Little Birds

new wesbsite

2010-05-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hey folks,

I just launched a very threadbare www.clairedroney.com. Check in there from now on for new works and show information.

Cheers!

Claire

2010-03-10T18:21:00.000-08:00

What We Thought We Knew

22x30

graphite and colored pencil collage on paper

2010-01-18T16:18:00.000-08:00

On Sustaining

24 x 38 in.
paint pigment and graphite on paper

2009-11-29T13:44:00.001-08:00

Satisfaction

20 x 12 in

still in progress...

2009-11-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

Before, and After.

Graphite, paint, turpentine

Marking Time

Graphite and colored pencil

Untitled

Graphite, turpentine, colored pencil

Memory Loss

2009-09-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

Summer, Once, Snow.

Faster, faster, Never.

Cinema Arrêté

2009-08-06T13:55:00.000-07:00

Work by Root Division Resident Artists:
Claire Droney, Selene Foster & Lauren Scime

Opening reception:
This Saturday, August 8th, 7 to 11pm
Root Division Studios
3175 17th Street

Exhibition dates: August 5-15
New gallery hours: Wednesday - Saturday, 2

Appearing in conjunction with:
The 7th Annual 3-Minute Film Festival and Black Tie Gala

Lisa and her labrat

2009-07-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

My friend Lisa is a neuro scientist. I went and took some photos of her and her lab rats a few weeks ago. Of course I have mixed feelings about this practice, but I really adore Lisa and respect what she does and found the experience fascinating. She loves these rats and works with them for some time, but eventually has to kill them. Soon after I took these photos her rats became infected and died, and all of her research for the last year went to waste.

Cineme Arrêté

2009-07-25T12:35:00.000-07:00

Wait now, Indiana
35 x 47 inches
Graphite on paper

I will be showing some new work at Root Division in conjunction with the 3 minute film festival. It will be up for a couple weeks but the event is one night only and should be a lot of fun. Here are the details:

The 7th Annual Three-Minute Film Festival Black Tie Gala & Film Screening

Film Screening & Opening Reception: Saturday, August 8, 7 - 11 pm
Doors open / Artist Reception @ 7 pm
**Projector starts rolling @ 8pm sharp!

Exhibition Dates: August 5-15, 2009
Main Gallery: Cineme Arrêté: Artwork by Claire Droney*, Selene Foster*, & Lauren Scime*
Side Gallery: Artwork by Camille Verboort
Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Saturday, 2-6 pm (or by appt.)

With DJ Bastard Prince, The Poetry Store, The Magic Curry Kart, The Crème Brulee Cart, and your host, Jeff Cleary!

$5-$20 Sliding scale donation at the door

"Creative" Black-Tie Attire is Encouraged

2009-05-12T13:15:00.000-07:00

Hannah
34x27.5 inches
grapite on paper

a last minute show...

2009-04-07T12:02:00.000-07:00

I have some pieces up in a show with a couple other Root Division artists opening this Wed:

Epicenter Cafe
Jon Casey Clary, Claire Droney & Keef Ward
Opening Reception: Wednesday, April 8th, 7:30–9:30 p.m.
Featuring live music by Illy Bogart*
764 Harrison St. (between 3rd and 4th), San Francisco

This is in conjunction with Root Division's annual TASTE event.

Vija Celmins drawings never cease to completely blow my mind.

2009-03-04T16:05:00.000-08:00

"I did a lot of drawing of course. You know we all did drawing, that’s how it started. You know you’re little, you start drawing. Just keep drawing. It sort of makes a certain kind of life. I guess drawing and reading, I used to read a lot. I made a sort of world. Read a lot, draw a lot, that’s what I used to do."

2009-02-22T22:36:00.001-08:00

We cannot tear out a single page of our life, but we can throw the whole book in the fire.

