Planet Closeups), and some are intended to hang on walls, geomagnetically. Some of the lines are geodesic and some are curvy (A World of Islands). Some reveal the geocorona, as in At First I Thought It Was the Earth, Now I Know It’s the Universe, and are loaded with geobotanicals.
Founded In Mystery, detail 3 of watercolor, drawing collage by Kathleen O’Brien
World of Islands, detail of watercolor, drawing collage by Kathleen O’Brien
Next comes framing and preparing the art for display. Soon I am going to create a page about the process of shadow box framing, since I am often asked about how to do that. Meanwhile here are a couple of photos.
Frame Process, mounting Blue “Planet Closeup, Diatoms” on back board by Kathleen O’Brien
Frame Process, cutting shadow box strips by Kathleen O’Brien
Next comes promoting it. MS Rezny Studio/Gallery has sent the press release, many of you have received the email announcement, soon the evite, and postcards will be sent, social media posts. There is so much that goes into launching a solo show. It’s always thrilling to attend the reception and hear your comments about what the images evoke in you.
As fellow geographers, please join me in this celebration of Earth — Geo — Gaia