Tim McFarlane Studio :: December 2023
Soft Poems, current shows and much more...
Soft Poems
Soft Poems is a series of paintings that is an extension of work I’ve been making over the past six or so years. Whereas the majority of my glyph-populated works have very dense compositions and lots of visual information, I imagined Soft Poems to be almost the opposite of that. Soft Poems is meant to evoke a sense of intimate mystery. I imagine each painting as a kind of unintelligible haiku or other type of poem or writing whose meaning is hidden not only by the unintelligible glyphs, but also by having those glyphs float in translucent layers of pigmented acrylic medium.
Some of the Soft Poems are readily seen close to the surface while others are revealed only after sustained viewing through layers of color. Each work is on a 12” x 9” inch birch panel with the paintings being made of a combination of acrylic, acrylic markers, matte and/or gloss gel medium and pigment. Currently, there are sixteen Soft Poems in this series that I’m considering on-going at this point. Soft Poem 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are seen above (Soft Poem 2 sold recently and isn’t shown here). As I get more photographed, I’ll share them on my website and here.
The Soft Poem series is available through the Bridgette Mayer Gallery:
709 Walnut Street, first floor, Philadelphia, PA • Phone: 215.413.8893 • Email: bmayer@bmayerart.com
Current Exhibitions
Something Big, Something Small on view at the Bridgette Mayer Gallery until December 30, 2023
Pictured above:
Right: Small Bright Corner • acrylic and vinyl paint on canvas • 12”x 12” (sold), Left: Large Bright Corner • acrylic and acrylic medium on canvas • 60” x 40” (available)
From the press release:
In art, the principle of scale refers to the relative size of one object compared to another. Usually this is the size of the artwork compared to the viewer’s body. Scale can also refer to the different size relationships of different visuals within a singular piece of art.
For the exhibition Something Big, Something Small , 10 contemporary artists (five represented artists from the gallery program, and five invited artists) were asked to consider scale and shifting scale in their work and create or illustrate the concept of a shift in scale – whether large or small, conceptual, literal or ambiguous and create works around this concept.
Flowing Abstraction: Contemporary African Diaspora Printmaking at the Brandywine Workshop and Archives until December 18, 2023.
Flowing Abstraction has six of my Tomorrow’s Conversations prints on view, alongside works by El Anatsui, Enise Carr, Adama Delphine Fawundu, Sam Gilliam, Julie Mehretu, Kebedech Tekleab and Tyler Yvette Wilson. A selection of Tomorrow’s Conversations are available for collection through the Bridgette Mayer Gallery.
Shifting Forms: 5 Decades of Abstraction at the Susquehanna Art Museum until January 21, 2024
Shifting Forms… is a group exhibition featuring my painting, Undercurrent (2007), along with works by Chakaia Booker, Bruce Conner, Beatrice Riese, Helen Frankenthaler, Nancy Graves, Sol Lewitt, Benjamin Lee Sperry, Alice Trumbull Mason and Jonathan VanDyke
Shifting Forms… exhibition walkthrough and artist talk 12.01.23
On Friday, December 1st, I took the train out to Harrisburg to attend and speak at the exhibition walkthrough and artist talk. I arrived early, so took a few photos before guests arrived. The show looks amazing in the space and I’m grateful to have my work in conversation with those of Frankenthaler, Booker, LeWitt and Graves, along with Benjamin Lee Sperry and Jonathan VanDyke, the other two artists who spoke. We had a packed house and lots of great questions from the audience on a rainy Friday night. It was great to see my painting, Undercurrent, again because it’s been 13 years since I last laid eyes on it. I connected with it right away, remembering the excitement I had while actually making it all those years ago.
Major thanks to Director of Exhibitions Bonnie Mae Carrow, Education Manager Rachel Barron and of course, Executive Director Alice Ann Schwab for including my work in this great show and hosting a fantastic night of conversation! Undercurrent was lent to this exhibition by Samek Art Museum (Bucknell University).
Last, but not least, here’s a very thoughtful review of Shifting Forms from The ArtBlog: Five Decades of Abstraction in a revelatory exhibit at Susquehanna Art Museum, Harrisburg
#artlife
I wrote about some recent studio experiments and about my connection with Philadelphia art legend, Quentin Morris on my studio blog. Feel free to read and share my other blog entries here: Art & Life Stirred Vigorously
Conrad Benner, founder of the Streets Dept. blog, now has a podcast out that focuses on the artists behind some of Philly’s vibrant street art scene: Art Outside
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Radcliffe Bailey in November. I only met him once, spending a few hours with him here in Philly during and after his 2013 solo exhibition at the Bridgette Mayer Gallery titled, “Notes”. Radcliffe radiated a kind authenticity that was unique and definitely left a mark on me, even though I never caught up with him in person since. He leaves a legacy as a great person and artist.
I saw an excerpt of this interview with Chicago-based multi-disciplinary artist Pope. L. on Instagram the other day and was reminded that it’s one of my favorite artist profiles that I’ve seen this year: Pope.L. Is Making a Commitment to Art
Exit
Before I go, I want to give a big THANK YOU to you, the newsletter subscribers old and new! I deeply appreciate you allowing me to visit with you once a month, it means a lot to be able to connect with you in this way. By all accounts, I’ve had a really amazing year, from being the subject of several articles, podcasts, artist panels and more to having work from different periods of my life on view in three concurrent exhibitions right now (see Current Exhibitions above). With the help of the Bridgette Mayer Gallery, I’ve been able to place works in private collections, including a couple of commissioned paintings. I’ve also had the honor of being a visiting artist at three educational institutions and gave a couple of talks about my work this year, as well. I feel extremely grateful and blessed for it all.
As I close out the year, I’d like to note that I’m thankful for every bit of support, from readers of this newsletter to those liking, commenting and following me on social media to present and future collectors of my work. You ALL matter! Remember, when you support an artist whether through collecting or in other ways, you’re investing in that person’s continued ability to bring new art experiences into being and basic quality of life related to maintaining workspaces, supplies and general business expenses.
As we’re in the gift-giving season, I’d like to remind everyone that I have an inventory of works available through the Bridgette Mayer Gallery with prices for paintings and works on paper (including woodblock prints) ranging between $800-$9000. Interested parties are welcome to request payment plans. We’ve had several collectors of my work pay over a period of time because we believe that art should be accessible to everyone regardless of budget. To see some available works, visit my artist page on the Bridgette Mayer Gallery website and/or contact the gallery to request a PDF of a selection of available works:
Address: 709 Walnut Street, 1st floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106 • Phone: 215.413.8893 • Email: bmayer@bmayerart.com • Gallery hours: Tuesday-Satuurday 10am-5pm* (*holiday hours: Tuesday, December 26: closed. Wednesday, December 27: open with normal hours)
*Please consider helping me spread the word by sharing my newsletter with friends, family and colleagues who may be interested*
Again thank you very much for your continued support and I hope that your holiday season is a great one!
Until next time, be well and spread love!
Tim