Tag Archives: dark

Burden to Bear

"Burden to Bear" by Amy Guidry; SOLD; acrylic on canvas; (c) Amy Guidry 2010

I have a new painting to share- “Burden to Bear” (hmm, rhyming not intentional…). So I’ve been putting in some extra hours in my studio- sounds nicer than “overtime.” Anyway, this is another addition to my “In Our Veins” series and is an acrylic on canvas, 11″ wide by 14″ high. There are a lot of tiny details in this one that don’t translate well via jpegs much less a tiny photo on here. You can get a better look on my website. I love to hear what others feel about my work, but I’m going to go ahead and share a few of my own feelings about this piece. I am a vegan, and that does influence my work in subtle ways, some more so than others. I’m very concerned with the plight of nature and our planet. The animals and bones and skulls seen atop the “deer” are my own personal representations of those affected by the wrongs that we commit against others or the environment (be it land, animals, humans). I decided to keep it organic and not include nonliving things. I should also mention that throughout this series, pay special attention to the animals. Many of them have “human” qualities- such as animals with what would be considered “human-looking” eyes, or expressions, or their posture. I felt this gave them more significance, as I certainly consider them to be important. And to view the painting, please visit www.AmyGuidry.com.

New Painting!

My latest painting from my “In Our Veins” series is finished! The title of this piece is “Symbiotic” and it is an acrylic on canvas, 11″w x 14″h. I took photos as I went along to give some insight into my process of painting. I started with an initial sketch directly onto the canvas. After laying out the placement of all the animals and the tree roots, I started my first rough layer of paint. Then I continued to build upon the painting with several more layers, working a “section” at a time, each getting more detailed along the way.

View a larger version of the final painting on my website at www.AmyGuidry.com

"Symbiotic" intial sketch; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic" intial sketch; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic" underpainting; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic" underpainting; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
Detail, "Symbiotic" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
Detail, "Symbiotic" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic" underpainting; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic" underpainting; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic" painting process; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic" painting process; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic" (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic" (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic" painting process; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic" painting process; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic" (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic" (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic"; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic"; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic"; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic"; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic"; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Symbiotic"; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
Final painting- "Symbiotic" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
Final painting- "Symbiotic" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010

Into the Wild

Installation view of Amy Guidry's paintings from the In Our Veins series
Installation view of Amy Guidry's paintings from the In Our Veins series

My work was recently selected for inclusion in the Multispecies Salon 3: Swarm to be held in New Orleans this November. The exhibit will take place in three gallery spaces- The Front, Kawliga Studios, and Ironworks. As stated on their website, the exhibit will “use art to address a series of interrelated questions about nature: Which species flourish, and which fail, when natural and cultural worlds intermingle and collide? What happens when the bodies of organisms, and even entire ecosystems, are brought into schemes of biotechnology and dreams of biocapitalism? And finally, with particular relevance to New Orleans: In the aftermath of disaster–in a blasted landscape that has been transformed by multiple catastrophes–what are the possibilities of biocultural hope?”

Multispecies Salon was first organized by anthropologist Eben Kirksey and friends as an outshoot of the annual convention of the Association of American Anthropologists (AAA). The AAA will hold their convention in New Orleans from November 18-21, 2010. The Multispecies Salon will schedule a speaking series as well as a reception for anthropologists who will be in New Orleans for the convention on Thursday, November 18.

There are also three themes to the exhibit: “Edible Companions,” “Life in the Age of Biotechnology,” and “Hope in a Blasted Landscape.” Since this is still early, I don’t have all the details yet, but I believe my work will be in the “Edible Companions” exhibit at The Front gallery. The opening for the event will be November 13th as part of the Second Saturday Artwalk in the St. Claude Arts District. The exhibit will be up through December 5th. As I get more details such as time, etc. I will post as soon as possible. In the meantime, if you’d like to see more of my work, be sure to check out my website at www.AmyGuidry.com.

Studio Visit- Volume 12

Studio Visit Magazine, Volume 12
Studio Visit Magazine, Volume 12
The Wild West by Amy Guidry- Studio Visit Magazine, Volume 12
The Wild West by Amy Guidry- Studio Visit Magazine, Volume 12

The newest volume of Studio Visit magazine is finally out! I received my copy a couple of weeks ago, so I’m a little late in posting… I just scanned the photos now. This is the Summer edition, so it came out at the end of August. Studio Visit is published by The Open Studios Press and is the sister publication to New American Paintings. The juror was Dina Deitsch, the Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art, deCordova Sculpture Park + Museum in Lincoln, MA. My painting, “The Wild West,” was selected for inclusion and comes from my latest series of work, “In Our Veins.” If you’d like to see a larger image, as well as a close-up, the direct link is here- www.AmyGuidry.com– (note: scroll down for the close-up).

Interviews

Detail from "Survival of the Fittest" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
Detail from "Survival of the Fittest" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010

There are currently three sites posting my work, two of which include new interviews. First, as mentioned in an older post, my work was selected for inclusion on the beinArt Surreal Art Collective site. If you are unfamiliar with the site, it is an online collection of surrealist works by renowned artists (many are my personal heroes) such as Ron English, Laurie Lipton, and Kris Kuksi. I’m really excited and honored to have my work included among such great artists. Check out my profile at beinArt.org-Artists-Amy Guidry.

