Work in progress by Amy Guidry; 20″w x 10″h; (c) Amy Guidry 2013
I’ve been diligently working on a new painting for my In Our Veins series. This is the initial sketch on canvas, consisting of basic outlines. I’ve already started applying paint and will be posting it here as soon as it is finished. I’m still trying to settle between two titles. It is 20″ wide by 10″ high. View the series online here: www.amyguidry.com/wild_west.html.
“Division” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 4″ x 4″; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2013
The last available 4″ x 4″ painting in my In Our Veins series has just been sold. Division is an acrylic on canvas and was created around the end of 2012. The buyer had asked about my thoughts behind the piece so I thought I’d share them here as well. ‘Division’ refers to not only the physical separation (humans tend to refer to animals as parts- rump, breast, wing, etc.) but also the divide that we create as far as animals’ worth is concerned. Why is there a divide between animals that we regard as either pets or as food or as working animals? There is even a divide among humans’ beliefs due to religious or moral distinctions. I depict animals throughout the series, and as seen here, as simply heads or limbs to represent the common viewpoint while emphasizing their importance through their expressions or their eyes, for instance, illustrating that they are indeed sentient beings.
“The Pack” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 20″w x 10″h; (c) Amy Guidry 2013
I received some great news the other day. My painting The Pack recently received a Juror’s Award in the Peaceable Kingdom: Animals, Real or Imagined exhibit at the Bedford Gallery in Walnut Creek, California. My work was selected by guest jurors Stephanie Cannizzo, Assistant Curator of the Berkeley Art Museum and Cathy Kimball, Executive Director and Chief Curator of the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art. If you are or will be in the San Francisco area, you can view the exhibit now through May 19.
“Succession” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 6″w x 12″h; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2012
Another painting from my In Our Veins series has found a new home. Succession is an acrylic on canvas, 6″w x 12″h. It was recently on display at Wally Workman Gallery in Austin. The human skull at the bottom leads up to larger animals and butterflies, illustrating how one life leads to a new life. View this painting and the rest of the series here: http://www.amyguidry.com/succession.html.
“Segments” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 4″w x 6″h; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2012
One of my more recent paintings from the In Our Veins series has found a new home. Segments is an acrylic on canvas and 4″h x 6″h. It features a fractured horse representing the common view of animals as merely a means to an end, while using facial expression and positioning to emphasize the importance of animals. View more from the series online here: http://www.amyguidry.com/wild_west.html.
“Synthesis” by Amy Guidry’; acrylic on canvas; 4″x4″; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2012
“Division” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 4″x4″; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2012
I’ve just added two new paintings to my In Our Veins series. The first is Synthesis, an acrylic on canvas, 4″ x 4.” The next painting is Division, also an acrylic on canvas, 4″ x 4.” Synthesis has just sold and currently on its way to its new home but Division is currently available. I have more new paintings to feature as well, including the piece I posted in progress earlier in the month, so be on the lookout. In the meantime, I have the current new work posted on my Facebook Fan Page which you can view here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amy-Guidry/51953219932?sk=photos_stream.
Progress shot of “Systems” by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 6″ x 6″; 2010-2012; (c) Amy Guidry
I’ve sometimes been asked if I ever work on a painting and decide I don’t like it. Usually if something is not working out, I’ll find a way to fix it. Well, I thought I’d share a piece that I almost gave up on until now. I started this piece- get this- in February of 2010. It’s been over 2 years and I’m just now touching this one again. At the time, I found it a bit overwhelming working on the skeletons at such a small size, since this is a 6″ by 6″ canvas. In addition, I just wasn’t happy with the background and kept changing my mind. So I put it away. There were a few times when I thought about just throwing it out and I even started to do a larger version, but that wasn’t right. The size of canvas I choose is based on the amount of visual information I need to get across. There is such a thing as too big. So after some time away, I decided to tackle it one last time. The photo that you see here is actually where I left off before deciding to work on it again. I’ll be posting the finished piece soon, so be on the lookout.
I still can’t get over the amazing turnout at the Hilliard Museum the other night. The opening reception for Louisiana Voices: Six Artists Speak to Us was this past Friday. The exhibit looks great and I will be going back just to finish looking at everything. It was so busy and packed that I did not get to check out all the art. I do have photos to share of the event opening and will be posting more to my website soon. The exhibit is up now through December 8th at the Paul & Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum in Lafayette, LA. Also of note: an exhibition panel discussion will be held on September 29th from 2-4pm.
Artist Amy Guidry with her work at the Hilliard Museum
Installation view of Louisiana Voices: Six Artists Speak to Us; Sculpture- Lisa Osborn, Paintings- Linda Trappey Dautreuil (left), Amy Guidry (center and right)
Artist Amy Guidry discusses work with viewers at the Hilliard Museum
Artist Amy Guidry and Mark Tullos, Director of the Hilliard Museum
Given that it is September, I think just by the title alone everyone can surmise that I am a little late in posting this. Nevertheless, I wanted to share some photos from the closing reception of the 47th National Juried Exhibition- “The Summer Show” held by the St. Tammany Art Association at The Art House in Covington, LA. It was a really strong show, saw several pieces I’d like to own, and a nice turnout. The show was juried by Miranda Lash, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art for the New Orleans Museum of Art. View more photos here: www.amyguidry.com/events.html.
Amy Guidry with her painting, “The Pack” at the Summer Show
Installation view of the Summer Show at The Art House, Covington, LA
Artist Amy Guidry and juror Miranda Lash, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, New Orleans Museum of Art
Miranda Lash gives a talk during the closing reception of the Summer Show
"Perspective" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; 4" x 4"; SOLD; (c) Amy Guidry 2012
My painting Perspective has found a new home. Perspective is another painting from my In Our Veins series and is a 4″ x 4″ acrylic on canvas. These tiny hare heads required some tiny brushes with barely there bristles. I always like a challenge, though- it keeps me on my toes. If you’ve been following my work, you may have come to that conclusion… So if you are new, this series deals with the connections between all life forms and our role in the life cycle. I feel that environmental issues as well as animal welfare are a large part of that discussion as they go hand-in-hand. With this in mind, many of the animals in In Our Veins are depicted as just heads or limbs, such as the hares in Perspective. While thinking of animals as simply parts and a means to an end is a common view, I see them as sentient beings and a significant part of the world we live in. While I depict them as ‘missing pieces,’ I focus on the expressiveness of their eyes and faces to relay their importance. You can learn more about the series as well as view the paintings at this direct link: www.amyguidry.com/wild_west.html.
Also of note: if you are in the Lafayette area or planning a visit, you can see works from my In Our Veins series in person at the Paul & Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum starting September 15th through December 8th.
