Return to Painting

 Drama Queen, 2022. Oil on panel, 12 x 12in

The last time I posted on this blog—over a year ago—I was packing up to move, looking for a place to live, and searching for a new studio space. Considering it was the tail end of COVID and the height of the house-buying craze, I was fortunate to have it all work out. 

After a three-year delay, my one-person exhibit in Memphis, TN, at LRoss Gallery finally came together in the spring. It was beautifully installed by Laurie Brown, and I was very happy to have eleven pieces sell.

Today’s post features Drama Queen, one of the flower paintings that was in that exhibit, In a Japanese Garden. This painting is currently on exhibit at the WKNO Gallery Ten-Ninety-One in Memphis through October 30. It’s a pleasure to be a part of this group show by members of Artists’ Link and once again a part of this art community.

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Text and image ©2022 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

You’re invited…

"Waterlily #2", 2019. Oil, gouache on panel, 12x12"

...to the Weyrich Gallery's special "Meet & Greet" event this Saturday afternoon, May 18, from 1-3pm.

I'll be present for the event to answer questions and give a short talk at 1:30pm about my exhibit, "In a Japanese Garden, Revisited", currently on display this month at the Gallery. Additionally, tea master Mark Foster, who just returned from a trip to Japan, will host a tea tasting at 2:30pm. The "Meet & Greet" event is free and open to the public. 

It should be a fun and interesting afternoon. Hope to see you there!

The Weyrich Gallery is located at 2935-D Louisiana Blvd NE, (at Candelaria) in Albuquerque. The exhibit can be viewed through May 31 during regular gallery hours: Tues–Fri, 10:30–5:30 / Sat 11–5:30. 

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Additional images of Carol's work can be seen online here. 

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Image ©2019 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

A Wonderful Opening....Thank you!

Opening Night, May 3, 2019 at Weyrich Gallery. Photo credit: Valerie Tibbetts

Thank you to all the friends and visitors who came to last night's opening reception of my exhibit, "In a Japanese Garden, Revisited" at the Weyrich Gallery in Albuquerque. I so very much appreciate all the support and kind words about my paintings. The show continues through May 31, so if you weren't able to get by the Gallery last night, there's still plenty of time to see the exhibit. 

And to those who live around the country who sent me texts, emails, and phone calls: As we say in New Mexico, "Muchas Gracias."

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Text and Image ©2019 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

Happy May Day!

"Earth Sun Rain", 2019. Mixed media on panel, 12x12"

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Image ©2019 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

Sneak Preview #4...And help from an Art Friend

"Rose Petal Kimono", 2019. Mixed media, rose petals on panel, 20x16. (Photo credit: Margot Geist)

Saturday afternoon I finished up all the framing and wiring and delivered 24 pieces of art to the Weyrich Gallery for my exhibit "In a Japanese Garden, Revisited.". Ahhhhhh....now I can relax a bit until this Friday evening's opening from 5-8:30pm.

Although most colors in the pink family are not ones I use very often, I love the color of the background on this painting. It's called Persian Rose, a Williamsburg Handmade Oil pigment made by Golden Paints. 

But when I was deciding which hue to choose, I thought of my friend Annabelle Meacham, an artist who lives and works in Memphis, TN. Annabelle is a bold colorist, and it came to my mind, "What color would Annabelle choose?" I grabbed the Persian Rose and painted it in. Perfect! 

Thank you, Annabelle, for being an inspiration for this painting!

(You can see more of Annabelle's work at LRoss Gallery.)

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Text and Image ©2019 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

New and Improved...

"Tea House Bouquet", 2018. Mixed media on rice paper, 10x8 framed.
From the series, In a Japanese Garden.

This is another "re-do" of a piece I did awhile back. The colors are much more vibrant and application of the color pencil more "painterly." Who knows...maybe I'll do this in oil one of these days.
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Text and image ©2018 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.

"Dress-Up Kimono" Re-do

"Dress Up Kimono"(Re-Do) 2018, mixed media on rice paper, 14"x 11" framed.

Took this artwork back to the studio and re-did the coloring and patterning. I like this version better.

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©2018 Carol L Adamec, image and text. All rights reserved.

Now Showing...

Carol L Adamec: "Negoro" 2017, mixed media on rice paper, 6"x6"
SOLD

..."In a Japanese Garden" at Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, Missouri, thru December 15.

"Negoro-nuri" is a style of lacquerware developed in Japan during the 12th century. After several coats of black were applied to an object, dish, utensil, or furniture item, a single final coat of vermillion completed the process.

