The Home Path

Autumn Greens/Blue Licks

My life has been greatly enhanced by a road. Because of this road, David and I have joined a wonderful community of faith at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Paris. I have found a place of simple wonder at Blue Licks State Resort Park which I can return to whenever I need to just stand in the woods or walk a path. I have experienced the serendipity of making music in Mozart Hall, housed in the Neal Building in Carlisle, KY. It is easy to imagine the scene in that hall with touring spectacles coming through town; and the acoustics and atmosphere are amazing! With a mighty throng, I enter the unique world of MaysLick, KY during the Asparagus Festival in May. I taught my first workshop in Flemingsburg, because of connections made along this road. This road extends all the way up to Maysville and continues up into Ohio, all the way to Findlay, where my father spent an important part of his childhood. And, actually, the road heads southwest from Lexington all the way to western Kentucky going by another favorite spot, Land Between the Lakes. By now, if you are a Central Kentuckian, you know which road I am writing about: US Highway 68.

     Of course, I wouldn't have so much experience with this road if David and I had not acquired a retreat on a beautiful little lake in Nicholas County. We bought our place on Lake Carnico in 2000. This was when the Paris Pike expansion began, thus, we were able to see the landscape from a multitude of perspectives as new road was built. Paris Pike is the most beautiful road in the world! I was so enchanted by this road that I used two scenes from this stretch to paint my 2010 Horse Mania horse, Paris Pike. Now the highway is being expanded from Paris to Carlisle, and we can again see the rolling hills from a fresh angle. This is an ever-evolving road, which began with buffalo crossing at a low point in the Ohio River (what would become Maysville) and roaming from salt lick to salt lick, creating traces. There is quite a story to tell and fortunately, now there is a book which thoroughly delves into this story. That book is Kentucky's Frontier Highway: Historical Landscapes along the Maysville Road by Karl Raitz and Nancy O'Malley.  The launching party for this book is a wonderful exhibit at the beautiful Hopewell Museum in Paris, KY: Road Life: Sites and Scenes along Kentucky's First Highway. This exhibit is up through June 2, 2013.

     I am very pleased that I will be the Hopewell Museum's artist for the April 12, 2013 Artwalk. From 5 - 8 pm, I will be nestled within the Road Life exhibit with small paintings, cards and prints. All will feature scenes from along US 68.  I hope that you can stop by to see this wonderful exhibit at the Hopewell along with a sampling of my work!  For more information please check out the Hopewell's website: www.hopewellmuseum.org.

Recognizing Reality, Revealing Enchantment

The sun rises on 12-12-12

Something that I try to drive home when I teach, is that artists must develop two types of perception: objective and subjective.  Of course, the act of perceiving objectively is used constantly as we look for just the right color or the accurate relationship between objects. Recognizing reality is always useful when you are trying to create or accomplish something. You have to know where things stand. This is true whether you are painting a landscape or running for President. I personally believe that this alone makes the case for art being part of everyone's education. Through art, and drawing in particular, you learn how to see things directly, think and evaluate for yourself. This is especially important now, when everyone and their brother is writing a blog (including me!) and throwing opinions out there willy-nilly. We need to know how to recognize reality for ourselves.

Fortunately, making art is not just about representing reality in a sterile fashion.  The whole idea is that something is loved enough to bring it into the world.  So, an artist also needs to develop subjective perception: What do I think is so important here? Why should this perception be shared? This type of perception is also in short supply. People can go through whole days (months? decades?) without seeing what a wondrous and beautiful world we live in. Perhaps we are too busy or preoccupied. I have to remind myself to keep my senses open to what is happening without any work on my part. Just today, I was walking Carly and I realized that the birds were sounding like Spring is coming. In my art, I want to bring out this beauty and wonder using my subjective perception. This is the true work of the artist, to shine a light on something that needs to be sensed. This can go in any direction, pointing out injustice, silliness, darkness as well as loveliness. To me, the news and much of today's art focuses on what is wrong and tragic in our world. So, I think it is important to reveal the enchantment that surrounds us.

     And that is my goal for this new year and beyond: to recognize reality and reveal enchantment.

Winter's Light

Lichen Rosette and Oak Leaves, Lost Cove 

The world is rich, wonderful and complex. I was able to experience this over the weekend.  First, by visiting the woods surrounding Sewanee, TN. David and I had just finished reading a wonderful book The Forest Unseen by David Haskell, which focuses on one square meter of old growth forest on The Mountain; so our pleasure was heightened. (Please see my November 12th posting, The Efficient Complexity of Nature.) Our hike was on a newly acquired (by The University of the South) parcel of land. Most of the leaves were down with the exception of the beech tree leaves which clung on in a rustic, rustle-y fashion.  We walked over the well leafed forest floor through the gray woods and took in the blue distance of Lost Cove.  Later on, walking along a fire lane, young green pine trees added another layer. Approaching the winter solstice, the light was clear and exacting, throwing well-defined shadows even on the bed of leaves.

