A Chorus Line, Pastel, Faye Castle

Last year when we envisioned this show, we were excited about the idea of featuring art that celebrates food! Everyone likes to eat so having a show centered around food seemed like a great idea. These artists totally stepped up to the plate and produced inviting creative work that captures the essence of “A Matter of Taste!”

The Pastel paintings are scrumptiously full of color and Faye’s titles reflect her wonderful sense of humor!! She even has a visual recipe of sorts for Moussaka!

Lunch Series, Waskey

The next time you are pondering what to eat for breakfast, lunch or dinner, take a walk through the gallery for suggestions. Jason has painted some fun quartets around the times of day we eat.

The wine and cheese selection in here is astounding and if you add the salami and olives you would be set for hor dourves, thanks to Gail, Cary and Jonni.

Outside the blossoms on our local fruit trees and vines are in full bloom, but inside Brackenwood tantalizing pears, apples, oranges and grapes await you!

Come enjoy “A MATTER OF TASTE” and let your eyes enjoy this cuisenaire’s artistic delight!

Oh, we have a special guest for the Gallery Walk and ARTISTS’ RECEPTION! Cellist Buell Neidlinger will be playing music, a perfect accompaniment for the cuisine! All in all this show will wake up your appetite so Bon Appetit!

Italian Graffiti, Photograph, Skip Smith

SKIP SMITH

Skip Smith is a master photographer using the lithe print development technique, which creates a “black and white” image that looks like it came from antiquity. Really the images are more tones of dark brown and cream. For this show Skip chose lovely small prints from a recent trip to Italy. He captures the details such as a lovely flowerpot full of ivy in a tiny window, or a close-up of a subtle smile on a marble statue. He even snapped photos of interesting graffiti with a sense of humor. Looking at these photographs one wonders when the photo was taken, in the 19^th, 20^th or 21^st century. The timelessness of the subject matter and his unique development technique combine to create little worlds of wonder.

Trees With Boardwalk, Photograph, Ed Severinghaus

ED SEVERINGHAUS

Ed is a master photographer specializing in black and white images. Utilizing software, Silver Efex Pro, converts his color digital prints into black and white images with a quality approaching the black and white silver gelatin prints of the “old days”. His theme for this show is northwest landscapes with a focus on scenes from our lovely Langley as well as ocean beaches on the Olympic Peninsula. He captures the essence of those places so well.

Time Laps #7, Photograph, Kim Tinuviel

KIM TINUVIEL

Kim calls the work in this show “Street Lights”. Her brightly colored abstract images are bold and full of energy. Kim loves experimenting with photography and artfully orchestrates a complex interplay of camera and computer. Filled with the energy of Las Vegas, the photos almost vibrate with the excitement of dancing lights. By moving her camera around and using time lapse photography Kim orchestrated these images.

Beach Troll, Photograph, Earl Olsen

For instance, we have several photographs Earl took of driftwood. We all walk by driftwood on the beach, but rarely see what Earl sees. His photographs bring out the texture of the wood and suddenly hidden designs seem to emerge. By playing digitally with the image he transforms the usual into the unusual. If you study this image you will start to see multiple faces within faces and suddenly the Starwars character Jabba the Hut pops out! I find myself staring at it trying to find more faces. It’s certainly an interactive piece of artwork.

This photograph is one of the most beautiful we have in the gallery. People look at it and swear it’s a painting, but it is a photograph. The colors and the composition are perfect but so too is the texture.  The softness of the foreground and the crisp tree that is totally in focus in the center of the photograph illustrate Earl’s artistic talent. When people walk into the gallery they are drawn right to it.

Known for his landscapes, Earl has several in this show. The snow peaked mountains with soft white clouds floating above them is a classic. But I continue to be drawn back to the driftwood photos. The texture and the brilliant orange color of the fungi contrast with the soft gray of the beach logs. You want to reach out and touch them. Again it’s that painterly eye seeing things we might never notice.

If you haven’t had a chance to catch this show it continues through April 29. Rich Frishman, Kim Tinuviel, Skip Smith and Ed Severinghaus round out this show with unusual work that highlights their talents. One of the things I really have enjoyed in this show is the interactive pieces. Several of the photographs draw people in to study and really look at the work. This kind of art is great anywhere but perfect for public spaces such as offices or showrooms.

If anyone interested in Motorcycles walked into the gallery today, they would be blown away by three incredible photographs by Rich Frishman. The first photograph called “Sturgis, So. Dakota” captures what must be an amazing experience when hundreds of thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts, bikers, venders of motorcycle paraphernalia descend on this tiny town each August to celebrate the mystic of the motorcycle culture. * Please visit Rich Frishman’s page on our website to see the photos which are at the end of his slideshow.

