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COLOR & CLAY – A DUET

Art Uptown artists JOAN LIBBY HAWK AND JANA MILLSTONE connect virtually

Ceramist Joan Libby Hawk and painter Jana Millstone present a collaborative virtual exhibit, COLOR & CLAY – A DUET, presenting clay objects and paintings that celebrate color, light and form.  Conceived as a uniquely integrated installation—initially slated for May 2020 at Sarasota’s Art Uptown Gallery – the artists now share their collaborative vision via social media.  

 Joan & Jana: “We really responded to the concept of interacting with each other’s art, like good friends,” explaining that their installations reflect how people actually experience their own varied, personal art collections.”

 Painting by Jana Millstone: “Focus/Flow” acrylic and silkscreen on paper. Framed 16”X20”,

Ceramics by Joan Libby Hawk, left to right:  “Top of the World”, porcelain vase, 3”h, “Light Pool”, low stoneware bowl, 3hX9wX9d”, “Quiet Vision”, covered vessel, stoneware, 12”h, “Think Tall”, stoneware vessel, 6”h,

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Jana & Joan began this project before the need for social distancing and have found it is helpful to their creative practice to be able to communicate (digitally) and exchange ideas.The artists share that approaching their exhibit via social media personally represented a small victory over this dark and threatening period.  

The artists share that approaching their exhibit via social media personally represented a small victory over this dark and threatening period. 

Joan: While ‘virtual’ cannot replace ‘actual’, I’m grateful for the chance to send off these images with Jana as a small, never seen before gift…a respite of sorts.”

 Jana: The painting above is inspired by a quote from Louise Nevelson and incorporates her words:“All of a sudden I saw a crack of light ... then all of a sudden I saw another crack of light. Then I saw forms in the light. And I recognized that there was no darkness, that in darkness there'll always be light.” The artists hope the images of this modest collaboration lifts spirits.

 Painting by Jana Millstone: “There will always be Light” Acrylic and silkscreen on Paper
20”x 30” framed
Ceramic by Joan Libby Hawk: Stoneware vessel with hand-built stopper “Lotus”, 8 ¼ h,

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Jana & Joan: “Since we are each big fans of each other’s work, in late December 2019 we thought let’s explore the connections between them.” 

Joan: “We’re in sync, responding to the other’s pieces and process.”  Jana: “Wow, we exchanged so many pictures and written ideas, almost surprised at how amazingly well the movement and color from this 2-D painting works with the luster and luminosity of these 3-D glazed forms.”  

Both artists agree, “It’s exciting how we are having this dialog and the works speak naturally to each other.”

 Painting by Jana Millstone: “Sentinel Light” Acrylic and silkscreen on Paper 11 x16” framed 16X20

Ceramics by Joan Libby Hawk: “Singular Touch”, altered and textured stoneware vessel, 5”h, “Maine”, stoneware bowl, 4hX8w”, “Rains”, stoneware bowl, 3hX7h”, ; “Meditative”, vessel, 8h”, .

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Joan and Jana share a contemporary artistic sensibility. Both appreciate the study of simplicity of form and color evident in Asian art forms. Joan lived in Southeast Asia, paying special attention to Chinese export ware and the country’s ceramic influence on Thai and Cambodian ceramics. Jana has always loved Japanese art and was deeply inspired by her recent trip to Japan researching “Nihonga,” traditional Japanese pigment painting. Jana says: “We welcomed the prospect of working collaboratively, bringing in our distinctive backgrounds and influences in a kind of jazz duet, using different mediums but uniting in a similar vision.

 Painting by Jana Millstone: “Impact“, acrylic hand paint and stencil on paper 16X20” framed
Ceramics by Joan Libby Hawk “Resilience”, tall vessel with hand-built extension, 14 ½ “h

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To realize her Color & Clay – A Duet paintings, Jana applies many sheer layers of acrylic and incorporates silkscreen and stencil techniques that heighten the radiant quality of these color composition. 

Joan’s studio has an entire area dedicated to glaze formulation.  With trials on a multitude of small tiles, it is a journey of measurement, chemistry, and epiphany. 

 Painting by Jana Millstone: “Tracery” acrylic hand paint and[MOU2]  stencil on paper 16X20” framed
Ceramics by Joan Libby Hawk left to right: “Hold On” Closed form, with bead inside so rattles, 3 ½” $140.; “Light Diffused” Turquoise, creamy yellow bottle, 6”.

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Jana’s new series, inspired by the Color & Clay collaboration, showcases her ability to create glowing transparencies, capturing through abstraction the light of the Florida Gulf coast.

 Joan: “I’ve been intrigued by these transparencies and patterns and interested in creating counterpoints. The show’s concept led me to diving into sculptural values and creating a unique glaze palette.”  

