As Spring Flies Into Summer

The White Crane: Flying Into Dreams, Bonnie Joy Bardos, 48" x 60", oil

Once we recognize that all things are impermanent, we have no problem enjoying them. In fact, real peace and joy are only possible when we see clearly into the nature of impermanence. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

Spring turns into summer, weeks of rain fade into hot sunny days. Here at the old Art House, River and I spend mornings out on the front porch: I drink a morning mug of coffee, and he basks in sunshine. We stroll through the daylilies, lush roses, pink honeysuckle, catmint, bright phlox, yellow suns of coreopsis. Hydrangeas in white, blue, lavender spill throughout the gardens. Knee Deep, the resident fish pond King, sits on his mossy rock. Birds flit, in the afternoon sun, crows wing low over the road, cawing.

This month, a new exhibit opens at the Upstairs Artspace, and the above painting will be part of it, along with alot of contemporary art. I'm in "Four Women/Four Journeys" which features Carol Beth Icard, Patricia Cole Ferullo, and Linda Hudgins. We've been friends and fellow artists for years. Downstairs, nationally famed Stoney Lamar appears with the likes of Dale McEntire, Dale Weiler, David Zacharias, Mark Gardner, Shane Varnadore and more in a sculpture show. Holland Van Gores shows his fine wood-turnings also--the exhibits will run through August 3. The Upstairs goes back 40 years: back to the days when Craig Pleasants opened the upstairs bedrooms in his house as a place for artists to show work. Not just any work, either. Craig had a vision. Out of those artists, a lot went on to become famous. The gallery moved, and the first time I found it, it was beside City Hall in Tryon, NC...and that was the beginning. Poetry coffeehouses, gatherings, and interesting art (along with people). A non-profit, the gallery has been in its current location beside the Tryon Theater since the early 2000's...in fact, I worked there for a good five years, up until 2011 or so, and remember "String of Pearls", the 30th anniversary gala we put on. Craig and Sheila Pleasants came. The mission of the gallery has always been Craig's: that the Upstairs would support artists, and show their work: work that would not necessarily be commercially sales-driven stuff. I hope that stays the same. Run by a Board of Directors, the Upstairs will hopefully go on another 40 years!

Meanderings & The Painting Life

"Solace I", Bonnie Joy Bardos

“It’s a serious thing, just to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world.”

~ Mary Oliver, Red Bird

Late summer days in the mountains flow with cicada song, peepers, long blue shadows promising fall ahead. Every morning I'm outside on the front porch studio, working on new paintings and listening to the fish pond trickle, River dog snoozing nearby, and bird song. Now and then someone strolls by and wishes me a good morning. Last week, I hauled a large sculpture outside and worked all day on her for a juried show that opens tomorrow night. Named "Walela (Spirit Guide)" (Cherokee for hummingbird), she's made of fired clay, metal, copper wire, fiber, and much more...along with natural branches and wood pedestal. Walela consists of many found objects and recycled media.

Update: "Walela" won 2nd Place in 3-D Art for the Arts Council of Hendersonville's Annual Bring Us Your Best exhibit, as well as winning "One Planet/One World" award presented by the Hendersonville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship for "the artwork which best represents a world community that recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of all beings, and the oneness and interdependence of all life." This means the world to me--and what an honor for both awards. I'm so grateful that I drove over through Flat Rock, past the Carl Sandburg farm and on to the UU service today and took a heart-felt note of gratitude for their support and appreciation of the arts.

A painting I worked on became a road trip back to the '60's....a Nash-Rambler station wagon, forest, and the iconic picnic table alongside the winding road. All summer, art projects have been in the works: all influenced by the turn of earth and slant of sun, the soft dog ears under my hand. Butterflies that flit, hummingbirds that zoom to the nearby feeders....one more year I stand at my work table and easel, observing and putting it all into the story I'm painting. Life for an artist goes on on those August summer days...

