Mary Dryden Childs

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2010-08-30T06:53:00.000-07:00

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Upcoming show: Java Java, Charlottesville, VA

2009-12-31T10:26:00.000-08:00

I will have an exhibition at Java Java Cafe on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville starting January 2, running through the end of the month. Seven paintings, all from the Watson, all women, all working behind a counter: three manicurists from Brazil and Japan, three shopkeepers at the Great Wall in China, and one Shanghai coffee barista. The show is very informal -- the canvases are unstretched and will be hung with wires -- to let the viewer get to know the seven subjects without the barriers of formality, glass and frame.

Here's my artist statement for the show:

Counter//Culture

People work behind counters around the world. They serve coffee, they paint fingernails, they wash and color hair, they check you out of a supermarket. Every face is a person and every person different. The tiny moment you meet them you may not remember, they may not remember. But once in a while, in one of these momentary brushes, you notice the person across the counter from you is like you. You share something, some tiny thing, in common -- a dry sense of humor, a passion for accounting, a seven-year-old son, a love of chocolate, a new wedding ring, a protective mother, a faraway hometown, ticklish feet, a quiet dream. It may be as small as sharing that corner of the universe and time. Your job as a human being is to find those similarities, even and especially when they're not apparent. You have something in common with each of these women.

If you're in the area, check it out. Directions to the downtown mall can be found here (the Pavillion is at the east end of the mall; walk west and Java Java will be on your right, in the middle of the second block). The coffee's wonderful, and the hot chocolate is great. There's even a fire for sitting and thinking about how beautiful my paintings are. What luck!

Thanks for all your support! Emotional, financial, karmic and whatever else you're sending.

MC

Proof of Expo: Cafe Hugo

2009-09-27T06:27:00.000-07:00

Lovely amie Kacee, who is living in Paris for a year, ventured down to Cafe Hugo and took these pictures; there are two others in another room in the Cafe with the bar. These will be up through the end of November. Sorry the first one is rotated funny - it refuses to cooperate, so just turn your head? Thanks, you're the best.

Vendors: Seven Countries

2009-09-22T18:04:00.000-07:00

Acrylic on canvas. Painted in Paris for a show for La Loir dans la Theiere, Rue des Rosiers, 4e, Paris, France: October - December.

A Houseparty in London

2009-09-22T16:20:00.000-07:00

Acrylic on canvas. Painted Aug, Paris.

Exhibition for Onzebar, Paris, France, October - December 2009.

Guys Who Sell Fabric

2009-07-20T18:29:00.000-07:00

Fez and Dubai. Painted in Paris, July 09. Acrylic on canvas.

Construction Worker Series

2009-07-20T18:25:00.000-07:00

For reals this time.

Rwanda, Huangshan, Rwanda, Tokyo, London. All done in Paris in June/July 09. Acrylic on canvas.

Fez

2009-07-09T05:31:00.000-07:00

Assorted Sketches

2009-07-09T05:27:00.001-07:00

Paris. Pencil, chinese ink, acrylic. June/July 09.

Construction Series

2009-07-09T05:24:00.000-07:00

Series of sketches to compliment forthcoming paintingsBratislava
PragueRwamagana, RwandaJakarta

Paris, France. June/July 09. Acrylic on canvas, ink on paper. More to come.

Dubai

2009-06-09T05:31:00.000-07:00

Indian construction worker in Dubai, in Feb. Drawn in Paris the other day. Prismacolor on paper.

Bagatelle

2009-06-09T05:30:00.000-07:00

Paris, France, the other day. Acrylic and Prismacolor on paper.

Ghana

2009-06-09T05:29:00.000-07:00

Accra, Ghana. She was carrying fruit (apples?)on her head. Drawn in Paris, over a long time, and still not finished. Prismacolor on Bristol board.

Melanie

2009-06-09T05:28:00.000-07:00

Paris, France. The other day. Pencil on paper.

Bratislava

2009-06-09T05:26:00.001-07:00

He's from Kiev! A street artist! People in Bratislava, painted in Paris, last week. Acrylic on paper. I'm in a "wonky eye" phase lately. It's not their fault.

Budapest

2009-06-09T05:23:00.000-07:00

People from Budapest, Hungary. Painted in Paris, France. Acrylic on Paper. Last week.

Rwanda

2009-05-11T10:39:00.001-07:00

Paris, France. Pictures from just outside the ASYV, an hour outside of Kigali, nearish to Rwamagana. Pen on paper. May 5-11, still in progress. Sorry I took these pictures with my webcam; this site needed an update like whoa.

