New Work

Back in Venice!

2012-01-30T17:51:00.001-08:00

Haven't been blogging much lately, obviously, but I've returned to Venice and I'm roaming around town with an art cart. The weather has been beautiful and I've been able to get out and paint almost every day. Will keep you posted with my creations.

Heading Home From California

2011-04-23T10:05:00.001-07:00

Packing up for the long trip back to Vermont. I'm leaving most of the work I produced here with the lovely couple who lived next door to our bungalow. Too much artwork to fit in the truck. I'm bringing home 7 small pieces that I painted out on the street in front of our house. They're 9 x 12 on wooden panels. I think they capture the light that I grew to love while I was here.

Time for an Adventure

2010-11-23T03:42:00.000-08:00

Taking off tomorrow for a cross country trip with my husband, Dave and dog Lyle , and a huge ball with 3 jacks. Yep, we're out of our minds! We've given ourselves 2 weeks to make it from Kirby Vermont to Venice Beach, California. Lyle will be keeping a blog of the trip, which he will dictate to me. David will be looking for a home for "The Big Game" and I'll be taking many photographs to use as references for future paintings. Looking forward to painting L.A. city scapes! Could there be any landscapes farther from the Vermont Mountains? I doubt it!

Some New Pieces

2010-11-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

I'm heading over to Burlington today to deliver some new work to Frog Hollow, on Church Street, and to Burlington City Arts. I've been working on a commission piece for BCA for the past month. It will be part of an extensive art project that is connected with Fletcher Allen Hospital...more details to follow.

Reflections on Basin Harbor..the 25th anniversary show

2010-08-19T04:12:00.000-07:00

If you're in the vicinity (Vergennes, Vermont), don't miss this show. 27 artists from around the state will be sharing their views of this lovely resort. The show runs from August 21-28. Opening reception is Friday August 20, 4-7pm. Hope you can make it!

My piece is called "The Last Days of Summer", 30"x 60", oil on canvas, $5100.00

Getting Into the Summer Groove

2010-07-13T04:06:00.000-07:00

After a couple of weeks of intense heat, I'm finally on my summer painting schedule. I'm just starting a painting for a show in Basin Harbor, Vermont. This great, old resort on Lake Champlain, hosts nights for artists, so they can enjoy the grounds and be inspired to paint.
This is their 20th anniversary show, which will be opening for a week in August, and 25 of their favorite artists have been invited to participate. Here's the under painting for my first piece, "Basin Harbor Fence". Stay tuned for the progress.

Open Studio this Weekend!

2010-05-27T03:55:00.000-07:00

This is the perfect weekend to visit Vermont. There will be hundreds of studios throughout the state open to the public, and the weather is supposed to be stellar. Dave will have his enormous redwood tables on display, and I have have lots of paintings, prints and drawings on sale in my studio (best prices that you'll get all year!) The gardens are lovely and we're buying beer for the keg-o-rator. We'd love to see you!

Such a Bad Blogger

2010-05-21T04:10:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a long time since I've connected. I've been busy getting our beautiful Burlington Condo ready for visitors. I'm looking forward to sharing the space we love with others. Why produce art if you can't share it?

May 29,30 is OPEN STUDIO weekend here in Vermont. Artists and Craftspeople throughout the state open their spaces to the public. I have lots of paintings, big and small, and prints that will be marked down for this event. My husband, David Tanych, will be showing his incredible redwood tables as well as some new sculptures. The big piece he finished in April, "Unattached", is now on display at the Southern Vermont Arts Center, until 2012. If you get to Manchester, check it out.

Last week I delivered my newest painting, SPRING FOG, to the Vermont Fine Art Gallery in Stowe, Vermont, and my friends at Frog Hollow, in Burlington, have given my paintings a nice wall close to the front door.

I'm just getting ready to start a 5 x 6 foot painting (the canvas has been stained and is ready to go), but I find myself wanting to garden and paint flowers.

If you're in the area, stop by our studios on the 29th or 30th. You have to breathe in my garden art (ahhhh...the lilacs are opening) to really appreciate it.

Spring Fog

2010-04-22T14:52:00.000-07:00

Finished a new painting today, 36 x 48, oil on canvas. $5100.00

Showing the Process

2010-03-22T05:21:00.000-07:00

I've been sharing the stages of my paintings with my friends on facebook. Thought that you too might enjoy seeing the process.