Two recent interviews are posted online as well. First, I had an interview with Guy Sangster Adams of the U.K.’s “Plectrum- The Cultural Pick.” It’s a great interview and Mr. Adams had some wonderful comments about my work so check it out at Plectrum-Exhibition/New Work Preview and Interview:Amy Guidry.

The second interview was with Silvia Moreno-Garcia of the Canadian zine, Innsmouth Free Press. Another round of interesting questions, which you can check out on their site at Innsmouth Free Press- Interview:Amy Guidry.

Sold

"Untitled (Heads)" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Untitled (Heads)" by Amy Guidry; acrylic on canvas; (c) Amy Guidry 2010

One of my most recent works has found a new home already. My painting, “Untitled (Heads),” sold while at Wally Workman Gallery’s 30th Anniversary exhibit in Austin. The show is still up, so if you’ve missed it (or would like to go again!) there is still time to see it. The exhibit ends September 4th and gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10-5. I should also mention that two more of my recent works are also in this exhibit- “The Wild West” and “Survival of the Fittest.” So if you’re in the area, be sure to get a look at these in person since photos can never do the art justice. For more information, visit www.WallyWorkmanGallery.com. And if you would like to see my entire portfolio, visit www.AmyGuidry.com.

Wally Workman Opening

As promised, here is my second post for the day. I was recently at the Wally Workman Gallery 30th Anniversary exhibit opening. It was packed, to say the least. Luckily, there were a few moments to get some photos (you pretty much have to wait until the crowd clears and then jump in with the camera). So here are a few photos for those of you that couldn’t make it. (Though there is still ample time since the exhibit is up through September 4th.) Actually, I would recommend that anyone at the opening come back for a second look. It is very difficult to get a good view of the art when it’s that crowded. One woman told me she felt claustrophobic! All in all, great show and should not be missed.

Oh, and for more photos from the 30th Anniversary exhibit, check out Michael Barnes’s post on Austin360.com. I am featured in one of the photos from the opening- here is the direct link- www.Austin360.com. And to view more of my work, visit www.AmyGuidry.com.

2010 Art Melt

Just a quick post this evening… sorry about that. Lots going on, which means I will have more to share soon. My work is currently on exhibit in the 2010 Art Melt at the Louisiana State Museum. As mentioned previously, the jurors for this year’s exhibit were Andrea Pollan, Executive Director of The Curator’s Office in Washington, D.C.; Denny Mecham, Executive Director of the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum in Biloxi, MS; and Paul Dean, Associate Professor at the LSU School of Art. The exhibit is up through August 28th. So here are a few photos from the preview party…

Another bit of news to mention- Avi Abrams of Dark Roasted Blend recently featured my work as part of their Surreal Art Update.  It can be found under the page “Schizophrenic Episode Simulation.” View it at Dark Roasted Blend. And to view more of my work, be sure to visit www.AmyGuidry.com.

New Work

"Survival of the Fittest" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010
"Survival of the Fittest" by Amy Guidry; (c) Amy Guidry 2010

Well, after several months of diligent painting, I have finally finished my latest work. The photos here don’t do it justice since this piece is insanely detailed and a fairly good size, so check out the larger pic on my website at www.AmyGuidry.com. This painting is from my “In Our Veins” series and is acrylic on canvas, 36 inches wide by 18 inches high. I almost forgot- the title is “Survival of the Fittest.” I’ve always been interested in the notion that one species will harm their own kind in order to survive. In addition, humans will use other species for their own survival, hence the cows. The cows that are falling (or jumping or floating- that’s the viewer’s call) are injuring the cows below them. They are reminiscent of the images from slaughterhouses I’ve seen of cows hanging from large hooks, while the cows below mimic those that have been skinned or butchered. To summarize, the entire image is surreal and maybe even a bit absurd, but I think many times the reasons we kill, be it animals or humans, are absurd.

If you would like to see this painting in person, it is currently at Wally Workman Gallery and will be part of their 30th Anniversary exhibit. The opening and blowout party is August 7th from 6-8pm at Wally Workman Gallery in Austin, TX.

Coming this Summer

"The Black Plague" exhibit at The Congregation Gallery
"The Black Plague" exhibit at The Congregation Gallery

I have two shows coming up, well, one is this weekend (!!) and the other will be next month. I was delighted to know that my work was selected for The Black Plague exhibit at The Congregation Gallery in Los Angeles, CA. There is a rather impressive line-up of artists including Chris Peters, Buddy Nestor, and Karl Persson.  The show opens this Saturday, July 24th at The Congregation Gallery from 9-12pm.

Next month’s show will be at the Alexandria Museum of Art. I submitted for their 23rd September Competition and just received the good news yesterday. The juror for this year’s event is Kelli Scott Kelley. Ms. Kelley is an accomplished artist (I’m a fan of hers, so I really wanted to enter this show!) and a professor at LSU, Louisiana State University. There will be an opening reception and juror’s talk on August 27th from 6:30-8:30pm. The exhibit will be up through October 2nd.

If you would like a full list of my current and upcoming events as well as new work, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. The newsletter is sent monthly and I can promise that your email will not be shared with anyone (so you won’t receive any spam!). You can sign up on the contact page of my website- www.amyguidry.com/contact.html or send me an email.