Highlights of 2022: The Universe Opens
This recap of the year is late, but not because 2022 was not a good one. There was not a high bar of comparison after 2 years of Covid. Because of a vowed to travel and reintegrate this year after 2 years of solitude, our reward was contracting the virus in May. Oh well, eventually has to happen to all of us. We started our year in Savannah, which you may know, my time and creativity is divided between there and Nashville. I have been working on a couple of sculptures there and decided to bring them to Nashville to complete. They are not finished, but they are following a theme I have been exploring that was inspired by The Universe in a Nutshell, a book by Stephen Hawking. A large canvas-turned-mural with the same name also completed in Nashville is scheduled to go up in a week or so at the Discovery Center at Murfree Springs, a local children’s museum. Years ago I was a scientific illustrator at a UT Chair of excellence so I am a little geeky about science and sci-fi.
Parvin Etesami was a famous Persian poet who, before her time, was vocal about women and the underprivileged. This commissioned portrait features one of her poems about a poor homeless boy and it covers the background behind her.
In February we traveled to the Mardi Gras where my only creative activity included face painting and enjoying all the crazy floats.
On one of my visits to Savannah I completed a few inter coastal works. My painting definitely has a different vibe on Skidaway Island. So glad we have this creative retreat with abundant wildlife and beautiful moss covered trees.
In April, after many Covid-related delays, the Leading Ladies play premiered with all its many facets including works of art and a mural completed previously, but featured during the sponsor party. This was a labor of love of many creatives and a great accomplishment added to the Rutherford Arts Alliance’s hat and Andrea Loughry’s as well.
During the summer I worked on a community paint of mural artists in graffiti alley. This led to my other mural experiences for the year, including the science mural.
Reeves Sain is an iconic drugstore with a soda shop in Murfreeboro Tennessee. They have the most delicious milkshakes! I was proud to be a part of this project since my children grew up drinking milkshakes there after school or soccer practice.
In August a trip to Bordeaux revealed not only fantastic wines, but lots of public art. During bike rides through the backroads of the city we discovered this talented artist everywhere. There is a nod to him in my museum mural.
In September I helped an very talented artist friend with this temporary panel mural featuring many artists in our area. It went up at the Walnut House in Murfreeboro Tennessee replacing the one completed during Covid. It was created this way so artists could participate in the mural without working side by side.
The rest of the year was spent In travels and a move. Not much time to create except for very small projects like these small and portable canvases satisfying my door fetish and these crazy warped skyscrapers with birds on a wire. Cheers to 2023 having many exciting adventures ahead!
