Victoria Hoyt

A rather nippy 1 degree night

2010-01-02T19:24:00.000-08:00

After staying in all day painting and cooking I wish I could say that I am sipping wine and relaxing to finish the day, but it's not true. The wine ran out and it's too cold to go get more. I'm also afraid that I'm relaxed out. My family takes the holidays seriously-- meaning we do nothing and after doing nothing for days on end I am really ready to do something. I'm even to the point that I wish school started again on Monday...something I didn't think would happen.

I'll admit that until one night just before finals I was pretty skeptical that I made the right decision going back for my MFA. It's not that anything pointed to it being the wrong decision, just that nothing was adding up for me to believe it was THE decision. There's a lot of talk about school when you're in the artist world. Where to go, when to go, who to study with, how much it matters, how much you should pay for it, that it's all bullshit anyway... everyone, even non-artists, has their advice. My decision was practical and I took an opportunity not knowing what other ones would come along if I tried for it. It was a difficult choice. I think I am becoming okay with it. My new community is shining with possibility at the moment. I'm excited to be working so much on just painting and I'm looking forward to more conversations with people that I just recently have begun to talk to.

I'm still working with paper and abstraction. I have a tendency to bounce around and I'm trying to focus more on a consistent path. Although I could blame today's work on the holiday break, I know it's more an issue with how I work. I need to quit sooner than I do sometimes. I finished a painting that had space and depth and was happy with it, but wanted to start another one using the same techniques. Knowing this was a bad idea I started a new one anyway. It began innocently with subtle yellows and blues--I visited western Nebraska after Christmas and the colors are sticking with me--but then I sabotaged it. Soon it had an inky cloud with cartoon raindrops and a little dancing couple amid a wash of bright pink. It's ridiculously far from my intentions. Like ripping out knitting, though, everything is progress if you look at it the right way.

I realize there's a lack of paintings to look at this post. I need to catch up on recording my images and it's not going to be tonight. I'll post one I took out west near Crawford, Nebraska in the meantime. Clearly needs some hot pink in there, don't you think?

much later and longer than anticipated

2009-10-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

Hi again,

This was a much later post than I promised and I feel slightly guilty for having such optimistic goals for the blog. I don't know how I am already half a semester in and enjoying fall break, it doesn't seem possible. Today Paula Wallace, John Dennison and I hung our "Grimm Again" show at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts in Nebraska City. It's amazing how different it looks in this space, as opposed to the Hot Shops gallery, and with a few new pieces here and there. Even if you saw the original show at the Hot Shops it is worth the trip to Nebraska City. The opening is Thursday, November 5th from 4:30-6:30 and the show runs October 26th- December 12th.

School. A lot of people are asking what I'm doing in school. Well, I'm doing a lot of the same things I was doing when I wasn't in school, but at a more inspired pace. Not because of deadlines, but of exposure to artists and practices and the overall invigoration of an academic environment. We had a banner week of Jun Kuneko and Barbara Takenaga's lectures followed up by a visit from the artcritical.com critic David Cohen. They were all great, but I took the most from Takenaga.

Her work is ridiculously compulsive and I find it magical. She described her paintings as "happy death paintings" which shows her melancholic seriousness as well as her humor- she definitely has a lot of both. So I'm smitten with this abstracted world and patterns and how they can mean so much more than they seem. I have a tendency to add people because they "mean something," but I enjoy patterns and details and ground a great deal. Here are other people I've run across and keep checking back on them:

You Si. I like that everything is packed, organic and too much.

James Siena. I really should have known about him, but I didn't until my prof brought him up. He works small, usually on paper and is master of patterns with human touches.

Dasha Shishkin. She patternizes, she narrates, she's got animals, people, sex, colors, fabulous environments. How can you not love this work? I will definitely be stalking this woman's career. Meanwhile, I'm working on abstractions in small formats. Here is some recent work, one is a detail, one is unfinished, but you get the idea:

I hate reading long blog posts. I hope more people do not agree with that sentiment than do and you made it through to the end. Hopefully will chat sooner than two months from now, but no promises!

shifting into academia

2009-08-17T12:13:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

Actually entering a graduate program is finally hitting me today. I moved into my studio on the Lincoln campus last week and have been on an integration program (that sounds kind of official, but think of made of tasks to get to know a new place) to slowly get accustomed to this new environment. I made it to the pool today and without being too deep about it, water is water everywhere and you can feel pretty much the same no matter where that particular pool is. It was a welcome calm. There is something about being on campus and the air getting cooler and all the people I don't know around that puts a little pit in my stomach. It also smells like hot dogs because I am right across from Memorial Stadium and I am worried I will never feel the same about them again. It's true, although a vegetarian I sometimes give in to the little guys. They are just so tasty at a ball game.

