The Back Story - Connie Roberts Fine Art

Many of my paintings have a backstory. It may be inspired by what I was experiencing when I snapped the reference photo, or how I was inspired by an old book while rummaging thru an antique store.

ClearStory Arts First Friday, 1/6/23

Acrylic on Cradled Wood

12 x 12

$175.

I had the pleasure of participating in ClearStory Arts First Friday in January. Another artist was setting up and had her children with her. I was struck by the cool graphic their shadows made on the wall; but more so, I was reminded how much I enjoy the artist’s life. This young family was there to support their mom’s art and passion, and she is modeling to the little girls what it looks like to pursue her dreams.

Timeless Beauty – Houston Museum of Decorative Arts

Acrylic on Cradled Wood

16 x 20

$350

While touring the museum for a commissioned project, I was drawn to the juxtaposition of the iconic windows full of colorful, timeless glass against the dark earthtones of the wood floors and antique furniture. I had to paint it as soon as I got home, and probably will paint more interiors of this beautiful and well-curated museum.

Anna’s Pretties

Acrylic on Cradled Wood

6 x 6

$65

I was invited to create some small pieces for the gift shop at the Houston Museum of Decorative Arts. While on tour there I was able to get some interesting shots of what Anna Safley Houston called her “pretties.” These guys reminded me of playing with my mom’s tchotchkes while doing my childhood dusting chores.

The Little Colonel

16x20x1.5

Mixed Media on cradled birch

$350

I found a copy of “The Little Colonel” at an antique store recently. First published in 1895, this is the first in the series of books about Lloyd Sherman, the Little Colonel. The Shirley Temple movie of the same name was based on this story. This edition was printed in 1919, the 33^rd edition, and not of much value as an antique book so I used it to make this mixed media piece.

What I fell in love with is the story of the six-year-old girl, Nelle Whitfield Duerson, who received this as a Christmas present in 1919 from “A.R. and Jimmie.” Like the little Colonel, she lived in Kentucky and was the same age. I did some research and found her obituary, which for some reason brought me to tears. She passed away in 2007 at the age of 94 having lived her entire life in Kentucky.

Big Fish

Mixed Media on 16x20x1.5 Cradled Wood

$350

This is another mixed media piece from my thrift and antique store rummaging. The images and text were taken from the June 1946 issue of a magazine called “Hunting and Fishing.”

I have developed a fascination for researching who owned the books and publications that I use. This one proved another interesting story.

It is addressed to Richard K. Wood of Chattanooga. Turns out he was well-known outdoorsman and photographer, had a book written about him, and even had a photo credit in the magazine. While researching him I saw a discussion about him on the Facebook page, Picnooga, which is dedicated to vintage Chattanooga photos and history.

Ladies Who Lunch

Mixed Media - Cradled Wood

24” x 18” x 1.5”

$400

Another inspiration from my love of all things mid-century, a 1962 Milton Bradly boxed game, “How to play Bridge,” by legendary player and teacher, Charles Goren.

The purple orchid symbolizes beauty, refinement and respect, sentiments reminiscent of values present in the TV shows I watched like, “Leave it to Beaver,” “Father Knows Best,” and “The Donna Reed Show.” I envied those fantasy families.

The mid century color story includes burnt orange, harvest gold and avocado. I added a pop of complimentary purple with the orchids.

This was done while painting left-handed when my dominant right hand was recovering from surgery. It is signed CR Lefty.

I'm OK, You're OK

Mixed Media on Cradled Wood

24” x 18” x 1.5”

$400

I’m OK, You’re Ok” is a self help book on transactional analysis written in 1967. It became popular when I was in high school in the early 70s. I picked up the paperback in a thrift store a while back thinking it could be cool in a mixed media piece.

I’ve also been reading recently about research on how generational trauma may be embedded in DNA. I reasoned that if trauma is in our DNA, then surely joy would be as well.

This painting celebrates spontaneous joy as I fall on the lighter, joyful side of deep thoughts.

This is a mixed-media effort with puzzle pieces, oil pastels, acrylic paint, crackle medium, ink, and the flowers are made of the pages from the 50-year-old book.

This was done while painting left-handed when my dominant right hand was recovering from surgery.

The Dawnings of Genius

18x24x1.5

Mixed Media on Cradled Birch

$400

Another book I found at Dirty Jane’s Attic, “The Dawnings of Genius Exemplified and Exhibited in the Early Lives of Distinguished Men,” published in 1853, contained some beautiful illustrations and brief biographies of some of the great minds prior to the 1800s.

From Pico Di Mirandola, philosopher of the Renaissance, to Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, founding fathers of America, author Theodore Alois Buckley’s goal was “…to make youth what it should be by showing what youth has been...”

While this work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, the book is not really collectable, and was in poor condition so I used it for the collage in this piece.

Two’s Company

24x36x1.5

Acrylic on Cradled Panel

$450

Some days I paint what I see, other days I paint what I feel. In this case, it was both. On a recent beach trip, I observed three young girls playing in the surf one morning.

They were in awe of each ordinary shell and stick that they found. Two girls showed each other their treasures, squealing with glee while ignoring the third girl. Instead of acting hurt, the girl shrugged it off and struck out on her own to discover, without needing the validation of anyone else. Her capacity for delight was quiet and personal, but I could see it on her face.

In capturing this moment, I had many feelings surface of times in my past, both as an adult and as a child, where I have felt excluded. I reflected on what colors those feelings brought up. I chose to paint the two little buddies in the colors of a cold shoulder. Miss Independent is portrayed in warm sunny colors, reflecting how she is basking in her own company. These color choices are reinforced with the ocean swimmers with couples in cool tones and singles in warm.