‘Animal Love’ is actually the same show that I had mentioned in my last blog post from 10/15, at the Frederic C. Hamilton Gallery in Children’s Hospital Colorado. I was not aware of the show title when writing my last post, and so I am mentioning it here for clarification only.
More to the point, I was told that another gal in the show had included a biography to be hung in the gallery with her work, and that I could do the same. I accepted this offer and went about constructing a biography.
After giving it a think I decided to produce one of my fabric paintings for use as the biography, as I didn’t want to do the same old bio that reads like a resume.
What follows is a short step by step of my process, complete with notes.
Step 1.—Choosing a suitable fabric for the background—I wanted something that was going to stand out, but also have some coherence with the artwork. The artwork is pretty funky, and colorful, so this was not difficult. I settled on an older fabric that I have had for a long time; a bright pink with small black polka dots fabric. After choosing and cutting the fabric I wrapped it around an 8”x10” canvas, then sealed it with a polyvinyl sealer.
Step 2.—Included my signature ‘Pyramid Cat’ to headline my bio—Rather than just words on a page for my bio I wanted an associated headline image as well. The pyramid cat is something I drew over a year ago, quickly followed by the production of a ceramic version. The original carried a shield/platform, but I’ve subsequently drawn him holding banners, lightning bolts, a broom, etc. This time I drew him holding a banner with my name and a few choice characteristics on it—cool guy, artist, writer, and smart dresser. After completing the drawing, I cut it out and traced its outline where it was going to be affixed to the fabric canvas. I then blocked out this area using white ceiling paint, so that the fabric pattern would not show through the paper and obscure the image.
Step 3.—Finishing the picture—I typed and printed out my biography, then cut it out. I did the same tracing and blocking out in white paint that I did for the pyramid cat in Step 2. Then I affixed both the pyramid cat and bio statement to the canvas using polyvinyl sealer, and lastly, I coated the whole picture in three coats of Bona polyurethane floor finish.
How droll–here is an image of the biography in situ. It looks a little angry there in the shadows, but still maintains a majestic dignity.
And, finally–here is an image of the marquee for the show. It displays one of my pictures included in the show, in the bottom right corner. I am very happy to have been included in this show, and am sincerely impressed with the work in it.
Until next time— later dudes.