Christina – Page 6 – The Christina Gallery

John Powell’s Visions of Paradise

John Powell is a bold artist. He doesn’t shy away from color or detail as is so clearly evidenced in any one of his oil paintings. Powell has an uncanny ability to meld reality with fantasy to create lush landscapes and ornate still-life’s. Perhaps his interpretation of the world comes from his Hollywood roots; John Powell grew up in Hollywood, California. As a young man Powell joined the Navy for a four year stint. Two of those years were spent based in Japan where he developed a deep-seeded interest in the Far East and Japanese culture. Throughout his life Powell has continued to travel and collect objects from around the world. These artifacts feature prominently in his paintings.

"Window Nook" by John Powell — “Window Nook” by John Powell

Powell’s steady hand and vivid imagination lead to incredibly detailed images, both in the foreground and background. Not a single blade of grass or curlicue design on a Japanese vase escapes Powell’s grasp. Incredibly, this inundation of information does not overwhelm the viewer, but rather heightens one’s senses. The viewer is drawn into the scene and soaks up every detail. Nothing escapes Powell’s observant eye. In “Window Nook” we see no fewer than six different vases, four tables, and three ornate textiles portrayed. Those objects only begin to make up the background of painting. The true subject of the painting is the vibrant flowers that seem to grow out of the canvas, blooming in every inch of the artwork.

Powell has often spoken of his intense interest in color that drove him to pursue painting. “I was on a bus going home to Hollywood. The evening was warm and the shadows were strong. Suddenly it hit me – there they were; all the colors my father and Will were talking about.” His father, a respected Californian artist, taught Powell to draw but wouldn’t allow him to paint until he had learned the basics and first became an accomplished draftsman.

At the age of 82, John Powell is still expanding his oeuvre and developing new techniques. Speaking about a recently completed large-scale work “’This was a first for me as far as painting a triptych this size. It presented new challenges as well as new goals and growth for me as an artist.” Not only did Powell tackle an enormous project (the completed work stands at 15’ high and 3’ wide), but the underwater subject was also a departure from the garden-scapes for which he is known. Many of John Powell’s new paintings are currently on display at The Christina Gallery. Come visit us in Edgartown to see these elaborate artworks yourself.

An Art Nouveau Calendar

Art Nouveau, although short-lived, defined the social landscape of turn of the century Europe. The movement sought to socialize all art forms, viewing crafts and decorative arts as equally valuable to what has historically been known as ‘high art,’ painting and sculpture. Artists working within the style created modern motifs blending organic curvilinear shapes with angular designs. Art Nouveau can be seen as a rejection of the ornate art celebrated in the Victorian-era and the patronizing academic attitude often credited for the decline in the prestige of decorative art.

In 1894 the French department store La Belle Jardinière commissioned Grasset to complete a series of twelve original artworks for a calendar the fashionable retailer would then publish. In twelve iterations corresponding to each calendar month, Grasset depicts beautiful young women in seasonal costumes and gardens that incorporate his signature Art Nouveau style into whimsical color wood engravings. In “Octobre” a woman is shown raking leaves in an autumn garden full of green, yellow and brown foliage. Despite partaking in yard work the woman is elegantly dressed, advertising La Belle Jardinière. She wears a long-sleeved yellow dress and a wide brimmed hat protecting her from the elements; her skirt is blowing in the breeze.

Eugène Grasset’s diverse body of work exemplifies the attempt to eliminate the hierarchy of the arts. Best known for his poster art, his career spanned a multitude of different media including drawing, sculpture, architecture, tapestry, ceramics and jewelry-making. Grasset approached each endeavor with the same enthusiasm and did not discriminate against lesser-appreciated craft-art. The 19^th century had been a time of great industrial achievement yet the quality and workmanship of decorative arts was not yet up to par. Grasset, and other Art Nouveau artists, returned the skill to craft-making.

All twelve images can be seen here and at The Christina Gallery. Read more of Eugène Grasset’s biography here.

An “Evening of Fine Art” with Marjorie Mason & Sandi Blanda

This upcoming Thursday evening, August 9^th, will be the second “Evening of Fine Art” of the summer 2012 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.

Sailors’ Valentines by award-winning artist Sandi Blanda will also be highlighted during the evening stroll. Read more about the maritime history of Sailor’s Valentines here. Blanda will be running her annual workshop from August 7 – 10, 2012.

"Crimson Tide" by Sandi Blanda — “Crimson Tide” by Sandi Blanda

Join us at The Christina Gallery from 6 to 8pm on Thursday August 9^th as we open our doors to the public for the opening reception for Marjorie Mason and Sandi Blanda. We look forward to seeing you here!

