We have been very busy at the gallery for the last few weeks getting a very large collection of work to trade out at Victor’s restaurant. I delivered 49 pieces to them yesterday—I’ll say that again 49 pieces. They actually sent a van. That is the largest showing we have ever mounted and it was quite a job.
One of the most exciting parts for me personally is the new wall of faces which will be around the bar area. It is clear to everyone who knows me that faces are my first love. Well–I have found a fellow traveler in Anne Norwood. Victor’s ha just purchased “Joe”, a 30×40 palette knife of a old Charleston basket weaver, that has been hanging in their restaurant for some time. Now it will stay there. but when we started talking about new work we thought Joe might like some company. I have done two new large pieces and brought back some of my very favorites, including one “Nassau Lady” to make a full wall of faces. Oh, joy!
But on the the real subject of this post. I made a book with pictures of each piece of work and just a short statement about the inspiration, location, or other interesting point concerning the piece. I found myself saying over and over “This is from the _______ series”. The “Nassau Lady” series had eighteen pieces, done in different sizes and media. Lynda’s “Scarf Lady” series was mostly done in acrylic, but there were 40 of them! Shadai, Sarah, Lynda’s birds, her “Time” series are all collections that people who follow our work will immediately remember.
Working in a series lets you explore a subject you love for one thing. But I often will do the same photo several times and in different media. It will never look the same and each time you will learn something. If you are trying to work out a new method, do a great picture in a tried and true way first to work out the photo’s problems then do in your new method. That way is much easier. In a workshop the spring, Susan Lyon suggested that we might do one photo 10 times, learning something each time.
Now go–have fun.