It's Gotta Swing!

the main exhibit wall
in the Meadowvale Theatere...
there are also many
other walls to be filled.

A couple days before Christmas I was notified I was accepted to exhibit in the lobby of a popular local theater. I had applied in the spring of last year, not really sure what to expect but figuring it was worth applying for, even if it didn't amount to much. 

When I got the notification I was excited and a little panicky... I have been painting like crazy this past year but my work has also been selling, so my inventory is a bit on the low side. But there was no point in panicking until I knew what I was in for, so I put it on the back burner and got to work. Well, this week I went by and took a look at the space. It's huge! As the curator walked me around and showed me all the spots to be filled I was trying picture how what i had available would fill the walls and how much white space could possibly be acceptable. I figured I had better spend every available minute from now until March with a paintbrush in hand. And I'd better go buy a few pre-stretched canvases in sizes bigger than what I've done to date. The bigger they are, the more space they fill.

It's Gotta Swing!
Acrylic on Canvas 24x30"

So, I'm back to the dancers. I'm sure I'm not finished with the musicians just yet, but the dancers are calling to me so that's what's going on the canvas. I really don't have time to question my instincts. I found a great photo of swing dancers online and figured I could use it for reference, using the music as a guide to the feeling. I think I got it down pretty well... the music has so much energy my foot was tapping the entire time I was painting (actually, I was dancing around in my studio, as much as is possible in such a small space). My goal is at least 1 painting/week until my hanging date at the end of Feb. It might not work out quite like that, but I've got to start somewhere.