A Look Back in Time: Historic Marine Scenes

William R. Davis has made his name as a painter of historic sea and landscapes. Known as one of the best marine painters of our time, Davis is a self-taught artist who learned to paint by studying the works of 19^th century masters. Francis Silva’s works showed Davis that warm tones are pleasing to the eye, while astute observation of William Bradford’s paintings led to Davis’ technique of priming his canvas in salmon hues. The salmon under-painting results in the warm glow that marks each of Davis’ oil paintings.

"Gay Head Light c. 1890" by William R. Davis — “Gay Head Light c. 1890” by William R. Davis

Davis was born in 1952 in Somerville, MA and grew up near the water in Hyannis where he developed a love of sailing that would last a lifetime. He has amassed a library of over one thousand texts on marine artists, historic vessels, maritime charts, and other boating related books. He thoroughly researches each landscape in order to recreate its 19^th century appearance. Davis uses a gentle hand and a soft sable brush to create his carefully rendered oil paintings. His works are defined by their warm color palette, impeccably detailed subject matter, smooth surface, and atmospheric lighting. Renowned for his ability to accurately portray the billowing sheets and taught lines of a schooner, he is also unmatched in his ability to emulate the quality of light in a dewy sunrise or a pink-tinged sunset. His perceptive appreciation of light allows him to capture the power of nature in every painting. Collectors of Davis’ art praise the elegant way his brushstrokes melt into the surface of the canvas and the accuracy with which he captures the turn-of-the-century seascapes.

William R. Davis’ work is reminiscent of the American Luminism of the late eighteen hundreds. The style is defined by the use of natural light, often sunrise or sunset, in the paintings of American landscapes. Davis’ work can be found in collections and exhibitions around the world, including at The Christina Gallery in Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard.

Lillia Frantin: A Contemporary Modernist

Walking past the windows of The Christina Gallery, one can’t help but notice the bright colors and bold brushstrokes of Lillia Frantin’s “Still Life on a Summer Day.” The large canvas radiates energy while Frantin’s palette of pastel and neon shades illuminates space far beyond the painting’s frame. A bouquet of pink flowers blooms in a glass vase. Green stems create contrast with the orange and yellow backdrop of the painting, and the plate of oranges at the foot of the floral arrangement.

"Still Life on a Summer Day" by Lillia Frantin — “Still Life on a Summer Day” by Lillia Frantin

Lillia Frantin’s influence by Expressionists and Fauvists such as Matisse, Cezanne, and Bonnard is clear. Like her precursors, she tests the limits of representation in her signature loosely painted, energetic still lifes. After teaching Modernist Art History at the university level for twenty years Frantin retired to pursue her painting career full-time. Looking at Frantin’s paintings is like seeing the world through her eyes. As she describes “…Art is really what we all search for in life: understanding and respect, harmony and freedom, connection, vitality, truth and beauty.”

The Christina Gallery welcomes Lillia Frantin’s Modernist oil paintings back after a ten-year hiatus. Her work can be found in collections across the United States and abroad. Come visit us at the gallery and ask us for more information or to see her vibrant works yourself.

The First Gallery Stroll and an Interview with Lloyd Kelly

Last night’s reception of Lloyd Kelly’s “Paintings of Provence” coincided with the first Gallery Stroll of Summer 2012. The gallery was filled with visitors from all sides of the island. Guests enjoyed drinks and conversation while looking at paintings by artists such as William Davis, John Traynor, Russell Gordon, Lillia Frantin and four generations of the Pissarro family.

After viewing “Paintings of Provence,” I was able to enjoy a conversation with the artist Lloyd Kelly. He talked candidly about his inspiration for the show, his approach to painting in general, and his interest in the Far East. – Erica Udow, Gallery Associate, The Christina Gallery

An Interview with Lloyd:

The theme of this exhibition is Provence, France. Many artists in history have embraced this subject. What inspired you to continue the tradition?

“Impressionists called themselves Japanesists because they were so influenced by the Japanese. The South of France is inspirational because of the food, the wine…magic light there. It is still a big influence on artists today. There is such diversity of landscape; nature is so present. It energizes the artist and inspires…”

Speaking of inspiration, you have spoken of the influence the eighteenth century Japanese artist Ito Jakuchu has had on your work. How did that develop?

“First of all through textbooks and also through my interest in martial arts and Tai Chi starting as a child. My father was in the military and travelled to Japan. Because of things that my father brought back, I started becoming more and more interested in China and Japan.”

