Art First Forum - February 2012
Don't miss our 20th ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION!
Opening Reception • Friday, February 3, 6-9 p.m.
Show Runs February 1-27, 2012
click here to preview works from the show
Art First Gallery, the oldest cooperative gallery in Fredericksburg, VA, will be celebrating its 20th anniversary during February 2012. During the month, Art First Gallery will have a silent auction of new original 12" x 12" artwork. Bidding will begin January 31, 2012, and end at 4 p.m., February 26, 2012. Proceeds of the auction will benefit local area high school art programs. Attached are two examples of the art work in the silent auction: "After the Rain" by Audrey Bruno and "Instamatic 134" by Adam DeSio.
Art First Welcomes 2 new members
Jenna Anderson
"As a primarily self-taught portrait painter, I am always surprised that an accumulation of simple brush strokes can seemingly assemble themselves into a portrait that carries the essence and presence of that person. I feel that portraiture is the most emotionally powerful genre of all visual arts because it is personal relationships that are at the heart of what makes us human. And, the more I know about a person the more of them comes out in their portrait. I would like you to be able to look at my paintings and feel that you know the person or subject on some level deeper than varnish, oil, and pigment and you can feel what I felt when I created it. If I have done that then I feel my painting is successful. I paint in oil on canvas or panel. I have been mentored by various artists and follow the Old Masters' techniques that I feel are still relevant today. For instance, I use a monochromatic under painting and virtually complete the painting in detail before adding color in layers of glazes. I strive for balance in composition, value, color, effective and meaningful brush strokes and a consistent feel throughout every square inch that is uniquely me."
Jessica Cannon
Ms. Cannon has a passion and intuition for art that she captures in each painting created. With an eye for color and design, Ms. Cannon's paintings infuse a sculptural effect that is considered solely for abstraction purposes, creating a tactile surface quality. She makes use of a thick paint application process, turning recognizable objects into the abstracted. Ms. Cannon strives to create artwork that lures the viewer in, making them want to reach out and touch the actual artwork.
NEWS
Robyn Ryan
Robyn Ryan had two paintings included in Mr. Brad Wheeler's recently released "Horse Sayings - Wit & Wisdom Straight from the Horse's Mouth" book, available through BookCollaborative.com. "Emerging Equines - From Above" (11"x11" watercolor) appears on page 13 with a quotation from Pliny the Elder and "Horse Play" (22"x22" watercolor) appears on page 113 with a quotation from John Lyons.
EXHIBITIONS
FCCA Regional Show
Three Art First Members in Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts (FCCA) February Regional Show: Barbara Taylor Hall's "Glimpses II," Sally Rhone-Kubarek's "Strength is a Fragile Thing" and Nancy Brittle's "Morning over Belle Isle Marsh," were juried into the February 2012 Regional Exhibition at FCCA. The juror was Justine Geiger who is Visitor Services Coordinator at the University of Mary Washington Galleries. The show will run from January 29 - February 24, with a Juror's talk and awards presentation at 6:00 p.m. on First Friday, February 3, from 6 - 8:30 p.m.
Barbara Taylor Hall
Sally Rhone-Kubarek
Nancy Brittle
Leah Comerford
Leah Comerford will be showing her illustrated gourds, prints, and romantic necklaces at ArtIsInRichmond—Fine Arts & Craft Show at Ginter Place.
February 10-12 1350 Westwood Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227
Show Hours: Friday 6-9pm Saturday 10am-5pm Sunday 12-4pm
Sally Rhone-Kubarek
Sally Rhone-Kubarek will have an exhibition of her art work at the England Run Branch Library during the month of February. There will be various mediums represented; pastels, collages, screen prints, drawings and glazed tiles. Please come and see the show and the lovely gallery area at England Run.
Nancy Brittle
Nancy Brittle has two oil paintings juried into the February exhibit at the Purcell Gallery in Louisa, Va.
Cathy Herndon
Cathy Herndon has recently had her artwork in various venues around town, including:
• "Silk Road-Commerce" was juried into the "Fine Crafts" Show in December at the FCCA and won 3rd Place.
• A solo show at the Salem Church Library during January 2012.
• A show of Folk Art from Cathy's personal collection at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library in the first floor display case.
CLASSES
Robyn Ryan
Robyn Ryan will be teaching a 2-day Equine Sculpture workshop for the Virginia Equine Artists Association (VEAA) in late February/Early March in Lexington, VA at the Hoofbeats Therapeutic Riding Center. Overview of end-to-end process to produce a bronze sculpture and instruction for sculpting an equine bust or a full horse from armature to finish in oil-based clay. Materials provided. Non-VEAA members may participate for a small additional fee. For details, contact Robyn at Ballyryan8@gmail.com Photograph by Jillian Chilson - fotoluv@comcast.net
