Residency at Mountain Lake Biological Station / July 28, 2023 by Susan Jamison

Decaying log known as “The Mothership” at Mountain Lake Biological Station

I was an artist in residence at Mountain Lake Biological Station in Pembroke, Virginia in late July/early August 2023. I was in residence with five other artists, a writer, biologists engaged in research, and biology and art students from the University of Virginia. The biologists were studying forked fungus beetles who make their home on decaying logs in the woods near the station. The intensity with which they were engaged with these beetles was fascinating to me.

I worked on several projects while I was in residence. One is an ongoing project titled “The Mother.” She is a life-scale figure made of wool felt with hand-felted components. She represents Mother Earth birthing the creatures of our planet from her belly.

I also created two outdoor installation projects left on the site for other residents to interact with and perhaps take. The first was a collection of marker flags that were altered with long streamer tails to catch attention. I wrote messages on the flags that were my reflections of the people I met at the residency, some touching, and others humorous. They were sunk into the dirt in places, visible and hidden around the station.

For the second installation project, I put messages in bottles that I tacked to trees around the station. The messages were quotes from women naturalists, poets, and scientists. Some of the quotes were thought-provoking, “Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day.” - Shira Tamir. Some were more whimsical, “Just let go and fall like a little waterfall.” - Bob Ross. I was told that after I left two little girls that were living at the station had great fun locating the bottles.

Open House at Mountain Lake Biological Station

The station hosted an open house for the surrounding community towards the end of our residency time. I was asked to put “The Mother” on display even though she is a work in progress. It was beneficial for me to see how people responded to her. These young girls told me my project was their favorite thing (besides the snakes) they saw that day. Snakes are hard to top so this was quite an honor!

The artists in residence ended our time here with one last visit to “The Mothership” log. Pictured are Ashley Williams, Matt king, Suzanna Fields, Stephen Vitiello in the distance, and Meredith Leich just out of the frame. I felt so fortunate to be in the company of these other artists as we all explored the station and responded to the environment in our own individual ways. I was deeply affected by the old growth woods, and the people at the station and I’m still processing how this experience will reveal itself in my work.

"The Mother" A Work In Progress / June 6, 2023 by Susan Jamison

In my three-dimensional textile work, I use crafting techniques such as sewing, embroidery, and felting to create sculptures, garments, and installations. I am currently sewing a life-scale wool felt figure titled “The Mother.” I started this project in early 2020 before the pandemic and I’ve been working on her since then.

She is made of ivory-colored virgin wool felt with hand-felted components. Her belly is an open cavity lined in red velvet. Inside and spilling out of this cavity will be felted animals, plant forms, a baby human, and other creatures made of wool. I am creating at least one hundred felted forms that will extend from the figure’s belly outwards on cords of wool roving.

This sculpture represents Mother Earth or Gaia birthing out the creatures of our planet. She is a human scale poppet, an effigy or doll, which asserts our intimate and spiritual relationship with the natural world.

I hope to finish her soon and find a place to share her with the public. Please contact me if you are interested in exhibiting “The Mother.”

Knowing Who We Are: A 20th Anniversary Exhibition at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art / February 2, 2023 by Susan Jamison

My Painting Lovelace, in the permanent collection of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans is included in their stunning exhibition “Knowing Who We Are: A 20th Anniversary Exhibition. I travelled to NOLA for the opening on January 27th and I would like to extend my gratitude to the people at the Ogden museum, especially Bradley Sumrall, my artists friends in NOLA, and all the folks who extended their hospitality to me during my stay in New Orleans. I hope to visit again soon. The exhibition will be on view until July 23, 2023.

My painting Lovelace in “Knowing Who We Are: A 20th Anniversary Exhibition at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, New Orleans

From the Ogden Museum’s website: “Knowing Who We Are tells the ever-changing story of the South through the evolving permanent collection of Ogden Museum of Southern Art. This exhibition examines the development of visual arts in the American South from the 19th century to the present. In doing so, it shifts focus from antiquated stereotypes of region, period, style and subject to address a contemporary understanding of varied histories reflecting broader inclusivity and representation.”