What about Jakuchu’s work appeals to you?

“The specific influence of Ito is that he incorporates asymmetric balance that for the time was very unique. He really is arguably one of the greatest artists of all time.”

Are there other artists whose work you find to be particularly influential?

“Do you know the artist Morandi? Giorgio Morandi was from Bologna. He was very influential on people like Rothko. You name the big artist and they were all looking towards Morandi. He has always been an artist’s artist. He takes very simple objects that are conventional so that [the object], be it landscape or still life, is not about the subject matter at all, it just becomes a way into the subject matter.”

In “Arts & Ideas” you mention that your work is abstract and not only about the obvious subject matter of the painting. Is Morandi’s approach what you are referring to?”

“For example the Chinese and Japanese will paint the same peach blossom for generations. It is not about the peach blossom [itself], but what each artist brings to the peach blossom. Morandi lived with his mother and painted the same objects over and over…dealing with abstract and contemporary issues… moving around space, and color. [He made] the subject matter accessible to the viewer. It is really about something else even though the subject matter is traditional and conventional.”

I read about your use of bourbon as paint thinner in a series of equestrian portraits you painted a few years ago. Have you continued to use this technique in your recent works, or was that an one-off experiment?

“I use lavender oil in the paint. Sometimes, in fact, the UPS people will ask ‘what is this I have in my truck!’ Spike of lavender was used during the Renaissance… It causes the paint to flow. It slows down the drying and one can really draw with the paint. I use it in small passages, often in the lavender blossoms themselves. I sometimes use bourbon or cognac or calvados. I go to the distilleries and they give me the designate, which is completely clear, and does not contain the chemicals and tannins and so forth. It disperses the pigments differently than chemical mediums.”

How did you come up with the idea to use unconventional mediums?

“After school I [completed coursework in] Museum Studies at The Louvre and The Tate. I collected [indigenous materials]. I think it is fun. I think it’s interesting. There’s some sort of an authenticity to it. It is kind of like living off the land. I think that the source is from my museum education at the Louvre.”

Your oil paintings demonstrate an adept ability to manipulate color…

“You can only get about 170 colors [readymade from an art store]. The human eye, untrained, can see up to 700 with no problem. With a little training [it] can see up to a few thousand. The interaction of colors is something that interests me a lot. That is why I do so much under painting. The viewer’s eye mixes the colors. The colors that I mix are [just the first step in creating the final product]. The viewer’s eye brings it together to another place.”

Four Generations: Camille Pissarro & Family

Born on the island of St. Thomas in 1830, Camille Pissarro became a master of the Impressionist movement whose influence extended to not only his contemporaries in Paris, where his career blossomed, but also to his own immediate family. Pissarro learned to paint by carefully observing the changing light during different times of day and different seasons, a legacy he passed on to all those who studied under him.

Of Pissarro’s seven children, four of his sons grew to be respected artists in their own right; Lucien, Ludovic-Rodo, Georges Henri and Paulémile. Lucien, the eldest, was skilled in a variety of media, ranging from oils and watercolors to engravings and lithographs. Aside from studying under his father, he also surrounded himself with such figures as Paul Signac and Georges Seurat. The pointillist style practiced by these two masters affected Lucien’s style, as well as his father’s.

Pissarro with his wife and son, Paulemile, and daughter, Jeanne in their garden at Eragny in 1897

Though Lucien eventually moved to London permanently, playing a large role in spreading the Impressionist movement in Britain, the majority of Camille’s other artistic protégés remained closer to home. Georges Henri, who went by the alias “Manzana” in his earlier years, was a prolific painter and decorative artist who regularly exhibited paintings in the avant-garde galleries and exhibitions across Paris, including but not limited to the “Salon d’Automne” and the “Salon de Independents.”

Georges Henri’s next closest brother, Ludovic-Rodo, was a figure in the anti-academic Parisian art world; his first woodcuts were published in the anarchist journal Le Pere Peunard. Rodo and the youngest Pissarro brother, Paulémile, lived in the Montmarte region and frequented the nightlife and cafe scene there, coming into contact with such Fauvists as Maurice Vlaminck, Kees Van Dongen and Raoul Dufy.

