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“Imagine Summer!” opens this Sat. June 4th with an Artists’ Reception from 5-7 pm. Please come welcome Susan Ogilvie, a superb pastel artist and Sue Taves, a talented stone sculptor.

Susan’s pastel paintings capture lovely scenes from the Skagit valley, Whidbey Island and the Olympic Peninsula.  As we hung the show we kept remarking that if felt like we had been to those places.

This painting is called “Valley Morning” could be the stunning beauty of  farmland in central Whidbey or the Skagit Valley. As a pastel instructor across the nation, Susan’s talent in her medium is well known. Her work is exceptional and we have already received “Oohs and Ahaas” galore! Susan will join us from Port Ludlow for the opening night of the “Imagine Summer!”

For this show, Sue Taves was inspired by the idea of wind and the force it has on the landscape. She wanted to create sculptures with parts that can be manipulated by the human hand. Carving out of a variety of stone, Sue created several different sculptures that you can play with and move into all kinds of formations. The sculptures look great in the garden where they become unique interactive garden art.

This piece, carved in black basalt, is called “Windscape” and would be fun to place on a patio or deck outside because when it rains it turns all black. Then as the sun comes out or the wind blows it dries again the patterns reemerge. Like the wind, it is constantly changing!

These two artists’ work are a delight to have in the gallery. Come on in and take a peek! The show continues thru June 27, 2011.

Brackenwood is proud to feature Elizabeth Ford Ortiz as our artist for February. The Artist's Reception is February 5th from 5-7PM. Hope you can join us! 

Elizabeth is a textile artist who is well known in the quilting community here on Whidbey. Her work is extraordinary and completely original art. As anyone who quilts knows, one usually uses a pattern to create a quilt. Not Elizabeth. She has a very organic, "free hand" style of quilting that lets the colors determine the design of the quilt. Elizabeth Ortiz has been greatly influenced by indigenous art of Central & South America as well as Africa.

 
The fabric used in these quilts is also unique. Elizabeth personally hand dyes the fabric used to create the quilt. As you can see in the example above there is a tremendous variation of color within each piece of fabric.

Elizabeth starts with plain muslin colored cotton. But once hand dyed, the cotton is transformed with tiny nuances of color into a lush, suede-like fabric that begs to be touched. The color combinations and original designs are breathtaking geometric “paintings”.

Elizabeth’s precise craftsmanship adds to the beauty and longevity of these truly remarkable contemporary pieces of art. 

Brackenwood Gallery is thrilled to present “Whidbey Artists: A New Generation!” The exhibit opens January 8 and continues thru January 31, 2011. This show features several young artists who grew up on Whidbey Island and are returning for a debut show.

Brackenwood Gallery’s opening reception for “Whidbey Artists: A New Generation” is on Jan. 8, 2011 from 5-7 PM.

Aleah Chapin's "Introspection" is an oil painting, one of many that will knock your socks off!

Joining Brackenwood for this show are: Aleah Chapin, Mercia Mosely, Lucy Brennen, Matt Statz, Zoe Osenbach and Ryan Grossman. Although they hail from Whidbey Island, most have traveled far and wide extending their art education in various ways. Their collective art experiences are impressive. Whether receiving their BA, BFA or MFA in Vancouver BC, New York or California all have committed to serious careers in art. Several spent time in Italy, Amsterdam and/or Paris in Atelier type experiences while others worked with mentor artists like Anthony J. Ryder in Santa Fe, NM.

Mercia Moseley's "Nautilus" is an oil also. It's hard to believe this is a painting it is so real looking!

Ryan Grossman has played with northwest colors in landscapes that resonate with those who live on the island. This oil painting entitled " Study 01" plays with the blues, greys and black tones. 

Zoe Osenbach is a photographer who enjoys playing with images from polaroids to transfers. 

Matt Statz final project in art school was entitled "Conversations". He painted several perfect strangers and in so doing got to know these new friends.

 Finally we welcome Lucy Brennan, who is a master of textile art as well as a wonderful painter. 

You should always buy the art you love and finding young talented artists is a collector’s dream. We believe this New Generation is worthy of consideration.