Harvest Bee, 2019

Blair Hobbs

Mixed, collage

Framed: H. 13¼; W. 17¼"
Unframed: H. 12; W. 16"

About the Artist

When I retreat to my backyard studio, I focus on the surprises - both joyful and traumatic - of ordinary life. And as a middle-aged woman, teetering on old, I find urgency in this focus. My life's work involves mothering, caregiving (dying mother), marriage, homemaking, teaching, gardening, and many mundane tasks. But in the light of my studio, I can summon a narrative and link together various bits of life on canvas.

My focus varies. In my last show, I reacted to the horror and close-to-home-ness of school shootings. I reacted (holy hell!) to my menopausal body, and the increasing joy my husband and animals (in that order) bring me.

After reading Thor Hansen's historic and scientific book about Bees, called "Buzz," I celebrated a couple of those complex insects on canvas.

In another body of work, I drew images from travel - specifically Rome - where I recollected ancient images, particularly from Roman Catholic church interiors. And recently, I traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico, and I look forward to seeing how saturated and I can layer color.

I also look forward to listening to my memory about what I learned while there. Listening is important for my work; I need words to make sense of how I plot images. Those images are made from a variety of media, such as gift ribbons, sequins, sewing needles, thread, mulberry papers, gold and silver candy wrappers, Duct tape, and shattered Christmas tree balls-anything discarded or broken but still beautiful enough to piece back together.

Reminder to bidders:

Your contribution is tax deductible only to the extent that it exceeds the provided fair market value. Also, shipping can be arranged through the University Museum at the buyer's expense.