Treffinger Daily: April 2011

Monday, April 4, 2011

Guardino Show

I have just returned from Portland and my opening at Guardino Gallery.
It was a raging success as far as openings go. Hundreds of people came
and everyone showing sold a piece. Bouquets were delivered and friends
from the internet met for the first time. I saw someone from high school
and met a collector for the first time (you know who you are!). Maria
Wickwire, sculptress for the show was a delight to meet. Donna and her
daughter in law held down the fort with true grace! I had a blast.
It would have been perfect if I hadn't been physically challenged and blew
up like the Michelin man...doing nothing great for my ego. Ah well!

I started the event by meeting up with the extraordinarily interesting
Richard Speer, art critic, and someone I feel fortunate to call a friend,
for lunch. I also had the pleasure of meeting and lunching with artist
Dorothy Goode, Richard's woman friend. We started out a little rocky
as she arrived first, and recognizing her from photos I introduced myself
by saying "You must be Martha?" ...well...since her name is Dorothy
and unbeknownst to me Richards ex is Martha she gave me a very strange
look. We worked it out and she thought I should call her 'babe', which I did,
in fact, for the duration of our lunch. I had a wonderful time and Richard
enjoyed the show. His review can be read here:
http://www.wweek.com/portland/event-52977-katherine_treffinger.html

Now I am ready to paint.

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.