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Summer Art Happenings at The Christina Gallery

Memorial Day weekend is upon us and I can’t believe that we are beginning our 38th summer season here on the Vineyard. Yes, I was a freshman in high school when we first opened in 1977! Actually, my dad and I came up with the idea to start a retail business and we didn’t tell my mom until we were ready to open. At that time she was working for the Fligor family across the street.

During the early days we sold vintage photographs of Martha’s Vineyard from the mid 1800’s. As each year passed, we expanded upon our collection and inventory and new artists to gradually grow into what we are known for today, an established traditional fine art gallery. It was in 1994 that I formally took over the gallery business and it became The Christina Gallery.

The U.S. Coast Survey

The various maps and charts of the U.S. Coast Survey were created by geologists, meteorologists, astronomers and topographers, each highly trained in this new scientific discipline and with an unheard-of attention to detail. These men and women (the Coast Survey hired women professionals as early as 1845) helped push back the limits of astronomic measures, designed new and more accurate observational instruments for sea and land surveying, developed new techniques for the mathematical analysis of the mountains of data obtained by the field parties, and further refined techniques of error analysis and mitigation. Storms, mountains, dust, mud, deserts, wild beasts, heat and cold; all were the companions of the Coast Surveyors. They engaged in a great physical adventure which is little known and little understood.

The years between the end of the American Revolution and the beginning of the Civil War were pivotal ones in the development of American coastal charting. The country was expanding, the population was resettling and the coast lines were lengthening. Industrialization in the northeast encouraged the export of manufactured goods and the import of raw materials and with the discovery of gold in California, the country had grown from one coast to the other and maritime traffic had increased significantly.

Monomoy and Nantucket Shoals to Block Island c. 1874

Duane Alt: Contemporary Master French Impressionist

When I view one of Duane Alt’s paintings, I find myself wistfully thinking of taking a trip to France. Duane’s use of jewel toned hues in his paintings remind me of the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, the enchanting city gardens and the sun-drenched fields of flowers and lavender of the countryside. During his lifetime, Duane has traveled extensively through the region, including both the French and Italian Rivieras. It’s Duane’s fondness for all things French that one might think that indeed he is a native, but that is not the case.

Walking Home in Portofino by Duane Alt — “Walking Home in Portofino”

“La Danse a la Campagne” by Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Pierre-Auguste Renoir (1841-1919) is one of the most celebrated painters of the French Impressionist movement. Renoir was born in 1841 in the town of Limoges, in south-central France. His father was a tailor, and in 1844, relocated his family to the artistic and cultural center of Paris. Renoir showed interest in music and art at an early age, and was apprenticed at the age of fifteen as a porcelain painter. He spent two years learning to decorate plates, teapots and vases in ornate detail until the china works store closed in 1858. At this point, Renoir decided to take his talent and interest beyond commercial employment; he wanted to become a serious artist.

Renoir began his art studies in 1862 under the direction of Charles Gleyre alongside fellow students Claude Monet, Frederic Bazille and Alfred Sisley. They would all become friends and influenced each other’s work.

The Fall Season on the Vineyard

This is indeed the most delightful time of the year to spend on the Vineyard. The days are warm, nights are cool and the air is very refreshing. The Islanders you haven’t seen all summer are milling about now that the crowds have somewhat retreated back to the mainland. We already miss visiting with our summer clients; however it is kind of nice to take a step back to enjoy this beautiful island we live on.

"Last Leg of the Race" by William R. Davis — “Last Leg of the Race” by William R. Davis

The Striped Bass Derby started over the weekend and every other car that drives by the gallery has at least two or three fishing rods on their roof rack. In some respects Island life seems to come to a complete stop for people who enjoy fishing. And with this beautiful weather it’s hard to argue with taking a day off to do so.

"Along South Water Street" by David Bareford — “Along South Water Street” by David Bareford

Next month, the Martha’ Vineyard Food & Wine Festival will take place October 16 – 19, 2014. There is an extraordinary line up of culinary events and yet another wonderful reason to visit the Vineyard. And though the summer season is behind us, we continue to receive in new works from our artists, including those featured here by William R. Davis, Mitch Billis and David Bareford.

"Fence Lined Rhodies" by Mitch Billis — “Fence Lined Rhodies” by Mitch Billis

Happy Fall!

An Evening with Island Artist Marjorie Mason

Summer Art Happenings at The Christina Gallery

Summer is finally in full swing here on the Vineyard. It was a bit of a late arrival for most people because of the extended school season and snow days that needed to be made up. Outside of the uninvited Hurricane Arthur over the 4th of July holiday weekend, it has been a most delightful summer so far. The Town postponed the holiday celebration by a day and it was certainly worth it, the fireworks were spectacular!

