Friends Plus Synergy = Frienergy Art Show

— by Margie Doyle —

Friends Michelle Reed, JoEllen Moldoff and BJ Arnold celebrate their artistic synergy in “Frienergy” art show at the Orcas Center through SeptemberAlternate Headline: “Artists Three Show Frienergy”

BJ Arnold, JoEllen Moldoff, and Michelle Reed are artists whose creative, joyful friendship will be spotlighted in the September exhibit at the Orcas Center, organized by the Visual Arts Committee of the Orcas Center.

For them, creating art is the ultimate in play. They embrace the risk and the unknown in the process of painting. They explore art together and independently with freedom, camaraderie and daring. So it was only natural when they were asked to do a show at the Orcas Center in September by the Visual Arts Committee that JoEllen, speaking for all three of them, said “Yes!”

She knew she didn’t want to do it by herself. Unusual in her personal modesty and unique in her generosity of sharing gifts with others, JoEllen of course turned to her two friends in making art when she was asked to mount a show.

“The Joy of Friends Making Art Together: Frienergy” reflects the synergy of the three women exploring their artistic expression.The friends meet on a weekly basis to paint and create and share with freedom, joy and risk.

Painting by JoEllen Moldoff

JoEllen, perhaps better known for her stewardship of the monthly Writers Roundtable and poetry workshops, says, “I never know the results when I face canvas or a page. Usually I start with splashes of color and hope I see something I want to play around with. There’s always form and composition and color to ‘frame’ the design, but I don’t have a goal in mind.”

BJ says, “I like to discover and play; to excavate like an archeologist. Exploring has been my creative bent throughout my whole life — in jewelry-making, glass, papier mache. I always wanted to make art and never thought I was capable. But it brings us all the joy, so we’re just going to do it and keep doing it.”

Michelle says, “Because I’ve been a poet for so long, it surprises me that I’m a painter and can paint. I have an embodied experience — not from the head but from the body — that ‘shoosh!’ feeling you get where time disappears and you’re just doing it! For the three of us together — it’s just joyful!”

They find fun in stretching themselves, whether inspired by teachers such as Jane Davies, Robert Burridge, Diana Sanford or BJ’s favorite passage from the poet Rumi’s:

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about.”

They emphasize getting past right and wrong, but excavating, seeking the field with your soul. Michelle says, They emphasize getting past right and wrong, but excavating, seeking the field with your soul. Michelle says, “Painting is the place I can directly experience boundlessness.”

They enjoy the practical aspect of art-making as well: shopping for art supplies, brushes and paints; or sharing whatever materials are at hand when they meet. They often attend workshops and classes together. JoEllen says, “It’s nice to have friends that are supportive and appreciative; that you can feel totally at ease with.”

Michelle says, “We’re compatible but our independent expressions are completely different.”

JoEllen agrees, saying, “You have to do the work alone as individuals, but it’s fun to be together, get opinion of someone you trust.”

The nasty little question of envy rises its deadly head, and immediately, simultaneously, all three respond: “Oh yes!”

• She’s so much better than me!
• How did she do that?
• Look at all the colors!

But that’s part of freedom and risk that drives them forward as they explore and excavate. They can ask if something is working or not in a piece, make suggestions, turn the painting on its side or upside down. They always “debrief” after a workshop or exhibit and question their own work, not knowing where they’re headed.

They appreciate the subtleties of sharing rather than competition in “a different kind of collaboration that reflects the uniqueness, and encourages the risk — all in celebration of NOT knowing.”

Painting by BJ Arnold

The three artists’ styles tend toward the expressionistic and abstract, rather than the realistic. They find they most appreciate the paintings that “have a vitality to them, that are suggestive and evocative rather than a complete representation,” and that always present a new picture when looking at them.

Their styles allow them to be more responsive to the moment. BJ’s new studio is surrounded by trees and she finds herself adding more trees in her art. JoEllen finds her work became more abstract in response to recent workshops: “I  begin to see expressionistic shapes that suggest florals, vessels and figures.” 

So if the process is the ultimate satisfaction, why do a show?

BJ jumps in: “Every once in a while you need to raise your anxiety!”

For JoEllen, the show is “a shift from making art solely for the fun of it to wanting to produce art that will be seen, and hopefully appreciated by the public. this raises the process of painting to a different level of commitment.”

BJ says, “The creative process goes through me,and once [a painting] is done, I want to let it go. I feel a sense of release.”

Michelle Reed painting

Michelle likens the show to a collection of poetry, determining where they are best going to fit, considering the process of display for a show. “Once we knew we would have a show, we’re dedicated to the presentation.

“The question,’Do you want to display?’ is seductive. It implies your work is of value. You’re making the statement ‘This is what I’ve done,’ as an offering.

“You don’t know how it will be received. It’s possible to look at a show as an end point, but it’s more important as part of the artist’s process”

And, BJ adds, “There’s a certain amount of validation in it.”

JoEllen says, “Since we started showing our work together at Mia’s, it’s always fun to be present and see people looking at our paintings and commenting on them. It’s rewarding that people get pleasure from the paintings.”

“Frienergy” will be at the Orcas Center beginning on Sept. 2 when an Opening Reception will be held from 5:30 to  7 p.m.