Insights from one of our artists, George Bowles

Pewter Pitcher, Knife, and Bread by George Bowles

George Bowles studied painting and drawing at the Bougie Studio in Minneapolis from 1996 to 2000. He has exhibited in several galleries. Two of his portraits and one of his still life have been finalists in The Artist's Magazine annual Art Competitions, from a competitive field of 11,000 to 13,000. Another still life made him the magazine's Artist of the Month (April - May, 2005). On the strength of yet another still life, he was a winner in the "Over Sixty" national competition sponsored by The Artist's Magazine. He won first place in the Potomac River Regional Art Show three consecutive years (2009-2011), as well as the People's Choice award in 2009.

"Cryptos I" by Linda Maldonado

Cryptos I by Linda Maldonado

"Cryptos I”, a vivid painting on canvas by Linda Maldonado, is representative of Linda's experimental work with acrylics and collage. Layers of colors applied to a textured surface build to a rich and exciting finished effect. Elements of the painting are alternately revealed and veiled, creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. Like many of Linda's recent works, “Cryptos I” presents an abstract image based on imagination, intuition, and endless possibilities.

Insights from one of our artists, Russ McIntosh

Angelic Composition by Russ McIntosh



vertigoBlue by Russ McIntosh



Have you ever stared at a cloud and saw shapes and images in them? The essence of my art is for the viewer to look deep within my images to find something much more than what they originally saw upon the initial view of the pieces. The images I have created have many layers in them, and though at first glance the main composition does register with them, it is upon further reflection that the viewer can see "hidden images" that were originally unnoticeable.

MidnightDream by Russ McIntosh



                                                              

The approach I take with my artwork is very distinct, in that I incorporate numerous photographs into a very unique composition. Utilizing anywhere from six to two dozen images or more, I build a piece up. At times when layering the images, other images can be noticed, and I will adjust the highlights and shadows adding some digital paint to make the piece more cohesive. With a vivid imagination I try to present the essence of staring at clouds within my own artwork. If you look at the shadow shapes and highlights within the image, other objects will start to take focus.

Russ McIntosh

http://www.russmcintosh.com/









"Tropical Whirl" by Jennifer Brewer Stone

I search for meaning and balance in the contrast between the simple and the complex. My paintings are my children and my teachers, evidence of the constant work in progress that is the experience of creation. My interaction between the canvas and the inner and outer world is in constant flux. I have moments of great privacy where I paint and paint and have only my music and thoughts as company. Then I'll have a large reception and show my work and my studio, and I'll be wide open to other thoughts inspiring my thoughts, to outside interactions and the pleasure of communicating through art.

This dualism and desire for balance has a strong presence in my art. A canvas print of my piece Tropical Whirl is currently showing at the gallery, and in this piece there are multiple shapes and colors, but they are all balanced. The items are unified not by a focus on one, but rather by the play between elements and how the eye is guided from one shape to another following the curve of the objects. I think my love of bright color and intricate gradients is evidenced here. I'm also fascinated by the complexity of nature; any plant that I look at and think, 'that exists?' immediately perks my interest. I want to capture the awesome wonder of the beauty that is all around us, and put it in front of you. I want you to be drawn in by the experience of wonder with me.



I hope you have a chance to take a look at my piece in person. It makes all the difference, especially in seeing the bright colors and gradients as they truly are. We look forward to seeing you at the gallery soon!

-Jennifer Brewer Stone

www.jennifersartgallery.com

Insights from one of our artists, Ai-Wen Wu Kratz

"Color Logic /RYB" by Ai-Wen Wu Kratz, Acrylic on canvas, 7ft W by 5 ft.H

"Irina" by Ai-Wen,
 Concentrated crayon
and colored pencil on paper.
26in. W x 40 in. H

Being born with the proclivity for colors and forms that constitute the visual world, I find great happiness to be in a league of individuals that are committed to bring our invisible selves by way of our art to all others that are on different paths of life. Our contribution, jointly as artists, is to enrich others with our sensitivities, visual or spiritual, that are unique to us, by birth and/or by training.

'The Scream' of Edvard Munch; The letters of Van Gogh to his brother; The night walks along the hillside paths from the Skowhegan School Library back to the cottages; Wassily Kandinsky's first encounter with Monet's painting, "Haystack," that liberated in him the independent power of colors, line, shapes, planes and forms from subject matters; The paper, crayons, clipboard and I, myself, sketching by the roadside; The closing of an art critique session in late night, then to fetch a place for food, along the questionable turns amidst the NY City streets; The intense bond between the violin and Julia Fischer and her mastery over the instrument bringing forth miraculous music that reaches our souls; All have sustained a fire in me to act and to paint above womanhood and motherhood. The latter, interestingly enough, have enriched me and secured the basis of my confidence

in professionalism. 

It was said that a man, with his briefcase, religiously every day left his house through one door and entered the same house through another to his basement office to begin and end his daily office work.  With the same seriousness, I hope to share with you from time to time what I do in my studio.  It happens to be also in the basement of a house.  Invitingly, it is a space that is generously large, and is enhanced by the view of a lake. 

"Chair in Blue Room" by LK Jeffers

"Chair in Blue Room" by LK Jeffers

The painting above, Chair in a Blue Room, by LK Jeffers ( http://www.lkjeffers.com/ )  is an original oil on canvas.   This charming painting has won awards in juried exhibition, including winning an award in a local exhibition juried by the late Ross Merrill.  Ross Merrill was not only an amazing artist, but he was also the National Gallery of Art's Chief of Conservation.  The wonderful play of light and shadows along with the vibrancy and variations of blues, help to make this a special painting.  While the original painting is no longer available, Ms. Jeffers had high quality limited edition canvas giclee prints made for this painting.   The giclee print captures the wonderful luminesce of the original painting.   There are two different limited editions for this painting   One giclee edition is in the original 16x20 size and the second edition is 8x10.  Both can be purchased via the gallery.   Currently, one of the 8x10 size giclee prints of this exceptional painting is on display at the gallery.

“Rush Hour Evening” by Jane McElvany Coonce

“Rush Hour Evening” by Jane McElvany Coonce

This exquisite painting, by Jane McElvany Coonce http://www.jmcelvany.com/, is called “Rush Hour Evening”.  She painted it after a plein air session on the roof top of the Lennox Club, an apartment building in Crystal City.  This plein air “Paint Out” session was sponsored by the Arlington Artists Alliance.  Jane loved the view of the headlights on the cars as people headed home from work and was able to capture the twilight ambience in her painting.