Friday, February 03, 2006

Illustration Friday: Chair


This is a dimensional painting I made as part of a show in 1987 called "Five Easy Pieces". Each painting features household items (chairs, tables, vanity, chaise lounge, and the kitchen sink), the title of each painting alluded to what the item was and they all rhymed. It was "Vanity ", "Charity", "Chastity", "Synchronicity" and "Stability". The chairs are heart shaped as in heartfelt charity raining down on the big cold city. This one was purchased by Daryl Hannah (yes, that Daryl Hannah)
and her sisters for her stepfather Jerry Wexler. He lives in Chicago and is a major real estate mogul and probably gives a lot to charity. I was thrilled that it would go to such a prominent Chicago family! This painting was made into a poster as well. Of course there is always a little synchronicity too because my husband John produced a movie when he was younger and it starred a young Kim Basinger in her first starring role in a feature, Jan Michael Vincent, Michael Parks, Tanya Tucker and Daryl Hannah. The film was called "Hard Country". It was not the greatest movie ever made but it did have a wonderful cast.

I know it seems like I am always posting old work and that is because I have spent my entire life making art. I have an enormous body of work and coincidentally it seems to be coming back to life through IF and my blog. I still paint every day and will show more current work in the future.
copyright 1987

45 comments:

carla said...

O boy...I get to be first! I love your story - your tales are so much fun to read - but this peice is absolutely fabulous! I love the way the chairs are just flying out of the cityscape, and i love the heart-shaped backs. Defintely a flight of fancy! It's really quite wonderful that you share your previous work and the stories that go along...but i would defintely love to see some recent stuff. How wonderful to do this every day:>

Saul Iscariot said...

I've always said the first thing I love about this site is the differing range of images that I get to see. Hearing your stories over the last few weeks or is it months makes it even better. I'm just a hobbyist artist, but rubbing shoulders with established artists such as yourselves, makes it more exciting. That is a great picture, though I'd like to see a whole skyline, that would be something magical. And Darryl Hannah? I would do the whole Wayne's World we're not worthy, but I guess you'd get that by my fanboy mention of her.

andrea said...

Don't apologize for posting old work: I come here looking for a piece of your history along with your work so would be disappointed not to find it! You have led such an interesting life that I need to live vicariously. And BTW -- I knew you'd have a good one for "chair". You're the first person I thought of when I read the theme this morning.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful story!
Of course, loved the piece as well.
a.

Natura said...

What a story! Your work is so great, doesn't matter is old to me. I'm glad can look at it through the years :)

Caroline said...

Great piece and interesting history to it too! Which item was for synchronicity?

steve said...

That's so kewl that you get to rub elbows with celebs, and they appreciate your work so much ! You deserve some recognition.
P.S. post what you want, it's your blog! We've never seen these before.
:-)

stevePoisonPencil

valerie walsh said...

Thanks kids! You are all so swell!
Caroline it went in this very order:

Vanity: a vanity
Charity: a chair
Chastity: a chaise lounge
Sinkronicity: Kitchen sink
Stabiliity: tables stacked like a pyramid

Anonymous said...

valgalart, I always look forward to what you have to offer, this week does not disappoint. Very nice image, I can easily see it as a poster. I like seeing your range of style and it does not bother me that you post some less recent stuff, I am in the same boat at the moment.
Darryl Hannah??!!! Oooohh. I loved her in Kill Bill.

Lily and Lucy White said...

Great story to go with a very nice painting! Will you put the rest of the pieces up that go with the story? Lily.

Teri said...

Oh, I love it Val! You always have the best art!! And stories to go with them.

Ginger*:) said...

Enchanting as always. I never get tired of looking at your work.

Wilnara said...

You go Val! It may be old work to you but, each piece is quite refreshing and full of life to me. This piece reminds me of NY cities broadway life- full of excitement. I look forward to seeing your work each week. It amazes me that you have spent your life creating such wonderful whimsical work that leaves such a lively impression behind. What a wonderful opportunity you have had and the best part is that you still are capable of creating this impression each day.

Katili said...

Flying chairs, I like it. Good colours and the idea.

juliemc said...

