a Mother-Daughter Art Show
by Jennifer and Maddie Schlick Cattaraugus County Arts Council Art on Main Gallery 100 West Main Street Allegany, New York 14706 (716) 372-7455 September 1 - October 26, 2012 Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm |
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Background
Maddie at work at Cadillac Ranch.
A series of abstract 6X6 donations to the CCAC 2011 fundraiser led to an invitation to mount a solo show of some of my abstract work. Instead, I proposed a mother-daughter show, which was eagerly embraced. What the show would ultimately become was impossible to know. A lot could happen in the intervening ten months. Still, I knew there were 3 pieces that would definitely be part of the show.
In June of 2011, the Schlick family went on vacation. One of our stops was Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Imagine a vast, barren agricultural field, not yet planted. In the middle of the field are ten Cadillacs “installed” nose first in the ground. Each is covered with layer upon layer of spray paint. Visitors to the site participate in the installation by adding their own layers of paint. We all tried our hand, but Maddie, the artist, discovered techniques that produced wild shapes, textures, and colors. I made close-up photographs of Maddie's contributions to the installation. These photographs, I knew, would have to be part of our mother-daughter collaboration.
In June of 2011, the Schlick family went on vacation. One of our stops was Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Imagine a vast, barren agricultural field, not yet planted. In the middle of the field are ten Cadillacs “installed” nose first in the ground. Each is covered with layer upon layer of spray paint. Visitors to the site participate in the installation by adding their own layers of paint. We all tried our hand, but Maddie, the artist, discovered techniques that produced wild shapes, textures, and colors. I made close-up photographs of Maddie's contributions to the installation. These photographs, I knew, would have to be part of our mother-daughter collaboration.
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Don't Think - Just Draw
Charcoal Drawing by Maddie Schlick
In the intervening months, we tossed around a dozen or more titles and concepts for this exhibit. None hit the mark. None resonated. None inspired.
One day while in the midst of a creative block, Maddie adopted a mantra to break through: Don’t think. Just draw.
Don’t Think. We liked the sound of it and knew that some of the resulting charcoal drawings would have to be a part of the exhibit.
We came to realize that this approach - "don't think" - could apply to any medium, not just drawing. Don't think - just paint. Don't think - just shoot. Don't think - just sculpt. Sometimes it is wise to suspend all judgement and pretense, to be present and aware and just let the medium guide you. The resulting image may have a revealing story to tell.
One day while in the midst of a creative block, Maddie adopted a mantra to break through: Don’t think. Just draw.
Don’t Think. We liked the sound of it and knew that some of the resulting charcoal drawings would have to be a part of the exhibit.
We came to realize that this approach - "don't think" - could apply to any medium, not just drawing. Don't think - just paint. Don't think - just shoot. Don't think - just sculpt. Sometimes it is wise to suspend all judgement and pretense, to be present and aware and just let the medium guide you. The resulting image may have a revealing story to tell.
Don't Think - Just Shoot - Part I
Sometimes we photograph conceptually. We have a story to tell and we set out to find the images that will tell that story. The images we included in this exhibit are not those kind of images. Instead, we included images that struck us because of the color or texture or the play of light and reflection. By letting go and being open and aware, we find beauty even in unlikely places.
Guard Rail Studyby Jennifer Schlick
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From the Car Lotby Maddie Schlick
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Don't Think - Just Shoot - Part II - Nature Photography
What is nature photography? Landscapes? Flowers? Elusive wildlife?
For me, it’s a flash of perception. Something catches my eye ~ because of its color, or texture, or the way the light plays off of it ~ and I try to capture the moment.
P.S. Sometimes I find things in nature that are wholly unnatural.
For me, it’s a flash of perception. Something catches my eye ~ because of its color, or texture, or the way the light plays off of it ~ and I try to capture the moment.
P.S. Sometimes I find things in nature that are wholly unnatural.
Don't Think - Just Play
To round out the exhibit and bring the theme full circle, Maddie acquired a car door.* Yes. You read right: a car door. She spray-painted it in Cadillac Ranch fashion and placed it in the center of the exhibit along with markers.
She invites all who visit the gallery to make their mark on the door.
Not sure what to write?
Don't think! Just play!
*Thank you to Ron Madden.
She invites all who visit the gallery to make their mark on the door.
Not sure what to write?
Don't think! Just play!
*Thank you to Ron Madden.
Madeline SchlickArt student at University of Buffalo
UPDATE (2014): Grad student at Naropa, Boulder CO |
Jennifer SchlickPhotographer - oh, and Maddie's mom
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Blog post about the exhibit:
http://jenniferschlick.wordpress.com/2012/09/01/exhibit-is-up/
