Ending the Semester on a High Note

Best students ever. 

It's been interesting... challenging... inspiring... trying at times... but overall this has been a great semester. I'm going to miss this crew something fierce. 

The end of semester madness has occupied most of my time for the past few weeks. These brief studio breaks, while frustrating, are ultimately invaluable for me; I need that forced time away from my easel to let new ideas marinate. I'm looking forward to many long and energizing studio days starting next week. Keep an eye on instagram (@samantha.haring) in the next few weeks for a glimpse at something new. 

Happy December. I hope you have joyful holidays with the ones you love, both near and far. 

...share in a memory of gray...

Happy November, Dear Readers. This time of the year always finds me reevaluating my priorities and comparing my goals with my day-to-day actions. After four years of weekly posts on this site, it's time for a change. Starting today, this is now a monthly blog. I'll still post regularly on the first Sunday of each month, and you'll still get sneak peeks at my process work, studio disarray, and various thoughts on painting.

For more frequent updates, please follow me on Instagram at @samantha.haring.

Thanks for following along week by week for so long. I hope you'll stick around for the next iteration of this long-form visual journal.

"Midnight"

2017

chalk pastel on paper

15x15"

Studio, October

"It should be the principle aim of any teacher to promote the growth of genuine observation, genuine feeling, and genuine thinking... Teachers should make no attempt to urge their own forms and colors on their students. They should acknowledge, protect, and encourage the subjective talent in each of them. The objective laws of form and color help to strengthen a person's powers and to expand his creative gift."
–Johannes Itten, Design and Form: The Basic Course at the Bauhaus and Later. Pages 132-3.

Old Favorites in a New Show

Sext 

2013 

oil on canvas 

36x30" 

I dropped off this old favorite and two others at North Park University this weekend. I'm honored to have this work included in a group show curated by Tim Lowly, an artist and educator who I both respect and admire.

Named after the canonical hours, this painting (one of a series along with its companions "Prime", "Terce", and "None) is a contemplation of time, intervals, and the cyclical nature of all things. Here the life cycle of an artist's canvas is condensed to a series of painted snapshots - a handful of frozen moments captured patiently and methodically. Emptiness is an illusion.

I still dearly love the gimmick in this piece. It was such fun to paint. I won't give the trick away here - you'll have to see it in person. Keep an eye on social media for upcoming details about the show.

Recent Interview

Hey Chicago! You can still catch "Two Point Five Children" at Gallery 19, now through October 28th. For all you out-of-town friends, check out my recent conversation with Mieke Zuiderweg on the gallery website. We talked about my current work, studio process, and artistic motivation. Click the link below to listen.

http://www.gallery19chicago.com/articulate.html

Inktober 2017: 5, 6, and 7

WIP - Details

Sketchbook

INDA 11

It's here! Manifest's INDA 11 publication has arrived, and it is beautiful. I'm thrilled to have these two pieces included alongside such outstanding artists. For the complete list of artists, and to order your copy, visit Manifest's website at http://www.manifestgallery.org

Two Point Five Children – Gallery 19

Friday night was the opening reception of Two Point Five Children, a four person exhibition at Gallery 19 including myself, Trent Call, Bree Lamb, and Nathan Stromberg. The show is gorgeous and I am so happy to be included. Thank you to Tommy, Dietrich, and Mieke at Gallery 19 for putting together a beautiful show and a lovely evening.

If you missed our artist talk, you can watch the Facebook live video here: https://www.facebook.com/gallery19chicago/videos/890319811118603/

And if you're in the Chicago area, stop by the gallery! The exhibition runs through October 28th. 

Harper College Small Works Show

I am deeply honored to be included in this year's Small Works show at Harper College. Check out this fantastic lineup of artists - what great company! Thank you very much to Mark Rospenda for curating such a lovely group of artists and work. If you are in the Chicagoland area, stop by the campus this month to see the show. 

Art Exhibition Space (Building C, C200)

Monday–Thursday, 9–4pm

Studio, August

Framed

Here's a sneak peek at a few pieces from my new series. These pastels are available through Gallery 19 in Chicago! Stay tuned for details on the September show. 

Color Studies

En Passant

En Passant 2017 chalk pastel on paper 11x11"

Ritornare

Ritornare 2017 chalk pastel on paper 11x11"

PORTALS Closing Reception

Thanks so much to everyone who came to the closing of PORTALS at ACS Gallery this past Friday! The exhibition was a blast; it was such a pleasure getting to meet and work with so many artists who I admire. Check out my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/samanthaharingart/ to see more photos from the exhibition. 

Summer in the City

one of my favorite views of the city... such a peaceful and meditative spot... 

installation shot from SKETCH, one of the current shows at Manifest Gallery

Top Left: "Color Study #2", 2015, oil on paper

Hey Chicago! Come to the closing reception for PORTALS this Friday, July 21st. 

7-10pm at ACS Gallery (4th floor of the Zhou B Art Center)

Whatever city you happen to be in, I hope your summer is off to a beautiful start. I'll be spending most of mine in the studio, putting the finishing touches on a new series of pastels. Stay tuned for details on an upcoming show this fall! 

xoxo

SKETCH - upcoming show

Color Study #2 2015 oil on paper 11 1/8" x 11 1/8"

Color Study #2 was the second color study I made during my time as a Manifest Artist in Residence. I tend to make several preparatory drawings and painted studies before embarking on a more finished piece. These sketches usually only hang on my studio wall… but occasionally, they have an immediacy and a presence that lets them stand on their own as resolved pieces, independent of the “finished” piece.

I'm honored to have this piece included in the upcoming exhibition SKETCH at Manifest Gallery!

SKETCH runs in tandem with IN MEMORIAM.

July 14th-August 11th

Opening reception: Friday July 14th, 6-9pm

IN MEMORIAM - Upcoming Show

Little Green 2017 oil on canvas 16x20"

Little Green is part of my current body of work, exploring the residue in both my studio and the drawing center where I teach. The missing hinge is a metaphor for other gaps or absences in our lives; the radiant green revealed beneath the whitewash is a reminder of the profound rewards in seeking beneath the obvious or outward appearance of things. Paying attention to the little things matters.

Come see this piece in person at Manifest Gallery!

IN MEMORIAM

July 14-August 11, 2017

Opening reception: Friday July 14th, 6-9pm

Studio, June

Curatorial Project - PORTALS: Opening Reception

Thanks to everyone who came out for the opening reception of PORTALS at ACS Gallery! The exhibition will be up for the next two months with a closing reception on July 21st. PORTALS is my first curatorial project: a group show featuring 25 works by 9 artists from across the country. For more information and additional images from the show, please visit my Facebook page (Samantha Haring Art) or sign up for my studio e-newsletter. 

Featured artists:

Jennifer Cronin

Sarvin Haghighi

Tyler Hennings

Maggie Hubbard

Joe Morzuch

Sean Oswald

Scott Ramming

Emil Robinson

Sara Willadsen