Paint, Paper and Fiber - Tom Dimond and Terry Jarrard-Dimond

Vortex - Terry Jarrard-Dimond - 2014

12.5" x 13"

fabric, dye, powdered charcoal, string, stitching

Thursday evening May 26th, 2016 was the reception for the two person exhibition, Paint, Paper and Fiber featuring my work and the work of Tom Dimond.  We want to thank everyone who came out as well as the staff of the Art Center of Clemson SC.  You made the evening!

In addition to having an opportunity to talk with individuals about the work both Tom and I gave a gallery talk.  Gallery talks are such a treat for artists as it is a chance to share some of what happens in an artists' studio and how the work is brought into fruition.

Actually, just having the work hanging on white walls, nicely arranged and well lit is a treat and I find it to be a time to re-evaluate how my body of work is developing.  (I hope my work will always be 'developing'.)

Evidence of Life - Terry Jarrard-Dimond - 2016

10" h x 7"w

Oil/Cold Wax on oil paper

My contribution to the show was new encaustic and oil/cold wax paintings and fiber pieces which spanned perhaps a five year period.  I am pleased to say that my art vocabulary was clearly evident throughout all of this work.  My love of mark-making, smudges, shape and clear composition are some of the aspects I value in my art.  Perhaps the most notiable differences between the paintings and the fiber work was the color palette and the scale of the work.  Most of the fiber pieces feature a neutral color palette while most of my paintings are colorful and varied.  My paintings at this point are also small with the largest pieces piece being 12" x 12" and the largest fiber piece is 50"h x 34"w.  Learning how to work small has been a challenge but I am beginning to develop a feeling for this new small scale work but intend to work larger in time.

Valley Scape - Terry Jarrard-Dimond - 2016

6"h x 9"w

Oil/Cold Wax on oil paper

My art is developed during the process of making the work.  I do not begin with detail sketches or plans but rather I begin with a feeling of where I want to go. If the work offers me an interesting and different path I often choose that unknown direction and my willingness to allow the work to direct me is a big part of why I keep making art.  The excitement of seeing the work come together is my "runners high".  It is the light at the end of a tunnel.  The sunrise after a dark night.  It is finding my way through a dark forest.  This may sound overly dramatic but this is how I experience the resolution of a successful piece.  I get excited. Sometimes I am relieved.  Art is a demanding endeavor but it is this process of discovery that I seek when working.

A few weeks ago I wrote about artist Tom Stanley's show at Hampton III Gallery in Greenville SC.  Stanley described his process of developing work as  "call and response".  This description really rang true to me.  As artist works we make choices which results in "something" happening.  It might be something good or not so good but either way we must respond. This process continues until we find the work we were looking for OR we find something quit new which propels us forward.

My experience with fiber is built of years of working in that medium.  I have a certain comfort level with that medium but my experience with paint, regardless of the specific type of paint, is less developed. At this point I am thrilled to see myself in this new medium.  My marks.  My shapes.  My layering.  My preference for specific spacial relationships etc.  My job with paint is to be open to the possibilities and enjoy the experience.

Check back in on Wednesday May 1st 2016 for my thoughts on the work of Tom Dimond.

Exploration/Resolution - Tom Dimond and Terry Jarrard-Dimond

Continuum - Tom Dimond

Exploration/Resolution is now open and features my recent textile work and recent mixed media painting of my husband, Tom Dimond.  The show is being presented at two sites, Greenville Technical College and Riverworks Gallery in downtown Greenville, SC and in the Visual and Performing Arts Department galleries on the Greer Campus of Greenville Technical College.  

Obon - Terry Jarrard-Dimond

Both Tom and I will be giving a gallery talk at the Greer Campus on Thursday, August 28 at 4:30 p.m.  We will also be on hand for First Friday, September 5 at Riverworks Gallery 6-8pm.  The exhibition and gallery talk are free and open to the public.

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Thank you for stopping by Studio 24-7!

Modern Textiles Opens

She Came Undone - Terry Jarrard-Dimond

Pieced fabric with stitching - 49"h x 45"w - 2008

Tomorrow evening will be the opening reception at Alamance Arts in Graham, NC for Modern Textiles which features some of my older pieced textile constructions and the work of Carolyn Nelson.  The reception is from 6:30 - 8:30pm and is located at 213 D. Main Street in Graham.  The show will run through September 6th, 2014.

It will be fun to see this work hanging again and I hope to see those of you who live in the area.

Thanks for stopping by

Studio 24-7!

Mark Flowers - Sharing Stories to Make Connections

Tribe - Mark E. Flowers -Mixed Media

Last week I mentioned the opening of a new exhibition by painter Mark E. Flowers at the Upstairs Artspace in Tryon, NC and yesterday I attended the opening reception which began with an artist's talk.

I always enjoy this portion of an exhibition as it gives the artist and the audience an opportunity to connect through language as well as sight.

I found Mark very true to his artist statement both in what I saw in his work and in what he had to say.  

Artist Statement

Throughout my life, I have made use of images to clarify my relationship with the world. The repeated symbols I use are a ‘visual vocabulary’ that creates an on-going dialogue. My works are stories-small insights and reflections of my experiences. In seeking meaning in the world, I am sharing my story in hopes of making connections with the viewer.

In recent years, I have been concerned with the shape of the work as well as the image itself. My interests have always cycled from the purely sculptural back to the traditional illusionary formats. The latest works seek a balance between the two by painting on manipulated surfaces, attaching found objects and computer manipulated images. Currently, I am exploring the use of faces, figures and objects to create a more visual story.

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Mark spoke about his decision not include a commentary alongside his work.  He explained that if asked he could relate the story behind each painting but he prefers to give the viewer the opportunity to create their own story about a painting.  He does use titles which I found both interesting and just enough information to satisfy my curiosity about the origins of the story behind each work.

As someone who often works with "bits and pieces", I also enjoyed his description of his "woodpile".  The woodpile is a collection of found pieces of wood or purchased pieces of wood that he collects and which "rest" in his studio until the moment when it is just the right thing for a specific composition.  Anyone who works with fabric can relate to this idea.

I also enjoyed and appreciate the fact that he composes his work in multiple panels which are then arranged and permanently attached to other panels and become part of a whole.  Again, this is a very traditional manner of working with fabric and Mark uses this technique in his paintings with great impact.

Mark E. Flowers

This body of work is mature yet still feels fresh.  He mentioned his new-found interest in pattern, evidence of which can be glimpsed in the above photo. 

The exhibition also includes prints by Andrew Blanchard and will be on view until March 14, 2014.

Thank you for stopping by

Studio 24-7