Artists in Inventory

 

Artist statement

Art is all about fun and exploration.  I approach each piece as a way to communicate what is inside me at the moment. In the end, it’s about the playfulness that I see in that jumble of letterforms, knowing that the letter shapes actually do say something, but leaving the viewer to work that out for him/herself. When I put the words down on paper it becomes a game of hide-and-seek between the viewer and me, a mystery to be solved. Sometimes it’s a challenge even for me to see what it is that I have recorded in that moment.  I get lost in the letters. The words end up being like a 1,000 piece jigsaw. When I finally add the color, it accentuates the letters shapes that are created and then the piece will do its dance.

I have used my art to teach my preschool grandchildren the letters of the alphabet using my paintings. When they get to school and are learning their letters in the classroom, they know their letters backwards and forwards, right side up and upside down. 

Artist biography

Over the years, I have painted with watercolor and have loved the thrill of watching the colors interact with each other. My exposure to calligraphy began innocently enough in the 70’s, with classes taught by Lloyd Reynolds.  I have studied with numerous internationally recognized calligraphers and have learned that there are many ways to communicate without making my calligraphy “readable.  In essence, I’ve learned that there is more than one way to say what Ione wants to say.