A Family Affair

We hung an all-family art exhibition yesterday (with some last-minute rearrangement this morning) (and room will be made for a piece that arrived late today).  This was sort of my brainchild, borne of some much deeper, more time-consuming, MUCH more costly dreaming about our creative works as a family -- and our working together creatively as a family -- and, well, it whittled down to this.  A Family Affair : art show.

The show is in my husband's studio-gallery which is above Ali's coffee shop.  When you hit the top of the stairs, this is pretty much the first wall you see and (Ali's idea) we filled it with self-portraits -- one each.  Sorry about the glare, that's the price for light, and I didn't take any time in setting up my photos of the show.  At top left is Lee's SP, a colored pencil drawing of his reflection in a window looking out on the ocean, done at our house in Cape Kiwanda in 1984; to the right is Maddy, a pencil drawing she did in 2007; below her is Katie, acrylic on masonite, 2003 (in college); to the left of her is me, a familiar image to readers, 2009; and Ali rounds out the family SP wall with a pencil image she began in 2004 and finished in 2010 (the day-before-yesterday, I think!).

Around the corner are a few pieces of Maddy's, one small ink and a couple of pencil drawings; and then some of Katie's work (the left-most pencil drawing and the acrylics).

The big wall holds a couple of my favorite pieces ever -- Ali's "Alice Cooper," a drawing she did for her BF's birthday two years ago, which he allows to hang in the coffee shop, and Katie's "Madeleine," a large acrylic on canvas (2004-2006) that I miss hanging in my living room.  "Lightbulb" is also Kate's, and the ceramic and acrylic "plate" is Ali's.

There is a small selection of Alison's drawings....

...and then Lee's work.  "Fish," to the left of Lee's head is an oil on canvas of his dad's from the 1960s.  The piece at far right is actually two drawings, an early colored pencil by Lee entitled "Grape Jelly" and, inspired, one by Ali from 1998 called "Afternoon Breakfast" (egg, toast, bacon).  The busts were done by the girls in high school -- Ali's (based on Nicole Kidman) is on the left, Maddy's (Kate Winslet) is in the middle, and Katie's (a classmate) is on the right.

My work is on the wall opposite Lee's.  "Lake Michigan," "Nevada Desert," "Fourth of July Fruit Salad," and a selection of portraits (all boys, I rarely find baby girls in my viewfinder!).  Tomorrow, a photo collage called "Afghani Hats" will squeeze in there somewhere.

The show will be up through January -- for any locals or sorta locals who'd like to see it in person.  (Call/email me!  We can do coffee/tea.)

I visited with people today, feet up, sewing off Parcheesi Side 3 and picking up all the stitches for Side 4... the last side!  There was plenty of touchy-feely oohs and aaahs, and lots of good compliments on that today.  I can't believe I'm almost finished!!

 

Comments

[Norma]

Verra verra COOL, Vicki!!!

[Angie]

I'll call before I come up to see the show, I'll definitely be there.

[Maureen]

No wonder your kids are so gifted...TWO parents with creative genes to pass on...how can they miss?!:) Everyone's work is SO beautiful...congrats to all of you! I was absent the day all that "good stuff" was passed out, but I'm a first-class admirer!!! I only wish I could do it in person!

[Kim]

Holy moly....Vicki!!! You are an amazingly talented family! I love all of your works!

[Julia in KW]

Wow!!! How wonderful to have so much artistic talent in one family! The work is all so beautiful! You should all feel very proud of your show!

[Carole]

I think it's amazing that you all have so much talent.

[margene]

Smith and I want to meet you for coffee and a snack, then head up the stairs to see the exhibit with you as curator. It would be so wonderful!! Love the self portraits of your family five.

[kmkat]

What an talented and creative and totally amazing family you have! Having a family exhibition is a stroke of genius, too. (Call me prejudiced, but my favorite pieces are your photographs.)

[Elizabeth]

How wonderful to be immersed in an all round creative family. I love the idea of a family art show. ("Madeleine" is one of my favourites.)
Here's to a virtual cuppa, 'though I'd love to see the show in person.

[Oiyi]

Congratulations to you and your family. It sounds like a wonderful show. I wish I could see it in person. All that creativity from the whole family. It makes me want to weep (from happiness).

[janna]

I cannot imagine having a family as artistically talented as yours! Just amazing - wish I could see it in person!

[janna]

I cannot imagine having a family as artistically talented as yours! Just amazing - wish I could see it in person!

[gale (she shoots sheep shots)]

So wonderful! Congratulations on really doing this and not just thinking about it . What a super talented family.

[Heather]

I love how talented your family is. I wish I lived closer because I would really enjoy seeing all of your art in one place. Congratulations!

[Kym]

I so wish I could come see the exhibit! Your photos just took my breath away. So lovely. So exciting. Such gifts. You must just burst your buttons with pride every day. Thanks for sharing with us, Vicki.

[Kym]

I so wish I could come see the exhibit! Your photos just took my breath away. So lovely. So exciting. Such gifts. You must just burst your buttons with pride every day. Thanks for sharing with us, Vicki.

[Anne Smith]

Such a talented family...you must be very proud of your brood! Wish I was local to come and see it in person but alas we are many miles apart. Anne

[lynne s of oz]

Holy moley, you guys are one talented bunch! And I don't say that lightly cos I don't gush :-) Congrats on the family gallery exhibition.