The thought was intriguing! Collaborating with someone I didn't know for an entry into a group show. Yes, I thought, why not? I met with a local poet one time to talk about some ideas we had that might work. We came up with just a skeleton of an idea and from there, we both worked independently, but would hang our work as a cohesive piece.
Our idea of Rivers came from the beginning and the ending of the Bible - A river is mentioned in Genesis 2, coming From God through the Garden of Eden to water the lands beyond. And then in Revelation 22, a river from the Throne of God is described as running through the main street of the Holy City. Book ending scripture in that way seemed to have some significance.
How could I create a visual piece that is inspired by this idea? I began to think in less concrete thoughts and more experimental ideas. One painting seemed unable to hold this idea. I wondered what it would be to work on raw, un-stretched and unsized canvas. I wondered how I could create something like defined boundaries and yet have a flowing watery effect. As I continued to work with these ideas, these are the 2 paintings that flank the poem, The River by Megan Stough.
On the left, Eden's Flowing Waters, 26.75 x 16" acrylic on unstretched canvas
On the right, Eternal Waters of Life, 26.75 x 16" acrylic on unstretched canvas
What did I learn from this experience?
It's challenging and rewarding to work with someone else in this way. Experimenting with ideas stretched me into some new ways of expressing ideas and challenged me to learn some new methods and techniques. The entry that we produced together had more impact than either one of us alone.
Art & Story Exhibit
ArtSpace Gallery - 321 E Front Street, Wheaton, IL
Aug 2 - Sept 12, 2025
Gallery hours: 12:00 - 2:00 MWF & Sun
Image: Helen Read
