Journal

Donald G. Longcrier, Artist Journal/Blog

Untitled (Grindstone) Installed

Here are some Hipstamatic images of Untitled (Grindstone) installed at new location.

Art Now 2012 Video, City Arts Center

A new video about Art Now 2012 at City Arts Center www.cityartscenter.org by Christopher Hunt of Midwest Media and Marketing and www.chrisopherhuntfilm.com

Art Now '12 from christopher hunt on Vimeo.

Art Now 2012, City Arts Center

Taking down Art Now 2012, City Arts Center.

All packed up and loaded. Thank you to Curator Romy Owens, Mary Ann Prior and the staff and Board of Directors at City Arts Center, and those whose support enables City Arts Center to fulfill its mission of providing a free contemporary art exhibition space and educational facility in Oklahoma City.

Art Now 2012, City Arts Center

Final evening at Art Now 2012, City Arts Center.

Art Now 2012, City Arts Center Opens Monday January 16

Art Now 2012, City Arts Center Opens Monday January 16 and runs through February 3, 2012.

Opening Event will be Friday January 20, 2012.

Curator Talk with Romy Owens: January 24, 2012, 6:30pm

"For the first time ever, City Arts Center is featuring a guest curator, Oklahoma City artist and independent curator, Romy Owens. She has selected 25 Oklahoma artists from across the state and in a variety of mediums to participate in this exciting exhibition. Painting, photography, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, video, and installation will be represented. This is an event and exhibition that you will not want to miss!" -City Arts Center website http://cityartscenter.org/Web_v2/?page_id=2795

Hipstamatic Photos on Facebook at Donald G Longcrier

Check out a few Hipstamatic photos on my Facebook page. Click Facebook tab on this page.

Art Now 2012, City Arts Center, Preview

Some photos of work delivered to City Arts Center for Art Now 2012.

Art Now 2012, City Arts Center, Preview, in the Studio.

For some images of the work for Art Now 2012 at City Arts Center being constructed in the studio, go to the "Studio" page in the Navigation Bar above and click on the Art Now 2012 link in the drag down menu.

Art Now 2012, City Arts Center, Preview

A preview of the work to be exhibited in Art Now 2012, at City Arts Center, January 14 - February 3, 2012.

Art Now 2012, City Arts Center in OVAC's Art Focus

Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition's Art Focus. January/February 2012

Check out Jennifer Barron's Article; In the Moment: Art Now Takes a Snapshot of Current Art-making in the State. The upcoming exhibit Art Now 2012 at City Arts Center, curated by Romy Owens is previewed in OVAC's January/February2012 issue of Art Focus: http://issuu.com/ovac/docs/artfocus-janfeb12/14

Art Now 2012, City Arts Center

Coho Salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch

18" H. x 24" W.

Watercolor and Prismacolor pencil on museum board

Selected Exhibitions and Work for Norman Chamber of Commerce 2011 Fall Arts Luncheon

Untitled (Enciclica)

Untitled (Enciclica), 44” H. x 37” W. x 2” D., Encaustic on wood with objects, 2009

Central to the piece is a Spanish translation of the final papal encyclical issued by Pope John XXIII, Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth) bound against a steel plate by a steel bar and fishing line.

Untitled (Enciclica),Detail

The full title of the encyclical is On Establishing Universal Peace in Truth, Justice, Charity and Liberty and was often referred to as the "peace encyclical". It was the last encyclical John XXIII issued before his death. It was the first encyclical addressed not only to the Catholic faithful, but also to “all men of good will”.

"I know it didn’t happen this way, but…"

I sat in a barber chair in an old fashioned barber shop. It was long and narrow with four chairs on the right, facing a wall of mirrors, calendars, combs, and hat hooks on the opposite wall. Eight bucks bought a haircut, a hot lather shave, electric massage with something that looked a lot like an orbital sander, and a free bag of popcorn.

Greeting the first barber and customer with, “Hey, how’s it going?” and you only needed to nod or say “hey” as you proceed to the waiting area in the rear of the shop.

Seating in the waiting area was limited enough to be awkward and the privacy afforded by a smart phone was still a few years away. Each incoming customer was acknowledged and logged in via some unwritten, silent system, and equilibrium of sorts was maintained with each barber call, “Next.”