Artists in this exhibition include: Katrina Andry, Luis Cruz Azaceta, James Bettison, Amita Bhatt, Willie Birch, Jacqulin Bishop, Christa Blackwood, Douglas Bourgeois, Steve Brudniak, Jeffrey Cook, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Stephen Paul Day, Dawn DeDeaux, Christian Dihn, Sam Doyle, George Dureau, Lin Emory, Justin Forbes, Robert Gordy, Frank Hayden, Lonnie Holley, Jammie Holms, Horton Humble, Clementine Hunter, Susan Jamison, Tommy Kha, MaPo Kinnord, Alexa Kleinbard, Sharon Kopriva, Ronald Lockett, Shirley Rabe Masinter, Chandra McCormick, Alexis McGrigg, Michael Meads, Mark Messersmith, Kristin Meyers, Ruth Owens, Mario Petrirena, Pat Phillips, Frank Relle, RaMell Ross, Dan Rule, Sheldon Scott, Louis St. Lewis, Jade Thiraswas, José Torres-Tama, John Isiah Walton, Susan Worsham and Purvis Young.

Fellowship Exhibition in Amuse Spaces at Virginia Museum of Fine Art / April 20, 2022 by Susan Jamison

I was invited by the Fellowship office at the Virginia Museum of Fine Art in Richmond, Virginia to exhibit my paintings in the Amuse spaces at the VMFA in Richmond, VA. Ten of my egg tempera paintings are currently on view in my exhibition titled, “All My Love” until October 12, 2022 in Amuse, the Payne Room, and the Claiborne Robertson Room on the third floor of the museum. See the link below to the VMFA website for further information.

Light Working It, egg tempera on panel, 72”x44”, 2022

https://vmfa.museum/exhibitions/exhibitions/2022-fellowship-exhibitions/

Another Book! Unravelling Women's Art: Creators, Rebels, & Innovators in Textile Arts / January 21, 2022 by Susan Jamison

My textile based work “Drowning Dress” is included in a book titled Unravelling Women's Art: Creators, Rebels, & Innovators in Textile Arts by P.L. Henderson and published by Supernova Books.

The author unpicks the threads that link female textile artists and the arts they produce, revealing a global and historic patchwork of assorted roles, identities and representations. Entertaining as well as informative, this book offers a unique overview of female-centric textile art production including embroidery, weaving, soft sculpture and more. Includes over 20 interviews with contemporary textile artists, providing fascinating insights into their practices, themes and personal motivation. Tells us: How knitting became a spying device in wartime Why dress design was so important for the Suffragettes Why spiders were emblems in ancient times and now How women's arts and crafts moved from the backroom to the gallery showroom.

Susan Jamison, “Drowning Dress”, silk, cotton floss, lead weights, 58”x22”, 2013

I made “Drowning Dress” as an homage to the feminist author Virginia Woolf who suffered with mental illness throughout her life. On March 28, 1941 she filled the pockets of her overcoat with rocks and walked into the River Ouse behind her home tragically ending her life.

My Artwork in Taschen's "Library of Esoterica: Witchcraft" Book / November 20, 2021 by Susan Jamison

I’m thrilled to announce the inclusion of my work “I Am Water” in a gorgeous new book from Taschen’s Library of Esoterica series titled Witchcraft. The book is edited by Jessica Hundley, author, filmaker, and journalist, and Pam Grossman, writer, curator, and teacher of magickal practices. I’m so very grateful to these women for including my work in this project.

My artwork, “I Am Water” in Library of Esoterica: Witchcraft

From Taschen’s website: “A spellbinding journey through the global history of witchcraft, the third volume in The Library of Esoterica follows this magickal tradition from its ancient roots to its modern incarnations. Through more than 400 artworks, and revelatory essays and interviews with modern practitioners, Witchcraft chronicles a cathartic evolution, from the craft’s emergence in ancient goddess worship to the embrace by today’s diverse witch community.”

The Library of Esoterica: Witchcraft from Taschen

Amplify at Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art / October 5, 2021 by Susan Jamison

My paintings are in “Amplify” at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art from July 15-October 24, 2021. Amplify focuses on the experiences of woman-identifying artists in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. Virginia MOCA curators connected with curatorial colleagues and asked them to share their recommendations of woman-identifying artists who are exploring identity and the gendered roles of women. Artists in the exhibition are: Megan Angolia, Endia Beal, Susie Brandt, Barbara Campbell Thomas, Caitlin Cherry, Joan Cox, Helen Criales, Erika Diamond, Erin Fostel, Amy Herzel, Amy Hughes Braden, Susan Jamison, Sue Johnson, Julia Kwon, Margaret Meehan, Ambrose Rhapsody Murray, Meg Stein, Nastassja Swift, SHAN Wallace.