Rich utilizes an unusual photographic technique to conjure up this extraordinary scene. Standing on a tower overlooking the main drag, Rich took hundreds of photos over a two-hour period. Then he “knit” together approximately 50 individual photographs to create a panorama, which at first glance appears to be a snap shot of a single moment. Upon closer scrutiny one starts to notice people and objects popping up several times across the picture, and as you lean into the photo studying it more intently you find yourself fascinated by the subject matter and suddenly you are there! You can almost feel the heat on your back and hear the cacophony of sounds and smells that must be emanating from that street. Anyone who has actually experienced this Motorcycle Rally in person will surely be drawn to the photograph as it sparks conversations and storytelling about their adventures at Sturgis!

When Rich last visited Las Vegas, the Guggenheim Museum was paying homage to the art of the motorcycle. Photographing 48 different individual bikes, Rich composed a single photo-mosaic called “The Art of the Motorcycle” incorporating dozens of separate 4X6 inch prints of many different bikes in the exhibit blended into one motorcycle. He included a Crocker, Indian, Haley and a Daimler steam-powered wooden cycle to name a few. Its a beautiful photograph even if motorcycles are not your passion!

Finally, while visiting the California desert Rich was encouraged to go see the Imperial Sand Dunes known for their windblown beauty and solitude. Instead he encountered hundreds of off highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts racing their high performance dune buggies, quads and motorcycles down the sand dunes with music blaring and sand swirling in every direction. It was truly a sight to behold and Rich captured it by shooting hundreds of photos over a three-day period. The final composite montage includes over 200 separate photographs painstakingly masked and assembled in their actual relative positions. Frishman creates a scene of heightened human activity over this incredible desert landscape. The photograph is printed on canvas, which gives it even more texture than the thousands of tracks that crisscross the undulating dunes extending as far as the eye can see. One is mesmerized just looking at the crisp images of these vehicles as they careen over the sand dunes, sometimes airborne, dodging and weaving thru this dune buggy desert paradise.

Hope you can come by to see these photographs in person as well as the work by our other fabulous photographers featured in this show: Earl Olsen,  Ed Severinghaus, Skip Smith, and Kim Tinuviel.  Future blogs will highlight their amazing work. We are lucky to have these talented photographers in our community who open up worlds we may never actually visit thru their “Discerning Eyes”.

Soft Spot, Stone Sculpture, Sue Taves

At first glance, people don’t know what to make of them. “Hearts, lots of hearts,” they say looking quite puzzled. Then they start to realize the hearts have been broken and mended. As they look more deeply the conversations start:

“There is no way for all the tiny shards of stone to be put back together again. I guess hearts can mend but they are never quite the same again.”

“Wow that one looks like the break was so sudden, it just sheared apart! But the gentle way it was mended  shows there is hope after heart break.”

Clean Break, Stone Sculpture, Sue Taves

“Heartbreak can expose our inner most fears and terrors. But sometimes, through heartbreak also comes beauty. The inside of this stone has crystals that you would never have known were there before it was broken. Just like people, you never know what the broken heart will be like once it has mended. It might be better than it was before.

I find people looking at Michael Stadler’s photographs to see how the pieces broke and trying to find the mended heart it goes with. The explosive photos also elicit comments such as: “Wow that one really exploded. That’s powerful!”

If you haven’t had an opportunity to see the hearts close up, come on by. This is one of those exhibits that truly gets at the heart of art: communicating emotions and ideas thru the use of provocative images. “Mending Hearts” certainly does that.

Besides “Mending Hearts”, which continues through Feb. 25, 2013, we also have some fine gifts you could consider for your special Valentine.

Sue Taves breaking a heart, photo by Michael Stadler

Micheal Stadler documented the moment of breakage with explosive photographs that will be displayed as wall art with the actual sculpture that was broken. Putting back together these “broken hearts” created quite a puzzle for Sue Taves and Zia Gipson. They pondered the shards of stone and thought about how they could put them back together again in a way that honored the beauty of the stone but also said something metaphorically about human emotions involved in heartbreak.

Soft Spot, Stone Sculpture, Sue Taves

As I wandered around the studio gazing at the different sculptures I found myself thinking about my own personal history with heartbreak, then wondering how in the world these artists thought of mending a heart with fur, then looking at the stake thru the heart and thinking, ya I get that! I found myself ping ponging back and forth between emotion and marveling at the problem solving involved in putting these hearts together again.

