Wilbo Stumbles Upon An Art Opening in Grand Haven, Michigan

Dear Emergent Painter;
I enjoyed reflecting upon your work as I drove eastward towards Royal Oak. Luckily, since I didn't leave Grand Haven until one in the morning, I was able to stop halfway at my parents near Owosso, Michigan. I see five strong elements in your work, and I anticipate seeing how they blend and contend in your future work. First, you paint fairly realistic paintings of vineyards, domesticated plants with hidden roots.

Second, you paint magically charged trees of mystery, with gnarled exposed roots throbbing with a pagan, druidic energy. These are not domesticated shade trees for a front yard, and these are the exposed roots of trees surviving on river banks as the current slowly topples the tree. I have noticed these kinds of tree roots in the cypress forests of the everglades, but only when some feature of the soil or swamp forces the roots to compromise. These are tree roots out of the mythic stories of J.R.R. Tolkien, tree roots that have the power to come to life and protect protagonists.

Third, one series explore the possibility of snifters and wine glasses set in still life with wine bottle. I think those wine and cordial bottles hold a potent brew, more inebriating than earthly liquor. Some painters who wish to make a sale include recognizable labeling, but your paintings do not pander this way. More, there is a blur or distortion in the drinking glasses, indicating that these are not knock offs of liquor advertisements. These are memories, brief fixations of the mind's eye.

Fourth, I enjoyed the series representing rock musicians that were expressive of the alternative consciousness that occurs when one has bonded with the musician and accepted his performance. Good rock photographs have this quality, and I notice this quality when experiencing photographs in Rolling Stone. Even though your pictures were far above me on the wall, I felt too close to your musicians.

Fifth, I noticed a painting of children playing on the forebeach as a wave slid back into the lake as a sheet of water. I noticed it had been sold, and your friend J. said that it had many competitors for the priviledge of buying it. I wondered why it was the only one of its kind, at least as far as I could tell. Again the mystery of viewer placement transformed my experience of the image. I had been placed in knee deep water, watching the children protectively.

Again, thanks from drawing together such an wonderful number of art enthusiasts. I met ten or fifteen interesting people in my hour at your show. And I understand that your close friend was one of the troubadors brightening the moment with their performance. I am glad I stumbled upon this magic moment on Washington Boulevard.

Best,
Wandering Wilbo

If Wilbo Were A Tree, He Would be Planted Up to His Knees.