RETRO VIVA, signage for second-hand store on "the Ave," University District (University Way NE at NE 45th St.) by Ashleigh Talbot. Oil on Panel, circa 1990. Shown with permission of the artist and Retro Viva.

Ashleigh's abstract flair is evident in this pulsing composition,where squirming shapes swirl in strong winds or currents and warm-colored forms pop forth from the bright turquoise surround. This is a bold, swaggering statement from the woman who signs herself with the "triangle slash" symbol seen at bottom center.

Ashleigh's abstract compositions are shown to advantage in her 1996 book, Beat Speak, complementing more representational illustrations defining terms from beatnik jive-talk. The volume is available from Water Row Press, Sudbury, Mass.; you can preview representative drawings from Beat Speak by visiting our Gallery of the Silly and Sublime page!