Kayo Gallery this weekend

Dan Barney and I are in a show at Kayo Gallery, opening this weekend. This show is a fundraiser for the gallery and all paintings are 12x12 and $300 or under.

Chances of Glamour and Excitement Are Coming to You -Dan Barney

Kitty Wished for a Life of Glamour and Excitement -Cassandra Barney

Oh Dan Barney, please hurry home!

It was fun at first. I like that feeling of independence, that feeling that I can handle everything. I made sure all the doors were locked at night, the house always in order, the plants watered, and I even cooked a real meal that first night. Then, as we always do, we went crazy with the processed foods; soup in a can and frozen whatevers. It was fun.

We spent lots of time playing together, just us girls. I worked hard too, but kept them close. I was in charge and aware.

We bonded. We had quiet sweet moments and raucous dancing ones. We even had a film crew over for a day. You should have been here for that.

When I was telling the film crew about you, I got a little sad. There is something missing when you aren't here. We love laughing and talking with you. We love your cooking. We've started talking more and more about the real food that you magically cook into the best meals we've ever had.

And I really don't know how to do the kittens math homework. I tried to help with Spanish homework and kept making up words. Middle kitten didn't think I was funny.
We are missing you. Really, we miss you a lot. We are proud of you and glad that you get to do what you do, but two weeks is too long. I don't want to be independent anymore. I just want you to come home, so hurry!

Dan Barney!

I secretly hope it doesn't sell because I want to keep it. The painting in real life is so delicate and rich that I am awestruck. It's part of a show which opens this Friday at Art Access called, Landscape: Shaken Gently With A Twist. (March 19- April 9)

Dr. Barney wrote this about it:

During my art training I was told that I needed to focus, to select a style and then master it. I wonder now as an art educator if it might not be a bad idea to pick a theme or a concept to master rather than a particular style or medium. As an artist, however, I am enthralled by processes, techniques, and media that offer new understandings about living in the world. My preoccupation with artistic techniques is less attached to tradition as it is with the ability to create a provocation to re-interpret or to re-imagine common-sense beliefs. Conceptually then, my artwork acts as a method for analyzing and interpreting experiences and ideas.
“Your Courage Will Guide Your Future” is a landscape constructed from multiple sources from daily interactions, store-bought flowers, a view of Utah Lake from the prehistoric shoreline of Lake Bonneville, and an insect carrying a fortune from a cookie. Placed in close proximity, these images call forth narratives that can be as comforting as they are dangerous. The use of oil paint as a medium and the crackled surface also add to the story that is generated by individual viewers.
I once heard that the artist does not necessarily know any more about his or her artistic creation than anyone else. I believe art is created collectively; it is a participatory process of making, consuming, processing, reflecting, discussing, evaluating, and experiencing. Futures are guided by those who have the courage to go on, to live, to provoke a meaningful life, however, we are all inextricably connected, and curiously, courage has the potential to guide as well as to mislead. If the etymology of the word "courage" comes from the Latin cor, meaning "heart," then a new meaning of this painting is generated when it reads "Your Heart Will Guide Your Future."

Before this experience I used to think, "PhD, ya wow, that sounds hard, too much writing and research and doing something no one has done before?!" Now, having lived this close to the experience, I have even more respect for those who accomplish this task. Some universities require more than others, UBC is one of those, with external examiners and a committee of highly respected scholars.

At Dan's dissertation defense, I've never been so proud of him. THAT was tough. He went from shaking before it started to pulling information out of the air. It was seriously amazing. The harder the questions got, the better he did. He was super human.

The most painful part was after he got through his presentation and defended his questions, they sent us (the public was invited to attend) out of the room so the committee could deliberate. We could see them through the glass in the door as they gestured and discussed. Next they called Dan back into the room. We watched from outside, waiting for a smile but it was just more discussing. Finally they opened the doors and introduced Dr. Daniel T. Barney. Luckily, what kept me from crying (all of it being very emotional) was that some of us had Dr. Dan t-shirts on under our tops and so we ripped off our sweaters to reveal our excitement and support just at the right moment. I feel that same excitement every time I remember that he did it, even now a few days later.

