Pilgrim

This piece features the Oratorio dei Pellegrini or the Pilgrim’s Oratory located in Assisi, Italy.  It has historically “offered rest and restoration to pilgrims,” as one pamphlet says.   Although I never had a chance to enter this place of prayer/worship while in Assisi, I kept circling back to it, admiring the exterior frescoes and slyly peeking through the thick glass doors from behind the velvet curtains.  It was always locked.  I took this shot from across the street.  It is my reflection in the glass doors--the reflection of a pilgrim.  It seemed fitting to combine this photo with one that showcased Assisi, the place of the pilgrimage to explore thin places.  

Pilgrim is part of my Thin Places body of work.

Size: (h x w) 20" x 16" framed

Medium: original digital photograph

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Passage

Passage was created from two viewpoints that shaped my time in Assisi and my perception of thin places.  The first is of an archway that opens up to reveal a stunning view of the countryside.  The first time I came upon this place, it was such a delight to see the hazy blues and greens of the countryside in a break between the pale medieval stone walls!  

The second image is of the window in my room at the Arte Studio Ginestrelle.  When not out wandering the town and countryside, I spent a fair bit of time in this room researching and looking out the window reflecting.  This view offered me a place where I would get lost in thought and it inspired me.

These images capture the thrill of discovery and the significance of contemplation. 

This piece is part of my Thin Places body of work, created after an artist residency in Assisi, Italy last year.

If you have a minute, please read the view the review of my latest Thin Places exhibit!

Size: (h x w) 20" x 12"

Media: Original digital photography on canvas

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Grateful

As I scurry around this week finishing up the last installment of Thin Places artwork and looking back over this past year, I am reminded of how very thankful I am to have had the opportunity to go on the artist residency in Assisi to work on this project.  At the end of this project I have particularly enjoyed revisiting my photos, my stash of mementos, and my journal entries that so vividly remind me of the "thinness" I experienced.  I have been moved and inspired far beyond my expectations.

Many thanks to all of you who have affirmed and supported me through this adventure.  I am deeply grateful!

At this point, I am not sure if my Thin Places body of work will be exhibited again locally, so if you are in the area, please come to the opening reception for the show on Friday, January 11 from 5-9 pm at the Market Street Art Spot in Minerva.

Nearing Completion

Well, I am happy to say that the Thin Places body of work will be completed by the end of the year!  It has been such a wonderful process for me to strive to create work that offers a glimpse at my experiences of thin places while I was in Assisi, Italy.  Some of these pieces are currently in an exhibit in Assisi (opening December 2) and in the Dueber Cafe Gallery at the Timken Company in Canton, OH (until January 15).  The rest of the work will be on exhibit at The Art Spot in Minerva, OH, opening January 11, 2013.  Now my next goal is to try to find a venue for the entire body of work to be exhibited all together!

With that said, it feels a little sad to be nearing the completion of this project.  It has been such a fulfilling experience and I have been stretched and challenged in so many new ways-- I don't want that to stop.  I want to use this as a springboard to the next project...whatever that may be!  Though the next project has not yet emerged from the bramble of ideas in my head, I look forward to seeing what's next.

Thinking and Being

Two images are combined in this piece to capture experiences while in Assisi, Italy that made me want to just pause and “be.”

One image is of a weathered chair.  It was in an old Italian farmhouse outside of Assisi.  It captured my imagination with its distressed beauty and seemed to exude a sense of history that was embedded in this worn, yet sturdy chair.

The second image was a mountain view taken from the top of Mount Subasio, also in Assisi.  The vastness of the beauty made me pause to savor it.

Thinking and Being
Size (h x w): 24" x 30"
Media: Digital Photography on canvas
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Making great progress!

Working on new the Thin Places artwork has been a very deep and meaningful process.  It has offered me a way to reenter the experience again, allowing the sense of discovery to continue.  As I am creating new work from my imagery, I am perceiving beauty and meaning again, from a different perspective.

I am very pleased with the progress I am making.  I will have most of the Thin Places work completed by the end of this month!   I just recently sent the first two finished pieces, developed on aluminum, to Assisi, Italy for the International Contemporary Art Exhibition at the Art Gallery Le Logge.  This exhibit, opening December 2, will feature artwork by the 2012 resident artists of the Arte Studio Ginestrelle.

In addition, I will also have Thin Places work exhibited at the Timken World Headquarters in Canton, OH from October 2012- January 2013. There are also a couple of other exhibition possibilities that I am waiting to hear back about.

I am so eager to share this work and so very thankful for all of the people who helped to make my residency and this project possible! THANK YOU!

Manifestation

An image of the tracery from the rose window in the Basilica of St. Clare, in Assisi, Italy was merged with an iconic view of the Umbrian countryside with its cyprus trees.  Together they seemed to create a thoughtful space that visualized growth.

Size (h x w):

Media: digital photography on aluminum

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Dreaming Again...

I invite you to please take a moment to check out my NEW PORTFOLIO with some new pieces not yet printed!  And while you are there, please click "collect me" to vote for my artwork.  There are cash prizes, exhibition and publication opportunities, and a trip around the world for the winning artists!

Yes, I AM dreaming, but hey, it's worth a try!  My sincerest thanks for your time and support.

Please feel free to forward this on to those who may be interested.

Thanks again,
Michele

Opportunity Knocks

I am thoroughly enjoying the long awaited process of sifting through my photos from my artist residency in Assisi, Italy!  As I am getting started (finally!) on my new Thin Places body of work I am feeling refreshed in the beauty and inspiration that I experienced in Assisi.  It was such a privilege to go and I am so very thankful for the opportunity.

While in Italy I was consistently drawn to ornate door knockers on charming wooden doors.  They seemed to capture the passage of time with such weathered beauty while also igniting my curiosity as to what was on the other side.

I am looking forward to making some smaller works for sale in my studio featuring some of these door knockers.  Stop by soon!