EXHIBIT STATEMENT

La Flore la Faune is a joint exhibit by Signature Center Artist Members Jennifer Nichols and Linda Stricklin. Both of these artists are inspired by the natural environment and are presenting works representative of that influence. Vibrant colors and textures fill the Jane Adams Breed Gallery, transformed by the unique integration of fine art and natural materials. An opening reception for this exhibit will be held Friday, July 17th at 6:30 pm. Join us in this celebration and appreciation of the environment. This exhibit will be on display through August 29.

"The conception of La Flor' La Faun' started a couple of years ago when Jennifer and I were talking about combining our work into a uniform body of work that would show well together….and I think we succeeded in achieving two entirely different media's into a co-existing environment.

I personally wanted to "present" my work to you instead of just "placing pots on a pedestal". I believe the presentation of one's work is as important as the work itself. I took liberties with clay that some would consider out of the norm….I like that. As usual, clay is a very "humbling" media to work with, and trust me I AM HUMBLED! I use terracotta, raku, and stoneware clay bodies, incorporating wheel thrown and slab constructed vessels. I like to incorporate different media with my clay, such as glass (hand cut hundreds of pieces), gold leaf, metal, bamboo, deer antlers, coconut husks, etc. I really wanted to show how nature mimics itself, such as the longhorn and coconut husk having the same beautiful arch shape, the deer antlers resembling crab legs, and the unique white wood on "balancing act" to mimic a line drawn in space. The corral and turquoise beads on "jelly bellies" resemble the jelly fish tentacles. The glass mosaic piece can be seen as either an abstracted floral or a flying flamingo. Which do you see?

I hope you go away with an appreciation of the color, patterns and texture in nature- for that was my inspiration in working on this show. May you absorb a little "Zen" with you as you stroll through the gallery and appreciate all we have in nature."
-Linda Stricklin

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"My life revolves around my family. I never met my grandparents but I feel like I know them. They were gone long before I was born but I have always felt the connection, especially to my father's parents.

Otto and Ruth Severence Foberg are the inspiration for this body of work. Their love of nature, good literature and all aspects of a spiritual life have inspired me on my journey. They are a huge part of who I am and of who I aspire to be.

The physical inspiration for this presentation is a book I found in my aunt's library a few years ago: In God's Out-of-Doors by William A. Quayle. (1901) My grandfather gave it to my grandmother following their first date and on her birthday, June 1, 1901. A collection of nature photographs, drawings and essays: "the author's wish is to people other hearts with love of flower and woodland path and drifting cloud and dimming light and moonlit distance and starlight and voices of bird and wind and cadence of the rainfall and the storm…"

All living things possess a spiritual essence. We can experience this essence in the quiet of early morning, in bird song floating from new made nests, in the wobbly legs of new fauns and in the flash of new color in the changing seasons. We share these experiences with all life on this planet. And we are bound to honor it.

All this said, it was extremely difficult to limit the images chosen for this exhibit. I had to let any control go and let the images sort themselves out. I have memories on canvas from both the East and West coasts and from places close by. Four O'clocks and trumpet vines grow freely in abundance in my back yard in honor of my parents who had them in every garden they made. They are here. Also here are landscapes and macro images from a spectacular trip to Maine with my daughter and her husband. Tree scapes, landscapes and a portrait of an impossible bee are portrayed from a trip to San Francisco to visit my son in May and an image of a majestic oak my parents planted in Memphis, Tennessee in 1954 all made the final cut. My mother's favorite rose was the Tropicana and the lime green macro image of an arrowhead leaf was taken of a plant that was hers. I couldn't leave out my daughter's gorgeous bridal bouquet. The three grids are of images that I couldn't leave out: examples of flora and fauna that are around us so obviously that they are often invisible.

I want to express my unconditional love and appreciation to my family and my friends who are family. Thank you for encouraging me, supporting me in pursuit of my passions and loving me! Like I said in the beginning, my life revolves around you! Special thanks also to Linda for your willingness to share this show with me. It's a mark of our friendship that we were on the same page the whole time!"
-Jennifer Nichols

by Jennifer Nichols

by Linda Stricklin