Artist statement

My paintings involve a process of improvisation. Starting with a wash of color on heavy paper, I apply ink and polymer paints with brushes and sticks, stencils and stamping. I collage various types of plain and printed paper, and transfer images from maps, my own drawings, pictures of landscapes and figures, text, music, and diagrams from old books. As relationships among elements and between them and their surroundings develop, a narrative evolves which is not held to any literal basis, though landscape or undersea views are sometimes suggested. Sometimes I use oil paints on the surface to intensify color and give depth. Finished paintings are coated with a varnish containing ultraviolet protection.

I want to create a sense of space retreating into an undefined distance, a feeling of transparency, and yet of something not fully revealed. I hope to communicate the sense of mystery I feel at the heart of existence. In spite of these observable distances, the paintings are intimate in nature. Their scale is partly determined by the size of the elements I have chosen, but also by my particular approach to art and life. Inquiry seems to be the most useful and pleasurable method of coming to close quarters with life. Inquiry allows one to say, “Let’s see how things are,” which offers intimacy and movement, rather than, “This is how it is,” which stops everything. My paintings ask the viewer to come in closer to find out what may be seen and enjoyed.

Miriam Davis, 2006

Education

1979-81 California State University, Sacramento: B.S.
1972-74 California State University, Sacramento: Studied under Robert Else, Ruth Rippon, Peter VandenBerge.
1960-64 Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota: B.A.

Solo Exhibitions

2006 Painting, Art Foundry Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2004 Sculpture and Paintings, Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
2001 12 Year Survey, Sculpture and Paintings, Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
2000 Sculpture and Paintings, Lincoln Arts, Lincoln, CA
1998 “The Artist and Her Work,” Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1996 “Private Moments” Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1995 “Transformations” Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1993 New Work, Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1992 New Work, Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1991 New Work, Spectrum-Himovitz Gallery, San Francisco, CA.
1990 New Work, Auburn Arts Center, Auburn CA.
1990 “In Silence,” Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1989 “New Work,” Lincoln Art Center, Lincoln, CA.
1988 “Shadowline,” Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1988 “Ceramic Sculpture,” Minot Art Gallery, Minot, North Dakota.

Collaborative Exhibitions

2005 California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramc Art, Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
2004 California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramc Art, Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
2003 Artists' Arcana, Tower Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2003 L A Decorative Arts Exhibition, Santa Monica
2003 National Conference for the Advancement of Ceramc Art, Mesa, Az
2003 California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramc Art, Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
2002 California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramc Art, Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
2001 California Conference for the Advancement of Ceramc Art, Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
2001 Group Ceramic Exhibit, Art Foundry Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2000 "F Street Studio: Miriam Davis and Students", Excentrique Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2000 California Clay Competition, The Artery, Davis, CA
2000 "Doggy Dog World II", Excentrique, Sacramento, CA
2000 Group Show, Art Foundry Gallery, Sacramento, CA
2000 "Thirteen Sculptors", Lincoln Arts, Lincoln, CA
1999 California Clay Competition, The Artery, Davis, CA
1999 "Abundant Treasures" Cenyer for Contemporary Art, Sacramento, CA
1998 New Work New Space, El Camino Art Gallery, Carmichael, CA
1998 “Death and Desire,” Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento, CA
1997 “Cone X” A Ceramic Art Exhibit, Lincoln, CA
1997 “Watermarks,” Artists and Writers on the Cosumnes River Preserve, Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento, CA
1997 Matrix International Exhibit, Sacramento, CA
1996 “Erotic Art Show”, Center for Contemporary Art, Sacramento, CA
1996 Feats of Clay, Lincoln, CA
1995 California Clay Competition, The Artery, Davis, CA
1995 Matrix International, Matrix Gallery, Sacramento, CA
1995 “Miniatures: Alpha to Omega”, Lincoln Arts, Lincoln, CA
1994 North American Works, Matrix Gallery, Sacramento, CA
1994 “Cafe au Clay”, Lincoln Arts, Lincoln, CA
1994 Feats of Clay, Lincoln, CA
1994 Group Show, Michael Himovitz Gallery
1993 Michael Himovitz Gallery at the Crocker Art Museum
1993 “Ink and Clay,” Holmes Gallery, San Jose, CA.
1993 “The Spirited Vine,” Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1993 “California Clay Competition,” The Artery, Davis, CA.
1993 "Feats of Clay,” Lincoln, CA.
1993 "750 Invitational," Sacramento, CA.
1992 “Dog and Pony Show,” Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1991 “In Lak‘Esh,” Artists and Poets Collaboration, Sacramento, CA.
1991 “Simple Places, Sacred Spaces,” Santa Cruz Art League, CA.
1991 “Alchemy of the Page,” Himovitz at Pavillions, Sacramento, CA.
1991 “HIV frm A to Z,” Sacramento, CA.
1991 “California Eccentrics,” Illinois.
1990 “HIV from A to Z,” Sacramento, CA.
1989 “Birthday Show,” Michael Himovitz Gallery, Sacramento, CA.
1989 “Overview: Art from the Michael Himovitz Gallery,” Hanford Art Center, Hanford, CA.
1988 “Humorists of the Michael Himovitz Gallery,” Merced College, Merced, CA.
1988 “Feats of Clay,” Lincoln Art Center, Lincoln, CA.
1988 “Crocker Kingsley Exhibition,” Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA.
1987 “California Works,” California State Fair, Sacramento, CA.
1987 “Fall Exhibit of Ceramic Art,” Sheppard Garden and Arts Center, Sacramento, CA.
1986 “Fall Exhibit of Ceramic Art,” Sheppard Garden and Arts Center, Sacramento, CA.

Awards

2000 Purchase Award, John Natsoulas Gallery, California Clay Competition
1998 Award of Excellence, CA State Fair
1997 Purchase Award, John Natsoulas Gallery, California Clay Competition
1996 Feats of Clay, Lincoln Art Center, Lincoln, CA. Award of Merit
1996 Award of Excellence, California Works
1995 First Place 3-Dimensional Work, Matrix Intermational
1994 Honorable mention, Matrix North American Works
1994 Feats of Clay, Lincoln Art Center, Lincoln, CA. Award of Merit
1993 Feats of Clay, Award of Merit
1992 “California Works,” California State Fair, Sacramento, CA. Award of Merit.
1992 Association of California Ceramic Artists Award
1990 Feats of Clay, Purchase Award
1989 Group competition, Auburn Arts, Auburn, CA. Third Place Award.
1989 California Works,” California State Fair, Sacramento, CA. Award of Merit.

Collections

Arizona State Museum, Mesa, Arizona
Colorado State University, Pueblo, Colorado

Professional and Community Activities

1989-06 Co-ordinator, SWAMPWAD (Sacramento Women Artists Musicians, Photographers, Writers, Actors, Dancers)
1996-97 Organizer, Watermarks, Cosumnes River Preserve Artists and Writers Project
1995 Juror KVIE Art Auction, Sacramento, CA
1995 Judge United Nations 50th Birthday Exhibition, Sacramento, CA
1995 Organizing Committee Phoenix Exhibition, Phantom Galleries, North Sacramento
1994 Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, Visual Arts Committee
1994 Curator “Death and Transformation” group show, 74 women artists,Phantom Galleries
1994 Curator Sacramento Women artists and Writers Group Show, Phantom Galleries
1994 Curator, “Barbie on the Boulevard” group show, Phantom Galleries, North Sacramento
1993-94 Board of Directors, Uptown Arts, North Sacramento
1992 Curator “Pain Transfigured,” Archival Framing, Sacramento