Paulémile’s oldest child, Hugues Claude, who was named after his godfather, Claude Monet, was born in 1935 and is still actively painting. Initially taught by his father, Hugues first exhibited his work at the age of fourteen. He subsequently studied art in Paris at prestigious establishments such as Ecole du Musée du Louvre and, in particular, at Ecole Normale Supérieur, a unique French institution dedicated to the pursuit of achievement and excellence to which only the academic elite have access. Hugues youngest child, Lélia was born in 1963. She has been painting since she was four and was educated by her grandfather, Paulémile. Her interest in drawing and painting was nurtured by her grandfather, who taught her the fundamental impressionist and post-impressionist techniques.

“Paintings of Provence” by Lloyd Kelly

Lloyd Kelly is internationally renowned for his landscape and equestrian oil paintings. He has exhibited at The Christina Gallery since 1994 as well as at galleries and museums around the world including the United States, Mexico, Japan, China, France and Italy.

"Juillet en Provence" by Lloyd Kelly — “Juillet en Provence” by Lloyd Kelly

Kelly’s works are often celebrated for their bold use of color and unique asymmetrical balance. High horizon lines simultaneously provide the viewer with both an interesting focal point and an entryway into the canvas. Diagonal lines extend off the canvas out into the viewers’ space, resulting in the dissolution of barriers between reality and the world created by the artist’s brush. This technique allows the viewer to become a part of the painting.

A consistent thread seen in Kelly’s work throughout his career is his use of complementary colors in the fore and background of his paintings. He places great importance on the under-painting of his canvases. The contrast that his layering creates adds dramatic tension to the deceivingly simple compositions and subjects. His selection of beautiful and serene subjects such as lush lavender fields and floral still-lifes are familiar to viewers. Kelly himself frequently reminds the viewer that his work is abstract and that diverse and unexpected meaning can be found in even the most seemingly innocuous subject matters. The painting is not only about the object itself; conventional subjects become a way to express other ideas.

From July 5-19, 2012 The Christina Gallery will have on view an exhibition of original oil paintings by Lloyd Kelly entitled “Paintings of Provence.” Inspiration for the works in this show comes from Kelly’s travels to the south of France. Many master painters in history are either from, or travelled to, Provence. The rolling hills, impressive architecture and surreal natural lighting provide a rich subject matter for this collection of paintings. As Kelly explains, “The south of France is inspirational because of the food, the wine, and the magic light there. It is still a big influence on artists today. There is such a rich diversity of landscape; nature is so present. It energizes the artist and inspires…”

We hope to see you at The Christina Gallery for our first show of the 2012 Summer Season!

February 2012 – Our trip to Paris

Bonjour! As I mentioned in the last blog we would be traveling to Paris in the early part of February to visit with colleagues who handle modern master works on paper. It was a very successful trip and we enjoyed our time there, even though it was unseasonably cold. It seems all of Europe is enduring some very cold weather of late.

We stayed on Ile St. Louis which is very quaint with its wonderful array of cafes, boutiques, patisseries and speciality markets. My parents were surprised with a visit by my brother, Matthew and his friend Stuart. Matthew will be starting a new position as Vice-President of Strategic Planning for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, so he decided to get away before starting his new job.

The Musée d’Orsay is always a must when we are visiting Paris. On the fifth floor is the museum’s Impressionist Collection which was outstanding. I don’t think I have ever seen this gallery filled with so many paintings, it was if they all came back at once from being out on loan. I could have spent hours in those rooms.

The museum has also made some recent acquisitions, including The Circle of the Rue Royale by James Tissot. This magnificent painting is a group portrait depicting members of a men’s club posh, gathered on a terrace overlooking the Place de la Concorde in Paris, and at the time, gave recognition to Tissot as “one of the most talented painters of his generation.”

"The Circle of the Rue Royale" by James Tissot c. Musee d'Orsay — “The Circle of the Rue Royale” by James Tissot c. Musee d’Orsay

We also visited the Musée Marmottan Monet in the 16 arrondissement to view an exhibition “Henri Edmond Cross and Neo-Impressionism: Seurat to Matisse.” The museum once was a hunting lodge and also has an extensive display of Impressionist works by Monet, Morisot, Pissarro, Degas, Sisley to name just a few, with a wonderful collection of period furniture throughout the museum.

We did purchase several works on paper during our stay, including Printemps and Prodigal Son (suite of four etchings) both by James Tissot, Gants de Suede by James Whistler, La Belle Jardiniere a calendar of images dated 1896 by Eugene Grasset and several other works which will make their way to our website once they are framed.

It’s always nice to come home after being away for awhile, but I certainly could have spent another week in the City of Lights. It really is a magical city!

