Claudine Metrick

First Light

2012-02-20T03:54:00.000-08:00

First Light; mixed media; 24 x 24"

Here is one of the first painting created in 2012. The cloud shape came about after laying some tarpaper next to an old painting in the studio. Then came the whittling down until it all worked in a composition. You'll see that very little of the original black paper which defines the cloud is left. I think this particular image taps into the idea of the cosmos quite well.

Mother Country

2012-02-13T04:07:00.000-08:00

Mother Country; mixed media; 25 x 25"

The House

2012-02-06T05:56:00.000-08:00

Pied-a-terre; mixed media; 25 x 25"

Working in my studio I sometimes find I come to the edge of myself. At some point, I am done exploring the known territories and must take a leap into something new and, as yet, unknown. Initially it feels awkward and outlandish, but it always signifies growth. And when I fully develop the idea I am able to look back on the process and neatly link it back to that first insight. This is one of those insights which incorporates a new image into my vocabulary. You may have already noticed houses in previous paintings but that is because I often upload things out of order. This is where I found it while turning and ripping a large piece of paper in my hand.

Homewards

2012-01-30T11:57:00.000-08:00

Homewards; 25 x 25 inches, mixed media

I am still playing with the images I found this summer during the Hundred Days Project. And somehow there is an ominous element to these clouds. At times I am compelled to add this strong linear element which could be a shaft of light emanating from above. But somehow it also reminds me of the world of science fiction complete with menacing tractor beams and malevolent unknown forces.

Bereft

2012-01-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Bereft; 25 x 25"; mixed media

This is a painting that I finished a few weeks ago, but have yet to post. The color combination was new for me. I think the inspiration for the orange came from a collection of old Bingo cards I recently picked up at an estate sale.

New Directions at the Barrett Art Center

2012-01-16T06:00:00.000-08:00

Estrangement; 25 x 25 inches, mixed media, 2011.

I received word that Estrangement will be included in a group exhibition at the Barrett Art Center in Poughkeepsie, NY. Susan Cross, curator from the Mass MoCA, chose 57 works from over 1,000 submissions. The opening reception is January 21st from 3 - 5 pm.

2012-01-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Carried on the Breeze; 24 x 24; mixed media

The collage shape in the composition is a piece of an old painting. Again I was excited by the colors in this composition, and enjoyed the playfulness of the shapes and design.

Bear

2012-01-02T05:15:00.000-08:00

Bear; 25 x 25 inches; acrylic on paper

I completed this painting in early fall but I haven't been able to get a good photograph of it. I found a new and surprising palette while painting this. Since then I have focused on incorporating collage elements into each work.

2011-12-26T05:39:00.000-08:00

Pierced; 24 x 24 inches, mixed media on paper

Many of my new paintings are exploring this combination of colored fields with achromatic collage material left over from previous drawings and paintings. The juxtaposition of soft areas of neutral charcoal against the rich vapors of bright paint is exciting.

2011-12-19T05:36:00.000-08:00

Ice Storm; 25 x 25 inches, mixed media on paper

This is a painting from a while ago which I dug out and reworked. I liked the composition, but the previous color palette fell flat. Here it is again with more intense hues, and I think more life.

2011-12-12T05:40:00.000-08:00

Astral Chart; 24 x 24 inches; mixed media on paper

It's an exciting time in the studio right now. Here is another finished piece from the series of work I am currently creating.

Untitled

2011-12-05T10:57:00.001-08:00

24 x 24 inches, mixed media on paper

I feel that I construct these sumptuous images but fall flat trying to title them. So I am asking you - what's its name? Leave a suggestion as a comment.

Trees

2011-11-28T10:19:00.001-08:00

I have been working on a series of charcoal drawings of trees lately. I think they come out of the studies of antlers and skulls I began last spring. The subject matter is appropriate to the season as the neighboring trees are now leafless revealing their amazing inner structures.

Tree drawing, 15 x 14 inches, charcoal

New items for sale on Etsy

2011-10-27T04:11:00.000-07:00

Day 94 from the One-Hundred Days Project 2010

I added some new items for sale online at my Etsy store. Stop by and take a look. Custom framing is also available on all pieces.

2011-10-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have donated artwork for a silent auction to be held this Saturday in Peoria, Arizona. If you live in the Valley and are looking for a day of good music and local art, check out Johnny Fox's Public House. Details on the event and a schedule for the day's music can be found here.

Cyndy has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and having been hit by the current recession she finds herself without a job or, in Arizona, good health insurance. More details about Cyndy's situation and the effort to raise funds for her can be found here.

And a link to my donated painting is here. Come on out, for a good cause.

