new painting in series!



"Misbehaved" by Hilary J England, 18" x 24" x 2" oil on hardwood panel, 2011


This is the newest painting, "Misbehaved"   It is painting no. 5 in my series studying American youth, and the effects of an evolving and shifting culture on these young adults, in particular, young women.  In this painting, I am exploring the subject of behaviors we now consider "taboo" versus the rebellious nature of youth, and the dichotomy of "now versus then" in that there is a constance in the "immortal" thinking of all youth of all culture, and in their defiance of current "norms" in their quest to find themselves.

This was done both conceptually, and par coer from several different studies, drawings, and also observations of the young people I have been studying.  **No animals or children were hurt in the commission of this painting, LOL.**

With that said, this painting is 18" x 24" oil on hardwood panel.  It was a challenge to portray the rickety, broken wooden panels, and pull out the midtones in a painting I wanted to be somewhat close to monotone in its warmth.  She is young, and blazing with passions and rebellion, yet there is a true core of love and promise.  So, here is my interpretation of that. 

Busy couple of days....

I just got back from NYC--I was pretty busy running about doing "my thing" there.  I love the City, and I never ever tire of going--after all, it is my hometown...

Anyway, I went in to hammer out the details of my upcoming exhibit at the A-Forest Gallery on 28th Street.  That will be from June 1st to the 15th, and I'll let you know what day the opening reception will be. 

I went to MoMA yesterday, and it's always a treat, even when it was as PACKED as it was, in honor of the Tim Burton exhibition, which was marvelous.  Extremely talented man....

Despite the rain, and wind, Jilly and I managed to find a charming Tapas bar, and it was like going down the rabbit hole, with all of the quirky chandeliers and gauzy curtains...after drinking a pitcher of Sangria, we sat and enjoyed the wonderful Flamenco dancers...also giving us a marvelous show.

We left there and took the subway uptown, and wound up in a wine bar called Ouzo--drinking a hybrid lambrusco out of porcelain bowls--interesting and intoxicating!

We woke up this morning, and headed out to Tal Bagels, had pumpernickle bagels with olive cream cheese and green tea for breakfast, and then went and stopped at the Goodwill, looked around, chatted with the elderly attendants, and petted the dogs that were hanging around in there.  We also decided to go into the two local churches to look at the architecture--one was an Episcopalian Church, the other, Our Lady of Good Counsel, a Catholic church.  Both very beautiful and lavish, with much love and attention to detail in the ornate interiors...they just don't make 'em like that anymore....

Got home after a 3 hour trip with some traffic, made a fast dinner, and here it is, 11:00 pm--and I'm pretty tired.  Will start posting the new paintings...

Good night all!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0MgqquN4Rs

Exhibition opening reception tonight

I'm kind of just kicking around today--tonight is the opening, and I just wanted to take care of a few things around here, and just chill...mingling with "strangers" always makes me a bit apprehensive, and since this is business, I have to put my social phobias away, and get in gear.

My parents did want to attend, since they are lifelong friends with the celebrated sculptor Peter Rubino, and he and his wife said they were planning to attend also, but my Dad just started his next round of chemotherapy, and he is too weak and immune compromised to go...so of course, my Mom isn't going to leave him alone in the house...completely and totally understandable.  My Dad was sad to miss it, but I told him not to worry, he's going to get better, and once he's feeling good and in remission, there will be more openings, I promise.

I was surprised at the number of people that decided to attend...happy, but again, apprehensive.  I prefer to stay out of the social "limelight" and am on the reclusive side, so this is a good prompter to get me out of my studio and out to meet the people who actually enjoy my work...that idea makes everything more relaxed for me.

I have some deadlines to meet, Pernod on the 30th is one, and Feb. 24th for my portrait commission, so after tonight, I have to really knuckle under this weekend.  I also wanted to get a new still life in, plus try to get out and get some open air work done...I'm really pent up with alot of frustrating "relationship" concerns, so this helps me to clear my mind.

Ahhhhh life, ain't it grand??

I'll let you all know how it goes tonight...I'm going to be on my best behavior ;-)