“ As I look for the next subject , the next painting , I call it ‘ Emotional ignition .’ What grabs me ? Over the years , as I learned more , I got deeply touched by the hard work being done , the logging industry and climate change .”
Some years ago , Vermont poet Verandah Porche approached Kolb , wanting to collaborate , which led them to create an exhibition about the working landscape in our forests . They created visual and written stories about working the land , with obvious love and respect for those working in the industry . The exhibition opened at the Brattleboro Museum in the fall of 2015 , ( working with Sarah Freeman ) and included paintings and texts Porche had created with people , “ told poems ” she called them . The years of work led to a book called , Shedding Light on the Working Forest . Porche spoke of the project : “ Kathleen gave ‘ print ’ to each person , grateful to be heard . What are you proud of ? She gave an ‘ honoring gaze ’ to their life ’ s work . A validation .”
NEW FROM
BRIGHT LEAF
“ I don ’ t think ‘ meadow ’ and ‘ meditation ’ have the same root , but perhaps they should — Molnar ’ s book is a lovely reminder of how you can see the world in an acre .”
— Bill McKibben , environmentalist , author , journal ist , and cofounder of 350 . org
An imprint of University of Massachusetts Press www . brightleafbooks . com 1-800-621-2736
MADE IN VERMONT “ We Talk Without Words "
Lyrics by Eileen Bluestone Sherman Music by Gail C . Bluestone
Of the paintings , Kolb recalled , “ One log landing in Lincoln I visited at various times of day one winter led to at least four paintings . A couple of these were large oil paintings of log trucks . One of the larger oils was part of a solo exhibition in Stowe . When I walked into the opening reception the room was full . As I looked around , I saw that the owner of the truck , logger Bruce Gilkerson , was standing in front of the painting with tears in his eyes . He and his wife had driven a very long way to be there for the opening . I was so touched that they had done this , and moved by his emotion on recognizing himself in the work , which he hadn ’ t seen before . In a way this was a watershed moment for me , in discerning how art can validate us . I realized that the work I was making about this community of workers gave them important recognition that was really meaningful to them , and was important in making them and their work visible to the larger community .”
Get ready for a gorgeous new duet recorded at Old Mill Road Recording , performed by Jersey Boys TONY Award ® Winner & Jazz ‘ n TÖST Host Christian Hoff , with his equally talented and enchanting wife , Melissa . In perfect harmony , the two explain how so much can be said without uttering a single word .
Look for it on the new album , ARISE TOGETHER , and as a single , on all digital platforms .
WeTalkWithoutWords . com
VTMAG . COM FALL 2022 31