Wednesday, February 28, 2007

World of Tomorrow: Exhibition Opening Reception Friday, March 2 6-10pm

You are cordially invited to the exhibition opening of World of Tomorrow at Fusion Gallery in Bellevue, KY. (Just minutes from downtown Cincinnati and Newport on the Levee.) Come see my work, as well as the work of some other very talented artists! I will have four pieces in the show. I hope to see you there!

Where:
Fusion Gallery
305 Fairfield Ave.,
Bellevue, KY 41073
www.fusiongallery.net


When:
Friday, March 2 from 6pm to 10pm

DoAn

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Brigid (SOLD)


As one of the most popular goddesses worshipped by the Celts, she continues to be a favorite among Christians as many of her stories and myths survived in the persona of Saint Brigid. She was the goddess of all things perceived to be of relatively high dimensions such as high-rising flames, highlands, hill-forts and upland areas; and of activities and states conceived as psychologically lofty and elevated, such as wisdom, excellence, perfection, high intelligence, poetic eloquence, craftsmanship (especially blacksmithing), healing ability, druidic knowledge and skill in warfare. An object connected to the goddess called Brigid's Cross, made of rushes or straw, and woven into a kind of star or cross shape (see image).

Many rituals are associated with the making of the crosses. At one time, these were very common, but now have become rare. Occasionally, in the rural areas, Roman Catholic homes still feature Brigid's crosses. It was traditionally believed that a Brigid's Cross protects the house from fire and evil. Brigid's crosses are associated with Brigid of Kildare, who is venerated as one of the patron saints of Ireland. The crosses are traditionally made on 1 February, which in Gaelic is called Lá Fhéile Bhríde (Brigid's feast day), the day of her liturgical celebration.

I used the Whirlpool Galaxy as the reference for this painting. I found the spiraling arms of the galaxy an echo of the arms of Brigit's Cross, and all the fiery stars being creating within the arms, an adequate representation of the different qualities of this powerful goddess.

DoAn

Saturday, February 03, 2007

EMERGING VISIONS

Emerging Visions, an e-zine for visionary art, edited by Laurie Corzett, has posted its February Issue on the theme of Electric Dreams, and I am happy to announce that my painting, The Dream of Oenghus Mac Og, was selected as one of the illustrations for the issue. Please take a moment to check out the poetry, essays, flash fiction and visual art by the other talented writers and artists.

DoAn

Friday, February 02, 2007

In the News



Banbha, 16 x16, acrylic on canvas, SOLD

Here is the latest painting for the From Beyond the Ninth Wave Series: Banbha. The third of the trio of sister goddessess/queens of Ireland. Banbha requested that her name be given to name Ireland after the Milesians took control of the land. Her sister's name, Ériu , became the popular choice, while Banbha and her other sister, Fódla, found their names used mainly in poetic reference to Ireland.

This painting is more similar to Fódla in that is it a combination of glazing and stroke work. I used a photograph of lichen growing on a Northern Irish rock as a reference for this painting. The colors here are more subtle than the other paintings too. It was a goal of mine to capture the different qualities that I personally relate to Ireland through the three paintings. Ériu, is the colorful, wild, and vibrant aspect of Ireland, Fódla, darker, wiser and more sombre, and Banbha the innocent and quieter side. These qualities associated with each painting is not necessarily representative of the goddesses, at least not from anything I read. It is just a feeling that I had while working on these paintings, that I wanted to express. I suppose they represent my own personal connection to Ireland, the land, its people, culture and spirit. It is my hope that you will find your own ideas and feelings to connect with these paintings.


Press!

This is a little late, but I wanted to share the news that I had a painting featured in a cover photo of Downtowner (The Dream of Oenghus Mac Og--do you see it there behind Natalie?) a local arts and entertainment newpaper. Thanks to Natalie Hager for organizing the 510 gallery and Nancy Hopkins for organizing the activities and publicity for January's Final Friday, the event came off very well. I was pleased to have had the opportunity to share my work, meet and talk with people in my studio. Lian had a great time entertaining guests as well. Special thanks to Johnny and Jamie for all your help in the studio...it wouldn't have been so smooth without you both there. I will post photos from January's open studio soon. There are some exciting things in the works for 510 Studios at The Pendleton Art Center. All of the artists here are contributing in different ways to help bring something new and exciting to Pendleton...so keep watch for things to come!

DoAn

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