Dharmawangsa Guards and Greeting Staff

2009-02-16T00:21:00.000-08:00

South Jakarta, Indonesia. February 15 and 16, 2009. Pen and Acrylic on drawing paper.

Billie Sings the Blues

2009-02-15T23:40:00.000-08:00

Photo Plered. Painted Jakarta, Indonesia. Friday, Feb. 6. Acrylic on canvas. One of 122 Judge's Selections in Indonesian Heritage Society's "Images of Indonesia" Art Show, March 7, 2009.

Dylan A Mild

2009-02-11T09:18:00.000-08:00

Photo Plered, Painted Jakarta, Indonesia. Acrylic on canvas. Feb 7, 2009. 50x70.

Le Ciel dans une Chambre

2009-02-11T09:11:00.001-08:00

Photo: Plered, Java, Indonesia. Painted in Jakarta. Acrylic on canvas. Feb 8, 2009. 60x80.

Gifts, Commissions & Thank Yous

2009-01-26T21:32:00.000-08:00

Pictures from Manaus, Huangshan and Melbourne, respectively. All painted Melbourne, Aus. First Jan 16; Rest Jan 23-27. All acrylic on canvas.

Viva la Resolution

2009-01-26T21:22:00.000-08:00

Cute signature, non?
Che's commission: 4'x2' or so. Melbourne, Australia. Acrylic on masonite. Jan 24-27, 09.

NSW Art Museum Security Guard

2009-01-15T03:24:00.000-08:00

The Gift: Details

2009-01-12T04:50:00.000-08:00

At the end of the Meredith Music Festival, there is an 80 meter nudie race for charity; winner gets free Meredith tickets for life. My friend (who shall remain anonymous) commissioned a scene from the race, known as The Gift.

The Gift (NFS)

2009-01-12T04:49:00.000-08:00

Photograph Meredith, Australia. Melbourne, Australia. Acrylic on canvas. December 2008 - January 2009.

Meredith Music Festival Series

2009-01-12T04:47:00.000-08:00

Photographs Meredith, Australia. Painted in Melbourne. Acrylic on waterblock or Bristol. January 12-15, 2009.

Badaling Vendors UNFINISHED

2009-01-12T04:43:00.000-08:00

Photograph: Badaling, Great Wall, Beijing. Shanghai, China and Melbourne, Australia. Acrylic on canvas. December 09-Jan 09.

SBX: Hengshan Lu

2009-01-12T04:41:00.000-08:00

Photo Shanghai. Blue Mountains/Melbourne, Aus. Acrylic on canvas pad. January 2009.

Huangshan

2008-12-10T20:28:00.001-08:00

He's obviously not done yet, but there you go.
December 11, 2008. Picture from Huangshan, China, drawn in Melbourne, AUS. Prismacolor on this awesome paper I got in Shanghai. like 6x8 inches.

"What are you doing, Sweetheart?"

2008-12-10T04:02:00.000-08:00

"Ray-Bans off your face while you're walking in the street."
Better. Melbourne, Australia. December 10, 2008. Pen on paper.

Click

2008-12-10T03:55:00.001-08:00

A silly sketch in which I am very happy. Melbourne, Australia. December 10, 2008.
Pen on paper.

Badaling Vendor: Stuffed Pandas and Chinese Dolls

2008-11-26T07:44:00.000-08:00

Shanghai, China. Acrylic on canvas pad. November 26, 2008.

Badaling Vendor: Wall Hangings and Shrines

2008-11-26T07:40:00.000-08:00

Shanghai, China. Acrylic on canvas pad. November 26, 2008.

Badaling Vendor: Butterflies and Charms

2008-11-26T07:36:00.000-08:00

Shanghai, China. Acrylic on canvas pad. November 26, 2008.

Fúwùyuán

2008-11-17T07:16:00.000-08:00

Back in business. I promise, I have since fixed that one odd little tuft of hair.
Shanghai, China. November 18, 2008. Pen, pencil and acrylic on paper. Photo courtesy of Martin, 2007.

Old Man

2008-10-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. October, 2008. Acrylic and pen on canvas board.

Akihabara

2008-10-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Kurihama, Japan. October 2008. Acrylic on watercolor block.

Men Asleep on the Train

2008-10-24T22:08:00.000-07:00

Takahashi to Yakage, Japan. October 24, 2008. Pen on paper.