 Painting by Jana Millstone: “Glimmer Gold” acrylic on paper 16X20 framed

Ceramics by Joan Libby Hawk, left to right: “Rising Mist”, stoneware bowl, 4 ¾ h”X10 1/2wX10 ½ d, $225. “Heirloom”, stoneware vessel,4 1/2h, $135.  “Silent”, stoneware covered vessel, 13h,

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Artists always respond to the times they live in.

Joan: I hope that this virtual exhibit  conveys a sense of touching these smooth forms and seeing  the complexity of the glazes.

Jana said: The tactile quality of Joan’s work made me think about how people use beautiful things to comfort them. I wanted my work for this pairing to offer that sense of tranquility using colors that reflect nature.

 Painting by Jana Millstone: “Drift” acrylic and silkscreen on paper 16X20 framed. Ceramics by Joan Libby Hawk: “Shimmer”, stoneware bowl, 3 ½hx11 ½ d11 ½ w,

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Attracted by the interactivity of clay vessels and paintings, Joan says she worked to shape vessels that talk to each other and communicate with Jana’s paintings, just as you would  set them together in your home…“after all, they become visual members of the family.”  

 Jana says, “What I find exciting, is the point/counterpoint between my work and Joan’s.  Color and Clay--A Duet installations highlight the intimacy that people bring to my paintings…. For most of this series I worked in a smaller  format than usual , mostly 16” x 20”,  so the artwork can easily be nestled together in groupings with other cherished objects and works of art.”

 Painting by Jana Millstone: “Plum Leaves and Water” acrylic and silkscreen on paper 16X20 framed .Ceramics by Joan Libby Hawk, left to right: “Robin’s Egg”, porcelain bowl, 3”hx4 ½”wx4 ½”d. “Stratosphere”, stoneware covered vessel, 14”h,

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 The artists share an appreciation for artful environments – it’s one of the many reasons that they conceived Color & Clay – A Duet. 

 Jana: While I exhibit paintings on pristine white gallery walls, the work I create belongs to real life, where people enjoy[MOU3]  them in company and privately   My art moves on a journey from the intimacy of my studio, to the public space of a gallery and then to the home of the collector where it becomes an expression of their creativity as they place it with other objects they have chosen.

 Joan: “I think of my vessels as sculptures that can be held in one’s hand, enjoyed tactilely and used often. From prehistory /  to classic times / to now / ceramics occupy a complex space joining art, ritual and function. Studying ceramics in Oxford, England, along with attending the Ruskin School of Art, it was preordained to know the Arts & Crafts Movement and its reverence for artful environments made by hand, not machine.”

 Paintings by Jana Millstone: “Terra” diptych, acrylic and silkscreen on paper 16X20 two panels framed .Ceramic by Joan Libby Hawk: “Ready”, transparent turquoise stoneware bowl with added loops, 3 ½ “x6”x6 ”.

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Joan’s studio offers space for her to work in clay and other mediums as well. The space, set against a Sarasota, FL tropical forest and by a creek that overflows during rainy season, is thoughtfully divided into clay working areas, including glaze formulation, testing and firing, drawing and study, exhibition and contemplation. An easel and 2-D work in progress is always visible by the open-air deck. It is easy to follow her path from idea to art.

 Jana’s well-lit studio provides the white walls and tall ceilings she needs for review, edit and create.  Moving easily from constructed cutout paintings, to silkscreen, and material explorations, Jana’s study and work complements her creativity and makes it impossible to predict her next creative focus.

 Painting by Jana Millstone: “Flow”, acrylic and silkscreen on paper 16X20” framed .

Ceramic by Joan Libby Hawk: “Fluidity”, stoneware vessel with shaped extension, 11 ¾”h, .

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Joan: “Often, people send me pictures of where in their homes they’ve placed my piece, like welcoming a new visual friend.  I recently got an email from someone describing the pleasure he got when he put some of his garden’s early spring daffodils in his favorite vase, one of mine…so nice. Part of the pleasure working with Jana on Color & Clay is how the connections among the pieces mirror the relationship between the work and the collector – it’s intimate…” Jana agrees: “It is such a joyous connection to be able to speak to another person with your art. It is a wonderful way to share thoughts and emotions without words”

 Painting by Jana Millstone:  “Seagrass” acrylic and silkscreen on paper 14”x14” framed. Ceramic by Joan Libby Hawk: “Seascape”, stoneware closed form with bead inside so rattles, 4 ¼ “hx 5 ¼ “dx5 ¼ “.

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Jana: “For this series I chose to use only color and simple forms. It seemed the time was right to dispense with all narration and complication and focus on essence and beauty.”

 Joan: “You can see Jana’s patterns and colors through the handles of my pieces; a curve or color extend the connections from one medium to the other, I wanted to use that.” Joan continues to refine and simplify her porcelain and stoneware vessels, eliminating what feels extraneous. 

