The inspiration for this series came as I was browsing Instagram and happened upon  a video from London’s National Gallery with the associate curator, Sarah Herring, talking about Gustav Klimt’s painting of Hermine Gallia. 

What delighted me was the relationship between the presenter and the painting, the richness of the colors in the painting and the museum’s setting.

I immediately wanted to paint what I saw. 

Intrigued, I looked at more postings from the National Gallery and Madrid’s Prado. (also the Vigo Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Columbia Museum of Art).  Numerous possibilities became apparent.

For a number of reasons, I have never felt compelled to travel, to visit lots of museums, but have certainly enjoyed these virtual visits and the opportunity to use these exquisite little timepieces to produce small narratives. 

Viewing these videos also reinforces my sense that what separates us from the art in them is distraction, not distance or time. Although these works may be thousands of miles away, the paradox is that the insanity of the instantaneous internet makes them more accessible than ever to a much larger viewership. 

The acts of painting and the contemplation of a work are both about being still long enough to inhabit the space within the painting.  So, though the works may be several hundred years old, these reintroductions give them new breath, a renewed life in the present.  The combination of the works of art, the institutions, the presenters, and the viewers is an alchemy with energy flowing amongst and transforming all those involved.

GALLERY TALK IV

oil on panel 5x7" c.n. 1658

sold

GALLERY TALK V

oil on canvas panel 7x5" c.n. 1661

GALLERY TALK VIII

oil on panel 11x11"

sold

GALLERY TALK IX

oil on panel 6x6" c.n. 1670 2023

GALLERY TALK X

oil on panel 10x8" c.n. 1671

sold

GALLERY TALK XI

oil on canvas panel 10x8"  c.n. 1672

GALLERY TALK XII

oil on canvas panel 10x8" c.n. 1673 2023

GALLERY TALK XIII

oil on panel 6x6" c.n. 1674

GALLERY TALK XIV

oil on canvas panel 8x10" c.n. 1675

GALLERY TALK XV

oil on panel 8x8" c.n. 1676

GALLERY TALK XVIII

oil on panel 10x8" c.n. 1678 2023

GALLERY TALK XIX

oil on panel 6x6" c.n. 1679 2023

sold

GALLERY TALK XX

oil on panel 6x6" c.n. 1680

GALLERY TALK XXI

oil on panel 8x8" c.n. 1681 2023

GALLERY TALK XXII

oil on panel 4x6" c.n. 1682 2023

GALLERY TALK XXIV

oil on panel 6x6" c.n. 1684 2023

GALLERY TALK XXV

oil on panel 10x8" c.n. 1685  2023

sold

GALLERY TALK XXVI

oil on panel 8x8"  c.n. 1686 2023

GALLERY TALK XXXI

oil on panel, 5x4" c.n.1692 2024

GALLERY TALK XXXVI

oil on panel, 6x6"

GALLERY TALK XXXVII

oil on panel 6x6"

GALLERY TALK XXXVIII

oil on panel 8.5X6.5"

GALLERY TALK XXXIX

oil on panel 8 X 8"