I met Randall Perkins today

I met Randall Perkins today. He was seated at a table, pencil in fine-fingered hand and paper already filled with images. He had only just arrived at Open Door Studio. From his silvery brush-cut hair and his grizzled chin to his softly rounded Buddha belly he oozed charm and cheer. Eyes bashfully down he mentioned he needed a shave then asked if I had a coke. I’m in love.

I met Randall Perkins today, but I really met him ten weeks ago when I set eyes on his painting "Receding Dreamscape" that was on exhibit at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. It glowed. The Naples yellow shapes, impossibly supported by slender black stalks, popped against the mysterious magenta landscape. And I heard a story whispering in my ear, a tale of purpose and place.

Receding Dreamscape

"Safeguarding the Dream" is a slice of that place, the center of that world where dreams are collected, protected, and preserved.

This piece was created in response to Randall Perkins "Receding Dreamscape". Both works of art will be on display at Open Door Art Studio along with 28 other works created by artists from Open Door and Mother Artists at Work. The exhibit is titled "This Inspired That" and it opens this Saturday, April 14, 2012 with a reception from 5-7pm and closes on June 1. The gallery is open to the public Tuesday through Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 12-5pm (call 614-486-4919).

 

Safeguarding the Dream

56" x 24" x 24"

Kentucky Coffeetree pods and seeds,

corrugated cardboard, wood, glass

April 2012 

(detail)

(detail)