2009-02-18T16:20:00.000-08:00

2009-01-06T23:04:00.000-08:00

the only way out is through

30 x 40 in

2008-12-05T11:23:00.000-08:00

I just had a studio visit with the director and founder at Root Division. I somehow have managed to work it so anytime people want to talk to me about my art, we end up talking about literature. Not that I think this is a cop out in any way, as I always bring up my interest in literature as one of my major influences. Toeing the line between romanticism and gothic was the particular theme today. I have some work to do still on my latest piece, though I posted some photos below. Someone pointed out that I tend to spend the most time and detail on the hardest parts of the drawing, and simpler parts actually are given less attention. True of the rest of my life too.

The space.

Not using these much lately but it is nice to have them near.

The latest. I did this of my friend Nell and was thinking of the song Caleb Meyer by Gillian Welch when I started it. I looked up the lyrics today and it turns out the woman who murders Caleb in the song is actually named Nellie Kane. Love it.

Another.

looking east but heading west

2008-11-19T15:05:00.000-08:00

California just won't be beat. In response to my last post, the state decided to heat up to a solid 85 last weekend for an epic mid November camping trip to Big Sur. I liken California to a smart, handsome, yet slightly possessive boyfriend who has a temper but happens to be a really good kisser. Knowing that we're about to enter a few months of cold, rainy, windy misery, he pulled out all the stops; golden sunny days, warm nights, a bright moon on the beach, hot springs, music, the loveliest people. So much that I was fooled into forgetting myself for a while and jumping in the Pacific Ocean, which despite the warm weather was freezing, and now I am home sick. Right before the trip I learned that I got the art residency at Root Division, which is a non profit gallery and studio space that happens to be down the street from me. I move into my studio on Sunday.

You win California, once again. Here I stay.

What you always find along the way to anywhere in America.

One of my friends has perfected the art of the bacon wrapped hot dog.

Lately, it is half of something or all of nothing

2008-11-09T22:08:00.000-08:00

I've been reading books about the American South obsessively. I've even been looking into grad programs there, while simultaneously feeling like I might never leave the Bay. I'm doing a series about it, and the Wild West, America, femininity, cruelty, love, desire. Those are the basic ideas, I'll get clearer about the details once I've finished.

American culture is a strange fascinating thing.

Maybe its the election that spawned this--the first black president, etc. Flannery O'Connor writes stories about people who murder or die because of their convictions. And not in a revolutionary way--actually quit the contrary. They just up and die or kill because of some silly idea (Southern Gothic's do have a flare for the dramatic). It is the same still I guess. The stakes are different, but like all the Mormons throwing a fit and spending all their money to stop two women from marrying each other and nonsense like that. That is not what I'm writing about, though. Just the nature of what is possible, and our limitations.

What a mean streak this country has, and what unending beauty.

2008-11-03T14:39:00.000-08:00

The Wild West

30 x 40 inches

graphite and gouache on paper

2008-09-28T22:24:00.001-07:00

2008-09-28T22:21:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, knowing what you want is the biggest heartbreak of all.

2008-09-27T16:02:00.001-07:00

a room, a garden, a studio

2008-09-08T14:33:00.001-07:00

a beginning, an end

2008-09-07T19:15:00.000-07:00

graphite and acrylic on paper

again, another.

2008-09-03T10:18:00.000-07:00

graphite on paper

NYC July 4th

2008-08-17T12:33:00.000-07:00

ice cream and fireworks never gets old.

New Art

2008-08-09T15:03:00.000-07:00

Here are some flicks of the work I made while I was in New York.

The Show

Desire/Decay
hard ground etching with aquantint, a la poupe
18x24

Detail

Nest
lithograph and hard ground etching
8 x 10

Desire/Satiation
hard ground etching
12 x 12

detail

horrible blurry photo of a ship i did as a test plate.

another version of the one above

SVA Residency Open Studios

2008-07-30T17:27:00.000-07:00

If you are around NYC tomorrow, drop by and check out the SVA open studios that I am part of.

