“Barns and Beyond”-Watercolorists Unlimited (Lisa Walsh)

 “Barns and Beyond”-Watercolorists Unlimited (Lisa Walsh)

By Bob Gilbert

see pictures from the show on Facebook: Gourgaud Gallery

By June 3-24, 2012 “Barns and Beyond”-Watercolorists Unlimited (Lisa Walsh)

Lisa Walsh, who heads the group “Watercolorists Unlimited”, will have a showing of her group’s paintings. The reception is June 3 (1-3 PM). Refreshments will be served.

The following is an interview with Lisa Walsh:

How and when did you get interested in forming this group?

I've been involved with this group for 12 years. The original group formed 25 years ago, this being our 25^th anniversary year. There are still two members who are original members. They are Bernice Fatto, and Wilma Shimer.

Have you had formal art training?  If so, describe.

I majored in art in college at The Maryland Institute, College of Art in Baltimore. Many of the painters in our group have been professional artists working in fields such as textile design, graphic design and as art teachers.

The work is in watercolor.  Why do you prefer this medium?

There is luminosity to watercolor that you really can't achieve in any other medium.

How does the group select subject matter for paintings?

We discuss it at every meeting. We've kept a list of the subjects we've painted over the years, and sometimes we'll go back to one we've done before.

What artists have influenced or inspired the group?

 Lucille Geiser was the original member of the group and she is still quoted in some of our critiques. Also, Biff Hines was a great influence to many of the members. But we are regularly influenced by one another in our critiques.

In your opinion, what is the relative importance of “raw talent” vs. training when it comes to becoming an artist?  Can a person with modest talent benefit substantially from proper training, and does a person with great talent require training?

I personally believe that you learn through doing and seeing. I think we all get better by looking at the other paintings in our group, and by hearing what others say about our paintings. Critique is a great learning tool.

As part of the non-profit CAC, the Gourgaud Gallery donates 20% of any art sales back to the CAC and its programs that support and promote the Arts in our community. The Gallery is located in Town Hall and is free and open to the public Mon- Fri from 9 AM. – 4 PM. and the First, Third & Last Sunday of the month from 1-3 PM. New exhibit receptions fall on the First Sunday from 1-3 PM , unless otherwise specified. You can meet the exhibiting Artist(s). Refreshments are served at the Artist Reception. Anyone wishing to exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery can obtain an application at the Gallery or at www.cranbury.org. For information on upcoming programs and events, join us on FACEBOOK: GOURGAUD GALLERY, and on the GOURGAUD GALLERY BLOG at www.Gourgaudgallery.blogspot.com . If you are interested in CAC membership or participating in any way, please email us at cranburyartscouncil@gmail.com.

"An Evening with George" at the Gourgaud Gallery

"An Evening with George" at the Gourgaud GalleryThe Gourgaud Gallery will host a one night art exhibit, featuring nearly 30 paintings by the late George Stave. This event, "An Evening with George," will be held in the Gourgaud Gallery on June 1, Friday evening from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. The public is invited to view these privately owned paintings and visit with the families who loaned the pieces. The exhibit was curated by Mr. Stave's wife, Mabubeh Stave as a memorial to George and it offers a rare opportunity to see Mr. Stave's work from private collections.

Mr. Stave was a prolific and highly respected painter. He was born July 29, 1923 in Los Angeles, CA. After growing up in Salinas, CA, he returned to Los Angeles at the age of 17 as a scholarship student at the Chouinard Art Institute. In his early 20's Mr. Stave worked as a set painter in the art department of Paramount Studios and as a painting instructor at the Jepson Art Institute. In 1949, he moved to Paris where he studied painting at the Academie Julian. Mr. Stave was awarded a Fulbright Act grant in 1951 for a year's study in India and then traveled throughout Southeast Asia and Japan, where he studied and collected art. In the mid 1950s he returned to New York where he was a student of the abstract expressionist painter Robert Motherwell at Hunter College. A member of the United Scenic Artists union, he worked for most of his career as a set painter for NBC Studios and later, Lincoln Scenic Studios, in New York.


In 1958, he and his wife Mahbubeh Stave moved to Cranbury from New York City.


This is Mr. Stave's third exhibition in the Gourgaud Gallery. He was actively involved in saving the building that houses the Gourgaud Gallery from demolition in 1966 and he and his wife served on the committee that chose to use the space as a gallery. Mr. Stave first showed his work in the inaugural exhibition in 1976 and then again in 1981.

The exhibit is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

The pieces in the exhibit will not be available for purchase, and the exhibit will be removed that evening to allow for the upcoming exhibit of Watercolorists Unlimited to be displayed for their regular Sunday opening on June 3.

2012 Art in the Park Plein Air Series offered by the Cranbury Arts Council

Welcome to the 2012 Art in the Park Plein Air Series offered by the Cranbury Arts Council. This is the tenth anniversary of the free plein air event and offers new locations to paint in the open air from May - October on Sundays from noon to 4 pm. The series ends in October in Village Park in Cranbury, which was the very first location that began the series ten years ago. The artists who participate will have the opportunity to share their work from the series in the December show in the Cranbury Arts Councl's Gourgaud Gallery located in Town Hall, Cranbury. The events are rain or shine with no rain dates.

