"Reflections" @ The Kent Museum

I'm feeling like I should have my artist license revoked for belatedly announcing a exhibit of my work in a museum but luckily for me I'm license free so I'm allowed to continue my profession regardless of any malpractice on my part.

 So . . . Last Saturday, September 13, was the opening reception for the exhibit Reflections @ the Kent Museum in Calais, Vermont. The closing reception is Sunday, October 5, from 3:00 to 6:00 and the show is open to the public Friday through Sunday 10:00 to 5:00, as well as by appointment.

The venue is unusual as a museum space but it is also wonderful in its own quirky way. It is located on a dirt road in a town of about 1500 people, it has no collection, the lighting is non-existent, and the walls are perpetually in the same state of "under repair" for lack of funds. But it is also that unfinished state that makes the space great because -- with the exposed lathe, multiple color painted walls with patches of new plaster, and peeling, multi-layered wallpaper -- the interior is a work of art in its own right.

The show features thirty artists, including ten of my new pieces from this year. As I was installing the work I was particularly impressed with how my sculpture/paintings interacted with the walls and I felt that the title, Reflections, was particularly apt because they seemed to reflect each other.

My two most recent pieces were also included in the show -- August 2014a and August 2014b. From what I remember, the mixed media on each includes shellac, epoxy, graphite, acrylic paint, spray paint, and oil pastels.

August 2014a

mixed media on wood

49" x 9.5" x 2"

2014

 

August 2014a (closeup)

 August 2014a (closeup)

 August 2014b

mixed media on wood

57" x 9" x 2"

2014

 August 2014b (closeup)

 August 2014b (closeup)

Even though the site is remote, the location is so beautiful it is worth the drive if only for the view from the outside. I especially like the contrast of the historic structure and rural setting with the contemporary sculpture of Judith Wrend. As foliage season emerges in the next few days, the view will change to spectacular.

 Timelessness

8'7" x 10'2" x 10'2"

aluminum

Judith Wrend

Fear of Triangles

In August I was asked by the architecture firm Gossens Bachman Architects to paint a metal garage door on a warehouse building next to their offices in Montpelier, VT. This was an especially fun commission because, just like my last one, I was given free reign to create whatever I wanted without any discussion, plans, or drawings. This is how I prefer to work so it is a blessing to find clients who are brave enough to go along with my madness. In fact, the extent of our conversation about the design was the following:

GBA: So, do you know what you'll do?

RH: I have a vague idea.

GBA: Do you know how long it will take?

RH: Until I'm happy. Maybe a week, maybe more, or I might go super-minimalist and decide that I'm done when I show up the first day. 

GBA: Ok.

Fear of Triangles

exterior latex paints and stains on metal

144" x 138"

2014

 I ended up using twenty-two colors and creating twenty shapes. I visited all the local paint stores looking for mistints so I could find random colors cheap but ended up having to mix some of my own because, with a couple of exceptions, the mistints were dull/boring colors and I was looking for bright colors that would make the piece highly visible from a distance.

Fear of Triangles (site view)

 The painting is located in an obscure industrial section of town but it is visible, especially in the winter months, from Barre Street, a highly traveled side street. I'm happy to report that the feedback has been positive and GBA is happy with the results. I look forward to finding more opportunities for outdoor paintings because my dream/vision is to eventually start painting buildings. I'm hoping I can find a client brave enough to hire me because I don't have the money right now to buy my own structure.