“It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.” -Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Against a backdrop of many circumstances – even some of the most challenging – joy can be found. Children are particularly adept at finding it regardless of what is happening around them. When you look around and things seem to be falling apart in every direction, seek joy and do so relentlessly. The glimmer, the bright spots, the shine beneath the tarnish – these keep us going in hard times.
Gail Spaien spoke to us about her exhibit of new paintings, which is on view at Nancy Margolis Gallery until July 19. Throughout her career, Spaien has held onto the words of one of her undergraduate professors during the mid-1970s, who said, “The grid is a meditation.” For years, she didn’t understand this and, as a young student, certainly did not grasp the concept of minimalism. Fast forward to now – the work in her current show uses the grid as both a stable force and the idea of infinity in her representational works. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.
Michael Gac Levin joined us to discuss his current and upcoming exhibitions, including A Cup is a Cup, a Tree is a Tree, a group show at Deanna Evans Projects that will run from July 11 to August 9. Levin’s oil on canvas piece, Talking Married appears in the show. Since about 2018, he has created work that touches on the universe of family life, touching on concepts such as parenting and the partnership between parents. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.
A few words to keep in your pocket
How do you seek out joy?
Outings
Join me at Stephen S. Powers | Joshua Lowenfels Gallery for BADGE OF COURAGE Marcia Goldenstein: Women in Stitches & the Vernacular ID Badge: American Workers in the Age of Unions
Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android, please click here. All weekly essay pieces are here in a shareable format. The full archive of interviews is here.
More books to read
Ours is a community of readers. Tell us what books you’re reading now by adding your titles to our reading list here. Praxis member Allan Rosenfeld is reading Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey Among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See by Bianca Bosker
Opportunities
Artists are invited to retreat to Banff for quiet reflection, nature connection, and engagement, exploring art’s purpose and impact in a supportive environment with abundant studio time. All art forms are welcome. Visit the website for more information. Residency application deadline is July 10.