Liquid sculptures by Floto + Warner.

Ooh, ahh! Liquid sculptures by architectural photography team Floto + Warner.

My Topolier in Vancouver, Washington

New images from my installation at North Bank Artists Gallery in Vancouver, Washington. The show is up until June 28, 2014. Go check it out! Topolier. 2014. 8x14x8 feet. Glass, twine, steel, dye, cheesecloth, burlap, paper, cardboard, and wood. Artwork and photography ©2014. Danielle Foushée

American Landscape Painting in the 1800s

I’ve been reading a lot about Americans’ attitudes towards landscape/nature over the past 200-ish years. In the 1700’s it seems that painting landscape just wasn’t something that was considered acceptable. It wasn’t until the very late 1700’s that Americans realized that they had something uniquely different from Europe, and they began to (sort-of) celebrate it. Romanticism was in its heyday during the first half of the 19th Century, and the paintings pictured above were created during this time. Many artists during this time wanted to celebrate pastoral nature, the agrarian landscape, evidence of the people’s control over the land for production purposes. They weren’t quite ready, it seems, to depict full-blown wilderness in a positive light, as it was still dangerous and frightening. In these images, we see lots of human activity on the fringes between wilderness and civilization. Urban development was looked down upon as well as wilderness. The rural farm life was seen as the most virtuous. Cities and industry were depicted far in the distance, with these pastoral and leisurely images in the foregrounds. Picnics and farms were common subjects during this era. #landscape #painting #art #America #Thomas Cole #Winslow Homer #Alvan Fisher #PNCAmfa

The Drawing that Makes Itself — Variation 07

Here are some more images from my recent series of Drawings That Make Themselves in the Sierra National Forest in California. That granite is such a great substrate for the drawings. I would love to go back and do more of these drawings sometime.

Variation number 07 was about how the liquid transfers from one surface angle to another.

The Drawing that Makes Itself — Variation 05

This is number 05 in a series of ephemeral landscape drawings that make themselves. I love setting something free and seeing how it behaves on its own — like a controlled chaos almost. 

I'm getting more and more excited about working outside in the landscape. Interjecting artificial, almost psychedelic colors into an environment filled with earth tones creates a tension that reflects the collision of urban civilization and natural landscapes. I created these drawings in the Sierra National Forest just south of Yosemite.

The Drawing that Makes Itself — Variation 04

This series of photos documents the process of creating The Drawing that Makes Itself - Variation 04.

New Work Underway: Screens

I just started a new train of thought... expanding on the idea of the “curtain” that I’ve been working with. I’m also thinking about the idea of a “screen” — and how the hide/reveal idea is similar, yet different, from the curtain. What is visible, what isn't? What is the obstructed view, and where is the truth?

Above is a preview of the first piece I’m doing in response to this variation on the theme. I'm excited about this work, and look forward to posting more for you to see in the coming weeks/months. Stay tuned!

Anchor Art Space: My Residency / Part 4

I learn the most from the things that don’t go the way I plan.

For a while now I’ve had an idea to work with dyes in my twine work, so I decided that my time at Anchor Art Space is as good as any to begin my experiments.

I wanted to create a curtain of twine that hangs into jars of dye, and then allow the dye to wick up the material as time passes. I’m sure anyone familiar with fabrics and dyes probably already knows that cotton needs lots of heat in order for the dye to transfer well. I did not know that at first, but I do now!

The dye did, indeed, wick up the twine — to a point. It dried out far sooner than I had hoped, and it seemed both out of proportion and a mismatch for the curtain I already created.

I learned a lot working on this experiment over the past few days, so I don’t consider the time wasted. I do recognize the need to keep experimenting, perhaps with different twine materials as well as different ways to apply the color. I love learning new things!

McKinley Arts Center: My Solo Show in Reno, Nevada

Matt and I drove from Seattle to Reno yesterday (13 hours!) so we could be on site at McKinley Arts Center for the installation of my solo show there. I have twelve of my favorite pieces in the show.

The show looks great and Kyle and Toni (my contact folks in the Public Arts Program for the City of Reno) have been so awesome to work with. Reno is a beautiful city, too, with the Truckee River flowing right through town and snow-topped mountains to the west.

Matt did the best he could to photograph the paintings in the space. The gallery is long and narrow and in a historic building, so there were some challenges. After trying to shoot photos in this space, I think I might have to break down and buy a lighting kit so we can get better images of my work in spaces like this.

One Summit: New Work & New Outlook

One Summit. Ink, nails, and twine on paper mounted on board. 

24"x36". 2012.

I finished this new painting a few weeks ago. It is special to me because it documents an important evolution in my overall philosophy on life. When my dad died in 2001, I made a promise that I would take any opportunity that presented itself, and I did just that. I was in my mid-20’s at the time, and I did not want to miss out on anything that life might generously offer.

And after eleven years of saying “yes” to everything that came my way, I ran myself ragged. I realized that I was running on an ever-faster treadmill, trying to experience everything but never fully experiencing anything deeply. I have been climbing a whole range of mountains leading to a bunch of different summits, but never actually getting anywhere.

I know this promise has served me well over the years. I’ve had a lot of amazing experiences like rock climbing, traveling, and meeting tons of amazing and different people. I've lived in four states since 2001, and worked full time while taking on every freelance opportunity, too. I took up yoga, and dove full-force into yoga trainings and teaching.

And then last year I was diagnosed with cancer. Another brush with death gave me an opportunity to re-examine my choices and promises to myself. I am cancer-free and healthy now, and I realize that after eleven years of running full speed ahead, it is time to slow down, pause, and say “yes” more fully to the things that really matter: my art, my community, my family. 