Native Trout of the American West, Nona Jean Hulsey Gallery, Oklahoma City University

My turn in the chair was pretty near a perfect hair-styling experience. Conversation was mundane and minimal until the seat next to me was occupied by a professor of geology/natural history/world knowledge who, having heard something said about fishing, decided to teach us about the giant fish and fish-like creatures that once inhabited our prehistoric sea. No electric clipper was loud enough to save us from the oratory that followed; Mosasaurs of the genus Platecarpus, giant Cretozyrhina sharks, and Xiphactinus fish that could swallow prey whole up to six feet long. The pretentiousness was palpable, and the condescension unbearable.

From the back of the room, a blind guy swept the hair clippings on the floor into a pile directly in front of the professor, and listened intently. He leaned on the broom, focused his limited vision on the speaker, and waited for his moment.

Without stepping away from the broom, he said, “I know it didn’t happen this way, but, what if you could put a lion on a hook?”

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi

Acrylic and encaustic on wood, 54" H. X 108" W., 2007

Golden Trout Creek Golden Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita

Acrylic and encaustic on wood, 54" H. X 108" W., 2007

Putting some of this stuff to work.

As you can see, I've decided to devote a couple posts to the trout drawings and paintings. This may seem interesting to a few, confusing to some, and irritating to many. In a way that may seem clear only to me, it makes perfect sense.

A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to give a talk entitled, Apaches and Cutthroats; Native Trout of the American West, at the Charles M. Russell Center for the Study of Art of the American West, at the University of Oklahoma. (See my post on Native Trout paintings). The audience was comprised of two groups; art folks and fly fishermen. Let me tell you, this was a fun talk ( I am not much of a lecturer, more of a talker). The enthusiasm of the fishermen and women as I spoke of native species and fishing was as evident as the boredom of the art enthusiasts, and the reverse was true each time the conversation turned to discussions of contemporary art and its place in the venue of western art. I have to admit, this was a fun night.

Things have not changed much since that night. Over time, it might be possible for us to figure out how all this stuff fits together for me. Trust me, it does fit together, albeit in ways we might not expect.

Suffice it to say, this is a time when I can see tangible results from my work. Every year the annual fundraiser for the 89er Chapter of Trout Unlimited is held the first weekend in March. It is the primary source of funding for an organization that has worked to protect, restore, and enhance coldwater fisheries resources in Oklahoma since 1996. I have been fortunate to participate in this group for a number of years and try to contribute toward the difficult task of raising the funds needed to carry out the work required to protect these resources.

To find out more about the 89er Chapter of Trout Unlimited, check out the chapter website: www.89ertu.org You might also want to find a copy of the episode of Trout Unlimited's weekly television program, On The Rise filmed at the Lower Mountain Fork River in southeastern Oklahoma and featuring the 89 Chapter of TU.

Native Trout of the American West

Native Trout of the American West or the big fish paintings!

A few years ago, one of my large-scale, encaustic paintings of native trout was installed in the contemporary art section of an exhibition of Western Art. Someone asked me, "What the hell are you doing in an exhibition of Western Art?" I think the answer to that question lies at the heart of the paintings from Native Trout of the American West at the Nona Jean Hulsey Gallery, Norick Art Center at Oklahoma City University in 2007.

These paintings represent a discussion of some of the West's most pressing contemporary issues, the first and foremost of which, will always be water and its management. One cannot speak about the West without discussing public land and private ownership, environmental and economic concerns such as mining and farming arid land.

Golden Trout Creek Golden Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss aguabonita

Acrylic and encaustic on wood, 54" H. X 108" W., 2007

The native trout species I have chosen to paint were once common to most rivers and streams from the Pacific Ocean to the Rockies, from Mexico to Canada. Now, they number a fraction of their original population and many are only found inhabiting tiny, isolated headwater streams in small areas of their original range. Where some of these fish once grew to legendary size--Lahontan cutthroat trout were reported to reach sixty pounds--many now survive as six to ten inch specimens.

Wild, native trout populations are indicative of the environment in which they live, and reflect the choices we have made and will be making regarding the use of these watersheds. Native trout habitat has been affected by grazing, farming, and irrigation needs. Blocked by dams, spawning runs have ceased. Many native species have been displaced by the introduction of non-native species.

Fortunately, recovery efforts supported by, private organizations, government, and tribal agencies are underway throughout the region.