Work in Progress

2010-03-10T04:22:00.000-08:00

Almost done with a new painting of Burlington, Vermont. I love this little city!

An Interesting Show....

2010-01-27T11:02:00.000-08:00

When Dogs Dream....

2010-01-14T13:49:00.001-08:00

Saved Layers

2009-11-30T07:52:00.000-08:00

As I started planning for my exhibit at the WREN gallery in Bethlehem,NH, I was simultaneously, cleaning out old boxes, cupboards, barns and studios. I've never thought as my self as a "saver". But you know what? I am! I have slides, photos, drawings paintings, and diaries that span over 45 years. Ouch! What to do with all this stuff, short of throwing it away? It's become quite obvious to me in the last few months that these are the layers which have made me who I am, and that I need to give them new life! So I'm starting to cut and paste and incorporate these little pieces of my past in my present work. Where it will go is anyone's guess.

M

Art Opening

2009-11-27T09:19:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been a while since I've written. I've been overwhelmed with trying to move 2 studios into 1. I've finally left my Burlington location after 9 years. It's sad, but also invigorating. All of my "stuff" is with me now, in my beautiful Kirby studio and I'm looking forward to falling in love with, and painting a new city. Perhaps San Francisco? Now that both of my sons are in California, it's likely to be a city on the west coast.

I've just finished hanging a show at the Northern Vermont Regional Hospital Gallery in St. Johnsbury, called "Sweet Memories". It has 9 of my bigger paintings in it, many of which are privately owned. It's always fun to see the pieces together...like old friends reminding me of my past. It will be up through the middle of January, while I work on new pieces for a show at the WREN Gallery in Bethlehem, NH for the month of February. I'm looking forward to working, now that my studio is in order and the gardens are long put to bed.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving,

Meryl

California Dreaming

2009-10-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

Well, my youngest son is now in California too. One in San Francisco and one in L.A.

All I want to do is paint California land and city scapes. I know I'll be spending time there in the upcoming winter. Nothing is like the layers of green on those huge California hill sides.

New Work?

2009-10-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

How odd that this blog is called "new work", and I've been spending the last few weeks, plowing through "old" work, and the piles of STUFF that have accumulated everywhere. I have never considered myself a collector, always eager to get rid of stuff. But it's so strange, that after all these years, I've found that I am a collector. I have photographs, movies, videos and writing from the time I was 12. Oh yes, I've gotten rid of many pieces of art, but I cannot bear to part with my photos. Hmmm...I need to use them in a work of art, so that they'll have a better chance to survive in the future. Or maybe I should just throw them all away. It's not like I have them all dumped into a big box. They are mostly, somewhat orderly. I'm at a cross roads. To keep, or to toss.

In any case, I've been coming across pictures of art I don't remember. It's cool. A little snap into the past. These metal pieces must be from the 90's, my name was still Keegan. I was painting scrap metal objects (which I still enjoy doing, but it eats brushes!)to display with "Alchemy Wearable Art", a line of jewelry made from recycled metals that my friend and fellow artist, Ellen Levitt and I had begun producing in the late 80's. I learned a lot about color from those years of painting small pieces of rusted metal for earrings and pins, and I still enjoy working on a rust colored ground when doing larger paintings.

I wonder if this junk art is hanging in somebody's living room?

Girlz on the Hood

2009-10-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

The cool winds of October are forcing me in the house after a summer of very little painting, but a lot of gardening. I'm trying to get my web site in good order, which, among other things, means checking out which paintings have never made it to the site. I was thinking that I still have my first oil painting, a painting that I did of my younger brother's baby shoes. He's 47 now. I know, I've been painting a long time, and I've done many, many, many paintings.

This is one of my favorites. I'm in the middle, surrounded by my girlfriends, Kiah and Ellen. It was Mother's Day, and being mothers ourselves, we decided to ride around the "kingdom" visiting our friends who were mothers and some that weren't. It was an incredible spring day, the kind that make you a little crazy after the long Vermont winter. I took the photos. There's even one of Ellen reinacting Wyeth's "Christina's World". I think I used that photo for the mosaics in the window of the car. I wanted to do a painting which captured the youth and fun and shear pleasure of that day.