Nao & Mao

2008-10-24T22:05:00.000-07:00

Yakage, Japan. October 26, 2008. Pencil, pen and acrylic on watercolor board. They have skin color now.

View from Hama-Rikyu park

2008-10-24T22:00:00.001-07:00

Tokyo, Japan. October 13, 2008. Pencil, paper, acrylic on paper.

Greeter, Asakusa

2008-10-24T21:58:00.001-07:00

Asakusa, Tokyo, Japan. October 2008. Pencil, pen, prismacolor and acrylic on paper.

Remy Delapierre, le deuxieme

2008-10-24T21:50:00.000-07:00

Hachobori, Tokyo, Japan. October 17, 2008. Pencil, pen and acrylic on waterblock.

Remy Delapierre

2008-10-24T21:47:00.000-07:00

Hachobori, Tokyo, Japan. October 17, 2008. Pencil and pen on paper.

The Prussian Period: Self

2008-10-24T15:19:00.000-07:00

Kurihama, Japan. October 15, 2008. Acrylic on paper.

Tokyo Art Center Security

2008-10-14T10:12:00.000-07:00

Tokyo, Japan. Prismacolor on paper. October 2008.

Onsen

2008-10-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

Tokyo, Japan. Pencil on paper. October 12, 2008.

Tokyo Nails, #2

2008-10-14T09:50:00.000-07:00

I really do have their info somewhere...you'll have to wait for the coffee table book?
Tokyo, Japan. Acrylic on canvas. October 14, 2008.

Asakusa, making scrolls

2008-10-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

Tokyo, Japan. Acrylic on canvas. October 2008.

Asakusa

2008-10-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

Tokyo, Japan. Acrylic on canvas. October 2008.

The Cube

2008-09-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

Kurihama, Yokosuka, Japan. Prismacolor on paper. September 21, 2008.

Tokyo Nails mo ichi do

2008-09-17T07:11:00.001-07:00

Yokusuka, Japan. Prismacolor on paper. September 17, 2008.

Tokyo Nails (working title, I have her info somewhere I promise)

2008-09-16T05:58:00.000-07:00

Picture taken in Tokyo, painted in Yokosuka, Japan. Acrylic on canvas pad. September 16, 2008.

Carioca

2008-09-04T03:51:00.000-07:00

Yokusuka, Japan; picture taken in Rio de Janeiro. Pencil and paint on paper. September 3-4, 2008.

A Vista do quarto de Rachel

2008-08-31T19:32:00.000-07:00

For the Baranda's. Manaus, Brazil. Acrylic on canvas. August 2008.

Virginia Beach Brian

2008-08-31T19:18:00.000-07:00

Back again! Manaus, Brazil. Acrylic on canvas. July 2008.

Tárik Nina, physical education major

2008-08-05T08:55:00.000-07:00

It was confused as to whether it wanted to look like him or not. Sorry that it hates turning. Manaus, Brazil. August 2008. Prismacolor on paper.

Suzy Maise Amazonas de novo

2008-08-01T13:16:00.000-07:00

Suzy Maise Amazonas, receptionist at Spa Urbano

2008-08-01T12:49:00.000-07:00

This might be my favorite thing I've ever done. Manaus, Brazil. July 2008. Prismacolor on waterblock.

Festa de Junho Marcelo II

2008-07-30T10:14:00.001-07:00

Manaus, Brazil. Acrylic on waterblock. July 29, 2008.

Festa de Junho Marcelo

2008-07-22T09:52:00.000-07:00

So much fun to draw. Manaus, Brasil. Prismacolor markers on paper. July 2008.

Festa de Junho Maruska

2008-07-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

Study for commission. Manaus, Brasil. Prismacolor on paper. July 2008.

Festa de Junho Marcel in progress

2008-07-22T08:39:00.000-07:00

Not finished yet. Really annoying that it's sideways. Dressed up as Alexandre's secret mistress for the play at the Baranda's June Party. I hope he never sees this. Manaus, Brasil. Prismacolor on paper. July 2008.

Fabricia, de novo

2008-07-13T16:42:00.000-07:00

Manaus, Brasil. Acrylic on Canvas. June/July 2008.

Lio's little brother

2008-07-10T07:59:00.001-07:00

Manaus, Brasil. Prismacolor on paper. July 2008.
...this is what happens when I get tired of representational portraits.

Ecuador ganhei

2008-07-09T08:09:00.001-07:00

Manaus, Brasil. Acrylic on paper. June 2008.

