My ideas never come one at a time. I can be in a total slump one day, and then a week later I’m hit with a huge flood of inspiration (I write it down or I forget it – and during that time, I sometimes see the folly). This week I realized two projects: I have 90% completed the Blaue Reiter/Munich catalog, and we made a new, completely different sort of show in our gallery. I’ve had to put off a third idea until we get back from our little sojourn to Vicenza. I will share the the Blaue Reiter catalog next week. |
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| At our gallery, we have ensconced a new installation: the Sailor’s Dream. We had been thinking about creating an atmosphere on the three walls of our gallery – like a forest, or a stadium. But then I was looking at scrimshaw. Nobody thinks of scrimshaw anymore – and it’s not made like it once was, of ivory or bone. We’ve owned some extraordinary pieces. When I first moved to Seattle in 1979, I interviewed for a job making scrimshaw on bone – it was the most interesting place, full of bones. I didn’t get the job because it was clear I’d never be able to keep to the program – I would have made the whale smiley, or added an oyster. Anyhow, now, in 2025, I could charcoal the walls in the gallery with scrimshaw images and create a seaside scene in the center. I was so thrilled about drawing THAT big that I ordered some huge paper I can use, without it being permanent, for future projects. In fact, this installation is only slightly permanent in that we can brush most of the charcoal (a combination of briquettes and wood barbecue charcoal) off of the plaster easily, and repaint. |
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| I don’t know why we are making all of this artwork, but it feels just wonderful. And if I can’t do the project immediately, I put it on the back burn for later – and the idea might be richer over time. Expand, adapt, don’t contract. It’s like they talk about love: the more you distribute, the more room you have for more. I used to worry about having too many friends, or a pet, it would take me away from the people I loved most, but in fact, it doesn’t work that way. It’s like connections in an electrical surge protector – love comes in and goes out, and your battery becomes capable of more. With my artwork, I used to be in such a tight circle of having to just use a special brand of acrylic paint on linen canvas, paint from life, no pencil. Now I am using charcoal on walls, painting on newspaper, putting swim flippers on logs (thanks to Blair)… Whoopeee! |
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HOUSEKEEPING:
We make art to order, including portraits by Blair Pessemier.
Follow us on Instagram @lauriepessemier
See all of our painting at https://paintfox.com or buy at www.pessemierstudios.com (or write to me)
Most of our work is available as reproductions, custom sized and frame |
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INVITING All Artists to present their Work: Paint, Literature, Crafts, Food....
Pessemier's Sunday Salon
Weekly on Sunday No Reservation Necessary
How it works: Bring a piece of your ART: that could be visual, like painting or printmaking; or literary, as in poetry or prose; or crafts, like metalwork or knitting; or food, or music. Something you made, or feel particularly inspired by. You have about 5 minutes to present, and we'll ooh, ahh, or answer questions you have. You can also come and see how we work before diving in. Just show up on Zoom at a minute or two before the hour.
No selling, no networking until after everyone has presented. No politics, no sales pitches, please. |
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