The information about the class I'm teaching in Youngstown, Ohio:

ILLUMINATED
GRATITUDE
taught by Cassandra
Christensen Barney
Saturday, August 22


After the style of Mexican retablos and ex-votos, art makers in this workshop will create their own little narrative acrylic painting on tin, using the language of symbols and self-portraiture. Retablos and Ex-Votos are colorful, folkloric paintings usually depicting stories of gratitude. “I’ve always been interested in these little personal stories of gratitude. Everyone has a story and all of those stories are worthy of being painted.”
This workshop is appropriate for all levels of painters. Traditionally these artworks are painted in folk style, using symbolism to communicate a message.
Supplies and lunch will be provided.

Contact Deric at deric@choiceonemail.com or, preferably, call him at 330 758-5795.

It also looks like there will be an art reception (party) the evening before in the gallery and I might be speaking as well.

I'm always interested in how different the galleries I visit are run. The way galleries do business and the way in which they interact with their customers and artists is interestingly diverse. That diversity makes each art show opening unique. There is one thing at every show I do, that stands out to me as the same. It's practically the only thing that makes it's bearable. I can't think of one word but I'll try to describe it. It's an exchange between me and a few people who connect/understand/feel something that I did/intended/attempted to do in creating the artwork. That exchange is only possible when in those moments there is unguarded sincerity. Not everybody is brave enough to feel it, let alone voice it. I'm glad for those who do because it's the one thing that makes it worth it.
Dr. Dan Barney overheard an interesting conversation between a couple of enthusiastic gallery strollers who were criticising my paintings. Though the conversation he relayed to me was entertaining because they just didn't get it, something Dan said stuck in my head. He said something about it being unfortunate that they didn't seem to understand the best thing about the paintings. It was all around them and they couldn't see it or feel it. It was what the people who sent the stories, the artist, and audience and the collectors all shared. It was where all the stories overlapped. It was that these artworks had meaning.
That was the best thing he could have said because it's what I believe in. 'Meaning' is what I'm seeking in every artwork I do.

I really was pleased with this show. I watched people reading the little blurb I wrote about working with these stories sent in by some of you, touching stories from all over the world. Then they would go and read a portion of the story displayed on the wall and study the painting. There seemed to be lots of thoughtful responses. So thank you again to those who came to the show and those of you who sent your stories.

It all started with wanting to paint a painting to protect Jenny the pyro-tech from burning up in a little streak of bad luck. I hope it works. Thanks for the spark Jenny!

Painting about inspiring people is a treat. Pam Beach is one cool artist mama. Check out her blog and you'll be amazed. I wish I'd studied at Pamschool before I'd had my own kittens.

Kayo Gallery

177 East Broadway, SLC, UT

www.kayogallery.com

Please join us for an opening reception Friday, June 19 from 6-9pm

Paintings for this show are posted on my website

www.cassandrabarney.com

If you are interested in purchasing work contact

Davina or Shilo

One of the tin paintings I am doing is for someone who wrote about wanting protection from water. She actually lives in New Orleans and has had to deal with real threatening water situations. I live in the desert but with all this rain we've had, I'm thinking I'd better paint one of these for me too. This feels more like Vancouver than Utah.

I'm smack dab in the middle of this series, partially finished paintings are everywhere. My dad visited my studio and said that he thought the retablo/Ex-votos were wonderful and should be a book with their accompanying stories. We'll see.

I was talking to Dan Barney this morning about what makes these different from how and what I usually paint. The biggest difference is that I'm working with someone else's story. I'm also painting them totally from my imagination, meaning that I'm not using visual references. That makes them a little odd and corky which is so fun.

I really have wanted to keep them between $200 and $400. Somehow I'd like to give those who donated stories first refusal. I'll work that out in a couple of weeks. Right now I just want to paint.

I'm currently working on my Ex-Voto/Retablo project. The show at Kayo Gallery is coming up quickly (opening: June 19) and I really want to paint every story that was sent to me. I'm enjoying it ever so much.

This little tin painting, executed in the spirit of a retablo or ex voto, is a story about a little miracle for which I have gratitude. (Thank you Carrie for asking.) There have been a few instances in my life where I honestly believe that events were altered by other forces. Those moments or situations were unexplainable.
This particular story took place in front of my parents house on a summer afternoon. Littlest kitten was a new, fragile, little thing. I was carefully carrying her when I tripped. I remember the scene in slow motion as my brand new baby, still in my hands, landed out in front of me on the cement. I saw it. But like an angel had wrapped her hands around my baby and kept her safe from the fall, she didn't wake up or have a scratch on her little tiny perfect body.

Art Access invited me to teach a one day class at in Salt Lake this March. If anyone is interested in more information, I'll post the details when I get them. This class will be a good one for any skill level. How fun to paint together for a whole day!


ILLUMINATED GRATITUDE
taught by Cassandra Christensen Barney
Saturday, March 14th, 9a-5p
After the style of Mexican Retablos and Ex-Votos, art makers in this workshop will create their own little narrative acrylic painting on tin, using the language of symbols and self-portraiture. Retablos and Ex-Votos are colorful, folkloric paintings usually depicting stories of gratitude.

Today I was on the best vacation, at least it felt like a vacation. I painted all morning and then when the kittens came home, Dan Barney said, "hey, you should keep painting." Those words are gold. Thank you Dan Barney. He made cookies and put a fire in the fireplace too. Aaah...the life of a queen.

I've been painting your stories and I feel honored. I can't wait to share. Maybe paintings really do have powers. I've been thinking about that today too.

Good times, good days.

A studio painter by day, but by night...

a retablista.

I save it until the end for dessert. I ponder then I paint. Thank you for sending your churnings and burnings.

Tell me about something you have gratitude for, like an answer to a prayer. Or give me a request for what you would like to be protected from or what you thirst for. Send it to me via email cassandrabarney@gmail.com or to this blog and I might paint your wish in a retablo or ex voto like style.
All requests must be sent before October 4.

The requests I've received so far are FANTASTIC. Thank you!

The painting above was inspired by this email:

"My husband is for me, a perfect match. When I am flighty, he stays grounded. When I forget he remembers. When I am weak, he is strong. I love him dearly. I am grateful for him every day of my life. Ever since we tied the knot..."

Your idea could be painted here.
Tell your friends.

Send photos of objects (thanks Mike for that idea)

Put it on your blog...(thanks Deanna) I want lots of good stories!

Invitation for Collaboration

Sometimes I wish paintings had powers. I wish they could right what is wrong.
I was talking to a girl the other night who had a streak of bad luck with fire. In my mind I painted her with fire in one hand and water in the other, wishing to give her balance.
I’ve carefully picked out each object depicted in a painting I’m working on right now in my studio. I’m doing this painting for someone specific and I thought of it as a blessing for her life. I want to paint blessings. I also want to paint my gratitude for beautiful life, for people I love.

I remembered Ex-votos I’d seen. I imagined myself a retablista, painting offerings of thanks. Ex-voto short for ex voto suscepto, "from the vow made" or in gratitude or devotion.

I could paint about my gratitude, but I’d like to paint for others.
Then I thought…I have a show coming up in one month actually and if others would related to me the event and circumstances which he or she would want portrayed, then I’d paint it, inspired by the idea of ex-votos.

So if you are interested, send me your idea. All submitted emails will be considered up until October 4, 2008. Tell your friends. I'll be getting the metal plates ready.
I will post more information about the show which with be displayed at Brigham Young University in November.