I'm posting a few drawings I made over the summer at the life drawing classes held at Hot Shops. Until the class I had forgotten that I really like life drawing. I love being in class and everyone concentrating and not talking and how fast three hours scoot by. I love the failures as much as the successes because it's a humbling experience trying to capture someone's body on a piece of paper. There's always so much there.

Also wanted to write to say that this blog will become more of a "blog" in the next few months (years?). Part of my desire to study further was to escape the market a bit and focus on my work as work instead of commodity. Hopefully I'll explore my process and narratives more and become more open about sharing before a painting is completely finished. I would also like to comment more on other artists' work and just the day to day thoughts about what I'm learning and doing. I hope you continue to check out the site every so often and join the conversation.

-Victoria

Interdependence Goes Unkempt

2009-06-04T18:39:00.000-07:00

Lorrie Moore has a wonderful short novel entitled, "Who Will Run the Frog Hospital?" based on a drawing/painting done by one of the characters in the book. I think this is my interpretation of that title even though I have lost the visual image of how she described the original artwork in the book. Nonfictional frog deformities and erasure of species adds to the ominousness of the situation. This will be my last painting in awhile as I'm set up to move and have things packed away. August will be here soon enough!

24" x 26"
$650

Open House This Weekend!

2009-04-30T18:30:00.000-07:00

Looking at that cleanly swept floor you have to know it's open house time again. Due to a running race that I got sucked into training for I will only be there Saturday, not Sunday, from 11-6. School is coming up so this will be my last one for awhile- prices have been knocked down and I'm up for bargaining- woo hoo! It's May already- celebrate with art!

Also- new slideshow to the right with all my unsold paintings there, I don't know why that has taken me so long to figure out. I hope it's helpful!

two more

2009-04-07T06:28:00.001-07:00

The top one was done right after my sister's nursery painting- I think the influences are still there. The bottom one is the most recent, done after the "Inside This Soft World." With details and everything. Sorry, I usually don't mix up the order so much!

top: Shifting Ground, 20" x 24" Sold.

bottom: Washed Away, 12" x 18" Sold.

a few new ones

2009-04-02T06:58:00.001-07:00

It's been awhile since I've posted! eek. I am starting school in the fall down in Lincoln, Nebraska for an MFA and am scrambling a bit figuring everything out. Still painting, but trying to stick to days where mind is not wandering (difficult). Here are a few that I finished recently, there will be more tomorrow!

top: Inside This Soft World (in reference to Mary Oliver's poem "Mindful") Sold.

bottom: that's just me playing, I don't know if this one will be for sale

They are both 12" x 18".

Discovering the Bug Motel

2009-01-03T11:01:00.001-08:00

This was commissioned by my lovely brother-in-law for my sister in honor of their first child, Alex. I did not want it to look especially babyish, but playful and soothing to hang in the nursery. We kept a good surprise- also pictured is Laura unwrapping it just after Christmas. (Yes, it was wrapped in a trash bag.)

More little guys

2008-11-21T07:11:00.000-08:00

The top three are on small canvasses and the last two are on paper.
All are now sold.

Election stress, over.

2008-11-05T07:11:00.001-08:00

Now onto the holidays... Here are some smaller paintings I'm doing on paper. I'm not going to frame any of them this year like I've done in the past. Just a sampling, more are coming out!

Also- Louisville is having its 7th Anniversary Show next Saturday, the 15th. Come celebrate!

Nothing Came Unexpected

2008-09-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

This isn't meant to be a tease, but the full painting photo was really blurry. Here are parts:

This painting and other recent ones are currently at the Dundee Gallery.

Attic Sale

2008-09-17T13:59:00.000-07:00

All you smart shoppers out there, there is an attic sale at Louisville Art Gallery and the following paintings of mine will be discounted:

We'll Pass Many Moons Before It's Our Time

2008-08-28T17:53:00.000-07:00

20'' x 22''
Sold.

The Little Prince's War

2008-06-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

18" x 28"
$635.00

The Fisherman's Wife Reconsiders

2008-06-21T09:05:00.000-07:00

Sold.

Temptations Were Served

2008-06-08T08:19:00.000-07:00

18" x 28"
$635

This picture isn't the best- I'll replace it soon

some opening pics

2008-06-08T07:02:00.000-07:00

The show opened and everything looks great! The show will stay up through July 5th, so if you didn't make opening night there is still time!

show opening soon...