Sharon Shoemaker and Robbie Cribbs came to one of the “breaking” sessions and also captured in film. Their short video will depict the process as Sue stands high on a ladder and drops one of her stone heart creations onto a black granite base.

The collaborative process between Stone carver and sculptor Sue Taves, Photographer Michael Stadler and mixed media artist Zia Gipson has created a truly unusual art exhibit that will linger in your mind long after you leave the gallery. We look forward to seeing you at this dynamic show that opens our 2013 season!

La Femme, Alabaster, Sharon Spencer

The impetus for the Small Pleasures Show was a quote from a writer named Natalie Goldberg, “Small Pleasures may never desert you”. The joy of finding or receiving special treasures and the pleasure one has when revisiting them over the years is certainly something we all can relate to.

Are you trying to shop locally during the holidays? If so, Brackenwood is a perfect choice! Most of the artists in the gallery either live on the Island or very near so you will definitely be supporting the local economy by purchasing art here.

If you are shopping for a special occasion, we have lovely jewelry and gorgeous one-of-a-kind silk wraps by Cheryl Kamera or Carys Ann Hamer that will add panache to any outfit.

We have beautiful new cups and votives by glass artist Merrilee Moore. Moore’s Fire and Ice candlesticks are stunning! Looking for a unique yet functional gift? Choose between the exquisitely crafted turned wooden boxes by Jon Magill.

Lineage, Wild Apple, Jon Magill

We have an incredible collection of small oil paintings by Pete Jordan, Jason Waskey, Cary Jurriaans, Susan Ogilvie and watercolors by Ginny O’Neill. Looking for a gift for that grandchild or wall art for a child’s room? Lucy Brennan’s lively watercolors are great!

This is just the tip of the iceberg, there is much, much more so come on in and stroll around! You will be delighted with the selection and the eye candy will bring you joy!

Phillips paints with oils on everything from large archival wood panels to tiny scrabble tiles.

Jennifer’s large paintings have created an atmosphere in the gallery of quiet and contemplative nature. Not an exact duplicate of nature but the sensation of being in the woods; what the eye catches as it scans the area. Very dreamlike, somewhat blurry imagery of branches and lovely landscapes draw you forward and into the natural world.

Jennifer’s color pallet captured the look and feel of fall. From a simple branch reaching out into space to more abstract landscape images, the gallery has come alive with autumnal beauty. Serene is the word that comes to mind for this show. Jennifer named the show, The Pace of Nature, an apropos name in that you want to slow down and appreciate this beautiful work.

Jennifer’s process is interesting as well. She typically uses oil with glazing techniques as her main medium. Using brushes she adds visual texture and ends with a thicker alla prima layer. In some cases she uses wax to finish a piece instead of varnish giving the work a very soft and ephemeral appearance.

Reminiscence, Oil, Jennifer Phillips

Although the show is primarily about Jennifer’s larger work, we have several smaller pieces as well. From Jennifer’s scrabble tile jewelry, which are tiny works of art,

to her framed miniature landscapes painted on canvas the variety of work large and small is delightful!

Even though Jennifer’s first child was born this year she was willing and able to produce a fabulous body of work for this show. We are truly honored!

This is an example of prints that can be made from a steamroller from: San Francisco Center for the Book’s annual Steamroller Festival on Rhode Island Street between 16th & 17th. Shown: the creation of a 3′x3′ print by Nora Aoyagi.

A Bee, Linocut Print, Buffy Cribbs

Several of the prints for this show are relief prints. Linoleum is a great medium to do reduction prints with. The artist draws a design on the soft side of linoleum, then with special tools carves out the design “reducing” the surface. Then the artist applies ink to the surface and the portion of the design that is dug into the linoleum usually comes out white, and the flat portion that is left is colored.

Minerva Mini Half Wood Press, Buffy Cribbs

Buffy Cribbs makes her own beautiful wooden press that she used to make some of the prints in this show.

Octopus Vulgaris, Etching, Briony Morrow Cribbs

Etching is part of the intaglio family of printmaking. In an etching the plate is covered with a waxy or acrylic ground. The artist draws through the ground with a pointed etching needle.

Minerva’s Hat, Copper Plate, Buffy Cribbs

The exposed metal lines are then etched by dipping the plate in a bath of nitric acid or ferric chloride, which bites into the exposed metal, leaving behind lines or grooves in the plate. Ink is applied, which seeps into the etched lines. The surface of the plate is then wiped off and the plate is then put through a printing press with a piece of paper. The paper picks up the ink in the groves that were etched onto the plate. Sometimes the artist hand colors the etching or print.