Solo Exhibition: The Frequency of Roses / June 2, 2021 by Susan Jamison

320 Megahertz, egg tempera on panel, 36”x24”, 2021

"Depict the divine feminine. It's time for her return", an inner voice compelled me with these words in 2018 to start this body of work. Not fully knowing who or what the divine feminine was, I looked to symbolism from my own early Catholic upbringing and heritage, and my present metaphysical practice of connecting to source through meditation, and rituals that align with natural cycles for answers. I found versions of her that are loving, compassionate, and healing. Quantum physics tells us nothing is actually solid, everything is energy vibrating at a certain frequency. One of the goals of meditation and spiritual practice is to raise one's vibration to encompass more love. The typical human body vibrates around 62-72 megahertz. Roses have a vibrational frequency of 320 MHz which is why they are considered by many to be a sacred healing flower. This body of work combines roses as a symbol of healing and the holy mother, with galaxies and outer space, and visions of rose wreathed horses galloping under the night sky for my exhibition "The Frequency of Roses."

Fearless She Is, egg tempera on panel, 36”x48”, 2019

Sub-Rosa 2020, egg tempera on panel, 24”x18”, 2020

The exhibition will be on display at Chroma Projects in Charlottesville, VA through June and July. The opening reception is on Friday June 4, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 pm. Chroma Projects is located on the Downtown Mall on 3rd Street. The entrance is across from The Front Porch. 434 806-9667 https://www.chromaprojects.com/

Lovelace Acquired by The Ogden Museum of Southern Art / May 27, 2021 by Susan Jamison

My large scale egg tempera on panel painting Lovelace has been acquired by the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans, Louisiana after hanging in the exhibition Entwined: Ritual Wrapping and Binding in Contemporary Southern Art. This painting depicts a woman standing in profile. She is wrapped and bound with a black lacy ribbon that has text reading “Speak to me. Why don’t you speak to me?” and “Touch me. Why don’t you touch me?” Are these words flirtation or pleading? That is up to the viewer. The ribbons are held up by large Luna moths. Her body is decorated with a pink floral pattern. There is a tiny flame emerging from her forehead.

Lovelace, egg tempera on panel, 72”x44”, 2007, Collection of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Lovelace will be on view in the exhibition Preservative Force: Recent Acquisitions to the Collection at the Ogden Museum from March 20- August 22, 2021. Preservative Force brings together recently acquired works from a diverse group of artists working in various styles and media. By presenting a range of voices that have been added to the collection to tell the story of the American South, this exhibition encourages the viewer to examine the myriad ways artists use their own private languages to poetically express concepts of place, identity and aesthetics.

https://ogdenmuseum.org/exhibition/preservative-force/

Virginia Center for the Creative Arts Fireplace Series / December 18, 2020 by Susan Jamison

Virginia Center for the Creative Arts hosted online conversations with visual artists, writers, and other creatives in order to help us connect while the residency center was closed during the pandemic. The video below was streamed live on December 17, 2020 and it features a conversation with artist Susan Jamison, writer Eric Weiner, moderated by Steven Petrow, VCCA Board Member and Washington Post columnist.

My Work In The Art Of The Occult / October 30, 2020 by Susan Jamison

My work is included in The Art Of The Occult: A Visual Sourcebook for the Modern Mystic by S. Elizabeth. A visual feast of eclectic artwork informed and inspired by spiritual beliefs, magical techniques, mythology and otherworldly experiences.

From theosophy and kabbalah, to the zodiac and alchemy; spiritualism and ceremonial magic, to the elements and sacred geometry – The Art of the Occult introduces major occult themes and showcases the artists who have been influenced and led by them. Discover the symbolic and mythical images of the Pre-Raphaelites; the automatic drawing of Hilma af Klint and Madge Gill; Leonora Carrington's surrealist interpretation of myth, alchemy and kabbalah; and much more.

The Art of the Occult crosses mystical spheres in a bid to inspire and delight. Divided into thematic chapters (The Cosmos, Higher Beings, Practitioners), the book acts as an entertaining introduction to the art of mysticism – with essays examining each practice and over 175 artworks to discover.

The art of the occult has always existed in the margins but inspired the masses, and this book will spark curiosity in all fans of magic, mysticism and the mysterious.

