Among Other Things by Richard Kooyman & Melanie Parke
We celebrated Richard Kooyman and Melanie Parke’s new show, Among Other Things, over the weekend with a group of their local collectors and gallery supporters. Visiting Maine from Michigan, these delightful artists shared conversations about their work, process, and inspiration with some of our dearest supporters.
The title of the show, Among Other Things, is a nod to the way Richard and Melanie’s paintings are relational in the world and with each other.
Among other things is often used as a turn of phrase, implying there is more to list, more to tell, more to the story—a gesture toward plurality. The expression often conjoins two phrases in a sentence. For instance: Richard and Melanie designed their studio in a field, where, among other things, they find constant inspiration. As the title suggests, the phrase sits mid-sentence, mid-conversation—in the midst of the field, in the middle of it all.
Richard and Melanie locate themselves among plants, trees, flowers, and bees—to be immersed in, surrounded by, in the company of, and included in the spectacles of nature. This intimate show represents the multiplicity and profusion of relationships they cultivate in their environment.
A beautiful floral arrangement from Field Floral Studio took center stage in the dining area and played nicely with Melanie’s Yellow Shorebird painting.
We were grateful for unseasonably warm weather for October to be able to gather with friends around the patio for the morning.
We’re grateful to share this collection of intimate, immersive paintings with our gallery supporters, and so thankful that Melanie & Richard made this trip to spend time with us in Maine!
