August 28, 2023

My work “We Are in This Together” is now installed at the Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica. The exhibit—The 50 -50—opens September 8th and runs through October 2nd. It is a fundraising exhibit involving 50 artist’s work. You need to buy tickets, 35$ each, for the opening days Sept. 8th and 9th. After that there is no charge to view the exhibit during the regular hours. I plan to be at the gallery on Sunday the 10th from 1 to 3 if you can come at that time.

The individual panels in my work are for sale at $90. + tax. Until the show opens Sept 8th you may purchase them on my website. If you buy 2 or more there is a 10% discount. The discount code is RUHLTDE. Enter that when prompted as you check out. When the exhibit opens September 8th, all sales will be through the Sanchez Art Center. With all sales, 30% goes to the Art Center.Monica Bryant: Artist Statement for the Sanchez Art Center, 50-50 Show

 Creating 50, 6” x 6” panels in 50 days was a welcome challenge. I proposed a theme of our connectedness, we are connected to nature and with nature and with each other. I planned to continue my work painting crows and birds near to me. After underpainting the panels with gesso and raw umber and gel medium for texture, I began painting a few at a time. Then I realized I wanted to create a composition using all the panels at once.

I am inspired by the blue and white azulejo tiles in Portugal I saw last summer. It was amazing to see walls covered tile by tile telling a story. I did not limit my colors to blue and white, but I did plan for the tiles together making a statement. At the same time, I hoped each tile would be interesting on its own.

As I worked, I walked around my yard noticing the shadows of the trees and leaves. I remembered the nest the pretty pink House Finches made outside my studio this July. I paid attention to the layering of space. The large house Finch in the foreground is closer than the birds and leaves and bird bath and trees. I painted mostly with acrylic paint, but I also used water based spray paint and watercolor pencils and markers.

As a compostion, I looked for repetition of shapes, patterns and images across the individual squares. I wanted variety and to have some squares with details and others simpler. In my heart I was glad to see it come together. The daily work was unifying and inspiring. Thank you Sanchez Art Center for creating this show.