Artist Talk at Gallery 291: Watch It Online

I am so excited to share that my Artist Talk at Gallery 291 can now be seen online thanks to Steve Wynn at Bayside Entertainment. He did a beautiful job recording and editing it. 

In this talk, I start with my photography background and how my graduate studies of Surrealism led me to work in mixed media. Then I share the stories, inspirations and techniques behind the six different series on view at Gallery 291 - from the layered collage of Mapping the Body and Milagros, to the sculptures of Bottle Dreams and the still lives of Sanctuary and Evocations. I conclude with my newest work, mixed media collages that are about reaching into the darkness and finding an unexpected gift or blessing. 

You can watch the video here on Vimeo:
http://vimeo.com/113934940
I would love to know what you think. 

Gallery 291 - Installation Shots

Here are a few pictures of my exhibition at Gallery 291 in Mill Valley, CA. This is the biggest show I have ever had, with 105 pieces of art! Some works were made as long ago as 18 years while others were completed just days before the show opened. I am really looking forward to sharing the meaning and inspiration behind this work at the Artist Talk on Thursday, November 13th at 6:30pm. If you are in the area I hope you will be able to make it. 

Regeneration, Open, Twice and Blessing #5

Mapping the Body & Bottle Dreams

Milagros and New Work

Mapping the Body

My newest collages

New Work

Today I am sharing a few of my new pieces. I am so excited to have them be part of the Gallery 291 exhibit, opening this Saturday, October 18th at 6:30pm in Mill Valley, CA. For more details, please visit www.gallery291.net. If you are in the area, I hope you will get to see the show, which is up through the end of November.

Image Info (top to bottom):
Reverie, mixed media collage, ©2014, 14 x 17"
Solace, mixed media collage, ©2014, 7 x 8.5"
Nesting #2, mixed media collage, ©2014, 14 x 10"
Blessing #6, mixed media collage, ©2014, 7.25 x 7.25"
Open, mixed media collage, ©2014, 14 x 10"

New Work - New Show!

I have been busy in the studio, creating a new series of mixed media collages and am really excited to be sharing them in a solo exhibit this October and November at Gallery 291 in Mill Valley, CA. At the heart of the new work is the experience of reaching into the darkness, the unknown, and having an unexpected gift or blessing arrive. Gallery 291 will be showing these pieces plus works from my 5 previous series as well - so it feels a bit like mid-career retrospective. If you are in the area, I hope you will get a chance to check it out and come to the reception or artist talk.   

Mary Daniel Hobson: Mixed Media Photography

October - November 2014

Reception: Saturday, October 18th, 6:30pm

Artist Talk: Thursday, Novembe 13th at 6:30pm

Gallery 291 (at The Image Flow)

401 Miller Ave, Mill Valley, CA 

415-888-3585 

Image Info: Invocation #1, ©2014, mixed media collage, 14 x 10"

Just Do Your Work - Wise Words from Kiki Smith

 
“Just do your work. 
And if the world needs your work, it will come and get you. And if it doesn’t, do your work anyway. You can have fantasies about having control over the world, but I know I can barely control my kitchen sink. That is the grace I am given. Because when one can control things, one is limited to one’s own vision.”
-Kiki Smith

Image: Studio Work Table, ©2014 Mary Daniel Hobson

Making Art Together - The Traveling Postcards Project

Six of us, myself included, gathered on a recent Monday evening in my studio to celebrate a friend's birthday by making postcards for the Traveling Postcards Project. Amid the sounds of shuffling paper, scissors slicing and easy conversation, we each crafted a 4 x 6"card for an anonymous woman in need of support. It was a lovely way to channel our creative energy into a meaningful gift for someone else while enjoying tea and chocolate birthday cake.

The Traveling Postcards Project was founded by Caroline Lovell, and the cards created are delivered by her organization to women in shelters recovering from abuse. As Caroline says, "Creating postcards that incorporate both art and words may seem like a small action, but it is exactly what most women want; voice, visibility and compassionate caring. Receiving a card that is both beautiful and meaningful from a stranger is empowering. Knowing that you are not alone and that someone is trying to help can create resiliency. None of us can hope to effect change single handedly, but together, through collective action, we can help each other."

For me, it was so inspiring to create art as an anonymous gift for someone else. I also loved offering a hands-on artmaking event in my studio. I realize, although I have hosted many events - from Open Studios to mentoring, group critiques, artist gatherings and more - that I have rarely pulled out the art supplies and invited people to just create with me in my studio. It was such fun and I look forward to doing something like this again soon.

You could see the postcards we made that night on the Traveling Postcards facebook page. If you are interested in learning how to make your own card, please click here. 

Creativity & Grace

Wishing you a new year full of creativity and grace!

Image Info: Wish ©2013, mixed media collage, 4 x 6"