April 01, 2010

Patterns and Track Series...

I was invited to show some work at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Tuscaloosa (near where our lake house is located) and knowing new work was not necessary, I decided to resurrect a series that was instrumental in my transition from detailed subject matter to abstraction. The series began with loosely based Oriental rug patterns, allowing the shapes to roam freely without staying in context. The patterns began to suggest tracks... and so it went. The series began as watercolors, became mixed media and eventually works on canvas. Most were completed in the early 90's... maybe there were about 75-80 in the series.

The above photo shows the main display wall, furnishings are pushed back for the moment but it gives an idea of the space. There are 13 paintings, hung on April 1 so I figure one superstition will cancel out the other... here are most of them:


"Mother Rug" (first in the series) Watercolor
"Long Rose Fringe" - Watercolor
"Red Rug 1" - Acrylic

"Across The Dark" - Watercolor

"Re: Arrangement" - Oil

"Red Rug 2" - Acrylic (last of the series)

"Pattern Push" - Acrylic
"Dark Fringe" - Watercolor
"Midnight Tracks" - Watercolor/Mixed

"April Tracks" - Watercolor
"Rhode Island Red Two Step" - Watercolor/Mixed

9 comments:

p said...

i like em all but the last two are really my favs. these are so intense and intricate and interesting, glad you dusted them off and they are showing.

Cathy Hegman said...

Oh my I really like these! I love Pattern Push the most and the last two are just luscious! Good work and great to get to pull some out of the closet and show them again! What a gift!

Beverly Dennis said...

Really beautiful. Just like their references, they seem to transport. I think they are magic carpets! :-)

Karen Jacobs said...

So glad you all like! It was a fun series that seemed to make it's own rules... like a magic carpet ride ;)

Anonymous said...

I love the idea that one superstition will cancel out the other ;-)
These look fabulous ll hung together - really interesting to see how the series evolved, with some so detailed and others hinting at the detail.

CMC said...

Love it.......

Gina said...

These are a wonderful selection of your [older] works hanging at the UU church and the colors just pop on the white walls. I am drawn to “Red Rug 1” and “Red Rug 2” most especially.

Karen Jacobs said...

Appreciate the positive comments... thanks so much. I've gotten word that the congregation appreciated and had good words for the exhibition which will be up for a couple of months.

Seth said...

Gorgeous pieces. And congrats on the exhibition.