An Unpolished Gem

THERE IS MORE THAN ONE TRUTH: so have some fun with it!

I love the quote from Helen Frankenthaler, " There are no rules". I find her words

freeing and unbound.  I've posted her very words on my studio wall. It is only me and myself alone who can answer to what is interesting to pursue in a painting. Let me know this freedom to uncover the semi-precious stone in its roughness to be polished or to remain rough.

"Just trust yourself then you will know how to live."-- Goethe, Faust

Francoise Gilot

Francoise Gilot




http://online.wsj.com/articles/francoise-gilot-reminisces-about-henri-matisse-1414420847

In the Studio

Victoria Johnson
Unitled (in development)
Oil on Wood Panel
 October 2014

Finding realism in unlikely places; like violet oozing over a water illuminated .

The Canadian Art Market All Grown Up

https://artsy.net/post/editorial-the-canadian-art-market-all-grown-up

Did you stop dancing?

"In many shamanic societies, if you came to a medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask one of four questions: "When did you stop dancing? When did you stop singing? When did you stop being enchanted by stories? When did you stop being comforted by the sweet territory of silence?"

Gabrielle Roth

courtesy of Evolvre Social Movement

www.evolver.com

Fall 2015 Residency @ Vermont Studio Center

I'm attending an October 25, 2015 residency at Vermont Studio Center. The Vermont Studio Center is the largest international artists' and writers' Residency Program in the United States and I'm thrilled to be accepted by the center. Now to keep a stealthy eye out for that perfect warm sweater!


www. www.vermontstudiocenter.org/

In my former top floor studio at 619 Western Avenue, Seattle

I've not posted for a while. I'm busy with my 3/2015 show in Seattle for the Lisa Harris Gallery.  I've experienced many changes since I last showed and I'm anxious and excited as I work. I've also updated my website to a new format: www.victoriajohnson.net. Today, I found this image of myself in my Seattle studio I leased for 18 years. The photo is precious to me, since its about a time gone: You don't know what you've got till its gone - Joni Mitchell- Big Yellow Taxi.

Photo: Drake Deknatel 2007

They paved paradise and put up a parking lot,
With a pink hotel, a boutique,
And a swinging hot spot.
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got till it's gone?
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum.
And they charged all the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em.
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got till it's gone?
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.
Hey, farmer, farmer, put away that D.D.T., now!
Give me spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and the bees, please!
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got till it's gone?
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.
Late last night I heard the screen door slam.
And a big yellow taxi took away my old man.
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got till it's gone?
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.

          © 1966-69 Siquomb Publishing Co. BMI


Victoria XOXOX

Max Grover: Hunter, Gatherer, Painter/Jenny Anderson: Offerings at Bainbridge Island Art Museum

With Max Grover (left), Jenny Anderson (left-middle), Josie Emmons Turner (right-middle) and Bill Turner (Right)

The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art describes Max Grover, "as adept at using familiar and simple motifs." But, nothing prepares you to experience this artist's warmth and wisdom with his capacity to translate in the simpliest of language the human experience of collecting, object fetishes and our universal habits to amass multiple sets of things. This is an exhibition of lovingly installed memorabilia seen alongside Max's paintings. We see the iconic collections he's created over the years, obviously with dedicated obsession, although his collections don't seem possessive in any way. My sense is that Max is the hunter and gatherer and caretaker of things, and a catalyst for us to connect with our collective sentient and sentimental experiences. We review our lives and our encounters from personal experience of a time and activity, and or because we are given a generous slice of Americana in this show. The exhibition is a carnival of visual stimulus opening a doorway to contemplate these collections and to consider the psychology of collections in our lives. This is a beautiful show and a must see this summer to enjoy in the amazing new island museum.

The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art text continues, "This exhibition uses Grover's numerous personal collections as inspiration for each new painting. He draws from his collections of black cats, bolo ties, wrestlers, baseball memorabilia, souvenir pins, and much more! Come see this amazing array of brand new paintings and personal collections borrowed from BIMA's favorite Hunter, Gatherer, Painter.
http://www.biartmuseum.org/exhibitions/max-grover-hunter-gatherer-painter-/

Nothing prepared me for the experience seeing the work of Jenny Anderson. If seeing is the best word. In describing her work, each sculpture waits to be approached, as if very much aware of you, your conversations, thoughts, emotions, listening and watching you from a place present and universal time, each very much holding the space of its creation. Take time to pause and contemplate before you think you are ready to walk to the next piece. There is singular and collective wisdom of the great unknown in each sculpture with a message for you, were you to have eyes to see, ears to hear, and your heart open.  

http://www.biartmuseum.org/exhibitions/jenny-anderson-offerings/

Jenny Andersen: Offerings

Rachel Feferman Gallery
June 28, 2014 - September 28, 2014

Frankenthaler

Just pure bliss! I thought I'd post my favorite image of Helen Frankenthaler and David Smith in Frankenthaler's studio with her iconic canvas, "Mountains and Sea" in the background.

Helen Frankenthaler
Mountains and Sea
1956

Helen Frankenthaler
Basque Beach
1958

Color, Composition and Content

Color, Composition and Content

This is a thoughtful installation of paintings seen with the work of Karen Kosoglad at Alijoya Thorton Place in Seattle curated by June Sekiguchi courtesy of Lisa Harris Gallery.

View the exhibition daily from 8:00am - 6:00pm at 450 NE 100th in Seattle through 

June 3rd, 2014

Victoria Johnson
Red Wine Sea
36" x 24"
Oil on Canvas

Boston Consulting Group

       
An installation of a new painting titled, "Color Codes", commissioned by Boston Consulting Group, Seattle. Lisa Harris Gallery managed the acquistion for the client who specified a palette of saturated and bright colors for their lobby artwork.

Victoria Johnson
Commissioned Painting for Boston Consulting Group, Seattle
120" x 22"
Alkyd on Panel
2014
(Collection of Boston Consulting Group, Seattle)

                                                     

Victoria Johnson
Color Curve
48" x 24 "
(collection of Boston Consulting Group, Seattle)

Victoria Johnson
Passion Play
48" x 24"
(Collection of Boston Consulting Group, Seattle)

Thinking of Anni Albers

At the beginning, her style was influenced by the bright matching combinations by Stölzl, and later by the abstract and unpredictable compositions by Kandinsky and by the polychromatic semantics by Klee (these people were all teachers of Anni at the Bauhaus); finally, her style became essentially geometrical and rationalist. In her first works for the laboratory of weaving, the elements of the intertwining are not disguised, but instead, the threads and the structure delineate the composition...Anni Albers - Vogue.it

Palm Springs

I went to Palm Springs January 2nd. - great decision. Love the dry heat and exploring Coachella Valley kicking around Palm Springs, but it is the day trips in the valley I enjoyed most. I hiked to an abandoned mining operation in Joshua Tree Park - descending at dusk on the trail, as it were to bathe in amazing pink and purple glow of the sunset. Drove to Saltan Sea - or whats left of it, and found comfortable enough lodging, inexpensive by Palm Springs standards with just the right amount of amenties - the hotel hot tub with no one ever in the pool. A daily visit to Cafe Celio to say hello to locals with coffee then off to the single organic restaurant in Palm Springs - the Palm Green styling hearty breakfasts, lunches and power drinks.