2024 IN REVIEW

 

​My 2024 was marked by several exciting exhibitions with each of the galleries that  currently represent me, two trips to Croatia to visit my mom, a holiday in Cancun with my family, many new commissioned works, and a museum exhibit where my painting was shoulder to shoulder with Hokusai's legendary masterpiece "The Great Wave off Kanagawa ".

"Wondrous Reef " diptych at Olson-Larsen Galleries*

 

 

"Wondrous Reef " series at Walker Fine Art*

"Ark" at Gallery1871* (and following 4 images)

 

 "Return to Arcadia" at Olson-Larsen Galleries* 

 

 "Waterways" exhibition, together with Hokusai's "The Great Wave" * 

For me this year was also greatly impacted by my older son Albert enrolling in Illinois Math and Science Academy, a residential public magnet high school. So, instead of having a child leaving for college at 18, I had to (despite being immensely grateful and happy for such a wonderful opportunity for my highly gifted child), make peace with letting him spread his wings and leave the nest early so he can fly, at 14.

 

My painting "Viridis", part of a permanent collection of Aurora University*

And yet, though I would of course love to have him at home with us every day, our weekends together are filled with great discussions and exchange of ideas underscored with a heightened awareness of how precious our time together is.

Every aspect of my life is connected to my work on some level. When Albert was just born, I decided to create a series of 365 watercolors until his first birthday. Each was to be 9"x12" in size. I titled the work "Albert's Series". It was dedicated to him, and in a way to me too, for persevering as an artist in this new role of motherhood. Becoming a mom felt so challenging, but the idea of neglecting being an artist was challenging just as well! Out of the new beautiful and difficult challenge of parenthood, new artwork also came to life. 

*"Albert's Series" at Wisconsin University, 2012.

 

Every stage in my life seems to be marked by a new series of works that follow and reflect it. And like almost everything in life - on some level it is always a surprise. 

 

WHAT'S INSIDE

 

 I often hear from the viewers my work has a scientific connection - sometimes it has to do with the forms and details that might appear amoebic-like, or plant-like or galactic-like, sometimes it has to do with my experimental, yet methodical process, the way I organize my studio and tools, and make notes and palette swatches.
I think artists are always experimenting, always discovering, always searching, and that is something shared by all the creative explorers - scientific and artistic-alike.
I come from a family where almost everyone I know was either a scientist or an artist. My parents both had math degrees, yet my mom was passionate about music and piano, my dad always experimented - learning about everything from sewing, (and sowing and sawing!) crocheting, loom weaving and making fishing nets, to beekeeping, cheese-making, mushroom-growing, you name it. Having a sister who is a professor of biophysics and also passionate about music and an amazing pianist in her own right, and now also seeing this duality of interests in my own children...I love that I came to discover, and accept, there is so much in me that is scientist- like. I never thought of it that way. Even though I chose a biology major in high-school and studied horticulture for a couple of years, I always thought at my core I am an artist.
Nowadays, thankfully, I see it all boils down to curiosity and a sense of wonder. One should always seek and explore and question and wonder (and wander!)...regardless what your profession is, there is simply no reason to put oneself in (any kind) of a box.

 “Waterways” 

Schingoethe Center Museum of Aurora University

August 27-December 12, 2024

 

One of my watercolors ("Viridis" series, 30"x23", watercolor on paper) is right now on display at the Aurora University in "Waterways", exhibition co-curated by Dr. Natasha Ritsma, director of the Schingoethe Center, and Doug Stapleton, art curator of the Illinois State Museum. With paintings, photographs, sculptures, prints, and installation pieces by more than 40 artists spanning over 150 years, "Waterways" addresses themes of water rights, water safety, pollution, and invasive species, as well as water’s ability to heal, nurture and regenerate.

  Among the many artworks displayed, it also features the iconic masterpiece - Kusama Hokusai’s woodblock print “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” (1831.) 

I have to say, it is humbling to have my own work displayed in the same room with Hokusai’s Great Wave. I am sure I speak for all the artists included in this exhibit. 

And as you might suspect, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” is truly magnificent in person; it  holds all the power of restrained elegance, at once intricate and simple.

 “We are thrilled to collaborate with Doug Stapleton and the Illinois State Museum on this dynamic partnership investigating artistic responses to the responsibility, challenges and pleasures of living near vital waterways,” said Dr. Ritsma. “This exhibition was inspired by the fact that the Schingoethe Center of Aurora University is located in the Fox River Valley between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. This exhibition aims to be both visually stunning and educational.”

Doug Stapleton stated, “Water is essential for our existence. It makes up most of our body. We can’t live without it. Yet, we treat it like a commodity, a resource to extract for our needs alone. We act without much regard toward our impact on this elemental, living substance. This exhibit brings disparate voices together, all who address the power of water to nourish, sustain and inspire us to a greater relationship with the natural world.”

 “Waterways” features the work of the following artists: Sadiq Amarea-Bey, Robert Amft, Rene Arceo Atlan Arceo-Witzl, Frances Badger, Camille Billie, Jeremy Bolen, Clark Dean, Shepard Fairey, Laura Husar Garcia, Christina Haglid, Jennifer Steensma Hoag, Katsushika Hokusai, Yuichi Idaka, Jamie John, Esther Johnson, George Klauba, Louise LeBourgeois, Jin Lee, Nathan Lerner, Ben Mahmoud, Dolores Mercado, Fidel Moreno, Elsa Munoz, Bea Nettles, Lindsey Olson, Tom Palazzalo, Chris Pappan, Yoonshin Park, Erik Peterson, Alison Ruttan, Sarah Sense, Jennifer Shaw, Joel Sheesley, Art Sinsabaugh, Thomas Skomski, Eleanor Spiess-Ferris, Michael Strauss, Michael Tropea, Rain Wilson, David Windsor, Jeffrey Wolin, Ana Žanić.