This experience reminded me that greatness comes not from luck or by accident, it comes from hard work, sacrifice and pushing yourself beyond what you think you are capable of... and a little luck isn't bad either.

It also reminded me that behind every great person there is a great... actually, a lot of people who believe and love him or her. It was tender for me to see Dan's scholarly friends standing beside him, not in competition, but as support. These are brilliant people who I sometimes can't even understand in conversation over lunch and there they are, laughing and crying with Dan.

Dan arrived a couple of days before me in Vancouver to prepare. He did is mock defense which he said was a train wreck. Then his best bud Juan Castro, put Dan in 'camp Castro' where he reworked his presentation and practiced over and over and over again. Juan was a lifesaver. He's getting ready to defend his own dissertation in a few weeks.

Plus, he bought Dan a whole banana chocolate cream pie, his very favorite Vancouver treat. Dan's advisor Rita Irwin (top photo) was also a great mentor, support and friend to Dan. I feel so much gratitude to her that I'm not sure even what to say. My highest respect is for those who teach and share their knowledge.

Dan Barney before his dissertation defense.

Dan Barney after his dissertation defense.

Dr. Dan Barney holding his 'Dr. Dan' cake that Aileen made with Smarties of course, for his 'Dr. Dan Celebration' party where his UBC friends showed up in Dr. Dan t-shirts. Yeah!

Tomorrow morning he might just be walk'n the road as Dr. Dan. Yeah!

7th Annual 300 Plates Fundraiser and Exhibition

Artwork (above) by Dan Barney

Art Access

300 Plates
May 14 through June 12, 2009

Artists' Reception:
Friday, May 15, 2009 from 6 to 9PM

While the Barney Kittens are feeling the sand beneath their toes, Dan Barney is at home grueling over the last few days of writing his dissertation. We are so proud of him and we miss him very much. Dan's dissertation is a work of art. I can't even imagine accomplishing such a feat. We're cheering for you, Dan!

I like what is in work – the chance to find yourself. Your own reality, for yourself, not for others. What no other can ever know. -Joseph Conrad

18 Years

We totally still look the same. Well...maybe not so much. I'm wearing the same shirt and that's about it. It was hard to find pants that I could hike up on my waist for this photo. I really think Dan should think about sporting 21 Jump Street hair again.

For our anniversary Dan bought me this "Wife" pin to wear, lest I forget my job. He also gave me this hand-carved ivory necklace, carved in 1910 that sort of looks like him. I love them both.

We went back to the place where we got married this weekend. We cracked ourselves up reminiscing about being little kids thinking we were so old. Sheesh...little did we know.

Eternal Love

Friday I visited the BYU Faculty Art show in the Harris Fine Arts Center. After seeing the show, there were a couple of artworks and many questions on my mind. One of the artworks in the show that stuck with me was Eternal Love, by Dan Barney. Yes, I'm related to him...but not by blood and even if I wasn't wearing his wedding ring I'd think this piece was amazing.
I have a list of characteristics by which I judge artwork. For instance, does the artwork address complex and important subject matter? To me that is one of the things that gives a artwork relevance. I want an artwork to make the world a better place by provoking thought, teaching or elevating. Eternal Love prompted thoughts about love and the process of undoing and doing. Because of this artwork I am provoked to contemplate significant ideas.
I believe this artist's intentions were to give or share with the viewer as opposed to impressing or elevating himself. Sincerity is so important in my judgment. I like artwork to be challenging and complex and I also respect artists who don't rely on shock value or determined meaning that is inaccessible to the viewer.

Craft is also important to me. I respect good craft, especially when it is out of my reach. I sew a bit and I am awed by the skill required to sew bound pockets. I want an artist to be accomplished in his or her technique.

