Treffinger Daily: September 2010

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Florabunda

"Florabunda", Collection of Tara & Chris Jennings
Wow, two days in a row. What's going on here? I have
been struggling with this piece for a while now. I think
it is finished. Feel free to tell me what you think. Getting
away from the studio and going to Portland and getting
my brains image bank refueled helped a lot in allowing
me to breakthrough with it. I need to get away more
often.

This piece was a paint over on an old painting of Cindy's
and my collaboration. Part of the reason I had such a
difficult time with it was letting go of the parts of the old
painting that were 'precious', always a challenge.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Commission in place

Ron, The Witness II and Gail

I have been taking a break from the time I spend on the computer.
This has meant a break from blogging, as that is where the time
really gets gobbled up. I have recently returned from a trip to Portland.
Coming from a county with a population of 25,000 to the city is an
awesome assault of the senses. It was so inspiring to be around all
the creative energy in that city. I went out to eat, visited galleries and
storefronts, bought art supplies, and delivered 14 pieces to a beautiful
furniture store. I house sat so I had my time all my own. It was so
peaceful to be solo for a time. I had incredible dreams, waking up
wanting to create art.

For those of you in the Portland area the art is at Parker Furniture, a
few blocks east on 10 from 217. At one time I showed at Roche Bobois
(furniture store) and did very well. Since then I have wanted to find
another opportunity like that. The opportunity arose with one of the
lovely women I worked with at Roche Bobois offering to represent
me at Parker. Furniture stores are not gallery representation but they
are a great venue as people can see the art in context of a mock living
space. Also I will be showing until we decide to end the arrangement,
not once every 2 years.

The commission has been hung in its new home and Ron and Gail are
very happy with it. They sent me the attached photo. They look like ol'
friends the three of them!

The Art And Meaning Project

The Art and meaning Project is a series of responses from various artists to the question: "What meaning does doing art have for you? In other words why do you show up in your studio, or wherever, and pick up your tools day after day?"

This is something I have thought of doing for a while as
a book, but now I have the blog and, who knows, maybe
it could become a book. I am very excited about this. I love hearing the answers. Showing up for their creations is
often an irresistible pull for artists. Many of us at any given
time ask ourselves why we are doing it. All the answers have a different response. Most of us can relate to at least some part of every response.

I want to hear the artists' answers. If you are an artist
and would like to contribute please email me. I will not guarantee that I will post everyone's answer, I need to
see what you have to say first and if it contributes more to the project.

THE ART OF KATHERINE TREFFINGER

ABOUT THE ARTIST
www.katherinetreffinger.com

I spent my childhood in Sausalito, California in the 50’s. It was a magical place, teeming with artists and creative expression. Across the street from our house was one of the coffeehouses where the “bohemians” came to listen to music, and writers such as Allen Ginsberg, Gary Snyder and Jack Kerouac read from their work.

It was a time when San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and Sausalito were home to the abstract expressionist and Bay Area Figurative movements. My missing toys were found in the neighbor’s sculptures. I was often on tiptoes, peering into the windows of nearby studios and coffeehouses. I thrived in the wondrous mystery of this world.

Later, as an adult I had the good fortune to befriend Joseph Raffael and spend time in his studio. This was before I realized I wanted to be an artist myself. I was greatly influenced by his enthusiasm, dedication, and his ability to create beauty.

In hindsight, there was nothing else I really wanted to be than an artist. I paint and draw because I love to … and because I have to. I am primarily self taught.

When I stand before an empty canvas or piece of paper, I am lost, unaware of what to do. In fact, my most satisfying work comes from staying ‘lost’. Navigational confidence is seldom productive for me. Each piece becomes the recording of a unique introspective exploration.