One step at a time. Gwenn Seemel paints portraits.

Nine different kinds of apple pie…

The opening of Apple Pie is definitely the best reception I’ve ever had. 

Maria and Don, who both work at the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, were a big part of why tonight was so much fun.  They made the load-in for Apple Pie smooth and easy. 

The show wouldn’t look nearly so good without their help!

In fact, Apple Pie wouldn’t look anything like it does without Maria’s input.  She patiently talked me through my various layout ideas until we came up with something that made each of the pieces look their best. 

I think, too, that part of the fun of this opening was that I was more than ready to introduce this work to its audience.  With past shows, I’ve been excited but also nervous--a little unsure of the work on some level. 

I’ve grown a lot as an artist in the past two years working on this series and developing my own kind of allegorical portraiture, and, as a result, I feel fully confident about Apple Pie.

I never thought I’d see the day that I’d do anything that resembled sculpture. 

But here it is: almost a painting, almost a sculpture, and definitely a new direction for me. 
The subject of this portrait (here pictured with her husband) wanted to be combined with an American icon who represented green living, something which is very important to her.  She suggested various leaders in the field, but I didn’t recognize their names.  They hadn’t reached the iconic status I was looking for.

I ended up blending Renate with America’s legendary lumberjack to create Paula Bunyan, a hero for today, one who plants trees instead of cuts them down.  Remaking the Bunyan myth felt right--it felt important!  Paul was such a symbol for early Americans.  He represented safety in what was then an overwhelmingly big and wild land, and he needed to rediscover himself in order to be vital again.  Renate and I helped him do that. 
We also helped me make my first non-functional three-dimensional work!

Here is another subject, Bonnie, with her portrait (the very flag-like painting in the background).

Bonnie, myself, Allie, Bonnie again, my father, and Amal: in this photo, everyone but my father is a subject in this series.
Bonnie’s portrait, Nowa Flaga, is one of my father’s favorite paintings, and I’ll tell you why in another post very soon!

So the opening was lovely, full of funny moments with good people, like this one for example.  Here, Ryan (at left) is making the same face as Taous is in the portrait that’s peeking out from behind Dave.

The loveliness was in the people who came to celebrate with me, and also in the many different kinds of apple yumminess which Andrea White of Palette Catering provided!

Apple Pie is open through 20 September.  I hope you’ll visit the show and then tell me your version of the American dream!

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