My entry into the Taos Fall Arts festival held until October 2. Who knows what the future holds? None of us expected an epidemic like COVID. Outer space holds so much promise for life in the future if only we can take care of the planet and ourselves to become a less divisive planet. The promise of a better planet in the universe beckons us all.
Into the Future, oil on canvas, 36 X 36 inches
It seems that the more I read, the more images race around in my head. The last novel to linger for a long time is Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. Published in 1992, it has so much relevance for what is happening in the tech world today: avatars, metaverses, and more that may come into being. Some of the characters seem to be from another universe with their bizarre personas. I read and paint images of duality, but why not triality as we thing about alternate universes? And what about that other 60 percent or more of the brain which we do not use? This character or characters lead one to wonder.
Triality, Oil on Canvas, 12 X 9, $220 USD
I wonder what inspires some of my faces. These two are very different from one another, but in some ways much alike. As I think of their origins, I can see my love for the fantastic and at the same time, love for people of all ethnicities. The figure in the foreground reminds me of the beautiful Quechua faces I saw on my trip to South America this year. Such beauty creating memories of their Inca ancestors. I have always been intrigued by the Incas and once again walking the stones of Machu Picchu only served to deepen that intrigue. As for the figure in the back, perhaps he is the frolicking side of this woman or perhaps a forerunner of the kachina dancers of the Southwest. Regardless, I find my own reflections on my work after its completion an exercise in mind wandering, always useful for the now and for the future.
Duo, Oil on Canvas, 20" X 16" (image size), framed in contemporary frame, $695 USD
Copyright 2014 by Charlotte Shroyer
Memories of Europe Past, Oil on Canvas, 7 1/2" X 5 1/2" (framed size). $95 USD
In the Valley, Oil on Paper, 12" X 9" (matted size),
At this time in history as China hosts the Olympics, it seemed fitting to paint something to commemorate the occasion. I have never visited China and have not felt China to be a significant part of my psyche other than enjoying time with my Chinese friends. For many years I enjoyed the Chinese influence on life in San Francisco, but even with this influence never felt a desire to visit China.
I generally don’t paint still lifes, but suddenly felt compelled to paint an image of something revered in my household. My eye espied this figurine and it just happened to be Chinese and from China. This wise figure had sat silently on many bookshelves in many different homes around the country for more than 45 years–always seeming to spread his serenity in my living space, Chinese wisdom residing amongst a worldly collection of books from many authors of many countries, even books written in other languages. It seemed appropriate to honor Chinese wisdom, the Olympics, and global connections of the Olympics with this small painting.
Chinese Wisdom, Oil on Paper, 6"X4" (unmatted size)