In late September, my house/studio will be on Art Trek Open Studios, sponsored by Upstairs Artspace. I've done this event every year, and will be at it once again! Mark your calendars for the weekend of September 30 and Oct. 1. A preview party featuring all participating artists will be September 29, 5-7 p.m. at Upstairs Artspace, 49 S. Trade, Tryon NC.

"Road Trip II, Bonnie Joy Bardos)

September Musings

'With a few flowers in my garden, half a dozen pictures and some books, I live without envy.' ~ Lope de Vega

Early September brings long days outside, painting on new pieces for the upcoming studio tour this month. As ever, I've got several paintings in progress, a sculpture that I'm wanting desperately to start putting together, and a million other things on the 'to do' list. Around here, the art comes first. Well, actually the dog does. Then the art. Stick in some gardening time, and a moment to rest with a book, and it's a fine day. Yesterday, I painted all day long into late evening, until there was no steam left. By the time sunset came, I was wondering what normal lives are like.


'Tis true artists follow a different path; however, there's got to be time to sit down and be in a soft September evening, blue dreams peeking through the golden light setting in the west. A Neil Gaiman book to pick up for a few minutes. Flowers in a glass jar. Watching how light streams through 100-year-old stained glass, painting a lavender pink on an old white mantel.

Art Trek of the Foothills sponsored by Upstairs Artspace, a non-profit arts organization, will be September 19-20; with a preview party Friday, September 18, 5-8 p.m. at the gallery, 49 S. Trade Street, Tryon, NC. Maps to area artists' studios available. Free and open to the public!

What Starts A Series of Paintings: Thoughts, Music, Nature...

This painting is one of a series I started last year: after finishing one, another appeared, and another...by the second round I knew this would be a series, indeed. That's how it happens: one thing leads to another and I just follow. To start, the first one evolved from a large painting constructed of two big canvases, attached together permanently, the largest one 5' x 7'. As any artist can tell you, nothing is ever finished, even when it is. So, one day, I took the big piece down from the wall, took a box cutter and cut. I completely demolished the back painting, although I kept the stretcher and pieces of the canvas for future work. “Every so often, a painter has to destroy painting. Cezanne did it, Picasso did it with Cubism. Then Pollock did it. He busted our idea of a picture all to hell. Then there could be new paintings again.” ~ Willem De Kooning The other canvas was taken outdoors and treated with gesso in some areas, paints, and completely underwent a major renovation, a rebirth. An artist friend had given me a CD called "Praises To the World"...the music flowed through me in color, in blue sky, blooming poppies, pink honeysuckle, mountain ferns: all things of spring and summer around, a halo, a state of grace. By that time, I was so enchanted with the idea of paintings, songs to the earth, of praise of all the life surrounding my place in the world, the thought of making a new series seemed right. And so it was. Here's my second painting from "Songs To The Earth" (30" x 60")...full of the world I see and feel, full of praise and life, a homage to Nature, her beauty and much symbolism floating in cattails, lotus, honeysuckle, seed pods, ferns, water, air... Currently, this painting is on display at Upstairs Artspace, part of the proceeds will benefit the Upstairs, a non-profit arts organization that promotes contemporary art in a beautiful space.
As of this afternoon, I've started another song painting, this one is 48" x 72". Flinging paint, mixing color, it becomes a part of the song. Earlier, someone was here and asked me how can I do the 'same thing every day'. Naturally, puzzled me had to correct that notion! How can I not make art? How can I be confined to a cubicle, an office I asked her. Some are happy in that. I may not leave the house/studio for days, but I'm filled with life energy, eager to begin, to paint, to sculpt or write. It fills me up, overflows.To an artist, every day is different. There are new paths, new colors, new notes in the song: whether we're singing it, writing it, painting it. (sold)

Art Trek: Open Studio June 28-29

'Sometimes, you need the ocean light,
and colors you've never seen before
painted through an evening sky." ~David Whyte, excerpt from Second Sight