Andrea de Rio

2008-07-09T08:02:00.000-07:00

Manaus, Brasil. Acrylic on paper. June 2008.

Fabricia Da Silva Mendes, Manicurist e Aspiring Masseuse

2008-07-03T08:08:00.000-07:00

Manaus, Brasil. Acrylic on canvas. June 2008. Clearly in progress (most of these in Brasil are WIPs)

Fluminense perdeu (Fluminense lost)

2008-06-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

Manaus, Brasil. Acrylic on canvas. June 2008.

Tchao, Chocolatier

2008-06-29T20:23:00.000-07:00

Manaus, Brasil. Acrylic on canvas. June 2008.

Security

2008-06-29T19:20:00.000-07:00

Manaus, Brasil. Acrylic on canvas. June 2008.

Embarrassing Thiago

2008-06-29T19:09:00.000-07:00

Manaus, Brasil. Acrylic on canvas. June 2008.

"I wish she would paint me Asian."

2008-06-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

She told us her grandfather was Asian.
Millineum Mall, Manaus, Brasil. June 26, 2008. Acrylic on canvas.

Brasil Soccer

2008-06-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

Sadly, they lost. Manaus, Brasil. June 2008. Arylic and pen on paper.

First painting in Brasil!!

2008-06-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

Little girl on the banks of the Rio Negro. Manaus, Brazil. June 2008. Acrylic and pen on paper.

Interrupted

2008-06-20T18:09:00.000-07:00

Charlottesville, Va. Acrylic on masonite board. June 20, 2008.

Full of Grace

2008-06-20T18:06:00.000-07:00

Charlottesville, Va. Acrylic on canvas. June 2008. Cutest flower girl ever...NFS.

A Tribute

2008-06-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

BY COMMISSION. Promise.
Charlottesville, Va. Acrylic on Canvas. June 2008.

Willalie

2008-06-18T13:18:00.000-07:00

My first commission. Charlottesville, Va. Acrylic on canvas. June 2008.

"Love at first sight"

2008-05-29T15:31:00.001-07:00

Lexington, Va. May 26, 2008. Acrylic on masonite.

Hayes-man

2008-05-29T15:30:00.000-07:00

Lexington, Va. May 26, 2008. Acrylic on canvas. NFS.

Gesso

2008-05-29T15:24:00.001-07:00

Lexington, Va. May 27, 2008. Acrylic on canvas. Won't turn sideways, either.

...in the country

2008-05-29T15:24:00.000-07:00

Lexington, Va. April/May 2008. Acrylic on canvas. For some reason it won't turn sideways?

Paul

2008-05-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

Lexington, Va. April 2008. Acrylic and Tempera on canvas.

Informal portraits: ink

2008-05-29T15:18:00.000-07:00

Informal portrait: Sharpie

2008-05-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

Informal portraits: Ink and watercolor

2008-05-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

Jay in progress (sold)

2008-05-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

....and finished:

Lexington, Va. May (mostly the 11), 2008.

Phirangi

2008-05-20T12:31:00.001-07:00

Lexington, Va. Oil on really big canvas. 2008. NFS.

Halo

2008-05-20T12:30:00.002-07:00

...lives. Lexington, Va. Acrylic on Board. 2008.

Shreya

2008-05-20T12:30:00.001-07:00

Lexington, Va. Acrylic on Board. 2008.

Lady Grayson (sold)

2008-05-20T12:29:00.002-07:00

...and Sir Simon. Lexington, Va. Oil on canvas. 2008.

Girl and Ball

2008-05-20T12:29:00.001-07:00

Lexington, Va. Oil on board. 2008.

Benazir

2008-05-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

Charlottesville, Va. Oil on canvas. Nov. 28, 2007.

If I were bald

2008-05-20T12:27:00.000-07:00

Charlottesville, Va. Acrylic on canvas. 2005.

Boy in Uganda

2008-05-20T12:26:00.001-07:00

Lexington, Va. Oil on board. 2008. Photo Courtesy of Wheeler Sparks.

Isabella Blow

2008-05-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

Charlottesville, Va. Oil on canvas. 2008.

Blue Cat

2008-05-20T12:24:00.000-07:00

Charlottesville, Va. Acrlyic on canvas. 2005.

Sorry, Varsha

2008-05-20T12:23:00.001-07:00

April 1, 2008. Lexington, Va. Oil on some sort of wooden board.

Nandita

2008-05-20T12:22:00.000-07:00

Summer of 2002, Spoleto, Italy. Oil