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Helplessly Hoping

1/6/2020

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My first finished work of 2020!  Commissioned by a collector of my chickens, I have titled this work 'Helplessly Hoping' for the song by Crosby, Stills, and Nash. 

Sometimes I experience something concrete, and I want to express how that makes me feel through lyrics or poetry. Other times, like this time; I experience something lyrical, and I want to express it in concrete terms, like sculpture or paint:

"Helplessly hoping, her harlequin hovers nearby, awaiting a word
Gasping at glimpses of gentle true spirit, he runs, wishing he could fly
Only to trip, at the sound of goodby."
Helplessly Hoping
2.75"H x 4"L x 2.75"W mixed-media assemblage
2020, commissioned

"Love isn't lying, it's loose, in a lady who lingers, saying she is lost
And choking, on hello

They are one person
They are two alone
They are three, together
They are for each other."

A few photos of the work in-progress:  I've had to peer over the tops of my glasses more and more often lately, to do fine details work.  This time, for the first time, I just took them off while I worked.  I've been wearing glasses full-time since the second grade so I find my aging vision rather amusing; being near-sighted for most of my life, I am now both near- and far-sighted.  There is a metaphor in there, somewhere, I'm sure of it. 
If you want to commission a work from me, reach out! Find me at jenraven@gmail.com or find me on facebook messenger, facebook.com/jenraven

Work was managed by our newest Studio Cat.  Welcome to the Raven's Nest, Zephyr!
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'CATS' Online Exhibit, with Cactus Gallery

12/1/2018

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'The smallest feline is a masterpiece."
~Leonardo da Vinci



Flashback to 2006:  This acrylic painting, titled 'Merry Meet' was created using line work from a crayon sketch of our first cat, Wednesday.

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Above: 'Merry Meet' acrylic on canvas 2006
Below: Photo of Wednesday, 2006, and crayon sketch I caught of her, that same day

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Wednesday was a faithful Studio Cat for almost two decades.  When we lost her, I clipped the original line work from my old sketch book and pinned it up with a photo of her, in the studio.  It was the first thing I thought of when we were asked to created 'Cats' themed works for the upcoming 'CATS' online art show, with Cactus Gallery. 

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I decided to honor Wednesday with a new work, based on that original sketch:

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I still can't listen to Lisa Loeb's 'Waiting for Wednesday' without good memories of our first Studio Cat.  I borrowed the song title for this painting, a 4x4" acrylic on 1 .5" artist wrapped canvas.

Also for 'CATS' with Cactus:  'Rawr!' is another 4x4", and an expression of my ambitions for the year ahead.  To quote the incomparable Judy Chicago, "Art can educate, inspire, empower people to act." I intend to be consciously doing just that, with more of my work, in 2019.  I have a dozen new projects in my queue to this effect, including paintings, sculptures, and collaborative works in concepts photography, with some of my favorite fellow artists. 

It's going to be busy year at the raven's nest.  Stay tuned!

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Sister small works.  One looking to the past; one looking to the future. 

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These works are available for purchase through Cactus Gallery. 
Contact Sandra Mastroianni at sandra@cactusgalleryla.com for collector preview.

'CATS' online art show, coming soon to Cactus Gallery.  Exhibit opens Friday January 18th at 5pm.  Visit  cactusgalleryla.com/ or find Cactus Gallery on Facebook. 

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