Nearing the Bong-tree and the runcible spoon hour

This week I’m delivering all of my new artworks for a one-person exhibit at the urban winery Burnt Bridge Cellars.

Currently my studio looks like this.

Via one of the galleries that represents my work year around, Caplan Art Designs, I’m exhibiting 13 of my newest artworks at Burnt Bridge Cellars during both June and July!

All of my artworks were inspired by Edward Lear’s poem “The Owl and the Pussycat”.

The opening party is at Burnt Bridge Cellars, First Friday June 6 2025 and my exhibit runs through to the end of July. It’s free to come look at art and listen to music – glasses of wine and dinner have a charge. Reservations for dinner are encouraged.
https://www.burntbridgecellars.com/

Here’s the exhibit statement I wrote:

“In 1867 Edward Lear wrote a poem titled “The Owl and the Pussycat” which has inspired my mixed media paintings. Lear’s time period had economic problems as well as gender based controversy somewhat like our current time. During his lifetime Lear never specified the genders of the Owl or Pussycat. I value nonsense literature because it playfully reminds us that we make meaning together using words and symbols. We can mutually seek the safety of gentle humor, the place beyond cruelty, where the Bong-tree of the heart grows.”

“They sailed away, for a year and a day,
   To the land where the Bong-Tree grows”

I’ve also turned all of my artworks into a kids book style art album because I like to do that!  The image below is of the book cover.  I’ll have a very few printed books at the opening party and ongoing access to the book in both print and ebook forms is here
https://www.blurb.com/b/12431156-the-owl-and-the-pussycat-art-album

As I wrote recently in my email newsletter I’m chuckling because the chef has included a dish that has quince in it! One of the poem stanzas that inspired my artwork says

“They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
   Which they ate with a runcible spoon;”

I love the added edible dimension to my exhibit – which I think of as a poem you can walk around inside.

“They dined on mince, and slices of quince,
   Which they ate with a runcible spoon;”

During the opening party there’ll be music and hopefully many hearts happily dancing by the light of the moon!

If you can’t come in person to the winery you can see all of my paintings by clicking here.

However you see my exhibit I hope it’ll raise a smile! Thank you for looking!

5 responses to “Nearing the Bong-tree and the runcible spoon hour”

  1. I absolutely love your artist statement. And how fun that they will be serving quince at the event! I have eaten quince jelly but never in any other way. I hope opening night is a roaring success!

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    1. Thank you so very much!! Writing art statements is challenging – and I’m pleased too with how this one turned out. Like you I’ve not had quince in any way besides jelly – so it’ll be fun to try it! Wish you were able to come… and thank you for your good wishes!!! 💙💚💙💚💙💚

      Liked by 1 person

  2. I didn’t realize that the genders of the Owl and the Pussycat weren’t mentioned in the poem. The genders didn’t matter! I hope your opening is a smashing success!! (I have faith it will be.)

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Aww thank you for your kind wishes!! Likewise I didn’t notice the absence of gender in the poem until I was reading a biography of Edward Lear and that was discussed as a “controversial issue” within his time period.
    Seems so much changes and so much stays the same…
    Thank you again!! 💚💙💚💙💚💙

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  4. […] I put my exhibit statement there at the beginning. (You can also read my exhibit statement here.) […]

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