Contemporary Paintings – The Christina Gallery

Lillia Frantin’s Windows of Summer

Sailboats and Seashells by Lillia Frantin — “Sailboats and Seashells”

When I look at a painting by Lillia Frantin, I immediately smile and think of summer. A table set with a brightly patterned cloth, fresh cut flowers, and a bowl of juicy fruit in front of an open window says summer to me. It’s as if you can feel the warm ocean breeze softly come through the window as you watch the boats sail on the horizon. I want to spend a carefree afternoon in front of that window.

I first met Lillia in the late 1990s and was instantly attracted to her imaginative paintings. We reconnected, and in 2012, she formally joined the gallery. The last ten years have been year-round bursts of happiness. Lillia has kept herself youthful through her painting. How could she not be with her color palette?

Lillia’s playful use of vivid jewel-toned paints, along with her expressive brushwork, are characteristics that appeal to her followers as well. Her approach is naturally effervescent and in keeping with the Modernists, whom she studied while earning her master’s degree from Pratt Institute. These artists included Cezanne, Van Gogh, Bonnard, and Matisse. Of course, the latter, Matisse, famously embraced the open window theme and painted them extensively during his career, particularly while visiting the Mediterranean later in his life.

This open window with a breezy view of the ocean filled with sailboats has been a favorite theme in Lillia’s work. In the painting, “Summer Still Life with Sailboats,” her spontaneous brushwork dances across the canvas as her paint pulls together the bouquets of hydrangea, geraniums, and primrose. You can see the ocean and sailboats through a window flanked by lemon chiffon shutters.

Lillia says: “in many of my paintings, there is a double theme of still-life with bountiful fruits and flowers, placed at an open window filled with sky, sea, and billowing sailing boats. This theme presents two kinds of beauty; the intimate interiors we create, live in, and love, and looking out to the endless natural, everchanging world beyond. Inside and outside, Matisse often used this open window theme to show man and nature as one, expressing duality and unity. In my art, I’ve come to love a theme that allows color, emotion, freedom, and movement to become a harmonious experience of joy and pleasure, for me and hopefully for the viewer.”

I believe Lillia has done just that!

Please click to view more paintings by Lillia Frantin.

Lillia painting en plein air in her backyard

The Christina Gallery Welcomes Kelly Carmody to the gallery

We are excited to welcome classically trained artist Kelly Carmody to the gallery. Kelly grew up in Topsfield, MA, and attended the Massachusetts College of Art in the mid-1990s. She furthered her studies at the Art Students League in New York City and the studio of Numael Pulido (1939-2022), where he taught her how to convey light on form. This understanding of how to portray light in a painting is fundamental to Kelly’s work. Pulido’s wife, Shirley Pulido (1932-2020), was also a tremendous influence. She taught Kelly how to use value and temperature relationships to create balance and interest in her paintings.

"Light on the Cove" by Kelly Carmody — “Light on the Cove” by Kelly Carmody

“I am inspired by the formal techniques of the Old Masters, and my work transports the traditional genres of portraiture and the still life into the contemporary realm. My dedication to the understanding of principles of classical painting—composition, simplification of masses, manipulation of value and color—informs my process. Whether working on large-scale portraiture or more intimate still lifes, I strive to create compelling depictions of everyday subjects.”

During the Winter of 2022, Kelly began a new series of dancers and people socializing. Kelly says, “there was a yearning to be together with people again in a way that did not feel self-conscious. Dancing was the best way I could show to express that.”

"Dancing" by Kelly Carmody — “Dancing” by Kelly Carmody

We look forward to introducing Kelly’s paintings to you on your next visit to the gallery. Click here to view her paintings and to read more about Kelly Carmody.

Edgartown through the eyes of American Impressionist John C. Traynor

“South Water Street, Edgartown” – in progress

Edgartown’s charming Hob Knob recently invited John C. Traynor to stay with them as part of their Artists in Residences. During his stay, John painted their lovely courtyard, which now hangs in the boutique hotel. He spent the rest of his trip painting en plein air street views in and around Edgartown.

About his stay, John says, “I enjoyed staying at the Hob Knob. The staff was friendly and helpful. It was nice being a short walk from the center of town to paint. I didn’t have to worry about parking and in walking distance of the many wonderful restaurants.” [Read more…] about Edgartown through the eyes of American Impressionist John C. Traynor

E. J. Paprocki Inspired by Martha’s Vineyard

E. J. painting on a cloudy day in Edgartown

Impressionist E. J. Paprocki, who joined the gallery in 2020, recently visited Martha’s Vineyard to paint “en plein air” or in the open air. It was his first visit to Martha’s Vineyard, and he promises it will not be his last! “Martha’s Vineyard was, in a word, inspiring. Never have all the visual elements I like to incorporate into my paintings come together in a single location. No editing was needed – I painted what I experienced.”