Available on Amazon and through https://unquietthings.com/buy-my-book/

Under the Rose, egg tempera on panel, 18”x18”, 2017

Entwined: Ritual Wrapping and Binding in Contemporary Southern Art at Ogden Museum of Art / May 11, 2020 by Susan Jamison

Here we are quarantined during a pandemic and this gorgeous exhibition that five of my paintings traveled to New Orleans for is now up in a museum that is temporarily closed to the public. Of course closing was necessary and it was the best decision to protect people for now. I was scheduled for a week’s visit in New Orleans and I was planning to visit with friends and colleagues and check out the hip gallery scene in this darkly rich intensely social and deeply historical city. Hopefully this is a just postponement of things to come.

In the meantime the Ogden Museum of Southern Art has provided quite a variety of online programming about the exhibition including an informal Zoom interview with myself and the curator of the exhibition, Bradley Sumrall, a walk through video tour of the show, a guided meditation featuring my large scale egg tempera painting, Above the Pack, and singular images of some of the works in the exhibition.

I’m so grateful to Bradley Sumrall for including my paintings in his curatorial vision for this exhibition. I hope that my visit will be rescheduled and the show will be open to the public before it has to depart. Below are images of my egg tempera pantings included in this exhibition. At the bottom of this post are links to the programming I mentioned above.

Above the Pack

Lovelace

Nevermore Tighter

Weaving Ritual

Lee's Lace

FROM THE OGDEN MUSEUM’S WEBSITE:

Drawing inspiration from the traditions of various cultures – Haitian Voudou, Appalachian broom-making, Calabrian silk production, Peruvian rope coiling, Congo Nkisi – the contemporary Southern artists in Entwined engage wrapping and binding as a symbolic aesthetic device, and often as a ritual practice within their work.

The technique and the symbolism of wrapping and binding in the work of these artists is as varied as the artists themselves. From the visionary allegorical paintings of the female form by Susan Jamison to the abstract textile sculptures of Sarah Zapata, there exists a common thread of ritual. For some, it is the ritual of repetitive laborious handwork. For others, it is a ritual and spiritual act of creation. Through wrapping, painting, weaving, coiling, drawing or knotting, each artist binds their own unique and thoroughly contemporary vision to an ancient, universal and very human practice.

Entwined features works by Friendswood Brooms, Jeffrey Cook, Sonya Yong James, Susan Jamison, Sharon Kopriva, Kristin Meyers, Susan Plum, Ashley Pridmore, Elizabeth Shannon, Ed Williford and Sarah Zapata.

This exhibition is curated by Bradley Sumrall, Ogden Museum Curator of the Collection.

https://ogdenmuseum.org/exhibition/entwined/

Dress Matters: Clothing As Metaphor, Group Exhibition at Tucson Museum of Art / January 10, 2018 by Susan Jamison

I'm honored to have my piece, "Drowning Dress" included in Dress Matters: Clothing As Metaphor at the Tucson Museum of Art in Arizona. The exhibition opened October 21, 2017 and it will continue through February 18, 2018.

Susan Jamison, Drowning Dress, silk, cotton floss, lead weights, 58”x22”x8”, 2013

Opening reception of Dress Matters: Clothing As Metaphor

From the Tucson Museum of Art's website"

"Dress Matters: Clothing as Metaphor examines clothing in art as symbols of power and identity. At once functional and aesthetic, garments are worn to protect the body from the elements, enhance the beauty of the wearer, establish rank in society, and signal to others our differences or similarities. Garments also point to interpersonal issues and conditions as well as larger societal and cultural concerns. Works in this exhibition reveal how artists use concepts and images of clothing to relay compelling messages about gender, age, ethnicity, history, profession and the world around us in general. Dress Matters: Clothing as Metaphor is accompanied by a 64-page catalog, produced for the exhibition and published by the museum."

Curated by Julie Sasse, Chief Curator of Modern and Contemporary art at the TMA, the show includes work from over 50 artists including Joseph Beuys, Willie Birch, Christian Boltanski, Nick Cave, Kate Daudy, Angela Ellsworth, Fausto Fernandez, Adam Fuss, Susan Jamison, Robert Mapplethorpe, Richard Mosse, Mark Newport, Catherine Opie, Wendy Red Star, Miriam Schapiro, and Andy Warhol.

https://tucsonmuseumofart.org

I was very fortunate to be able to travel to beautiful Tucson, Arizona for the very well attended opening of this exhibition. I met new artist friends who's work was also included in the exhibition and many lovely people who work at the museum. I was treated to a delicious dinner with a small group of museum staff, supporters, and artists at the museum's restaurant after the exhibition opening.