Art in the Park 2012 Schedule:

CHECK ON LINE FOR DIRECTIONS TO LOCATIONS

May 20 – 39 Cranbury Neck Rd. Cranbury

June 17 – Mt. Lakes Nature Preserve, Princeton
July 15 – Sayen Gardens, Hamilton
August 19 – "Paint on Main" Main St., Cranbury(between Evans Dr. & Plainsboro Rd. and the West Property)
September 16 – Plainsboro Preserve, Plainsboro
October 21 – Village Park, Cranbury

" A Journey through Britain in Watercolor." Daniel Turner Thomas

The attached is a small preview of the show entitled " A Journey through
Britain in Watercolor." 9 paintings from the 48 will be available for
viewing in May. Full exhibit opens next year. Reception of British goodies
at 1-3pm on May 6th at the Gourgaud Gallery in Cranbury, NJ. Hope to see you
there. Dan

MAY EXHIBIT AT THE GOURGAUD GALLERY:

"Local Paintings & Preview of the Journey through Britain in Watercolor Exhibit"

PAINTINGS BY DANIEL TURNER THOMAS

By Bob Gilbert

The May 2012 exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery features the watercolor paintings of Daniel Turner Thomas, a member of the Cranbury Arts Council.  The following question and answer session with Mr. Thomas gives us an insight into the artist: 

How and when did you get interested in painting?
When I was young around 8 years old and in primary school in England

Have you had formal art training?  If so, describe.
None at all

You work primarily in watercolor.  Why do you prefer this medium?
I like the effects that watercolor provides. It’s the perfect medium for landscapes

How do you select subject matter for paintings?
I look for mood & lighting in a landscape whenever I can. I also look for unusual angles/perspectives for my works

In the United Kingdom painting collection on your website, http://www.danielpturnerthomas.com/index.html some paintings are listed as “NFS” (not for sale).  Are these paintings of places that have significance to you?
Yes these are family places or ones that are held in a private collection in UK galleries

What artists have influenced or inspired you?
Geoff Kersey from Derbyshire in the UK.

In your opinion, what is the relative importance of “raw talent” vs. training when it comes to becoming an artist?  Can a person with modest talent benefit substantially from proper training, and does a person with great talent require training?
I think that raw talent can be developed. Many people have no idea they have this creativity and need someone to encourage them and motivate them. I see a lot of so called talent that is not that creative in my opinion. Damien Hurst is attracting a lot of controversy as I write in the UK. Does he have talent or is his work grotesque?

The May exhibit runs from May 6 - May 27, 2012. 

The reception will be on Sunday, May 6th from 1-3 PM in the Gourgaud Gallery, located in Town Hall.
As part of the non-profit Cranbury Arts Council, the Gourgaud Gallery donates 20% of any art sales back to the Cranbury Arts Council and its programs that support and promote the Arts in our community. The gallery is located in Town Hall and is free and open to the public Mon- Fri from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. and the First, Third & Last Sunday of the month from 1-3 p.m. New exhibit receptions fall on the First Sunday from 1-3 p.m. unless otherwise specified.  Anyone wishing to exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery can obtain an application in the gallery or at www.cranbury.org.  Check the Gourgaud Gallery site www.Gourgaudgallery.blogspot.com  on Facebook and Gourgaud Gallery Blog for information on upcoming programs and events. If you are interested in CAC membership or participating in any way, please email us at cranburyartscouncil@gmail.com. 

View at Lambeth Bridge

                                                       London Eye

Additonal pictures of Dan's exhibit may be viewed on Facebook at Gourgaud Gallery Page:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gourgaud-Gallery/108657442495068

                                                                            

                   

NEW EXHIBIT AT GOURGAUD GALLERY – “SPRING INTO SPRING”

By Bob Gilbert

The new exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery, which runs from March 31 – April 29, 2012, features the paintings of the artist, Mary Ellen Brennan. 

It is always interesting to know more about the person behind the paint brush, so we present the following question and answer session with Mary Ellen concerning her work, her background, and her perspectives:

How would you describe your work?

My artwork is varied in subject, size, medium and color. Might say a reflection of the way I live my life.

How did you get interested in Painting?

My parents were great readers. Herald Statesmen, Time & Life, Saturday Evening Post, Daily News, Herald Trib, Readers Digest. Between reading, there was always time for the radio and we all listened together but while they read my sister and I had choices. Since we loved being in the living room where Mom and Dad were we did what kids did back then.....crayons, pencils, and coloring books. I found the Sunday comics were more interesting to copy than to read and so I drew them and everything else I could find.

Have you had any formal training?

