Carole Sikes Artist / Writer in Austin, Texas

Early one fall morning I looked out to see the sun seeping through the fog and around the dark shapes. Almost everything was obscured except a hint of our casita that serves as our studio. Although not my usual mode of working, this image stayed in my mind begging for release. Here it is, altered by my memory and abstracted to present what remains memorable for me. It is 24" x 24" Oil on Canvas "FRACTURED SUNLIGHT". SUMMER AT AUSTIN, TEXAS ART MUSEUMS: At the BLANTON MUSEUM on the University of Texas campus "Matisse as Printmaker" continues until August 22nd. The 63 prints from the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation demonstrate a variety of technique and subject matter. They range from etching to woodcut and linoleum cut to the one-of-a-kind monotype. Matisse's editions were often 25 or 50 prints enabling numerous collectors, who could not afford his paintings or sculptures, to own and enjoy works in which he was deeply engaged throughout his career.

ALICE NEEL 12" x 12" oil on canvas Whoever heard of Alice Neel (1900-1984)? I did about 10 years ago when the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York gave a retrospective exhibition of her work. Her reputation was at its height at the time of her death. Because I had just started painting again after a 20+ year sabbatical, I was intrigued and hopeful that my art career still had some years to go. In fact I was so interested and amused that I painted this portrait of Alice Neel from published photographs of her in later years. The HOUSTON MUSEUM OF ART has put together "ALICE NEEL: PAINTED TRUTHS" so you can learn about her by visiting the Museum's Caroline Wiess Law building where their retrospective continues until June 13th. Check out the Museum of Fine Art Houston's web sight (MFAH.org) to order the catalog (same name as the show) for $65.00. Her life and works are featured in a documentary directed by her grandson; "Alice Neel" premiered