Peak Foliage in the Northeast Kingdom

2009-10-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

It's beautiful here in the northeastern corner of Vermont, despite the rain and fog. I've been cleaning out old boxes that have been stored in the barn for years. They're filled with letters, drawings, photos and the occasional mouse. What am I going to do with all of that stuff? I'm still contemplating that. I'd like to turn it into art instead of storing it away for years, then dying and having it thrown into the fire to burn (if anyone is going to do that, I'd like it to be me! ) HMMMM.... I'll think of something.

I just finished a painting for the gallery that I show at in Stowe, Vermont Fine Art Gallery. I think it captures what we love about this season. If you make it to the gallery, you're bound to notice my husband, David Tanych's large gyro sculpture in the front lawn. It looks great, but now the field at our Kirby Art compound is empty. He has some exciting new sculptures planned if he can just find some time in his studio. Isn't that always the way.

Time for me to get to work. Happy Autumn

Our Burlington Condo

2009-09-28T05:22:00.000-07:00

For the past 8 years, my husband, David Tanych and I have been living in (part time) and remodeling our wonderful condo in the heart of Burlington...a fun, fun, fun city. It has been our third living space collaboration, and has pushed us to new levels! It has actually pushed David more than me...as he was the one that carried up roasted oak flooring, a new bathtub, and tiles (among other things) to the 4th floor, when the new elevator was being installed and it was necessary for us to use the stairs. He built 3 curved cabinets, gutted the entire inside tearing out walls and replacing them with beautiful cherry pocket doors. He also incorporated metal feet on cabinets and made strong metal pulls for the curved dresser. What, you may ask, did I do to help? I'm his partner in brainstorming, I come up with ideas which challenge his talents, and then I look out the windows and am inspired by the beauty of Lake Champlain and the bustle of Burlington.

In any case, the condo is 90% completed, and we are changing directions in our life (we need to put more time and energy into our Art Compound in Kirby, Vermont.) We haven't put he finishing touches on the place, because we're really not sure how the new owner will want the kitchen arranged or the murphy bed enclosed (do we build in a desk, an island, a computer center...etc?) But, it is on the market, and we will finish it the way the new owner envisions it.

If you're interested in visiting the condo, there will be an open house next weekend, October 3 and 4. For more information you can contact David Kelly at Highpoint Realty Burlington, Vermont.

Working on the garden!

2009-06-18T11:22:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh...I have such good intentions, but find dirt on my hands instead of paint. Isn't gardening just painting with color and texture? This 40 acres in Kirby is one BIG canvas. The gardens change every day. If I don't work on them, I can't take them in. I'll start giving you some photos. You'll understand.

A gray day...soft and sad

Some Small New Paintings and a Garden to Die For

2009-06-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

I finished up a couple of small Lake Champlain paintings last week so that I could hang them at Mirabelles, in downtown Burlington to commemorate the lake's 400th anniversary. I'm also heavy into my garden, as it is the season in Vermont, and it doesn't last for long.

Searching for Spring

2009-03-02T08:50:00.000-08:00

I just finished a large piece last week, 30 x 60, trying to coax Spring to come to Vermont. Stop by the Vermont Fine Art Gallery in Stowe and you can see it in real time.

Ahhhh....sweet spring.

2009-02-24T06:51:00.003-08:00

Even though I haven't blogged in a while, I have been busy painting (perhaps that is why I haven't blogged). I've begun working on studies that I plan to do throughout the year. As I live in Vermont, my paintings have recently been all about the winter. They are small, 12"x 9", and capture the colors that surround me every day. They're fun!

A Few More Winter Paintings

2009-02-24T06:42:00.001-08:00

Here are a couple more of my 12" x 9" studies. These are selling for $300. each.

No More Slacking

2009-01-21T16:52:00.001-08:00

It seems as if the time between Thanksgiving and New Years just disappears. I find it almost impossible to get any painting done. Luckily, for the past month, I've been able to get together with other artists and paint from a live model weekly. It's been challenging to return to the model. Now that I'm here, I'm hoping to continue working from live models through 2009. Art resolution number 1!