2008-05-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

Grimm Again (with John Dennison and Paula Wallace) is opening Saturday May 31st from 6-9 pm. Visit the Hot Shops page for directions. It's going to be a great show- stop by!

finished Juniper Tree series

2008-04-27T10:30:00.001-07:00

From top to bottom:
Fertile Ground, $600
Heads Rolls, $600
Bird From Bone, sold
What Remains, $600

They all have a lovely wood frame around them now- non intrusive to the piece itself.

The Juniper Tree Series, part I

2008-03-29T17:19:00.000-07:00

These are both unfinished, but I'm excited to where they're heading.
The Juniper Tree is a Grimm brothers fairy tale and it's quite creepy-- thoroughly enjoyable. Read it here!

The Maiden Collection

2008-03-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

acrylic on paper
24 " x 18"
sold.

Sparrows Sorrow Goes 'Round

2008-03-29T17:14:00.000-07:00

acrylic on paper
24 " x 18"
sold.

The Raven and the Sun

2008-03-29T17:10:00.000-07:00

24" x 36"

The Strength of the Young and the Wisdom of the Old

2008-03-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

This is the first one in the new folktale/lore, myth, fairy tale theme for the upcoming show. Very Mongolian inspired.
18 " x 30"

$1,180.00

The First Nut

2008-03-29T17:05:00.001-07:00

Aptly named considering I have many more paintings to upload!
This is one I made for the holidays-- I am quite aware that it is silly and probably nonsensical.
8" x 11"
$160

Upcoming show: Grimm Again

2008-03-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

I'm now working on paintings for the show I'm having with painter/printmaker Paula Wallace and John Dennison this summer. The show will run in June with an opening on May 31st and a closing party on July 5th-- mark your calendars! Should be a great show. I'll be posting more paintings I've finished soon.

We Do Not Grow Afraid

2008-01-20T16:04:00.001-08:00

30" x 36"
Sold.

Restoring What's Been Lost

2008-01-20T16:00:00.001-08:00

46" x 30"

new round of little guys

2007-12-11T08:27:00.001-08:00

In order:
fish feast, sold
in midst of seas, sold
mice in snow, sold
mutated desserts, $100
water rhythms, sold
quiet winter, sold
wild bells, sold
bird chat, sold
stacked fowlines, sold

Some experiments

2007-11-05T08:07:00.001-08:00

These are acrylic paintings on watercolor paper that are matted and framed. They will be staying at the studio for the Hot Shops Open House the first weekend in December.

They measure 18" x 24" when framed
all 3 sold.

Mouse-adoring Table

2007-11-05T08:01:00.000-08:00

Here is a table I did for a show last spring. I personally think these are mice, but if you are partial to rats you could think that's what they are. It's an excellent plant stand.
about 2' high, $200

For my Dad

2007-10-05T11:18:00.000-07:00

50" x 48"
Sold.

They Always Suspected There Was More

2007-06-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

30" x 26" (I think)

Sold. To the lovely Megan.

She Amazed Him Regularly

2007-05-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

30" x 40" and details.

Sold.

Fooled Into Indulgence

2007-05-09T05:23:00.000-07:00

24 x 26" and detail

$630

Smaller paintings, round 2

2007-05-09T05:16:00.000-07:00

From top to bottom:
Delightful head of fish, sold
Resisting the nibble, sold
Give peas a chance, sold
What's due, sold
The future of the wild, sold

Evasion of Fate

2007-02-17T18:04:00.000-08:00

40" x 42" and details.
Sold.

Smaller Paintings

2007-02-16T08:10:00.000-08:00

Last Open House I made some smaller paintings on paper hand-made by an artist downstairs and they turned out to be successful. They're fun for me to do because they don't take a month and good for buyers who don't like to choose between rent and art. Here are some that remain on the wall. They are small, slightly imperfect and sold for $65. The third one down shows how they are framed.
These are now all sold.

Hidden Space

2007-01-25T17:19:00.000-08:00

30" x 24"
Sold.

Choosing Your Love

2007-01-07T12:52:00.000-08:00

24" x 30"
Sold.

Feeding Beauty

2007-01-07T12:18:00.000-08:00

40" x 30"
Sold.

Out and About

2006-11-08T06:05:00.000-08:00

If you would like to see more of this painting come to the opening at Louisville Art Gallery on Saturday, November 18th. This painting and others will be shown in the gallery's 5th Anniversary Invitational and I'm glad to be a part of it. Click on the link for directions and other information. Hope to see you there!

