200 For Under $200

GENTLE PERSUASION by Jo Reimer

I'm delivering three new collages to Oregon Society of Artists today to be in their November show called 200 FOR UNDER $200.  It pains me a bit to let these go for so little but I'm committed.

The rules for this exhibit are interesting. The artist buys three 12" x 12" deep-cradled panels from the gallery which serves as the entry fee. Make the art on the panels and return the finished work. I think all the pieces will be hung so it will be a mixed bag.

APPROACHING STILLNESS by Jo Reimer

These new works feature more of my self-generated papers as well as a few solid colors from commercial sources such as the black in the upper right corner. I know it reads as blue, but it's really black. Other papers include magazine pages that I altered with an orange solvent.

PARALLEL PASSAGES by Jo Reimer

Once the papers were firmly adhered to the substrate and coated with a layer of medium I applied layers of cold wax to protect the work and give the surface a soft glow. The sides were left natural, protected by layers of wax.

As I said, the works are under priced but once I started working on the panels, pursuing a new idea which led to something new, I realized that this was about something more important to me, a suggestion for a new direction. I'm eager to work larger.

In my next post I'll show you the four similar pieces that will be delivered to Cannon Beach Gallery later in the week.

New work

Approaching Stillness

I've been hard at work on a new series of collage pieces on cradled boards. I've been using the panels from American Easel and find that this surface suits my way. I protected the edge with a layer of blue tape while building the collage on the surface, and when I was done I removed the tape and finished the cradle with a light sanding and a couple of layers of cold wax which I used on the surface as well.

Uluru.. and Good News

The three paintings submitted to RED.

In my last post I wrote about my paintings being rejected from a January show. This is a happier story. 

I tried again with the next juried show in February at the same gallery, The Cannon Beach Gallery, in the town of the same name on the northern Oregon coast. I submitted three very different pieces to the show entitled RED. Two of the pieces were accepted. One sold. But what pleased me even more is that I was the only artist who had two pieces accepted and only two pieces sold from the show, mine and one other.

Never give up. never. give. up.

ULURU

The piece which was sold is called ULURU which is the Aboriginal's ancient name for Ayers Rock in central Australia. It's a monolith, a huge red rock out in the middle of a flat plain. I composed the collage on heavy paper and then glued it to a cradled canvas and extended the colors around the sides.

The other piece that was accepted into the show is called Red Leaf - Falling.  

RED LEAF - FALLING

It's a collage of hand painted papers and a single maple leaf from a tree in my front yard. The collage is 12 x 12, matted in a 16 x 20" frame.

EVERY ROOM NEEDS A SPOT OF RED

 My mother was know as a creative homemaker and craftswoman who was one of the first women to paint the walls of her home with vibrant colors. She firmly believed that "every room needs a spot of red" to bring cheer to its occupants. This 20 x 30" cold wax and plaster piece honors her conviction... one which I consciously follow.