At 6:15 PM, on Thursday, Sep 14, 2023, Robyn Ferrell and I met for a 45 min. Gallery walkthrough of my current PhD solo exhibition, "Skin Deep: On Abstract Painting and the Nature of Beauty," at Stevenson University, Greenspring Gallery, Stevenson MD.
We discussed many of the 18 paintings in the installation, including the newest one, a large scale gesturally abstract double portrait titled, "The Paintress & the Composer", and what kinds of feedback I had gotten during two earlier class lectures. I let her know about the day's activities, which included:
9-11 AM EST Stevenson Univ. Design class students came to the gallery, and interacted with me about my work, processes, and painting color choices. I noted what they said they found most inspiring... some had one word first impressions, such as:
~warm
~colorful
~raw
~cohesive
~inspiring
11 AM-1 PM EST Stevenson Univ. Concept Development class students attended class in the gallery with me and interacted about: my work in the exhibition, my concepts and approaches to the series. I.e., I discussed how painting is likened to the body, the paint itself being analogous to the body's skin. Because the class will have a group exhibition in 2 months, I also discussed my and Gallery Director Lori Rubeling's exhibition design choices.
5:15-6:15 PM EST Public lecture in the gallery. Approximately 40 University, community members, and 1 TT/LJMU PGR also attended. I did a more formal presentation, reading my Abstract and Introduction. I took questions (i.e., re: auto-theory, and participating in academic discourse), both during, and after my presentation. Responses to my work and reading were thoughtful and enthusiastic.