New paintings are continuing to arrive daily and we are enjoying the return of Igor Galanin works to the gallery. For those of you familiar with our gallery, you may remember Igor’s work from the past. Very playful and oversized animals and people are the focus of his whimsical and surreal paintings.

Our 38th season is just beginning here on the island of Martha’s Vineyard!

Our 38th season is just beginning here on the island of Martha’s Vineyard! With the extremely long winter finally behind us, it has been wonderful to see everyone walking around town and stopping by the gallery to say hello. It’s always nice to catch up with friends and clients and hear about what has been going on in their lives over the last few months.

The gallery is displaying two new artists this season. Kate Tortland just graduated from Gordon College where she majored in art education, as well as, studio art. She has a lovely sense of color and approach to her impressionistic paintings. Kate says “my goal in creating works of art is to call attention to all the wondrous beauty that surrounds us – beauty that is so often ignored or forgotten.” She loves to travel and in addition to painting, she enjoys writing and illustrating books. We are very excited to have her work in the gallery.

"Martha's Hydrangeas" by Kate Tortland — “Martha’s Hydrangeas” by Kate Tortland

Shop Small, Shop Local at The Christina Gallery!

Today is Small Business Saturday. Please support your local business communities by shopping small, not just today but all year round! The Christina Gallery has a select art sale going on and a holiday promotion featuring our antique map and nautical chart collection.

Plein Air Edgartown 2013

The Christina Gallery, North Water Gallery and Pik Nik Art & Apparel are pleased to announce Plein Air Edgartown 2013 during the week of September 9 – 14, 2013. Artists from each of these three galleries will be out and about on the streets of Edgartown painting each day during the week. This will be a wonderful opportunity for art lovers to see the artists at work and watch them paint.

Artists participating include David Bareford, Traeger di Pietro, Herb Edwards, Lillia Frantin, John Hagen, Marjorie Mason, Anne McGhee, Brandon Newton, Marilyn Simandle, Jeanne Staples, John C. Traynor, Dan VanLandingham, Christie Velesig, Ken Vincent and Wendy Weldon.

Marilyn Simandle painting on Saturday, September 7, 2013 across the street from The Christina Gallery and in the gardens of The Fallon.

An Evening of Fine Art with Island Artist – Marjorie Mason

Tomorrow evening, August 8^th, will be the second Evening of Fine Art of the summer 2013 season. Here at The Christina Gallery we will be featuring the work of island favorite, Marjorie Mason. Mason has developed an impressive following of patrons since her graduation from the prestigious Rhode Island School of Art and Design in 1981. Her body of work is composed mainly of beach and landscapes from around the Vineyard.

"Lambert's Cove Bloom" by Marjorie Mason — “Lambert’s Cove Bloom” by Marjorie Mason

Join us at The Christina Gallery from 6 to 8pm on Thursday August 8^th as we open our doors to the public for the opening reception for Marjorie Mason. We look forward seeing you here!

To view new works by Marjorie Mason please click here.

February 2013 – The Upcoming Season

It’s hard to believe it’s already the middle of February because before you know it the daffodils will be blooming around here! We’ve had a little snow here and there, and then of course, there was the blizzard of 2013 which really was a major event here in New England. We received about a foot of snow on the island and it was very pretty, like a winter wonderland!

I have been spending my time preparing for the summer 2013 season and have a great schedule of events. First up, will be an exhibition of paintings by long time gallery favorite, John C. Traynor. We will be displaying works from his recent travels, including Scotland, Ireland, France and maybe even some of Italy, if he makes the trip as currently planned for this Spring.

“Menemsha Harbor”
by John C. Traynor
“Home & Abroad”
June 27 – July 7, 2013

Lillia Frantin will be present for our July gallery stroll event and we will feature her wonderful modernist paintings. She was new to the gallery’s collection last season and her colorful and spontaneous paintings were very well received.

"Primrose & Seashells" by Lillia Frantin "In a Summer Light" July 11 - 18, 2013 — “Primrose & Seashells”
by Lillia Frantin
“In a Summer Light”
July 11 – 18, 2013

During the August gallery stroll, island artist Marjorie Mason will be on hand to talk about her recent paintings of Martha’s Vineyard. As always, that is a popular event!

"Lucy Vincent Sunset" by Marjorie Mason "Vineyard Landscapes" August 8 - 15, 2013 — “Lucy Vincent Sunset”
by Marjorie Mason
“Vineyard Landscapes”
August 8 – 15, 2013

And stay tuned, in September we are planning a “plein air” painting event with one of the other galleries in town. You will be able to watch many artists around town painting and interpreting what they are seeing. More details to follow as they become available.

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