2008-11-28T10:38:00.000-08:00

Just finished taking a workshop offered by Burlington City Arts, in the beautiful Firehouse Gallery building. Our instructor, Gail Salzman, did a terrific job teaching the class. It's been a long time since I've painted the figure. It was a luxury having three hours a week to work from a live model. Even though I struggled with the water soluble oils ( I'm used to the real thing...the poison stuff), it is always inspirational to work with new artists. How differently we all all paint the same model!

Lake Champlain

2008-11-28T07:27:00.000-08:00

For the past 8 years I've been spending part of my time in Burlington, and have grown fond of the cityscapes and landscapes of that town. I've just finished a couple of paintings that were inspired by my walks along the lake (which will be celebrating it's 400 year anniversary in 2009). "Sailing School" depicts the UVM students on a cool October morning. This painting can be seen at Frog Hollow on the marketplace in downtown Burlington. Walking on Water, a painting which captures the "coolness" of being able to hang out on the lake, will be part of a show called "Champlain's Lake Rediscovered" that will be traveling around Vermont and to New York, Boston, Providence and Washington in 2009.

Lots of New Work

2008-11-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

I don't really know how I produce so much new work...it seems as if I never have time to paint. Have just gotten back some images from my painting photographer Dok Wright. He does a terrific job! I did this painting of Stowe in early October. It's 30 x 48 and can be seen at The Vermont Fine Art Gallery on the Stowe Mountain Road.

They Say it's Your Birthday

2008-11-05T06:04:00.001-08:00

Let's Meet for Lunch at One!

2008-11-04T11:09:00.000-08:00

Behind the Pane

2008-11-03T15:15:00.001-08:00

Last winter I started to paint landscapes as seen from my studio windows. In Kirby the land is art itself, filled with color and texture. When I look out the studio windows in Burlington, I mostly see the reflection of my windows in the windows across the street. It's wild. In Burlington, for each painting I finished, I worked on a scrap metal piece which would carry the story to another dimension. I mostly started doing this because recently I've thought about moving out of the third story studio and having to lug down old pieces of rusted metal. I feel it would be much easier to carry them down if they are in the ART form.

I'm going to continue to work on this series through this winter, and will perhaps do some scrap metal pieces to match the Kirby views also.

Sunday in the Park

2008-10-27T09:24:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Burlington. I dragged my paints across the street and worked in the park for a couple of hours, surrounded by skateboarders, dogs and people eating lunch. It was lovely, and I left with this small,(12 x 12) thickly painted piece. Working outside is a challenge for me, it's so easy to be distracted, but I love to be part of the nature I'm expressing. If you're interested in purchasing this piece, drop me a line.

M

Learning More Every Day

2008-10-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

You're back! Thanks.

I've added an image of the wall at Frog Hollow

I'm totally fascinated by the cyberspace. It is a challenge though, when you enter it as an old person. I just learned how to hyper link, so I think it's only right that I send you to my kids' sites. Ticktick will be having an open house tonight. That's the company Graham and his buddy Dale started in Burlington, Vermont. Out in San Francisco, Ben is writing his own music and playing in the band, Blisses B. It's fun to watch those artistic genes trickle down into the next generation.

It's a beautiful day in Burlington and I'm determined to finish up my painting of the UVM sailing class. Learning to hyperlink was enough computer work for one day!

M

The new site is finally up!

2008-10-23T07:07:00.000-07:00

First of all, let me say that I'm so glad you're here. I'll do my best to keep you coming back.

Thanks to Mollybdesigns, I have a new web site. We'll be tweaking it in the next few weeks. I'd love to hear your comments and suggestions.

I've just spent the last 2 hours setting up a new display in Frog Hollow in Burlington. I did include some winter paintings, even though it's not quite November. Of course, all of us in Vermont know that winter can happen anytime. I'm not trying to rush it, it's just more enjoyable to imagine it in October than it is in March.

I've been putting my gardens to bed and I'm starting to paint more. I'm going to be bringing my new work directly to you on this site, before it hits the galleries. But that's not enough to keep you interested. You need stories. You need humor. You need excitement. That is my blogging challenge.

I know that some of you were sent here by my mentor, MOMSTER . The two of us have a lot in common. Among other things, we share a birthday. Hopefully, I can talk her into contributing to this blog.

I need to start painting. I'll be back tomorrow.

M