Treffinger Daily: February 2013

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Monotypes

'Perched', Monotype on Stonehedge paper, 24x17 $350

This monotype is probably my favorite of the series I did at Don's studio. It, however, has put me through the changes. First I dropped it and creased it. Then I tried to save it by moistening it, putting it under my glass palette with books on top. I didn't realize it was still damp when I took it out and it rippled. So I moistened it again and put it between wood with books on top and it was water stained around the edges! Holy cow! Well at least the part that is printed is unharmed. It will have to be matted rather than floated. It is still my fave. Funny!

'Chinese New Year', Monotype on Stonehedge paper, $425

'Healdsburg', Monotype on Stonehedge paper, $425

'Taking Flight', Monotype on Stonehedge paper, $425

'Bojangle', Monotype on Stonehedge paper, $300

'Angel', Monotype on Stonehedge paper, SOLD

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Beginning Again

Kirby Ferris June 18, 1949- June 13, 2012. My muse and partner.

I have been absent from this blog for quite a long time and I know some of this blog's followers have wondered what happened as I had been very regular. I especially want to apologize to those of you that had been following my 'Art and Meaning' project. With few exceptions, for the last 2 years I have not been doing art. Had my friend Don Gray not encouraged me to come over to his studio and create some monotypes I would have not created any art at all. Two years ago this month my partner, Kirby was diagnosed with lung cancer, given 4-6 weeks to live and that became the focus of my life. He decided to not deal with it through traditional means and treated it metaphysically. He lived for 16 months and passed away a few days before his birthday. For the last 7 months I have been integrating what has happened.

Now the blank canvas seems impossibly blank as I come to it a changed person. In many ways my life is a blank canvas as it has gone through a major transformation and what it all is going to look like is unknown to me. I cannot be old with it, the old is coming along and will inform the present but cannot be repeated. I am very curious what the painting of my life will look like but I have to let it unfold in a gentle way.

I am reentering my studio and sidling up to my art. I rephotographed the monotypes and am in the process of repairing a couple of pieces that need attention. The next step will be to gesso a beautiful large surface Don built for me. Then hopefully I will be able to begin...anew.

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.