Open Studio Tour this month is getting closer; area artist studios will be on tour June 28-29, with a preview party/exhibit on June 27 from 5-8 p.m. at Upstairs Artspace (upstairsartspace.org). I'm still hard at work creating new paintings and sculpture for the event (see post below for more info)and haven't taken a break! With gold, peach, tangerine, aqua, green-golds, pink, lavender and delicate hues, this small oil painting is one that speaks to my heart and soul: it's the essence of the "Esto Perpetua" series I've worked on for over 12 years now: depicting how I see nature: her ethereal, changing spirit. Is it morning or evening? There is no answer, for somewhere it is morning, somewhere it is evening. I painted this one outside, on the front porch, June morning all around.

Art Trek: Open Studio Month

"There is a small opening into the new day which closes the moment you begin your plans. What you can plan is too small for you to live." ~ David Whyte

June arrives dressed in jewel greens, bright flowers. Every day, I'm working on new paintings, this one is 6" x 6" on cradled wood panel: I absolutely love the colors, the captured feel of June herself. On fresh sweet mornings, I paint outside on the front porch of this old house, fish pond trickling nearby, wisteria leaves cascading along the porch eaves, a red geranium attracting hummingbirds...my little brown bat friend roosting up above, the porch swing softly swaying in summer whispers. Later this month I'll open up house/studio for Art Trek: our area open studio tour featuring many artists and craftsmen. Mark your calendar for June 28-29, maps available at Upstairs Artspace. The opening reception is June 27 from 5-8 p.m. All participating artists will have work in the gallery, and most will be on hand that evening.

Crossing The Line Art Show: Upstairs Artspace

New Work

"And then my heart pulled itself apart and filled to the brim with a new light overflowed with fresh life..." ~ Rumi ~ For July, I've been working on cross sculptures which will appear in "Crossing the Line" at Upstairs Artspace, opening July 19. The show runs through August, and fellow artist/sculptor Charlotte Fowler will be presenting the Walk & Talk tour along with me about our processes and work on July 20, 4 p.m. before the main reception from 5-8. Also featured will be 34 artists from two Asheville collectors.

Art Trek Tryon: Open Studios

Spring! Open studios this weekend with 36 area artists.

Art Trek: Open Studio Event!

On April 27-28, I'll also be in the Art Trek Tryon open studio tour: over 35 area artists will be opening studios up and showing art! A gallery show at the Upstairs Artspace featuring participating artists will open with a preview party on April 26 from 5-8 and run through May 25. I'd love to see you!

Art Trek: Open Studio Tour April 27-28

"This spring as it comes bursts up in bonfires green, wild puffing of emerald trees, and flame-filled bushes, thorn-blossom lifting in wreaths of smoke between where the wood fumes up and the watery, flickering rushes. I am amazed at this spring, this conflagration of green fires lit on the soil of the earth, this blaze of growing, and sparks that puff in wild gyration, faces of people streaming across my gaze. And I, what fountain of fire am I among this leaping combustion of spring? My spirit is tossed about like a shadow buffeted in the throng of flames, a shadow that's gone astray, and is lost." ~ D.H. Lawrence, The Enkindled Spring This painting will be one of many I'll have at my home studio at the "Art House" for the upcoming Art Trek Tryon open studio event. I'll have work on display also at the Upstairs Artspace gallery during the tour and for the month of May.

April: Open Studio & Art Trek

"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes." ~e.e. cummings ...Spring whispers on April breezes here in the mountains: ready to shuck the vestiges of winter off, I paint outside on those precious sunny afternoons. Soon, it'll be warm enough to work on clay/sculpture projects again. Hyacinths peek out, and of course, I have to bring one or two inside to the kitchen window. I cannot tell you how much those little gifts of nature mean. For the month of April, I'll have open studio Saturdays here at the Art House from 1-3 p.m. Other times by appointment. On April 27-28, I'll also be in the Art Trek Tryon open studio tour: over 35 area artists will be participating. A gallery show at the Upstairs Artspace featuring us will open with a preview party on April 26, from 5-8. Please come!

