An exhibit presented by women artists Opening Reception: March 1st from 2-5pm Artist Panel Discussion: March 15th from 3-4pm Women artists face challenges that can inhibit their creative work: raising children, beginning new careers, moving to a foreign country, facing a life threatening illness, caring for aging parents, changing careers in mid-life. Nevertheless, She Persisted. Despite the unique challenges of womanhood, or because of these challenges, women continue to create…to heal, to express emotions not easily put into words, because of spiritual or financial necessity, to connect to a larger community, to find joy, to tell stories, to give back to those who have supported them, to overcome limitations, to show the next big idea, to find one’s way regardless of the lack of permission or acceptance. Nevertheless, She Persisted. Featured Artists: Natalie Avondet, Casaundra Beard, Joanna Fazzino Davis, Annie Donohue, Sam Evans, Teresa Fry, Keri Ghirardelli, Penny Gordon-Chumbley, Sarah Griggs, Laura Ingalsbe, Victoria Johnson, Ashleigh MacPherson, Alicia Mau, Debra McCamish, Sarah Middlebrook, Jennifer Nelson, Dana Neuenschwander, Lil Olive, Morgan Prosser, Christine Riutzel, Katie Rodick, Karen W. Schneider, Rebecca Lewis Smith, Shaza Umran, Cheryl Vowels, Barbara Williams, Dee Ann Zirschky

One hundred years ago, written letters (a common practice at the time) were being delivered to Adams Street in Quincy, MA. I had the fortune of driving by the actual residence just as they were set out for the weekly trash in 1995. There were approximately six large boxes of diaries, stamps, sheet music, and photographs. I had just started thinking about mixed media and recognized what turned out to be a wealth of material for me to work from. Over the last twenty years I have used them in my artwork. Most everything here is from that rainy day. At the time I was wondering what was in the boxes. It was pounding rain on a prominent street. Originally I only took about half the boxes. Later at a girls weekend in Cape Cod we pulled the boxes from the back of my automobile. Quickly we thought of a friend who lived a few towns away and asked him to drive to the residence and retrieve what was left of the beautiful artifacts. I am still cutting and pasting the original documents into my artwork. Timing and a keen eye is everything. I still go to garage sales and look for items with a soul. The beauty of ink on the paper captures my imagination.

Don’t miss it: the greetings from man’s best friend, taking the first bite, or the longing in an empty bag. The glow of neon, or the sunset at the edge of a cliff—life’s glitter is everywhere. Like a good joke find it, enjoy it, and share it with all. It’s all a stroke in life’s painting.

The ancient Roman philosopher Seneca wrote, “nothing is ours except time.” I share my own slipstream of time on my Missouri farm in this work. I have forever been awestruck by the indelible life force and beauty of the natural world. Whether I am looking at a sparkling reflection on the water’s surface, the veins of a translucent leaf in the sunlight, or the limbs of trees responding to the wind like dancers on the horizon. It is the sublimation of those threshold moments that I bring back to my studio. The language I find in nature fuses with my own language to convey feeling and suggest thought. This focus highlights the mysticism, value and sanctity of the now threatened natural world. I link this awareness to becoming better stewards of the earth, and the realization that we are undeniably and inextricably connected. While there is a quiet and beautiful calm in the paintings, there also is a thread of the uncertain. The paintings mirror nature, as both are like a temple. A place to enter, to feel, to contemplate. Lil Olive is currently an MFA candidate in painting at Savannah College of Art and Design. She has participated in three solo shows at Obelisk Gallery in 2017, 2019 and 2021. Olive has also exhibited in two nationally juried shows. Ecoconsciousness, 2020, juror Eleanor Heartney, an online catalogue and billboard show, and Inspiration, a group show at Webster University in St. Louis, Mo. in 2018.

This collection of works were part of Rosie's Garden Show displayed like a dream in her sister's picturesque backyard. This collection draws from simple moments with family and other observations throughout her daily life.

I love finding fluid surprises, abrupt compromises and the lifting of boundaries in each painting or drawing. Sometimes it goes well and I have something. Occasionally I won’t save it as a piece, but let it be kept in mind as information for the next. I don’t have formulas or preconceptions, preferring to let the work show the way to resolution."

Almost exactly two years ago I took the biggest leap of my life: moving from hometown of Springfield MO for the first time to Colorado to be closer to my family. It’s been quite the journey but not without great rewards. The first six months I was looking for a steady job while making an abundance of art, including continuing my voyage with abstract where I last left off at Obelisk in 2021 with my “Explorations” collection. I started the included abstract work in that window of time, and they have since been a welcomed respite to approach to complete as I worked toward this show. Obviously I have also been severely inspired by the Colorado landscape as I explore my new home and surrounding areas. Trying to bring the awe and vibrancy of the scenes back to life has been a nice balance with the abstract work. They both have their own sets of challenges and different mindsets I settle into while working. I’m delighted to share these new artworks and my progress with my community back home and the amazing Obelisk team.

Endless rolling hills, grand vistas, and the ever changing landscape of the Midwest, the Ozark Mountains in particular, are the inspiration behind this selection of oil paintings. Seasonal changes and the splendor of nature are represented in these abstract "windows to the outside world." Vibrant and colorful, and of the Earth.