Unrolling

Beginning the process

Galvanized stovepipes were used to roll and store the canvases

Unrolling, layer after layer of paintings

Dean Sobel, museum director, gives his initial reactions to the paintings

Huge canvases, layered and now awaiting conservation

One of my favorites… the energy in those brushstrokes!

Glimpses

The inventory notebook initially created by Still’s wife

This spring, at Denver's Clyfford Still Museum, I got to see the unrolling of a number of Still's works that had been in storage for years. Many bundles of paintings have been unopened since arriving at the museum. Packages are opened when the conservators are ready to begin working on them. A docent mentioned the opportunity and I'd signed up months in advance to be there, along with about 25 other curious people — plus a team of conservators, photographers and museum officials.

When Still finished a painting, he would remove the canvas from the stretcher bars so that the bars could be re-used to begin work on another canvas. Galvanized chimney pipes (the only easily-sourced tube that was long enough) were used to roll multiple canvases together. The rolls were stored in a barn. The rolls were numbered and some have notes and thumbnail sketches of what might be inside. However, even the conservators were not absolutely sure what was inside all the rolls.

Here are some photos, taken in the conservation room at the museum... The paintings looked pretty amazing flat on the table so it will be especially exciting to see these re-stretched and hanging in the museum sometime in the future. I've also included a photo of some of the inventory sketches, done by Still's wife, that the museum uses as reference. Charming as they are, it made me especially grateful for all the amazing tools we have these days to document, inventory and archive artwork!

Lull

Exploring the gardens, spring 2017.

Work table at the Art Gym and one of my sketchbook collages ~ 12 x 9."

You may've noticed that I've been quieter lately... not so present on social media or here on the blog. I'm recovering from a total knee replacement and that's been my priority project since the beginning of the year. Sessions of elevating, icing, rest, physical therapy, walking and stationary bike riding have punctuated my days and been my focus.I've used our Botanic Gardens membership nearly daily for parts of the spring... lots of surface types to walk on, uncrowded, and so much inspiration in nature. What a luxury to be close enough to do my walks there!

Thankfully my recovery has coincided with a period of time when show commitments were negligible. And while I haven't completed much work lately, I've been thinking a lot about collage, concepts for future works, and the place of art in my life. Not to mention reading, looking at art, and watching way too much political coverage.

Since moving out of the studio at 910 Arts on Santa Fe last fall, followed by dealing with my Dad's death, I've not finished moving back into my home studio fully... and simply haven't had the mobility to muscle boxes of paper around until now. So organizing the space is high on my list of summer priorities. In the meantime, I'm enjoying working a bit each week at Denver's super cool Art Gym.

Just beyond the studio, the about-to-fall-down, 107-year-old, garage in the back yard has been demolished and we await the building permit variance required to rebuild. I've resigned myself to having the family bike collection in the dining room with miscellaneous tools and garage stuff on the back porch. Meanwhile, my stationary bike is positioned in the middle of the art studio, soaking up the crazy, unkempt, creative atmosphere -- as I ride to nowhere! But it'll turn out to be somewhere, no doubt. I'm ready to get back to work.

Collect, Compose & Create — a collage workshop

There have been a lot of requests to learn more about my collage processes, so yes, I'm finally offering a one-day workshop! It'll be happening on Sunday, October 16, 2016 from 9am to 4pm at my studio in Denver, Colorado. I'll be discussing collage in general, collecting materials, and composition — as well as reviewing supports and adhesive techniques, including my signature wet working process. There will be plenty of materials to work with and finished examples to enhance our conversations along with ample time to experiment, work on collages, and discuss.

Attendance is limited to six people so there will be plenty of space to work and so that I can spend adequate time with each person attending. Workshop cost is $120. plus a $10. materials fee.  Information about what to bring will be provided to all registrants by September 20. Most materials will be provided however you may want to bring special items that are of interest to you.

I'm really excited about spending a day immersed in collage activities with some of you! For more information or to register, please contact me via the connect page on my website.***9.21.16 Class is now full. However, please contact me if you'd like to add your name to a list to receive advance notice of future classes.***

Un-Masked... unveiling a collage for The Mask Project

Just beginning work on the mask… to almost finished.

Final mask for Denver Hospice’s The Mask Project, “Foundling,” 8.75 x 6.75 x 1.5″, collage by Janice McDonald.

Last fall I was invited to create artwork to contribute to The Mask Project, an auction to benefit Denver Hospice. Once I agreed, I received my “canvas,” -- a cold-looking, almost life-sized, white plaster mask.

The raw mask sat in the studio looking blankly at me for quite awhile before I had time to begin working on it. I’d wondered how well papers would adhere on the curved surfaces but my wet working process allowed them to flow with and adapt to the shape, attaching well. Granted, I was working with fairly thin papers and small pieces and I’m sure that helped. It was fun to work on a different kind of support and to respond to the facial features in my own whimsical way.

The mask, “Foundling,” will be on display as part of an exhibit in the Kaiser Permanente Grand Court of Cherry Creek Shopping Center in Denver, Colorado from September 12 through October 25, 2016. A number of masks from celebrities and artists are available for viewing and auction. Online bidding on the masks begins September 12 — view (or perhaps bid on!) mine here. Bidding ends October 9.

My mask comes with an added premium item: a $150 Gift Certificate for Ophelia's Electric Soapbox, an amazing restaurant / bar / performance venue. Thanks, Ophelia's!