141 West 21st Street @ 6th ave
9th floor

Thursday, July 31
6:00-9:00 PM

I'll be posting photos of the show next week!

2008-06-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

The Farewell Waltz Claire Droney 2008

I'm leaving for NYC on Sunday, in a whirlwind. I have been simultaneously digging in deep here while preparing my escape. I have a new job lined up for me when I return, at the Imagine Bus Project.

I am sure I am forgetting something.

dreams of my childhood

2008-06-12T11:05:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I miss France so much it hurts.

does this ever happen to you?

2008-06-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

I came to work the other day and my co-worker was dressed like this:

and these people were on stage:

Stars and Garters Theatre Company

to the wolves

2008-05-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

© Claire Droney 2008

I've been sitting on about 200 pictures I took at a wolf conservatory in Battleground during my travels in March and have finally gotten around to using them. Photographing the wolves was an amazing experience. The wolves I met were adapted to humans, and came right up to me, sniffing, jumping, and gnawing on me. Yes, gnawing. In a seminar before going in with the wolves, I was taught that, unlike dogs, if a wolf jumps on you, you should move towards them, and if they try to bite you, you should stick your hand in their mouth. Did you get that? I STUCK MY HAND IN A WOLFS MOUTH. On purpose. To get it to not bite me. Counterintuitive and just plain stupid as it seems, these tactics work.

strange days

2008-05-19T23:13:00.000-07:00

An Elegant Poision © Claire Droney 2008

Got it!

2008-05-07T11:55:00.000-07:00

Untitled #9 by Kent Rogowski

I just bought this print from Jen Beckman's 20x200 (See this post for details on 20x200). I feel pretty lucky because the whole series sold out in 10 minutes! What a quick draw I am. I have been thinking a lot about the concept of creating art objects and apparently Jen Beckman has too. Here is an excerpt from her email about Rogowski's piece:

"Kent's project really pushes the topic of object vs. document. He's taking objects made from photographs, deconstructing them, reassembling them, documenting those reassembled objects and then to top it all off, these documents become different objects entirely when you present them at different sizes. Which is what the exhibition is all about."

dreaming wildly

2008-05-02T00:41:00.000-07:00

New Work

The wing is 22 x 20 inches, graphite on paper

The falling bird is 18 x 18, graphite, acrlyic and photography on rag paper. The photo does it no justice, it is very gray with all kinds of fall out on the right side, but it will be a while before I get in the studio with it, so it will have to do.

city living

2008-05-01T16:49:00.000-07:00

I'd rather be here

2008-04-19T12:26:00.000-07:00

2008-04-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

Kamping Kabins by Ian Baguskas

I just received this beautiful print in the mail from Jen Bekman's 20x200 project. Each week she puts out a series of prints by a new artist and sells them for only $20! How can you beat that?

I also recently received 3 of 4 books I will be getting from these birds walk. Beautiful little white books with some great photography, including a book of photos from Mike Brodie who is currently showing at SF Camera Work. Check it out, its good.

2008-04-08T01:22:00.001-07:00

The ship piece I made as part of a book, 5 years ago, and I've always liked it-simple as it is. I also started researching artists exploring similar themes and found Amy Ross and Jeana Sohn. Both of them also have blogs and not surprisingly, list Kiki Smith as a major influence.

2008-04-04T15:02:00.000-07:00

Power org and gallery space Southern Exposure has asked me to donate a piece to their annual art auction. I am more then happy to have the opportunity to show alongside Jim Goldberg, Todd Hido, Andrew Schoultz, and so many other great artists. I am donating the above piece, framed. It is called "First in a series of disappointments" and is photography, graphite and paint on 16 x 20 inch rag paper. I will be there, prowling the lesser known artists work for a piece I can actually afford, as I hope someone will do the same with mine--though I am not sure what I will price it at yet? Any thoughts?

