Each month, the Tidemark Gallery features a larger display of an artist(s) work in our back gallery.
FLORAL SPLENDOR AT THE TIDEMARK
In Maine, the lighthouse is a symbol of strength and dependability. In nature, this is the role of plants. They withstand wind, rain, and even hurricanes. They are perfectly engineered to survive and flourish in harsh conditions, while also providing us with the delicate beauty of diverse colors, shapes and textures. The current show at Tidemark Gallery, titled ABotanical Collection, provides a broad spectrum of paintings that illustrate this splendor.
A Botanical Collection, on display through July 25th, features eight nationally and internationally regarded botanical artists. The show was specifically designed to highlight the different styles and mediums used by today's successful botanical artists.
Brattleboro, Vermont artist, Bobbi Angell'swork displays a delicate balance of detail and emotional commitment to her subject. Using the medium of hand-tinted, copper-plate etching, she gives her work the "old world" appeal of this historic art form. On display in this show are artist proofs which add to the unique aspect of this show.
Marcia DeWitt, Sedgwick, Maine,skillfully combines graphite and watercolor to reveal the process of depicting her subject. This unique presentation appeals to our fascination with both art and how it is created. Her delicate use of color is soothing and transports the viewer to her garden to enjoy the fragrances and warm days that yield these flowering gems.
Ingrid Finnan,Riverdale, New York, paints in oils to create striking presentations with remarkable detail. In discussing her choice of mediums, Finnan says, "I love painting in oils. Any painting effect is achievable; whether transparent or opaque, textured or flat, subtle or broad." She continues, "I paint on Gessoed 300 lb. watercolor paper. After drawing the subject, I paint the entire image in thinned oils laying in the lights and darks and capturing the colors as closely as possible. I then begin the time consuming process of working wet on dry to define details and adjust colors." Her work has received critical acclaim nationally.
Pria Graves, Palo Alto, California,presents the detail renowned in botanical work, but also has keen compositional skill. The clean presentation allows the viewer to enjoy her skill in illustration and the singular beauty of her subjects. In Canna Oiseau d’Or, Graves clearly presents the dichotomy of flowers; delicate blossoms with subtle folds paired with sturdy stalks and stems capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions.
Lauretta Jones, Purdys, New York creates her dramatic paintings in this exhibit with colored pencil. An art instructor for the New York Botanical Garden, as well as a fine artist, Jones' work demonstrates the boundless possibilities of colored pencils while also illustrating the breadth of her skill. In "Leeks," a very large painting, Jones paints not only a faithful representation but also creates a mood of mystery and tension around her subject. Contrasting that piece is Jones' work "Saffron Threads," a bright and elegantly defined presentation.
Martha Kemp, Healdsburg, California, takes a path less traveled. Working solely in graphite, she creates stunning works of art using only monochromatic tones. She has mastered this medium as evidenced by her Gold Medal awards from the Royal Horticultural Society in London, England. In this show, Kemp presents two of these medal winners. "Humboldt Lily" captures the form of the flower so well it is almost lifted off the paper. While in "Calypso Orchid" she skillfully uses values shifts and contrasts to bring this beautiful flower to life.
Ann Makuck, Rockland, Maine,paints from live subjects combining scientific detail and heart. She paints the plants and flowers she loves. This emotional attachment is evident in her application and presentation. Makuck provides the viewer with a unique image by capturing a moment in time that can never be duplicated. Her skill comes in blending this detailed description with the artistic sense of form and composition that make her subject come alive for the viewer.
Dolores Santoliquido, Brookfield, Connecticut, captures your attention immediately with her "Lady Slipper Orchid." Working in acrylics and colored pencil on paper, she subtly captures the form of the flower helping it escape its two-dimensional format. In discussing her techniques, Santoliquido says, "These media allow me to duplicate a myriad of colors…and allow me to replicate surface textures such as the gloss of a leathery leaf or the powdery appearance of a butterfly wing." Capturing both form and texture are key to her success in making her subjects real.