The Landscape

This painting is one of a pair just completed. Other paintings, all large works on linen, just returned home from the Theatre Art Galleries High Point exhibit: it's nice to enjoy them all together once again. Hauling such large work is a task! Luckily, artist friends Bill and Anne Jameson of Saluda gave them a ride home--nothing like other artists to help out!

During May, I'll be on the Art Trek Tryon 2012 open studio tour on May 5 and 6 with about 35 other area artists: work from all artists will be on display at the Upstairs Artspace as well, until May 19. Please plan on enjoying this fun-filled weekend of art, artists, and studios! You'll also be able to see my sculpture and paintings at the Tryon Fine Arts Center garden/art event. Several gardens will be on tour as well as an indoor/outdoor art display at TFAC. A most lovely event and a fund-raiser to support a worthy arts organization.

New Work: The Landscape

'The song of the brush.'
~Chinese saying

Art Exhibit: Upstairs Artspace

"Something To Crow About" and "New Waves" will be on exhibit through May 28 at the Upstairs Artspace, a contemporary, non-profit art gallery downtown Tryon, NC. That's my sculpture "Crow Angel" in the window, composed of barbed wire, concrete, steel mesh, and other elements with fired clay crows. Enjoy the show if you're in the area! There are many notable artists in both exhibits; truly something for everyone.

Something To Crow About: New Exhibit

"Something To Crow About" and "New Waves" opens April 15 at the Upstairs Artspace gallery, with a public reception on April 16 from 5-8. I'll be in the crow exhibit with paintings and new sculptures...this is my first public showing of sculpture! Take a peek at "Crow Angel" in the gallery's front window. Downstairs, for "Crow Face", I took a hammer to a full-size fired clay head and gave it a new direction. You'll have to see it--talk about taking art in smashing new directions! Also this month, I'm in "Studio Visit" magazine, page 10. Lots of new ideas are percolating with the advent of spring time...and thanks to a generous donor, I'm getting sculpture and painting supplies this month, too. THANK YOU to all who continue to believe in me and my work!

New Sculpture

Meet "Rotator"...a crow with barbed wire wings/feet; fired clay body. Nest has nutmeg 'eggs'. This piece will be in "Something To Crow About" at the Upstairs Artspace's next exhibit that opens April 15. I'll have crow paintings too. This is a piece I've worked on over the weekend, carefully handling the rusty barbed wire with gloves. Have a little more finish work to do on the piece, but it's close to finished! The great thing about this sculpture is: the clay was GIVEN to me. The barbed wire was GIVEN to me. The nutmeg eggs in the nest came from an exotic island: GIVEN to me. People are so good to me!!! Thank you, generous spirits out there: to those of you who buy my art, to those of you who believe in me and give me materials. THANK YOU.

Spring, Cupcake Outfits, Art Thoughts

Did that headline above get your attention? Spring is coming, so on Monday, I dressed up like a cupcake. Full of hope and pink color, eager to be rid of the winter grays and blacks for a while! Perhaps I'm pushing it, but I am living for longer sunlit days that are warm enough to allow me to work with clay and paint outside, with blue skies and birds singing. Maybe a little Bob Marley on the tunes...or something going in the CD player! It's time to think about doing open studio on Saturdays again; if you're interested, call ahead for an appointment. I'll be working steadily on work for an upcoming "Crow" art show at the Upstairs Artspace; opening in April. And tomorrow, I'll deliver two pieces: one sculpture, one oil painting to the Tryon Fine Arts Center for Tryon Painters & Sculptors member show which will open this Sunday with a reception from 5 to 7. Come on by if you're in the WNC area...it's always a good show, and fun to see what other artists are up to.

String of Pearls Show: Upstairs Artspace