The Threat in Smallness

2006-09-30T14:26:00.000-07:00

30" x 24" and detail.

Losing Ground

2006-09-20T04:21:00.000-07:00

30" x 24"
Sold.

More broken rules

2006-09-11T17:44:00.000-07:00

I don't normally do this either (the other being telling you I don't like certain ones. see below), but I thought it would be nice to show a couple shots mid-painting. Here are two that I'm currently working on. Actually, the red one is almost done and I'm a big fan. (whew.) And the striped one I just started. It's in the stage of me staring at it everyday figuring out what to do with it. It's a fun stage. It's not done, however, and it will look nothing like this in the future-- so detach, detach.

Growing

2006-09-11T17:28:00.000-07:00

So, I suppose it isn't in my best interest to say these aren't my favorites, but... they're not. They are my first two after vacation. If you like them, however, it'll be okay; it could just be me. My attachment to paintings lies in where I was (mentally) was when I was painting them. And I don't think I was loving being back in Omaha (broke) after being in exotic Mongolia and Indonesia. The good news: I'm over it.

on top: Breeding the Ordinary-- Sold.
on bottom: Finding a Door in the Must

Back in Omaha

2006-08-12T06:42:00.000-07:00

I've returned from travelling now, so look for new posts soon!

Field Research

2006-06-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

For the next 6 weeks I will be out and about in Asia doing artist research (travelling). If you would like to contact me it'd be best to shoot an email, not call my phone, and I can arrange something when I return. Hope the static blog doesn't get you down too much... until August, Victoria

The biggun

2006-06-18T07:01:00.000-07:00

This is the triptych piece I recently completed for my parents (the comissioners-- I'm sneaky, too). It seems to be a perfect fit for bear woods and its residents; I couldn't be happier with the result. Each painting is 2 1/2' x 6' and, of course, there are details.

Details

2006-06-18T06:47:00.000-07:00

What Comes After

2006-06-17T19:03:00.000-07:00

24" x 30" and a detail.

$500

Bag Experiment

2006-06-06T13:31:00.000-07:00

I'm working on being more crafty to be able to quit my job sometime soon. Here is my prototype for a painting bag- one with a painting framed on a flap. Luckily, I had this wonderful model on hand so he could show you how it is worn. In case you are wondering why I haven't posted new paintings in awhile it is because I am working on a large comission and I can't post its progress because the buyers are sneaky-- I want it to be a surprise!

On Disappointment

2006-04-20T17:35:00.000-07:00

30" x 24"

Claiming Surrender

2006-04-20T17:32:00.000-07:00

24" x 30"
Sold.

Resolve and Flounder

2006-04-05T09:35:00.000-07:00

18" x 24"and detail.
Sold.

Without a Chance

2006-04-05T09:34:00.000-07:00

24" x 18"
Sold.

Proof of Another

2006-04-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

24" x 18" and a detail.

Deafening Euphoria

2006-03-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

27'' x 39'', also some details

Unwanted Distractions

2006-03-09T10:38:00.000-08:00

39" x 27"

2005

2006-03-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

These are some paintings from my year in St. Peter, Minnesota after school. I wish River Rock Coffee had a website so I could connect you there; it was where I worked and played and had a couple art shows. All these paintings are now sold.

2006-02-24T08:16:00.000-08:00

This is my messy studio that's bigger than my cottage (current living situation)... And there's me in it!

The Quiet Wants We Stalk

2006-02-24T07:49:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, the bottom of this painting is cut off... Oops. The little guy in the tree is stringing some things together and it continues on the ground. Sorry to make you imagine that part.
Sold.

These Yolks Are Going Free

2006-02-24T07:45:00.000-08:00

18'' x 24''

One Year

2006-02-24T07:43:00.000-08:00

18" x 24"

2004

2006-02-24T07:37:00.000-08:00

These are three paintings from my senior year in college (Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota) and the beginning to my current style.

The Secret Keeper

2006-02-24T07:36:00.000-08:00

Sold.
39" x 27"

Strange Completion

2006-02-24T07:25:00.000-08:00

Sold.
27" x 39"

Shedding the Superfluous

2006-02-24T07:19:00.000-08:00

27" x 39"

What Floats By

2006-02-24T07:08:00.000-08:00

Sold.
27" x 39"

Unwillingness to Shine

2006-02-23T05:35:00.000-08:00

Sold.
27" x 39"