Group Dynamics – Dayna J Collins

The Salem Art Group: Dayna, Kathy, Tory, Woody standing in for Celia, Katy, Nancy

I’m a member of the Salem Art Group, a closed, close-knit group of six women. We get together once a month, varying our activities. Some months we meet for coffee and to share what we’ve been up to, other months we take field trips. Regularly we meet for art play dates. And once a year we go on a multi-day art retreat in the woods. Earlier this year we decided it would be fun to do an art show together and last night we hosted our opening reception at The Art Department, a downtown Salem fine art store. Our show, Group Dynamics, will be up through the end of November.

The south wall, artist's work left to right: Katy Vigland, Nancy Eng, Dayna Collins — The south wall, artist’s work left to right: Katy Vigland, Nancy Eng, Dayna Collins

The north wall, left to right, the art work of Tory Brokenshire and Kathy Shen

I created three pieces for the show, which I started at our retreat back in August.

Here are my completed pieces:

My art work, all are 16x20 inches, plaster, oil, and cold wax on cradled boards — My art work, all are 16×20 inches, plaster, oil, and cold wax on cradled boards

"Fairy Tales & Poetry," 16x20 inches, plaster, oil, and cold wax on cradled board — “Fairy Tales & Poetry,” 16×20 inches, plaster, oil, and cold wax on cradled board

"Curiosity & Tolerance," 16x20, plaster, oil, and cold wax on cradled board — “Curiosity & Tolerance,” 16×20, plaster, oil, and cold wax on cradled board

"Insight & Imagination," 16x20, plaster, oil, and cold wax on cradled board — “Insight & Imagination,” 16×20, plaster, oil, and cold wax on cradled board

And here are photos from last night’s reception.

Cynthia and Susan try on clothes created by Celia

Tory and Becky, an old friend from when my son was in school

By the end of the evening, we were all a bit rummy