Way back in the beginning of the year, before the tu sais quoi hit the fan, we had a fun little planning meeting at the gallery to map out our exhibits and shows for the year. We agreed on several (which all had to be sidelined) including one for this month.
At the time, November literally seemed like light years away - but here we are. We ARE going to have a show - albeit slightly different than the lively, convival openings we're used to having at the gallery (more about that later). We're actually really excited about this one - the artists were carefully chosen not only for their subject matter and style of painting but also for a sweet commonality that feels more special now than ever.
Nature and Nurture is an exhibit featuring new work from four artists who indulge their love of nature in their art (that's the Nature) - and also pass their painterly gifts along to lucky others (that's the Nurture). Keep reading and meet the artists:
Justin Kellner
Justin Kellner: we were smitten with Justin's evocative paintings that initially look like heavily layered and interesting abstracts. But, look closely. Nestling in a branch or tucked beneath a layer of pigment lies the subjects of Kellner's passion: birds. An artist who cares deeply for the environment, ecosystems and natural habitats, Kellner portrays his birds in textural backgrounds that suggest the landscapes where his subjects reside. We love how he pairs abstract brushstrokes and composition with realistically rendered birds to create, as he says, "impressions of erosion, change and isolation."
Mel Rea
Mel Rea: we've known Mel for years and have loved watching her art evolve and develop. Best known for her organic and free-flowing abstracts, Mel's never been one to shy away from putting herself out there on the canvas. Her favorite medium is encaustic, which is made from heated beeswax and pigment. The result is a wonderfully rich and organic texture. While Mel has never raised her own bees, she did tell us this: "My grandfather was a beekeeper and after he passed, my grandmother kept the wax from his last hives. I found the wax in her basement in an old bucket collecting dust and told my grandmother I wanted to paint with it. She happily relinquished the wax to me and that was how I learned to paint with encaustics."
Allison Chambers
Allison Chambers: a talented landscapist whose luminous and soft paintings have captured hearts, souls and walls around the country. We've always gravitated to her wide open vistas and shimmering light. And, when we spent a week with her in Provence as she led a painting workshop, we realized she was an exceptional instructor who is able to share her ability to compose on canvas and mix color with an innate ability to explain the technicalities of painting. No wonder she's got ton of followers who are dying to do workshops with her - and to be nurtured by her!
Annie King
Annie King: Annie burst into our world on the recommendation of a dear colleague and friend - and we're so glad. Not only is she a gifted abstractist, but she's found a way for her passion to heal others. She's earned a Masters in Art Therapy and Clinical Counseling and now nurtures children struggling with issues of neglect, trauma, and abuse, using art as therapy. In her own words: "Nurturing the soul is the modus operandi of why I do what I do! It is the fabric of my paintings as well as the reason behind my desire to use art to help others. As an art therapist, nurturing one’s pursuit of health is the goal, and making art is the vehicle to get there."
Want to see the show? Come by the gallery Saturday, November 14th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and browse at your leisure (with your mask on please). We'll have light bites and sips - and as an added bonus, Allison Chambers will do a live demo, so the paint will be flying!
Or, if you prefer to browse from home, just click here.
Either way, we hope you enjoy Nature and Nurture - we're looking forward to letting let art do its healing, calming thing for all of us.
Ta ta.