Sparkling Blue Bliss
Great White
Shaken Not Stirred
Melinda Mettler
Artist Statement
I've always been fascinated by the interactions that happen around glasses and what’s in them, whether martinis, iced tea, wine, champagne, or just plain water, and the roles they play in such a wide range of celebrations, from quiet moments of solitary contemplation at the end of a day to life's most momentous occasions. Viewed in these contexts, drinking a beverage is no longer simply a utilitarian act, it's more. A journey is about to begin. The verge of a meaningful encounter. In other words, we're doing more than simply quenching our thirsts.
So often these progressions begin with those fateful words we hear at get-togethers, meetings, social events, and such, "What would you like to drink?" And how the rituals that follow can encompass pretty much anything including opportunities to reconnect, making new acquaintances, breaking down barriers, and more. From time to time, we may find it necessary to pause for a brief break from the action, look down at that glass, take a moment to evaluate, gather thoughts, and then return refreshed to whatever's taking place. It is those reflective moments that I commemorate in my art.