January 2012 – The Upcoming Season

Happy New Year! We found 2011 to be a very optimistic year for the gallery. The economy is starting to improve and more importantly art patrons are once again purchasing. We want to thank all of you who passed through the gallery this past year, it was a pleasure to work with you, we appreciate your business and we look forward to seeing you again this season.

Last season’s exhibitions featuring four generations of Camille Pissarro’s family was a resounding success, as was “Favorite Places” featuring the work of acclaimed artist John Traynor. Sandi Blanda held her first workshop on Martha’s Vineyard on how to make Sailors’ Valentines. Everyone who took the three day workshop had a wonderful time with her. One of the participants even entered her completed valentine at the Agricultural Fair in August and won second place for her creation! More recently we exhibited at the 15th Annual Boston International Fine Art Show which proved to be a very interesting weekend meeting new clients and catching up with our colleagues.

This can be considered a quiet time on the Vineyard, but we are very busy planning the upcoming season and talking to artists about their works. And we do have artists sending new work now. We received this painting by William R. Davis last week and it’s absolutely stunning!

"Return Sail from Nantucket, Off Great Point" by William R. Davis — “Return Sail from Nantucket, Off Great Point” by William R. Davis

Our website is a current representation of the gallery’s inventory and as new works become available they will be added.

We will be traveling to Paris at the end of this month to see several dealers for our Works on Paper collection. We recently sold La Danse a la Campagne by Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Histoire Ennuyeuse by James Jacques Tissot; and find our collection of works in need of some new acquisitions. This season we again will feature an exhibition of the Works on Paper, which will include the Pissarro family, as well as other notable modern masters.

We also have an exhibition planned for early July with Lloyd Kelly featuring paintings of the French countryside and other interests. Lloyd is a very accomplished artist whose paintings have hung in many of our American embassies abroad, as well as, many private collections in this country. The last exhibition we did with Lloyd was at the National Arts Club in New York City in 2004 so we are very much looking forward to sharing with you his new works this July.

There will be two gallery strolls this summer, the first taking place on Thursday, July 12th and the second on Thursday, August 9th. Sandi Blanda will be back for another Sailors’ Valentine workshop the second week of August. This summer’s workshop will include an advance class for those who took last summer’s workshop.

We will keep you posted on the gallery’s news and happenings throughout the winter. If you find yourself on the Vineyard over the next couple of months please stop by and say hello as we are open year round.

Our best to you and yours and wishing you all a happy and healthy new year!

In Memory of Yves Parent 1941-2011

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and long-time gallery artist, Yves Parent on July 8, 2011 after a long and extremely successful artistic career. He died at his home in La Trinité Sur Mer in France and was surrounded by his loved ones.

Parent was a talented artist whom we have worked with for over two decades. He was born in Normandy in 1941 and was first a lawyer and an executive at his grandfather’s mineral water company before dedicating his life to his artwork. We met Yves and his friend and fellow artist, Marc Bertier, back in the 1980’s. Both avid sailors, they would come to the States from France during the summer season to paint along the Eastern seaboard. Yves then did watercolors from his boat giving the observer a unique window into how he saw the harbor fronts, lighthouses and surrounding landscape.

It wasn’t until many years later that Yves switched to oil paints and managed to achieve the very same tranquil mood many came to appreciate in his watercolors. His work continued to be admired by all that loved the sailing genre and he was an artist member of the American Society of Marine Artists.

His cheerful demeanor and very charming smile will be deeply missed by all those who ever interacted with him.

Sailors’ Valentine workshop with Sandi Blanda

Last week award-winning artist Sandi Blanda was on the island to teach a workshop on how to make Sailors’ Valentines. Sandi is very well known for her own work and has been teaching workshops for several years, though this was her first workshop on Martha’s Vineyard. The workshop was filled to capacity and it was a tremendous success! It took place over the course of three mornings and was held at the Boathouse, here in downtown Edgartown.

Thirteen people signed up for the workshop, four participants had taken a workshop in the past, and the other nine people had not. So understandably there was a little hesitation on their part, but once Sandi got everyone involved the group moved right along and most days stayed later to ask questions and continue their creations.

On the first day everyone learned about the different shells supplied by Sandi and the other materials they would be using to create their valentines. They learned the basics and then were assigned homework which entailed coming back in the morning with an idea for a design. Which everyone did and began to layout the different shells and other components to create their valentine.

On the last morning, the group started to permanently assemble their creations, some of whom finished and others whom had a beautiful work in progress. Sandi had a wonderful time getting to know her new friends and is looking forward to next summer’s workshop. To view more photographs and a video of this summer’s workshop please visit the gallery’s Facebook page.

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