Tucson is an convivial and welcoming city. It reminded me of a larger version of my hometown, Roanoke, Virginia. Tucson is also nestled in the mountains but it is surrounded by a stunning desert landscape. I enjoyed my stay at the new AC Hotel in downtown Tucson. From there I was able to walk to the Tucson Museum of Art, shops, restaurants, and nightlife. The AC Hotel has a gorgeous rooftop pool, a well appointed lobby with a little library of art and design books, and it's own bar and cafe. I chose to indulge in the more hearty breakfast served across the street at the Hotel Congress where the atmosphere is more animated and casual. I met new artist friends at the opening reception for Dress Matters and we all drove out to visit the Mission San Xavier del Bac which was established in the 1600's. Serendipitously, there was a car show taking place at the mission during our visit which created a striking contrast to the historic site. I'm hoping to have a reason to return to Tucson again soon. I owe a big thanks to Julie Sasse who curated my work into this exhibition and to supporters who made the trip possible for me.

A lovely catalog was produced for the exhibition which includes all the artist's works and biographies. It is available through the Tucson Museum of Art.

Bared, Group Exhibition at Ground Floor Gallery, Nashville, TN / August 1, 2017 by Susan Jamison

Ground Floor Gallery in Nashville, Tennessee is hosting Bared, an exhibiton curated by Sally Deskins which features the work of selected artists from the book of the same name, published in January 2017 by Les Femmes Folles. It explores the gendered narratives that clothe and fashion the body as well as gender subversion and the traditional male gaze.

The exhibition runs from August 2 - September 2, 2017. The opening reception is Saturday August 5, 2017 from 6:00-9:00 pm.

Susan Jamison, Lee's Lace, 24"x18", egg tempera on panel, 2016

My painting "Lee's Lace", which was inspired by the work of the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen will be featured in the exhibition.

Other artists participating in the Nashville show include:

Kathy Crabbe, Courtney Kenny Porto, Libby Rowe, Chuka Susan Chesney, Stacy Howe, Teresa Dunn, Cathy Sarkowsky, Bonnie Gloris, Rosemary Meza-DesPlas, KA Letts, Susan Detroy, Florine Desmothene, Evelyn Katz, Belgin Yucelen, Suzanne Proulx, Lauren Rinaldi, Amy Cerra, and Marlana Adele Vassar.

Les Femmes Folles is a volunteer organization founded in 2011 with the mission to support and promote women in all forms, styles of art from around the world with the online journal, print annuals, exhibitions and events. LFF was created and is curated by Sally Deskins. LFF Books is a micro-feminist press that publishes 1-2 books per year by the creators of Les Femmes Folles including BARED: Contemporary Poetry & Art by Women, Edited by Laura Madeline Wiseman, 2017. Other titles include Les Femmes Folles: The Women 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Rewilding at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts - VCCA / July 20, 2017 by Susan Jamison

Panorama of Barn Complex at Virginia Center for the Creative Arts (VCCA)

Artists, writers, and composers are you curious what to expect during a residency at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts in Amherst, Virginia? Art lovers do you want to know what goes on during an artist residency?

In July I spent fifteen days rewilding and working at the VCCA. This was my fourth time as an artist in residence at this lovely and peaceful place. There are typically around twenty-five visual artists, writers, and composers working here which creates an atmosphere of collective creative energy. In the studio barn, which was build in the 1930's, there are eleven writers studios including the funky little corn crib, nine 500-700 square foot visual artist studios, and three composer studios with baby grand pianos. There are two more writing studios in a cottage near the residence hall. All of the workspaces are private and assigned to individuals. I have worked in four different studios during my residencies here and they all had excellent natural light. The studios have work sinks, skylights, large tables, chairs, shelving, and little beds for napping or daydreaming. On this visit I worked for the first week in studio VA 2 then I was able to move into studio VA 7 which is the largest visual artist space at VCCA. One of the studios has an etching press and this space must be specifically requested. There is a don't knock policy in place for the studios but generally I have found that artists want to do a bit of show and tell at some point either for the whole group or informally at a time of their choosing.

