When I updated my website to include all of the paintings that I’ve made for the CSA exhibits, I was surprised at how different the body of work was from what I was painting just prior to the project. And I was also surprised at how much work I had made! Here’s a screenshot of the CSA paintings (those last three were done for the Tiny show at Spindleworks, made at the same time):
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| Updated work from the CSA exhibits + – fills a whole page! |
Here’s a screenshot of the body of work the was produced just before the CSA project (minus the first one which didn’t fit on the first page!):
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| The paintings from before the CSA project (minus that first one) |
I’m really struck by the difference in palette; the older work was about dealing with migraines and chronic illness, so they were pretty dark and a bit angry. The CSA project allowed me to focus on something bigger than my own issues and something more cheerful– even though I always find a way to bring something haunting into my work!
One of the most intriguing results of this CSA experience, for me, has been evolving my perception of what my influences were– What I went in with and what I came out with. And other’s perceptions, too. The artists, the farmers, and the viewers. It’s not always about the food itself. For me, it barely was. As one of the other artists, Maina Handmaker said in this Forecaster article, “I learned a lot from them: not just about raising animals or picking vegetables, but really about raising a family and being connected to a place in the community.”
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| “The Hub” Monotype |
Jamie Ribisi-Braley 