Davie’s Barn, Dry Point Print, Bruce Morrow

A variation of engraving is Drypoint. Done with a sharp pointed instrument on an acrylic or metal plate, the lines are engraved but the process leaves a rough burr at the edge of each line. This gives the print a soft and sometimes blurry look. Artists can only print a few prints with this process because the burr is quickly destroyed.

Santa Cruz, Monotype Print, Bridget Fischer

Monotypes are made by drawing or painting onto a plate. This plate can be made from copper, zinc, glass or acrylic. The image that is on the plate is then transferred to the paper via a printing press. Sometimes the artist will ink an entire plate and then subtract the ink with brushes, rags or other imaginative tools to create lighter areas that look white once printed.

Unhinged, Relief Print, Diane Divelbess

This relief print by Diane Divelbess was created with a gigantic steam roller! The artist brought several wooden forms she had cut out to a location, inked them up, placed them on this huge roll of paper, the steam roller trundled over them acting as a press and viola! a beautiful print was created.

When you come to the show, see if you can pick out which printing technique the artist used to create their art.

Several of our clients have collected work by Laura Hudson, a Whidbey Island native and daughter of Georgia Gerber and Randy Hudson. Since we have had various inquiries about Laura we thought it would be great to do an update about her.

Laura-Recent Opening

Laura Hudson had a few shows here at Brackenwood Gallery before going back east to further her art education. Ms. Hudson was just awarded her Masters in Fine Art from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Currently living as an artist in Residence at Gallery Four in Baltimore, Laura also works as a cocktail server at Woodberry Kitchen.

Laura Hudson at MFA Show

Laura’s first solo show is up right now in Baltimore called, TUG OF WAR – a chanty for the studio practice (Thank you Patti Smith).  This year Laura was also a semi-finalist for a prestigious prize in Maryland called the Sondheim and has one painting up right now at MICA for that prize. Laura was recently in New American Paintings, which was her entré into a show in NYC in Tribeca this fall.  Currently Laura is working on a solo show that will be up in October at the Arlington Arts Center outside of D.C. Since Laura’s work is on a large scale, she is unable to have work here at Brackenwood Gallery but we continue to follow her career and are delighted she is doing so well back east!

BRIONY MORROW-CRIBBS

Another artist many have inquired about is Briony Morrow-Cribbs, who will have work in our upcoming Print Show opening on Sept. 1. Briony grew up on Whidbey and is the daughter of local artists, Buffy Cribbs and Bruce Morrow. After earning her BFA at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, Briony moved to Vermont where she opened Twin Vixen Press in Battleboro, Vermont with fellow printmaker Helen O’Donnell.

Belladonna, Etching, Briony Morrow Cribbs

While in Vermont, Briony began a professional relationship with Amy Stewart and Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, NC. Between 2008 and 2011, Briony illustrated two New York Times bestsellers: “Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln’s Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities” and “Wicked Bugs: The Louse That Conquered Napoleon’s Army & Other Diabolical Insects.”

A few years ago, Briony moved to Madison, WI to continue her art education and in May 2012 Briony was awarded her MFA in Printmaking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While in Wisconsin she was the recipient of the University Fellowship, a Vilas Travel Grant and several professional development awards. Briony was recently offered an appointment at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to teach etching.

Polycephone, Hand Colored Etching, Briony Morrow Cribbs

Briony’s work from her MFA show is spectacular and looks at animals through the “lens of what we have in common”, revealing “parts of ourselves otherwise hidden”. Briony’s “menagerie is an exploration of the categories, ‘human’ and ‘animal’ and the intersections between the two. The work uses groupings of animals inhabiting a psychological space usually identified as the domain of the human: emotional interactions and complex relationships.”

Vulpes_zerda, Hand Colored Etching, Briony Morrow Cribbs

In her artist statement, Briony examines what happens when familiar “human” sentiments are portrayed in the space between two animals: “Can we continue to define ourselves in opposition to a scene that is charged with the delicate nuances of passion, shame and excitement? And why do we often reserve animal imagery to represent us at our “worst”?”

Briony Morrow-Cribbs continues to show at Brackenwood Gallery, sending us new work from time to time and will be one of our featured artists in the upcoming Print Show which opens on September 1, 2012. We look forward to having new work of Briony’s in the gallery and encourage her collectors to come see the show!