Each of these artist's works are a master-class in skillfully exploiting their chosen medium. Stand back and you can almost smell the intoxicating aromas of the spices and flowers in this exhibition.
Audrey Bechler, trained at the Museum School of Fine Arts, Boston, is a renowned artist and teacher in all media, focusing on capturing the beauty of the Maine landscape.
John Blamey is a local artist working primarily in watercolor and oil. John seeks to capture the spirit of this place called Maine. A Town Selectman, John's passion for his community and the midcoast region is very evident in his powerful portrayals of local scenes.
Ralph Bush is an award-winning artist in both watercolor and oil. His honors include selection as a Copley Society Master, and winning the Smithsonian’s First Annual “Arts in the Parks” program. Ralph’s loose painting style and keen eye make his work a joy to the behold. Monhegan is a frequent subject of his paintings, and the spirit of the Island comes alive in his work.
Pam’s experience as a designer is evident in her skillful compositions and observations. Working in pastel, she captures both the form and the spirit that draws her to her subject. Seeking to have her work bridge the gap between her perceptions and reality, Pam takes the viewer on this exciting and emotional journey.
Ardy Greatorex is a creative, self-taught digital photographer. Ardy focuses her camera on the Maine coast, capturing intriguing close-ups, and dramatic and colorful landscapes. The Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce recently selected her series of antique door photographs for inclusion in their 2008 visitors’ guide. Ardy presents her images as photo prints, composites, calendars and cards.
Emy's vivid, often pulsating paintings suggest both the mystical and the fanciful. Her use of color is bold and reveals a true zest for life. Drawn from an inner landscape, her paintings are thoughtfully and meticulously planned. Once the final drawing is completed, color and pattern are applied spontaneously to achieve works that are truly compelling and unique. A number of her works are mixed media collage or contain collage elements. Emy's work was featured in the Dec 2007/Jan 2008 edition of The Palette Magazine.
A graphic designer, Ann channeled her passion for gardening and flowers into her art. A certified botanical illustrator, Ann’s watercolor paintings of flora are presented with both artistic skill and passion. Her art represents a journey through life and a profound respect for the world that she observes. In a word, her work is breathtaking.
Anne Wooster Metcalfe is a Waldoboro native. She holds a BFA degree from Maryland Institute College of Art. Currently, Anne is focusing on monotypes, and her love of gardening clearly can be seen in her art.
Louise Price began her art career as a fashion illustrator in San Francisco, and has taken those skills to a new level in her portraits and unique portrayals of Maine scenes. Louise's work focuses our attention on the common place, elevating it to the esthetic through her skills and imagination.
Patience Sampson, a native Mainer and artisan living in Friendship, has reenergized the floor cloth as an art form. Creating colorful designs based on local influences, her work is truly “art that works.” She also extends these images and themes to screen printing on cloth and small format canvas.
Carol Wiley paints in soft pastel, water color, ink and acrylic. Her paintings are free-spirited with glorious colors and vibrant luminosity. Pastels, a medium used by the French Impressionists, excel in capturing light and temperature, pulling the viewer into the scene. Carol skillfully employs the medium to “push the color” beyond the realistic to ensure the viewer feels the energy that brought her to the composition. More recently she has enjoyed making her pastels more abstract and using acrylics to present a series of paintings for and about women, a subject she plans to further explore. Plein air Maine landscapes are still part of her repertoire.
Paintings on display are priced with frame. Contact the Gallery for prices of the paintings matted and ready for your frame.
The Gallery is pleased to offer the work of two very skilled local artisans.
Elly and Joe Kelly, JoEl Pottery provide us with an assortment of ceramic pieces that feature Maine themes both realistic and impressionistic. JoEl's designs are both beautiful and functional, glazed and fired to be dishwasher safe.
Joe and Mary Devenney, Devenney Designs, produce our variety of porcelain pieces. They are known for their bright, colorful designs that proivde an outstanding accent to any decor.
