I’ve recently finished three new paintings in my In Our Veins series. Two of which are from my smaller, 4″ by 4″ paintings. I was particularly interested in doing a piece on forest clear-cutting because it is the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of global warming. The smaller paintings, Inseparable and Evanescence, are in reference to the connection of all life, which is the overarching theme of this series. View the paintings online: http://amyguidry.com/clear-cut.html, http://amyguidry.com/inseparable.html, and http://amyguidry.com/evanescence.html.
This is a 30-second clip from my Artist Talk at LeMieux Galleries in New Orleans. No matter how many times I have to speak in public, it’s always terrifying. Which is why I often think that the things I don’t want to do, are probably the things that I should do. Side note: this Saturday (Sept. 24th) is the last day to catch this exhibit!
This week is the last week of my exhibit at LeMieux Galleries in New Orleans. My series, In Our Veins, is on view in the Main Gallery of LeMieux now through September 24th. You can also catch Lee Deigaard’s series, Near and Far.
I’ve had some great response to this body of work, including a feature in American Art Collector Magazine’s September 2016 issue. And Paul Bentley of the New Orleans magazine, Where Y’At, gave me a great review stating: “…Her dreamlike landscapes with animal, human, and natural forms mixing and dancing with each other create beautiful images that seem to be more than just a mere neo-surrealist tribute to Dali or O’Keefe. Her paintings create a dialogue with her obvious predecessors and influences, but they retain an original, calming, eerie, and downright intelligent attitude to them.”
More information on this exhibit can be found on LeMieux’s website.
My painting Preservation is featured on the current cover of the Denver Quarterly. Aside from being on the cover, I’m also happy to have another opportunity to get the message out regarding animal and ecological welfare. The circle of leaves was an image that came to mind before falling asleep, and I made note of it in my sketchbook. Using the leaves to replace the head (which is in keeping with some recent paintings where I use landscapes or trees in place of heads), represents the connection of all life forms. Nature is so much a part of us that I freely use trees or landscapes in place of heads or limbs, just to emphasize that connection and significance.
The small lot of land the deer stands on is in reference to our dire need to conserve wild land and forests. The natural space is shrinking due to deforestation. All the more reason to plant trees and support organizations that preserve natural habitats.
In many of my paintings, I use the eyes and facial expressions of animals to convey a sense of connection and relatability, but lately I’ve been doing the opposite and feature animals without faces or covered faces. I’ve been exploring the idea of Anonymity vs. Connection- without seeing their faces, does that make them any less personable or meaningful? And how does this apply on a global scale?
I’m honored to announce that American Art Collector Magazine has done a feature on my current exhibition at LeMieux Galleries in New Orleans. The article is in their September 2016 issue which is available on newsstands now.
As part of my current exhibition at LeMieux Galleries in New Orleans, LA, I’ll be giving an Artist Talk with photographer Lee Deigaard on September 3d. We’ll each be discussing our works- my In Our Veins series and Lee’s Near and Far series. The talk begins at 5pm (an hour before the Artwalk) and the gallery reception will follow from 6-9pm.