Coastal Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus

Acrylic and encaustic on wood, 54" H. X 108" W., 2007

A simpler explanation of the paintings might have to do with the fact that research for the work requires me to spend as much time as possible, chasing after wild native fish in remote but beautiful locations. Regrettably, the time spent on research is never enough. But, fishing is all about hope*

Native Trout of the American West, Nona Jeane Hulsey Gallery,

Norick Art Center, Oklahoma City University, Installation view, 2007

Colorado River Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus

Acrylic and encaustic on wood, 54" H. X 108" W., 2007

Lahontan Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi

Acrylic and encaustic on wood, 54" H. X 108" W., 2007

Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi

Acrylic and encaustic on wood, 54" H. X 108" W., 2007

Native Trout of the American West, Nona Jeane Hulsey Gallery,

Norick Art Center, Oklahoma City University, Installation view, 2007

Apache Trout, Oncorhynchus gilae apache

Acrylic and encaustic on wood, 54" H. X 108" W., 2007

*From: Native Trout of the American West, Donald G. Longcrier, 2007

The Trout Drawings and Paintings

Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus clarki virginalis

16" H. x 20" W., Watercolor and Prismacolor pencil on Museum Board

The Trout Drawings/Paintings refer to scientific illustrations and specimen drawings used for taxonomic identification used in common practice in fisheries biology and angling literature. Representative individuals are presented facing left referring to the fact that measurements are taken along one side and illustrate basic morphological characteristics of the species (or subspecies in many cases). Brighter colored specimens are males shown in spawning colors.

Whereas the genesis for the trout drawings and the larger encaustic trout paintings can be traced to my studies in zoology and early work in fisheries biology, my interest in trout in particular, and fish in general, can be directly attributed to an interest in fly fishing and my subsequent environmental work related to clean water.

Coastal Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss irideus

16" H. x 20" W., Watercolor and Prismacolor pencil on Museum Board

The majority of the smaller trout drawings have been sold to raise funds to support the 89er Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the organization's efforts to protect, restore, and enhance the cold-water fisheries of Southeastern and Eastern Oklahoma. Information on the the work of the 89er Chapter of Trout Unlimited may be found on the chapter website: www.89ertu.org

Recently, several trout drawings have been sold to help fund the work of Reel Recovery, a national, non-profit organization that provides fly fishing retreats for men diagnosed with cancer. Information on the work of Reel Recovery may be found at: www.reelrecovery.org

The images are watercolor and Prismacolor pencil on 100% acid-free museum board. The measure 16" H. X 20" W.

Brook Trout, Salvelinus fontinalis

16" H. x 20" W., Watercolor and Prismacolor pencil on Museum Board

Front to back: Untitled (Line Drier) 2009, Untitled (Fid) 2009

From: Donald G. Longcrier
Eleanor Kirkpatrick Gallery at City Arts Center
November 19 through December 23, 2009.

I work with materials that are familiar to me; rope, wood, beeswax, carpenter's tools, and fishing tackle. Individual pieces are often quiet. Everything is simple. Objects are presented in the simplest possible way, without embellishment, or decoration. These are humble pieces and there is no pretense or attempt at anything profound.

Front to back: Detail, Untitled (Line Drier) 2009, Untitled (Fid) 2009

Artworks in this exhibition, like most of my works, are untitled. Titles are eliminated to avoid confusion, attempts at cleverness, or wordplay. Parenthetical titles are used for the purpose of helping me keep track of various works. Objects described in the titles may or may not be accurately named, but describe the individual piece to me.

The late Nobel Prize winning physicist, Richard Feynman, told a story of his youth at camps in the Catskills. The fathers of the children would visit on the weekends, and all the fathers would hike the trails teaching their children the name of this bird or that bird. On Mondays, the children would ask Feynman, "What kind of bird is that?" He would answer, "I haven't the slightest idea." So the kids would say his father did not tell him anything. "But it was the opposite" his father "had "taught him. His father would look at a bird and say, "Do you know what kind of bird that is? It's a brown throated thrush; but in Portuguese it's a ____, in Japanese it's a ____, in Italian it's a ____, etcetera. Now," his father says" you know in all the languages …what the name of that bird is and …you'll know absolutely nothing whatever about the bird. You only know about humans in different places and what they call the bird. Now" says Feynman's father, "let's look at the bird."**

I believe we are all capable of learning something if we look at the bird.

** The Pleasure of Finding Things Out: The Best Short Works of Richard P. Feynman, 1999

Detail: Untitled (Line Drier) 2009

Untitled ( Enciclica), 44"H. x 37" W. x 2" D., Encaustic on wood with objects, 2009

Donald G Longcrier website and blog now under construction. Thank you for visiting.

Installation view, Eleanor Kirkpatrick Gallery, City Arts Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

November 19 - December 23, 2009

Photography by Hal Cantwell