The Thinking Woman's Almanac |
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MY LONGEST SHOW EVER: COLORS OF SPRING |
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...and Summer, and Fall, and Winter, and another Spring and Summer, as it turned out.
On March 2 of 2020, we installed an exhibition of 15 of my oil-based pieces, entitled "Colors of Spring: Paintings and Drawings," at the Mulberry Street Branch of the New York Public Library. Thanks to the COVID 19 pandemic, much of New York, including the library system, closed to public access 10 days later. I could "visit" the exhibition by figuratively pressing my nose against the glass. In September of 2020 this branch of the library began to reopen for returns and pre-ordered pickups of materials. And now, in late June, it has opened into Phase 2, so that library patrons may actually browse shelves and use library computers on a limited basis.
Never have I been so glad that I had chosen to exhibit oil-based work, knowing that I'd have no control over the lighting in the environment. Works on paper would have suffered light-damage. But who knew there would be a year-long quarantine? The paintings and drawings appear to have held up just fine.
When Wanda Noonan and I set about making a video record of the installation, we received a priceless gift from the librarians of Mulberry Street, who were more than willing to speak to us about living with the art for over a year during collectively trying circumstances. No one other than myself has spent this much protracted time around a large body of my work. I am beyond grateful to know that the exhibition really made a positive difference in the lives of people working in the environment.
The exhibition remains on view through August 31, 2021. The library is housed in a beautifully renovated old brick chocolate factory at 10 Jersey Street, New York, NY 10012, and is a fully accessible site. Library hours are 11-5, Monday through Saturday; closed Sundays. 212-966-3424.
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As of September 1st, the work will be coming home to me --- or, perhaps, to you. If interested in adding to your own collections, please email or call me regarding purchases.
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Show Title: Colors of Spring: Paintings and Drawings
Location: New York Public Library, Mulberry Street Branch
10 Jersey Street,
New York, NY 10012
Dates: 3 March 2020 - 31 August 2021
Image: Waterlilies, Farmer's Pond, Kendal at Oberlin
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Show Title: Spring New Members Exhibition 2021
Dates: 3 May - 30 June, 2021
Image: Rumination
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Show Title: The Healing Power of ART In Honor of Nature Exhibition
Dates: 20 May - 20 July, 2021
Image: Nocturne in Blue: September 11, 2015
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Show Title: 2021 SCNY Open Cityscapes Exhibition
Location: Salmagundi Club of New York
47 Fifth Avenue @ 12 St
New York, NY 10003
Dates: 6 June - 24 June, 2021
Image: Cloisterscape: Early Spring
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A brief discussion of two of my paintings, "Cloisterscape: Early Spring" and "Nocturne in Blue: September 11, 2015," which are on display at the Salmagundi Club through Thursday, June 24. The show is open weekdays 1-6pm, and weekends 1-5. It includes works by many artists, and is a wonderful celebration of reopening. |
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Show Title: Forever Young
Dates: 1 July - 15 August, 2021
Image: The Choice is Mine
LINK - not yet available
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French Lilacs and Southworth Vase, I, 14" x 21 3/4," 2021
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French Lilacs and Southworth Vase, II, 14" x 21 3/4," 2021
I had an unwanted adventure with these two. Late in the lilac season, I spotted the models in the Greenmarket among the offerings of Terhune Orchards, from whom I normally buy apples, not flowers. They were French lilacs, I was told, and of a pale pink color I had never seen. I had to have them, and suspected nothing amiss until I got home. There I discovered that I was violently allergic to the delicious but overpowering scent of the lilacs. I wasn't about to squander my opportunity to paint them but could barely stand to be in the same room with them. What to do?
Cutting to the chase: I trimmed the woody stems, put them in hot water as usual for maximum longevity, put the lilacs in a room with a firmly closed door, prepared the heavy watercolor paper stapled and taped onto two boards, opened all the studio windows, and decided to compose two versions, one from each face of the bouquet, by simply rotating the vase when switching paintings. Having two paintings going at once is a common watercolorist's strategy -- we have something else to do on a second work while aspects of one painting are drying.
I drank lots of water while working, washed my hands frequently, and stashed the models behind their door between work sessions. I love the results, but will likely never again be painting French lilacs or anything else so pungent at close quarters.
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September Garden, St-Michel-de-Cuxa Cloister, oil stick on canvas, 18" x 18," 2021
When the Metropolitan Museum of Art reopened to the public last September, I visited on the 11th, the first day I could do so. Spending time in the gardens there seemed the best possible antidote to my annual 9/11 anniversary mood of loss and sadness. Quite correctly, we're not allowed to paint in the museum, though drawing in dry media and photography are permitted. Back in the studio later, I made this oil-stick extravaganza from one of my photos of lush foliage and blooms.
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Peonies, Irises and Bachelor's Buttons, watercolor, 12 7/8" x 10," 2021
Three of my absolute favorite flowers. For a brief moment in May, they were available simultaneously.
Every Spring, I bring home cut flowers from local stores or from the Union Square Greenmarket. These three watercolors all include a stoneware vase made by James Southworth, a colleague and friend of my father's, and now in my collection. As many times as I've used this piece in still life compositions, the subtleties of its glaze continue to elude me, so that the paintings are all a bit different from one another.
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Sunset, Lake Garfield, watercolor, 6 1/4" x 6," 2021
The first sheet in a new square watercolor sketchbook ordered from a source new to me, St. Louis Art Supply. Good paper that takes paint well, good spiral binding, sturdy covers. Now a fixture of my plein air kit. Pleased to have discovered the store: shop.stlartsupply.com.
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ONGOING CLASSES
STUDIO
I continue to offer very small group classes at my Bond Street studio. We're never more than four in the double-cube room: 11' x 22' x 11;' high ceiling, with good light and ventilation. Covid precautions observed.
Tea is always served at break-time.
Please feel free to get in touch at 212-464-7519
Current schedule:
Monday 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Wednesday 2:30pm – 5:30 pm
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SHOP ANNIE SHAVER-CRANDELL |
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Featured Product:
Red Tulips Greeting Cards
This colorful, exuberant image, made with oil sticks, was inspired by the multicolored noisy vigor of parrot tulips.
Greeting cards, blank inside, folded size 4" x 6"
Clear plastic box of 10, with envelopes
$15 plus shipping and handling
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Shop
Annie Shaver-Crandell products at
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