My Featured Painting - "Monkey in the Middle" - Lori McNee

~Monkey in the Middle~
by
Lori McNee

Monkey in the Middle
30×40
oil/board
$6800

Gallery director, Carey Molter from Kneeland Gallery has been begging me to paint a monkey for a few years now. On March 5, my annual still life exhibition, “Illusionary Realism, ” will showcase this new painting along with my other new works.

I am inspired by the master Dutch painters who added nests, birds, butterflies and bugs to many of their compositions. Most of you know that birds are used in the majority of my still life paintings, but a monkey was a stretch for me! I have to admit that I have avoided the ‘monkey’ suggestion, but when Carey asked me again this year – I knew it was time to give it a try!

I have always been a firm believer in taking calculated ‘risks’ in life and art. It was time for me to step outside of my own artistic comfort zone and I am pleased with the results. In fact, now I have many other new ideas swirling around in my head – and that’s how it all works! We can’t help but grow from our challenges and discomfort.

~Lori