ALEAH CHAPIN is short listed for the BP Portrait Award 2012 in LONDON!

May 17th, 2012

Brackenwood Gallery would like to take this opportunity to congratulate local artist Aleah Chapin who has just been short-listed for the BP Portrait Award 2012 in London, one of the world’s most prestigious art prizes! It is quite an honor considering 2,187 artists from 74 countries entered. The four artists chosen go to London to receive one of 4 financial prizes ranging from 25,000 Euros to 6,000 Euros. The winners of the prizes will be announced on the evening of Tues. June 19, 2012 at a formal reception.

Aleah Chapin and mom, Deborah Koff Chapin, at 2010 Show at Brackenwood

Many will know Aleah personally and some may remember the work we have had in the gallery by Ms. Chapin. She is a very gifted and creative artist. Ms. Chapin grew up on Whidbey Island and was nurtured from birth by a group of women she calls Aunties. Aleah took photos last summer and used them to create a body of work that can be seen on her website known as Aunties. Aleah has been away from Whidbey for several years studying art in Germany, the Netherlands and most recently in New York working on her MFA at the New York Academy of Art. Aleah submitted ‘Auntie’, a nude portrait, to the BP Portrait Award competition. “Her body is a map of her journey through life.” Aleah says, “In her, I see the personification of strength through an unguarded and accepting presence.” Obviously others see the power of this painting as well. ‘Auntie’ Gail, the subject of Aleah’s painting, is accompanying Aleah to London, a very brave woman indeed!

Auntie, Oil, Aleah Chapin

Brackenwood had the pleasure of hosting Aleah Chapin as one of the artists in a show entitled ‘A New Generation’ of Whidbey artists in 2011. Recently we exhibited and sold her self-portrait called “Introspection”. We salute Aleah, a very powerful and talented young artist, and wish her great success. We hope she receives the 1^st place BP Portrait prize. An update will follow once the prizes are announced. Follow Aleah Chapin on her website at: http://www.aleahchapin.com

For more information about this award, see: http://www.npg.org.uk

Posted in Brackenwood Artists, Shows and Events | No Comments »

The Wonder of TREES!

May 3rd, 2012

It is such a joy to wander thru the Brackenwood looking at these glorious trees! It really is a statement about the tenacity of this genome we call trees. They are beautiful, useful and oh so elegant when photographed or painted by these two artists showing here this month: Skip Smith and Kent Lovelace. Most of us take for granted that the natural world will just endure no matter what, and looking at some of the places these trees abide in it almost confirms this bias! However, there is also a bit of fragility that these two artist uncover in this work. The beauty they capture strikes your heart and makes you want to care more for this organism we all depend on for our very survival on this planet.

It is such a pleasure to have the opportunity to contemplate and think about the art as well as the environmental importance of trees. We are honored and excited to have Kent Lovelace join our gallery for this show and think Skip had a really good idea when he asked Kent to join him in this endeavor! Come on down and enjoy this lovely show!

Posted in Brackenwood Artists, Shows and Events | No Comments »

EARL OLSEN PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW

January 25th, 2012

Those familiar with Earl Olsen’s photography will be excited to know he is the featured artist for Brackenwood’s 2012 show. This time Earl takes us on a journey deep into the flora world. The images we have seen so far are exquisite glimpses of the details few of us every take the time to notice. That’s the gift of an experienced and talented photographer such as Earl.

This image might look somewhat familiar, but initially you may not be sure exactly what it is. Upon closer examination it begins to dawn on you that it’s a poppy but rarely have any of us taken the time to look so close. This photo is a poppy emerging from its casing and the colors and details Earl has captured here are remarkable! Silly Poppy!

Hope you can join us for the opening reception on Feb. 4th from 5-7 PM for Earl Olsen’s show of new work at Brackenwood Gallery. The show continues thru Feb. 27th.

Posted in Brackenwood Artists, Shows and Events | No Comments »