Looking Back

I have been thinking back on a very special group of paintings created for "Roadtrip, Impressions of a Memory", the solo exhibition about the trip I took with my dad. The trip was about re-connecting with my father's past...the people and places of his childhood in rural Appalachia.

As usual for me, I got excited about the possiblities and pushed myself for four or five months to express it all...the stories, his memories, the ties to my childhood memories; a plethora of material to process. 15 paintings, 13 monoprints, a book and a video later... a wonderful exhibition. I can call it wonderful... I am happy when I get a BIG idea, and can work out all the crazy details and plans, and hold true to the original sentiment.

It is nice to look back...to that magical trip with my dad, to the stories I will forever treasure and to the artwork that was my attempt to capture many moments in time.

I will be talking about my artwork and the exhibition to a group at Brevard Art Museum tomorrow. My personal take on my creative process is that I am always striving to share my passions through my art. Some of my process may change over the years..but I hope the passion always shines through.

You can read more about "Roadtrip, Impressions of a Memory" at http://www.shop.reneedecator.com/collections/road-trip-impressions-of-a-memory

The Show is Up, Road Trip, Impressions of a Memory

Roadtrip, Impressions of a Memory, opened May 2nd at the Fifth Avenue Art Gallery in Melbourne, Florida. The exhibit includes 27 new works; a combination of mixed media paintings and printmaking. As part of the exhibition I also displayed 4 pages from my upcoming book by the same title. The 50 page book will include color images of all the artwork, along with the stories that inspired the show. A 45 minute video that included footage from the trip along with many of my father's stories of life in Appalachia was shown at the opening . The video will soon be available for viewing via my website.

It was a great opening! I am so pleased by the response to the artwork. This was a departure from my recent body of work. It was event inspired and I wanted it to work together in conveying my respect and admiration for my father and my family's heritage. I also wanted the viewer to be open to relating it to their memories of the past. My parents Chester and Udell Webb came to the opening with my sister Joy. My brother Jerry, his wife Paula and my niece, Christa were also down from Daytona for the evening.
Special thanks to all those who encouraged and supported me during the last 4 months as I worked to produce the exhibit.

If you came to see the exhibit...thank you for coming!

The show runs through the end of May if you live nearby and get a chance to go. All the artwork is also available at http://www.reneedecator.com/ under the collection: Roadtrip, impressions of a memory. The book is available at a pre-publication price. It will be ready for delivery late June. I would love to hear your comments about the exhibit.

Roadtrip, Impressions of a Memory

Work in Progress

Aunt Betty's House

I am back to work on my upcoming show at the Fifth Avenue Art Gallery in Melbourne, Florida. "Roadtrip, Impressions of a Memory", will premiere the new work inspired by a wonderful journey I took last summer with my 87 year old father and my 18 year old son Tom.

My father, Chester Webb, holds a very special place in my heart. He is someone I respect and admire and I was so fortunate to be able to make this trip possible for him. I will always cherish the memory. The "memory" referred to in the show's title is his. Our quest to reconnect to the places and people of those memories is the subject of the artwork. I love to hear a story and let in develop into my impression. I hope to share the "magic" with you.

To read more about the trip, you can read my blog entitled, "Road Trip" from September. Just scroll down through my previous blog posts. I welcome your comments!

Road trip beginning the art

NEW ARTWORK

I have started the artwork inspired by my "roadtrip" this summer. A pilgrimage to the roots of my father's childhood, in the mountains of West Virgina and Kentucky. I was fortunate to share the trip with my father and my 19 year old son. I have been madly sketching the memories and impressions of the trip. The images develop quickly as I read the notes I scribbled along the way. Places that seem a million miles away from where I sit now.

I hope to share the process of this special project. Please feel free to share your comments.

"Cruel Punishment" sketch

"Seventh" sketch and start

More pictures to follow...

Renee