Paintings on display in New Bedford

2011-10-05T04:31:00.000-07:00

Untitled, 8 x 8 inches, acrylic and crossword on paper

Next Tuesday I am installing five pieces at the Pour Farm in New Bedford, MA. The exhibit will be open during AHA! Night on Thursday, October 13th. Come on by, the bar will be running a beer tasting by Shipyard Brewery during the event.

Something new from the studio

2011-09-30T08:52:00.000-07:00

Untitled, 24 x 24 inches, acrylic and collage on paper

Work from Norton Island

2011-09-27T12:12:00.000-07:00

Today I photographed a snippet of the paintings that I made while in residence at Norton Island. All of my work on the island was oil on paper at 7 x 7 inches. I began my residence with the intention of plein air painting - working outside along the coast. But weather, sun, wind and sheep drove me into the studio not long into the project. Inside I found myself more aligned with my major studio practice, working from memory to create fictitious, abstract, spaces. It was the first time in two years I worked without an audience, and it felt really daring.

One-Hundred Days Project completed

2011-09-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

I recently completed my final painting for the One-Hundred Days Project. In case you didn't know, I spent the summer creating one small painting a day along with sixty other artists around the world. With my residency, vacation, and the start of the fall semester I finished my work a short time after the project was completed. Check out all one-hundred paintings here.

Returned from the Residency

2011-08-15T05:36:00.000-07:00

victoria; 8 x 8 inches, mixed media

I am finally back after nearly four weeks of travelling. The ten days I spent on Norton Island in Maine were incredibly productive and rejuvenating. I left with a collection of new and inspiring friendships and a larger foundation of art-making post graduate school. I have yet to photograph everything that I made on the Island, and today doesn't look particularly promising on that front as it's cloudy and raining. But here is what I do have captured as well as a few shots of the Island itself.

The Bouy Path around Norton Island

The Residents at Dinner

Norton Island Walk

Mossy Cabin

Day trip to Crumple Island

Early Morning Cobwebs

View from Crumple Island

Judith Klein Gallery Opening this Saturday

2011-07-12T06:22:00.000-07:00

Rock, Paper, Scissors, 2010, on view now Judith Klein Art Gallery

A new exhibition at Judith Klein Art Gallery opens this Saturday. Women of Summer features work from over 30 artists in support of the Women's Fund of New Bedford. Two of my own paintings will be on display along with work from University of Massachusetts faculty and graduate students.

The reception takes place in Judith's new location, 98 Williams St, New Bedford MA on Saturday, July 16th from 6 - 9 pm. Come join us!

Variation Number 3

2011-07-01T10:39:00.000-07:00

Variation Number 3, 25 x 25", acrylic and pastel on paper

Winslow Homer, The Artist's studio in an Afternoon Fog

This painting has a particularly rich and beautiful color combination which unfortunately, doesn't show up in the image from the Memorial Art Gallery Collection. It may well be that the print in my book is inaccurate - that is the way of color balance and reproduction. All that aside, the image I was inspired by was a stunning combination of a deep rich brown and translucent ochre complimented by a cool mineral grey and a muted almost-not-violet. I wish there were words...

Homer Variation Number Two

2011-06-28T04:25:00.000-07:00

25 x 25 inches; acrylic and mixed media on paper

Winslow Homer, A Summer's Night

I was quite struck by the dark tones in contrast to the deep dull blue-green in Homer's piece. It was that combination which was the inspiration for this variation. Currently my studio practice is a little uneven and I believe I would benefit from a routine and from establishing a deeper connection with these larger paintings. I think this piece in particular could use some more attention. I'd like to develop the surface and color imparting some deeper richness.

Winslow Homer and New Work

2011-06-13T14:15:00.000-07:00

as yet untitled; 25 x 25", mixed media on paper

Winslow Homer's The Gale

I recently saw The Gale by Winslow Homer at the Worcester Art Museum and was enthralled. I was especially captivated by Homer's palette of warm and cool greys juxtaposed against the inky black of the seaside rocks. My viewing of the painting planted a seed for a series of work based on the color and composition of paintings from Homer's Maine period. The first attempt is pictured above. A second painting based on A Summer Night is under construction in the studio right now.

Work for sale at Spa Shanti

2011-06-11T05:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I installed eight paintings in the upstairs room at Spa Shanti in Johnston, RI. That's shahn-tee - a Sanskrit word meaning peace, rest or calmness. An organic day spa, Shanti offers facials, massage, manicures and pedicures and specializes in selling local handmade products - like my paintings! Below are some shots of my work in the rooms. All work is available for sale. For directions to the Spa, click here. Or for inquiries about the work call - 401.349.0050.