Thoughts on Art: 2003-2009

During this year that I’ve worked at the gallery, I’ve grown to know a large percentage of the artists, their particular style and chosen medium. As I would name an artist, an automatic image of their artwork would come to mind. However, it’s been a refreshing shake-up with the inventory these past weeks, preparing for this show. Lately, I’m finding that it’s a certain challenge re-associating art with its respective artist. The gallery supports over 200 artists while the show currently consists of nearly 70 of those fantastic artists who have shown here from 2003 to 2009. As a whole, the artists have remained consistent with their approach to their work while others have veered off into a slightly different direction.

For example, Laura Wellner had worked in a more subdued way, using pencil/watercolor, opaque gouache and graphite. Nature inspired, her small framed pieces were presented behind glass. Wellner’s new direction has taken her art to a more geometric route. She is now exploring the use of acrylic, monotype on Hosho Sumi paper that is then applied to canvas. She then continues to develop the piece from there. Her art is still relatively small while her color palette is more intense and vibrant.

Harry R. Freeman-Jones is another artist that made me do a swirl-around. I usually associate a two dimensional, color photograph, framed behind glass when I think of Harry. For this show, he not only submitted black and white photography but also a three dimensional piece! It is also inspired by nature but carved out of Italian Alabaster. I have a new appreciation of Harry now as a sculptor!

Linda Esterley was an artist in the gallery’s Fiber Art show last year. Her unique use of Australian Merino wool, silk and yak in her over-sized, form core mounted art are the pieces I think of when I think of Linda. She has turned a corner for this show by doing assemblage, not your typical sculpture or fiber piece. Her art is more playful, with her use of jewels, antique items and some text with photos. It’s fun to discover hidden details. All of Linda’s art seems to invite the viewer to touch.

Diana Godfrey, a mixed media artist, did large framed pieces behind glass. She hasn’t deviated from her signature style for this show. Her style consists of subtle, earthy color acrylics or pastel on paper, torn in pieces and layered, giving a true sense of texture. However, she approaches her art on a smaller scale, as miniatures!

Lastly, Kyle Mort is an artist newly introduced to me that I want to add to the list of refreshing art. He is a realist painter who uses watercolor as his medium. His subjects are inanimate objects which include candies, a granny apple, pears or a popsicle. Mort’s true to life colors, shadowing, and his choice of arrangement, gives these objects a humanistic value and a definite personality.

As I smile with a new appreciation of our artists, I ask those reading this blog and those who haven’t seen the show yet, please don’t take my word. Instead, come and see for yourself. Maybe you will spot an artist’s style evolving differently from what you know of them or an artist you want to know who strikes you as a breath of fresh air, as I do!

Kathy Simpson

Gallery Assistant