Filled with excitement I braved the 106 degree weather forecast and 2 and ¼ hour drive to see the Agnes Pelton exhibition at the Palm Springs Museum.
I first came across Agnes Pelton’s work in the 90’s when she had a solo exhibition at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine College in Malibu organized by Museum curator Michael Zakian. I was floored by her work then, and have been a fan ever since.
Messengers, 1932
Oil on Canvas
Seeing Pelton’s work in person was an inspiration, much different from viewing reproductions in books or online. Experiencing her work in person I could feel each stroke of her hand, her soulful touch in every piece.
Zakian was instrumental in organizing and writing about Pelton’s work and exhibitions. He wrote the catalog, “Agnes Pelton, Poet of Nature” and organized her exhibition at the Palm Spring Museum in 1995 that toured many other major museums. One year later he brought the exhibition to the Weissman Museum where he was the director.
Zakian truly championed Pelton’s art — bringing her art to a wider audience. Zakian became a dear friend to me, which made me feel even closer to Pelton’s work.
Even Song, 1930
Oil on Canvas
As I perused the exhibit, the luminosity, sensitivity and spirituality of her work illuminated the room.The beautiful colors blended subtly – sensitive and graceful. Her works, lyrical expressions, a poet with color and form.
Pelton came to California from Long Island, New York inspired by a lifelong spiritual quest. She studied Buddhism,Theosophical doctrines, Hinduism, and meditation — a fusion of ideas of spirituality and transcendence.
I couldn’t help but think of my own experience as an artist as I was viewing this show. Pelton’s divine relationship to her artwork is undeniable. Getting lost in her paintings, I felt a feeling of transcendence. This communion of art and spirituality reminded me of my own meditative state I enter when working on my own paintings.
Sea Change, 1931
Oil on Canvas
The works on exhibit are not large and they need to be looked at intimately. In the piece Sea Change, Pelton shifts colors subtly between yellow greens to shades of blue green, effortlessly modulating tones and values. The dark areas are rich with beautiful violets, deep blacks, earthy browns and warm ambers. The contrast of dark to light colors and the delicate hue shifts create sublime iridescence.
Mount Flame, 1932
Oil on Canvas
Mount Flame, a piece I’ve always loved, uses the same soft color blending technique but differs in it’s expressive brushstrokes. In-person, you can experience Pelton’s subtle use of colors. She creates luminosity by modulating colors in different tones. The painting has a completely different feel from far away. When you stand back from the painting has an overall earth tone quality. However, when you walk up close you can see siennas overlaid with burnt umber and peach highlights. The painting is breathtaking. Rooted in the Fifth Cyclical Society, focused on human life on the planet and larger considerations of the universe.
Still Life With Pears
Acrylic on Canvas, Helen Lundeberg
Another unexpected surprise was the Helen Lundeberg exhibit, also on view at the Palm Springs Museum of Art. Her partner Lorser Feitelson was my mentor and they were dear friends to me in my early years as an artist (standby for more information on these artists in future blogs). Like Pelton, Lundeberg’s work is poetic. However, she pushed subtleties in color even further. Where Pelton is free flowing and organic, Lundeberg’s compositions are classically rooted— strong and bold. The two artists compliment each other beautifully, both sensitive with different approaches.
Leaving the exhibit I was met with the serene landscape of the Palm Springs desert. Colors shifting and blending as the sun set. The inspiration was real. I was reminded of a vision I had in meditation before leaving LA. Glowing light flowing through a waterfall, the mystic vibrations of Pelton’s paintings inspiring me before I even reached the show an idea that has already made it to my canvas, just a short week after seeing the show.
Night Falls, 2021
18” x 14”, Acrylic on Canvas, Linda Jacobson
This painting is available. Please email me for more information.