I went to Katherine Gibbs in NYC after HS. My parents thought it important to give us a good background so we could always support ourselves. After that it was up to us to pursue anything we wanted. I sought out art. I had taken art & art appreciation in HS and went to classes every chance I could, studying with those that could teach me. Our next door neighbor was a professional artist who had come to the US in the late '30's when war was evident in Europe and designed bread wrappers for companies like TipTop Bread. Knowing I loved to draw, she took me under her wing and taught me about oils, composition - shadows-perspective - mixing of colors. I had my first set of oils and easel at the age of 8. And that's another story for another time.

What materials do you use? Why do you prefer this medium?

Watercolor is it. It is a challenge, does not require a large studio, and is fun, even though frustrating at times. Have used oils, pen and ink and still have oils. Love the smell of turpentine! I never used acrylics or pastels. Really don't have a desire to.

What are your favorite topics to paint?

What inspires me... the ocean, roof tops and eaves, scenes with variety of colors, barns, houses, the great outdoors, trees. Never took up anatomy so though I have done people and pets, I would say I have to work harder when doing them.

Do you have a favorite painting of your own?

Yes many, when I sell one it is like losing a friend. I don't realize how attached I am to it until it is going out the door. It doesn't stop me though from parting with it because I know it is going to a good home as it was selected with care by the purchaser. Sort of like when you have puppies for sale.

Is there a particular artist that has inspired you and how has that person influenced your work?

Monet, Andrew Wyeth, Ed Hopper, Salvador Dali, Remington, Renoir and of course Norman Rockwell.

What advice would you give to someone who is starting out as an artist?

Stick with it. Step away from always being available for people and give yourself into your art....don't look at a clock. Friends want you to come out to play but your heart and mind are playing in your creation.

What other interests besides painting do you have?

My home, husband and family, am a member of the Nine Hole Ladies Golf Club at Rossmoor, love music....opera, symphonies, theater, as well as an avid and enthusiastic observer of sports. Learned bridge at slumber parties back in HS and continue to enjoy all card games. Nothing like cooking to put problems out of your mind... but eating out is the best! Mustn't forget travel, travel, travel.  After reading the daily newspapers I have to work hard to find time to get into a book. Love scrabble and crosswords.

Do you have a goal in reference to your paintings, or is it just a hobby?

Art is not my hobby....it is me. It is a gift from God and is as much a part of me and my way of life as walking or eating.

As they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words”, so why not attend the Artist’s reception for the “Spring into Spring” exhibit, where you can view Mary Ellen’s work and meet the artist herself.  The reception will be held on March 31, 2012 from 12 PM to 3 PM.  Refreshments will be served and all are invited. 

The opening at the Gourgaud Gallery will offer with the purchase of a painting the option to the buyer to purchase a second one at half the price, as long as the price of the second painting is lower originally than the first. Do come out and see how this works. At a time when everything is going up it might be the way to go!!! More for less!

Artwork is for sale with 20% of each sale going to support the Cranbury Arts Council and its programs. Cash or a check made out to the Cranbury Arts Council is accepted as payment. For additional information see www.cranburyartscouncil.org. Gallery hours are daily from 9 am to 4 pm and on the first, third and last Sunday of the month from 1 pm to 3 pm. Saturdays are by appointment.  

See Facebook: Gourgaud Gallery : https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gourgaud-Gallery/108657442495068  for additional pictures.

Paperwhites

Cranbury Farm

March Exhibit at the Gourgaud Gallery

                                  "Viewpoints"                         
                                   Students of Susan Winter
                                               March 4-25

Artist’s Reception on Sunday, March 4, 2012, from 1-3 pm. All are welcome.

Gallery hours are daily from 9 am to 4 pm and on the first, third and last Sunday of the month from 1 pm to 3 pm. Saturdays are by appointment. The Gourgaud Gallery is located in Cranbury Town Hall, 23A North Main Street, Cranbury, NJ. Artwork is for sale with 20% of each sale going to support the Cranbury Arts Council and its programs. Cash or a check made out to the Cranbury Arts Council is accepted as payment.

 The March exhibit will feature paintings by local artists who study under the direction of Susan Winter in her Hightstown studio. Mediums include pastel, watercolor and oil.

Artists include: Maxine Murray of Allentown; Arline Reisman and Iris Wininger of East Brunswick; Synnova Coleman of Hightstown; Linda Brodsky, Bernice Comerchero, Sheila Kaplan, Roberta Neutuch and Karen Slater of Monroe Township; and Ellen Weiner, Yardley, PA. A photo of one of the paintings.

"Cupcake Cookie"

Susan Winter provides the following information:

"My students range in age and length of time with me, from 40-70 and from 6 months in time with me to 5 years. They all work in either oils, pastel, or watercolor with pastels on top. The last method seems to appeal to would-be watercolorists because pastels are so forgiving and a wonderful drawing tool. Used over watercolors they give a rich and vibrant effect.

My students work mostly from their own edited photos, paying close attention to composition guidelines and working the values and colors to the paintings richest result. Most of the paintings in the show are either landscape or landscapes with figures entwined in the composition. You will notice the wonderful colors in these paintings. I have stressed color and taught them how to choose palettes to enhance their work. I hope all the viewers enjoy their hard work and the beauty of the paintings exhibited. "