A quality that is a bonus, but not necessary, is that this artwork required the viewer's participation. To learn about it, I had to work. Eternal Love has a human heart and the words, "eternal love" embroidered on the outside of a taut,white, fabric panel with two pockets. In one pocket I found a seam ripper, in the other a golden thread and needle placed in a little jewelry box. I got to probe for the information the artist offered and was rewarded for my effort.

Finding artworks that are unique and original are rare. I search for them. It seems that most artwork that I come across is a repeat of a style or idea that has been executed many times before. I have been thinking about this a lot lately, why artists choose to the images, styles and processes that they do. I call it the bird painting syndrome. On the Internet I come across one bird painting after another and many merely seem to be using the bird a trendy symbol when it has the potential to be so much more.

I have high expectations and I'm a harsh critic. The thing is, I approach my own artwork in the same way. I continue to work hard at my craft and I expect that of others. I want my own artworks to be to thought provoking, unique and accessible. I want to contribute to the world not just fill in with more things. Those expectations are noble but at the same time, it's usually serendipitous when I do an artwork that meets the expectations that I strive for. In the mean time I enjoy the process and challenges of creation and delight in finding it in other's work.

While I'm playing band fantasy, Dan Barney has been in Japan. He told me in an email about some of the fancy food he's been eating...something about fluff and cornflakes. I found this picture on Juan's blog. Go Dan Barney!

Thanks to everybody who hacked through the crowds, jungles of sticky cotton candy and pop-its to come to our show on this very festive holiday weekend. I wish I had pictures of everybody. We got to see so many friends and that was the best. It's cool to see all of the people who support local venues. Thanks again to Mode for the excuse to spend time drawing and collaborating with Dan.

Paper Dresses

Night Music
by
Dan & Cassandra Barney
and Zachary & Brenda Taylor

July 3-31 at Mode Boutique
45 N. University Avenue, Provo
Reception on July 3, 6-10

paper dresses created by Dan and Cassandra Barney
stunning photos by Nina Cochran

In the tear that ran down her cheek,
there was a reflection of a summer sunset.

Would she have to turn in her garden gown?
She just didn't understand.
She gave them so much love
and doesn't love conquer all?
She visited every afternoon,
gently nurturing her delicate crops
Who would help her?
Where could she find a mushroom ring?
Where were the carebears...anyone?

...and then a night in shining armor
came with flashlight in hand and said,
"darl'n, you've got an infestation of pesky
no-good, earwig varmints."
He slung his flashlight over his shoulder
and got to mak'n a plan.

I'd like to thank Patti for sending me this gardening dress. It's lovely. I don't know if I deserve to wear it but I do think it's divine.

In six months I'm going to have lots of free time to pursue creative projects. I'm not the only one who thinks that right? It's an mirage that is floating out in front of me always. It's that six months into the future delusion that gets me into trouble as far as over scheduling. But like I read in Zen Shorts, "maybe..." because the outcome from being pushed is different than coasting along at a steady pace. When pushed emotionally or physically or spiritually or anything, sometimes great things happens. Sometimes we are liberated from invisible annoyances and silly hang-ups.
So here I am starting a project after much waffling. About six months ago I went into a store called Mode in Provo to see an art installation made by Jason Metcalf. The store owner, Ryan Neely asked if I was interested in having a show in that space, dangling the you can do whatever you want carrot in front of me. I said, " sure, in six months I'll have free time to pursue creative projects."
I do want to to support this exact sort of thing, my community, stores owned by local people who seem really nice and creative project opportunities, different from what I do for galleries.

But...instead of taking it on by myself, I asked Zack Taylor if he wanted to collaborate with me after I saw his Mormon Ex-Cons project. Then really I knew that it would all be spectacular if Dan Barney were participating and then of course I was excited to see what Zack's artist wife, Brenda would come up with so...after much discussion, we have begun our project. I think the title at this point is called, Night Music. I'm doing mostly drawings which I love. Dan Barney made three Tyvek dresses that I get to draw on as well.