Monday Art Salon - February 9, 2015

"Non-GMO Flowers" - series of three.  Mixed media on cradleboard.  Each 6" x 6" x 2".

One of the fortunate results of the 31 in 31 challenge is the formation of new habits.  Including going into the studio every day to make something.  This is a great thing!  And it would be a shame not to keep a good habit going, so Monday Art Salon is born.

It was spring-like this past weekend in North Carolina.  I found myself outside with pitchfork and wheelbarrow, moving mulch and pruning plants.  Underneath the mounds of fall leaves were green shoots sprouting and tender leaves forming.  I caught a bit of spring fever.  

My goals for the coming year include oil painting and three-dimensional art...and something three dimensional sprouted from these boards.  Starting with stencils and gesso, I formed floral-shaped risers,  Then applying gesso to tissue paper and molding it into shapes until hardened, leaf formations sprouted.  Finally, I used gelli-plate printed papers and thick glaze to form the inner floral shapes. Ok, so there are the construction blueprints, but what about the bar codes with lines through them?

Michael Pollan is one of my favorite authors.  Not only because he writes about issues close to my heart and stomach (food and its origins) but also because he writes well.  And I always learn something.  In one of his recent books covering genetically modified foods, I learned of the tiny "bar codes" in the DNA of GMO plants which identify them as patented.  Some serious science fiction going on in modern times.  I became fascinated by the thought of patented seeds and plants, and the lengths corporations have gone to to protect those patents.  It isn't quite "Soylent Green" (only the best science fiction movie of my childhood!) but it does feel a bit creepy.

So, I decided my spring floral creations would be non- GMO.  How do you know if something is not genetically modified?  Unless you examine the DNA of the plant, you wouldn't know, I suppose.  Unless there are clear labels.  Hmmmm, so these flowers are CLEARLY labeled.  Something to contemplate as you peruse seed catalogs and plan your spring garden. Will your plants have tiny bar codes in them?  Cue eerie sci-fi music....

These pieces are available.  Inquiries: imajenation@gmail.com