Paintings of Time and Place

"Chasm," Contemporary Abstract of the Gorge in Taos, New Mexico

I live in a magical place dominated by mountains and a monumental  gorge through which the Rio Grande River flows south toward the Gulf.  Even as a contemporary abstract painter, It is impossible to live here and not be influenced by the beauty and majesty of the surroundings. At unexpected moments a painting of Taos Pueblo, its powerful mountains, blue skies, and the cavernous gorge appear.  This was one of those moments and this is the result.

Chasm, Oil on Canvas, 40 X 20" gallery wrap, $1600 USD

 

"Lollipop, Lollipop," Oil Painting of Whimsy

Back to childhood.  So many memories of dreaming about another lollipop and then getting one.  This painting has more than just a lollipop--the boundaries and extensions of childhood memory and how we think of those days so long ago.  I grew up in a rural area outside Columbus, Ohio, where the summer days were long, the corn was high, and the lightning bugs always a wonder to me.  Nothing in the way of planned activities, just time to loll away the day, reading, playing school with my doll Suzanne, and running my toes through the dirt.  Once I was given a second hand bicycle, I had wheels to the world--trips to see my friends, trips to the library, and more. 

 

"Lollipop, Lollipop," Oil on Canvas, 40 X 20" Gallery wrap, $1600

                                        SOLD

"Remembering Agnes," Oil Painting in Honor of Agnes Martin, a Taos Minimalist Painter

Agnes Martin, an early leader in the Minimalist movement, was a very special person in the Taos community--unassuming, loving to work, committed to the community, and giving back to the community.  I had the opportunity to meet her one day in her favorite restaurant lunch spot.  I was with a small group of painters in Ray Vinella's art group.  Agnes was sitting by herself finishing lunch as she did most days, same restaurant and probably the same seat by the window.  We invited her to join us for coffee and dessert.  In just a short period of time, we learned  a little about her life.  She came to Taos because rent for a studio was cheap--about $39 when she first came here.  She painted every day--a good lesson for all of us.  We learned about her life and lessons for our lives. 

The Harwood Museum, part of the University of New Mexico Museums, has a room with her paintings--pastel stripes, very meditative.  This painting, while not in stripes, is very subdued for me.  It is in her honor.

Remembering Agnes, Oil on Canvas, 48 X 36" (gallery wrap), $3630 USD

www.charlotteshroyer.com

Copyright 2012 Charlotte Shroyer

 

 

 

"Ancestors," Oil Painting in Honor of Native Americans of Taos and US

Years ago as a seven year old child rubbing my feet in the black loam of our Ohio vegetable garden, I made a marvelous discovery--a stone tomahawk hidden in the dirt.  It seemed so obvious and yet so mysterious that I picked it up in wonder.  What an exciting find!  As I look back on that discovery, I am still in awe and perhaps have even less understanding than during that time of innocence.  Could it have been an omen of things to come?  Could it in its own small way have pushed me to a path of discovery which would help fashion my adult life?  I have woven Navajo style; I live in a place inhabited by descendants of the Anasazis, and I wonder at the beauty, mystical energy, and intelligence of the Native American culture in which I live.  This painting is a tribute to our ancestors of the Americas, the people who lived and still live in this land.  Thank you.

Ancestors,  Oil on Canvas, 60 X 36," Gallery Wrap, $4500 USD

www.charlotteshroyer.com

Copyright 2012 Charlotte Shroyer

"Light by Night," Oil on Canvas, Window of a Contemporary Abbey Inspired by Wyeth's "Christina's World"

 My fascination with Cistercian abbeys has carried over into my more contemporary work.   This painting started with  a window at Christina's house  in Rockland, Maine--the Christina of Andrew Wyeth's Christina's World.   I was attracted to the window because of the patina of weathered wood and even more so because of Christina's story of will and persistence in spite of physical difficulties--a story of courage and faith.  The window changed as I worked more with the painting taking on the look of a window in the abbey.   And this woman appeared as if guided by the light of the abbey and by the street light.

Night by Light, Oil on Canvas, 48 X 36" (gallery wrap), $3600 USD



www.charlotteshroyer.com       

Copyright 2012 Charlotte Shroyer

"Shields," Oil on Canvas, Native American Shields and Shields of the Soul

As I worked on this painting, I thought of Native American shields and the ones we all create to shield our beings.  The light hits the surface, but doesn't  penetrate to the inner core to reveal the inward self.  Just a ray here and there to give a glimpse.

Shields, Oil on Canvas, 48 X 48" gallery wrap, $4800 USD

 

www.charlotteshroyer.com Copyright 2012 Charlotte Shroyer

"At the Library," Oil on Canvas, Recollections from Childhood

The library has always been one of my favorite places.   As a child, it was an adventure to different parts of the world, people I had never known, and mysteries beyond my fathom.  Once I was given a bicycle and learned to ride it, I had wheels to this magical world.  Seven miles in and seven miles back with all kinds of mystical thoughts whirling in my brain as a result of what I had read and what I would read in the "new" books in my bicycle basket.  It was books from the library that propelled me to new dreams and ultimately to finding a way to leave the confines of my childhood world.  

                                                    "At the Library," Oil on Canvas,

                                                    48" X 36," $3600 USD

                    

"Random Thoughts" in Visual Form, Abstract Oil of the Files in my Brain Computer

 This painting represents a lot of different "catalogs in the brain."  As in many of my paintings, I just start putting color on canvas and wait for the magic to begin.  The magic as a long time in coming for this one.  As I reflect on what I painted, I can see Mayan figures, abstracted figure, whimsical balloons, Cy Twombly-like squiggles and a lot of unfinished "thoughts."  Such was my being at the time that I painted this.

Item " 546

"Random Thoughts," Oil on Canvas, 48 X 48," Gallery Wrap, $4800 USD

 www.charlotteshroyer.com                                                             

Copyright 2012 Charlotte Shroyer

copyright 2012 Charlotte Shroyer

 

"Asian Memories," Contemporary Oil Abstract

The painting process continues to be more amazing the longer I paint.  Most of the time I start with no idea of how the painting will evolve.  This painting has had more than one life, very different ones at that.  And finally, this image appeared to my liking.  Serene, misty, a kind of Zen beauty that came from someplace deep within the soul.

Asian Memories, Oil on Canvas, 60 X 48," $6050

  www.charlotteshroyer.com

                SOLD

"Storm Over the Mesa," an Abstract Rendition of the Rio Grande Gorge

 

It took a couple years for me to feel the mystical power of Taos Mountain, its peoples, and its geography.  So much unlike initial impressions of so many of my friends, my impressions were ho-hum.........  Another interesting place with interesting people, but then I knew many other placeswith the same mystiques--nothing to get excited about.  Two and a half years later as I drove through the "horseshoe," came up over the hill, I glanced to the left, and SUDDENLY saw the Gorge in all its glory and knew that the power of Taos had finally come over me.   I could not leave.

 Storm Over the Gorge, Oil on Canvas, 48 X 36," $3630 USD                                 

www.charlotteshroyer.com  

              SOLD