renewal

I love to paint but I'm lazy about it. Sometimes I paint only in my head. That's why it's good every once in a while to go back to the source and to use it as an impetus to get mind images onto the canvas. The source for me is the people who have mentored me throughout the years.

Last night John and I went to Linda Warren Gallery in the West Loop to see the opening reception for two shows-- Loretta Bourque: Charades and Rob Bondgren: All That Glitters. I know both artists personally and they have been very instrumental in my development as a painter. In fact, Loretta was my advisor when I was in the Certificate in Painting Program at SAIC and Rob was the one who introduced us. To quote from the show's website, "these artists... look to the human body to explore ideas surrounding identity and how we as a society and culture give expression to passion, obsession and desire." Check it out for yourself at www.lindawarrengallery.com.

It was a miserable rainy night but the show was packed. Loretta's from New Orleans and, with the upcoming holiday, there was a Mardi Gras theme. There were beads galore, wine and punch and gumbo. The infectiousness of cajun culture prevailed and the atmosphere was celebratory and alive.

I admire Rob and Loretta so much. Their use of the human form, technical perfection, mastery of color and flamboyance resonate with me. I took it all in with much enthusiasm. In front of one of Loretta's paintings, John said to me, "it's easy to tell how much she's influenced you."

So I came home from the show with a symphony of images and ideas in my head. The spark had been lit, as I had hoped it would be. I woke up this morning with even more concepts percolating within; ideas for two distinct series are developing and I'm eager to do some preliminary sketches. I am ready to take it to fruition. I've gathered some images and will once again drag out gesso, canvas, paper, brushes, paint. The show was exactly what I needed.