Notes by Bill Calhoun

December 31, 2011

Fruit Goddess

Click for Larger ViewThis painting was inspired by the Minoan Snake Goddess, an image that has haunted Emily for years.

Fruit Goddess, 2011, oil on canvas, 16" x 20"


November 20, 2011

Interior

Click for Larger ViewAn appropriate mood for the onset of Winter.

Interior, 2011, oil on canvas, 16" x 20"


October 31, 2011

Modern Times

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Modern Times, 2011, oil on canvas, 20" x 16"

An unsettling image for unsettling times.

This is one of a handful of surreal images Emily started a while ago, images that she refers to as Postcards from Saturn.

UPDATE:  This painting was selected for the Jamestown Art Center's 2012 show "Statewide," a juried show of works by Rhode Island RISD alumni.

October 16, 2011

Elephant Hat

Click for Larger ViewAnother circus couple!

Elephant Hat, 2011, oil on canvas, 18" x 24"


October 10, 2011

Magic Trick

Click for Larger ViewMaybe he doesn't fully understand his own magic.

Magic Trick, 2011, oil on canvas, 16" x 20"

October 09, 2011

The Embrace

Click for Larger ViewThey embrace tenderly and a little wearily, as if having spent an entire night dancing.

The Embrace, 2011, oil on canvas, 18" x 24"

This is another in Emily's pas de deux collection. See here for these other examples.

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October 02, 2011

The Farce

Click for Larger ViewThe story is all in the hands.

The Farce, 2011, oil on canvas, 18" x 24"

This painting is based on a much earlier illustration that was commissioned by The New Yorker many years ago.  Sadly, they never published it, in spite of sending a private courier all the way from NYC to get the painting after they had lost the photo transparency.

Click for Larger View

Circus, 1992, oil on canvas, 20" x 25"
Sold

September 25, 2011

Snake Charmer

Click for Larger ViewThe beaked Plague Doctor mask is a classic Venetian Carnevale mask.  This minstrel is perhaps hoping to ward off the effects of too much charm.

Snake Charmer, 2011, oil on canvas, 16" x 20"
Sold

September 18, 2011

Carnival Tiger

Click for Larger ViewCan you tell which one is the carnival tiger?



Carnival Tiger, 2011, oil on canvas, 18" x 24"

Emily has embarked on a new series of generally larger paintings, based on her love of the circus, commedia dell'arte, carnival, and minstrelsy.  We'll call this series Carnival, and Everyone is Left-handed will be considered the first painting in this series.