Here is the info on the show:

OPTIC ILLUSION
Southern Exposure Annual Spring Fundraiser and Art Auction
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Location: SomArts, Main Gallery 934 Brannan Street
MAIN EVENT: 7:30 pm - 11:00 pm
VIP RECEPTION: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
LIVE AUCTION: 8:30 - 9:00 PM
SILENT AUCTION: 7:30 - 10:30 PM, lots begin to close at 9:45 pm
Tickets: $30 advance purchase, $40 at the door
$65 tickets includes a one-year membership to SoEx
Tickets for the VIP Reception start at $150
Buy tickets online at www.soex.org or over the phone at 415-83-2141.

Inspiration

2008-04-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

Amy Stein found this great video on Oakland based photographer Todd Hido.

Indiana

2008-03-23T07:57:00.001-07:00

Tennessee

2008-03-20T20:05:00.000-07:00

kentucky

2008-03-18T21:54:00.000-07:00

Meet Petey

2008-03-13T17:41:00.000-07:00

Don't Trust the Living

2008-03-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

New Life

2008-03-10T12:17:00.000-07:00

New Father--Day 1

Me and my new friend, Lyla Jane

Also, Sorry Dad.

2008-03-04T16:26:00.000-08:00

The life of art

2008-02-28T13:47:00.002-08:00

IF, Ed Ruscha

“…I had a daydream once not long ago about an imaginary person known as the Information Man, and I wrote it down. Let me read it to you.

The Information Man is someone who comes up to you and begins telling you stories and related facts about a particular subject in your life. He came up to me and said, ‘Of all the books of yours that are out in the public, only 171 are placed face up with nothing covering them; 2026 are in vertical positions in libraries, and 2715 are under books in stacks. The most weight on a single book is 68 pounds, and that is in the city of Cologne, Germany, in a bookstore. Fifty-eight have been lost; 14 have been totally destroyed by water or fire; 216 books could be considered badly worn. Three hundred and nineteen books are in positions between 40 and 50 degrees. Eighteen of the books have been deliberately thrown away or destroyed. Fifty-three books have never been opened, most of these being newly purchased and put aside momentarily…

Of the approximately 5000 books of Ed Ruscha that have been purchased, only 32 have been used in a directly functional manner. Thirteen of these have been used as weights for paper or other small things, 7 have been used as swatters to kill small insects such as flies and mosquitoes, 2 were used as a device to nudge open a door, 6 have been used to transport foods like peanuts to a coffee table, and 4 have been used to nudge wall pictures to their correct levels. Two hundred and twenty-one people have smelled pages of the books. Three of the books have been in continual motion since their purchase; all three of these are on a boat near Seattle, Washington.

Now wouldn’t it be nice to know these things.”

-Ed Ruscha as quoted by A.D. Coleman in Light Readings: A Photography Critic’s Writings, 1968-1978

All that I missed

2008-02-25T13:06:00.000-08:00

Overlooked

2008-02-19T11:44:00.000-08:00

why i'll always love film

2008-02-17T16:57:00.000-08:00

waiting

2008-02-13T20:48:00.001-08:00

"Everything, somehow fit together;
some sly and benevolent Providence was revealing itself by degrees and
I felt myself trembling on the brink of a fabulous discovery,
as though any morning it was all going to come together-my future,
my past, the whole of my life--and I was going to sit up in bed
like a thunderbolt and say oh! oh! oh!"
The Secret History

saturday, overheard

2008-02-09T17:21:00.000-08:00

"at the time i felt like it always worked out for the best for me--i always ended up on the winning end" (women walking)
--
"why smoke pot if i can't eat?!" (shouted)
--
"death is the mother of beauty.
and what is beauty?
terror.

and if beauty is terror, then what is desire? we think we have many desires, but in fact we only have one. what is it?
to live." (read)
--

(molly)

seeing

2008-02-06T22:04:00.001-08:00

a walk in the woods

2008-02-04T19:26:00.000-08:00