Studio VA 2 at Virginia Center for the Creative Arts

Studio VA 7 (the big one!) at Virginia Center for the Creative Arts

While at VCCA I started four new paintings in egg tempera that are based on crystal grid formations which are geometric arrangements of stones designed to raise energy for a specific intention. Usually they incorporate crystals, and natural objects. I'm adding butterflies, spiders, flowers, and my signature red threads to these meditational paintings. This is new subject matter for me and I'm not yet sure where these are headed but I'm enjoying painting objects that are just really beautiful. My work is very slow going but I made significant progress in a short time period due to the focus this place brings me.

My set up for painting in egg tempera at VCCA.

Three new 18"x18" paintings in progress at VCCA.

All meals are prepared for the residents at VCCA eliminating the need to shop for groceries or spend valuable time cooking. Breakfast and dinner are served buffet style in the dining room of the residence building and lunch, (typically leftovers from dinner plus sandwich and limited salad items) is available in the kitchen of the studio barn. Vegetarian options are available. I suggest getting to the designated chow area on time for the best selection especially at lunch. I like to bring my own tea and keep it in my studio. If you like a special coffee or snacks bring them with you. There are electric kettles, coffee makers, and a microwave in the studio barn kitchen to boil water and a shared fridge to store your labeled food.

The rooms in the dormitory style residence hall were recently painted and refreshed with new furnishings, carpeting, and sliding doors that lead to balconies or patios. The building still has a 1970's vibe. Most of the bedrooms have "Jack and Jill" style bathrooms which can be locked during use then unlocked for the benefit of your bathroom mate. This time I shared my facility with someone who locked me out continually but this is atypical behavior and it has never happened to me in past visits to VCCA. There is one bedroom available for couples and one that is wheelchair accessible. If you bring your own pillows, pillowcases, or towels I suggest you hide them come cleaning day lest they be thrown in with the communal linens laundry never to return to you. There are coin op washers and dryers to do laundry on the ground floor of the residence hall so bring quarters. Wifi is available in the residence hall and the studio barn but don't count on it for downloads or heavy streaming.

The grounds of the VCCA are a mixture of both wild and more manicured spaces. There are huge old boxwoods, trees and shrubs as well as overgrown kudzu and un-mowed fields. There is a secret garden with a fish pond, a sculptural fountain contained within large boxwood hedges, a gazebo, hiking trails through the woods, and a small outdoor swimming pool. The cows and horses that were formerly on the grounds have gone. Now there are bunnies romping everywhere as well a wide variety of birds, the occasional black snake, opossums, skunks, and a rumored bear sighting. Two miles north on route 29 towards the town of Amherst is the campus of Sweet Briar College which has lovely grounds, hiking trails, a lake, a library, and gym facilities available to VCCA residents.

In the evenings at VCCA there are frequently readings, presentations, open studios, or mini-concerts by residents which are announced after the clinking of a glass at dinner. These events are of course optional but I have generally enjoyed getting to learn more about the work of people I meet and connect with here. The gazebo is a popular evening destination for informal gatherings on warm nights. There is a library and tv room in the residence hall for folks that don't get too loud after quiet hours. My favorite at dusk activity this summer was floating around silently in the pool and watching the bats dip down to the surface of the water to drink right in front of me.

My fifteen days at the VCCA were very productive and calming. I started four new egg tempera paintings and I made very significant progress on three of them. I met lovely new friends including fellow painter of women, Mira Gerard, who lives three hours from me in Johnson City, TN. http://www.miragerard.com . Most importantly I was able to get my state of mind back into the creative spirit after feeling low for the past couple months. I'm so grateful for everything the VCCA staff does to support and wrangle us creatives so that things run so smoothly and we can have the privilege of working in this beautiful place.

If you are a visual artist, writer, or composer who would like to apply to this residency or if you would like to support the VCCA with a donation visit their website http://vcca.com .

Monster Art Rally at Taubman Museum of Art / May 10, 2017 by Susan Jamison

The Taubman Museum of Art held their annual Monster Art Rally on April 20, 2017 and I participated again this year. This event is a fundraiser for the educational programming of the museum. Artist volunteers from the community draw in front of a live audience for a two hour session and their drawings are briefly hung for viewing and then sold for a flat rate to the collector who picks the highest card from a deck at the end of the event.

For this event I enjoy drawing something fun that I wouldn't normally work on. This year I drew Courtney Love Wolf. Here is my drawing area with my favorite pencils, a swag bag, and some lovely wine.

Monster Art Rally, Taubman Museum of ARt, 2017

I hope the winning collector enjoys her!