This painting, One Summit, is a reminder for me that I no longer have to do everything to be fulfilled in life, but that I can do fewer things and do them well, with more personal investment, and more mindfulness.

CoCA Art Marathon

 

Last weekend, I participated with 19 other artists, in an Art Marathon hosted by Center on Contemporary Art Seattle (CoCA). We worked around the clock for 24 full hours, and immediately after we finished there was an auction to raise money for CoCA. All four pieces I created during the marathon were sold!

The energy in the gallery was inspiring! Tons of visitors came through to talk to us while we worked. It was both energizing and unsettling having strangers standing around watching me.

I was so delirious from not sleeping that I completely forgot to photograph a couple of the pieces I made!

EDGE Professional Development Program for Visual Artists

 Point Wilson Light at Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend, Washington

Last week, I attended the EDGE Professional Development Program for Visual Artists in Port Townsend, Washington. Getting an invitation to participate was competitive, and there were sixteen of us chosen to come together for a week of intensive learning at Fort Worden State Park.

What a gorgeous place to stay for a week. I practiced sun salutations on this bluff above the Puget Sound before class started each day.

We had class outside one day to make the legaleze a bit more bearable! I don’t think there’s much a person can do to make contracts interesting, other than sitting outside in the sunshine to talk about it.

We learned a lot about how to run a business as artists... apparently this is something many artists tend to avoid or procrastinate about. We learned about marketing plans, business plans, and legal issues, as well as how to best get the attention of gallery directors, write grant proposals, prepare portfolio packets, develop artist statements, and a lot more... in just eight days. One person compared the experience to sipping water from a fire hose. Hilarious, and true!

The Port Townsend Leader featured our group in the Arts & Entertainment section.

On our last day together, we gave a public presentation of our artwork at the Cotton Building in downtown Port Townsend. Everyone’s presentations improved so much from our rough go-round earlier in the week. It was so inspiring to see all the work together, and to support each other in public.

I’m so inspired by all the people I met this week, and look forward to supporting their creative endeavors for years to come. Thanks Artist Trust!

Spontaneous: A New Series

 Spontaneous: Jump. Ink on paper. 8x8 inches. 2012.

The amazing spring weather and subsequent abundant flowers blooming all over town inspired this brightly-colored series. The rhododendrons are especially beautiful and vibrant right now, and I’m inspired!

 Spontaeous Series. Ink on paper. 8x8 inches (each piece). 2012.

 Spontaneous: Courage. Ink on paper. 8x8 inches. 2012.

Fabriano Features My Paintings

A few months ago, paper maker Fabriano purchased images of several of my paintings to include in their new paper sample books. I just got my copies in the mail today; they look great!

Graphic designers use these books to spec paper for their large press projects. The sample books show designers the best of what the papers can do with printing effects and inks.

What I love most about this piece is that it combines two of my favorite things—painting and printing.

I am humbled and full of gratitude that these Italian designers (a) found my work, and (b) appreciated its quality and ability to communicate the best of what their papers can handle.

Handpainted Watering Can for Charity

A few weeks ago I was asked (along with about 40 other artists) by a friend at Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network in Denver to custom paint a garden watering can for their upcoming fundraiser. I was honored to be a part of this project, and I hope they rake in tons of cash to help people in need.

The luncheon and auction will be held on May 11, 2012.

To find out more about the project and to register for the luncheon, click here.

Autocomplete / Collaboration

Autocomplete: Untitled. A drawing by Kevin White and Danielle Foushée.

7.5 x 9.5 inches. Crayon, ink, and twine on matte board.

My friend from our days at Cranbrook, Maya Drozdz, invited me to be a part of a new exhibition she’s curating, called Autocomplete: A Collaborative Coloring Book Exhibition at Visionaries + Voices Gallery in Cincinnati, Ohio. The exhibition will be on view from May 10 to June 29, 2012.

The Visionaries + Voices Gallery provides artistic and cultural opportunities for artists with disabilities, and builds an inclusive environment where all artists feel valued. They value a world in which artists with disabilities not only create and share their works of art, but also are able to learn, work, collaborate, exhibit, teach, and celebrate with other community members.

I was given the black and white drawing you see above, created by artist Kevin White, and was asked to “complete” the piece. I added the color and the twine to finish it. I always love these kinds of works. What two artists create together is completely different from what each of them would’ve done alone.

Special thanks to Maya for including me in this project. It has been really fun to be a part of it!

New Blue Paintings

Vishuddha #11, Ink on Paper, 6x6 inches. 2012.

I just finished a new series of blue and purple paintings. There are 22 of them.

Vishuddha #3, 6, 7, 10, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22.

Ink on paper, 6x6 inches (each), 2012.

My sankalpa (intention) for 2012 is to focus on the idea of integrity—living from my own truth, and from the inside out. After my thyroid cancer diagnosis last fall, I’ve been thinking a lot about the throat chakra and it’s energetic implications on my life. Vishuddha Chakra is generally represented by the color blue. 

To honor my body and my intention this year, I’m focusing on becoming a better communicator. As part of my studies and spiritual practice, I’ve taken on a course in life coaching, which I think will give me skills to become a better speaker and especially a better listener.

Vishuddha #19, Ink on Paper, 6x6 inches. 2012.

I hope I will be able to deepen my personal relationships, improve my own life and the lives of people around me. I’m also looking forward to grounding my art-making work in the ideas that evolve from these explorations. 

I’m giving one of these little guys to each of my classmates in my Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction class at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. I hope it will be a happy little reminder to everyone of what a great experience we had supporting each other together. 

Maybe it will also help keep us on task with staying in the present moment, where everything is always as it should be.