How intriguing; a story to go with the illo just adds to the richness. And your stuff is always stunning.

isay said...

who would not like this piece of art!. nice perspective, beautiful colors and a happy idea and of course, it was made by you.

i don't mind if you have posted your old artworks actutally, i wanted to see all of them. looks like you are creally having fun and enjoying and sharing your creativity and at the same time earning money for them. Cheers!

Lee said...

this is so cool val, a city blowing chairs....great colors and wonderful work as always :)

Baskerville Hound said...

Great work Val, and make no apologies! I actually really like it when older work, that had a particular meaning and function at the time, takes on a new relevance as time goes by. It just adds another layer to the work!
great stuff as always Val :)

franhilz said...

what a great illo!
the whole idea is wonderful - the city looks like a giant open gift and many surprises coming out from it - as always, happy colors
very good!

Twisselman said...

Always wonderful to see your work... I'm never disappointed coming to your posts. Marvelous.

Janet said...

I don't mind if you post old work either, and it's always new to me,too.I just enjoy seeing any work you do, and the story behind is just an added bonus! Like Andrea, when I see the topic, I always think,"What will Val do with this one?"...and it's always interesting how you have work to tie into the topic!

Anonymous said...

Wish I could see in 3D! Think it's great old work is getting a new showing - most of my IFs are for the very same purpose but like you still practise daily. They cahnge in digital form and often become new artworks anyway :)

Aravis said...

This is a beautiful work, and it's fun to think of where it wound up. :0)

modroom said...

Well it beats the lift I imagine. There should be more chairs and things in the sky, I like the way your mind works! Show a mixture of previous work and new, then everyone's a winner...:::D

The Tart said...

hello val..out of respect of your floating IF chair post, I have woven a story including you in my current post. i invite you to stop by and read about yourself!

please leave a comment and let me know if there is more to my story...lovely lofty chairs!

Anonymous said...

This is great illustration. The flying chairs are fantastic: let's sit in the sky out of concrete:-) Loved the story, too.

Anonymous said...

great stuff (as always). nicely done!

HARDWAX said...

your artwork is always so warm and pleasing to the eye-but this is a wonderful work in perspective as well-so good-fine artwork has no age

trowbridge chronicles said...

Eye-catching. Beautiful, harmonious colors and great forced perspective.

Doodlestreet said...

YOU ROCK!!!!!!!!

KarenW said...

Old - Schmold! I love it. So what if it was created long ago. We're all seeing it for the first time and it's wonderful. I love your dimensional work. It really looks like the chairs are flying.

QweySpiral said...

oh this is my favorite of yours yet!

Manar said...

absolutely fabulous, i love the chairs backs,the colors..Its all great with the story...

LDahl said...

Yummy work my dear, we're fortunate to get to see what you've done or what you are working on now... bring it on!!!

Unknown said...

the chairs are fun! :D

Collin said...

I really like the idea of dimensional paintings. I also really like the look of this one. Excellent!

Regina said...

Great take on Chair. So clever! It's always great to share a little bit of the old stuff.

Anonymous said...

Nice. I like the idea, and it was fun to read the story!
wynlen - www.wynlen.no

gisedesign said...

Simplemente HERMOSA!

madretz said...

Ohh, what a fun idea, Chairity, Vanity, etc... you are so clever and creative!
I agree with andrea about posting old work - it's like looking back at your history. it's what brought you to where you are now.

Ian T. said...

Val, you don't need to apologise for posting old work, particularly when it's as totally relevant and beautiful as this!

It's funny, but my reading is that the chairs are floating up into the air, rather than gradually coming down. There's something (indirectly) Alice in Wonderland about the whole sensation this picture induces - wonderful work! The pastel colours are perfect too.

Unknown said...

Val I thought I had posted about your IF post. I think it went off into the cyberheavens somewhere. I'm so sorry.
you don't have to appologize for olderwork. i love this piece. the perspective is awesome. Your work always is. Wish I had the body of work you have. you should be proud of that. Just goes to show you are doing what you love best.

Linda said...

Beautiful! great for the IF theme
and good timing for the upcoming holiday of hearts love and giving

TXArtcGal said...

As usual, I love all of the colors you use. This piece looks so freeing to me! I enjoyed reading the background of this piece as well; love reading all of your stories. FWIW...I don't mind that it is older work at all! I think it is great that you are able to share pieces from all walks of your life, and with stories at different times of your life.

rania said...

cute!