Offerings Solo Exhibition at Chroma Projects / April 19, 2017 by Susan Jamison

My exhibition "Offerings" opened at Chroma Projects in Charlottesville, Virginia on April 7 and will run until April 29, 2017. This exhibition features egg tempera paintings and an installation piece which examine the relationship between the feminine and nature, rituals, and the aging mother earth depicted as a mystical crone.

Sanctuary for the Crone is an installation project I created as part of "Offerings." It is a space veiled by silk organza exclusively for the older woman who is invited to enter, sit at a desk, and write a piece of her wisdom into one provided journals.

On April 15th Chroma Projects hosted myself and Beatrix Ost for a salon style conversation with the community on recognizing the gifts of grace, insight, and cultivation in creative aging women.

http://www.beatrixost.com

Beatrix Ost, Deborah McLeod owner of Chroma Projects, Susan Jamison.

Chroma Projects is located at 112 West Main Street inside York Place on the downtown mall in Charlottesville, Virginia. Regular hours are generally Wednesday through Saturday, 1pm to 5pm or by appointment.

https://www.chromaprojects.com/

The Enchanted World of Susan Jamison, An Interview for Huffington Post / March 31, 2017 by Susan Jamison

Here is a interview I did for Huffington Post back in February to discuss my work and let people know about a talk I gave at Focus Gallery in Scottsville, Virginia.

Note to Self, egg tempera on panel, 12"x12", 2015

Here is an excerpt from the interview:

What is your creative process? Do you rely on the Muses, or routine, or some combination of both? Sometimes, if I get struck with inspiration, I just have to create right then and there, no matter the time, no matter the place. Sometimes you have to manufacture inspiration. How do you see it?

I rely on the Muses, as in the visions that appear in my mind, but I also rely very heavily on my routine and my studio practice. I work both in my studio which is separate from my home and my large dining room table in my living space. It’s important for me to be in one of my art making places in order to focus on my work. The physical work of painting is relatively sedentary and tedious for me. It hurts my back and strains my eyes but it is strangely satisfying. The idea that an artist is suddenly struck with inspiration then just sits around happily painting while sipping Cabernet is a lovely fantasy. The job of an artist is really involved with looking, reading, thinking, editing, making, writing, and communicating. I do most of these things every day.

Give it a read here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-enchanted-world-of-susan-jamison_us_58a3d0a8e4b0cd37efcfee9a?

SUPER NATURAL, My solo exhibition at Longwood Center for the Visual Arts / October 6, 2016 by Susan Jamison

My exhibition "Super Natural" opened September 23rd at Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, Longwood University in Farmville, VA and will run until January 8, 2017. The exhibition features a site specific installation piece titled "Feathers and Weights" along with egg tempera paintings dating from 2007 to 2016.

http://lcva.longwood.edu/exhibitions/super-natural-susan-jamison

Feathers and Weights, Soil, marble powder, silk organza, cotton floss, lead weights, various objects, 108"x108"x120", 2016

Paintings on view include works loaned from private collections, "Trust in Me", "Lovelace", "Repair Me", and recently created available works, "Power Bear", and five selections from my spiderweb series.

Power Bear, egg tempera on panel, 48"x36"

A catalog with images from the exhibition and essays about my work by Pam Grossman of http://www.phantasmaphile.com and Amy Moorefield, Director of Exhibitions at the Taubman Museum of Art will be available. I will be teaching a master class in egg tempera for students at Longwood University in November.

ENCHANTMENT, My Solo Exhibition at Virginia Tech / September 1, 2016 by Susan Jamison

My solo exhibition, "Enchantment" is on view in the Ruth C. Horton Gallery at the Moss Arts Center, Virginia Tech from September 1 - October 8, 2016. This exhibition includes eleven egg tempera paintings dating from 2008-2016 that depict dreamlike visions of my florid female archetypes alongside her animal familiars. It was curated by Meggin Hicklin, Exhibition Program Manger at the Moss Arts Center.

https://www.artscenter.vt.edu

The exhibition includes a special area in the back of the gallery with reference materials, books about artists and subjects that inspire me, photographs of my studio, and topics for discussion. — The exhibition includes a special area in the back of the gallery with reference materials, books about artists and subjects that inspire me, photographs of my studio, and topics for discussion.

Available in the gallery is a brochure with images of some works in the exhibition and an essay by Meggin Hicklin.