All Saints Chapel adorned in greenery

         Later on that afternoon, we attended the Lessons and Carols service at All Saints Chapel. Walking across the quadrant to the chapel, a low sun glittered through the trees generously gracing the landscape to the west. It was a tonalist's vision!  This year, the music also seemed to celebrate the rich layers of life as the selection ran a gamut of ancient chant to newly composed work featuring a sliding scale of pitch intervals. The chapel was festooned with traditional winter greens and red carnations. There were layers of light as well, with candlelight reminding us of the enveloping dark of winter.

        The next morning we departed before daylight to drive back to Lexington.  I was able to look back and see the rosy light begin to develop; The Mountain a soft and eternal presence.  What joy to witness a new coming of the light! As the day progressed, the subtle beauty of winter shown.  I remembered how much I like these colors and their invitation to reflect.


         Sunday evening, at St. Peter's Episcopal, Paris, we held an Advent Evensong and reception for our Advent Art Exhibit.  This year's theme, conceived by our Rector, Rev. Chris Brannock-Wanter was summed up in the word "Relate."  Dr. Ann Kingsolver was our homilist and Sue Massek enriched our thoughts with her voice and banjo. As Ann Kingsolver spoke, I felt lightning bolts of new understanding. Her ideas of how humans relate reminded me very much of David Haskell's detailing of the complex interconnections of nature; there is more than meets the casual eye! This at once makes things more complicated and more simple for us humans.  We don't have to invent artificial systems to help our fellow beings.  Instead, we open our senses ("Listen for the light!") and see the possibilities of our role in the wonderfully rich complexity of life!

The light returns again

In Praise of Frumpiness

      This is not about art or the woods, but I feel compelled to defend the right of women of a certain age to be frumpy.  Because of General Petraeus's dalliance with an extremely toned woman twenty years his junior, a focus has formed (okay, it is not a focus, it is background imagery) on the General's wife. People are blabbing on about how she looks like she does not care. Does Not Care!! How could anyone think that? To me she looks like a woman who has risen to her duties. She works hard for the Wounded Warrier program. She has raised two children, who appear to have turned out quite well. This she has done while her husband has been called to distant wars; it is not like he was home by 7 pm every evening to help out. She is even shown smiling in the presence of Jill Kelley (that must take effort.)  Mrs. Petraeus's hair is always neat and her clothes reasonable and coordinated. What more do people want?

      These days, apparently, more: it is a woman's moral duty to look sexually available to any man of a superior status. But what benefit would this be to Mrs. Petraeus? Would she go after the Commander in Chief? (Not a good idea, with Mrs. Obama's toned arms!) So okay, the real thought is that Mrs. Petraeus should work harder to be alluring to her husband. I disagree, I think the General owes his wife big-time, because she has made him look even better with her efforts on his behalf.  Meanwhile, what has Mrs. Broadwell gained by giving in to social pressure? What is the big benefit of her snagging General Petraeus? What has this act done for anyone? It is not as if we have a dearth of humanity and men need to get out there and populate. It might be a good idea for men to evolve a bit. I sure hope her book is worthwhile and not just an awesome or awesomer? tome. And what benefit is her much ballyhooed 13% body fat to the world, or even to the super lean Mrs. Broadwell herself? I doubt much.

     What the world does need is more frumpy women, working for the good of all. And after a frustrating day, dealing with idiots, a good work out can do a body good!
   
     

The Efficient Complexity of Nature

American Moss at Floracliff

On a very warm Saturday in November, I partook in the Long Hike at Floracliff. We climbed and strolled over 4 to 5 miles within the nature sanctuary. While striding over the terrain, I felt like a giant because of all the ecosystems beneath my feet, a feeling I have become sensitive to because of a richly informative book: The Forest Unseen, by David George Haskell.  Haskell is a professor of biology at the University of the South. He spent a year closely studying a square meter of earth in the forest surrounding Sewanee. The scene, though minute is mind-bogglingly complex. It is an insect-eat-everything world! The birds are eating the insects. Who eats whom might determine how far you can travel as a species. Moss has peculiar qualities that allow it to survive deluge and drought. Throughout, there is an enthralling description of light. Fortunately, Professor Haskell breaks it all down into manageable bites, with timely consideration throughout his year of observation. I am only up to September 23rd--Vulture, the book begins January 1st. This is a remarkable story of how everything is interconnected and in a fairly efficient, often surprising way. The author's perceptive abilities are simply amazing. I highly recommend this book.

