Designed by Laura Zimney
My work was shown in the summer of 2018 Hannibal, Missouri’s Hannibal Arts Council exhibit space. My co-exhibitors were delightful St. Louis artists, Ben Bradshaw, ceramist, and Bryan Payne, doodler and found object seeker. Their careers will be worth following.
Show announcement above designed by Laura Zimney. The Hannibal Arts Council designed the show announcement below. Thanks to the sponsors.
George and Nancy
George Paley died this week. What joy he brought to his friendships. Encouraging, always curious, he loved sharing his ideas and projects with others. You could join him in the journey or not. While exhibiting casualness and a wry sense of humor, he brought a vital energy and creativity to his endeavors. His efforts were full throttle forward. Many will miss George terribly, but will take a deep breath to shrink the lump in our throats, and be grateful for his love and his friendship.
This is a link to Joanna Hlavacek’s lovely tribute to George and Judy in our local paper.
Sally Piller in the Flint Hills
Yesterday a friend updated a group on Sally’s health status, so I knew she was in hospice. But upon hearing of her passing, a somber cloud settled around me. Now her delightful presence and fun company will be only a memory. Described as a force, Sally was willing to jump headlong into whatever project captured her imagination. She was a skilled artist who produced superb work; strong, beautiful prints. One of the reasons I love and will always admire Sally, is the way she made me feel about myself and my work. She lifted my spirit with her attitude. I bet she’s pissed about dying before she was ready and, frankly, I’m a little pissed too. Sally’s work can be seen here.
An Eye for Beauty; a gift from our ancestors
Dennis Dutton, an arts philosopher, presents this Ted Talk on understanding beauty. His proposition is that beauty isn’t cultural or in the eye of the beholder, but a gift from our ancestors handed down through a million years. Beauty is an evolutionary gift that aids our survival.
This is one of four wooden counter tops that I’m building with the guidance of Jay Hindley, the ever patient and knowledgeable instructor in my woodworking class. The wood is recycled hardwood semi-truck flooring and the maple was once a gym bench. A small amount of trim work is still to be done, but I’m so pleased with the results, I’m posting. Another post shows a dining room table using the same materials. That table began as a counter top, but after deciding not to use wood around the sink, it was redesigned and now sits in the Zimney dining room.
Leaving winter and entering spring in the Midwest makes for some back and forth weather while the new season settles in. We’re currently having a spring snow storm. Just as the storm was beginning I walked the river trail through the woods north of town. Riverbank Grapevine is a new plant to me. There may be one growing up one of my favorite cottonwood trees. Later this summer I’ll discover whether snuggling vine is the Riverbank Grapevine
or a very healthy poison ivy.
Last year presented numerous opportunities for illustration. These are some of the drawings done for a writer of a children’s story about flowers and butterflies. Part of the story’s message is that all of us should take the time to appreciate the abundance and variety of exquisite life that surrounds us.
Girlfriends dancing to the airport
Watching a miracle
The Costume Tea Party with Butterflies
Notice for a 2012 exhibit of paintings and prints at Park University in Parkville, MO. The poster design by Laura Zimney.
Lawrence Journal World writer Sara Shepherd wrote an article about my work in 2012. Link to the article here.
Celebration on the Upper Missouri
Kaden
Kaden’s life was a short four years. The grief that his friends and family felt when he died was palpable. The brief life of this little boy created such a depth of feeling in those who knew him that one couldn’t help but sense and be moved by it. I offered to create a drawing. The parents decided that some of Kaden’s happiest moments were when he was being pulled in his wagon by a fellow “Yellow Jacket” classmate. Sesame Street’s Elmo, a smiling, hugable, exuberant character, was a favorite buddy. I created an Elmo image on his shirt that could be flying or reaching for a hug; the things that Kaden might like to do if his body had served him better. There’s a hint of the Kansas yellow brick road.
The family invited me to the dedication of the drawing at Sunnyside Elementary School in Olathe, KS. A large group of Kaden’s family, teachers, classmates and friends stood round as Grandpa Rick unveiled the drawing. There was a soft exclamatory sound and the tears welled, remembering Kaden and feeling the loss.
