I WAS SO HONORED TO HAVE ART CRITIC RICHARD SPEER DROP BY AND TALK WITH ME ABOUT MY SHOW AT WATERSTONE GALLERY.  HE IS A DELIGHTFUL HUMAN BEING AND KIND ENOUGH TO POST ABOUT THE SHOW ON HIS INSTAGRAM FEED.  FIND HIM @RICHARDSPEERCRITIC. HERE IS WHAT HE WROTE:

RICHARDSPEERCRITIC

OIL PAINTER SUSAN HARRINGTON GAVE ME A SNEAK PEEK AT HER EXHIBITION, “OUR HOUSE ON FIRE,” AT WATERSTONE GALLERY, WHICH OPENS TODAY (THURSDAY, APRIL 7) WITH A RECEPTION FROM 5:30-8PM. THESE FLORAL STILL LIFES DEPICT OREGON GRASSES, FLOWERS, AND OTHER PLANTS THAT ARE NEAR EXTINCTION. THEIR BEAUTY, THEREFORE, IS BITTERSWEET; THEY ARE MEMENTO MORI FOR PLANT SPECIES THAT MAY VERY WELL BE WIPED FROM THE EARTH A FEW SEASONS HENCE. HARRINGTON GREW UP ON AN ALFALFA FARM OUTSIDE BEND AND LATER BECAME ACTIVE IN ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES. INSPIRED BY HISTORIC BOTANICAL RENDERINGS, SHE STARTS THESE WORKS WITH A METICULOUS GRISAILLE UNDERPAINTING, WHICH MAKES THE PLANTS SEEM TO STAND OUT IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL RELIEF AGAINST BACKDROPS OF THE EAST OREGON DESERT, THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, AND THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY. THE SURFACES ARE LARGELY FLAT BUT PUNCTUATED BY SPIKY PINPRICK DETAILS. SOME OF THEM REMIND ME OF HENRI ROUSSEAU WITHOUT THE LIONS, TIGERS, AND MONKEYS. ENDANGERED BY WILDFIRES, CLIMATE CHANGE, OVERBUILDING, AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT, THE PLANTS STRETCH SKYWARD, SOAKING UP THE SUNLIGHT, POISED ON THE RAZOR’S EDGE OF OBLIVION.