 Paintings by Jana Millstone, left to right: “Pulse”, “Happy Birthday”, “Slipstick” acrylic and stencil on paper 11”x14”, framed 16X20” . each

Ceramic by Joan Libby Hawk: “Elegy”, stoneware vessel with hand-built extension,  13”h.

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Joan’s small pieces are crafted with same study of proportion and form as their larger counterparts and each exudes a big personality. 

Jana says: “I was struck by the playfulness of the handles on Joan’s ceramics, adding so much character to the forms.  So, in the shared spirit of optimism, I named these paintings  Rebound and Rejoice. I wanted to express the same feistiness and fun in these artworks.

 Paintings by Jana Millstone, left to right “Rebound”, “Rejoice”, acrylic and stencil on paper 11x14, framed 16X20”

Ceramics by Joan Libby Hawk, left to right: “Suspended Curves”, porcelain vessel with curved extension, 7”h. “Classic Keats”, two-handled porcelain vessel, 4 ½ “h. “So…”, carved porcelain vessel with two handles, 4 ½”h, .  “Presence”, carved porcelain vessel with twin handles, 4 ¼ “h, . “Small Authority”, two-handled porcelain vessel, 4 ½h”, .

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Jana: “The professional experience I had required an understanding of multiple materials and technologies and convinced me there’s a way to achieve any vision.”  Educated at Pratt Institute, and other New York art schools, Jana’s career included design and illustration of clothing, jewelry and accessories; business products, and ultimately lead to directing design development at Lenox China. “Throughout all, I never abandoned my painting practice,” she explains.  The exploration of new techniques brought her to the Color and Clay project.

 Joan (laughing): “My background couldn’t be more different. Following my education at.Mount Holyoke College, I studied and practiced art while continuing to work. Welcoming two children necessitated big professional changes. My career included directing communications at NGO’s, government and the United Nations promoting women’s human rights and empowerment globally. I pivoted once again in in 2017 returning to art fulltime and opened my Sarasota studio.  I know my work in human rights and international experience plays a role in what I do now.” 

 Painting by Jana Millstone: “Silly Mountain” acrylic and stencil on paper 11x14, framed 16X20”.

Ceramics by Joan Libby Hawk, left to right: “White Drishti”, porcelain vessel with wrapped extension, 6”h,.

“Taos”, stoneware vessel with curved extension, 9 ¼ h”, $215.  “Fifth Position”, stoneware vessel with interior extension, 6 ½ “h .

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“I think my and experience as a writer contributes to my analytical approach,” says Joan.  “You know, writing an essay requires an underlying strong, lucid structure and inspires a suspicion of adjectives. In visual art too, I look for the structure or intention, if you will.  Perhaps that’s why Asian art and ceramics, particularly Korean, really pull me in.”

Jana: “I have been painting my whole life and have had the good fortune to exhibit in galleries and museums. I am always moved by the energy that is created when different art from different sources is placed next to each other. A new language is born from that proximity and that is what Joan and I hope to achieve with our unique work in Color and Clay.” 

 Painting by Jana Millstone: “Bubbles” acrylic and silkscreen on paper 11X14”, framed 16X20”.

Ceramics by Joan Libby Hawk: “My Indigo”, stoneware tea bowl vessel, 3 ½ “h, .  “Artist’s Pet”, stoneware thrown and hand built critter, NFS. “Blue Willow”, stoneware squared off bowl, 4”hX7”dX7”w.

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Jana: “I’m a bit deflated that our virtual exhibit is coming to a close, this creative process occupied a positive part of the last months. This series documented the potential of the Color & Clay – A Duet concept…I’m so glad we took up the challenge to use the space we could claim, however different it is from Art Uptown’s walls and gallery lighting.”

Joan: “The good news is we’ll continue to develop the concept.  I can envision doing our very own version of James McNeill Whistler’s “Peacock Room” that I visit every time at the Freer Gallery in DC.  Why not?”

 Paintings by Jana Millstone, left to right: “Dialog One”, “Dialog Two”, acrylic on paper 11x16”.

Ceramics by Joan Libby Hawk, left to right: “Aubergine”, stoneware bowl, 4 ¾”hX12”wX12 ½“d.”Flush”, stoneware vessel with curved extension, 9”hx6 ½”wX6 ½”d.

 Finale

The collaborative exhibit  meant to be show in Art Uptown’s real space, before Covid 19 intervened. As they review their work, the artists are pleased to have created an alternative visual experience from the one originally envisioned, but one that was particularly right for this time. 

Joan & Jana: “We look forward to creating the actual, real-time, touchable Color & Clay—A Duet and welcome everyone to come in and toast our collective resilience.  Please stay safe.”