Life is less like a box of chocolates and more like a never-ending series of impressions made upon us, like finger marks in wet clay. As artists, not only do we visualize and bring to life the impressions that have been made on us by sights, sounds, scents, interactions, dreams, and ideas; we also leave impressions on everyone who sees our work.
I chose to take the theme of this exhibit literally and am very pleased that my impressionistic style oil painting, Sheehan’s Pond, was juried into the show. This painting grew out of only three colors of oil paint: titanium white, alizarin crimson, and dark green. I used artist Dennis Sheehan’s style of smearing the colors on a blank canvas with paper towels, and then seeing what images emerged. I began to see shapes that brought to mind pine trees surrounding a secluded pond, then used some brushes to finish the picture that appeared to me. It was a fun process.
This exhibit will offer an opening reception on Friday, August 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Salem Arts Gallery, 159 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01907. The show will run from August 2 until September 7, 2024.
Contact information: www.SalemArts.org
978-745-4850
info@SalemArts.org