         I was reflecting on this elaborate tapestry of flora and fauna. It made me realize why I enjoy layering media to make paintings. It is sympathetic to the layers of life that make up the forest. The natural properties of watercolor pigments interacting with the paper create a rich underpinning that is hard to create deliberately. The pastel on top has a complementary role, skimming the surface, deepening the texture. No wonder my landscape painting took off after I began to combine watercolor and pastel in my painting. Perhaps you would like to give it a go. I will be starting a new Experimenting with Watercolor and Pastel class early in 2013. Stay tuned!

The Forest Unseen: A Year's Watch in Nature, by David George Haskell, Penguin Group,  2012

Grounded, watercolor/pastel
Lichen is one of the first subjects of The Forest Unseen

For information about my upcoming watercolor and pastel classes and information about happenings at the M S Rezny Studio/Gallery:  kathyreesjohnson.com   and msrezny.com

Appreciating the Labor of Artists

Rainy urban landscape, photograph by
Michael Wayne

I have some new artwork which I have been admiring greatly and it occurs to me that Labor Day is the perfect time to sing the praises of artists and their work. What other "product" can you purchase and it requires nothing else to be effective? You find a place for it and voila! at any time you can enjoy the vision of that artist and be reminded of the enchantment of the world. This is the number one reason why I appreciate the work of artists: I am able to see the world through their eyes.

Marco Logsdon's beautiful abstract landscape on the right;
the woodgrain glowing through the resin interplays
wonderfully with the painted woodgrain on
Ron Isaacs's piece

      You don't have to start planning on buying Image.2 or uploading software for its continued effectiveness.  True, you might have to frame the work or re-paint your walls from time to time, but otherwise, you have the complete package forever and ever--no subscription required!

Work by Christina Brannock-Wanter exhibited in the
Not Big show at the MS Rezny Studio/Gallery

Artists are small business people and we can expect to pay a fair price for their work so they can earn a decent living.  In exchange, we receive a priceless contribution to our everyday lives.

Walking sticks by Larry Mitchell

       I also appreciate the work of artisans like Larry Mitchell. He makes walking sticks. They are beautiful and they work! I use his walking sticks on my treks through the woods of Kentucky. 

Portrait of Jacob by Eric Johnson

Now that our nest is empty, I am particularly enjoying the portrait of our son, Jacob, by Eric Johnson (ericjohnsonartist.com)





Okay, perhaps it is kind of self-serving to praise artists, since I am one. And I do encourage you to buy my work! Part of my work as an artist is making a home. And I consider homemakers to be artists, too. You have to use a lot of the same skills. We should not short-shift the place of beauty in the home.

Carly relaxing under an arrangement of art:
Ron Isaacs reigns at the top. My work in-between,
the work in the middle is entitled: An Honest Day's Work
On the sofa, quilt by my mother-in-law, Alice Johnson.
Home is where the art is!

Thanks to all the artists in my life. Keep on working and Happy Labor Day!

Revealing the Enchantment

Sunset at Forest Retreat

Recently, my friend Meg has been waxing enthusiastic about a substantial volume, A History of American Tonalism: 1880 - 1920 by David A Cleveland. So enlivened was she by the book that she brought it to the One Day Wonder Workshop where we turned page after page, each with wondrous images.  It made me think; what is it about tonalist paintings that grabs me so? The answer I always come back to is that the tonalist painters recognized the essential truth that our everyday world is enchanted.  You don't have to be in the middle of a magical forest to experience this. You can be drawing a curtain at dusk and notice the dogwood blazing bronzy-gold against cool evening shadows. Enchantment is there everyday for all of us. Perhaps the tonalists focus on the most fleeting times of day, especially dusk and the most fleeting season, Autumn, but these charmed sights exist for all but the most imprisoned to enjoy.

       Lately, I have also been musing over why I am so taken with teaching. My classes and workshops are organized around using watercolor and pastel to make paintings.  It is rewarding to witness people, who are often dismissive of their abilities, create something which expresses their own keen sense of beauty.  Their own particular gifts shine: deft drafting, dynamic design, luminous color or rich texture. Much of the time, it is something indescribable. Without exception, there has been some aspect of each participant's work that touched me. Everyone's vision is different, and there it is on display in their paintings. I love helping people reveal their enchanting vision of our world!

Notes:
A History of American Tonalism: 1880 - 1920, David A. Cleveland, Hudson Hills Press, 2010


I am teaching classes at the M S Rezny Studio/Gallery, 903 Manchester Street, Distillery District, Lexington, KY:

One Day Wonder Workshop, Saturday, September 15, 2012, 10:30 am - :300 pm. $75

Experimenting with Watercolor & Pastel, Thursdays, September 27 through October 18, 2012, 1:30 - 3:30 pm, $145 for 4 sessions.

All art materials are supplied and included in the class fee.  Just come with an open mind and some photos to work from. Limited to 10 people.  A check reserves your spot.  For more information and registration:  msrezny.com or kathyreesjohnson.com, or e-mail: kathyreesjohnson@gmail.com.