words + pictures from the studio of Joan Colbert
You are currently browsing the monthly archive for July 2013.
Day One
watercolor
9 x 12 1/2 inches
Although it’s sometimes thought to be a native plant, Hemerocallis fulva, the Orange Daylily, is native to Asia. This flower, which technically isn’t a lily, escaped cultivation in the United States and now seems to be everywhere in midsummer. Common along roadsides, it is also referred to as Ditch Lily. Now labeled as invasive, it’s hard to picture an Ohio summer without these prolific bloomers.
Lilies
watercolor
8 x 15 1/2 inches
detail:
Sketching and painting summer blooms is an engaging way to spend time in the garden. This small lily is a prelude to a planned larger piece.
Lily
watercolor
The recent hot spell must agree with the spider lilies – their blooms are quite striking this year. Although unsure of the exact species (there are at least 64), the Hymenocallis is from the family Amaryllidaceae.
Spider Lily
watercolor
The current exhibit in the Summit Artspace Gallery is my final one as gallery coordinator. It’s been an engaging six years of incredible art and artists and, since my studio is only two floors away, there is no really no need to say goodby (although I am bidding adieu to the hardware, hammer and ladder).
Closing my tenure with the Contemporary Fiber Artists and their marvelous collection of work has been delightful. The eight artists in the Converging Visions exhibit all work with fiber, but their exact media, methods and styles vary. . . a lot. The show is large, brimming with color and texture, and has received rave reviews from both visitors and media. From Dottie Shinn, writing for the Akron Beacon Journal: “These women . . . make work that brings delight to us all. We should all be lucky enough to be able to do that.” The article is available here.
The overall look of the gallery was noted by Roger Durbin, reviewer for the West Side Leader: “The exhibit is well laid out. Each vantage point around the rooms provides an eye-catching and rich-looking production.” That’s quite a compliment and much appreciated. Although installing such a large show (112 pieces) is a challenge, the process is absorbing and, when it all comes together, quite exciting – and, in this case, provided for a very happy ending.
Contemporary Fiber Artists:
Jean M. Evans
Polly Gilmore
Fredericka A. Hagerty
Karen Hinkle
Kris Kapenekas
Mary Platis Kapenekas
Kathryn Markel Levy
Jean A. Markowitz
Converging Visions
June 14 – July 27, 2013
Summit Artspace
140 East Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44308
