Art Show: Stories.
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this postThis solo art show, entitled "Stories", was held in Langdon, North Dakota in the summer of 2004.
I had been scrambling to come up with what I wanted to do for a show, leaving it, as usual, until the last minute. With under a month to complete the exhibit, I started pouring through my sketchbooks and journals to come up with an idea.
The idea of using a theme of "stories" came to me. Everything was about stories, everything I was seeing in all my journals and sketches told a story in some way. The show literally fell together, and I could scarcely keep up with all the ideas I had coming to me. In fact, I was only able to act on just a few of what turned out to be a long list of ideas. Should I ever decide to expand the original show, I have more than enough ideas to do so.
This show was different from other shows, from traditional gallery exhibits. I did not want the viewers to be passive, to only be able to view art and nothing more. Since I had decided to use altered books mounted in an open framed-wooden shell, I made a sign that asked the viewers to take the books off their mounts, look through them, touch them, and find all the little things I had sneaked in, all the secrets waiting for them.
Accompanying the show was a thin "show guide" book that had a page dedicated to each piece. This book gave me a chance to explain the story behind each piece, and to see some of the thinking, sketching and reasoning behind them as well. Blank pages were sprinkled throughout this book, with directions for visitors of the show to at least sign their names. However, visitors were encouraged to write not only their name, but thoughts or comments that came to mind after seeing the show or about specific pieces. They basically became part of the story that was the show.
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Labels: art show stories
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 9:16 PM
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Fairy Tale
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post
We are all familiar with the traditional twists and turns of classic fairy tales. The short story on this paining, written in gold pencil, tells a fairy tale without the usual twists.
Blondes don't have more fun, it isn't really about getting the prince, and everyday life is just as fine as that of being royalty.
Through use of gold-toned pencils and acrylic washes, this painting gives off an unusual metallic sheen which does not photograph well.
Materials: Colored pencils, watercolor and acrylic on cotton rag paper.
Size: 44" x 30"
Other: Unframied
Price: $300
Labels: art show stories, colored pencil, figurative, watercolor, words
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 11:03 AM
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Biography
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post
This rather personal painting uses the changing silhouette of one woman as she goes through life, with each era (childhood, teen, young adult, elderly) captured in a few sentences that describe her inward struggles.
Materials: Mixed media (collage, sewing, ink, acrylics, gesso, charcoal) on pieced cotton rag paper.
Size: 30" x 30"
Other: This pieces is unframed
Price: SOLD
Labels: art show stories, figurative, mixed media, words
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 11:03 AM
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Poseidon
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 1 comments link this post
In keeping with the theme of stories, one can't leave out the importance of myth.
I've alwasy been drawn to Poseidon because, contrary to what one might think, he has a connection to horses. Though he is of the sea, his link to horses in mythology links him very much to land. In this piece, I attempted to capture the strength not only of the Poseidon, but of the sea. Visually, the strength comes from the color and texture used to hint at what is there, what is awash on the paper.
Materials: Mixed media (charcoal, acrylic, sewing, rice paper collage, gesso, acrylic mediums) on cotton rag paper.
Size: 44" x 30"
Other: This large piece will be shipped unframed, rolled up in a large tube.
Price: $300
Labels: art show stories, figurative, mixed media, mythology
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 11:02 AM
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Denatured Book: Ship
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post
This denatured book features a parchment-look cover with an aged map and a statement that "the world is covered by freedom, for it is covered by the sea." Though it may seem strange for a person very much land-locked in a plains state, the idea of endless water seems to be the epitome of freedom.
But wait a minute. Looks are deceiving. In a small glass bottle towards the bottom of the inside diorama, a small note reads "Save me." Even in our own search for freedom, we become bound.
The wooden display case is finished to looked aged and connected to the sea, with the backdrop a collection of book interior pages.
Materials: Mixed media (book, acrylic paints and mediums, collage, wood, etc.)
Size: 16" x 22" x 3" (exterior frame measurements)
Other: Comes with wooden display frame; book is easily removed.
Price: $800
Labels: art show stories, books, collage, maps, ships
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 11:01 AM
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Denatured Book: Rodent
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post
I still enjoy reading books meant for children or young adults simply because their story lines seem purer in their goal to free the mind to imagine. There are no obligatory elements or controls often seen in adult literature.
A popular source of material for children's books, surprisingly, are rodents. Ralph and the Motorcycle, The Secret of NIHM, and so on. For some reason, we find it a great source of entertainment to envision the secret lives of animals smaller than us, little worlds existing in our gardens and walls.
This "Rodents" book was meant to join the great collection of rodent-themed literature, offering the viewer a look into the varying lives of rich mice vs. poor mice, and who can afford the better contractor.
Materials: Mixed media (acrylics, wood, collage, glue, glitter, seeds, cotton, laquer, etc.)
Size: 16" x 22" x 3" (exterior frame measurments)
Other: Comes with wooden display frame; book is easily removed.
Price: $500
Labels: animals, art show stories, books, collage
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 11:00 AM
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Denatured Book: Letters
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post
What else tells our story best, but the letters we write?
Unfortunately, with technology as it is, people are more prone to use email, text messaging or the telephone to communicate. I've always thought that was a real shame because so many of the letters of the past by both the famous and infamous are now part of our literary history. It's much less likely we'll be printing out and saving all of the emails and messages we now receive.
This book is less a book than a box, meant to hold letters. Because I don't receive a great quantity of mail, I created my own letters. These are letters to anyone, letters that might be something found in an attic or antique store and rediscovered anew by someone far removed from their source.
Materials: Mixed media (papers, acrylics, glue, string, ribbons, inks, wood, etc.)
Size: 16" x 22" x 3" (exterior frame measurements)
Other: Comes with wooden display frame; book is easily removed.
Price: $800
Labels: art show stories, books, collage
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 10:59 AM
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Denatured Book: Journal
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post
Journals don't have to be plain old diaries. Art and collage can do the work just as well as writing can. And that's what this book is about: telling a story without too many words.
This book opens in three places, with each section featuring a variety of materials, techniques, writings and moveable parts. Each element is personal, having a symbolic meaning for events in my life. But, despite it being about me, there is much in it that can speak to another person just like any good journal can.
The frame is covered with excerpts from my regular written journals, and the background of the frame is covered with pieces from the interior of old books.
Materials: Mixed media (gesso, acrylics, ink, glue, wood, paper collage, etc.)
Size: 16" x 22" x 3" (exterior frame measurements)
Other: Comes with wooden display frame; book is easily removed.
Price: $700
Labels: art show stories, books, collage
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 10:58 AM
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Denatured Book: Fly Away
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 0 comments link this post
This book opens in the center to reveal the pop-out of a hand-cut dove. The paper dove has pearlescent painted lines on its body, swirling about to form an abstract take on feathers.
The cover and background of the book all have phrasing that advocate a wish to be made into a bird and fly away, fly far, far away. How many times have you ever wished to escape the place you are for something that seems much better?
The wing pattern on the wooden exterior frame glows slightly in the dark.
Materials: Mixed media (gesso, watercolor, ink, paper, etc.)
Size: 16" x 22" x 3" (exterior frame measurements)
Other: Comes with wooden display frame; book is easily removed.
Price: $500
Labels: animals, art show stories, books, collage
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 10:56 AM
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