“Vineyard Landscapes – The 2021 Collection” by Marjorie Mason

We are excited to present this year’s “Vineyard Landscapes – The 2021 Collection” by well-known Island artist Marjorie Mason. This evolving collection will be on display on the gallery’s first floor through the summer and online.

2020 Summer Exhibitions with Marjorie Mason & William R. Davis

We are excited to announce our 2020 Summer Exhibitions with Marjorie Mason and William R. Davis. During this period of social distancing, we did not host an artists’ reception but plan to feature their collections on the main floor of the gallery throughout the summer.

Well-known Island artist Marjorie Mason has cultivated a vast following for her work. Each year, her collection delights clients and visitors to the gallery. Whether it is sitting and watching the boats sail by or a stroll along one’s favorite beach, admirers respond to her work. Marjorie captures a fond Vineyard memory for them to take home and enjoy year-round.

"Menemsha Beach Afternoon" by Marjorie Mason — “Menemsha Beach Afternoon” by Marjorie Mason

The Christina Gallery welcomes internationally admired artist E. J. Paprocki to the gallery

We are excited to welcome internationally admired artist E. J. Paprocki to the gallery. E. J. was born in Chicago and picked up his first paintbrush when he was seven years old. His style is in the Impressionists’ manner and prefers painting plein air, where he captures the true spirit of the moment. He also enjoys the interaction he has with people while they pass by him painting on location.

William R. Davis’ Nocturnal Paintings

When you hear the name William R. Davis, his historically accurate marine paintings come to mind. And rightfully so, he is one of the leading contemporary marine painters currently working in this country. His success is attributed to his love of art history, understanding his subject through extensive research, while capturing the light and the teeniest of subtle details.

However, since the late 1990s, Davis has also had an interest in painting plein air landscapes. His friendship with fellow artists, Joe McGurl and Don Demers, both well-known landscape painters brought on this interest. The pair would travel around New England to paint outdoors, and Davis, one for always wanting to challenge himself, decided to give painting outdoors a try. Not only did he enjoy being outside and away from the studio, but he also was very good at capturing in the moment the essence of the landscape.

Lifting Fog by William R. Davis — “Lifting Fog” by William R. Davis

Fi Katzler – Provence & Beyond

Fi Katzler was born on Malta, an island in the Mediterranean Sea and grew up in the county of Hampshire on the southern coast of England. In 2008 she moved to Aix-en-Provence with her family and has never tired of the stunning Provence backdrop nor the light that has been inspirational to many artists, including Cezanne and Van Gogh.

Summertime with Lillia Frantin

Lillia Frantin is a teacher, painter and art historian living on Cape Cod. She first minored in art history before gaining her master’s degree from Pratt Institute in 1968. She was a professor of Painting and Modern Art History for over twenty years, painting and exhibiting professionally in New York, California, New Mexico and on Cape Cod.

While she visited the island to drop off her latest paintings at the gallery, she sat down to answer a few questions.

We started by asking Lillia if her work has changed over the course of her career. Because she has been painting for over 50 years, this was a rather challenging question. Her painting style has remained consistent throughout her career. Her painting style evolves around her use of color and the freshness of her strokes, elements that have always been prevalent in her work. With time, her voice and purpose have developed.

En Plein-Air with Jan Pawlowski

Last week we had the opportunity to observe long time gallery artist, Jan Pawlowski, painting en plein-air or “in the open air” on Chappaquiddick. Pawlowski, who joined our gallery in 1996, was capturing one of his favorite views, the harbor activity near the Edgartown Yacht Club.

Jan Pawlowski painting on Chappaquiddick - July 2017 — Jan Pawlowski painting on Chappaquiddick – July 2017

Congratulations to Aleta Steward!

We are very proud to announce that Aleta Steward was recently accepted into the prestigious Society of Animal Artists art show in Jackson Wyoming’s Trailside Galleries. The Society of Animal Artists was founded in the 1950’s and since then has been presenting the highest quality animal art in all medias throughout the world. Aleta’s painting “Affinity” was one of the 80 chosen, out of hundreds of entries. We are proud of her achievement and the overall quality of the work in which she submitted.