Lacquerware was ideally resistant to water, acid and heat. However, the charm of negoro-nuri was where areas worn from usage exposed the black lacquer beneath the vermillion patina._________________________________________________
Text and Image ©2017 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Now Showing...

Carol L. Adamec: "Kimono for Internment" 2017. Mixed media on panel, 20"x20"

..."In a Japanese Garden" at Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, Missouri, thru December 16.

In 1942, after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor during World War II, anti-Japanese hysteria arose in the American public. In response, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order #9066, creating internment camps which imprisoned over 120,000 persons of Japanese descent. 

At least 2/3 of those rounded up and removed from their homes and businesses were American citizens. They were often given only 48 hours notice to pack their suitcases and gather up their children and families to board trains and buses for transport.

During the entire war, only ten people were convicted of spying for Japan. They were all Caucasian.
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Text and image ©2017 Carol L. Adamec. All rights reserved.

Now Showing....

... "In A Japanese Garden" at Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, MO, thru December 16.

The design on this kimono is an adaptation of Anasazi pottery patterns discovered at Chaco Canyon.

Chaco Canyon, located in the northwest region of New Mexico, is a large US National Historical Park, representing the most significant ancient Native American ruins in North America. The inhabitants of Chaco Canyon were the "Anasazi", the "Ancient Ones", the original ancestral Pueblo people of the Southwest.

Between AD 850 and 1250, Chaco Canyon was a major center of culture, religion, and trade for thousands of pueblo people. Because of its archaeological and anthropological significance, Chaco Canyon has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Unfortunately, the importance and preservation needs of the Chaco Canyon site have been ignored by the Trump Administration. Spearheaded by Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke, fracking, oil and gas drilling, and pipeline activities are being expanded in the area with no regard to the wishes of the Native peoples, environmental impact, or consideration to the American citizens' ownership of public lands.

These are OUR National Monuments being auctioned off, at an alarming rate, to companies such as Encana, WPX, Exxon, and others who will make BILLIONS of dollars from our public resources with no obligation to benefit the general public.

For more information about these issues, go to this site: http://www.sanjuancitizens.org

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Text and image ©2017, Carol L. Adamec

Now Showing....

Carol L. Adamec: "Red Iris Landscape", 2017, original oil on panel, 12'x12"

..."In a Japanese Garden" at Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, MO, thru December 16.
 
As I painted this closeup of a red iris, the image became a landscape for me, with all the grandeur, sweep, and color of the Southwest. I'm still chasing beauty--through realism--after 50 years of painting practice, and still surprised by what can occur using oil, pigment, and a stick with hair on the end.
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Text and image ©2017 Carol L. Adamec

A Good Time in Joplin...

Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, MO.

I arrived in Joplin on October 10 to deliver my work for my show "In a Japanese Garden"...and they already had my name on the wall—a very nice welcome after a long drive from Albuquerque.

The Spiva opening was Friday evening, October 13. It's been 8 years since my last exhibit and visit to Joplin, so the opening was a big event and reunion for me. There was a great crowd for the Spiva Membership show in the Main Gallery and my exhibit in the Regional Gallery. I am so grateful to the many Joplin friends who came to my exhibit to say "Hello." My son, and my sister and mom sent me beautiful bouquets for the opening (Thank you, Erik, Karen and Mom), and "Congrats" arrived by text and email from friends and supporters.

There were 39 pieces in my exhibit, beautifully placed and installed by Spiva's Shaun Conroy and longtime Spiva member and supporter Cleo Copeland. Five works sold (Thank you, Jeff and Dace, Terry, Diana, and new collectors), and I received many complimentary comments on the exhibit.

On Saturday I gave a talk about my inspiration and process for creating the artwork for the exhibit. The attentive audience included several cousins, dear friends, and new friends.

I have so many to thank for their support for me and this exhibit, in particular: My cousin Judy and husband Alan, for their excellent care of my every want and need during my visit. The Spiva folks: Josie Mai, Shaun Conroy, Sarah Clements, Cleo Copeland. Jo "Da Boss" and Don, for lunch, conversation, and photos. Cousins Tracey, Steve and Marsha, for making the trip to Joplin to see me and sharing a fun lunch. My sister April and husband John for supportive texts, the lovely handmade kimono card, and generous gift. My cousin Marilyn in ABQ, for watching over my casita; and my dear friend Sondra at Marlowe Farms for taking care of Scrap.

Thank you ALL!

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Text and Image ©2017 Carol L Adamec. All rights reserved.