The long gap in posts here results in some part from working in my new Graton studio. In April I moved into #28 at Atelier One. This was the space formerly occupied by Adela Akers, who had added sheetrock, track lighting and other details to make it seem as much a gallery as a studio. It is a beautiful, inspiring space, and one that encouraged me to open it up to show my work.
In May, I began a series of paintings which were based on an encounter I had a few years ago with a feng shui consultant. While in our old home in Albany, she commented on my paintings and suggested I make one with eight red fish and one black one, as that would encourage prosperity. I was one to other things at that point, and sort of forgot about it (which probably explains my finances, I suppose).
My wife reminded me of the idea as I was unpacking into the new space, and I began to contemplate the idea of "chi" being able to recognize fish on a painting, let alone the "correct" number and color of those fish. That led to wondering how recognizable the fish had to be, and to whom (or to what). What are the cognitive functions of chi and what does it mean to create artwork for the pleasure of some kind of energy. If the existing depictions of these arrangements are any indication, chi favors fish that anyone can see are fish.
Or so one would believe.
Some additional research showed me that in actuality the fish (as well as their surrounding water, also a wealth attractant) only need to be understood by the owners of the art to be nine fish in order to be "effective". Freeing up the sensibilities of the human involved is a relief to all concerned, however more questions began to pop up.
The artwork now functions as an intermediary between the spiritual and material realms, and, wrapped in the mystical "other", takes on a new value aside from its intrinsic properties. Imbued with alleged powers from both ancient beliefs and a current agreement with its owner, the painting works as an object more inline with a fetish object or charm.
So, I decided to create a small group of paintings exploring these ideas. They are all identical in size and shape, though they use varying levels of representation of the nine fish. As they are finished I'll post them up here and on my website. I certainly can't make any claims as to their ability to generate prosperity, at least not yet, but I invite you to come by and check them out.
My studio will be open Saturday and Sunday July 25th and 26th from 1 to 6 p.m.
Its located at 2860 Bowen Street in Graton. Discount refreshments will be served, and know that there are plenty of other great things to do in the area should you want to make a day of it.
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