Good and Plenty Mystery
Solo Exhibition
June-September 2009
Seattle Art Museum Gallery
Seattle, WA
As an artist, I have learned to embrace the fact that the sources
which inspire my work often contain elements of mystery. When I
was asked to suggest a flavor around which the bar master at
TASTE could create a special drink for the duration of my exhibit,
I immediately thought of licorice, a flavor I'm quite fond of.
Shortly thereafter, in my studio one afternoon, the image of Good
and Plenty movie candies (my favorite movie candies as a child),
popped into my head and would not let go. Their funky,
lozenge-like shapes, with their characteristic pink and white sugar
coating over black licorice centers, all bouncing around in
rectangular candy boxes, took hold in my mind and inspired the
work in this exhibit.
Creating art, like going to the movies, is full of surprises and always
contains an element of mystery. Until you're in there, either in the
studio or in the theatre, you never quite know what is going to
happen. So it was that the first painting I created for this exhibit,
"Good and Plenty Mystery," now hanging on the back wall of TASTE,
near the kitchen, became the title for this show. And, in my research on
Google, I discovered that Good and Plenty candy was the first candy to
be branded, in 1873, making it a classic, which like my work, with its
geometric and classical proportions, never feels dated.
Life is a Matinee–Enjoy!
Betty
“Elegant and fun and beautiful...These
paintings make me smile!”
Judith Singelis, Owner of Argazzi Art
Lakeville, Connecticut
“Love it - the whole thing, the story and resulting paintings!”
Kathy Moss, Painter
New York, NY
“These paintings are layered, tasty morsels that inspire complete
visual digestion. Betty Merken has taken inspiration from the
prosaic, creating delectable abstractions with intellectually serious
intent served straight out of her five-star studio.”
William Torphy, Curator and Writer
San Francisco, CA
“Betty Merken's recent "Good and Plenty Mystery" paintings reflect
the artist's mastery as a colorist, as well as her sophisticated use of
pattern and rhythm as formal anchors. Merken's individuality and
power as a painter come from her imaginative engagement with such
varied influences as Japanese textiles, the light of West Texas,
the paintings of Helen Frankenthaler, a new box of drawing charcoal,
a favorite childhood candy.
These paintings reward us, when upon
closer examination, the components of
each color, the light that they produce,
and the richness of each surface can
be fully sensed.”
Rebecca Allan, Artist and Director of Exhibition-Related Education
The Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts,
Design, and Culture
New York, New York
“Betty Merken's exquisite and restrained use of color knows no
bounds. She is careful never to overdo, but makes a clear and
beautiful statement, striking in its elegance...she's a consummate
artist who grows with each new body of work.”
Gloria Delson, Owner of Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts
Los Angeles, California
© 2011 Betty Merken Studios. All Rights Reserved.
bettystudio@earthlink.net
Solo Exhibition
June-September 2009
Seattle Art Museum Gallery
Seattle, WA
As an artist, I have learned to embrace the fact that the sources
which inspire my work often contain elements of mystery. When I
was asked to suggest a flavor around which the bar master at
TASTE could create a special drink for the duration of my exhibit,
I immediately thought of licorice, a flavor I'm quite fond of.
Shortly thereafter, in my studio one afternoon, the image of Good
and Plenty movie candies (my favorite movie candies as a child),
popped into my head and would not let go. Their funky,
lozenge-like shapes, with their characteristic pink and white sugar
coating over black licorice centers, all bouncing around in
rectangular candy boxes, took hold in my mind and inspired the
work in this exhibit.
Creating art, like going to the movies, is full of surprises and always
contains an element of mystery. Until you're in there, either in the
studio or in the theatre, you never quite know what is going to
happen. So it was that the first painting I created for this exhibit,
"Good and Plenty Mystery," now hanging on the back wall of TASTE,
near the kitchen, became the title for this show. And, in my research on
Google, I discovered that Good and Plenty candy was the first candy to
be branded, in 1873, making it a classic, which like my work, with its
geometric and classical proportions, never feels dated.
Life is a Matinee–Enjoy!
Betty
“Elegant and fun and beautiful...These
paintings make me smile!”
Judith Singelis, Owner of Argazzi Art
Lakeville, Connecticut
“Love it - the whole thing, the story and resulting paintings!”
Kathy Moss, Painter
New York, NY
“These paintings are layered, tasty morsels that inspire complete
visual digestion. Betty Merken has taken inspiration from the
prosaic, creating delectable abstractions with intellectually serious
intent served straight out of her five-star studio.”
William Torphy, Curator and Writer
San Francisco, CA
“Betty Merken's recent "Good and Plenty Mystery" paintings reflect
the artist's mastery as a colorist, as well as her sophisticated use of
pattern and rhythm as formal anchors. Merken's individuality and
power as a painter come from her imaginative engagement with such
varied influences as Japanese textiles, the light of West Texas,
the paintings of Helen Frankenthaler, a new box of drawing charcoal,
a favorite childhood candy.
These paintings reward us, when upon
closer examination, the components of
each color, the light that they produce,
and the richness of each surface can
be fully sensed.”
Rebecca Allan, Artist and Director of Exhibition-Related Education
The Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts,
Design, and Culture
New York, New York
“Betty Merken's exquisite and restrained use of color knows no
bounds. She is careful never to overdo, but makes a clear and
beautiful statement, striking in its elegance...she's a consummate
artist who grows with each new body of work.”
Gloria Delson, Owner of Gloria Delson Contemporary Arts
Los Angeles, California
© 2011 Betty Merken Studios. All Rights Reserved.
bettystudio@earthlink.net