Red Yellow Blue, 2009, oil on canvas, triptych 60 x 144 in. As the Twentieth Century dawned, painters could rest upon previous decades of color theory, research, and empirical exploration. In an evolving conversation about symbol, affect, and spiritualism, abstraction opened a visual language of a developing and expanding vocabulary. From cubism through abstract expressionism […]

A smile is just a smile. Unless, of course, it isn’t. Smiles start out as reflex, and then, just about six weeks into this life, smiles become social. The smile connects us, makes us feel familiar, and evokes feelings of happiness. The pretty baby has its path paved. But with maturity, that social smile has […]

Storied Paper The beautiful soft black line of the charcoaled half-burned twig, the luscious red stain of the smashed berries, the powdery golden glow of the ochre clay earth – all came together on the stone walls to charm the day, record the event, and note the present. But the stone could not be carried […]

We knew before we could explain it, and we knew it needed no explanation – it was right there for everyone to see: the dress was magical. Our mother slipped into the dress – not the plaid cotton shirtwaist or striped shift or corduroy jumper – it was that soft black chiffon, that shimmering black […]

This is a time for thinking about gifts and giving. I have just spent weeks calling friends- artists, gallerists, collectors— and asking them to donate artwork to an art auction fundraiser. This year it is to benefit the Richmond Art Center. But I have called upon the same marvelous people in the past to support […]